Giorgio Armani unveiled the new Giorgio Armani 11 watch with a star-studded celebration in Milan this week.

The new series of watches for men and women are named in tribute to the street number of the brand’s historic headquarters; 11 Via Borgonuovo.

Roberta Armani

The timepiece has been brought to life by Swiss watchmaker Parmigiani Fleurier and is limited in its numbers, making it an exclusive collector’s piece. The design combines the elegance of Giorgio Armani with the craftsmanship of Parmigiani Fleurier to create a design that is based on an idea of personal luxury, with a strong focus on craftsmanship and to convey a sense of timeless elegance.

Lucas Bravo

Guests in attendance at this exclusive evening at the brand’s headquarters in Milan included Lebanese-Armenian musician, composer and pianist Guy Manoukian, as well as Emily In Paris star Lucas Bravo, model and actress Eva Herzigova and many more.

Eva Herzigova

The watches will be available from late November in selected Giorgio Armani boutiques around the world.

Dior is taking over iconic London department store Harrods with a gingerbread themed festive extravaganza.

The Fabulous World of Dior is an exciting collaboration that honours the friendship between the House of Dior and Harrods that has been forged over 70 years.

The Fabulous World of Dior is a spectacular presentation illuminating the hallowed halls of the legendary Harrods department store.

A magnetic Shepherd’s Star, placed as a central sculpture – erected to the height of seventeen meters, the building’s largest to date –, seems to dance weightlessly in front of the dome and guides visitors within.

Opening the doors of this prestigious setting, they will discover two unprecedented pop-up stores that draw their decor from the most beautiful Christmas fairytales and navigate visitors through this refuge of the marvellous where a multitude of original creations, specially designed for the event, come to life.

This enchanting pause in time reveals a thousand surprises, including a poetic exhibition* reproducing, in an amazing play on scale and proportion, the architecture of Dior’s iconic locations – from Granville to La Colle Noire, via 30 Montaigne.

To end this dreamlike voyage into the heart of the Diorodyssey, the Maison also launches the Café Dior at Harrods, in homage to British culture and the pleasure of receiving guests, dear to Monsieur Dior.

The Fabulous World of Dior is open from November 10 2022 to January 3, 2023.

This year’s high jewellery creations combine the finest craftsmanship with a touch of modernity.

Diamond Heliconia necklace Diamond Heliconia bracelet Diamond Heliconia ring All Piaget
Dress, HASHIMI

Macri Classica hoop earrings in white gold with diamonds.
Macri bracelets in yellow and white gold set with 17 round brilliant cut diamonds.
Macri bracelet in yellow and white gold set with diamonds.
Macri Classica Bangle Bracelet in pink and white gold, with 10 diamonds.
Macri Classica Eternelle Ring in pink and white gold with diamonds.
Macri Classica Eternelle Ring in yellow and white gold with diamonds.
All Buccellati Dress, Hervé Léger

Carved Rock Crystal, Emerald, Tsavorite and Diamond Feather Earrings Come Bracelet
Fabergé X James Ganh

Swallow necklace, Swallow earrings, All Messika High Jewelry
Dress, Elie Saab

Joséphine Aigrette earrings in white gold, set with two pear-shaped diamonds of approximately 1 carat each and brilliant-cut diamonds. Joséphine Aigrette necklace in white gold, set with a pear-shaped diamond of approximately 1.50 carats and brilliant-cut diamonds.
All Chaumet
Dress, Brunello Cucinelli

Joséphine Aigrette earrings in white gold, set with two pear-shaped diamonds of approximately 1 carat each and brilliant-cut diamonds. Joséphine Aigrette necklace in white gold, set with a pear-shaped diamond of approximately 1.50 carats and brilliant-cut diamonds.
All Chaumet
Dress, Brunello Cucinelli

Jewellery set of Necklace, Chandelier Earrings, Bracelet and Ring in 18k white gold encrusted with 80 carats of diamonds and yellow diamonds. Kallista by Damas
Swimsuit, Eres

Le Magnifiche necklace in white gold with sapphire and diamonds. Le Magnifiche earrings in white gold with sapphire and diamonds. Le Magnifiche Ring in white gold with diamonds.
All Bulgari

Fringe Necklace in Yellow Gold and Platinum with Pink Sapphires and Diamonds Alisa Ring in Yellow Gold and Platinum with an Unenhanced Pink Sapphire with Diamonds All Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger®
Dress, Max Mara

Bird on a Rock Brooch in Yellow Gold and Platinum with a Citrine, Diamonds and a Pink Sapphire
Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger®
Dress, HASHIMI

Tresse de spinelle transformable long necklace. Rose Gold, Pink Spinel beads (750.85 cts), Rubies, Coral, White cultured Pearls, Diamonds. Gâteau d’amour ring. Rose Gold, one cushion-cut Pink Spinel (6.78 cts), Coral, Diamonds All Van Cleef & Arpels
Dress, Bazza Alzouman

This week Prada presented its travelling social club Prada Mode in Dubai.

The unique concept provides members with a unique art experience, music, dining, and conversations. Prada Mode also features an installation by Damien Hirst who has created a new version of his concept “Pharmacy”.

Talks throughout the two days included “Diversity in the Cultural Landscape” which explored multiculturalism within the UAE art and culture scenes via the people and art that make the country an authentic and thriving art hub and surveys future trends and movements.

During the day,  guests were invited to join a spin painting workshop where they could create customised paintings by using templates inspired by Pharmacy symbols. Then in the evening DJ sessions entertained guests into the night.

Prada Mode is open to the public on 11^th and 12^th November at ICD Brookfield Place.

Wherever you are in the world Mandarin Oriental is a Hospitality Group you can rely on. With the finest in service, attention to detail and five-star luxury, you will never be disappointed. So if you’re planning to travel to Geneva, there is only one destination we could recommend.

Mandarin Oriental, Geneva is perfectly located, close to the River Rhône, with a picturesque mountain backdrop, and in the heart of the city’s shopping, history and business districts. Perfect for those hoping to explore the local area on foot, whether it’s for shopping, sightseeing or just losing yourself in the city, this luxury property has everything you need just a few steps away. Mandarin Oriental, Geneva combines Swiss tradition with Oriental charm and extra special attention to detail. Expect to arrive with a warm welcome from the property’s team as you immediately feel at home on arrival.

