Eco-conscious and socially responsible brands are on the rise with an increased number of consumers scouring the websites and beauty counters for vegan makeup and organic skincare.

Below, we are focusing on established and emerging names that market themselves as cruelty-free, i.e they do not test their products on animals.

Milk Makeup

instagram.com/milkmakeup

One of the most followed brands on Instagram, it is entirely vegan and uses natural alternatives to animal by-products, with KUSH high volume mascara and blur stick primer selling out faster then you can add to shopping bag.

Illamasqua

instagram.com/illamasqua

Illamasqua care as much about their products as they do about where they come from. Knowing the source, manufacturing and test process is key to the company and is something that have made them a go-to name among makeup artists and other beauty lovers.

Hourglass

instagram.com/hourglasscosmetics

Founded in 2014, cruelty-free luxury beauty brand Hourglass is aiming to be 100 percent vegan by 2020. For the past five years they have been offering breakthrough products, with their bestselling Veil Fluid Makeup proving particularly popular.

bareMinerals

instagram.com/baremineralsuk

We first discovered bareMinerals about 10 years ago when we tested their powder foundation, and since then they have evolved into a global makeup brand that doesn’t test on fluffy creatures at all. Most recently, they have launched Gen Nude collection of 40 different nude shades for the lips.

Marc Jacobs Beauty

instagram.com/marcjacobsbeauty

On their website, the brand states that ‘Marc Jacobs Beauty is a cruelty-free cosmetics brand. We never test on animals or use ingredients tested on animals; nor do we ask vendors to test on our behalf.’ If that’s not a statement for clean beauty, we don’t know what is.

Kat Von D

instagram.com/katvondbeauty

The one to go to for vegan and cruelty-free complexion, Kat Von D launched Lock-It Powder Foundation that delivers full-coverage powder that is long-wear and instant blurring effect.

By Terry

instagram.com/byterryofficial

By Terry has been in our makeup bags for a number of years. Not only are the products super lux (By Terry Terrybly Mascara with a lash growth serum is a must), but for years they have not tested their products on animals. Our recent top pick is the Detoxilyn City Serum.

January is coming to an end (finally!) and we are looking forward to snuggling down with a good read.

New titles will be hitting the shelf, or your Kindle virtual library, in the coming weeks and below we list our top five books we can’t wait to get lost in.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Dubbed ‘the debut novel of the season’, this psychological thriller following a famous painter Alicia Berenson who is married to an equally famous photographer who both live a lavish life in London. So what makes her pick up a gun and shoot her seemingly perfect husband in the face five times and never speak again? Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist, is determined to get her talking.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

Game of Thrones will be back on our screens very soon and to accompany the series, why not dive into the Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon (the writer behind the famed trilogy Bone Season). The 804-page book comes with its own character index, timeline and glossary and you’re going to need it to follow the story of The House of Berethnet that has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Queen Sabran the Ninth must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction – but assassins are getting closer to her door. Ead Durya is secretly protecting her with forbidden magic while across the dark sea, Tane has trained to be a dragonrider.

The Familiars by Stacey Halls

Everyone seems to be talking about this book based on real events and set during the Pendle witch trials of 1612. It explores the rights of women in the 17^th century by following a pregnant Fleetwood Shuttleworth who has gone through a series of unsuccessful births. After seeing  letter from her doctor to her husband saying that she will not survive birth, she looks to midwife named Alice Grey who wants to help her deliver a healthy baby. But is there more to Alice than meets the eye?

The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker

If you are a fan of doomsday scenarios, and is one of the millions who loved Bird Box on Netflix, then you will fly through this literary prize winner’s book based on people falling asleep in Southern Californian town of Santa Lora, and not waking up. There is panic, the town is quarantined, but those sleeping are dreaming heightened dreams, which a summoned psychiatrist is trying to unravel.

Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce

Loved Gone Girl and Girl On The Train? Then you’re in for another female-lead thriller. Alison is not the perfect wife or a mother, and someone finds out about her imperfections and wants to make her pay. Meanwhile, she is given her first murder case to defend, but all is never as it seems. We are pretty sure you’ll want to read this book one sitting.

Abu Dhabi will kick off the Special Olympics World Games at the Zayed Sports City on March 14 and as exciting as the Games are, we love a good opening ceremony.

More than 40,000 spectators will have their eyes fixed on a carefully structured proceedings that include a parade of 7,500 athletes from more than 190 nations that will march out alongside a number of international celebrities and sporting heroes. Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Managing Director of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, said:

 “The Opening Ceremony of the World Games will encapsulate the spirit, drive and passion of the athletes as they prepare to take part in the largest sporting event ever held for sportsmen and women with intellectual disabilities.

