American ocean rower Kelsey Pfendler made history on July 4, 2026, by becoming the first American woman to complete a solo, unassisted row from California to Hawaii. Crossing the finish line in under 44 days, she also established a brand-new speed record for the route. Her background as a professional river guide and the details of her journey are chronicled on her campaign hub, yourowkelsey.com, which serves to support the Whale Foundation.
Chef Akane Eno is the visionary founder and head chef of Ichigo Ichie, an acclaimed fine dining kappo restaurant situated at Claymore Connect in Singapore. Breaking barriers in the culinary world, she holds the distinction of being the first and only female chef to helm a Japanese fine-dining establishment in the country. Her signature culinary style is celebrated for its artistic presentation, focus on seasonal ingredients, and innovative use of tea-infused flavors.
Former Audemars Piguet CEO François-Henri Bennahmias is making a high-profile return to the horology world with the launch of N3W5, an independent luxury watch brand. Backed by a substantial investment of 30 million Swiss francs, the new venture distinguishes itself through a talent-first philosophy. N3W5 is set to debut with two inaugural collections featuring its own proprietary movements, ahead of its highly anticipated official launch at Dubai Watch Week 2027.
The Prix Cartier Talents Horlogers de Demain celebrates and supports rising watchmaking talent across Europe, honoring Aymeric Peters and Arthur Choquet as the winners of its 2026 edition. Looking ahead to its 29th edition, the prestigious competition will expand its scope to include jewelry craftsmanship, with entries scheduled to open in Autumn 2026.
Set for release on September 15, 2026, by Oro Editions, Elena Agostinis’s Jewelry on the Wild Side is a 336-page exploration of the universal human drive for self-adornment. The book showcases over 250 unconventional pieces of wearable art made from unexpected, natural materials, challenging traditional design conventions through a global and sustainable lens.
Studio Conchita’s Anillos Onda Variantes are unique, handcrafted rings made from sustainably sourced, blown glass. Produced in Mexico City, these colorful pieces feature fluid, ocean-inspired wavy designs and are available in a variety of solid and marbled color combinations.
The Honourable Merchants Group (THMG), a Swiss-based luxury brand incubator founded by former Audemars Piguet CEO François-Henri Bennahmias, is aiming to reshape the luxury landscape through a sustainable, people-first philosophy. Operating across seven distinct verticals—including watchmaking, art, and fashion—the group prioritizes organic growth and introduces an innovative profit-sharing model directly with creators.
The exclusive collaboration between Vee Collective and fine jeweler Jennifer Meyer brings together sustainable fashion and elegant design. The limited-edition capsule features Vee Collective's signature eco-friendly, water-repellent nylon construction infused with Meyer's distinct aesthetic. Highlighting the collection are a medium Porter Tote finished in a sophisticated black diamond-quilt design and a specialized jewelry case engineered to keep delicate pieces completely tangle-free.