Rooms & Suites

One of the highlights of this property is the impressive rooms and suites, many of which have private terraces overlooking the river, mountains and city scenery – what more could you want? The spacious rooms are a home away from home. Ranging from the River View Junior Suite, right up to the Royal Penthouse, there are a number of larger room categories, perfect for families or those staying for longer trips. The interiors of the rooms combine traditional and contemporary elements with an Oriental twist on design. Light and bright furnishings are complemented by touches of colour to create a homely feel.

One of our favourite room categories comes in the form of the Junior Terrace Suites. At 65-square-metres, while these are not the largest of rooms at the property, they come with a 20-square-metre terrace with unparalleled views across the river and the city’s Old Town. The Junior Terrace Suites are located in a secluded location on the top floor of the hotel so offer complete privacy for guests. Inside these spacious suites feature a bedroom and adjoining living area complete with an open fireplace. A large, glass-enclosed bathroom offers a walk-in shower, stand-alone bath and windows overlooking the 20sqm private terrace. Other recommended room categories include the Rooftop Junior Suite and Riverview Corner Suites.

For those wanted to indulge in the ultimate luxury, the Speciality Suites offer something extra special. The Royal Penthouse the largest of all is located on the top floor of the hotel with spectacular views. It features a bedroom, dining and living area, large entertainment area, terrace and even its own Hamman shower. The Penthouse can also be connected via a private lift to the 6th floor Royal Suite to form the 577sqm six-bedroom Imperial Residence.

Food & Dining

Mandarin Oriental, Geneva features two exciting dining options. The first and our highly recommended option is the recently opened modern Japanese fine-dining restaurant SACHI. Upon entering the restaurant you’ll immediately be relaxed by the modern architecture and Oriental-inspired interiors, mirroring that of a Japanese restaurant. If the weather allows, outside you’ll find an authentic Japanese zen garden curated by a specialist Japanese gardener, providing an idyllic setting on the Rhône waterside.

The scene is set but what about the food? SACHI offers two dining options. The first is a traditional seated table where guests can choose from delicious Japanese signature dishes which have been given a modern twist. While the second, which is designed for the ultimate foodies, is the 10-seater Omakase bar, where guests can enjoy a live cooking experience. Perfect for groups travelling together, events or couples looking for a memorable moment.

Menu highlights include Crispy Rice, Seared Tuna with SACHI Truffle Sauce, Black cod with yuzu miso sauce, and Grilled Seabass. The extensive sushi menu is not to be missed and we recommend trying as much as you can! Don’t forget to leave room for dessert where you can find a selection of traditional dishes with a Japanese twist.

For a more relaxed experience, Yakumanka is a Peruvian restaurant serving Authentic cebicheria in partnership with award-winning chef Gastón Acurio. Led by head chef Chef Daniel Galvez Estrada who is Gastón Acurio’s right-hand, Yakumanka is reminiscent of an authentic Peruvian cevicheria. The team serve up authentic cuisine centred around fine seafood with many exciting dishes to try. The centrepiece of the restaurant is the open kitchen with a long bar where our chefs prepare cebiches and tiraditos form the heart of the restaurant, offering guests a glimpse into the coming together of these delicious dishes.

Wellness

If you get a moment to relax during your stay, head to the hotel’s fitness centre and spa to unwind and recharge before you travel. With several luxurious treatments on the menu as well as personal training sessions and yoga classes, there is something to suit every need. So sit back, relax and enjoy!

For more information visit

https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/geneva/

The 2022 edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève awards ceremony took place yesterday evening with watchmaker MB&F taking home the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix “best-in-show” prize for the Legacy Machine Sequential Evo watch.

Other winners on the night were Bulgari, Parmigiani Fleurier, TAG Heuer, Van Cleef & Arpels and Hermès, Akrivia, Grand Seiko, Ferdinand Berthoud, Grönefeld, H. Moser & Cie, Krayon, M.A.D. Editions, Sylvain Pinaud, Trilobe, Tudor and Voutilainen were also honoured with one of the prestigious awards.

Maximilian Büsser, Owner and creative director of MB&F, winner of the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix 2022

This year’s awards were hosted by Edouard Baer and were held on Thursday 10 November in Geneva’s Théâtre du Léman. Each year the ceremony brings together watch manufacturers and recognises some of the most outstanding creations. The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) has for over 20 years been pursuing its mission to celebrate and promote the watchmaking art,

The 90 nominated timepieces are now on display at the Musée Rath in Geneva until 20 November 2022. The 2022 winners will also be presented in New York from 1^st to 4^th December.
The full list of this year’s winners is below:

“Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix: MB&F, Legacy Machine Sequential Evo
Ladies’ Watch Prize: Parmigiani Fleurier, Tonda PF Automatic
Ladies’ Complication Watch Prize: Hermès, Arceau Le temps voyageur
Men’s Watch Prize: Akrivia, Chronomètre Contemporain II
Men’s Complication Watch Prize: Hermès, Arceau Le temps voyageur
Iconic Watch Prize: TAG Heuer, Monaco X Gulf   
Tourbillon Watch Prize: H. Moser & Cie, Pioneer Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton
Calendar and Astronomy Watch Prize: Krayon, Anywhere
Mechanical Exception Watch Prize: Ferdinand Berthoud, FB 2RSM.2-1
Chronograph Watch Prize: Grönefeld, 1941 Grönograaf Tantalum
Diver’s Watch Prize: Tudor, Pelagos FXD
Jewellery Watch Prize: Bulgari, Serpenti Misteriosi High Jewellery
Artistic Crafts Watch Prize: Voutilainen, Ji-Ku
“Petite Aiguille” Prize: Trilobe, Nuit Fantastique Dune Edition
Challenge Watch Prize: M.A.D. Editions, M.A.D.1 Red
Mechanical Clock Prize: Van Cleef & Arpels, Fontaine Aux Oiseaux automaton
Innovation Prize: Van Cleef & Arpels, Lady Arpels Heures Florales Cerisier watch
Audacity Prize: Bulgari, Octo Finissimo Ultra 10th Anniversary
Chronometry Prize: Grand Seiko, Kodo Constant-force Tourbillon
“Horological Revelation” Prize: Sylvain Pinaud, Origine
Special Jury Prize: François Junod, automaton-maker and sculptor

Dubai real estate company Binghatti is set to team up with watch manufacturer Jacob & Co. to create ‘Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co Residences’ which promises to break world records.

