Maria Grazia Chiuri continues her exploration of Dior heritage, and for this couture collection travel was her key inspiration. For Chiuri, the atlas symbolises a desire for faraway lands, the need to travel to discover the world and oneself, to feel emotion, grow and evolve.

Artist Pietro Ruffo designed a magical setting of wildlife and wooden animals, where embroidered tarot cards became atlases on capes and evening gowns in silk and tulle, in grey powdered with pink or nocturnal shades of velvet. Elsewhere in the collection, inspiration is drawn from female explorers and their heroic flair for borrowing elements from the masculine wardrobe. This was portrayed through transforming menswear fabrics into shimmering surfaces on jackets, coats, blouses, and jumpsuits that recall aviator jackets and open into pleated culotte skirts.

When it comes to accessories, milliner Stephen Jones who this year celebrates his 20^th year as Dior’s hat designer, nods to explorers such as Freya Stark with a masculine fedora.

An award-winning London hair and beauty salon, Gielly Green offers a haven of calm and indulgent luxury in the busy Marylebone streets. Its well-respected and trusted reputation has been fostered since first opening in the summer of 2008. Co-founders Fred Gielly and Shai Greenberg lead a highly experienced team of stylists, colourists and beauty experts who work together to create an outstanding experience and exceptional level of service to clients, whatever their requirements may be.

Gielly Green brings together many nationalities and cultures and these diverse influences shape the styles, techniques, and high-quality service. This fusion of ideas and talent is accentuated by the accomplished team, many who have worked on the international stage and are known well beyond the shores of the UK. Whilst at the leading edge in trends and fashion, the salon prides itself on listening and satisfying clients by creating effortless and wearable hair, with artistic and creative flair that never goes out of style.

At this swish Marylebone hairdressers, a high level of service runs through the whole establishment, as well as the usual roster of cuts and colour, there is a spa-style beauty department, where you can go for a 120-minute facial, have your eyebrows threaded or treat your cuticles with a hot oil special.

It doesn’t stop there either. A new generation of natural hair and body care products have also been created by Fred and Shai, alongside a master team of beauty formulation experts and technicians. This vision is underpinned by their ethics, principles, extensive salon knowledge and understanding of exactly what clients want. The result being products that are sumptuously luxurious, eco-friendly and importantly all natural. The Boutique Collection includes a complete hair care system of cleansing, care, and treatment products as well as body washes and body lotions. All products are formulated with the world’s finest ancient natural ingredients, including Prickly Pear seed oils, Neem, Argan, and Sea Buckthorn, as well as minerals from deep below the Dead Sea.

Your new season outlook can be given a fresh spin, to take you through the summer months.

Cool Culottes

In just a few seasons, culottes, a once-polarising pants silhouette, swiftly transitioned to closet mainstay thanks to a universally flattering fit. And with the latest reincarnations, ones cut from crushed velvet, embellished denim, and gingham, it’s become obvious that cropped pants can work for any occasion.

Stella McCartney

One-piece Wonder

Pare down your packing, and replace the need for a statement top with a printed swimsuit. It pulls you in at all the right places, and can be worn with a fitted skirt or a loose pair of utility trousers.

Tom Ford

Staycation

If you want that feeling at summer, but aren’t managing a getaway, Tom Ford’s Fleur de Portofino body spray is summer in a can.

Tonal Dressing

If mismatching colour is a sartorial step too far for you, then try your hand at a single shade instead. Choose one colour, the bolder the better, and mix in as many tones across its spectrum as you can, for a head-to-toe approach.

Fanm Mon

Embroidered Dresses

Despite the Ukrainian dress being quite a statement item, with its bold colours and heavy embroidery, it’s extremely versatile, which means that you can slip seamlessly from day to night. The Vyshyvanka dress has become an unexpected hero, rapidly gaining ‘essential’ status in the modern woman’s wardrobe.

Isabel Marant

Bold Shoulder

Sun kissed shoulders sing summer sultriness. However, to be the best dressed guest on the list, it is all about exposing just one and not both.

Fendi

See the Rainbow

Craving an instant summer mood-lifter? Life looks a whole lot brighter through rose, yellow, or blue tinted sunglasses.

Gucci

Floral Finishings

Blooms are everywhere, but if you don’t want to go all out in floral print, then a pretty corsage pinned to the strap of a simple slip dress will add just the right amount of flounce.

Summer Slides

Slides have been having a bit of a moment since last year, but now they’ve officially replaced the flip-flop as the ubiquitous summer shoe. They’re no-fuss and super-versatile, making them the perfect option for warmer weather. Whether you want your slides to make a statement or you’re after a pair that go with everything, there are so many styles and colours on offer that it’s impossible to sit this trend out.

Keep Shaded

A wide-brim hat will protect the face and the tops of your shoulders from the heat of the midday sun. Not only will it keep sunburn at bay, it is also a chic edition to your look.

Chalk it Up

Paint nails with white polish, not only will it offset your tan perfectly, but it will also standout in a minimal way.

Kayu

Fun Clutch

We call it the fun clutch because the more out there it is, the better. Think neon, fringing, embellishment, geometric prints, and slogans. Something as simple as a pineapple print raffia clutch is the ultimate accessory for updating your summer wardrobe.

Valentino

Silk Scarf

A vibrantly printed silk scarf will instantly uplift your summer season look. Either cinch in a kaftan by tying at the waist, wrap it around your ponytail or wear as a headband, or bind it to your bag straps for an update.

Mellow Yellow

Nothing signals summer like sunflower yellow, whether you choose cascading pleats or floor sweeping length. When paired with a red lip, your look is given that edge of extra zing.

Multiple Earrings

Ear real estate has become serious business, with impossibly dainty and endlessly flattering jewellery offerings. Statement earrings aren’t always possible, so instead choose barely-there hoops that hug your earlobes plus a scattering of almost invisible studs, keeping them mismatched.

Sized up Shirting

When it comes it this season’s shirting rules, oversized is key. Not only is a roomier fit cooling in the midday sun, but it can also double up as a beach cover-up, and will add that air of nonchalance cool to a pristine pencil skirt.

Hat: Eugenia Kim – Bag: Figue

Pompoms

Forget fringing and sequins this season, your summer look requires pompoms. Colourful, fun, and cheerful, pompoms are the kitsch edition you need. Even the catwalks are in agreement, with Fendi’s pompom keyrings reaching cult status, and plenty peppering the Dolce and Gabbana collection.

Jacquemus

Crop vs Corset

All eyes are on the waist this season, so either expose or accentuate. Sit cropped shirting atop a high waistline, or contour with a wrap corset.

We have covered how to pack the perfect suitcase, but now it is about considering what fashion staples are destination appropriate to pack in it.

Staycation

Pack a mix of feminine separates, with a touch of denim, including must-have linen and cotton to keep you cool. The statement shirt is your go-to essential, it will elevate a pair of denim shorts for day, and equally complement heels for evening.

Safari Escape

A trip to the outback screams for a co-ordinating wardrobe of neutrals and raffia. However, rather than pairing with khaki, coral is the perfect accent shade to add a bit of colour to your ensemble, and it will complement tanned skin too.

Tropical Getaway

Bring a suitcase filled with day-to-night casual dresses, and use your accessories to add colour and fun to your capsule wardrobe. When it comes to footwear, if there is one pair to pack, then an espadrille wedge will take you from days on the beach, to dressed up sundowners.

City Break

Give some thought to the city you are travelling to, and pack an exciting mix of co-ordinating staples in a monochrome colour palette. A lightweight trench is chic and always appropriate, no matter where your day takes you, and if you are planning on sightseeing, you just need a small hands-free bag to carry all your essentials.

The trends and must have items that you need to know for summer

Fendi

Summer Stripes

Vertical stripes always emerge as victorious when it comes to summer dressing, and this season it is all about choosing varying widths. Try choosing colour combinations that are injected with clashing dark and pastel hues.

Versace

Slides and Socks

Look around you when you’re next out in the sun, you’ll notice a swathe of men around you will be wearing pool slides with gym socks. It’s something that’s also cropped up on the designers’ radars too, with even the most conservative Italian fashion houses featuring beautiful leather strap sandals with cotton and cashmere socks in co-ordinating colours.

Belstaff

Seventies

The style of the seventies is continuing for the new season, so if you are debating investing in a suede jacket, rest assured that it will carry you through to the summer. Another item you should add to your wardrobe is the zip-up jogging suit-style jumper, which for summer can be worn tied around the waist and ready for sundown.

Burberry

Navy Shorts

A pair of navy shorts that finishes just above the knee should form the cornerstone of every man’s warm-weather wardrobe. Not only is navy highly valued for its adaptability, it works well with just about any other colour, and a pair of shorts in this hue will give your look an added dose of Côte d’Azur chic.

Louis Vuitton

Backpack

The backpack revolution has been happening for a while now, however this season saw a slew of designers playing with the shapes, sizes, and materials, boosting the genre to all-new heights of sleekness. It’s now more than smart enough to wear with a suit to the office.