 

The ceremony will act as a dynamic and awe-inspiring display of hope, happiness, unity and inclusiveness that will project the shared message of Special Olympics, the World Games and the UAE – that People of Determination are an equal and essential part of our families, our schools, our workplaces and our communities. Through this ceremony, we will come together and show the world that intellectual disability is no barrier to achievement.”

instagram.com/worldgamesad

March event will also include performances that have been created by a group of organisers dubbed ‘The Makers’, people of determination who have played a key role in masterminding and staging the opening ceremony.

Special Olympics UAE athletes will complete the Law Enforcement Torch Run by carrying the ‘Flame of Hope’ into Zayed Sports City and lighting a cauldron to mark the beginning of the Games.

Tune in at 5pm on March 14.

Already known as one of the top four style hubs in the world, Paris has now set its sights on being the most sustainable capital of fashion by 2024.

Saint Laurent SS19.

Over the next five years, the French capital will start implementing plans to become greener by using more sustainable practices as part of an initiative entitled ‘Paris Good Fashion’.

The proposal was revealed at the Institut Français de la Mode by Frédéric Hocquard – deputy to Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo – as well as Antoinette Guhl, the deputy in charge of social economy and solidarity, and former fashion journalist Isabelle Lefort.

“Paris Good Fashion is an open community regrouping fashion professionals, brands, entrepreneurs, designers and experts who will be working together to establish a roadmap of the steps that can be taken to make Paris the sustainable capital of fashion,” said Lefort.

Divided into three strategies – creating a circular economy; improving sourcing and traceability, and making distribution, energy and communication – including Paris Fashion Week – more sustainable, all in time for the when Paris hosts the Olympic Games.

Set of the Chanel show, Fall 2017 Haute Couture

“It’s our task to invent a new future for fashion,” commented Guhl. “Our role is to encourage creation while fighting against climate change, to continue production in France while protecting natural resources and to develop our industry while looking out for our artisans. I hope this day marks the beginning of a collective movement within the fashion industry.”

Further details will be unveiled in June, but the initiative already has grabbed the attention of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton and the Galeries Lafayette.

Fashion that’s good for the planet? We say ‘bonjour’ to that.

From day one, Stella McCartney has focused on creating sustainable and ethical collections with no use of leather or fur.

She and her team also continue to find innovative ways to deliver ‘responsible’ fashion to her customers, without sacrificing on the quality. Her label continues to evolve by constantly considering the environmental impact of production with the use of ground breaking tools.

If you have already fallen for her sharp tailoring, modern take on femininity and standout accessories, it’s time to take a closer look at the new developments in her eyewear.

Working with Kering, she is using responsibly sourced materials such as bio-acetates – a more natural version of acetate that’s made of petroleum origin. Derived from using wood pulp, it is phthalate free making it biodegradable, while delivering a unique and luxurious feel.

It might seem like a small shift, but it’s these changes that make a positive environmental impact, and ethical fashion has never looked so good.

Moroccan-British model Nora Attal stars in the SS19 campaign for Alexander McQueen, alongside Lara Stone and five other models.

Shot by Jamie Hawkesworth, Attal is seen in the key pieces from the upcoming collection designed by creative director Sarah Burton, which is due to land in stores next month.

The 19-year-old, who only recently walked in the Chanel SS19 Haute Couture show in Paris, was photographed with Binx Walton, Chunjie Liu, Jean Campbell, Jill and Kesewa Aboah at Avebury in the UK.

Lara Stone.

Avebury is a Neolithic henge monument containing three stone circles, around the village of Avebury in Wiltshire. It is one of the best known prehistoric sites in Britain and contains the largest megalithic stone circle in the world.

A fitting location to showcase a collection that is a blend of hard of soft with Burton’s contrasting use of leather and lace as well as edgy jewellery.

There is a change sweeping through the fashion world offering customers cruelty-free and sustainable goods, and Balenciaga is the last brand to join this shift.

From today, you will be able to shop the leather, fur and down-free capsule collection in collaboration with luxury ecommerce platform Farfetch, all in aim to raise awareness for species conservation and support IUCN, the International Union for Nature Conservation.

Cédric Charbit, Chief Executive Officer of Balenciaga, said: “Balenciaga is pleased to launch this exclusive collection. Bringing awareness to threatened species and supporting the conservation actions of IUCN is part of our vision.”

The exclusive range has been designed for women, men and kids with selected ready to wear and bag styles featuring illustrations of threatened animal species including the Northern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum ssp cottoni), the Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), the Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and the Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

“At Farfetch, Balenciaga is extremely popular with our global customers, so we are thrilled to launch this new capsule collection in collaboration with the brand, consisting of exclusive pieces that cannot be found anywhere else,” José Neves, founder, co-chairman and chief executive officer of Farfetch, said in a statement. “We think the collection will delight people who are existing fans of the brand, as well as capturing the imagination of new fans as well.”

