CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a ZooThe pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2021
Meet TheNextNow’s Winning Designer
Pari by Pari Sofianou nabbed the top prize at the jewelry design competition’s sixth edition.
Pari Sofianou is a Greek designer who counts Pippa Small as a mentor. She won the sixth edition of emerging jewelry design competition TheNextNow for her brand Pari by Pari Sofianou.
Dallas—This year, Ylang 23 brought back its popular design competition, TheNextNow, for its sixth iteration.
In partnership with New York City beauty and fashion incubator The Ember Company, the Dallas fine jewelry retailer announced Pari by Pari Sofianou as the winning brand.
Designer Sofianou was born in Athens and lived for several years in London, where she studied scenography, or stage design, at St. Martins College of Art.
In London, Sofianou met jewelry designer Pippa Small, who introduced her to jewelry and served as a mentor.
Pari by Pari Sofianou is inspired by the cosmos, depicting planets and stars in their orbits through gold, diamonds and multicolor gemstones. Many of the pieces move, much like a mobile. The brand also counts Greek mythology and astrology among its design references.
The brand has won a Ylang 23 purchase order, as well as mentorship and promotion.
Sofianou will have mentorship access to the team of judges who selected her as well.
They were: Moda Operandi interim CEO Jim Gold; Krupp Group founder Cindy Krupp; designer Pamela Love; designer Ileana Makri; founder and owner of The Ember Company Avani Patel; Vanity Fair Accessories Editor and Vogue Jewelry Editor Daisy Shaw; and Ylang 23 founder and owner Joanne Teichman.
In partnership with New York City beauty and fashion incubator The Ember Company, the Dallas fine jewelry retailer announced Pari by Pari Sofianou as the winning brand.
Designer Sofianou was born in Athens and lived for several years in London, where she studied scenography, or stage design, at St. Martins College of Art.
In London, Sofianou met jewelry designer Pippa Small, who introduced her to jewelry and served as a mentor.
Pari by Pari Sofianou is inspired by the cosmos, depicting planets and stars in their orbits through gold, diamonds and multicolor gemstones. Many of the pieces move, much like a mobile. The brand also counts Greek mythology and astrology among its design references.
The brand has won a Ylang 23 purchase order, as well as mentorship and promotion.
Planets in orbit and the unknown mysteries of the galaxy inspire these moveable designs from emerging Greek fine jewelry brand Pari by Pari Sofianou.
Sofianou will have mentorship access to the team of judges who selected her as well.
They were: Moda Operandi interim CEO Jim Gold; Krupp Group founder Cindy Krupp; designer Pamela Love; designer Ileana Makri; founder and owner of The Ember Company Avani Patel; Vanity Fair Accessories Editor and Vogue Jewelry Editor Daisy Shaw; and Ylang 23 founder and owner Joanne Teichman.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The judging panel selected from a group of 20 designer finalists from an original submission pool of more than 75.
The finalists presented a selection of their work over Zoom.
After the judging, Ylang 23 Vice President, Business Development Alysa Teichman, who founded TheNextNow, moderated a panel with the judges on facing retail challenges, building a brand and standing out in a crowded marketplace.
TheNextNow will happen again in fall 2021.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For NowParent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C. Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
Policies & IssuesApr 02, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on TariffsThe virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat RubyThe ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft RecoveredThe two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.
