As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
‘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

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

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

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.


The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.

Production at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.

A new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.

The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.

It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.

The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.

The auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.

Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.

The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

The trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.