Dolce&Gabbana presents a new Exclusive Collection for the United Arab Emirates: a tribute to know-how and sartorial excellence, translated with elegance and character in a line of looks that live between reality and dreams.

The collection focuses on soft shirts with matching pants, elongated tunics, elegant capes and sophisticated dresses, complimented with elegant headpieces.

The twill, charmeuse, stretch satin, light cady, crêpe de chine, lace and fabrics entirely embroidered with sequins are embellished by jewel buttons, floral appliques and precious details that embody the care Dolce&Gabbana puts in excellent materials and the artisanal spirit that fuels the DNA of the brand.

A bold colour palette of pink and emerald green combines with darker or sand tones; as well as iconic leopard and floral prints inspired by the brand’s DNA.

The new Special Collection is available exclusively at the Dolce&Gabbana boutiques in Dubai Mall and The Galleria Mall Abu Dhabi from April.

Mario Dedivanovic shot to fame as the makeup artist for Kim Kardashian. After amassing millions of followers on social media and becoming known for his contouring makeup look, Mario launched his own line of makeup products.

Makeup by Mario was launched in 2020 in the United States and arrived in the UAE in late 2022. On a recent visit to Dubai, we met Mario to find out more about his latest products and his love for Dubai.

Welcome to Dubai – what do you love about this city?

I love the people and their love of glam and makeup!

Congratulations on the launch of the Makeup by Mario range in the region – how does it feel to finally be here?

The Middle East has always been incredibly supportive of me and my career and they’re the ultimate glam girls so to see our brand finally here is a dream come true.

What are some of the hero products we should look out for?

There are so many. Some of my favourites include the Master Pigment Pro® Pencil, the Master Mattes® Eyeshadow Palette, and the Ultra Suede® Sculpting Lip Pencil. Also, be on the lookout for some incredible complexion products coming later in 2023. Stay tuned!

What makes Makeup By Mario products different from other brands?

Makeup By Mario is the culmination of more than 20 years of artistry experience.  Each product and formula is inspired by my signature techniques, simplified for an effortless application that’s accessible to all.

What are your thoughts on the beauty and makeup choices of women in this region?

I love it! They’re such glam girls. I noticed, recently, that a lot of the women in the region are wearing more natural-looking makeup which was also nice to see. Makeup is a great way to express yourself and I see the women in this region do that beautifully.

What are some of the beauty trends you are loving at the moment?

I’ve been seeing a lot of luminous skin, especially with cream products on the cheeks, like our Soft Pop Blush Stick.

Tell us about Mario as a businessman – what is your vision and what are some of the challenges you face?

My vision is to create incredible products, on an even larger scale, while continuously educating consumers and my community. In terms of the challenges I face, I would say that every day presents a new challenge, which I really enjoy. I’m still learning constantly in this business, which is really exciting.

Moving forward what is your focus – Mario as a makeup artist or Mario as a businessman?

Both. I’ll always be a makeup artist first and foremost, but, as the founder of Makeup By Mario, I have to focus on both aspects of what I do, which I really love.

Of course, your connection to Kim Kardashian has made you a global name – looking back what do you think was the “pinch-me” moment of your career?

The real pinch-me moment was when I launched the brand. I dreamt about that moment and worked toward that goal my entire career, so it was unbelievable to see it come to fruition. That being said, I feel like every day is a pinch-me moment, honestly.

Who else do you love to work with and what are some of the favourite looks you’ve created?

Of course, I love to work with all my celebrity clients, but since launching the brand, it’s been an incredible opportunity to work with real girls when testing and developing products. I get to see how they approach makeup and guide them. It’s fascinating to see how non-artists approach everyday makeup and it’s taught me a lot. Some of my favourite looks in my career so far have been for the Met Gala and, of course, my Vogue cover.

What three beauty products should every woman have if nothing else?

If I had to pick three, I would say my MoistureGlow™ Plumping Lip Serum, Master Mattes® Eyeshadow Palette, and the Master Pigment Pro® Pencil in ‘super black’ are everyday essentials.

Makeup by Mario is available exclusively at Sephora in the UAE.

Giorgio Armani has launched a new special capsule collection for Ramadan, capturing the Armani spirit through elegant pieces that are in tune with traditional values.

This collection perfectly embodies the refined sophistication and elegance, typical of the Armani aesthetic through a colour palette of soft pastel tones, floral prints and intricate embroideries. Printed kaftans are presented in floating silk and silk cotton; a printed long-sleeve embroidered silk, paired with flowing silk trousers and embroidered shirts.

Long dresses are inspired by the traditional Abaya and are loosely gathered at the waist with long or wide sleeves. A silk cape with a striped border fastens at the neck and reaches almost to the ground behind, functioning as an elegant layer over dresses.

In accessories, flat sandals and block-heel sandals are decorated with the Giorgio Armani logo in gold and are in exotic leather; and a small bag is in the same leather, adorned with the Giorgio Armani logo in gold and with a gold chain and zip. Printed or plain scarves with the signature logo embroidered in the corner are designed to complement the ready-to-wear.

The Giorgio Armani Ramadan Collection is available at Giorgio Armani Stores in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

If you’re looking for a luxurious weekend escape for all the family, Raffles The Palm Dubai has something for everyone.

This grand palatial property, nestled into the beachfront location on Palm Jumeirah’s West Crescent, combines the finest in Middle Eastern hospitality with opulent regal style, and a relaxing atmosphere, making it the perfect family getaway. From the moment you pull up at the hotel’s grand driveway, you’ll feel like royalty.

Rooms & Suites

The rooms and suites at Raffles the Palm are lavishly decorated to match the hotel’s opulent interiors. Featuring a rich colour palette of gold and pastel blue the soft furnishings mirror those of an 18th-century European palace while bespoke Italian Francesco Molon furniture ensures you will have the best night’s sleep. The regal interiors are combined with state-of-the-art technology and multimedia system, as well as 24-hour butler service. Many of the rooms offer a sea view, looking across the Palm Jumeirah as well as the Dubai Marina skyline.

We stayed in a Family Ocean Room which comprised two connecting bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as ample space for the little ones to play and discover and a balcony overlooking the ocean. Other room categories include the Premium Club Terrace, Duplex Suite and one-bedroom suites. For those looking for the ultimate luxury experience the Raffles Royal Suite or Royal Villas offer extravagance, charm and comfort.

Food & Dining

Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly lunch or an elevated dining experience there are a number of varied dining destinations around the resort. Start your morning with breakfast at Le Jardin where you’ll find a huge array of hot and cold dishes from around the world.

The buffet-style presentation means everyone will be happy so you can enjoy a laid-back morning around the breakfast table. Lunch can again be enjoyed at Le Jardin or if you are relaxing at the pool or beach, choose from a wide selection of al fresco dining options to devour while you enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

In the evening guests with young children or families will want to soak up the atmosphere at Piatti By The Beach. Inspired by Southern Italy, this beachside restaurant features colourful interiors and authentic décor that will whisk you away to the warming atmosphere of the Mediterranean. On the menu, you’ll discover some of the city’s best pizza, cooked to order in an authentic woodfire over. Dining so close to the ocean it’s not surprising that seafood is on the menu with a fine selection of fresh dishes are on the menu including Lobster linguine, Bluefin tuna steak and fresh fix cooked and you like it. Traditional Italian dishes include Veal Milanese, Burrata with basil and tomatoes and one of our favourites, the Truffle Tagliolini. For dessert, Italian home-cooked favourites such as Tiramisu and Bianco e nero will satisfy your tastebuds.

Elsewhere in a more sophisticated setting, Japanese restaurant Matagi welcomes tables of families and adults-only groups. This modern Japanese eatery serves dishes created using the finest ingredients. Choose from delicious specialities such as Alaskan King Crab, Crispy Tacos and Yuzu Scallops with Seaweed & Finger Lime as well as a fine selection of hot and cold sharing dishes.

Guests can also choose to enjoy the resort’s must-try afternoon tea experience fit for royalty at Blüthner Hall. This delectable afternoon has a majestic atmosphere complemented by a bespoke Blüthner Louis XIV Grand Piano.

Wellness

If you’re looking for some relaxation time hotel’s vast 500-metre beach and pool area is situated in a serene setting overlooking Palm Jumeirah. If you are looking for ways to unwind the Cinq Mondes Spa offers world-class treatments using natural products.

The spa features 23 treatment rooms, two private spa suites and a stunning indoor swimming pool to enjoy. Visitors are also invited to explore the two traditional Hammams alongside Raffles the Palm Dubai’s fully equipped gym, Yoga studio.

