As earbuds evolve beyond pure function, luxury design – from diamond-encrusted editions to modular charms – is redefining wearable audio as jewelry.
For years, innovation in earbuds centered on sound quality, battery life, and noise cancellation, while aesthetics converged on a single in-ear silhouette. Today, designers and brands are challenging that orthodoxy, reimagining earbuds as jewelry-adjacent objects that sit visibly on the ear, more ear cuff than invisible tech.
The idea of elevating earbuds into luxury objects is not new. Over the past decade, bespoke jewelers have produced gold-plated AirPods, diamond-encrusted headphones, and one-off couture audio pieces intended as collector’s items or status symbols. Bose, for example, has collaborated with designers such as Maggi Simpkins, whose commissions incorporate fine metals and gemstones, while jeweler Icebox famously created a diamond-set headphone piece using 365 stones, valued at approximately $20,000.
Luxury fashion houses, too, have tested the waters. Louis Vuitton’s Horizon earbuds marked an early attempt to treat wearable audio as an extension of the House’s accessories universe, incorporating branded charging cases, signature colors, and monogram detailing.
These products, however, have typically been positioned as collectibles or statement pieces rather than functional everyday wear. Rather than transforming earbuds into untouchable luxury statements, brands like Huawei are exploring modularity and wearability – customization that is accessible, interchangeable, and designed for everyday life. Think less bespoke high jewelry, more the logic of interchangeable watch straps or charm systems. The brand’s latest drop, the FreeClip 2, demonstrates this. A partnership with French jewelry house Les Néréides to produce a series of clip-on accessories designed for aid earbuds allows wearers to treat the device more like jewelry than conventional tech.
At just 5.1g per earbud, it is designed for extended wear while allowing ambient sound through positioning it as a lifestyle-focused alternative to sealed earbuds. The open-ear format is central to its appeal. By allowing environmental sound to remain audible, the earbuds are better suited to traveling, office use, and training where awareness of surroundings matters.
This shift mirrors a broader movement across luxury and technology. From monogrammed leather goods to configurable smartwatches, consumers increasingly expect products to reflect personal style.
Audio has lagged behind, largely because of technical constraints, but design innovation is now catching up.
As wearable technology continues to evolve, the next phase of innovation may not be about adding more features, but about integrating technology more naturally into how people dress, move, and live. In that sense, the question isn’t whether these earbuds resemble jewelry – but whether wearable audio is finally being designed to belong alongside it.
Debuting in early 2028, Proper English will offer rotating seasonal menus in a sophisticated Bentley-esque setting. Debuting in early 2028, Proper English will offer rotating seasonal menus in a sophisticated Bentley-esque setting.
The contemporary oceanview abode was inspired in part by Moroccan design motifs and includes a home theater and a speakeasy lounge with a DJ booth. The contemporary oceanview abode was inspired in part by Moroccan design motifs and includes a home theater and a speakeasy lounge with a DJ booth.
‘Heed’ is made completely from aluminum with a shiny gray finish on the hull. ‘Heed’ is made completely from aluminum with a shiny gray finish on the hull.
Detoxify, revitalize, and relax with our selection of luxury health and wellness retreats.
Luxury hotels are firmly banking on the latter, and as health, both physical and mental, continues to be more and more of a priority, are adapting their offering to cater to the modern traveler.
While some properties whack a treadmill and a (limited) weights rack in a confined room and call it a gym, others go above and beyond to offer bespoke wellness retreats and each of the destinations in this list offer a different approach, without any one-size-fits-all tactics. From Japanese-inspired remedies in the Hamptons to technology-free retreats in Malibu, we’ve covered it all.
While we all achieve well-being differently – some prefer a glass of champagne by the pool, for others it’s a hardcore boot camp-style immersion – the properties below all offer some of the best luxury wellness retreats in the US for 2026.
Yes, you read that right – we are leading our list of the best wellness retreats in the US with a hotel right smack bang in the middle of the Arizona desert. Set amidst the dramatic scenery of southern Utah, Amangiri provides unrivaled luxury in one of America’s most stunning health spa destinations. Offering a bespoke itinerary of immersive wellness and cultural activities, and privileged access to local national parks, Amangiri guests are unlikely to leave the same person they arrived as.