Topical Tropical

It’s ‘aloha’ all over again this summer to the floral print shirt, as designers follow the souvenir-jacket trend and present their own takes on the statement piece. The key to it is to be sure the fit is impeccable, and tone the rest of the outfit down while dialling the colour and pattern up.

Balenciaga

Baseball Cap

No longer just the preserve of American sportsmen, baseball caps are now in fashion. However, this new breed is made from luxurious materials like leather, suede and exotic skins, and is intended to be worn just as easily with your suit as with your weekend jeans, and always with the peak facing forwards.

Valentino

Shades of Stone

Stone, that colour that hits between white and sandy beige, is the seasonal update on white. It’s not only a sun-friendly alternative to stark bright white, but it will also warm up all skin types. Wear it in the form of dressed down chinos, or tailored suiting.

Dior Homme

Standout Sunglasses

Sunglasses are bigger and bolder for this summer, with patterns, tinted lenses, and super-thick frames trending. Go for frames which are either strong and angular or perfectly round, with eye-catching patterns or extra details like acetate overlays.

Officine Generale

Piping

The detailing that is traditionally found on the most casual item in a man’s wardrobe, namely a pyjama shirt, has now been brought to daywear. Contrast piping is now not just on shirts, but also on blazers and trousers, giving you that touch of French Riviera style.

Gucci

Two-in-One Shoes

The most notable feature on catwalk footwear was a fold down back, that’s a heel with more supple, unstructured leather that can flatten underneath your foot to make the shoe into a mule. And while the styles we saw at the shows were mostly loafers, this detail is now starting to appear on a whole range of styles from espadrilles to skate shoes.

Gucci

Think Pink

Summer is the season when pink comes into its own, but that doesn’t mean going all-out back to the fuchsia, or indulging in remembrance of things pastel. Instead, you should keep it simple and try it on those days when white or off-white shirts seem a little too, well, vanilla.

Since 1975, TUMI has been creating world-class business and travel essentials, designed to upgrade, uncomplicate and beautify all aspects of life on the move. Blending flawless functionality with a spirit of ingenuity, they understand that daily travel has evolved from simply commuting to and from work, to the multi-faceted and inter-connected, and a bag that meets these needs is a mandatory accessory.

In 2003, Victor Sanz joined Tumi as an integral member of the design team, and now 13 years on he has been appointed Creative Director, taking his passion of art and design to the next level. Educated at the Pratt Institute in New York, Victor graduated at the top of his class, and upon graduation he landed a job as product designer at the Eastman Kodak company designing a new line of digital cameras. During his years at Kodak, Victor designed numerous award-winning digital cameras in addition to various consumer electronics. From here he joined Tumi injecting a fresh perspective into the products and attracting a younger consumer to the brand. Taking a brief hiatus, he joined Olivet International at the beginning of 2008 as the brand’s Design Director, overseeing and developing all men’s and women’s collections. Subsequently after just a year away, Victor returned, bringing with him a multi-disciplinary approach to create the next generation of Tumi products. Victor Sanz’s diverse experiences provide him with the unique ability to infuse the right combination of technology and fashion into each new product category. We met Tumi’s creative mastermind, and found out about his plans for the future of the brand, together with what he couldn’t be without on a desert island.

‘With every mile travelled, city ventured, stamp on your passport, your journey will reach a new degree – it’s only fitting that you carry a bag that reflects your movement,’ Victor Sanz

How have you found your change in role to Creative Director?

It has been great, and I am really excited about the opportunity, especially after being with the brand for over twelve years. I relish the chance to really grow the brand, innovate, and see the evolution, taking it to the next phase.

It is an all-encompassing role, do you feel this is an important structure to ensure consistency in the overall creative direction of the brand?

The brand has always been founded on innovation, and continuing to bring and inspire new product, so that really is what we are continuing to do. I concentrate with our team on exploring, inspiring and innovating ourselves, and the traveller. We keep the focussed direction by not deviating from our core, just doing more.

Will you be continuing as you were before, or can we expect a change in direction of the brand now you are at the helm?

The brand was founded with quality, innovation, and design at the core, so of course we are continuing that. My role is really staying focused on those factors, together with bringing the innovation forward. It is amazing because we continue to look and explore other industries, and the world around us is changing so quickly. Also, as airspace evolves it gives us more opportunity to tap into what they are doing, with materials and innovations.

How have you felt the brand has grown over the years you have worked with them?

It’s been a fantastic experience to be with a brand for so long, and watch it grow. The world has changed around us and we have been able to adapt to it. For example, the smartphone has really changed our dynamic, and we are able to produce products that can really fit into our customer’s lifestyles, and match their needs.

What sets Tumi apart from other luggage and accessory brands?

The one thing that sets us apart is that we are always looking at the customer as being the driver of what we produce and seeing how that customer’s lifestyle is evolving and changing. We focus on everyone’s needs, whether it is the day to day traveller, or the business person. For example, our female customers have very similar needs to men when it comes to business travel, however we don’t just make one product, but instead tailor it for the different customer, and this really sets us apart and allows us to excel. It is about how the user is going to benefit from the features, and making sure it is a product that lasts, as they are not disposable pieces, and we want them to exist for a great length of time.

How would you sum up Tumi in 3 words?

Innovative, contemporary, and stylish.

Before joining Tumi you held a position at Kodak, can we expect to see elements of camera technology in the future for Tumi?

I think that one of the reasons that Tumi brought me onboard, was because of my previous life designing for Kodak. This is because Tumi is really a product design house, with a fashion lens, and we custom design everything, from the fabrics to the technology. This allows us to take elements from the electronics, aerospace, and architecture worlds, and put them all into one product. Whether it is a moulding technique, or using different types of metals, or anodising, we can use all of these processes. There is a real thirst for knowledge, and innovation to inspire people, and that keeps us going.

How do you feel fashion and technology interlink?

We are in this amazing time in the world, where there is a great crossroad between design, fashion, and architecture. It is blending more than ever, allowing us talk about electronics, but in a fashionable and stylish way. Electronics are now fashionable items, but can really help out the users’ life.

Did your brief stint at Olivet broaden your knowledge of fashion and design, and was this a valuable experience to bring back to Tumi on your return?

For me, any opportunity to learn and expose yourself to new environments is hugely valuable. Whether it’s through collaborations with artists, DJ’s, or architects, we are always learning, as we don’t want to be creating in a tunnel, or becoming stagnant. I think my time at Olivet was one of those opportunities, and being able to bring that back into the Tumi culture has been great.

In the past you were known as just a luggage brand, however now you are so much more. Currently what are the strong segments?

As Tumi has evolved over the years, becoming more of a lifestyle brand, enriching our customer’s life, whether this is through travel or business. Strong segments are backpacks, which have had a rebirth and become a very stylish item.

You have worked on many collaborations, which have you been most proud of and do you have any others in the pipeline?

The ones that we are do that are charity based are more fulfilling for me. We have a huge following and the collaborations tend to come about organically, through chance encounters, especially because we are travelling a lot. We also try to partner with people who are also at the top of their game.

Has the way that travel has changed made a difference to how you design luggage?

I think that the biggest change for us is the strict airline regulations, and that really engages us to explore and push ourselves forward, whether this is with a new material or function. So, the biggest hurdle for us is really staying on top of these changes.

Where is your favourite place to visit?

I really love the Amalfi coast, there is just something very disconnected about the region. There is nature, beauty, and the coastline, which I find very soothing, even thinking about it!

What are your top tips for packing?

Lay everything out that you think you will need, and then cut it in half, and that will get you closer to what you will actually need. The less you take, is the less that you will need to manage.

What three things could you not do without on a desert island?

My iPhone, sketchpad, and of course my family.

What can we look forward to in the future for Tumi?

With Tumi it is always about the innovation, and we have a lot of exciting products in the pipeline. We are pushing ourselves as designers and brand leaders as always, to bring the industry forward and make everyone’s travels easier, to ensure they enjoy the moment, and not worry about the product. We want to continue to inspire and innovate, in order to surprise people.

By Eliza Scarborough

Cartier Middle East has developed a unique regional campaign entitled ‘The Pursuit of Magnificence’ that brings to life the role of tradition, history and modernity shared by the Gulf Region and the Maison Cartier.

Jacques Cartier’s trip in 1911 Credit: Cartier Archives © Cartier

The long-time relationship between the Maison and the Gulf began in 1912, when Jacques Cartier, accompanied by his sales assistants, travelled to the Gulf in pursuit of the world`s most precious and exquisite pearls. This campaign features a tale truly inspired by the journal kept by Jacques Cartier at the turn of the 20th century in which he chronicled his journey to the Gulf. It is a tribute to that journey and a testimony to Jacques Cartier’s talent as an explorer. Ever-curious, he was one of the European pioneers who discovered many of the Arabian Gulf’s marvels.