From Meghan Markle to Queen Rania, there is one brand that the royals around the globe can’t get enough of, and we are equally smitten.

Queen Rania wears the Josefina dress. instagram.com/gabrielahearst

If like us you’ve been desperately scrolling for the Gabriela Hearst’s always sold out Nina or Demi bags, then you already understand the style power of this brand.

Launched in 2015, Uruguayan designer Hearst has been taking over the fashion pages and wardrobes of some of the biggest names with her classic and elegant designs, as well as her emphasis on sustainability.

Most recently, Queen Rania of Jordan attended the inauguration of the Queen Rania Teacher Academy’s new premises, wearing a high-neck long sleeve Josefina dress. The silk boot print stripe midi featuring a belted waist and was perfectly styled with pumps.

The Duchess of Sussex is another supporter who was spotted with the Nina and the Demi bags. The latter  is a slighter smaller and rounder version of the Nina, which Hearst released in limited numbers back in 2015.

A champion of ‘honest luxury’, the New-York based designer is committed to slow fashion and doesn’t mass produce any of her pieces. If you want a bag, you need to sign up to a waiting list on her website and await the arrival – or head to the newly opened, and only store in the Big Apple.

Queen Rania in Armonia trench coat while meeting the President and First Lady of Bulgaria.
instagram.com/gabrielahearst

She has successfully built a brand on beautifully crafted bags, tailoring and use of the finest and consciously sourced fabric, with many saying that she is filling that Phoebe Philo gap. Clocking the growth and popularity of her business in such a short period of time, LVMH Luxury Ventures – that was launched in 2017 as part of the conglomerate – has invested in the brand.

One thing for sure, the royal seal of approval is guaranteed to keep her on the ‘must-have’ list for a foreseeable future.

Jewellery enthusiasts listen up, Van Cleef & Arpels is bringing L’ECOLE back to Dubai for two weeks of immersive experiences of pure savoir-faire.

Get involved in one of the many workshops such as Art History of Jewellery and The Universe of Gemstones, chat to experts from the world of diamonds and precious metals, while the kids get a thorough introduction into jewellery design.

Taking place from March 28 to April 13 at In5 at Hai d3, in Dubai Design District, this year’s program will feature four exhibitions, 14 adult courses six workshops for children and teens, six evening conversations with experts and six Cinema Under the Stars, in partnership with Cinema Akil.

“We are very excited to re-affirm our mission to share culture and to foster the growth of education through transporting the experience of the school’s Paris Place Vendôme classrooms to In5 at Hai d3 in Dubai Design District for the second year,” Marie Vallanet-Delhom, President of L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, said in a statement. “During this year’s edition, we once again invite everyone in the Middle East to immerse themselves in the secrets of the jewellery arts, guided by leading expert teachers.”

Expect an array of jewellery from the Art of Heritage Collection (AOH) at Riyadh, a deep dive into the world of pearl merchants, and for the first time in the Middle East, L’École will be presenting precious boxes from the collection amassed by the Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan for his wife, the Princess Catherine Aleya Aga Khan.

All proceeds from the courses will be donated to Dubai Cares.

We are spoilt for choice when it comes to luxurious staycations, but if you’re looking for something a little bit different then this brand new desert camp might be for you.

instagram.com/starlightcampuae

Starlight Camp UAE is a new glamping destination located 45 minutes from Dubai. Hugged by the dunes, it offers a private bubble tent for your star-gazing pleasure.

Designed only for one couple at time, the 30 square metre dome comes with a crystal roof and a relaxing four-poster queen size bed as well as outdoor dining space for you to enjoy the inclusive breakfast.

instagram.com/starlightcampuae

The camp is also equipped with a BBQ facilities and dinnerware to prepare your own meals, but catering can be arranged to make your stay even more unforgettable.

instagram.com/starlightcampuae

You will also find a telescope for discovering new stars, camping style toilet & shower, wash basin with mirror, Bluetooth speaker, electricity and other selected amenities. A 4×4 will pick you up and drive you to the camp, and they can even arrange another classic camping tent for kids.

Think we just found you the perfect Valentine’s Day getaway.

Over the last few months Saudi Arabia, under the Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saudm plans, has been going through a transformation in aim to develop public service sectors like education, recreation, and tourism.

The recent changes have also been significant for women in the kingdom who can now drive, attend live sporting events, enjoy the cinema, and even join the military, among others.