This unique partnership brings together the rich heritage and iconic architectural and horological codes of these two brands to introduce an ultra-luxury Dubai skyscraper.

The announcement will be marked with an exclusive event on November 16^th to launch the project.

Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co Residences coins a new term in upper-crust real estate: hypertower. Opening a new era in uber-luxury living, this unparalleled skyscraper aims to set a record as one of the tallest residential constructions in the world.

The proposed design comprises over 100 stories that are made of lavish two-bedroom and three-bedroom residences and the building features unique designs co-signed by and co-designed in the recognizable style of watchmaking and jewellery brand Jacob & Co and leading Dubai-based developer Binghatti.

The building will include multiple levels dedicated to amenities including an infinity pool overlooking the entire Dubai skyline, a luxury spa and a gymnasium. The hypertower also houses a dedicated concierge team, offering à la carte services such as daycare, bodyguard, chauffeur and private chef.

“Today marks the significant partnership of two like-minded brands, both on an ever-striving pursuit of absolute elegance. Both our brands are born from the sheer desire to achieve what breaks boundaries. What Binghatti has done in real estate, by creating a brand through a distinct design philosophy and architectural identity is very similar to what Jacob & Co has done in the world of jewellery and horology”, says Muhammad Binghatti, CEO & Head of Architecture of Binghatti.

“We took inspiration from the complex horological movements that beat in Jacob & Co timepieces and we integrated them into the key elements of the tower. The diamond-shaped spires sitting at the peak of the tower are reminiscent of an actual crown, an ornament of unique finesse inspired by the design of Jacob & Co’s finely cut gems. This is the apex of the luxury narrative in this evocative construction, a signature feature that add further grandeur to the city’s skyline.” adds Muhammad Binghatti.

Drawing inspiration from horological and high jewellery aesthetics, Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co. Residences’ design is reminiscent of the baguette-cut gems Jacob & Co is renowned for. Entry-level residences will consist of two collections: The Sapphire Suite Collection consisting of two-bedroom residential units, and The Emerald Suite Collection comprised of three-bedroom units.

The top of Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co Residences harbours five of the most luxurious and exclusive penthouses in Dubai. Floating on top of the world, they offer boundless views of the city’s skyline, including downtown and the Dubai Water Canal. “Inspired by our high watchmaking collections, these penthouses will consist of three types, each named after our flagship Jacob & Co timepieces Fleurs De Jardin, Astronomia and Billionaire. The interior design of the penthouse collection will be directly inspired by their unique aesthetics. As suggested by the name, the Billionaire Penthouse is the hyper tower’s jewel in the crown.” says Jacob Arabo, Chairman and Creative Director of Jacob & Co.

All interested parties will have the opportunity to register during the event that will be held on November 16th in Dubai. Such interested parties are to undergo a prequalification process to evaluate eligibility in this ultra-exclusive, invitation-only, jewel of a dwelling.

EX NIHILO was founded in 2013 by entrepreneurial trio Benoît Verdier, Olivier Royère and Sylvie Loday. Together the three were inspired to create an alternative to the luxury fragrance products, combining Parisian tradition with a bold new avant-garde approach. EX NIHILO (meaning something out of nothing), was born with the vision of disrupting the industry with high-end fragrances that offer a new approach to personalised luxury.

Bringing together some of the industry’s finest perfumers and the most splendid raw materials EX NIHILO set about creating a new line of fragrances that would offer an intimate more personalised alternative to anything that was already on the market.

Today, EX NIHILO has around 250 points of sale around the world including three flagship stores in the Middle East. The brand is going from strength to strength but managing to stay true to its roots with a steady growth that doesn’t alienate its existing clientele. Within each store, clients can discover the art of personalisation with an exclusive process that allows each customer to create their own scent in store. Known as the Osmologue Experience the process invites customers to personalise their chosen fragrance from the collections, to create something unique for them. The full process is done in store and customers can walk away with their very own perfume in just minutes.

Co-Founder Benoît Verdier was recently in the Middle East to mark the opening of the brand’s two newest stores in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Verdier has been surrounded by fragrance his whole life having grown up in the home of perfume; Provence, France. He is involved in the creation of new perfumes and works very closely with the perfumers to define new additions to the collections. As Verdier passed through Dubai we were lucky enough to spend some time with him to discover the store and the special Osmologue Experience. Here we find out more about that process and the continued growth of the brand.

How would you describe the universe of Ex Nihilo?

I would say that the focus of the house is to promote French avant-garde – we want to enhance the traditional aspect of high perfumery, using the bests materials and the respect that there is for that. We work with 16 master perfumers and we like to be disruptive in the experience we propose. We have a strong focus on personalisation and want to create an environment for our clients that represents France, but has a modern touch. Something minimalistic and contemporary, educational in a good way, entertaining and showing the backstage side of high perfumery.

What can you tell us about the Osmologue Experience you offer and why do you think this is so popular with customers?

The Osmologue Experience allows clients to come into our stores and have this unique experience to create their own personalised fragrance. The customer will come in and have a private consultation with our team, sharing their likes and dislikes when it comes to perfume, and engaging about their feelings, memories, and special events in their lives. Then we will prepare a personal fragrance to suit all your needs and tastes. We used a super-accurate technology that allows us to get the best results and you won’t have to wait for months to get your fragrance, we will create it in the store and you can take it home with you in minutes. You will receive a certificate of authentication with the details of your perfume and then you can come back and get another bottle once the first one is finished! The final touch is choosing the cap for your bottle to for a last touch of personalisation.

We are the only house offering this service on this scale and at this speed in the world. We initially developed this technology around nine years ago and we now have a new and improved version. It is a technology that originally comes from the industry and we managed to downsize it, and this is the very first time that a house is able to propose it directly to the client. It was a challenge to make the machine that creates the perfume much smaller than it is in its industrial form and we also wanted it to be convenient for our teams to use as well as being spectacular for our customers. It’s also a good way for us to understand what our customers like and to build a relationship with them.