Fun For All The Family

Raffles the Palm is the perfect place to bring the family. Not only is it safe and easy to navigate, but the resort also features a number of activities to keep the little ones busy while you enjoy some “me time”. Blue Safari Watersports has a large range of activities ranging from yacht and boat cruises, fishing trips, jet skiing, parasailing and more. Kids can also make use of the on-site Kids Club which offers a range of indoor and outdoor activities to keep the little ones busy. Kids will also get complimentary access to the watersports and mini golf.

For bookings and reservations, please call 04 248 8888 or visit www.rafflesthepalmdubai.com.

Boucheron has revealed a new Ramadan campaign showcasing some of its latest collections.

The campaign honours the beauty and elegance of the Middle East and stars the brand’s Middle Eastern ambassador Mila Al Zahrani. In the “Invent the Future, Honour the Past” series Mila can be seen wearing the Serpent Bohème collection. In the first episode, Mila is adorned with new white gold Serpent Bohème Solarité earrings paved with diamonds.

In episode two she wears the Quatre collection as she shares a special moment with her sister: Mila passes a Quatre XXL cuff to her sister so that they can both wear the same creation and sparkle together.

 

In the third and final episode, Mila wears the new Quatre Double White Edition which brings together tradition and innovation through the use of ground-breaking designs, pioneering materials and cutting-edge technologies.

All of the collections are available at Boucheron stores in the Middle East and the campaign will run across the brand’s social platforms throughout April.

Looking for the perfect accessory to pair with this season’s looks? we’ve got you covered with Fendi’s latest fashion-forward watches.

FENDIMANIA Baguette Watch

To celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the FENDI Baguette the FENDIMANIA Baguette watch perfectly captures the spirit of the accessory with a fashion attitude. Perfect for the younger generation this stylish watch is presented on a scrunchy strap with a pearlescent dial and gold FF.

FENDI Olock Horizontal

The FENDI Olock is an elegant choice for those looking to add colour to their look. The bold design is presented on a stainless steel strap with yellow gold finish and a jade dial, as well as the FF FENDI design around the wrist.

FENDI watches are available at FENDI stores nationwide.

Self-love guru and author of best-selling books “Good Vibes Good Life” and “Healing is the New High” Vex King is spreading his love around the world.

The author, social media content creator and mind coach has amassed over 1.2 million followers on Instagram with his self-love-inspired platform, sharing his quotes and thoughts on creating a better mindset and life for yourself. Vex arrived on social media platforms as a fairly unknown influencer a few years ago, sharing his thoughts and beliefs in a way that he hoped would inspire others to feel more confident and happier in themselves and their lives.

After quitting his corporate job, Vex found his voice on social media, sharing daily inspiring quotes that would help others. In 2018 Vex released his first book “Good Vibes Good Life”, sharing his own stories and experiences of trauma as a child and explaining how he has channelled that trauma into something positive. It was immediately a best seller and his mindset became infectious amongst his community around the world. The follow-up book “Healing is the New High” was released in 2021, while the third instalment “Closer To Love”, which discusses Vex’s relationship with his wife Kaushal, came out in February 2023.

Last month, Vex King was in Dubai to promote his new book as part of the Emirates Festival of Literature. We caught up with him ahead of his talk at the event to find out more about his latest book and the story behind his beliefs and vision.

Welcome to Dubai tell us how you feel to be here and what you will be talking about and sharing at the Emirates Festival of Literature.

Yesterday my wife and I did a session about our journal, which focuses on the idea that ‘the greatest self-help book ever written, is the one written by you.’ Then today I’m talking about my new book “Closer to Love” and that’s a book that de-mystifies a lot of what we hear about love and relationships. A lot of us believe that when we find the one, all of our problems in life will be solved, but actually, it’s about becoming the one, and then becoming a magnet to people who resonate with your energy. The key message I want to leave behind is for people to be able to recognise the power they have within themselves to create a life that they love, through the power of love.

How do you feel now that people are recognising what you’re saying and resonating with it?

It feels like everything I did was worth it. I gave up my corporate job, my businesses and my role as a music producer, I gave up my old life to create a new one that would serve people and help others and you never really know how it’s going to pan out. Now that my messages are reaching people and there is a transformative element that people are relaying back to me, it feels like everything I gave up was worth giving up, and that I followed my intuition and the signs for a reason.

How did you find that motivation to make big changes in your life or get over the fear to give things up?

I think part of it is to do with my upbringing because I grew up with very little. I always say to myself that maybe one day I will make a certain decision and lose it all, but I pretty much had nothing when I was younger, so I don’t really have that fear within myself. At the same time, I have this self-belief that if my intuition is telling me one thing, then I should trust it and stick to it. Some people might say that is blind faith, but I think it is the only way to be in life because fear is assuming the worst and faith is assuming the best, both ask you to trust in the unseen, so which one empowers you and which one limits you? I would always choose faith.

This idea of self-love is easy to talk about but much more difficult to do – what advice would you give to those on how to feel comfortable and happy with themselves?

By definition for me, self-love is a balance between accepting yourself as you are and knowing that you deserve better, then working towards it. In a sense, it is an acceptance of the past that you can’t change and an acceptance of the things that you can change to improve yourself. I have an acronym that I use because a lot of the time, the concept of self-love seems out of reach. To make it work for you, you need to remember that self-love is not about neglecting other people, it’s just about remembering yourself in every single thing you do. The acronym that I use is C.R.A.A.P.

C is Care: How do you take care of your mind, body and spirit? How do you take care of other people? Because that can also evoke a feeling of self-love within yourself.

R is Relationships: This is about managing your relationships, balancing those relationships and making sure that you’re not over-extending yourself in those relationships.

A is Ambition: We’ve always got goals that we aspire to or tasks that we have to do every day and it’s about staying on top of those things and following through on the things that mean a lot to you and also the things that are helping you survive and seeing you through the day.

A is Appreciation: This is about showing gratitude for what you have in your life and for the people that you have around you.

P is purpose: There are lots of concepts or models about how you find your purpose but it’s really just about finding meaning in the small moments. It’s about living life with some kind of meaningful action.

Once you repeat these points over and over again I think the repetition becomes a habit and these things start to become natural to you.

Closer to Love

Your desire to help others came from your own trauma and struggles which you speak very honestly about – what was the turning point in your life where you decided to channel that energy into others and how did you get there?

I had two turning points. The first was in my teenage years when I picked up my first self-help book “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. That really inspired me to think positively.

Then my second turning point was in my early twenties when I was at University. During this time I was at my ultimate low and everything felt like it was going wrong at the same time. I’d just gone through a heartbreak, I was behind at university, my grandfather had passed away, and everything that you can imagine was going wrong for me. I felt like I was losing my will to live and no matter what I did, I couldn’t think positively at that moment. As much as I know that positive thinking will help me get to where I want to be, I couldn’t do it. So I went into this dark place, and after having to overcome that and find a glimmer of hope, I said to myself that there needs to be a more organic way of doing this because the way I was using positivity where I’m suppressing my deeply rooted feelings and trauma, just for the sake of being a positive person, isn’t quite working. So I went on this self-love journey and then I decided to share some of these messages online.

I created several different social media accounts, none of which were under my name. At one point I had 50 different accounts on all different social media platforms. This was around 2013 when it was still the early days of Instagram. I had one page called “Good Vibes Only” which was all about spreading positivity and promoting higher states of vibration. What I noticed was that there was a lot of negativity accumulating online within that particular period, and I wanted to make sure that the internet didn’t continue to be such a negative place. So I was spreading all these messages and then I realised that sometimes I would share a quote about gratitude for example, but people wouldn’t understand the significance of it. For example, there was one page called “Wealthy Words” on Instagram, and it was followed by loads of celebrities, no one knew it was me posting. I would write things like “too blessed to be stressed,” which is a cool and quirky saying, but people weren’t really grasping the deeper meaning of why gratitude is so important for happiness. So I would write a caption and elaborate on it and I started to get feedback from people on how my words had touched them. By that time my wife had become incredibly popular on YouTube in her own business and she said to me “you’ve got all this wisdom and ideas to share with the world, but no one knows it’s you sharing them – why don’t you go online as Vex King and share as yourself?” At first, I wasn’t keen, I felt I looked too young and that no one would take me seriously. But I started posting quotes and messages to see if they resonated with people and that’s how it started. I got rid of all the other pages and focused on just the Vex King page hoping that what I was posting might make someone’s day better or alleviate some of the things they were going through in their lives. And from there my following just grew.

Tell us about your relationship with your wife Kaushal and the new book “Closer To Love” which you have based on your experience in this relationship.