Now Jeddah is preparing for the first international golf tournament taking place across four days this month, and will welcome the diva of all diva’s to perform at one of their concerts – Mariah Carey.

instagram.com/mariahcarey

We Belong Together singer will be gracing the stage of King Abdullah Economic City on January 31, and we are expecting big things for her first performance in Saudi after the kingdom eased up on some restrictions of their leisure activities as another step to modernise.

Other artists on the bill include DJ Tiesto, Balqees Fathi, and rapper Sean Paul.

Concert tickets are on sale now.

We are on the path to the Oscars, and many look to the Screen Actors Guild Awards as a predictor of who will be the lucky holders of a golden trophy.

Rami Malek’s as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody

Rami Malek’s portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody seems to be clicking with the judges, as does Glenn Close’s performance in The Wife. Meanwhile, the much-loved A Star Is Born went home empty handed.

Taking place in Los Angeles at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, Black Panther were the surprise winners of the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, beating A Star is Born, BlacKKKlansman, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Crazy Rich Asians. The film already made history by being the first superhero movie to be nominated for an Oscar, but now there are strong indications that they could be taking the award in April.

Lady Gaga congratulates Glenn Close.

Scroll down to see the winners list and cast your Oscar bets now.

FILM AWARDS

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

Christian Bale, Vice

Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born

Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody (WINNER)

Viggo Mortensen, Green Book

John David Washington, BlacKkKlansman

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

Emily Blunt, Mary Poppins Returns

Glenn Close, The Wife (WINNER)

Olivia Colman, The Favourite

Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born

Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

Mahershala Ali, Green Book (WINNER)

Timothee Chalamet, Beautiful Boy

Adam Driver, BlacKkKlansman

Sam Elliott, A Star Is Born

Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

Amy Adams, Vice

Emily Blunt, A Quiet Place (WINNER)

Margot Robbie, Mary Queen of Scots

Emma Stone, The Favourite

Rachel Weisz, The Favourite

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

A Star Is Born

Black Panther (WINNER)

BlacKkKlansman

Bohemian Rhapsody

Crazy Rich Asians

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

Ant-Man and the Wasp

Avengers: Infinity War

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

Black Panther (WINNER)

Mission: Impossible – Fallout

TELEVISION AWARDS

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

Antonio Banderas, Genius: Picasso

Darren Criss, Assassination of Gianni Versace (WINNER)

Hugh Grant, A Very English Scandal

Anthony Hopkins, King Lear

Bill Pullman, The Sinner

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

Amy Adams, Sharp Objects

Patricia Arquette, Escape at Dannemora (WINNER)

Patricia Clarkson, Sharp Objects

Penelope Cruz, Assassination of Gianni Versace

Emma Stone, Maniac

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

Jason Bateman, Ozark (WINNER)

Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us

Joseph Fiennes, The Handmaid’s Tale

John Krasinski, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan

Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

Julia Garner, Ozark

Laura Linney, Ozark

Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid’s Tale

Sandra Oh, Killing Eve (WINNER)

Robin Wright, House of Cards

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

Alan Arkin, The Kominsky Method

Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method

Bill Hader, Barry

Henry Winkler, Barry

Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (WINNER)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Alison Brie, Glow

Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (WINNER)

Jane Fonda, Grace and Frankie

Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

The Americans

Better Call Saul

The Handmaid’s Tale

Ozark

This Is Us (WINNER)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series:

Atlanta

Barry

Glow

The Kominsky Method

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (WINNER)

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series

Glow (WINNER)

Marvel’s: Daredevil

Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan

The Walking Dead

Westworld

The 2019 edition of the Screen Actors Guild Awards saw a return of old Hollywood glamour on the red (or this time silver to mark the 25 anniversary) carpet.

Taking place in Los Angeles, the event celebrates nominees from TV and film and is normally looked to for who might be this year’s Oscar champions. So far Rami Malek is on winning streak as he picks up the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for Bohemian Rhapsody. Glenn Close is another one to watch as she walked away with a trophy for her lead role in The Wife.

As for the best dressed winners, Lady Gaga has once again wowed us with her elegant white Dior couture gown, while Emma Stone broke the dress code by turning up in top and trousers from Louis Vuitton. Yara Shahidi did one better by wearing two striking outfits in one by Fendi, meanwhile Alison Brie showed her support for one of our favourite emerging trends from SS19 season of Haute Couture – maxi bows.

Click through the gallery above for our top 10 fashion moments from 2019 SAG awards

Naomi Campbell has been named as one of the 62 experts to judge this years LVMH prize.

instagram.com/naomi

After recently making her return to the Valentino runway during the SS19 season of Haute Couture, and making a number of front row appearances at men’s fashion shows in Paris, Campbell is adding another string to her bow.