Can you share a little about Ex Nihilo in the Middle East?

We of course have our flagship store here in The Dubai Mall, we just opened a new boutique in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and this month we have a store opening in Doha, Qatar, so we are expanding a lot in the region. The Middle East is a strong focus for us at the moment as well as Asia which is the area we are looking to expand in next as we believe it is the future of perfumery.

Tell us about the store aesthetic what is the mood you are trying to convey?

Today we have six flagship stores around the world. We try to have the same mood within all of our stores but in each destination, we try to bring in elements of that city. Our customers are very international and we want to give them a reason to visit all of our stores.

For example, our store in Los Angeles features rough concrete on the floor, so we have this rough element combined with elements of French aesthetic. The store in Paris has more of an art gallery style with a very cool environment. The store in Taiwan is more open with lots of space, and the new store in Doha features white marble and is inspired by a Parisian apartment – high ceilings and lots of light. In the middle of our stores, you will find the main ready-to-wear collections and around the sides, you can discover our limited edition and exclusive creations.

Tell us about the store exclusive fragrances you have in each destination?

To celebrate the launch of each store we design a limited edition fragrance. So for the Riyadh store, we launched a new edition of our Outcast Blue fragrance. For the Outcast Blue Edition Ambre, we worked with a Spanish perfumer Jordi Fernández who is actually based in Dubai. He took the original Outcast Blue fragrance and customised it amber to make it even more relevant for the region. Each exclusive fragrance is only available in the stores it was designed for and this also gives our customers a reason to visit all of our destinations. Today you can buy almost anything from anywhere in the world so this is a way of keeping that exclusivity. For each fragrance we have special packaging, and special engraving on the bottle and everything is customised for that destination.

You work with 16 perfumers from around the world – how do you choose the people you work with and what do you look for?

Many of the perfumers we work with we immediately clicked with because when they see our presentation and they realise they will have creative freedom, this is incredible for them. Often many of these perfumers are working for huge companies who have strict guidelines so when they work for us there is much more room for them to be creative and of course, they like that. We work with a vast range of perfumers, some of them are very famous, some of them are not famous at all, and some have grown with the brand. When we choose who we are going to work with it is first a matter of their availability, but also a matter of their personality, style, character and the feeling and relationship we have with them.

When I brief each perfumer I write a synopsis of what we are looking for, and I work on a story board with the concept. Sometimes I’ll share a specific inspiration, it could be a movie or a piece of music, or sometimes I will share a material or ingredient. So I share this with them, they come back to us with an olfactory proposal, made of five or six different options and then we will choose from there.

How do you remain a niche brand but continue to expand without alienating existing customers?

It’s a good question and one we ask ourselves every day. Of course, at some point, you have to develop as a brand and you can see that we are all around the world today, but we try to keep that exclusivity by remaining high-end and offering personalisation and limited edition and collectable fragrances. We have 250 points of sale around the world today but we are very strategic about where we sell our fragrance. I think if you start a brand as being super exclusive and high-end and work down it is much easier than starting too low and trying to build that credibility, so I think we have done it the right way.

Who is the Ex Nihilo customer?

They are men and women who appreciate quality ingredients, bespoke services, they like to find unusual or collectable pieces. They understand what we do and they are craving special and unique things.

What can you tell us about sustainability at Ex Nihilo?

We are always looking for new ways to be sustainable. We have already tried out some ideas and we are working to understand what customers want from us and also educate them. We already use a lot of sustainable materials in our packaging including the foam that the bottles are encased in. We have tried to reduce plastic as far as we can and even the gold foil that we use on some of our boxes is recyclable. There is still a lot to be done but it is a constant process.

Can you tell us about the lab-built ingredients used in Hedonist?

Our Hedonist fragrance features another way of looking at sustainability.  Within this fragrance, we have an ingredient called Akigalawood which is directly derived from Bio Science and was made from scratch in a lab. So instead of travelling the world and using natural ingredients that not only cause a large carbon footprint to transport but also can be very limited and difficult to find, we decided to create our own ingredients in a controlled environment. We love to mix the best of synthetic ingredients with the best of natural ingredients so we have natural bergamot and a natural extract of ginger, and the final ingredient is synthetic, made from biotechnology. It’s really interesting and it is something that I think we determine the ingredients of the future.

What is your personal favourite fragrance?

I like Outcast Blue and Hedonist. But I am already testing out the future creations for the next two years and I am already in love with some of them!

What else is in the pipeline for the near future?

I don’t tend to layer two fragrances together, but I’m very interested in testing ingredients together and also layering oils. We have mists in the collection that you can add to your fragrance. Personally, I am more classic in the way I wear fragrance. I use them on my clothes not so much on my skin. I don’t recommend to used fragrance on your hair.

How would you describe Ex Nihilo in one word?

Avant-garde.

Stella McCartney has unveiled “Future of Fashion: An innovation conversation with Stella McCartney”, and exclusive exhibit at Dubai Design Week which takes place this week.

The evolving and travelling installation highlights Stella McCartney’s current aspirations to encourage future actions that are more conscious of the planet, people and our fellow creatures. The Dubai Design Week 2022 theme, “DESIGN WITH IMPACT”, also focuses on creating a more sustainable future through fashion, art, design and architecture.

“We have been using fashion and design to start conscious conversations since day one at Stella. I am so proud to see over 20 years of material innovation brought to life in our Future of Fashion exhibit during Dubai Design Week – from my Frayme Mylo™️ mycelium bag to regenerative cotton, which actually restores Mother Earth. Shaped like my new S-Wave symbol, this travelling installation brings together the most pioneering products from our past and present to inspire a nature-positive future; not only in fashion, but for our planet,” says Stella McCartney.

The Future of Fashion installation invites the world to discover the limitless possibilities of material innovation for creating a more nature-positive market. Guests can explore curated items from Stella McCartney’s over two decades of conscious leadership, such as the Frayme Mylo™️ bag – the world’s first-ever luxury bag crafted from mycelium, created in partnership with Bolt Threads and nestled amongst a central mushroom garden. Other focal areas are vegan, mycelium, regenerated and plant-based material innovations. Highlights include: a sound booth playing music created from fungi; windows allowing guests to touch and feel materials; and frames of recycled and recyclable acrylic with natural imagery.