The retreat’s spa is set across an expansive 25,000 sq ft, with a host of signature Aman treatments on offer. Amangiri’s approach to well-being is inspired by the holistic healing treatments of the Navajo people, which draws on the four elements of earth, wind, fire and water. When focused on simultaneously, these elements seek to unify the mind and body, creating a state of harmony with the world around us. Guests can also enjoy a range of physical activities, including yoga on the rocks, hiking and horseback riding.
Amangiri offers a range of subtly stylish accommodations, including 10 elegant tented pavilions that blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Each pavilion provides ample space and privacy, with outdoor terraces featuring a private plunge pool and fire pit, allowing you to gaze upon the wide Utah skies in peace.
For 2026, Amangiri is offering a Detoxification Programme by tennis champion Novak Djokovic. The three-day program, curated by Djokovic, encompasses a guided reset for the mind, body, and spirit, while drawing on the raw stillness of the desert to promote inner cleansing and renewal.
A sample itinerary of treatments include cryo and thermal therapy using the spa’s water pavilion, outdoor yoga on the rocks, a Utah salt and clay body wrap, and sound bowl therapy.
Shou Sugi Ban House is a boutique spa and wellness retreat offering a program guided by the belief that each person walks a unique path to wellness. Your experience will be crafted in collaboration with the skilled staff, ensuring a program that suits your unique needs.
Named for the ancient Japanese meditative process of preserving wood via charring, Shou Sugi Ban House, which was recently awarded New York’s Best Wellness Retreat of 2025 by the World Spa Awards, follows a holistic approach to wellness, taking heavy influence from the natural world — in particular, the nearby ocean and local pine forests. Although spa treatments can be booked for a day visit, the stunningly stylish accommodation will undoubtedly be enough to entice you to book an extended stay. Nutrition forms an integral part of the hotel’s approach to well-being so expect a guided diet – the menu is created in collaboration with Noma co-founder, Mads Refslund.
With a star-studded list of previous guests, Cal-a-Vie has gained a reputation for being the best of the best when it comes to more relaxed health spas. Nestled amongst fields of lavender and grapevines, Cal-a-Vie Health Spa oozes Provençal charm, instantly transporting guests to idyllic European settings.
Start your day with a morning hike under the rising Californian sun, before enjoying a custom-made itinerary of treatments and activities, including yoga, golf, cooking classes and massages. Offering a range of programs focused on fitness, beauty and nutrition, every package is tailored to suit each guest’s individual needs and targets, with the choice between various retreats, including wellness pilates week led by internationally recognized experts, women’s week, and a summer wellness offering taking place over Independence Day.
Miraval has wellness destinations dotted around the US, each revered for its 360-approach to well-being. The enticing Texas property is just a half-hour outside of Austin city center and blends the state’s warm personality with meaningful, health-focused hospitality.
Each Miraval retreat begins with a question: What is your intention? The individual program is then built around the answer – be it a few days of intensive activity or a more rejuvinating week of soul-searching. Miraval Austin can handle all manner of complaints and causes, from bereavement trauma to weightloss, with a small army of specialists on hand to offer support and guidance.
Each itinerary is completely individual and can be as busy as you’d like, with plenty of treatments and excursions to choose from, from equine therapy, cooking classes and farm experiences, to yoga, meditation and massages. The resort’s inclusive approach to wellness encourages guests to switch off and focus entirely on themselves while on retreat, rather than a mounting bill – all food, activities, spa facilities and gratuities are included, with daily credit for extras.
Situated on the Hawaiian island of Lanai, Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort, is undoubtedly one of the most secluded luxury wellness retreats in the US, and is also adults-only. Using an evidence-based approach to wellbeing, this Four Seasons resort adopts a Sensei Way philosophy that focuses on three practices — move, nourish and rest.
Upon booking, each guest will receive a pre-arrival questionnaire in order to understand your specific needs. When you arrive at the resort, your dedicated Sensei Guide will consult with you to create your individual itinerary for the duration of your stay, including a range of fitness activities and spa treatments, such as yoga, golf, massages and facials, with each guided by a highly-skilled practitioner or instructor.