The supermodel joins a list of experts across magazines, design and digital that include other newcomers such as online entrepreneur Chiara Ferragni and Rami Atallah, the cofounder and chief executive officer of Ssense, alongside existing judges like Karlie Kloss, Suzy Menkes and Nicolas Ghesquière.

instagram.com/lvmh

Established in 2013 to promote young designers and celebrate the future of fashion, the applicants have to be aged between 18 -40 with at least two collections to their name to be in with a chance to win €300,000 and a 12-month mentorship provided by LVMH.

Applications will close on February 4, with semi-finalists revealed on March 1 and 2, during Paris Fashion Week, with the winner awarded in June.

Gradual rise in temperature, and constantly being in and out of AC, can bring on the side effect of frizzy hair, but before you take on the fluff, consider the type of unruliness you’re dealing with.

Puffy Fluffy

If every hair type deserves a bespoke approach to care, then it shouldn’t be any different when it comes to styling. If you are prone to puffy full head of frizz, then it’s time to add a lightweight mask into your weekly shower routine and use hair oil like Sisley Hair Rituel Precious Hair Care Oil on damp hair before blow drying.

Humid Reaction

No one likes humidity (just ask Monica Geller) but have you ever considered why you hair frizzes up like a lions mane? It is probably because it’s too dry and soaks up any moisture it can get. To combat this, look to serums like Balmain Paris Hair Couture’s Argan Moisturizing Elixir or nourishing hair mask that penetrates deep and repairs. Our top pick is the Aesop Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturising Masque.

Sisley Hair Rituel Precious Hair Care Oil

Towel Off

Try not to rough dry you hair with towel and instead press it gently into the locks soaking up the water. It’s a good idea to invest in a microfiber towel.

Dry Down

Those prone to frizzy hair should avoid drying it upside down, and instead go in a downwards direction. Use a round brush that fits your hair type and try to lower the heat setting.

Aesop Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturising Masque

Sleep On It

You can ignore this tip all you like but those who have tried this method, us included, cannot even begin to tell you how beneficial silk pillowcases are not only for the hair, but also for your complexion. They prevent hair breakage and soak up less moisture than the cotton variety, plus they feel super lux to sleep on.

One of the most talked of designers from Men’s Fashion Week, and someone who is seen as the new force of menswear, who exactly is Craig Green?

FW19 Collection. instagram.com/craig__green

London-born designer established his namesake label in 2012 shortly after graduating the Fashion Masters course at Central Saint Martins. Now seen as one of the city’s most innovative talents, and a hot ticket on the menswear calendar since his first solo outing during SS15 seasons of London Collections: Men, he explores concepts of uniform and utility.

Though known for their dramatic and deeply emotive qualities, his collections are firmly rooted in the steady development of simple, yet rigorously considered signature garments such as the Worker Jacket.

FW19 Collection. instagram.com/craig__green

Evoking emotion is something he is very good at, but along with his thought provoking shows and experimental pieces, he also does well with commercial aspects of his collections, but always with a twist. This blend of creativity and sellability has won him accolades for British Menswear Designer at the Fashion Awards 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Watch out for his signature use of laces showing up on separates such as shorts, hoodies and zip up jackets (he had particular fun with them during SS19 show), as well as roomy ankle-length parkas and raincoats.

FW19 Collection. instagram.com/craig__green

For Fall 2019, Green stuck to his utilitarian codes through bold layered tailoring, mesh, and sports jackets, but there were also moments of purity seen during the bleached white section of wide-leg trousers and tunics, and thought-provoking messages where models appeared wearing bright-coloured plastic bubble wrap that almost looked knitted.

FW19 Collection. instagram.com/craig__green

Unlike other menswear designers that choose to make a lot of noise of their collections, Green is quietly charming the Gen-Z and leading the charge of thoughtful fashion.

Craig Green available at Harvey Nichols – Dubai.

The hyped auction of Catherine Deneuve wardrobe designed by Yves Saint Laurent beat auction expectation and reached over $1million (Dhs 3.6million) in sales.

instagram.com/christiesparis

Fans of the famed couturier from around the world took part in the auction that lasted five hours, resulting in 90% of all 129 lots selling multiple times above their pre-sale estimates, Christie’s France reports.

instagram.com/christiesparis

Each piece of haute couture or Rive Gauche clothing was a testament to the 40- year long friendship between France’s most iconic actress and Saint Laurent, and were displayed in a pre-sale exhibition during Paris Fashion Week that was attended by 4,500 visitors.