Jacques Cartier’s trip in 1911. Here he is negotiating with a representative of the Sheikh of Bahrain. Manama, House of Mugbil Al Thukair. Credit: Cartier Archives © Cartier

The film, a collaboration between Cartier Middle East and award-winning design, animation, and content creation studio Mill+ makes the Jacques Cartier story come alive. The carefully detailed and yet magical way of creating a Cartier piece is demonstrated in the way the film is crafted. Gradually, each art object and character is shaped out of liquid gold until it materialises as a full-fledged Cartier High Jewellery piece.

Wishing everyone a blessed Ramadan, the first of what will be three chapters is dedicated ‘To Al Jazeera’. It romances Jacques Cartier’s arrival in the gulf on a dhow, while being welcomed by regional icons such as a falcon, a horse, an Arabian city, a pearl fisher net, and the holy moon. Here, an extract from Jacques Cartier’s journal relative to the first chapter expresses all the wonderment of that initial encounter.

Jacques Cartier during his trip to the Persian Gulf. Stopover in Bahrain, in 1911. Credit: Cartier Archives © Cartier

Jacques Cartier’s Journal

Muscat, 9 March 1912

‘I saw the phosphorescent sea. From the captain’s bridge, the two waves shaped by the ship’s bow were so blue it looked as though they were being illuminated from below. The whole boat was encircled by a luminous band and everywhere you looked fish left their zigzag trails through the water’s surface. It was like fireworks on the surface of the sea. We also get clear sight of the city of Moharrek and further in the distance the villages of Sathin and Dir, which look like small islands but, in actual fact, are only separated from Moharrek by dunes.’

Royal tiara – platinum, one 166.18-grain natural pearl, one 5.01-carat cushion-shaped diamond, natural pearls, cushion-shaped diamonds, brilliant-cut diamonds. The tiara can be worn as a necklace. The natural pearl is removable and can be worn on a pendant.

Credit: Nils Herrmann © Cartier

Ring – yellow gold, platinum, one 20.15-carat carved turquoise, cabochon-cut rubies, brilliant-cut diamonds

Credit: Vincent De La Faille © Cartier

The royal pearl of the Cartier Royal collection. An historical 166.18- grain natural pearl which belonged to Queen Mary, George V’s wife and Queen Elizabeth II’s grandmother. It was presented in 2014 at the Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris on a tiara convertible into a necklace.

Credit: Nils Herrmann © Cartier

Event season is upon us, and you are bound to have a wedding, birthday, or celebration already in the diary. These will require you to dress up, and look on trend, so here we have compiled a shortlist of the styles you need to incorporate in your event dressing wardrobe.

Sheer Chiffon

Sumptuous, fun, and floaty, chiffon is a summery sheer upgrade on silk. It may perhaps not be something you can pull out for every event, but it will certainly make a statement when you need to. We fantasised over the balletic ensembles under Maria Grazia Chiuri’s debut Dior collection, but they key to wearing this trend is that you don’t want tight, and you want to save your modesty, but make a statement, and dare to bare.

Citrus Blast

It is no hard science that wearing bright colour can lift your mood, and thankfully this season’s colour of choice is yellow, sartorial optimism indeed. It may seem like a tricky colour to wear, especially to suit every skin tone, but think back to Nicole Kidman in her Dior gown at the 1997 Oscars, or Michelle Williams in 2006 wearing Vera Wang, both standouts and super flattering. Just pick the right hue from the spectrum of this sunshine shade.

Muted Florals

Florals for the wedding season may not sound ground-breaking, but it is for a reason, as flower prints are just made for summer. This season it is over to the delicate, almost vintage version of bloom, which are far more discreet and chic than the bolder, brighter variety. The pretty floral romanticism was created in compelling forms, from shimmering brocade at Carolina Herrera, to Erdem’s abstract spin.

Get Waisted

After seasons of voluminous, figure-shrouding shapes, sculpted and sexy is back. The waist is a time-honoured erogenous zone and courtesy of some savvy waist belt styling, hourglass silhouettes are back in favour. Whether you are creating shape with a belt or corset, the key is to cinch in.

Pretty in Pink

Pink has been rebranded. Once a symbol of dated gender binaries, pink is now the colour of the season, omnipresent on the Spring 2017 runways. From toned-down pastels to electrified berry tones, pink showed up at Valentino, Alexander McQueen, Gucci, and Prada, amongst many more. It is a colour you can pull off at the majority of day events in the form of silky culottes, or power suiting as seen at Bottega Veneta, as well as in the form of sequined, satin, or tulle-heavy frocks for evening parties too. It’s a shade you know you will always have fun wearing.

Statement Ruffles

One of the biggest trends of the season, ruffles, like pompoms and fringing, show no sign of abating.  Big, small, neat, or in disarray, clean lines have been banished from many a brand’s silhouette, as this season looks set to embrace a more playful, feminine way of dressing. It can be worn in a subtle way, like the delicate waves at Aquazurra, or bold and brave in cascading tiers as seen at Chloe and Erdem. Either way, it is time to ruffle up.

Mini Bags

Event dressing can’t be complete without the perfect accessories, and this season it is all about the mini bag. It is time for the clutch to have an upgrade to the mini bag, so now is the time to downsize. You may just be able to squeeze in a lipstick and phone, but it leaves you hands-free to socialise.

Kitten Heels

The kitten heel is back for the new season, and thankfully it is the most comfortable of heels, making it perfect for staying stylish while on your feet all day and evening. They may be the most ladylike of shoes, but because of their old-fashioned reputation be sure to choose fashion forward colour combinations.

Christian Louboutin’s latest treasure tote celebrates the zest of Mexico while benefiting vulnerable artisans in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Collaborating with Taller Maya, they have worked to preserve authentic craftsmanship at a time when culture is being diluted. This ensures the long-term economic empowerment of Mayan artisans. These artisans, predominantly but not exclusively women, have either inherited traditional skills, or are learning the skills of their grandmothers for the very first time.

The results of these folk-art skills, which include mainly cross stitch embroidery and weaving, is the Mexicaba. The colourful tote features panels of eye-popping handwoven cotton, vivid Mayan embroidery, bone beads fashioned from the horns of bull cattle and wooden beads painted with mythical wild beast motifs.

Not just an object d’art, the Mexicaba has a direct and positive social impact on the gifted artisans who helped bring it to life.

‘I’ve always had a global outlook. Working with the most wonderful artisans from all over the world is completely natural for me.’ – Christian Louboutin

In time for the Holy month, fashion is having a celebration with many specially created collections, from both regional and international designers.

CH Carolina Herrera

Abayas with an Effortless Elegance

CH Carolina Herrera launches for the first time a collection of abayas, exclusively for the Middle East woman. The elegance of black comes to life in delicate fabrics such as crepe and lace, combined with subtle polka dots and bows, two of the brand’s timeless signatures.

Joining a growing portfolio of designers who have already created a line of Arabian-inspired designs, the Venezuelan designer behind the eponymous label has injected the signature silhouette of the abaya with her distinctly feminine shapes and delicate detailing.

Endemage

Exquisite Hand-Embroidery

The Endemage design duo took inspiration form the chandeliers and architecture of the Grand Mosque in Oman and the floral prints seen in The Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi for the Holy month of Ramadan.  Known for their traditional hand-embroidery techniques, the sisters used soft pastel colours embellished with silver and gold embroidery. Featuring light and natural fabrics, in loose and simple cuts, they are ideal for the heat of the Middle East.

The Modist

Designer Kaftans

Ramadan dressing has just received a designer injection thanks to a limited-edition collection of kaftans designed exclusively for The Modist, and modelled by Halima Aden in the campaign. The curated collection of coveted designer kaftans were designed exclusively for the website by Mary Katrantzou, Osman, Adam Lippes, Eksander, For Restless Sleepers, Taller Marmo, Madiyah al Sharqi, Eskandar and Dima Ayad.

Armani Exchange 

Contemporary Meets Tradition

Armani Exchange have also got into the spirit of the Holy Month with a Ramadan collection exclusive to the Middle East. Featuring a mix of contemporary meets tradition in light fabrics and neutral colourways, this is a super wearable range. Fabrics are loose and airy, while the colour palette has been kept monochrome. These pieces will keep you both cool and stylish during the Holy month.

YNM

Mother and Daughter Love

Inspired by a cluster of gardens, captivating flowers, the facets in a diamond, and unconditional love, designer Yasmin Al Mulla has given her own modern take on the classic kaftans designed to flare the intimate and lavish nights of the very special holy month of Ramadan. This collection emphasises the indescribable bond between a mother and daughter, using rich materials, raw silk, soft linen, ethereal pleats, while adding delicate touches of abstract forms of flowers, and softly turning them into graceful wearable garments that highlight this beautiful relationship.