The space combines cutting-edge fashion and design, modelled after Stella McCartney’s S-Wave – a new symbol representing the brand’s commitments to circularity, material innovation and balance with Mother Earth. The shape is inspired by the beauty of DNA strings, soundwaves and nature’s sacred geometries, and appears in the designer’s current and upcoming collections.

All materials from the exhibit will be repurposed for future activities, reducing its environmental impact. Future of Fashion is aligned with the Terra Carta – the guiding document of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), of which Stella is a member and was launched by King Charles III whilst he was the Prince of Wales. The SMI encourages collaboration, and innovation and puts sustainability at the heart of the private sector.

The “Future of Fashion: An innovation conversation with Stella McCartney” exhibit is open to the public daily from 8 to 13 November at Dubai Design Week.

We delve into the history of one of the world’s most iconic jewellers.

We have all seen the iconic images of Audrey Hepburn in the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” or have lusted after a Tiffany engagement ring, or even looked in envy as celebrities have graced the red carpet wearing iconic Tiffany jewels, but how many of us can recall the history of this global jeweller? How did the brand become the most iconic seller of diamonds in the world? And how did its blue box become so iconic? We find out more about the history of the brand, and what the next chapter could be.

Tiffany began its story in 1837 when its first store opened in New York. The company was founded by Charles Lewis Tiffany and his school friend John B. Young and financed by Tiffany’s father who invested just $1,000. At that time the store sold only stationary items and was one sole store in Brooklyn, New York. After helping his father in his general store from a young age, Tiffany had seen his dad’s way of running a business and was determined to make his venture a success. On the first day, the store made just $4.98 in sales but the two businessmen persevered. A few years later and still in business, the company had gained a reputation for selling the finest glassware, porcelain, cutlery, clocks and jewellery pieces.

The first Blue Book

In 1841 the store changed its name to Tiffany, Young and Ellis and soon began manufacturing its own jewellery. It was known for being one of the few stores that would not allow haggling on prices as was the norm at that time, as well as only accepting cash payments at a time when many customers preferred to pay on credit. This kept the business healthy and also allowed the company to expand. In 1845, Tiffany produced its first “blue book”. This mail-order catalogue continues to be produced today, allowed customers across the United States to order the brand’s jewellery designs across the country. In the late 1840s, when political unrest in Europe depreciated the market in precious stones, Tiffany invested heavily in diamonds from Europe, which were then sold at a great profit in the United States, allowing the nation’s elite to purchase major jewels at home for the first time. And this is where the diamond story began.

New York Facade

Tiffany Blue Book 

In 1845 the first Tiffany blue book was mailed out across America. The catalogue showcased the company’s latest fine jewellery designs as part of its advertising strategy and was the first of its kind. By 1994 Tiffany’s mail-order catalogues reached 15 million people. The Blue Book remains a key part of Tiffany & Co.’s legacy and today was even the inspiration for an exhibition in London earlier this year. The brand’s Blue Book collection debuts each year featuring the company’s high jewellery designs and bears the name that represents the legacy of the jeweller. Now known as the Blue Book, the physical book is still released annually and features the world’s rarest jewels.

37 Wall St Facade

In 1853, the company became Tiffany and Company as it started to expand internationally, opening stores in Paris and London. The New York store also relocated to its now iconic location on Fifth Avenue. By the 1870s business was thriving. The company’s new store in Manhattan was described by The New York Times as “the palace of jewels” and clients began to travel far and wide to see the much-talked-about Tiffany diamonds up close including the “Tiffany Diamond” which was purchased by the company in 1879. It was an incredible time, business was thriving and the brand has become firmly associated with high-quality diamonds, giving it a global reputation. In 1886 Charles Lewis Tiffany introduces the Tiffany® Setting and created the brand’s engagement ring as we know it today. Flawlessly engineered, the six-prong setting is virtually hidden and allows the brilliant diamond to float above the band and into the light, resulting in a ring so beautiful it has been a symbol of the world’s greatest love stories for over 130 years.

The legendary Tiffany Diamond fitted specially for Lady Gaga for the 91st Academy Awards.

The Tiffany Diamond

In 1879, when business was thriving, Tiffany purchased one of the world’s largest yellow diamonds. The fancy yellow diamond was 287.42-carats and was cut to 128.54 carats before becoming known as the “Tiffany Diamond”. This iconic diamond remains at the Maison today and has become one of the most iconic jewels in history. The diamond has only ever been worn by four people in history, one of them being Audrey Hepburn in the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It was worn by Lady Gaga for the 2019 Oscars, and more recently by Beyoncé in the brand’s 2021 “About Love” advertising campaign. When not being worn, the diamond is on permanent display at the Fifth Avenue flagship, where it attracts more than 300 visitors each day.

Lady Gaga at 91st Academy Awards

In 1902, Charles Lewis Tiffany passed away and his son, Louis Comfort Tiffany became the company’s first official design director. He was an artist and glassmaker by trade and established the first Tiffany Glass Company in 1885. Upon his father’s death, this became known as Tiffany Studios and Louis further expanded this sector of the business, producing globally recognised works.

Jean Schlumberger Portrait_3

In 1956, at a time when art and culture were thriving in the United States, French jewellery designer Jean Schlumberger joined Tiffany. Schlumberger began his career designing buttons for Elsa Schiaparelli before moving into costume jewellery that would accompany the brand’s Haute Couture designs. In 1946 he opened his own jeweller business before joining Tiffany. Schlumberger began creating designs that were known for their whimsical interpretations of natural objects and creatures. He was especially inspired by sea creatures and birds and brought colour and sparkle to them in his creations. Schlumberger designed some of the most iconic jewellery pieces in Tiffany & Co.’s history, including the Bird on a Rock Brooch which featured the iconic Tiffany diamond. This was a moment when Tiffany was thriving. It collaborated with iconic artist Andy Warhol on Tiffany Holiday cards, designed a tea set for the First Lady and produced jewellery pieces for some of the world’s richest and most famous women.