“I would like to thank Christie’s for the beautiful catalogue and the fact they paid tribute to YSL’s talent by presenting his creations in such an exquisite way at the preview, attended by thousands of people. I sincerely hope that the new owners will enjoy these pieces of couture as much as I did,” Deneuve said in a statement.

instagram.com/christiesparis

The most wanted piece was the Haute Couture evening ensemble of the Russian Collection, which Saint Laurent designed for the FW 1977/78. It sold at $59,800, ten times the pre-sale estimate.

instagram.com/christiesparis

Famed YSL smoking designed for Deneuve, and which she wore at the occasion of Yves Saint Laurent’s 20th anniversary celebration, just set a new world auction record for any smoking at $22,000.

instagram.com/christiesparis

Fancy bagging yourself a piece of history? The online-only auction will remain open for bidding until 30 January 2019 midnight, and offers a further 140 lots of Deneuve’s collection by Saint Laurent.

Riccardo Tisci unveils his first ad campaign for Burberry featuring an impressive cast of personalities, including model Irina Shayk.

Featuring the labels SS19 collection, that celebrates the United Kingdom, from the punk and rebellious, to the formal and refined, the designer assembled a multigenerational cast of photographers and models.

 

“Being a part of Riccardo’s new vision for a legendary house like Burberry was really a dream come true. I constantly pinch myself asking how I ever ended up being this lucky. The answer is it’s due to the people who really believed in me, and Riccardo was one of the firsts. I am so happy to be the face of Burberry and to reconnect with Riccardo again,” Shayk said in a statement.

Shot by photographers Nick Knight, Danko Steiner, Hugo Comte, Colin Dodgson, Peter Langer and Letty Schmiterlow, all of whom make their Burberry campaign debut, the multicultural stars of the campaign alongside Shayk include Stella Tennant, Fran Summers, Claudia Lavender, Rianne van Rompaey, Natalia Vodianova, Sora Choi, Anok Yai, Darani, Matteo Ferri and Joe Plunkett.

“The thing that excites me the most about Burberry is how inclusive it is – it appeals to everyone no matter their age, their social standing, their race, their gender. So when I was thinking about my first campaign here, I knew I wanted to work with a collection of collaborators to help interpret the breadth of what this incredible heritage house represents to so many different people – from the millennial to the mature, to the British and to the international,” Tisci comments.

 

“I pulled together 6 photographers, all with a very different energy, experience and point of view of the world – including British masters of photography and the next generation who have something new to say – to interpret this new Burberry era and the multigenerational men and women we speak to, all through their own unique eyes.

 

They are images that have the confidence to stand on their own, but it’s when they are assembled together that they truly bring the diversity, the eclecticism, the inclusivity and the beauty of Burberry to life,” he adds.

 

As for the clothes, the campaign highlights the key pieces from the line up including tailoring in 50 shades of beige, nod to the London punk era through clashes of prints as well as bold logo’s, and the TB Bag which is one of the first styles designed by Tisci, referencing the initials of its founder Thomas Burberry.

The Palm Jumeirah is going through a revamp with a series of new hotels opening in the next few month, and the first on the list is the W Dubai.

instagram.com/wdubaipalm

Set to officially open to guests on February 1, the 350-room property on the West Crescent is the first W Escape in the Middle East and is bound to become one the best spots for a staycation.

instagram.com/wdubaipalm

Continuing with the theme of ‘firsts’, Akira Back will be making his culinary debut in Dubai with a self-titled restaurant that will be open for dinner serving up a fusion of Japanese and Korean cuisine. Massimo Bottura, the chef holding the current title for the number one restaurant in the world, will be unveiling Torno Subito that delivers Italian Riviera to our sandy shores.

instagram.com/wdubaipalm

Once you’ve done sampling some of the finest dishes in town, it’s time to chill on the legendary W Wet Deck featuring a huge pool and modern cabana’s. Need an extra dose of relaxation? Then head to AWAY spa for a massage or one of their other signature treatments.

We’ll see you at check in.

For Fall 2019 Chloé collection, creative director Natacha Ramsay-Levi’s plays with deconstructed glamour and aristocratic elegance.

It’s a blend of sharp modernity and soft romance, we are particularly keen on her sophisticated take on layering as she effortlessly styles dresses over trousers. Take note of the opulent prints that come in nostalgic florals, trompe l’oeil houndstooth, and the Chloé ‘femininities’ icons illustrated as baroque cameos, whilst a new mirrored ‘C’ monogram appears as an all-over jacquard.

Apart from the new Chloé day bags ‘Aby’ and Annie’ that both feature leather lock and fob chain device and a spacious, ergonomic designs for daily life, the eclectic boots and rose-tinted sunglasses in a half moon shape are also deserving of attention.