Zayan

A Collection that Caters to Every Style

Understanding that Ramadan has become such an important part of fashion collections, as it’s definitely gone beyond the kaftan, Zayan Ghandour has created an exclusive collection.  Her fourth capsule collection of 11 pieces for the Holy month is a continuation from the AW17 collection, which was based on Maria Luisa Casati, whose eccentric fashion sense and experimental style have been an inspiration for many artists and designers. The embellished tulle details, dramatic bell sleeves, warm winter colour pallet and pearl collars are a nod to her extraordinary style.

Net-a-Porter 

The Online Retailer Celebrates the Region

Just in time for Ramadan, luxury online retailer Net-a-Porter has released a beautifully photographed and styled campaign devoted to the Middle East.  Featuring pieces by some of our favourite brands, from shoe label Aquazzurra to fashion brands Chloé, Marques’ Almeida and Prada, the campaign stars model Blanca Padilla, and perfectly captures the modest and chic style of our region’s fashionable women.

Prada

Joyaux D’Orient

Inspired by precious stones, Emerald, Ruby, and Sapphire, Prada presents a unique collection that combines some of their iconic styles and new developments with variations and details, specially design to meet the Middle East preferences. It isn’t all about how these beautiful pieces look on the outside though, the inner part of the bags has unique details, such as mirrors, leather lining, and pockets. They have also been conceived to be functional, with detachable straps, perfect sizes, and smart details, that allow the bags to be worn not only in the evening, but also during the day.

The fashion industry is on something of a world tour at the moment, with the world’s biggest luxury brands travelling to far flung destinations to showcase their Cruise collections, with their offerings hitting shops in December, just in time to replenish the summer and winter wardrobes of the style elite.

Chanel

Titled ‘The Modernity of Antiquity,’ the Chanel Cruise 2018 collection mirrored the Greek-inspired set it was presented in, featuring looks with draping, one-shouldered silhouettes, gold accents, and adorned headbands that elicited the ultimate Grecian goddess vibes. Karl Lagerfeld worked a Greek pastoral vibe via tweed tunics with frayed edges, pleated palazzo pants and coarse cream knits, which he contrasted with a Midas-like trove of jewellery and embellishment. Echoing the setting, the colour palette was in pale mineral tones, with a smattering of navy and black, however, the real star of the collection were the bold, knee-high gladiator heels in a range of vibrant colours.

Louis Vuitton

Artisitic director Nicolas Ghesquiere opted to take the Cruise 2018 collection to the Miho Museum in Kyoto, which was created by I.M Pei, the same architect behind Paris’s Louvre Museum. It was here where models crossed a suspension bridge in leopard spots, studded leathers, and sequin-adorned sheer fabrics. Samurai faces and other traditional Japanese designs adorned accessories and sequin dresses, which were created exclusively for the collection by Japanese designer Kansai Yamamoto.

Prada

Though always artistic and conceptual, Miuccia Prada’s inspirations are also always rooted in reality, and the world around her. Even more so for the resort collection, which was staged for the first time at the Fondazione Prada Osservatorio, an exhibition space dedicated to contemporary art and visual arts. A flurry of transparent dresses, feathers, sequins and crystal details contrasted with the modernist setting, and again the brand worked with visual artist and illustrator James Jean, who created a whimsical rabbit print and Liberty prints, which were seen on a delicate pantsuit or, in contrast, on the front of a parka.

Valentino

Pierpaolo Piccioli gave the usual Valentino storybook romance aesthetic a street-sport fusion for resort. He did so in a template that borrowed proudly from the language of street, while making it very clear that you can look cool at the luxury level. The tracksuit was cut in technical jersey, and hammered silk in brilliant shades of emerald, ruby, and pink, and another collaboration with Zandra Rhodes created a lipstick motif that decorated a tiny romper and an oversize bomber. Connected to the street and erupting with color, it pushed the Valentino vocabulary forward, out of the realm of the inviolably precious, and into the world of the everyday.

Paddle boarding in the Mediterranean, island hopping in Greece, and sandal shopping in Positano. Both the Dubai and International fashion set spill their holiday secrets, go to hideaways, and must-have travel tips.

Christian Louboutin

Designer

There is pleasure in planning a holiday, but realistically my life is very hectic and I often end up having to change plans, so it does tend to be last-minute. However, my last-minute go-to during the summer months is Greece, which I love in particular for its Islands, the people, and the food. Island hopping by boat suits me as I like to go with the flow, to be blown by destiny. For an authentic taste of the Islands, I would encourage people to look further than Santorini and Mykonos, the islands of Antiparos, Paros and Pano Koufonisi are quiet and unspoilt. The best, and most essential thing to pack for a holiday in Greece is the thong sandal, it is a beautiful shoe and often overlooked, its beauty is its simplicity.

Joelle Mardinian

CEO Joelle Group

I love to travel, and for me, travel is one of the most important parts of my life. One of my favourite holiday destinations is the South of France, at my house in Cote d’Azur in Cannes, near a small village where Picasso is said to have lived. I spend such a lovely time in this beautiful region with my children, just doing simple things like nature walks, baking goodies and eating ice cream on La Croisette Street, Cannes. My daughter Ella, just like me loves seafood, and because we are literally living on the French Riviera, we make sure that we eat a lot of fresh seafood in the small restaurants and cafes around.

We also pick fresh oranges from our garden and eat them for breakfast. Travel essentials that I always carry are the simple, more basic things that I need, such as a big handbag to carry things while on the go, a light cosy cardigan, comfortable shoes to walk around easily, and my Joelle Paris Good Day Cream and Love Eyes Serum.

Laura Bailey

Model

The Amalfi Coast is the place I return to again and again. Villa Tre Ville is one of my favourite hotels, and the perfect base for dolce vita-style adventures. I hike the ‘Walk of Gods’ over the hills to Praiano, and take in the magnificent coastal views, relishing lazy lunches at Lo Scoglio and Conca del Sogno, where pasta with zucchini is the local speciality. At night, my favourite place is Il Pirata, a restaurant cut into the cliffs with a fairy-lit cave for a bar. The late-night boat ride back to Positano is always a thrill.

Nicholas Kirkwood

Designer

I’m going to spend my summer holiday in South Africa, starting with a safari at the Tswalu Lodge in the Kalahari Desert. It’s supposed to be mind-blowing. I’ll follow that with a stint in Cape Town, where I want to visit the What If The World gallery, the Goodman Gallery, and Gallery MOMO. I’m hoping to find a piece to add to my own art collection.

Jelena Bin Drai

Designer

Every summer we spend 2 to 3 weeks in Ibiza and Formentera, and although people think that the Balearic Islands are a pure party place, they are actually an amazing place for families with children. We usually go swimming in the crystal-clear waters, hike, fish, play tennis and have dinners under the stars while listening to calm music. They have the best seafood, organic fruits, and vegetables, which we buy in Ibiza at the vegetable market in shops like St.Gertrudis and Can Furnet. However, when eating out, our favourite restaurant is Chuingirito and Formentera Macondo in Sant Ferran. After living in Italy in the past for a few years I am used to the best Italian food, but the pizza in Macondo is something else!

Abeer Al Otaiba

Founder and Creative Director of SemSem

Each summer we spend some time travelling around the Mediterranean. The sun, beach, and water sports are my only prerequisites for a vacation, with my all-time favourite location at Girolata in Corsica, the island of beauty. We spend a lot of time in the water doing all kinds of fun water activities, such as surfing, paddle boarding, and water skiing. We are also a family of foodies, and tend to seek out small, local restaurants, such as Conca del Sogno and Quattro Passi in Nerano with their beautiful scenery and amazing food, being two of our favourites. When it comes to packing for a trip away, I will always bring my Nike exercise clothes, as in the States kickboxing is a daily ritual for me, so I stick to my workouts while on vacation. I’ll also bring a couple of my SemSem Jamila kaftans, and Aida and Lotus dresses, blue Ray Ban aviator sunglasses, La Perla and Mikoh swimsuits, Soleil de La Mer lotion and Sisley sunscreen.

Lilian Afshar

Designer

My favourite places to stay are Marincanto hotel in Positano, or Casa Angelina in Praiano, both along the Amalfi Coast. When there, I love to Island hop and travel along the coast by boat, with a visit to the picturesque Emerald Grotto being unmissable. When it comes to dining out, my restaurant of choice is Buca di Bacco, where you can even take a cooking class to learn how to make their superb homemade pasta. Packing is kept simple for this trip, with just a Lisa Marie bikini twin set, La Mer SPF, and one of my own bag designs, the Leon crushed ice clutch, although I will always find time to get some handmade sandals from the local cobbler!

Arizona Muse

Model

I love the south of France, and a favourite area of mine is Anjuna Bay in a place called Eze. It’s a beautiful spot with an outdoor alcove restaurant that is decorated with plants and Balinese carved wooden pillars. After eating a freshly caught, beautifully grilled sea bass, and sipping on the world’s clearest rosé, I recommend jumping in the water for a swim. Divine!