Audrey Hepburn

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

In 1961 Tiffany made its cinematic debut in the iconic Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which stars Audrey Hepburn®. An instant Hollywood classic, it was the first movie ever filmed at Tiffany’s flagship store, followed by Sleepless in Seattle (1993) and Sweet Home Alabama (2002).

In 1974 Elsa Peretti joined Tiffany and revolutionised the jeweller’s designs with her sculptural aesthetic and modern sensibility. Under her direction, sterling silver attains a glamorous new status; and her Diamonds by the Yard® collection introduces diamond jewellery that can be worn every day.

After the company was sold in 1978 Tiffany & Co. John Loring was appointed Design Director and he would shape Tiffany’s design legacy for the next 40 years. Globally it was a difficult time and as recessions hit around the world, the brand was inspired to realign its image, making products that were more affordable to all. This would become the secret to its modern success. Women of all walks of life started to garner interest in Tiffany & Co. and the brand began to segment its lines, offering products from an affordable prices to high-end. It created a book called “How to Buy a Diamond” and started sending them out across America. The campaign was a huge success and allowed Tiffany’s profits to grow once again. And while they could now appeal to a wider audience, the stores retained the high-end image of the past.

Brilliant Diamonds

Tiffany Blue 

In 1998 Tiffany & Co. trademarked their signature Tiffany Blue colour. The duck-egg blue tone was first used on the cover of Tiffany’s Blue Book in 1845 and has remained a part of the company ever since. It was used on the brand’s bags, advertising and of course on the Tiffany Blue Box which houses new products. In 2001 Tiffany partnered with Pantone to standardize the colour as “1837 blue.”

In 2000, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation was established, solidifying Tiffany’s long-held commitment to conservation and the arts. The Foundation has awarded over USD 75 million in grants since. Throughout the 2000s Tiffany & Co. continued to thrive. The brand introduced new jewellery collections which would become icons including the Tiffany Keys collection in 2009 and the Tiffany T collection in 2014 and the Tiffany HardWear collection in 2017. It was a tumulus time for the brand in an era where customers were more demanding than ever. That year, Alessandro Bogliolo was announced as the new CEO with the hope that he could turn around slumping sales and capture a younger audience. Under his leadership, Tiffany & Co. launched several new lines including the Paper Flowers collection and the Tiffany True rings in 2018 and the first men’s collection in 2019. It began focusing on Asia with many new stores opening across the globe.

Sustainability & Traceability

In 2015, Tiffany & Co. appoints its first Sustainability Officer as well as joined other leading companies to pledge net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Sustainability has since become a major focus for the brand as well as its commitment to the Diamond Source Initiative which launched in 2019. With this Tiffany pledges to provide provenance information for every newly sourced, individually registered diamond it sets—a significant step for diamond transparency.

In 2020 Tiffany & Co. was acquired by LVMH with the deal closing in 2021. The Group revealed its plans to expand further globally, especially in Europe and China. Today’s Vision for Tiffany & Co. sees the brand honour the legacy of its founders and its icons while pushing forward to appeal to today’s customer. In 2021 A​​lexandre Arnault took on the role of Executive Vice President of Product and Communications and the brand shortly revealed its “About Love” campaign starring Beyonce and Jay-Z. The brand opened a new chapter in its legacy that allows it to speak to a wider audience and embrace a new level of creativity. We can’t wait to see what happens next…

Chanel presented its Cruise 2022/23 in Miami Beach on 4^th November 2022.

First shown in Monte Carlo earlier this year, the collection made a stopover on the beach of the Faena Hotel, whose theatrical backdrop was designed by director Baz Luhrmann and costume designer Catherine Martin.

The setting featured retro-style beach accessories, including two-tone striped parasols and red deckchairs, reflecting the theme and silhouettes of the looks in this collection.

The collection combines the worlds of motor racing and tennis with those of ballet, the casino and the Riviera all of which are associated with Monte Carlo.

Chanel ambassadors Pharrell Williams, Lily-Rose Depp, Marion Cotillard, Caroline de Maigret and Phoebe Tonkin attended the show along with actresses Ella Balinska and Arden Cho, actor Andrés Velencoso and musician Nile Rodgers.

The show was followed by a relaxed soirée, in a setting punctuated by generous two-tone striped sofas where guests watched a Nile Rodgers & CHIC performance.

The CHANEL Cruise 2022/23 collection will be available in boutiques from November 8th, 2022 in the United States and November 16th worldwide.

FRED reveals a new high jewellery collection paying tribute to its founder Fred Samuel.

The new “Monsieur Fred Inner Light” high jewellery collection is inspired by the unique personality and radiant aura of the brand’s founder Fred Samuel. This fresh interpretation of the company’s creative heritage not only looks to the past but focuses on the future, offering pieces that both honour tradition and celebrate creativity.

It has been said that Fred Samuel had an “inner light” that was reflected throughout the Maison’s creativity. Since starting the brand in 1936, the founder’s audacious and colourful personality could be seen within every creation in the house’s collections which feature a magical glow.

The “Monsieur Fred Inner Light” embodies the personality and style of the founder throughout its dazzling designs. Fluid and full of life the 24-piece collection is made up of six chapters featuring versatile pieces that are designed to be worn in a variety of ways. Engrave on the reverse of each piece you will find a mantra, inviting the wearer to adopt Fred’s philosophies, driven by daring, love, joy, courage, energy and luck.

The collection also features a new stone cut: the FRED Hero Cut which illuminates diamonds with an unprecedented 32 facets. This specific cut was designed to imbue the wearers with all the strength, courage and perseverance that the founder of the Maison demonstrated throughout his life. The collection is divided into six chapters:

Creative Instinct portrays the message to “dare the unexpected”. Reminiscent of sea foam moving across the skin, this chapter features more than a hundred South Sea or Akoya pearls and diamonds which are displayed on asymmetrical lines of white gold twinkling with pavé diamonds.

Chapter Two “Pretty Woman Generous Heart” pays homage to the Pretty Woman necklace worn by Julia Roberts in the iconic movie, and the heart within a heart motif that has become a signature of the house ever since. This year the line features a combination of finely hand-engraved white mother-of-pearl, onyx, diamonds and black lacquer and heart-shaped pink tourmalines of up to 8.29 carats.