Designed by award-winning architects, Sensei Lanai provides a tranquil and luxury environment set amidst the rolling hills and tropical foliage of the Hawaiian countryside. Those wanting to fully immerse themselves in island life can opt to take hikes through the stunning scenery surrounding the resort, as well as travel to the picturesque local beaches.
At The Ranch Malibu, your transformation journey starts 30 days prior to arrival with a series of suggested assignments intended to prepare each guest for their retreat. With a results-driven ethos, The Ranch a no-nonsense (read: no-options) wellness program designed to help individuals meet their specific goals, be it healthy weight loss or improving general well-being.
Whilst The Ranch Malibu may not offer the laidback vacation that some people seek, it does offer the chance to completely disconnect from normal life in a way that many other US wellness retreats cannot. Following the belief that health is the ultimate luxury, guests are guided on a journey of discovery that allows them to make meaningful changes to their lifestyle that lasts far beyond their stay.
After a busy day filled with immersive activities such as mountain hiking, restorative yoga classes and circuit training, guests can head back to their tastefully decorated private rooms for a night of restful sleep. With no televisions or cell service and limited WiFi, a seven-day program at The Ranch promises complete detoxification and rejuvenation.
Routinely named as one of the best spa and wellness retreats in the world, Golden Door aims to achieve a complete transformation of mind, body and spirit. With just 40 single occupancy rooms, the retreat has a 1:4 guest-to-staff ratio with the aim of an unrivaled level of care and attention throughout.
Each all-inclusive, seven-day retreat features a tailor-made itinerary, including a personalized fitness program, custom meal plans and a range of spa treatments, all designed to fit your specific objectives and requirements. When you’re not enjoying your daily in-room massage, make use of Golden Door’s expansive 600-acre grounds, which include native hills, Japanese gardens and citrus groves.
Golden Door is an industry leader in bio-intensive farming, ensuring that each dish within your personalized meal plan features fresh, local and nutritious ingredients. As part of this focus on garden-to-table dining, Golden Door also offers educational activities, including bee tours, cookery classes and butterfly walks, encouraging guests to immerse themselves in their natural surroundings.
Be sure to pack lightly, as Golden Door provides shorts, t-shirts, robes, robes, sandals and a traditional Kimono for all wellness retreat guests, all of which are laundered daily.
As a secluded lakeside retreat, Lake Austin Spa Resort’s approach to wellbeing focuses on the restorative impact of water. With arrival via a scenic 30-minute water taxi ride, guests are immediately transported from the hustle and bustle of normal life to a tranquil oasis, with luxurious yet cozy accommodations.
Customizable packages invite guests to tailor their stay to suit their wants and needs — be it a high-intensity vacation full of workouts, or a chance to completely unwind. Lake Austin Spa Resort offers world-class spa facilities occupying over 25,000 sq ft, with a wide range of modern and traditional therapeutic treatments on offer. Taking inspiration from its waterside setting, The LakeHouse Spa also offers a variety of specialist aquatic treatments, including immersive water-based massages.
More active guests will be delighted to embark on Lake Austin Spa Resort’s huge range of exhilarating lake-based activities, including paddleboarding, wakeboarding and tubing, all of which embody the resort’s belief that spending time in and around water is essential to achieving elevated health and happiness.
Tucked away in the remote Arizona desert, Castle Hot Springs is a lush oasis for those hoping to switch off and relax. Luxurious accommodation combined with a whole host of immersive activities and treatments promises to leave you feeling rejuvenated and replenished.
Castle Hot Springs guests have the luxury of filling their day however they please, whether they want to engage in demanding physical exercises, lounge by the pool or learn more about the surrounding area and its history. Alternatively, those looking for a more structured itinerary may opt for one of the wellness packages, which offer structured itineraries focusing on everything from yoga to sleep health.
Of course, the exclusive hot springs are the shining star of this luxury wellness resort, with guests enjoying the unique opportunity to take a dip in the natural rock pools that have lent their healing properties to travelers for centuries. The resort itself is built around the pools, with their warmth being used to heat the main swimming pool, and their waters directly pumped to the private in-room soak tubs.
Reconnect with nature at the Canyon Ranch, which was named the number one wellness resort in New England by the Michelin Guide 2025. Surrounded by the beauty of the Berkshires, the resort boasts access to nature with plenty of interconnected trails through gardens and forests.