The Chloé girl’s wanderlust remains with a wardrobe intertwined with midcentury codes of the Parisian bourgeoisie. Below, we pick out our five highlights.

New Layering

Whimsical Florals

Baroque Collars

Artistic Boots

Pink Sunnies

On a hunt for a romantic wedding dress with all the celebratory elements and classic elegance? Look no further than Carolina Herrera Fall 2019 bridal collection.

Inspired by the beauty of Portugal in the summer, Wes Gordon, the Creative Director, has created series of pure gowns that buck every trend that might come along. In a statement he says:

“I travelled to Portugal this summer and fell in love with its beauty. It’s a landscape of palaces and dreamlike gardens. A fusion of ideas and culture; French and Italian styles combined with arabesque details and vivid colours creating something boldly unique.”

 

“It is both modern and historic, natural and manmade. The rich interiors melt into luscious gardens. This bridal collection, like the blue and white tiled walls of a Portuguese garden, is utterly romantic and as unique as it is timeless,” he adds.

The collection is now available on Moda Operandi alongside other bridal trunkshows from brands such as Savannah Miller bridal.

If you’re going to send dresses down the runway that took over 1000 hours to make (Valentino) you best make sure that the hair and makeup is done to the same level.

As we wrap up the SS19 season of Haute Couture along with all the fabulous creations, debuts and fantastical headpieces, it’s time to take a closer look at the Pierrot clown makeup at Dior, Nineties crimped hair at Jean Paul Gaultier, all white porcelain doll looks at Balmain and 18th century meets David Bowie hair at Chanel.

Scroll through the gallery above to take a closer look at all of our favourites.

A hero of transitional outerwear, and an absolute classic, a denim jacket gets a chic makeover, and it’s all down to how you style it.

You have a choice of washed bomber style, cropped, oversized as well as some sweet options in various pastel shades. For us, the mini denim jackets are the ultimate chic switch up from the trusty leather number, but there something grunge and cool about styling a huge jacket over a fitted pencil skirt and power heels.

Double denim can be office appropriate, especially if you hover in dark spectrum of blue and black. Try pairing a lighter denim hue on the bottom with deeper navy on the top and slip into some pumps. Want to define your waistline? Add a chunky belt with a statement buckle (the ones from Valentino SS19 collection are firmly on our wish list).

Lightweight denim jackets are ideal to layer underneath a plaid boyfriend blazer keeping you snug and right in the happy middle of casual and formal. The contrast of laid back and put-together is extremely contemporary, so don’t be afraid to wear your silk satin midi dress underneath a distressed denim jacket, which you can slide out of just before an evening event.

Shop our denim jacket edit above.

Wearing Haute Couture head to toe takes on a whole new meaning with almost every designer during the SS19 season showcasing a headpiece.

From pearl headbands at Givenchy, to wide brim hats at Balmain and embellished swim caps at both Chanel and Dior, there are little but still fabulous ways to bring a touch of couture to your wardrobe.

Headbands and Fascinators

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Swim Caps and Helmets

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Spring-Summer 2019 Haute-Couture
Dior Show Backstage Dior Make-Up Created and Styled By Peter Philips
Photography: Vincent Lappartient For Christian Dior Parfums

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Hats

Ralph & Russo

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Giambattista Valli.

Hoods

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Pierpaolo Piccioli Valentino SS19 Haute Couture show was so magical, that it brought Celine Dion and Naomi Campbell to tears.

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The designer filled the space at the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild in Paris in wallpaper blooms and solid bright colours across gowns and separates, some featuring oversized bows and

 

“I have asked the seamstresses of the Atelier to personally name each dress with a name of a flower or with the emotion brought by the flower itself. I was inspired by the Abécédaire de Flore,” the designer wrote on the Valentino Instagram page.

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The audience, including singer Celine Dion, and designers Raf Simons, Clare Waight Keller, Giambattista Valli, Christian Louboutin, and Valentino himself, watched in awe as models glided through the regal rooms in what can be described as celebration of natural beauty and the purest form of craftsmanship.

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Unlike some of the designers on the calendar who offered a modern take on couture, Piccioli stuck with the classic codes of house such as romantic femininity translated through ruffles, ballgowns with oversized bows, silk organza , lace, embellishment and offered lightness and uniqueness to every piece.

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Makeup artist Pat McGrath added to the fairy tale theme by applying feather to the false lashes and eyebrows.

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Guests were already on their feet by the time supermodel Naomi Campbell closed the show in a transparent organza black dress with a tiered ruffle skirt. It’s been 14 years since she walked for the Italian house, and it was worth the wait.

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You can rely on Elie Saab to masterfully transform a fabric, print or cut into instant couture, and for his SS19 show he made tie dye look high-fashion.