We met when we were very young. It was after that dark period when I was working on myself. I was heartbroken at the time so wasn’t really open to finding someone else, and Kaushal had gone through her own heartbreak and was in a similar situation. When we met we naturally gravitated towards each other and we realised there was this instant connection, it felt like we had known each other for a lifetime. So we entered a relationship but I would say at this point it was a very immature love. When you meet someone there are all these feelings of excitement and fireworks, infatuation, lust, there are loads of things happening and when I look back at that time it was a very young love, where we were looking for the other person to reciprocate that love, whereas now, the love comes from a deeper place where you love the other person regardless of what you say, what you do, who you are, what you look like, how you age, it’s just this idea that ‘I accept you in your entirety and I don’t expect anything in return, and even if we weren’t together, I would continue to love you’.

What do you fear?

That’s a really deep question and I love it! I think what I fear the most is not being true to who I am in what I do. When you get to a certain stage or reach a certain level of success, you have people around who want to influence you to go in a certain direction. People will tell you what or who you should be, how you should be building your brand or making more money, and for me, it’s about staying true to my roots and values and staying aligned with who I am and not trying to people please. Because by doing that, I would be teaching people that the only way you are accepted in society, is by being something that you’re not.

What is a message that you would tell your younger self?

There are two things. The first is to trust your intuition. A lot of people will tell you that this particular thing is your calling, and this is your path, but the only person walking your path is you, so you know yourself the best.

The second thing that I would tell myself because I went through so much pain and misery and trauma, is that it will get better. Just trust that every single thing that you’re going through is going to mould you into a better person. That might not change that person back then, but it might alleviate some of those heavy feelings that I experienced as a child

What is the motto that you live your life by?

It is what is essentially the foundation of all my work which is “love yourself.” When you love yourself and you fill up your own cup, you are able to pour it into other cups. It all starts from within. And secondly, just be present in the world without the need for anything in return because that creates the need for a lot of conditional relationships and I don’t think I would be here, being able to offer so much advice and love to others if I hadn’t attended to my own wounds.

Louis Vuitton’s Ramadan capsule collection features an elegant selection of ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes, accessories and fragrances, highlighting the Maison’s tradition of refinement and savoir-faire.

Clothing consists of day and evening wear designed to wear when spending time with the family and celebrating over the Eid holiday. The leather goods in the collection represent a selection of the brand’s iconic creations reimagined as two distinctive themes.

The Alma BB and Cluy Mini are presented in a timeless camel Epi version, while the Coussin PM, Dauphine MM, Capucines Mini Flower Crown and Capcuines Compact XS Wallet boast a subtle metallic finish in a soft hue with pearl-effect iridescent inserts. This daily version of the capsule is complemented by a Capucines BB crafted from a mix of beige bull calf leather, enhanced by bright python leather on the flap and handle.

As day turns to evening, the Coussin BB and Capucines Mini are among the shapes covered in metallised sequin embroidery that subtly reveals the Monogram. Perfect for nights, this Glitterglam all-over sparkle comes in two bi-colour variations: silver and gold, and pink and blue.

Sparkle sandals and mules in black and metallic leather are embellished with metallic strass, while the Shake mules – offered as a block heel or flat – are accented with signature initials in gold. Finally, fashion jewellery adds a finishing touch to the look with pink gold and mother of pearl effect on earrings, a pendant necklace and a statement brooch.

The collection is available in stores in the Middle East and at me.louisvuitton.com.

Guests are invited to Dubai Mall to experience Scentsorial by Bulgari, an exclusive technological experience where visitors can discover the Maison’s luxury fragrances in a unique, immersive experience.

Each guest will be given a unique immersive experience, a multi-sensory journey, unlike anything that has ever existed in the world of perfumes, where they can discover Bulgari’s Le Gemme Tygar fragrance in a unique way based on their own thoughts and emotions.

Visitors will enter a soundproof booth where they will be asked to put on a wearable device that will measure their brainwaves, their micro-movements and their heartbeats. They will embark on a multi-sensory journey to discover the Tygar fragrance from the Bvlgari Le Gemme collection.

The fragrance, which was created by master perfumer Jacques Cavallier, combines a bursting fresh grapefruit accord with a deep sophisticated ambrox®* accord. Throughout the experience, the device detects reactions, thoughts and emotions, transforming them in real-time into generative downloadable collectables, based on specific personalised data.

This emotional experience will be available at The Dubai Mall (opposite Bloomingdale’s entrance) from 15^th to 26^th of March 2023.

Mondrian will open its first property in Abu Dhabi, located in the city’s downtown area alongside the Abu Dhabi canal.

This impeccably designed hotel which will open in 2024, will capture the clean and contemporary aesthetic of the Middle East while seamlessly integrating the warmth and comfort embedded in the DNA of all Mondrian properties.

The luxury hotel brand which lifestyle hospitality company Ennismore owns, is known for its stylish design and five star-hospitality. The new property which is being developed in collaboration with Al Hazoom Group will feature 221 rooms and 80 serviced apartments, as well as six unique food and beverage venues, a ballroom, four meeting rooms, a spa, a swimming pool, a kid’s club, a retail area, and world-class fitness area.

Mondrian Abu Dhabi will also feature a chic crystal-clear lagoon where guests can enjoy a beverage while soaking in the sun. The lagoon will boast vast ocean views and feature an infinity pool design, lounges, and daybeds surrounding the water’s edge.

The hotel has been designed by award-winning interior architect Tristan Du Plessis. It promises to incorporate a unique design that blends elements of the Middle East with warmth and comfort.

The Chairman of Al Hazoom Group said, “It is with immense pride and excitement that we align our vision with Ennismore to introduce the first Mondrian hotel in the United Arab Emirates. We are honoured to have the opportunity to contribute our unique establishment to Abu Dhabi’s thriving cultural scene while keeping to Mondrian’s iconic aesthetics. Mondrian Abu Dhabi embodies bold, contemporary design and will be host to some of the most discerning culinary and culture-seekers from all over the world.”

Chadi Farhat, Brand Chief Operating Officer of Mondrian at Ennismore added, “We are very proud to collaborate with Al Hazoom Group to bring the iconic Mondrian brand to Abu Dhabi in this breathtaking waterfront location. Mondrian Abu Dhabi will undoubtedly become one of the most sought-after destinations for lifestyle, hospitality, culinary and mixology experiences for locals and travellers alike. With an imaginative design by Tristan Du Pleiss, Mondrian Abu Dhabi will certainly be a feast for the senses.”

Mondrian Abu Dhabi is set to open in 2024.

Pearla Dubai has revealed its latest Ramadan and Eid collection “Back to the Roots”.

Founded by Hessa and Fatma Ali Aljoker Pearla showcases a blend of everyday apparel wear, made from premium fabrics for comfort, as well as bold, statement shades and silhouettes that demand attention and compliments.

The “Back to the Roots” collection is an elegant ode to nature and its soothing hues, inviting women to draw strength and artistry from the earth’s beauty.

Designed for the sophisticated woman the new collection features 27 pieces including elegant kaftans and dresses in bold colours and captivating prints, as well as dresses, tops, skirts and patterned co-ords, perfect for the Holy Month and the Eid-Al-Fitr celebrations.

To reveal the collection Pearla has partnered with jeweller Piaget on a series of images where looks are paired with Piaget’s ‘Sunlight’ collection, complementing the eye-catching designs.

For more information, please visit www.pearla.ae

Rome’s Hotel De La Ville is the perfect destination for a trip of historical exploration.

Situated at the top of the iconic Spanish Steps on Via Sistina, Hotel De La Ville is a luxurious and elegant property in one of the city’s most idyllic locations. This Rocco Forte Hotels property has become renowned for its five-star service and quaint, yet luxurious design. When entering the hotel you will immediately feel at home. The welcoming lobby features carefully put-together interiors with a monochrome design and touches of colour to add personality to the appearance. Meandering through the corridors you will find this property combines the best in Italian elegance, with modern touches and tasteful décor. Prepare to notice fine attention to detail with every design element carefully placed and thought out.

Rooms & Suites

The hotel boasts 104 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, each carefully put together to provide guests with the utmost comfort and relaxation. The rooms are spacious and stylishly furnished with a range of modern amenities, including high-speed internet access, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and plush bedding. The suites are particularly impressive, with expansive living areas, marble bathrooms, and stunning views of the city. As some of the largest rooms in central Rome, they are perfect for longer stays or those travelling with lots of luggage.

Food & Beverage

The hotel’s restaurants offer guests a diverse range of culinary experiences. The hotel’s main restaurant, Mosaico will take your breath away as you enter the traditional Italian courtyard setting. In summer, this serves as the perfect location for an alfresco breakfast with a variety of Mediterranean and Italian dishes on offer including fresh fruits, pastries, cereals and eggs cooked to order. For lunch and dinner, you can also visit Mosaico where you’ll find a selection of seafood, homemade pasta, and locally sourced meats.

