Not long ago—somewhere between the rise of quiet luxury and the sixth iteration of the “new normal”— playfulness and daring seemed to exit the room. Maybe we were all too exhausted. Or cautious. Or simply unsure whether exuberance still had a place in the conversation. But in 2025, there are undeniable glimmers of its return. Across the 15 categories in this year’s Best of the Best (our 37th annual edition), luxury is evolving. Some changes are thrilling. Others pragmatic. A few…