Zayan Ghandour

Designer

One of my favourite holiday destinations is Japan, and it is by far a place that I would gladly visit over and over again, in a heartbeat. One of my favourite spots there is ‘Pass the Baton’ in Kyoto Gion, a mini eclectic store where you can find just about anything – from mini bonsai trees to artisanal necklaces and frilly socks! I also love visiting Shebuya 109 in Tokyo, home to a million little boutiques and brimming cult Korean and Japanese brands. For me, Japan is simply wonderful and I find myself inspired by every corner, every street and knick knack, and every person I meet there.

Roxie Nafousi

Wellness Ambassador

Last year I went to stay at the Mandarin Oriental resort in Bodrum and I absolutely adored it. The resort was beautiful, with an incredible gym and spa, and it is located right on the beach. Bodrum also has one of my favourite restaurants in the world, Nu’sret, the home of Salt Bae. Not only is the food out of this world, but each dish they bring out is filled with theatre, whether it’s an explosion of dry ice, or their waiters are hand feeding you sushi rolls! That was definitely a holiday to remember.

300AD

Artwork dating to the Diocletianic era portrays women in a similar garment to the bikini, while competing in athletic events. The skimpier alternative to the toga, featuring a bandeau top, was thought practical for ladies playing ancient sport.

1946

On July 5th 1946, French designer Louis Reard unveiled a navel baring two-piece swimsuit at the Piscine Moliter, a popular Parisian swimming pool. Reard got the idea for his bikini when he saw women rolling up their beachwear to get a better tan, and named it after the island Bikini Atoll.

40s

Bikinis began appearing on US beaches during the forties, helped in part by the government ordering a 10 per cent reduction in fabric used for women’s swimwear as part of wartime rationing. However, they remained prohibited in Spain, Italy, and Portugal.

50s

The first Miss World contest took place in 1951, and was won by Sweden’s Kiki Hakansoon, with all competitors donning the garment. Some countries threatened to withdraw from the competition, meaning evening gowns were brought in for subsequent editions of the beauty contest.

60s

In 1960, Brian Hyland’s song, ‘Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,’ prompted a spike in sales. Then, in 1962, Playboy magazine featured a bikini on its cover for the first time, with Sports Illustrated following suit two years later.

Current

Despite a brief comeback for the one-piece in the early nineties, the bikini remains the swimwear of choice for many women, starring in films such as James Bond, and on the catwalk. The suffix ‘kini’ has even fund its way into Middle Eastern fashion, with the invention of the birkini.

A winning combination of lavish details and day-to-day practicality, these sandals are just the thing to round off your wardrobe. Stick to warm shades, to balance the trend’s more-is-more approach.

Valentino and Marco de Vincenzo

By Eliza Scarborough

4 Weeks to Go

Smooth Skin

It makes sense to incorporate the kind of hard working ingredients you look for in facial skincare into your body regime. Gentle chemical exfoliators, such as AHA’s and BHA’s leave your skin silky smooth, while hydrators like shea butter and vitamin E make it look dewy and plump. It is also worth upping your dietary intake of antioxidants a month out, to neutralise some of the damaging effects of UV. Carrots contain beta-carotene which helps the skin fight free radicals, while almonds are rich in vitamin E and aid the skin’s repair process, so start adding both to your diet.

3 Weeks to Go

De-Frizz Hair

Sun, sea, and humidity can be a recipe for disaster when it comes to frizz-prone hair. For mild fluffiness, a keratin or Brazilian blow-dry treatment three weeks before you go away will do. For hair that turns electric at the mere glimpse of sunshine, permanent straightening is the answer. Based on Japanese treatments that completely subdue frizz, it’s a real lifesaver on holiday. It is best to have these treatments fairly far in advance, to allow time to perfect the texture, and re-strengthen the hair.

2 Weeks to Go

Beach-Proof Brows

Suman Jalaf, who tends to the brows of Suki Waterhouse and Poppy Delevingne, is single-handedly responsible for the sudden popularity of microblading. Unlike tattooing, microblading won’t last forever and the effect is far more natural in appearance. Achieved by pushing pigment into shallow cuts in the skin, in a natural hair stroke style, it gives the effect of thicker, fuller brows. Initially dark, the final shade reveals itself ten days after the treatment, so it’s best to book in a couple of weeks before your holiday. However, just as your hair colour can become sun bleached, your brows may lighten too, so run some suncream through them when out in bright sunshine.

10 Days to Go

Treat Feet

Your feet go through the same ageing process as your face, and over the years the fat layer thins, sweat glands shrink, and moisture is lost. This means a daily dose of hydration is essential, and we recommend Margaret Dabbs Intensive Treatment Foot Oil. But if your feet are in need of a serious overhaul, try Footner Exfoliating Socks, which will restore the toughest of skin. After allowing the acids to work their magic for around an hour, dead skin will start to shed over the next week, revealing baby-soft soles.

1 Week to Go

Get your Glow

The only safe tan is a fake one, and by using a gradual tan, such as Dior Skin Self-Tanning Jelly Gradual Glow, every other day in the week running up to your trip, you will achieve an even base. However, if your skin is prone to dryness, it will be likely to be exasperated by DHA, the ingredient that actually turns your skin brown, so try St Tropez’s new Gradual Tan Plus Sculpt and Glow, which contains hyaluronic acid and avocado oil to counteract the drying. Alternatively, book in for a spray tan two days before going away, skilled therapists are able to sculpt your stomach and add definition to your arms with clever shading. Once away, beware that humidity makes your tan fade quicker than usual, so try sprinkling some talc in your bikini, under your arms and other areas of friction, to safeguard the colour.

3 Days to Go

Hair Free

The optimal time to wax is three days before, so any redness can subside. But, if you suffer from ingrown hairs, you may be put off waxing for fear of unsightly raised bumps. Fear not, regular application of a product containing glycolic and salicylic acids ensures the skin is gently exfoliated and follicles don’t become blocked. You can find both products in Ministry of Waxing Malin+Goetz Ingrown Hair Cream, to tame inflammation.

2 Days to Go

Long Lashes

Give your lashes a longer lifespan with a tint and lift, and do away with the need for mascara. A lash lift is effectively a perm, so this needs to be done around 2 days before going on holiday so you can keep your eyes dry for 48 hours. Alternatively, if you are prepared a few months before, you can apply Lilash on your lashes every evening before bed, the serum accelerates growth, for a set of naturally fuller lashes.

1 Day to Go

Nail It

Book in for your manicure and pedicure the day before you leave. Although gel manicures have seriously good staying power, leave it until the day before as it is nice to have a fresh pop of colour, and ensures that you will remain chip free for the duration of your getaway.

What to Pack

There is no need to pack up your full beauty and make-up cupboard, holidays are all about a more natural, pared back look, so this is the time to downsize your beauty bag and just take these essentials.

Diorskin Nude BB crème

Give yourself just enough coverage to even out skin tone, but still show those summer freckles with this beauty balm. It combines the protective powers of an SPF with the skin-evening properties of a foundation.

Victoria Beckham Estée Lauder Bronzer

Bronzer isn’t just for your cheekbones. Once you have sculptured your contours, dab it onto your eyelids for summer’s chicest look.

Burberry Lip Colour Contour

This wonder product can be used in two ways. Start by accentuating the lip line to make your mouth appear fuller, and then you can also subtly contour the eye socket.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick Blush in Coral

Coral offers a refined warmth that enriches any skin tone, and this particular product will add a flattering flush to the tops of cheeks, while the subtle shimmer makes skin appear luminous.

Guerlain Terracotta Jolies Jambes

This tinted lotion sinks into skin in seconds, leaving limbs looking honed and healthy. Plus, it smells like paradise.

Introduced for the first time with the Spring Summer 2017 collection, the compact shoulder bag City Knot, as the name implies, features the signature closure of the house’s iconic Knot.

First added by Creative Director Tomas Maier in 2001 to a box clutch from Bottega Veneta’s archive, it has since become the house’s ultimate elegant proposal for evening occasions. The City Knot, characterised by a clean silhouette, interprets the Knot with a contemporary and fresh attitude.

Stay cool, and look cool, with our solutions to summer’s sartorial conundrums.

When it comes to the summer months, high temperatures plus layers of tailoring often equals dewy brows and red faces. However, here we have a few solutions that will ensure that there is no reason why you can’t dress up, even if it’s summer, helping you approach a wardrobe that just says, effortless cool.

Opt for a lightweight jacket

The main culprit when it comes to overheating in summer is the tailored jacket. But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear one at all. Instead, look for one that has a lightweight construction, with a fabric that is light enough to still perform, but you can hardly feel it on your body.

Sunglasses

A good pair of sunglasses are transformative, although it can be overwhelming with the range of styles, sizes, and shapes on offer. The trick when choosing what pair is best, is to choose which ones complement your features, do that and you’ll instantly up your frame game.

