THENEXTNOW

Designer Thea Miller built DRU. out of a desire to create meaning and make sense of life’s complexities. Her collection began from a lifelong interest in icons and images that symbolized strength and provided hope and solace through history. As the collection evolved, Thea began to incorporate inspiring words and meaningful mantras meant to empower and embolden her jewelry’s wearers.

Distinct in its authenticity, DRU. uses irony and humor to reveal truth. Like the hidden meanings in many of the pieces, the collection features subtle details meant to engage one’s curiosity and wonder: colored gemstones in unexpected places and unique shapes that play with structure and architecture.

Leila Du Mond, a New York-based artist and designer, founded Cyril Studio in 2017 after graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Du Mond's jewelry is inspired by museum aesthetics and the everyday sublime. It evokes moonlit puddles, the earth's molten core, and dustlight. Cyril Studio is informed by the everyday sublime. The collection is designed and crafted in New York using precious metals and drops of light.

Eva Noga of Queens, NY (and originally the Czech Republic) became fascinated with the handmade jewelry world when taking classes at the School of Visual Arts and Parsons School of Design in New York City. 

Eva's hobby of jewelry design became her full time vocation in 2010 when she created Eva Hanusova Designs, a costume jewelry line, sold globally. She later segued into fine designer jewelry in 2017, having finished her first fine collection right before THENEXTNOW's 3rd edition in August of 2017. Eva's collection is inspired by her passion, gardening. She uses baguette diamonds, tourmalines, faceted gemstones, and 14k gold settings. Her passion for anything botanical has inspired her collection filled with diamond-accented beetles, spiders, and other critters. 

Ann Korman's journey into fine jewelry started when she was traveling in India and her guru asked her if she wanted to collaborate on a line. Without thinking it over, she said yes. Three years after starting work on her collection, Ann launched her line in November 2016. She's always had an affinity for artistic design and culture. After graduating from Cornell, she went on to earn her Masters in Fine Arts. Ann spent her career showing in New York galleries and worked as a fashion editor for Condé Nast. 

Ann has extensive spiritual and physical training in a breadth of disciplines, including Meditation & Gemology, Yoga, Kabbalah, and Nutrition. The deep commitment to her practice is personified in the designs of ARK. Today, Ann lives in Los Angeles with her beautiful family. 

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Kirsty Stone is the designer of Los Angeles based collection Retrouvaí. Kirsty is inspired by the stories women tell of their most treasured jewelry, and the impact family heirlooms have had on her own life. With her 14k gold collection, she aims to combine an element of nostalgia with an attitude that will resonate with modern women. Her work incorporates mother of pearl, black onyx, diamonds and coloured gemstones.  

Kirsty has a Bachelor of Commerce from the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University. Prior to launching her first jewelry collection, she helped to grow a largely successful Architectural manufacturing company where she developed an attention to detail and appreciation for modern architecture.

The name Retrouvaí was derived from the french proverb 'retrouvailles' which means the joy in reconnecting with someone from your past.