Ylang 23 Selects Cyril Studio as ‘The Next Now’

New York—Retailer Ylang 23 returned to New York City last month for the fourth edition of its design competition that supports up-and-coming talents, dubbed “TheNextNow.”

This time around, the store declared brand Cyril Studio by designer Leila Mond the winner.

Cyril Studio is known for its sophisticated, minimalistic design, mixing fine materials like 14-karat yellow gold with more accessible ones such as rock crystal and silver.

Mond is an alum of the Rhode Island School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology, and launched Cyril Studio last year, inspired by light and optical phenomena.

As winner of the competition, her prize will include a presentation on Ylang23.com with potential for a purchase order from the store; inclusion in a Moda Operandi online trunk show with potential for an individual trunk show; a write-up on InStyle.com; a six-month library membership at Brand Assembly; mentorship from designers and jewelry industry experts; and a one-year membership to fashion incubator Trendseeder.

As in past editions, the competition was held in conjunction with TrendSeeder. Ylang 23’s Joanne and Alysa Teichman served as judges, along with TrendSeeder founder Avani Patel; designer Marla Aaron; Foundrae designer Beth Bugdaycay; InStyle Accessories Editor Elana Zadjman; Moda Operandi Vice President of Non-Apparel Jodi Kaplan; and Rainbowwave showroom manager David Unich.

Of all the designers who entered the competition, 31 were selected to present their work to the judges in a science-fair format at Brand Assembly in New York.

After reviewing the designers’ work, Alysa Teichman moderated a panel with the judges, in which they discussed topics such as how to allocate funds, deal with consignment orders, build their brands on social media and gain the attention of retailers and press.

The winner of the third edition of TheNextNow, Eva Noga, was on hand to announce Cyril Studio as this edition’s winner.

Mond is in good company. In addition to Noga, brands Retrouvai and ARK Fine Jewelry also have won Ylang 23’s competition, and seen major growth since.

Retrouvai returned to the Couture show this year while ARK made its show debut there, both as part of the For Future Reference showroom booth.

ARK, designed by Ann Korman, took home a Couture Design Award in the “Best in Colored Gemstones Under $20K” category.