Media Excellence

Nicole Martine Chapoteau is a fashion director, stylist, and creative force, currently shaping the visual identity of Vanity Fair as its Fashion Director. A graduate of NYU and proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Nicole began her career in architecture before transitioning into fashion, bringing a unique design perspective to editorial storytelling. Her path has included influential roles at Marie Claire, InStyle, and Allure, where she served as Accessories Director. Known for her ability to merge style with cultural relevance, she has styled an impressive range of talent including Regina King, Bad Bunny, Simone Biles, Angela Davis, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Her work has appeared in Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, The Cut, and Ebony, among others. She has collaborated with top photographers like Mickalene Thomas, Mark Seliger, Ruth Ossai, Deana Lawson and Ruven Afanador . She continues to influence the industry through thoughtful, inclusive, and visually striking narratives.

Emili Vesilind’s been writing about jewelry as a business and an artform since 2012, first as a senior editor at JCK magazine for nearly a decade, and currently is the editor-in-chief of Gem + Jewel, a glossy magazine and website produced by Jewelers Mutual Group and designed to elevate its readership's love of fine jewelry and luxury watches. Prior to pivoting to jewelry journalism, she covered the fashion industry for both the Los Angeles Times as a staff writer and Women’s Wear Daily as its west coast retail editor. She's a co-host at-large for jewelry podcast Rough Cut, and over the years has contributed articles and personal essays to CNN, New York Magazine’s The Cut, Vogue Australia, Curator, and Vox, among others. She lives on the Beltway in Virginia with her husband and two kids.

Thomas Waller is the Senior Fashion Market Editor for Accessories at WWD, where he covers everything from handbags to heels—but his true obsessions are watches and fine jewelry. Drawn to the craft, precision, and storytelling behind them, he explores how design, heritage, and innovation shape the way we adorn ourselves. His work spans collection critiques, business and retail features, industry trend analysis, and collaborating on WWD’s visual storytelling through fashion and accessory editorials. With a deep appreciation and curiosity for craftsmanship and design, he explores how artistry and innovation shape the way people buy, wear, and value what they own. Before joining WWD, he held editorial roles at InStyle and Allure. Outside of the office, he is a culture and travel nerd and a self-professed Real Housewives historian.