For those looking for a more casual dining experience, the hotel’s rooftop bar, Cielo, is the perfect place to enjoy a drink and soak up the stunning views of the city. With one of the best views in the city Cielo is an incredibly popular spot for outside guests as well as those staying at the hotel so be sure to pre-book your table, especially if you’re hoping to catch the sunset! The bar serves a range of drinks perfect for aperitivo, as well as a selection of light snacks and appetizers. It’s the perfect place to unwind with friends after a busy day of work or shopping.

Spa & Wellness

Hotel De La Ville also features a range of amenities designed to help guests relax and unwind. The hotel’s spa, De La Ville Spa, is a haven of tranquillity, offering a carefully curated selection of treatments and therapies designed to rejuvenate the body and mind. The spa features a sauna, steam room, and a range of massage and beauty treatments, all designed to leave guests feeling refreshed and revitalised. For those looking to stay active during their stay, the hotel’s fitness centre is equipped with the latest equipment, as well as a range of exercise classes and personal training sessions. There is also an outdoor pool, which is the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun while enjoying a refreshing swim, especially during the summer months.

Out & About

The location of Hotel De La Ville is one of the best spots in the city. Guests can reach almost all of Rome’s iconic landmarks and areas by foot, without having to worry about navigating public transport. For those destinations a little further away, hop on one of the scooters or bikes for an authentic sightseeing experience. Via Borghese is just a few minutes walk away, the perfect location for a scenic stroll, and the city’s finest luxury shops and restaurants are a stone’s throw away, located at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. In conclusion, this tasteful property combines the best of tradition and modernity and is the perfect location for all your Roman holiday needs.

Find out more at roccofortehotels.com.

Qasimi has revealed the winners of its inaugural incubator program Qasimi Rising. The winners were announced during a grand gala dinner held at the Sharjah Art Foundation – Bait Obaid Al Shamsi o 14^th March 2023.

The chosen winners; Salim Azzam and Omer Asim, both have their own namesake brands and have been selected as the two emerging designers who will receive comprehensive support from Qasimi and its partners, across all business verticals for the next three years. Launched last year, Qasimi Rising is a key step for Qasimi in their efforts and dedication to supporting up-and-coming talents and giving them a platform to progress.

“It is with great pride and pleasure to announce the winners of our first Qasimi Rising Talent Incubation program, Salim Azzam and Omer Asim, who stood out among a talented pool of emerging designers from around the world. This program reflects our commitment to championing creativity in fashion and supporting the next generation of design talent. We look forward to providing them with the resources and mentorship they need to pursue their vision and establish themselves as leading voices in the industry.” – Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, Creative Director, Qasimi

The Qasimi Rising Talent Incubator program, which was launched in December, by Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi supports the 2 winning designers by giving them access to a co-working studio space and support with production, product development, merchandising, marketing, as well as all business functions from a network of industry leaders, placing them firmly within the Qasimi family while they develop their unique voices.

Qasimi has also relaunched its e-commerce platform to include these incubated brands, creating a digital space for them to build their brand identity and sell products.

As a curator, Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi utilized her expertise in the art world to identify the most promising new fashion talents from around the world. The successful candidates were chosen by a distinguished panel of experts based in the UAE.

The mentorship and support will be tailored to each of the namesake brand’s needs, goals, and location, rather than a rigid criteria or fixed business plans. After three years of funding and practical support, designers will receive mentorship for an additional seven years, demonstrating Qasimi’s commitment to their continued success.

The next Qasimi Rising Incubator will open for submissions in the summer of 2025.

Miu Miu has revealed a special selection of ready-to-wear and accessories for Ramadan and Eid-Al-Fitr.

The collection combines simplicity, modesty and glamour with feminine silhouettes in gentle tones. Cocktail and evening suits come in soft bouclé tweeds or embroidered with sequins, vintage-inspired crepe de chine and silk georgette dresses are delicately beautiful in the palest blue and rose with prim masculine collars or pussy bow ties.

In accessories, two new bag shapes one resembling a vanity case, the other a small cross-body design – are showcased alongside the Miu Wander: all juxtapose a contemporary aesthetic with the house’s iconic matelassé leather. Signature loafers and Mary Janes are encrusted with crystal and sandals are further illuminated with stones.

The Miu Miu ballerina is presented in a subtle palette inspired by the clothes. Jewellery includes bracelets and hair slides in metal, and crystal metal logo designs. Refined, bright and as light as it is light-hearted, the selection is a magical reflection of the spirit of optimism and renewal surrounding this special occasion.

The collection is showcased in a series of images featuring Tunisian model and actor Myriem Boukadida against a contemporary backdrop bathed in the golden evening light.

The collection is now available at Miu Miu stores across the Middle East.

After 10 years of making luxury shoes, Aquazzura has introduced its first collection of bags.

Defined by bold, eye-catching styles the high-end bag collection is marked by a sense of modernity and timeless refinement, offering an array of day-to-night shapes.

The collection features an array of shapes and styles that can be worn from day to night and offers the same elegant-yet-cool aesthetic as the brand’s footwear.

The collection is launched with a global campaign showcasing key styles from the collection.

Founded by Edgardo Osorio in 2012 Aquazzura is opening a new chapter of the brand’s story with this new launch which was first revealed in Paris at the beginning of March.

The collection is now available at stores globally.

Visionary green architect and eco-designer Naji Sleiman has dedicated his career as an architect to creating harmonious designs that blend seamlessly with the natural world.

With his own firm Naji Sleiman Architects, he uses his biophilic approach which combines elements of nature, focusing on sustainability and unique ways to incorporate nature into his designs in ways that have a positive impact on the world as well as fit stylishly and seamlessly into their surroundings. Sleiman’s passion for design and ecology has allowed him to promote green architecture that reintegrates urbanism and architecture into the biosphere.

Since setting up his own practice in 2005 Sleiman has split his time between Beirut, Dubai and Paris creating some unique and inspiring designs which highlight the complex interplay between architecture, nature, and humanity. He believed that the relationship between these three elements is one of reciprocity, interaction, and appropriation, and he strives to create designs that reflect this symbiotic connection. Here we find out more about Sleiman’s creative approach and how he sees nature becoming an integral part of design moving forward.

Tell us a little about your style of architecture and what makes it different to others.

As a biophilic architect working between Paris, Beirut, and Dubai, my style of architecture is heavily inspired by nature and the natural world. I believe that incorporating natural elements into buildings not only creates a healthier and more pleasant environment for inhabitants but also helps to mitigate the negative impact of human activity on the planet. I strive to create designs that seamlessly blend the built environment with the natural environment, using materials and techniques that are sustainable and ecologically responsible. What sets my work apart from others is the attention I pay to the sensory experience of spaces. I aim to create environments that engage all of the senses, from the visual beauty of natural materials to the sound of running water and the scent of greenery. My approach to architecture is both innovative and deeply rooted in a respect for the environment and a desire to create spaces that nurture both people and the planet.

Why is it important for you to blend your designs with the natural world?

It is important for me to blend my designs with the natural world because our relationship with nature is fundamental to our well-being as individuals and as a society. The natural world provides us with many benefits, from the air we breathe to the food we eat, and it has a profound impact on our physical, emotional, and mental health. By incorporating natural elements into architecture, we can create spaces that promote well-being, reduce stress, and enhance creativity. Moreover, as architects, we have a responsibility to minimize the negative impact of our designs on the environment. By blending our designs with the natural world, we can create buildings that are sustainable, energy-efficient, and ecologically responsible, helping to protect the planet for future generations. Ultimately, my goal as a biophilic architect is to create spaces that not only meet the needs of people today but also contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

What can you tell us about the concept of “green architecture”?

The concept of “green architecture” is about designing buildings that are environmentally responsible and sustainable. This means using materials and techniques that minimize the negative impact of human activity on the planet, while also creating spaces that are healthy, comfortable, and functional for people. Green architecture involves a holistic approach to design, taking into consideration factors such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and indoor air quality. By incorporating features such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, natural ventilation, and green roofs, we can create buildings that are not only better for the environment but also more enjoyable and healthier for occupants. Additionally, green architecture can help to reduce operating costs for building owners and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future. As the world becomes increasingly aware of the urgent need to address climate change and other environmental issues, green architecture will play a critical role in creating a more sustainable and equitable world.

What are some of the ways you consider sustainability in your designs?

