Sponsored by Clientbook
‘The Next Now’ is Back, Back Again
Ylang 23 and TrendSeeder’s competition for emerging jewelry designers is in New York this month for its third iteration.

New York--“The Next Now,” a competition for emerging jewelry designers launched by Ylang 23 and TrendSeeder, is coming back to New York this month for its third iteration.
The event will take place on Thursday, Aug. 17, at Brand Assembly on West 22nd Street.
The Next Now is a partnership between the Dallas retailer and the fashion incubator, designed to discover and cultivate the next generation of jewelry designers.
The competition serves not only as a launching pad for the winners but also as a network for emerging designers to talk about the challenges of establishing and building their businesses.
The Next Now gives designers the chance to put their work in front of a panel of judges, which this year is comprised of: Kelley Doherty, jewelry buyer at Bergdorf Goodman; Jennifer Gach, senior accessories director at Elle; jewelry designer Sharon Khazzam; Avani Patel, founder of TrendSeeder; Meaghan Flynn Petropoulous, co-founder of brand development agency For Future Reference; Wing Yau, founder of jewelry brand Wwake; and Ylang 23’s Joanne Teichman.
Ylang 23 and TrendSeeder have put out the call for applications. Entries are due by Sunday, Aug. 6.
This year, Ylang 23 also has named Liz Kantner and Benjamin Guttery as emerging designer ambassadors. The two will help The Next Now target great designers and answer questions from those who plan to enter.
This year’s prizes include a showcase and presentation to retailers by For Future Reference at Paris Fashion Week; a presentation to and meeting with Bergdorf Goodman’s jewelry buying team; online presentation, presence and promotion on Ylang 23’s website with the possibility of a purchase order and long-term relationship; 25 combined mentorship hours by various judges; and a one-year mentorship to TrendSeeder, valued at $1,500.
This will be the third time Ylang 23 and TrendSeeder have held The Next Now.
The winner of the first Next Now was Kirsty Stone of Retrouvaí, followed by Ann Korman of Ark Fine Jewelry this spring.
For more information or to register, visit TheNextNow.net.
The Latest


It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.

President Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Former Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.


The jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.

The singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Dubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.

Plans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.

The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.

Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.

The Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.

The family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.

In his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.

The new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.

The Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.

Wrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.

The three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.

The one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.

Three C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”

The retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.

Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.

The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.

The pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.

The New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”