New York

Berlin -- QIVIKA will launch its Smart Scope on Kickstarter on September 15, 2026, a smartphone-connected optical device offering 24x optical magnification for both night sky and wildlife viewing.

The device delivers up to 3000mm equivalent focal length

QIVIKA's periscope-style optical system uses ED glass and multi-coated optics to bring distant subjects closer through a physical optical path, rather than relying on software-based digital zoom. The company says this approach helps maintain image clarity and contrast at long range.

A 300-gram body supports handheld and tripod use

Users can operate the Smart Scope handheld for quick, spontaneous shots or mount it on a tripod for extended observation sessions, such as stargazing or birdwatching.

New York – September 16, 2026 -- New York fashion label HIROMI ASAI will present its Spring/Summer 2027 men's collection, "Akatsuki — Before the Dawn," at New York Fashion Week on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 4:00 PM EDT.

The show, staged as a Flying Solo Show on a Midtown Manhattan rooftop, is invitation only. Designer Hiromi Asai has worked with Japanese kimono artisans since 2017, translating traditional textile craftsmanship into contemporary menswear; Asai first showed authentic kimonos at NYFW in 2016.

Eight looks trace the shift from night to first light

The collection's title refers to akatsuki, the Japanese word for the moment just before dawn. Its eight looks move through deep navy, charcoal and earthy tones before easing into soft whites and luminous neutrals.

New York – September 16, 2026 -- ALLSWIFIT will launch its new carbon-plate running shoe, ActiveRise+, exclusively on the brand's website on September 15, 2026, targeting everyday runners rather than race-day specialists.

The shoe weighs approximately 6.35 to 6.56 ounces in a US Men's Size 9 and delivers more than 80% energy return, according to the company. ALLSWIFIT positions ActiveRise+ as a more approachable alternative to aggressive race-day carbon-plate shoes, aimed at runners doing tempo runs, interval sessions, and long-distance training.

New York – September 16, 2026 -- Consumer365 has spotlighted NELL, a Japanese direct-to-consumer mattress brand, in its 2026 cooling mattress coverage following the company's first U.S. launch.

NELL packs four times the standard coil count into its mattresses

A king-size NELL mattress contains 4,704 individually wrapped pocket coils, compared to the 500 to 1,000 coils typically found in standard mattresses, according to the company. Each coil responds independently to pressure, with firmer support built into the middle and perimeter zones and more contouring at the shoulders and hips.

Thin layers of foam and cotton sit above the coils, allowing air to move around the springs and through the comfort layers to help release heat and moisture during the night.

Hershey, Pa. – September 15, 2026 -- Cadbury is bringing chocolate to the runway with a crystal-covered clutch bag designed specifically to hold and share its XL chocolate bars, launched as part of a new multi-year U.S. marketing campaign called "There's Magic in More."

Only five of the bags exist, and none are for sale.

The Cadbury Clutch, created in partnership with New York-based fashion designer LUAR, features jewel-tone purple fabric, gold accents and individually applied Swarovski crystals. The crystal-covered flap alone took roughly eight hours to complete by hand. Inside, a concealed platinum-silver insulated lining keeps the chocolate cool.

New York – September 15, 2026 -- Healing New York will present the Second Round Foundation with its Game Changers for Children Award at the 2026 Fall Gala on November 19, honoring the group's youth-focused education and mentorship work.

The gala takes place at New York Historical on November 19

The event runs from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at New York Historical, located at 170 Central Park West. Healing New York, incorporated in 1875 as the nation's first child protection agency, uses the annual gala to recognize individuals and organizations advancing child and family wellbeing.

New York – September 15, 2026 -- A new report from maternal care brand Momcozy and NielsenIQ (NIQ) finds that 91% of mothers identify as the primary caregiver in their household, while more than half struggle to find personal time amid caregiving, work and daily pressures.

The 2026 U.S. Mother & Baby Market Trends Report, released in August, surveyed 1,240 U.S. female caregivers ages 18-45 through NIQ's consumer panel in March 2026. Respondents were either pregnant with their first child or raising children between 0 and 24 months old.

Working moms make up a majority of caregivers surveyed

58% of moms surveyed work full-time, a figure that climbs to 64% among mothers with two or more children. Despite these work demands, 58% still cite a lack of personal time as a major source of parenting stress.

Santa Monica – September 15, 2026 -- Universal Music Group and ElevenLabs have signed a multi-year licensing deal to build a new AI-powered music platform that lets fans remix, mash up, and reinterpret tracks from participating artists.

The agreement marks ElevenLabs' first partnership with a major record label. It covers both licensing of UMG's catalog and joint development of AI audio products for artists and songwriters.

Fans will get tools to remix and personalize tracks

The platform, now in development, will allow users to co-create with music from participating artists through remixes, mashups, new track interpretations, and personalized vocal experiences. UMG and ElevenLabs said additional products and fan experiences are planned for future release.

New York – September 15, 2026 -- Bonobos launched its Fall 2026 campaign today featuring actor Jack Quaid in a new episodic series called "The Weekday Warrior Show," built around the brand's best-selling Weekday Warrior Pant.

Jack Quaid plays a coworker who stays composed through office chaos

Set in a typical office, Quaid's character navigates hallway run-ins, conference room mishaps and unpredictable workplace moments while staying polished throughout. Real Bonobos employees appear alongside him in the series, giving the campaign an insider view of the brand's own team.

"I loved finding the humor in the everyday realities of work," Quaid said, adding that his character shows the confidence that comes from looking and feeling put-together even when the day goes sideways.

New York – September 15, 2026 -- Gregorys Coffee is marking its 20th anniversary with a limited-time fall menu, available through October at its coffee houses, featuring Banana Foster-inspired drinks, returning pumpkin favorites and a new breakfast lineup with up to 47 grams of protein.

Banana Foster flavors span espresso, matcha and chai

The new lineup includes the Banana Foster Latte, made with espresso, banana, butter rum, cinnamon sugar, banana chips and oat milk, with an iced version topped with toasted maple rum vegan foam. The Banana Bread Chai pairs banana and butter rum with spiced chai and oat milk, while the Banana Foster Matcha Latte adds ceremonial-grade matcha to the same banana and butter rum base.

"Banana Foster is a dessert everybody already knows, and getting the banana right took the longest," said Gregory Zamfotis, founder of Gregorys. "Once we had it, it carried across espresso, matcha and chai."