Wellness retreats for 2026 include a Chinese New Year guided wellness experience, an M/Power retreat focused on perimenopause and menopause, and a fitness and metaphysical festival taking place in March.
Always included in retreats is all-inclusive chef-crafted dining, access to world-class spa amenities (whirlpools, cold plunges, plus outdoor and indoor pools), and round-trip transportation.
The Hermès menswear head has left the house after nearly 40 years.
Following the death of Karl Lagerfeld in 2019, Véronique Nichanian at Hermès became the longest-serving creative director in Paris. But now, aged 71, she, too, has stepped aside as men’s artistic director of the maison after 38 years.
Her final show was the Fall-Winter 2026 season at Mens Paris Fashion Week in January – although she will continue to do some work on men’s silk and leather goods.
Her aesthetic legacy is all in the details, the love of which came from her father who favored “the tiny detail on his jacket, inside his pocket, on his pants. And never a logo,” she said in a recent interview with fashion critic, Tim Blanks.
To put on a Hermès jacket was to discover something new, something that surprised, delighted, and lifted the spirits. I remember trying on a navy wool blouson at the brand’s Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré temple of elegance. It had pitch-perfect Parisian dignity, of course – and then I put my hands in the pockets. They were lined with fake fur so carefully woven it felt real.
No-one would ever see that detail, but I knew it was there. “I want to make selfish clothes,” she told Paul Croughton, Elite Traveler’s editor in chief, a few years ago, speaking on just this subject. “When you touch them and feel the material, you say, ‘Oh, my God.’ That feeling is for you first.” That was more than enough for me.
In many ways Nichanian was the anti-fashion fashion designer. Her aesthetic did not veer wildly with the seasons or a change of CEO. She liked to describe her collections not as high-falutin art but rather “vêtements-objets” – clothes as objects.
They should be elegant and enjoyable to wear, of course, but even more delightful to use. She favored straight-leg leather trousers, hooded shearling parkas, straight-cut wool felt jackets, and flannel suits. Her runway shows were simple and elegant, not splashily theatrical.
Nichanian liked the new but loved the old. “Vêtements d’aujourd-hui and pour longtemps,” was her mantra – clothes for today and for a long time. A jacket that had been deftly repaired meant more than a new one. “It doesn’t only have a price, it has a meaning,” she explained. It was the way fashion started and, to many, was always meant to be.
One of the few women to establish herself in menswear was personable and courteous in an industry in which monstrous and sometimes toxic egos are indulged. “She is always polite, always happy to talk,” says one Paris-based fashion writer.
She did not search for job after job as many modern designers do, seeing themselves as guns for hire. Axel Dumas, the sixth-generation of the Dumas family to run Hermès and nephew of Nichanian’s first boss, lauded her commitment. “One thing I want to praise in this turbulent time is loyalty,” he said.
Nichanian could develop her trademark unique fabrics and details because she had that rarest commodity in fashion these days: time. She was from an era when “research for a new collection might involve a trip to the library or some other bookish facility,” Blanks points out.
Now the industry is all about screens and speed. “It’s going faster and faster,” Nichanian said as she stepped off the catwalk for the last time.
Asked how she felt about an industry beset with problems of labor standards scandals, greedflation, greenwashing, and over-supply as designers endlessly chase “the new, new thing,” Nichanian told the Business of Fashion: “There’s so much change, it loses something magic, the something that makes people happy.
“When I talk to my friends at the different houses, they’re not happy. It’s not only insecurity, it’s pressure. The houses have to find the right créateur and sometimes they don’t give them the time to express what they want to express.”
Good job then that Nichanian’s successor, Briton of Jamaican descent, Grace Wales Bonner, whose quiet intelligence has helped her build a small empire on sophisticated, self-assured clothes, has plenty of time to manage the transition. She was appointed last year, and her first show will not be until next January.
Some fashion observers question whether someone who is not French can “get” Hermès. Nichanian has not yet met Wales Bonner, the first black women to head a major menswear label. But I wager she would like nothing better than to see her blow a giant British raspberry at the past and forge a fresh yet still tres Francais, tres correct style for men who want the best or nothing.