Chapter Three “Pain de Sucre Joyful Attitude”, invites the wearer to dive into the colourful side of life with a thousand shades of blue that reflect the beauty of the Mediterranean. These creations are illuminated by a mosaic of precious, fine and ornamental stones: diamond, aquamarine, turquoise, lapis lazuli, chrysocolla, dickite, sodalite and mother-of-pearl, shimmering together like the surface of water.

Chapter four “Force 10 Winning Spirit” is about pushing the limits of versatility. Influenced once again by the sea this chapter offers a selection of unisex pieces with a sporty edge.

Chapter Five “Radiant Energy” is inspired by the exceptional radiance of the Soleil d’Or, the yellow diamond of over 100 carats that returned to the Maison’s heritage in 2021. Radiant energy recreates the magic of a sunset over the sea. The graphic combinations of white and yellow baguette and brilliant-cut diamonds follow the soft asymmetrical broken lines while the centre stones in the form of Fancy Intense Yellow diamonds of up to 11.25 carats.

The final chapter “Chance Infinie Faith in Destiny” represents luck with talismanic jewellery that combines Art Deco influences and the lucky symbol of the Chance Infinie collection: a lemniscate, the universal sign of infinity and an allusion. These pieces pay homage to Fred’s lucky number 8 and feature fluid lines, flexibility and transformability. Elegant lines of white gold, diamonds, black lacquer and onyx, are united by the midnight blue light of pear-shaped sapphires.  The minimal and voluptuous design of a cocktail ring, or a necklace with multiple identities, is illuminated by an exceptional 28.72-carat detachable Ceylon sapphire, just as an earring can be turned into a brooch enhanced with an equally detachable 25.5-carat Ceylon sapphire.

Celebrities arrived in style at the CDFA Awards which took place in New York on November 7th 2022. Swipe through to see some of the best dressed stars on the red carpet.

Vanessa Hudgens wearing Vera Wang 

Christina Ricci wearing Rodarte

Katie Holmes wearing Jonathan Simkhai

Kendall Jenner wearing Khaite

Olivia Culpo wearing Et Ochs

Gigi Hadid wearing Thom Browne

Kylie Jenner wearing Mugler

Kris Jenner wearing Schiaparelli

Cher wearing Chrome Hearts

Halle Bailey wearing Carolina Herrera

Dior has unveiled an exclusive new pop-up store at Nammos Dubai. Situated on Dubai’s Jumeirah beach, the unique Dior installation is composed of two circular modules.

These innovative spaces were first crafted in 2021 and have made a return for the 2022 winter season to house an exclusive pop-up store.

Unveiled inside are Maria Grazia Chiuri’s creations imagined for the Dior cruise 2023 collection, including skirts, dresses and marinières, as well as emblematic accessories imbued with the Andalusian inspirations of the show.

A selection of original new pieces – exclusively available in Dubai  – celebrates this sunny destination. As an ultimate surprise, the restaurant and beach are adorned in toile de Jouy, an iconic Dior signature.

The unique structures were made using natural materials – combining clay, sand and organic fibres ­– using an exceptional 3D printing system produced by WASP*. This hi-tech feat pushes the boundaries of savoir-faire for the Italian manufacturer which, for the first time**, like a digital tailor, has created a habitable structure in proportions never seen before.

In a fascinating architectural interplay, the cannage motif, a key House fundamental, is revealed on the walls of this responsible and audacious setting that opens its doors to a pop-up store for the second year running.

The popup is available to be discovered from October 26, 2022, to May 15, 2023.

Audemars Piguet combines high jewellery with watchmaking for a celebration collection.

Audemars Piguet is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its iconic Royal Oak watch with a reinvention of the traditional rainbow in the form of two Royal Oak Selfwinding sets in 37 and 41 mm. Instead of playing with iridescent colours on one single watch, these two new watches are illuminated by an array of colourful gemstones, giving personality and audacity to the pieces. The two sets are composed of ten white gold self-winding hours, minutes and seconds timepieces, each entirely paved with a different baguette-cut gemstone so as to form a rainbow when all the pieces are put side by side.

Each watch features over 800 baguette-cut coloured stones of the exact same hue, all meticulously selected and custom-cut to offer intense and pure colours. The gem-setting was accomplished by long-time partner of the brand Salanitro, a company specialised in watch manufacturing and stone setting. A first in the watchmaking industry, the Royal Oak Selfwinding Rainbow sets build on Audemars Piguet’s long legacy of avant-garde high-jewellery timepieces, while pushing the art of gem-setting to new heights.

Finding the right stones, colours and contrasts, while responding to Audemars Piguet’s strict criteria of colour, clarity and quality, was a crucial step in the design of the rainbow sets and no easy task. The sourcing of the perfect stones took approximately a year. Each gemstone also went through an intensive quality control process. After a rigorous selection done by the supplier, an additional check was carried out at Audemars Piguet to ensure full homogeneity amongst the coloured gemstones selected per watch. Lastly, the purity and natural origin of each stone was then verified by an external laboratory.

The stones featured in this exclusive collection include rubies, emeralds, blue sapphires, as well as Tanzanites, yellow chrysoberyls, pink tourmalines, amethysts, blue topaz, orange spessartites and tsavorites. These particular stones were selected for the colour and vibrancy that will glow on the wrist of their own. To match the architecture of the Royal Oak case, bracelet and dial, the gemstones have been individually cut in baguettes of 179 different sizes for the 41 mm models, and 153 sizes for the 37 mm, before being polished by hand to present sharp and clear angles. The custom-cut baguettes not only need to be clean to the naked eye, their lines and stepped facets have to be perfectly symmetrical and aligned to let the light shine through and emphasise the stone’s purity and transparency.

“With these sets available in two sizes, we went off the beaten track to create an unprecedented rainbow with ten bold timepieces, each decorated with a different gemstone. We selected some of the world’s purest and most vivid stones, including emeralds, rubies, tourmalines, tanzanites, tsavorites, chrysoberyls and spessartites. A challenge as we had to find some 800 gemstones per watch, all with the exact same colour and the highest level of quality.” Said Nathalie Barzilay, Audemars Piguet’s Head Gemmologist.