Turn Ups

As the temperature rises, you can instantly transform your trouser collection by turning up a pair of chinos. However, this means reconsidering your footwear, so store away your winter boots to make room for tasselled loafers, and deck shoes. Going sockless is often the best policy when it comes to these summer shoes, for the perfect combination with those turn ups.

Keep Shaded

Finding the right hat needn’t be difficult, it just requires a little thought. Style, as ever, requires a man to blend his taste with an objective view of what suits him, a tall man with a big head should look at wide-brimmed hats, just as a short guy with a thin face may find it easier to wear a hat with a narrow brim. For the summer months, are favourite style that every man should have in his wardrobe is the Panama. They lend an air of sophistication and elegance, and look equally as good with a tailored suit, or a casual pair of shorts.

Play with Shorts Proportions

Tailored shorts have long been a part of every man’s summer repertoire, however now is the time to look at them in a different way. There is no need to pair them with a t-shirt, instead choosing to wear them with a jacket and shirt. Take note of balancing them with your top half, and choose an over the knee fit.

Look for open-weave fabrics

Although it’s fairly obvious that cotton and linen are far more summer-appropriate fabrics than heavy wool or synthetics, staying cool is not just about picking the right fibres, but the right weave. Consequently, if you hold the fabric to the light, you can almost see through it because it’s full of tiny gaps. Obviously, it’s not see-through when you wear it, but it allows the air to circulate a bit better.

The octagon shape brings the emblematic and iconic Première watch to mind, as a tribute to the legendary N°5 bottle and to Place Vendôme. A creation inscribed in the watchmaking vocabulary of the House with its sober, refined design, strong lines, and its signature shape. The design is both contemporary and classic, and its angles are polished or satin finished.

With a masculine inspiration, Chanel takes its first feminine creation, the Première, into masculine territory. The Première Boy watch holds within the art of twisting the elements from the masculine wardrobe so dear to Mademoiselle Chanel. With its enigmatic name it doesn’t think twice about shaking up the classic, feminine watchmaking codes.

The engraved strap, woven from steel threads, reveals great technical prowess. To recall the richness of the fabric, the Tweed motif had to be deeply and precisely stamped onto it, while at the same time retaining great suppleness to ensure highly comfortable wearing. The realisation took many months to perfect. The mastery of this technique made it possible to integrate braiding that highlights the contours of the Tweed strap, the same braiding that marks the contours of the Chanel jackets, edging the pockets and the bottom of the sleeves.

The octagonal form of the deployant buckle recalls the Place Vendôme and the octagonal shape of the N°5 bottle-stopper.

If you notice your aches and pains easing after sitting in the sun, it could be a sign that you have low levels of immune-boosting vitamin D, one of the most common deficiencies in our bodies. Produced by skin after contact with UV rays, vitamin D helps protect against cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease, supports fertility, and even improves your mood. However, it also has plenty of beauty benefits, making it a must as part of your health and skin regime.

Treats Acne

If you are suffering from persistent acne, supplementing with vitamin D can do wonders for your skin, significantly reducing both the acne and inflammation.

Promotes Hair Growth

Vitamin D receptors found in hair follicles play a vital role in the growth and resting cycles of the hair. Vitamin D signals to the keratinocytes found in the follicles to stimulate the growth of hair. Subsequently, one of the signs of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is damage to the hair follicles, and hair loss.

Helps in Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Lack of vitamin D can lead to weight gain and difficulty in losing weight. Insufficient vitamin D in the blood makes the body convert calories to fat at a rapid rate. Vitamin D is also needed for the absorption of nutrients such as calcium, which aid in weight loss.

Heals Psoriasis

Stress is a known aggravator for psoriasis and vitamin D is an important regulator of stress. Vitamin D can help reduce inflammation, redness and swelling in psoriasis. Supplementing with vitamin D can help prevent psoriasis flare-ups.

Reduces the Appearance of Stretch Marks

Vitamin D helps in the overall function of skin, preventing stretch marks by increasing the elasticity of the skin. It helps in the proper formation of skin to help reduce the occurrence of stretch marks, scars, and dark spots.

Prevents Premature Aging of Skin

Premature aging of the skin often occurs as a result of free radical damage to the skin. Vitamin D acts as an antioxidant to combat oxidative stress and free radical damage on the skin.

Of course, scientists can’t create the perfect weather for just the right amount of UV rays, to give you the optimum amount of vitamin D, instead developing serums laced with what’s known as the sunshine vitamin. While you probably know that your body naturally produces vitamin D, or that you can ingest it via oral supplements or foods like milk, fortified orange juice, and fatty fish, the ingredient’s topical benefits are a more recent discovery. So, invest in our top picks, and you can remain in the shade, yet still boost elasticity, stimulate collagen production, enhance radiance, and lessen lines, with these wonder products.

How to achieve a bronze goddess look with perfect brows using Benefit’s new Hoola products.

Menat Elabd, National Brow Artist at Benefit Cosmetics shares her tips & tricks for the perfect healthy summer glow, ‘the Hoola Quickie Contour Stick makes contouring easier by letting you draw exactly where you want your bronzed areas.’ Explaining, ‘the cream glides on the skin like butter and transforms into a non-drying powder after blending. You can always use more or less of it depending on your skin tone and how deep you want your contour to be.’

Another key product, Hoola Lite, makes contouring much more accessible. It is a Matte Bronzing Powder, which has a soft texture and comes in a light beige color which is a toned-down version of the iconic Hoola Matte Bronzer. To complete the look, Menat’s ultimate tip is, ‘no look is complete without amazing brows! For the perfect brows, apply natural hair strokes by using Precisely, My Brow Pencil and set the look by topping it off with Gimme Brow.’

Here is How To:

Define and give dimension to your face by softly applying the Hoola quickie stick just beneath the cheekbones, along the jawline and around the hairline.

Blend using either the Hoola Bronzer Brush or a beauty blender.

Apply Hoola Lite over the bronzed areas to enhance your features, soften the look, and add more warmth to your face.

For a perfect brow look, apply natural hair strokes using Precisely, my brow pencil and blend with the brush.

Top it off with Gimme Brow to set in the brow look.

No matter how precisely you plan your itinerary, the best holidays start with a thoughtfully packed suitcase. However, although most packing always begins with good intentions, somehow it can very easily get out of control, and soon you find yourself with an unedited collection of most items from your wardrobe. While streamlining the process is an art, for certain, it can be mastered with a little forethought.

So, to help you get started with your globe-trotting luggage, we have compiled a simple checklist to follow which will make you a pro when it comes to packing efficiently.

Begin with the Basics

As boring as it may sound, start with the basics when packing, and not just in terms of underwear. Start by laying everything out to make sure you don’t forget anything essential, some basic items such as socks, tights, and nightwear can tend to get pushed to the backs of our minds.

Colour Coding

What is key to a capsule holiday wardrobe is keeping to a colour theme throughout, as this will allow you to mix and match without worrying whether things ‘go’. Start by choosing two or three items that you really love, and then you can build the rest of your clothes around them, making sure that every item in your suitcase complements each other.

Think Outfits

Consider how you’ll be spending your days and make a list of outfits, which will ideally take you from day-to-night. These outfits can of course be mix and matched, depending on your mood and where the days take you. However, ensure you include the wardrobe staples that will see you through your holiday, such as a denim jacket, the ultimate cover-up, flat shoes, and an oversized scarf that you’re likely to make use of no matter where you’re going.

Multipurpose

Pack a couple of blouses and oversized shirts, as they will get plenty of use throughout your stay. They work over jeans or shorts, as well as doubling up as great beach cover-ups. Lightweight and perfect in a hot climate, they also work well as a travel outfit.

Don’t Double Up

There are certain items that you only need one of, such as a pair of jeans, and a coat. Any more is overkill, and you can wear these items to travel in, to save space in your luggage. When it comes to eveningwear, again you need just one statement dress, and this is the time to take out that item that you have been waiting for the perfect occasion to wear.

Keep Organised

Keeping everything organised will be a life-saver, and using a selection of pouches will make packing easier and more ordered. One for underwear, another for swimsuits, and ones for make-up, sun care, hair products, chargers, and adaptors. It keeps everything in their place, not just in the suitcase but in the hotel room too.

Roll, Don’t Fold

Tried-and-tested, rolling saves more space than folding and prevents creasing. Also, you can use your rolled garments to slot in between fragile items, making use of every inch of space in your bag. Shoes and bags should be placed inside dust bags, to keep your packing clean and protected, and when it comes to your summer hat, you are best stuffing it with soft items like T-shirts or underwear. Then lay it flat in the bottom of my suitcase, packing the rest of your wardrobe around it.

Wear Your Jewellery

Avoid any mishaps with lost luggage, by both wearing your most special jewellery, and then packing any of your more valuable items or accessories in your hand luggage. Missing luggage always tends to turn up a couple of days later, but by being prepared you will take away all of the stress, which you won’t be wanting on your first days of holiday.