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Glamorous summer dressing was felt all the way from the opening look featuring an embellished white plunge-neck jumpsuit with a matching coat, all the way to the maxi sunglasses that almost covered the models face.

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The silk satin full gowns in tie dye red as well as blue and pink caught our attention -never had a hippy-inspired print had such a chic makeover. We then saw reworkings of it in patches on sparkling one shoulder dresses in tones of pink, gold and turquoise.

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Toward the end, out came the triumphs of Elie Saab in a form of feminine flowing summer dresses, some exposing the waistline or shortened on the front, as well as accented ruffles on the shoulders.

The brief, but very beautiful section of scarlet red pieces felt like a welcome departure from all the embellishment, and we took note of the suit featuring a dramatic jacket with flowing lines and wide leg trousers.

Director Nadine Labaki is officially the first Arab woman to be nominated for an Oscar after making the shortlist back in December.

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Already included in the list of nominees for the Golden Globes and the BAFTA’s, being in the run to win Best Foreign Language Film academy award for her film Capharnaum has made history.

The Lebanese director was quick to share her excitement on Instagram by posting a picture of her holding up a faux Oscar trophy for ‘Best Mother’ and captioned it:

“Happy to trade this one for the real thing on the 24th of Feb! Here s to you my Zain and to all my actors ! Here’s to the best #capharnaum team ever!”

She will be going up against Cold War from Poland, Never Look Away from Germany, Roma from Mexico and Shoplifters from Japan.

As for the rest of the categories, there were a couple of surprises including Bradley Cooper missing out on the Best Director nod for A Star Is Born, while Black Panther become the first superhero film to be up for Best Picture.

The 91st Academy Awards will take place on February 24 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The host is yet to be announced.

Olivier Rousteing brings Balmain back to the couture schedule after 16 years with a futuristic take on the highest form of fashion.

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We saw the familiar signatures of his designs aesthetic that he applies to the ready-to-wear collections, but for this occasion he dialed it up a notch or two. When before the shoulders were accented, here they wore blown up to a whole new level, if previously there was a coating of embellishment, here the pieces were practically drowning in pearls and beading.

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But it wasn’t the weight of the decorations that stood out, despite the theme resting heavily on pearls, but the intricate manipulation of fabric and modern architectural shapes that elevated the Balmain name to the Haute Couture status.

It was still edgy as you would expect from Rousteing, but there were elements of French refinement that you can pick up from the opening white looks where he blended sharp and soft lines, while also mixing up the textures with the help of frothy tulle and theatrical pleats.

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It was confident first step for the designer into the realms of couture, but who is the ‘Balmain couture woman’ is still up for debate.

Rabih Kayrouz presented his SS19 collection during the couture schedule, with pieces reflecting the Middle Eastern heritage with a Western attitude.

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Going through the line up with a fine fashion comb, below we list five takeaways from Maison’s first runway since officially joining the French Couture Federation.

New Shirting

We love a variation on a classic shirt, and Kayrouz presented them in a white and fuchsia pink, but our focus were on the split sleeves that almost looked like wings as models strutted down the runway.

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Tonal Dressing

Does anything look more chic then wearing one colour head to toe? During the show, we saw examples in green, jewel purple, sunflower yellow and deep navy.

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Daring Transparency

Risqué transparency aplenty, Kayrouz didn’t shy away from some daring additions to his line up and our top pick was sheer golden roll neck jumper styled over a full skirt.

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Matchy Matchy

The designer made a case for a matching dress code by sending some models down in pairs. The identical twins appeared in full length modest dresses in playful floral print on silk satin.

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Parisian Cool

There’s something exceptionally timeless about throwing on an oversized coat before you head out of the door, especially when it comes in a classic camel shade.

Rami Kadi makes a bright and shiny debut to the Haute Couture calendar with SS19 collection inspired by the Burning Man festival.

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Model Coco Rocha set the tone as she opened the show with a mini strapless rainbow print dress complete with a tinsel-like fringing on the skirt.

The Lebanese designer then sent out a series of pieces showcasing his favourite kind of craftsmanship – asymmetrical embroidery with laser-cut mirrors, sequins and beading.

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Backstage, Kadi spoke of his excitement to show the collection that was very him and very shiny, and that is exactly what he delivered. Our highlights include the asymmetrical one-shoulder dress in ombré copper shades that hugged the body, and a very high-fashion take on a safari jacket paired with matching cycle shorts embellished with sequins.

From cocktail silhouettes to a dramatic wedding gown, the pieces reflected his design aesthetic to the finest thread and for a first runway show at couture, he has a lot to be proud of.