Sustainability is a core consideration in my design process. There are several ways that I consider sustainability in my work:

• Material selection: I prioritize the use of sustainable, non-toxic, and locally-sourced materials whenever possible. This helps to minimize the carbon footprint of the building and reduce waste.
• Energy efficiency: I incorporate energy-efficient features into my designs, such as passive solar design, high-performance insulation, and efficient heating and cooling systems. This helps to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Water conservation: I design buildings with features such as low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, and greywater recycling systems to reduce water consumption and minimize strain on local water resources.
• Biophilic design: I incorporate natural elements such as plants, daylight, and natural ventilation into my designs, which not only improves the well-being of occupants but also reduces energy consumption by minimizing the need for artificial lighting and HVAC systems.
• Life cycle analysis: I consider the entire life cycle of the building, from construction to demolition, to ensure that it is designed for durability, longevity, and adaptability and that it can be easily repurposed or recycled at the end of its useful life.

By incorporating these sustainability principles into my designs, I can create buildings that are not only beautiful and functional but also contribute to a more sustainable future for all.

Tell us about some of your favourite designs to date.

I have had the pleasure of working on many incredible projects, but there are two that hold a special place in my heart. The first is a concept I created for a boutique hotel chain called Biophilia_Luxury Loft, which you can find on Instagram. The flagship location is in Beirut, and we are working to expand the concept worldwide. This project embodies the essence of biophilic design, seamlessly integrating natural elements into each space to create an immersive and tranquil experience for guests. The second project that I am particularly proud of is a 200.000m2 white futuristic and sustainable city in KSA. This residential complex includes a commercial area and is designed to blend seamlessly with its environment. By utilizing white architecture and incorporating other landscape features, the city is able to cool down high temperatures and create a comfortable living space for residents. Both of these projects showcase the potential of biophilic design to create innovative and sustainable spaces that are both functional and beautiful.

What is a project you would love to work on that you haven’t had the chance to do yet?

One project that I am currently working on and am very passionate about is my own design line of lamps and other furniture accessories inspired by nature. This project allows me to explore my creativity and push the boundaries of biophilic design in a new and exciting way. By incorporating natural elements and materials into my designs, I hope to create pieces that not only look beautiful but also enhance the overall experience of a space. My goal is to bring the beauty and tranquillity of nature into people’s homes and workplaces, promoting the importance of biophilic design and its impact on our well-being. This project represents a new challenge for me, and I am thrilled to see where it takes me.

What inspires your designs?

My designs are deeply inspired by nature. I believe that nature provides the most fundamental and essential inspiration for all architectural design. From the patterns and shapes found in natural environments to the colours and textures of the natural world, nature offers an endless source of inspiration that I strive to incorporate into every aspect of my work. By embracing biophilic design principles, I aim to create spaces that not only connect people to nature but also promote well-being and health. In short, nature is my ultimate muse, and I am constantly seeking new ways to honour and celebrate its beauty through my architecture.

What are your favourite materials to incorporate into your design?

As I am deeply inspired by the natural world, I believe that the materials we use in our designs should reflect this connection to nature. I strive to incorporate materials that not only have a low environmental impact but also enhance the connection between people and the natural environment. Some of my favourite materials to incorporate into my designs include sustainably sourced wood, natural stone, and living green walls. These materials not only add texture and warmth to a space but also have a positive impact on human health and well-being. By bringing the natural world into our built environment through the use of these materials, we can create spaces that are both beautiful and sustainable.

Are there any eras or regional architecture styles that you particularly love or that inspire you?

I have a deep appreciation for the integration of nature and design in all styles and eras of architecture. However, I am particularly drawn to the vernacular architecture of different regions, where buildings are designed to be in harmony with the local climate, topography, and cultural context. The traditional architecture of Japan, with its emphasis on the interplay between indoor and outdoor spaces, is a constant source of inspiration for me. Similarly, I am intrigued by the adobe buildings of the American Southwest and the mud houses of West Africa, which showcase the use of locally-sourced materials and the importance of sustainability in design. Ultimately, I believe that biophilic architecture can draw from a wide variety of styles and traditions, as long as it remains grounded in the principles of respect for the natural environment and human well-being.

Can you tell us about any trends that you are seeing currently, particularly in architecture in the Middle East?

In the Middle East, I have observed a growing trend towards sustainable and eco-friendly architecture, which aligns perfectly with my values. Additionally, I am seeing an increased interest in utilizing locally sourced materials and incorporating traditional design elements in modern structures. This trend highlights a desire to reconnect with the region’s rich cultural heritage while pushing the boundaries of contemporary architecture. As an architect, I am excited to be part of this movement and look forward to contributing to the region’s evolving architectural landscape through my biophilic approach.

Tell us how you work alongside interior designers to create a seamless finish to your projects.

My approach to each project is rooted in a deep understanding of how humans interact with their environment. I firmly believe that the spaces we inhabit should be designed to promote well-being and harmony with nature. This approach extends beyond just the architecture of the space, and encompasses the entire design process from start to finish. As a complete designer, I work closely with interior designers to create a seamless finish to my projects. However, I typically handle the entire design aspect of the project from architecture to interior and even furniture design. By doing so, I ensure that every element of the space is cohesive and reflects the client’s vision.

What are some of the ways we can make small changes to our homes or workspaces that will make a big impact?

I believe that incorporating nature into our living and working spaces can have a profound impact on our overall well-being. Even small changes can make a big difference in creating a more harmonious environment. One way to do this is by introducing natural elements such as plants or natural materials like wood or stone. Another effective approach is to increase natural light and ventilation by opening windows or installing skylights. Adding water features such as fountains or aquariums can also create a sense of calm and tranquillity. Additionally, incorporating artwork or decor that depicts nature can provide a visual connection to the natural world. By making these small changes, we can create a healthier, more productive, and more enjoyable living or working space.

What is in the pipeline for you this year?

I am thrilled to have a variety of exciting projects in progress for the coming year. Some of these projects have already entered the design phase, while others involve on-site works. I am particularly excited about the new hospitality and leisure projects that I am working on, as they allow me to combine my passion for design with my love of nature and the outdoors. In addition to these projects, I am also focusing on developing my own design line, which will showcase my unique style and perspective as a designer. Overall, I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to bringing my vision to life through these exciting new projects.

Do you have a favourite building or piece of architecture in the UAE?

While there are many incredible buildings and structures throughout the country that I admire, one that stands out to me is the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Its unique design, which features a series of interconnected domes that resemble a floating island, creates a stunning visual effect that perfectly captures the spirit of the city. Additionally, the building’s use of natural light and open spaces create a sense of connection to the surrounding environment, which is a hallmark of biophilic design. Overall, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is a stunning example of modern architecture that perfectly embodies the principles of biophilic design and serves as a constant source of inspiration for me as a designer.

Versace is launching a series of exclusive womenswear and kidswear pieces and accessories for Ramadan.

The collection features vivid colours and luxurious flowy materials with a colour palette of rich fuchsia and Versace yellow. The collection is launching with a dedicated campaign. Ready-to-wear pieces feature the floral Medusa Orchid print across floor-length crepe de chine pleated dresses, and fluid viscose cady pants, as well as the golden heritage Barocco print across dresses, and top and pant separates in fluid viscose cady. Silk dresses feature floral and crystal embroideries.

In bags, the Greca Goddess line comes in shoulder, clutch and mini styles in baby violet colourway, and exclusive acid yellow shoulder and mini bag with metallic effect painted finish and handmade and applied floral embroideries. The Medusa also comes in an exclusive gold colourway.

The Greca Maze shoe comes in an exclusive laminated suede leather with upper Greca construction, finished in gold with Swarovski® crystals and the La Medusa is defined by a frontal Medusa plaque, here including slingback pumps, and flat and heeled sandals in gold nappa leather. Selected styles from the collection are also available in children’s sizes.

The styles are available exclusively in the Gulf nations of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabi, Kuwait, and Qatar at Versace boutiques, and e-retailer, Ounass.

Prada presents a special selection of ready-to-wear and accessories for men and women, dedicated to Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr. The collection features a series of pieces in an earthy colour palette.

For women, exquisite crystal embroidery embellishes silk blouses and gowns made from apparently weightless fabrics, while accessories consist of stylish bags including the Prada Galleria mini-bag, as well as leather sandals. For men, the collection features light and neutral tones, inspired by the glow of dawn. Accessories for men come in the form of classic loafers and elegant sandals.

The collection is presented via a series of images inspired by the collection’s colour palette and marked by contrasts of light and dark. A series of shots represent the moments as day turns to night and vice versa.

The collection is available at Prada boutiques in GCC countries and online at prada.com.

Photographer: Dario Catellani

Models:  Amira Al Zuhair, Qaher Harhash

BOSS presented its Spring/Summer 2023 collection with a star-studded fashion show in Miami yesterday evening.

With an overall theme of the modern reinvention of traditional tailoring the brand presented collections for men and women consisting of elegant essentials and a sleek and sophisticated silhouette.