Turkish Towels

Traditional hammam towels, made from flat-woven cotton rather than heavier, fluffier fibres that waste space, make perfect beach towels, travel blankets and double up as shawls when temperatures drop at night.

First Aid

Stock up on basic medications, as when your body relaxes, it often lets down its defences, and the air circulation on aeroplanes can also often breed germs. Don’t let this ruin your trip, and be prepared by packing cold and flu remedies, together with painkillers. Also, a new environment can upset your sleeping habits, together with jet-lag, so guard against restless nights with This Works ‘Sleep Over’ kit, and a pillow spray, to ensure you get some good rest.

A world of Italian quality and tradition has been reinterpreted by Tod’s artisans, coupling the most beautiful leather with uniquely designed accessory icons.

Tod’s Wave Bag Charm

Left Image: Wave bag, Wave bag charm, Leather key holder

Right Image: Double T bag

All Tod’s

Left Image:  Small Double T Crossbody bag, Medium Double T Crossbody bag

Top Right Image: Sella bag

Bottom Right:  Leather Sneakers

All Tod’s

Fashion Director: Eliza Scarborough

Photographer: Lezli and Rose

Maria Grazia Chiuri channels Georgia O’Keefe and the American West, presenting her 2018 cruise collection in the Santa Monica mountains.

Why California? Dior’s artistic director, Maria Grazia Chiuri, candidly admitted that the location was chosen before her arrival at the house, yet when presented with the California location, Chiuri said she went to the archives, where she came across the house founder’s Lascaux collection of 1951, inspired by the ancient cave paintings discovered in southwestern France a decade earlier.

Chiuri reproduced the Lascaux sketches as a silk and raffia jacquard used on New Look skirts and ponchos, as a print on a softer cotton shirtwaist dress, and as fur intarsias. Chief among her other interests this season were a Georgia O’Keeffe exhibition she saw at the Brooklyn Museum and a collaboration with Vicki Noble, the creator of the Motherpeace feminist tarot deck. From her start at Dior, Chiuri has linked magic with femininity and feminism. Here, she went direct to the source, printing T-shirts with Noble’s tarot illustrations or painting them on the back of leather Perfectos, giving the entire collection a magical charm. As for O’Keeffe, milliner Stephen Jones’s parson’s hats were dead ringers for the topper the artist wore, and a double-face cashmere coat in black with white arabesques evoked her famous ram’s head paintings.

If the spirit of travel could turn into a touchable, malleable material, and then inspire Louis Vuitton’s loveliest creations, it would take the form of leather. From leather craftsmanship to perfumery, leather is the heart of Louis Vuitton’s skill.

‘Before I even arrived at Louis Vuitton I knew that leather would figure in the perfumes I created. As a perfumer, I have always been fascinated by leather, by its hold on the imagination and its sway over the senses. Even as I explored the workshops of Louis Vuitton, though, I never imagined how rich a universe was opening up before me.’ Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, Louis Vuitton’s Master Perfumer.

Leather infusion is exclusive to Louis Vuitton. It is also a world-premiere technique, for no one has ever before achieved an infusion of the kind that the perfume industry can use. Thus, it has now entered the perfumer’s palette as an ingredient of genuine standing and can be used in a variety of ways.

It was therefore natural for the Maison Louis Vuitton to utilise this material when designing Travel Cases for its perfumes. With leather, Louis Vuitton preserves its craft, and tailors the container to the personal effects within. In designing its perfume Travel Cases Louis Vuitton has harkened back to its origins, and today the Maison has created a line of cases that embrace their flasks, like a second skin, for smooth sailing on any expedition, be it far-flung, or closer afield.

The skin is made of the Maison’s signature and emblematic natural leather, also found  in the leather-infused fragrances created by Jacques Cavallier Belletrud. Just as a perfume develops uniquely on each individual, the leather lives its owner’s life, in even greater intimacy, and over time develops a patina to match. As leather and skin become one, so do vanity case and perfume unite, ideal for travel.

Lubna Al Zakwani is one half of the dynamic design duo, alongside her sister Nadia, behind fashion brand Endemage. The label, which began in 2010 and is focused on revolutionising the world of contemporary women’s wear in the Middle East, features designs which are a blend of ethnic, chic and luxury, through a range of ultra-elegant, floor skimming, East meets West designs.

Endemage is all about including the Omani tradition and culture through influences in each collection, celebrating their heritage through design. Lubna’s personal style is of a similar vibe, using authentic jewellery to accessorise a classic outfit, something that she tries to implement in both her personal looks, and brands designs. As a child, she would love going to traditional souks to see the fabric and embroidery, and this has remained a main inspiration for her collections, which are worn both by Arabs, and also internationally.

When it comes to footwear, I usually don’t follow trends, although I will always be seen in a heel! Manolo Blahnik’s are my weakness, as they are so feminine and comfortable, and you can literally wear them anywhere. I have them in a range of colours as they are such a favourite, although I do also like some of the classic styles from Christian Louboutin and Valentino.

I purchased this Fendi bag, together with the scarf and chain, after seeing it displayed with the additions in London. I also got this metallic Dior bag in London as well, as I tend to do most of my shopping abroad, where the collections are different and more varied than in Dubai. The Dior bag is out of my comfort zone, as I don’t tend to go for flashy colours usually, but I felt that this bag would be perfect for weddings and evening events to add some detail. I would describe most of my bags as classic with a twist, as I prefer timeless to seasonal styles.

Growing up, my father loved nature and wildlife, so we had a farm with a lot of animals, which led to me having an obsession with giraffes, even though we never had them! I have always loved to be able to see them on safari or in zoos, and recently when my friends have been travelling they have brought them back for me, so I have started collecting giraffe figures.

For my graduation project at ESMOD, The French Fashion University, I had to create my own brand. I collaborated with an Omani jewellery designer, and this was the main piece that was made. It is compiled of miniature versions of jewellery, to make up the full statement, and I still wear it now to traditional weddings.

These are traditional Omani bangles made by locals. They are vintage, and the men who made them carved into the silver, with an incredible attention to detail. This is a skill which is so hard to find now that it has become commercialised, without the same craftsmanship behind them.

I usually burn incense every day, and then I will wear different fragrances depending on my mood and what I am doing. As I tend to go out in the morning and then find myself at different events as the day goes on, I will keep a bottle in my handbag and layer up my fragrance accordingly.

This look is from the Autumn Winter 2016 collection, and is one of my favourite pieces. As I explained, we always have an influence from Oman, and in the Southern part they wear velvet of different thicknesses throughout the year. I wanted to incorporate this, and to make it unique it has the colour in this shaded ombre effect, together with some beaded embellishment.

Colour your world with Summer’s hottest pallete of statement-making makeup shades.

Photographer: Sandra Chidiac

Styling and Direction: Dana Mortada

Makeup Artist: Sharbel Hasbany

Model: Anja at Nidal’s Agency

Jewellery: Nada G Fine Jewellery

Beachwear: All from www.klynn.com

Location: Lazy B Beach – Jiyeh, Lebanon

The Professional

Tie in Damier Anthracite, Brazza wallet in grey, Voyager GMT 41.5 watch, Monogram Eclipse reversible belt, Briefcase in black Epi leather, Brazza wallet in Monogram Eclipse, Palladium Monogram cardholder, Cargo Roller Ball Pen in Glacier, Damier 4 cufflinks, Hockenheim Moccasin shoes.

Left image:

The Creative Type

This collection was in collaboration with ‘Fragment’, the Japanese brand by Hiroshi Fujiwara.

Phenix Sunglasses, Zack Backpack in Monogram Exclipse Flash, Tattoo Sneaker Boot.

The Adventurer

Americas Cup Beach Towel, Americas Cup Neck Tie and Card Holder, Apollo Backpack in Damier Cobalt, Latitude Slip On Shoes in Damier Cobalt.

The Traveller

Horizon 55 in Damier Graphite, Zippy Wallet Xl in Damier Graphite, Escale World Time Watch, Enigme GM Sunglasses, Keepall 45 in Damier Graphite, Run Away Sneaker in Damier.

Fashion Director : Charline Deek

Photographer : Henry Pascual

Terracota by Guerlain feels the sun as it sets sail in crisp, nautical numbers and waves of cool blues.

