Misty Copeland has taken her final bow, retiring from American Ballet Theatre.
Misty Copeland has officially retired from American Ballet Theatre after a 25-year career that reshaped the landscape of classical dance. She performed her final roles at a gala at Lincoln Center, where Oprah Winfrey and Debbie Allen honored her influence as the company’s first Black female principal dancer. Beyond the stage, Copeland has focused on authorship and her foundation’s programs supporting young dancers of color. As she steps away from ABT, she plans to continue advocating for greater diversity and representation in ballet.
According to the World Diamond Council, lab-grown gemstones are falling out of favor.
The World Diamond Council says consumer interest in lab-grown diamonds is waning as oversupply drives prices down and confidence erodes. President Feriel Zerouki noted that synthetic gems have lost up to 96 percent of their value since 2018, prompting buyers and retailers to return to natural stones, especially in the bridal market. She added that diamond-producing nations are joining forces through the Luanda Accord, which funds campaigns promoting natural diamonds. The move reflects a broader industry effort to restore demand after years of competition from lab-grown alternatives.
Miu Miu’s soaring sales are propelling Prada Group’s growth amid an industry-wide downturn.
Prada Group reported higher revenue this quarter, driven by surging demand for Miu Miu, which posted a 29 percent jump in retail sales. The brand’s continued momentum has helped offset weaker performance from Prada’s main line and buoyed the company amid a broader luxury slowdown. Growth in China and steady demand in Europe and the Americas also contributed to the nine-month revenue increase of 9 percent year over year. The company’s leadership expressed confidence in sustaining this trajectory despite uneven global spending.
Amazon is getting into A.I.-powered shopping tools, with the rollout of its Help Me Decide feature.
Amazon has introduced Help Me Decide, an AI-driven shopping tool that recommends a single product when users appear uncertain after browsing multiple similar items. Drawing on large language models, the feature analyzes a shopper’s purchase history alongside product descriptions and reviews to make personalized suggestions. Initially available to a limited number of U.S. customers, the tool will expand more broadly in the coming months. The launch follows Amazon’s push to integrate artificial intelligence into retail, as competitors like Walmart also experiment with AI-powered shopping assistants.
It may be controversial, but the British Museum’s new gala pulled in more than $3.3 million.
The British Museum’s first gala, often compared to the Met Gala, raised over $3.3 million, with funds earmarked to support international partnerships and a new Visitor Welcome Program. The event drew celebrities including Mick Jagger, Janet Jackson, and Naomi Campbell, featuring a silent auction and high-profile pledges like $13.7 million from the Garfield Weston Foundation. The evening sparked controversy, as a protester highlighted the museum’s ties to BP and Greece criticized the use of the Elgin Marbles as a backdrop for the festivities. Despite the backlash, the gala demonstrated the museum’s ability to secure substantial funding amid public scrutiny.
Today’s attractive distractions:
Piaget’s newest Collage watch is inspired by Andy Warhol’s self-portrait.
T Magazine has appointed the 25 essential pastries of New York City.
Of course this Philippe Starck-designed olive mill has a surrealist bent.
The Laundress is back—again—and wants to make your perfume obsolete.