“The BOSS Spring/Summer 2023 collection is a fluid revisitation of the brand’s heritage tailoring while offering a ‘see now, buy now’ approach to key pieces,” said Marco Falcioni, SVP of Creative Direction at HUGO BOSS.

“One of the underlying motifs that inspired the collection is the exquisite tension that lies between contrasting elements, such as solid and fluid states; land and sea; opaque and transparent; past and present. This powerful juxtaposition serves as the cornerstone of a new exploration in prints, tones, and textures, opening the door to a world that invites a creative, visual dialogue. It is a sartorial reflection in looking back to move boldly forward into the future and embody the spirit of a true BOSS.”

The new collections showcased a lightweight, crinkled approach to materials, made up of a mix of buttery silks and smooth nylons that are pressed and enriched with a layer of colour.

Key pillars of tailoring, such as the suit, shirting, and the trench coat, alongside the use of specific fabrics and prints including stripes and pinstripes, are presented in new directions with fresh hues. While the brand’s signature tones of black, white, and camel are still present, the collection explores warm, muted colours in the form of sun-faded, powdery hues that mimic Miami’s Art-Deco architecture. It also contains vivid elements meant to draw out an understated air of desire through the use of sheer materials, and the sophisticated implementation of well-placed cut-outs.

The collection was presented with a show-stopping runway show that included a celebrity model lineup. Celebrities including Naomi Campbell, Pamela Anderson, Law Roach, Khaby Lame, DJ Khaled and Alica Schmidt walked in the show.

Meanwhile, front-row attendees included Maluma, Demi Lovato, Bella Thorne, Lucien Laviscount, Suki Waterhouse and more.

Following the show, guests, followers and fans worldwide were able to engage in an immersive experience through the site bossmiamishow.hugoboss.com, containing key social content, behind-the-scenes shots, and other elements from the show.

The collection is now available online at boss.com and in-store at BOSS retail points around the globe.

Valentino has created an exclusive capsule collection designed especially for the Middle East during the month of Ramadan.

The collection is composed of Valentino Garavani women’s handbags and shoes, as well as Valentino Garavani men’s shoes, in exotic leather and embroidered materials.

It features a selection of Valentino Garavani VSLING handbags in vivid colours, uniquely embroidered with shaded crystals, as well as sequins and pearls, decorated with a crystal-encrusted VLogo.

Shoes consist of two styles, slingbacks and flat mules, perfectly matching the handbags, in an assortment of colour options including Rose Quartz, Iris Lilac, Lagoon Green, and Silver. The men’s selection enlists sandals and loafer shoes in ostrich, available in the Blue and Kango Tabac variants.

The Valentino Garavani Middle East Capsule Collection will be available in boutiques across the Middle East.

This January, Sara Chraibi, founder of Maison Sara Chraibi presented for the first time at Paris Haute Couture Week. The Moroccan designer greatly impressed critics with her collection which combines traditional Moroccan craftsmanship with modern elements and materials for a unique style that celebrates her heritage but also appeals to the contemporary woman.

After living in Paris and working as an architect for several years, Chraibi returned to her home country to establish her fashion brand. It was a major shift in cultures but she wanted to be in her homeland in order to find ways to embrace the traditional craftsmanship techniques and find new ways to express this as a form of contemporary luxury. Her designs are deeply rooted in traditions but also appeal to the wider world. This season Chraibi presented her Spring/Summer 2023 collection at Paris Fashion Week after being invited by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode to showcase her designs to the world. Here we find out more about the experience and what we can expect to see from her brand moving forward.

Tell us a little about how your brand came to life.

I grew up in an environment of art and culture. As a child, I was introduced to sewing and embroidery by my mother. After my architectural studies in Rabat, I moved to Paris where I wrote a diploma (DEA) in “Philosophy and Theory of Architecture”. In Paris, my passion for fashion and couture is nourished by the vitality and ​​creativity of the city. Alongside my job as an architect, I then began to draw, sew and embroider a multitude of couture pieces.

In 2012, I presented my first collection “Anatomic Architecture” during the final of a Competition organized by “Ateliers de Paris”. In the same year, I participated in Festimode Casablanca Fashion Week where the models paraded in front of the Casablanca cathedral. Greeted unanimously by the public and the press, these first appearances were the beginning of my professional retraining.

Congratulations on the Spring/Summer 2023 collection – tell us about this collection and how it came to life. 

When I started working on this collection, I wanted to share several elements of my personal story, my influences and my sensitivity to the world. I had this idea of ​​weaving a collection where each thread would represent part of the story: beginning with the architecture, the relationship to the structure of the garment, then there is the know-how, coming from a Moroccan textile tradition and the memory of the elegance of Moroccan women, there is this double culture that makes the originality of my point of view on fashion. I wanted to weave all this together and make it into a framework to tell a new reality.

This was your first time showing at such a level tell us about your experience being a guest member of the FMHC. 

For me, Haute couture is a dream, a celebration of uniqueness and being part of it as a guest member is a milestone for my brand.

Can you tell us about some of the traditional techniques that you used in your designs and how you have evolved the techniques and craftsmanship to give them a modern twist?

With my work, I take patterns, shapes and ancient techniques from Morocco but I add a certain twist or reinvent them in a new way. For example, I used the “sfifa” weaving technique to create a fabric rather than using it as an ornament, as is done traditionally. I mixed raw materials from Morocco, and I used golden thread and silk fringe to build garments as a link between two cultures and realities. I see traditional craftsmanship both as an inspiration and a call to innovation.

How do your heritage and upbringing influence your work today?

My brand is built around the Moroccan art of living, my architectural background and my interest in couture know-how inspire it. My brand aesthetic evolves around the idea of subdued femininity. With a timeless approach to eveningwear, I merge the East and West through one-of-a-kind couture garments.

Tell us about your first memory of fashion. 

I remember times before my mother had an important party, we would stroll from stall to stall in the markets in search of fabric and she would make dresses from scratch. I would sit next to her and watch her assemble the pieces of fabric one by one and sculpt the garment. At that time I started to collect fabric scraps to in turn sew something for my barbie doll. There was something magical about those moments. As I grew up, I remember my impatience to get dressed for these events; to put on a beautiful dress, to finally be part of the adult world, with all those sophisticated ladies, perfumed, richly adorned in silk and lace, with an appearance that made everyone’s heads turn. The women of Morocco are beautiful and sensual and wearing a caftan is an ancestral tradition, a ritual that is passed down from mother to daughter.

How do you think your background in architecture has influenced your designs and the way you put looks together?

I quickly realised that fashion and architecture could share the same vision. As an architect, I liked the modern period. In my clothing designs, I am influenced by modern architecture. All my attention goes to the purity of the lines, to the elegance and the lightness of the structure, it is a sort of quest for the essential.

What is the vision for your brand moving forward?

For me, succeeding in the world of fashion comprises several essential elements: commercial success, of course, but also and above all, success together as a team to share values ​​and wealth, to ensure that each person in the company grows through their work. There is also a cultural success, where in addition to offering products, a brand manages to permanently establish its universe in the collective imagination. That’s all I want to achieve for my brand.

Who are some of the designers or brands that you admire?

Madeleine Vionnet, Jeanne Lanvin, and Elsa Schiaparelli, all made contemporary fashion history with a feminine point of view. I also admired Lee McQueen’s vision and Azzedine Alaia’s sharpness.

There are few brands from the Arab region that have managed to reach success on a global level – what is your opinion on this and what advice would you give to aspiring designers in the Middle East?

I wish that there are more and more brands with an Arab or oriental DNA on the international scene. Fashion is a great tool of soft power. Each new designer who launches in the region is responsible for spreading our culture to the rest of the world.

In this issue we are celebrating the month of Ramadan, what does this time mean to you and how will you be spending it this year?

Ramadan is one of my favourite times of the year. It’s time to reconnect with our faith. I like to spend it with my family and friends, to celebrate with pride and joy and I also like to share iftar with my non-Muslim friends.

What is next for you this year and for the rest of the year?

I’m working on the Maison Sara Chraibi Fall/Winter 2023 couture collection. I will also launch an e-commerce site later in the year.

What can you tell us about your brand in the Middle East and can we expect to see you here soon?

I plan to do some trunk shows in the Middle East over the coming months. The Middle East is an important market for my brand and It’s very important to establish long-term commercial partnerships there.

We reveal some of the best dressed male actors at the 2023 Academy Awards.

Michael B Jordan

Pedro Pascal

Colin Farrell and his son Henry wearing Dolce&Gabbana

Andrew Garfield

Paul Mescal wearing Gucci

Jay Ellis

Brendan Fraser wearing Giorgio Armani

The 95th Academy Awards took place in Los Angeles on 12th March 2023. As  Stars arrived on the champagne carpet in style we reveal some of the best dressed of the night.