Skin Care used

Abeille Royale Serum

Face & Eyes

Base Meteorites Perles Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer, Terracotta Skin Foundation Blonde 01, Concealer Lingerie De Peau 03, Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Blondes Naturel 02, Terracotta Sun Trio Sculpting Bronzing Powder, Terracotta After Summer Powder, Mascara La Petite Robe Noire Black, Eye Pencil Katy Navy 04 , Eyeshadow 1 shade Navy 03, Eyebrow kit 00

Lips

KissKiss Liplift, La Petite Robe Noire Red Heels 003

Nails

La Petite Robe Noire Pink Ballerinas 061

Shirt-dress: Burberry

Left Image:

Skin Care used

Abeille Royale Serum

Face & Eyes

Base Meteorites Perles Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer, Terracotta Skin Foundation Blonde 01, Concealer Lingerie De Peau 03, Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Blondes Naturel 02, Terracota Sun Trio Sculpting Bronzing Powder, Mascara: La Petite Robe Noire Black , Eyebrow kit 00

Lips

KissKiss Liplift, La Petite Robe Noire Sun–Twin-Set 041

Dress: Versace

Right Image:

Skin Care

Abeille Royale Serum

Face & Eyes

Base Meteorites Perles Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer, Terracotta Skin Foundation Blonde 01, Concealer: Lingerie De Peau 03, Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Blondes Natural 02, Terracotta Bronzing Powder Classic & Light 02, Mascara La Petite Robe Noire Black , Eyebrow kit 00

Lips

KissKiss Liplift, La Petite Robe Noire Sun –Twin-Set 041

Nails

La Petite Robe Noire Pink Ballerinas 061

Dress: Versace

Skin Care used

Abeille Royale Serum

Face & Eyes

Base Meteorites Perles Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer, Terracotta Skin Foundation Blonde 01, Concealer: Lingerie De Peau 03, Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Blondes Natural 02, Terracotta Bronzing Powder Classic & Light 02, Mascara La Petite Robe Noire Black , Eyebrow kit 00

Body

Terracotta Huile Sous Le Vent

Lips

KissKiss Liplift, La Petite Robe Noire Apri-coat Asia 010

Nails

La Petite Robe Noire Pink Ballerinas 061

Dress: Max Mara

Left Image:

Skin Care used

Abeille Royale Serum

Face  & Eyes

Base Meteorites Perles Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer, Terracotta Skin Foundation Blonde 01, Concealer: Lingerie De Peau 03, Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Blondes Naturel 02, Terracotta Sun Trio Sculpting Bronzing Powder, Terracotta After Summer Powder, Mascara: La Petite Robe Noire Black, Eye Pencil Katy Navy 04 , Eyebrow kit 00

Body:

Terracotta Huile Sous Le Vent

Lips

KissKiss Liplift, La Petite Robe Noire Red Heels 003

Nails

La Petite Robe Noire Pink Ballerinas 061

Top: Sportmax

Bracelet: Salvatore Ferragamo

Right Image:

Skin Care

Abeille Royale Serum

Face & Eyes

Base Meteorites Perles Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer, Terracotta Skin Foundation Blonde 01, Concealer: Lingerie De Peau 03, Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Blondes Naturel 02, Terracotta Sun Trio Sculpting Bronzing Powder, Terracotta After Summer Powder, Mascara La Petite Robe Noire Black , Eyebrow kit 00

Lips

KissKiss Liplift, La Petite Robe Noire Red Heels 003

Nails

La Petite Robe Noire Pink Ballerinas 061

Total Look: Max Mara

Skin Care used

Abeille Royale Serum

Face & Eyes

Base Meteorites Perles Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer, Terracotta Skin Foundation Blonde 01, Concealer: Lingerie De Peau 03, Terracotta Joli Teint Powder Blondes Naturel 02, Terracotta Sun Trio Sculpting Bronzing Powder, Terracotta Sun Tonic (Waterproof), Mascara La Petite Robe Noire Black, Eye Pencil Katy Navy 04 , Eyeshadow 1 shade Navy 03, Eyebrow kit 00

Lips

KissKiss Liplift, La Petite Robe Noire Red Heels 003

Jumpsuit: Max Mara

Photographer: Adam Balcerek at MMG

Fashion Director: Dana Mortada

Makeup artist: Alexandra Lynn- From Guerlain International (Oliver Echaudemaison Art Team)

Hair Stylist : Manuel at MMG

Model : Viktoria at Wilhelmina Dubai

Location : Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

Since they became suburban status symbols and the inspiration for countless artists, from Mr David Hockney’s splashes to Mr Terry O’Neill’s shot of Ms Faye Dunaway at the Beverly Hills, hotel pools have also become the symbol to the most lust after hotel hotspot. from hotel horizon-edge pools, to floating high up in the rainforest, these are the waterholes that we’re desperate to dive into.

From rooftop to mountaintop, Los Angeles to the Aegean Sea, have a splash in these beautiful hotel pools.

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, France

The pool at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is the most famous on the Riviera, if not in the world. A saltwater infinity pool cut into the rocks and looking out to the sea beyond is not just beautiful, it is a magnet for beautiful people, from tech billionaires to film stars.

Setouchi Aonagi, Japan

At Setouchi Aonagi, a modern art museum last year transformed into a luxury hotel outside Matsuyama on Shikoku, Japan’s smallest main island, the 30m length pool is a feat of immeasurable architectural drama. A single lane of blue, simply tiled and cut into stark concrete, it is as minimalist as it could be while still containing water.

The Chedi, Muscat

Jean-Michel Gathy’s minimalist hotel is already a rarity in traditional Muscat, and his Long Pool is a particularly luxe spot to take in views of the Gulf. At 337 feet, the infinity pool is the longest in the Middle East. Enjoy swimming your lengths whilst gazing out into the ocean.

The Silo, Cape Town

A giant abandoned grain silo on Cape Town’s waterfront seems like an unlikely setting for one of this year’s most exciting hotel openings. But Mr Thomas Heatherwick has worked wonders with the concrete structure, and it’s crowning glory is the pool on the roof, where concrete columns frame arguably the best views in the city.

Lakshman Sagar, India

The pool at this former imperial hunting lodge built along the edge of a man-made lake in Rajasthan looks like part of the rock it sits in. Dug into a single rock and whitewashed, it does away with decks and loungers to create a wild place in which to cool off, unfussed by the accoutrements of the traditional resort.

Soho House, New York

This member’s club rooftop pool has views of downtown Manhattan and the Hudson River. Stay on after a day of basking in the sun, as the DJ starts and the party begins, with New York’s cool crew.

The Library, Thailand

Lined with vivid Italian mosaic tiles, coloured orange, yellow and red, the water in the pool is given the illusion of looking red, which tastefully matches the parasols and loungers on the wooden decking that surround it. The water is the centrepiece of a minimalist resort of 26 sprawling studios and suites, and includes a collection of more than 1,400 books, for plenty of poolside reading.

Four Seasons Serengeti, Tanzania

There are two pools of note at the Four Seasons outpost deep inside Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. One is for humans, a sweeping azure infinity pool in front of the terrace of the main lodge, that gives you the perfect view of the other just 10m beyond, a watering hole for the wild animals.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como

There are three swimming pools at Grand Hotel Tremezzo, a 1910 magnolia palazzo set in gardens on the edge of Lake Como. However, the one you’ll be posting on Instagram until the sun goes down floats in the lake itself, set within teak decking.

Al Baleed Resort Salalah, Oman

The seemingly never-ending infinity pool stretches as far as the sea and the sweep of powdery palm-lined beach. Inspired by Omani fortresses of old, the whitewashed resort houses private plunge pools with each suite, which you will have to step away from to enjoy the main oceanfront pool.

Created in 2007, Coco Collection includes Coco Privé, Coco Resorts: Retreats, and Coco Palm, all retreats of luxury in the Maldives. Every element of Coco Collection meets the highest standards, from the choice of cuisine to the unique experiences offered, from the traditionally inspired architecture, to the respect shown for Maldivian culture. Because the resorts, hotels and retreats are adapted to suit the environment, no two locations are the same with each destination offering a naturally unique experience.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu

Tranquil and serene, a beautifully natural luxury hideaway.

One of the Maldives’ most natural resorts, this is an island that looks after its environment, with a beautiful wide beach to the front of the island. Dotted among palm trees or on stilts over the lagoon, there are 98 delightful thatched villas, inspired by traditional Maldivian architecture, providing complete tranquillity and spectacular views.

There are plenty of dining choices, with either Cowrie Restaurant, a large buffet-style dining room, Cornus Restaurant, hidden amongst the vegetation, for à la carte dining, or Cornus Grill where you can enjoy freshly grilled seafood in an open-air setting.

Coco Bodu Hithi

Luxurious and contemporary, with superb private pool villas and an idyllic overwater spa.

Based in the North Malé Atoll, this resort offers a sensory kaleidoscope made up of pristine beaches, swaying palms trees and coral reef gardens. With its white sands and crystal-clear waters, Coco Bodu Hithi is visually stunning, but the facilities are glorious too. Sand paths around the island lead to a cool infinity pool, extensive thatched overwater spa and a variety of chic restaurants. Air is the elegant all-day dining restaurant with views of the infinity pool, while the romantic overwater Aqua serves up seafood specialties with Asian flavours, and Tsuki is an authentic sushi bar.

Villas are superbly spacious and all come with their own private pool. There’s just one room type on the island itself, the excellent Island Villas, which have a private courtyard with pool and a huge circular bathtub in the middle of the room. The rest of the villas here are overwater. Water Villas and Escape Water Villas, with a separate living room, are off one long jetty, while Coco Residences have their own separate oval jetty at the other end of the island.