Cate Blanchett wearing Louis Vuitton

Michelle Williams wearing Chanel

Michelle Yeoh wearing Dior

Rihanna wearing ALAÏA

Ana De Armas wearing Louis Vuitton

Lady Gaga wearing Versace

Cara Delevingne wearing Elie Saab

Florence Pugh wearing Valentino

Halle Bailey wearing Dolce&Gabbana

Emily Blunt wearing Valentino

Zoe Saldana

Kate Hudson wearing Oscar de le Renta

Salma Hayek wearing Gucci

Angela Bassett wearing Moschino

Halle Berry wearing Tamara Ralph

Jessica Chastain wearing Gucci

The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) has revealed a special collaboration with Italian fashion house Dolce&Gabbana which will celebrate and nurture the talents of emerging Emirati fashion designers.

The ADMAF x Dolce&Gabbana Award will recognise talented University graduates, offering them the opportunity to gain the necessary skills to develop and realise their finished products through a trained internship in Italy before being showcased to the public next year during Abu Dhabi Festival 2024.

Her Excellency Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, Founder and Artistic Director of the Abu Dhabi Festival, commented on the announcement: “Together with Dolce&Gabbana, we witness another milestone in both our efforts to drive innovation and creation, advance progressive thinking, and empower the youth. Both ADMAF and Dolce&Gabbana believe in the strong will for evolution—the will to create impact and inspire this generation and many more to come with knowledge, enlightenment, and creative ambition.

This new award will provide our nation’s youth with the invaluable opportunity to learn about the craftsmanship of couture and design, enhance their skills, realise their dreams and present their creative talent not only in Abu Dhabi but in the international arena.”

Dolce&Gabbana designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have always been proud to support up-and-coming designers as well as help to highlight the importance of sustaining traditional craftsmanship, something that is particularly important to their own brand.

They have previously dedicated spaces in their boutiques to young designers, as well as supporting the creation of collections by emerging fashion talents Sohee Park, Matty Bovan and Tomo Koizumi in the last years, giving them the opportunity to present their work during Milan Fashion Week.

This new project which is now open to nominations from Emirati designers will help aspiring talents to further their careers and build a brand that can have to potential to achieve great things both in the UAE and further afield.

For more information, please visit the ADMAF website at: www.admaf.org

La DoubleJ unveiled its new ready-to-wear line “Awakening the Divine” in Milan as part of Milan Fashion Week.

Inspired by the brand and its founder J.J Martin’s deep connection and explorations through Egypt the colourful collection features rich embroideries, bold hues, intricate embellishments and eye-catching prints.

JJ Martin spent four weeks in Egypt last year as part of an ongoing spiritual quest. She was inspired by the magic and mysticism of the country that speaks to her soul, as well as the exceptional craftsmanship and talented artisans.

“The two trips I took to Egypt last year were life-changing and impacted me on a mental, physical and energetic, emotional and spiritual level.” Says J.J. Martin. “I’m always finding ways in which I can bridge what I learn in my spiritual practice with what I do every day at work. This is the most personal inspiration that I’ve ever brought to a collection.”

The ready-to-wear pieces feature bold colourful prints across the entire collection. Inspired by the river Nile as well as historical Egyptian landmarks, the eye-catching colours evoke joy and celebration. Many of the pieces are designed for day-to-night dressing with new silhouettes combining loose-fitting and body-skimming shapes.

The collection also features the brand’s largest and most luxurious suiting range. New styles such as the solid velvet jackets and feathered cuffs join printed, compact wool and jacquard brocade sets designed to be layered.

See more of the collection below:

Dior Men has unveiled for the first time a Dior Or capsule for men. Designed by Kim Jones the collection features a colour palette of rich green, beige and burgundy colour palette as well as the Dior Oblique motif which appears across silky shirts and trousers, as well as sporty jogging pants, and T-shirts.

The collection offers odes to the brand’s heritage through a new ultra-contemporary perspective. In accessories, the Saddle, Dior Gallop and Dior Lingot bags are reinterpreted in a palette of satin hues that flourish on luxurious-grained leather.

Moccasins, sneakers and the new Alias and Aqua sandals complete this exceptional selection, which is specifically designed for the region’s clientele.

The collection will be in preview from March 9 in all Dior boutiques in the Middle East and in exclusive pop-ups – at the Dubai Mall and The Avenues in Kuwait – and then from March 16 worldwide.

The 2023 edition of Prada Frames will explore the interaction between design and the environment.

Curated by Formafantasma, a research and design studio based in Milan and Rotterdam the annual event aims to highlight key issues in the industry opening conversations around design.

After the success of the debut event in 2022, This year’s symposium will be held in Hong Kong and Milan under the theme “Materials in Flux” and will examine the concept of waste as matter in transformation. The symposium will investigate the dynamics that govern waste infrastructures and their value systems, aiming to unpack the complex relationship between matter and ecosystems.

Prada Frames brings together scholars and professionals from various fields, including designers, architects, curators, scientists, anthropologists, activists and legal and economic experts, employing a transdisciplinary methodology and a shared environmentally attentive approach.

The first part of this year’s concept will take place on March 21 and 22, 2023 at M+ in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District, Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture, dedicated to collecting, exhibiting and interpreting visual art, design and architecture, moving image and Hong Kong visual culture of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

The two-day programme, curated by M+, will present an opening lecture by architect Jacques Herzog about the M+ building on March 21, followed by two sessions on March 22 that will respond to ‘Materials in Flux’, bringing together local and international speakers, including Ute Meta Bauer, LAAB Architects, Lisa Reihana, Charles Lim and Formafantasma.

Part two will be held in Milan on April 17, 18 and 19, within the framework of the Salone del Mobile, and will include contributions from Tim Ingold, Elizabeth Povinelli, Beatriz Colomina, Mark Wigley, Sophie Chao, Veena Sahajwalla and Hans Ulrich Obrist.

Discover more on: prada.com

How to prepare for the change that’s coming in a world of uncertainty.

There’s a quote by Alvin Toffler from his book “Future Shock” that for me perfectly highlights the relationship we have with the future: “The illiterate of the twenty-first century will not be the ones who cannot read and write, but will be the ones who cannot unlearn to relearn.” If you are not in that process of unlearning to relearn, you’re in trouble! Everyone needs to develop and change in order to keep up with what is happening in the future and we need to know how to prepare. I’ve created some tips to follow to help you get ready for what’s ahead of us.

Augment Yourself

The first thing you should do is augment yourself. This means getting yourself into a state where you are exploring every new technology available to us as quickly as possible. Yes, there is a barrage of technology coming out, but that doesn’t mean that you should slow down because the world is not slowing down, and the longer you take to actually engage with the technology, the scarier it becomes. So step one is to augment yourself as soon as possible into whatever technology is available to you so you can become comfortable with it. Try to focus on technology that is relevant to what you are already doing in your life or career and augment yourself with programmes that will help you to further your understanding.

Skills Audit

The second step to take in preparing for the future is to do a skills audit on yourself. You first need to ask yourself if there is a chance you or your job could become irrelevant soon, or that your skills could be replaced by technology. This is a really tough thing to do as it’s difficult to look at yourself and identify ways that you have got to be disruptive. I recently did a talk and the MC was an AI-created person on the screen. And I said ‘wow this piece of technology could take my job away from me.’ And that’s the reality of what is going to happen, and this is only the beginning – it’s just a matter of time until we won’t know the difference between AI and reality. So doing a skills audit on yourself is a very important way of preparing for what is to come, and if you don’t want to do it on yourself, find a friend and do a skills audit on each other.

Build a Network

Build a diverse and strong professional network so that you can start to evolve and elevate yourself as quickly as possible. If you are only doing the same job over and over again and not meeting any new people, what chances do you have to evolve and elevate at speed? And this is the time to do just that. Building a strong network will provide you with the ability to jump into something else when the time comes.

Find a Reverse Mentor

Find someone who is younger than you, and that understands the world or your specific space differently from you. When you think about someone who is a teenager who plays around with this technology so easily and comfortably, they can do it much better than you can, so learn from them!

Have Strong Opinions Held Loosely

When it comes to the future keep your opinions but also be open to adapting and developing them as the world changes. What most people do is that they create a story for the future which is most probably not going to be valid after a certain period. So keep your strong opinions held loosely in your mind. When it comes to the future you don’t know anything, nobody does! Most people delete, distort and generalise information they don’t like which essentially means that because you don’t understand it, you won’t allow yourself or others to understand it.

Spend Time in the Future

Spend time in the future at least two to three times a week to allow yourself to understand what could happen in our world moving forward. There are many ways you can do this from reading an article, listening to a podcast, or watching a video – all related to the future. This will help you to get an idea about what’s coming because if you don’t it’s going to hit you over the head and you won’t be able to comprehend it.

Build a Financial Literacy

When planning for the future it’s key to build a financial literacy that you may not have had before. Ask yourself what your relationship is like with money. This is something most people never think about, but people who have a good relationship with money can create better. As we move into a world that’s uncertain, money is going to be a big part of it. For you to be able to be comfortable if your skill or job gets replaced, you will need money to work out what you are going to do in that interim.

Read more By John Sanei

Emirates Palace hotel has officially rebranded as Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi.

This landmark moment signifies a new era for the iconic property as it joins the Hong Kong-based luxury hotel chain’s portfolio elevating it to a new level of finesse. This new chapter will build upon the hotel’s distinctive legacy while introducing new and refined unparalleled experiences for guests, further cementing its position as one of the world’s most iconic beachfront resorts.

The relaunch took place on 17th February 2023 beginning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a spectacular evening event to commemorate the opening. The morning ceremony was held in the presence of H.E. Sultan Al Hemeiri, Managing Director of Emirates Palace Company (‘EPCO’), H.E. Sultan Al Hemeiri, Managing Director of EPCO, as well as James Riley, Group Chief Executive, and Joanna Flint, Chief Commercial Officer of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

During the ceremony, the Hotel Group’s signature fan was revealed to be in pride of place atop this iconic building. As per all of the Group’s properties, a fan was designed specifically for the Abu Dhabi property partnering with local artist Ahmad Saeed Al Areef Al Dhaheri who was inspired by the UAE’s treasured tradition of pearl diving to create a glistening blue fan which will be displayed in the hotel’s lobby.

Commenting on the occasion, H.E. Mohammed Al Junaibi said: “We are thrilled as Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi enters a new golden era of hospitality. Guided by the legacy and expertise of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, the resort is set to become an icon of global luxury in line with our leadership’s quest to extend world-class hospitality to anyone visiting or living in the UAE.” Commenting on the rebranding, James Riley added, “Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi marks a milestone for our brand and confirms our commitment to the region. The palace is a globally recognised landmark in the UAE and we are delighted to manage a property with such rich historical and cultural relevance.” 

Launch event

The evening saw VIP guests and clients from across the UAE attend an impressive gala event with international artist performances and a spectacular firework display which lit up the Abu Dhabi skyline.

The hotel which has been an integral part of Abu Dhabi’s identity since its opening in November 2005 will retain its opulent and grandeur aesthetic, now combined with the understated elegance and modern touches that are synonymous with mandarin Oriental Group’s properties around the world.

The beachfront resort features renovated rooms new innovative dining experiences and brand-new spa and sports facilities, each elevated by Mandarin Oriental’s legendary service. The reimagined accommodation will include the region’s very first vegan rooms with compassionate design, sustainable bedding, plant-based in-room dining options and cruelty-free bath amenities. The hotel’s new signature suites offer a haven of sophistication and style, complete with priority access to the resort’s facilities, whilst The EP Club comprises 660 square metres of elevated living, dining, and relaxing areas exclusively for members and suite guests.

Amongst the enhanced dining options, the one-Michelin-starred Talea by Antonio Guida is a celebration of authentic Cucina di Famiglia, served in a vibrant atmosphere both indoors and outdoors. Elsewhere, the all-new culinary destination Episodes – comprising a tea apothecary, a deli, a cake shop and a gelateria – promises an exploratory journey into both contemporary and classic favourites.

In addition to the serene sanctuary offered by The Hideaway, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental will pioneer self-care practices by world-renowned practitioners and launch a new range of skincare products by Tata Harper and Oto. The new spa will also be home to exclusive Acqua di Parma Barbiere services and retail products. “Found at Emirates Palace” will also introduce an exclusive range of gifts, accessories, and resort wear, whilst guests can also discover unique crafts and contemporary art from local businesses and emerging artists with The Palace Pop-Up.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit mandarinoriental.com/abu-dhabi

Saudi-born designer Arwa Alkadi founded her fashion brand AMARAH in 2019 with a vision of portraying new-age romance through a contemporary lens.

Bringing together her passion and creativity Arwa decided to give up her career in finance to follow her love for fashion and design, creating pieces that would blend traditional Arabic culture with today’s modern aesthetic. Featuring a mix of contrasts, her collections present an understated aesthetic through elevated silhouettes, luxurious fabrics and refined details, building a modern wardrobe that emanates femininity and embraces the bold spirit of every woman.

Alkadi’s brand was handpicked to showcase at the “Saudi 100 Brands” exhibition. Hosted by The Fashion Commission of Saudi Arabia the event showcased a curated selection of clothing and accessories from 100 selected Saudi designers. Helping to elevate Saudi Arabia’s position as a creative hub for Arab designers the event received global attention, highlighting the impressive talent in The Kingdom. As Alkadi presents her Ramadan collection for AMARAH we find out more about what’s in store for the brand moving forward.

Tell us about how your brand AMARAH came to life. 

My first collection came to life in 2019 as it stemmed from my admiration for creating an aura of a new age through modern, experimental designs that exude a bold aesthetic portrayed through a contemporary lens.

What is the vision for your brand?

The vision for my brand entails a desire to build a brand that evokes timeless fashion, effortless elegance, and a modern aesthetic.

Tell us about your latest designs and what inspired them.

My latest Ramadan 2023 collection draws inspiration from the beauty of the sea, as it blends romantic details with modern occasion wear. Referencing the ever-changing patterns and curves of the waves, the collection exudes understated elegance with a contemporary flair. The colour palette is inspired by seashells, deep blue waters and sunsets on the horizon. The themes of the collection are brought to life in shades of sea mist, aquamarine, blush and sand. Silk is the core fabric used in the collection; emphasising the fluid nature of the waves while textured linen represents the unique patterns of seashells.

You were selected to showcase at the Saudi 100 brands event – tell us about how this event helped to raise your profile in the region.

The Saudi 100 Brands event has raised my profile and has allowed for great traction and awareness around the “Beauty Escape” piece that I presented. Through capturing the diversity and vision behind the distinctive aesthetics of Saudi Arabia, I’ve created an ode to the country’s cultural wonders, while honouring the heritage. Highlighting the pride I feel for my culture “Beauty Escape” has acted as a catalyst in creating cultural awareness and bonds across the region.

How do you think womenswear in the region has taken on a more contemporary look in recent years? 

In recent years, contemporary looks have taken the lead in introducing authentic art that is dear to the heart. In exploration and experimentation, contemporary fashion has paved the way for innovative, like-minded designers who share a similar perspective, in regards to what it means to be contemporary.

What are your favourite fabrics to work with?

My favourite fabrics to work with are silk and linen.

What is your take on the fashion industry in the Middle East in general and how brands are represented here?

The fashion scene in the Middle East is continuously growing and evolving. The region paints a portrait of never-ending possibility and innovation that exudes timeless inspiration for artisans. I believe that brand representation plays a role in creating international connections which allow for exciting collaborations amongst like-minded artists.

What more would you like to see being done to support brands in the region and help them to get recognised on an international level?

The key to authentically supporting brands and increasing their recognition would be creating a welcoming environment, where communities of like-minded people can bounce ideas off of one another.

What are some of the brands or designers that inspire you?

I am inspired by Maria Grazia Chiuri Dior’s Creative Director. In terms of brands, I am also inspired by Chanel, Prada and Elie Saab as all these designers remain timeless in their work, yet invite a sense of never-ending discovery.

What is your first memory of fashion growing up?

My first memory of fashion would have to be playing dress-up with my sister Laila. I think the rush of creativity and endless innovation really sparked something in my heart to continue on this path to Fashion and design.

What is something you would still like to do?

I’d always wanted to create, whether that be through designing garments or flower arranging. Anything where I can bring my ideas to life and give meaning to my work.

In this issue we are celebrating the Holy Month of Ramadan – tell us about what this month means to you.

Ramadan means dedication. It means giving back to the community and tuning in with your inner self. It is a time of peace, tranquillity, and self-evolution.

What are some memories you have of this month growing up?

The beauty of spirituality has always been dear to my heart and soul’s purpose. Ramadan is a time to pause, to look within, and embrace the comfort of having a clear mind and spirit. It is a time dedicated to family and some of my fondest memories are of going to my grandparent’s house every day. We would eat iftar together, go to the mosque, as well as dress up in kaftans that I personally would make. And of course, the sound of the Athen is still so vivid to me, it will always be a beautiful sound.

What is the professional motto that you live by?

“Trust yourself. Embody your truth, develop your persona, for the benefit and love that you have for yourself”

Where would you like your brand to be in five years? 

I would like it to become a lifestyle brand that illustrates an extraordinary experience alongside an ambience of being able to connect to fashion, nature, and the self.