To give pride of place to the gemstones and use as little material possible between them, the Manufacture chose the intricate technique of invisible gem-setting for the dial and bracelet links. Tiny grooves have been delicately incised in the baguette-cut stones, which are then carefully snapped one by one into a hidden rail mounted in the gold component, giving the impression that they are holding on their own. The complexity also lies in reaching flawless alignment between the different stones once set – a painstaking task requiring extreme precision. This painstaking process can only be done by a few artisans in the world and took over a month and a half per artist.

“The invisible gem-setting has influenced the entire fabrication process of the dial and bracelet links, from their construction and manufacturing, which has to be extremely precise, to their finishing. The aesthetic advantage of invisible gem-setting is that we do not see the material holding the custom-cut stones, as they are fixed from beneath thanks to metal rails.” Said Pierre Salanitro Founder of Salanitro.

Building on the Manufacture’s long legacy of high-jewellery watches, the two new Royal Oak Selfwinding sets present a new generation of rainbow watches exploring and reinterpreting the colours of the rainbow collectively. Yet, each timepiece also tells its own story based on the flamboyant gemstones it adorns. Blending age-old techniques with ever-more contemporary design, the gem-setting of these Royal Oak timepieces ultimately accentuates the collection’s multifaceted architecture, while offering unprecedented plays of light.

Born in Syria, designer and artist Moulham Obid’s couture collections are defined by his highly detailed creations which are handcrafted over hundreds of hours.

His work features intricate patterns artistic draping and pleats to capture a vision of modern femininity which elevates his client’s individuality. His designs reveal the client’s desire to present a mixture of modern linear structure with romantic imaginative femininity. All the while framing the character of the client and her tastes. Obid was nominated for the Ready-To-Wear prize at Fashion Trust Arabia, we find out more about his journey. 

How does it feel to have your work recognised by the FTA Prize?

For a long time, we young Arab designers were marginalised. Don’t get me wrong, when there is a will, there is a way. But the Arab world needed an initiative such as the FTA to push its young fashion designers and creative youth to the forefront. Being recognised by the FTA prize confirmed to me that I am there and that I have succeeded in creating a beautiful, sustainable and winning concept in my own world of fashion, as the other fellow finalists did. 

Tell us about your brand and your journey to where you are today as well as the materials you work with.

I was born in Syria, where I studied Fine Arts. However, my fashion journey started in Vienna, the home of my early inspiration, Gustav Klimt. I moved to Vienna in 2014 to study fashion design and start a career in the industry, which ended up leading to the launch of my brand in 2018. My couture collections are defined by exciting sustainable detailed creations, which are handcrafted over hundreds of hours. From recycling used textiles and clothes to choosing eco-friendly natural and organic materials, my design captures a vision of modern femininity for a better future. I think my creations elevate my client’s individuality while keeping sustainability in the front row of every design I create. More than that, with elaborate patterns, artistic draping and pleats, my designs reveal the client’s desire to present a mixture of modern linear structure with imaginative romantic femininity.

I tend to create sophisticated and extravagant pieces, by mixing diverse materials to produce standout contemporary, sustainable, feminine silhouettes. I also like to arrange sheer tulle ruffles amongst cascades of silks while skilfully placing intricate hand-embroidered details onto my creations. My collections reveal my fine feeling for complex volumes and modern proportions. As my work is first derived through an artistic scope, I then transport these visions into unique individual pieces that speak to every modern woman. 

What can you tell us about your latest collections?

This is the first bridal collection for Moulham Obid and it was made by my new team in Syria. 

Can you share a little about how the FTA prize is helping emerging designers worldwide?

Under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser and her excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad, young designers from the MENA region get the chance to be exposed to the world through FTA. Prior to that, such designers were marginalised as well as struggled to even start their businesses. The FTA prize gives the opportunity to such designers not only to be exposed to the world, bringing attention to their work and potentially supporting their businesses but also give them a chance to win a prize of up to 200,000 USD to start their own business. Furthermore, FTA provides mentorship to the finalists during their time in Doha, in addition, to further more focused mentorship if they win. 

What is a message you would send to the organisers and also to the industry in the Middle East?

I would say a HUGE thank you to the organisers of FTA. I have had a very successful week and looking forward to further working with all the people I have met in Doha. As for the industry in the Middle East, take notes please, this is the way you do fashion, just like in Qatar. Furthermore, the fact that FTA prize recognised my work means that the fashion industry, which FTA is a significant part of, has started taking sustainability really seriously, as my work represents exactly that. 

What has been the highlight for you?

Meeting with Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa and explaining my concept to her, which she appreciated and supported. I am very thankful for that. 

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

On the runway in the Arab World, where fashion is by then very much part of the mainstream, as well as in Paris, New York and London. 

Can you tell us about your creative process?

it starts always by having a concept and inspiration board or moodboard, of the design, then finding the right fabric, making a Toile and then realising the design from the selected fabric. 

What’s the biggest challenge you face with your own brand?

Cheap, fast, copycat fashion.  

Where did your passion for design begin?

When I was a little kid, startled by the pictures of my mom’s wedding, her dress was just BEAUTIFUL! 

Who or what inspires you the most? 

Nature and Arab culture, are both very deeply embedded in fashion. 

What is the motto that you live by?

Everything happens for a reason  

Rixos Premium Dubai is the perfect getaway for those who want the best of both worlds – a relaxing experience, with plenty of options to party, all in the middle of the city.

Located in a prime location on the beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence, Rixos Premium Dubai is the perfect weekend escape for UAE residents. A two-night stay at this impressive property is perfect for a combination of relaxation and partying, and there’s plenty to explore!

Rixos Premium Dubai

Upon arriving at the hotel, prepare to be impressed by the high ceilings and huge lobby entrance, Rixos Premium Dubai is home to a host of restaurants, nightlife venues and shopping destinations so expect to find it busy at all times as it’s a hub of activity and a must-visit destination for tourists and residents alike. After check-in, you’ll be escorted upstairs to your room where you’ll find a much more serene atmosphere.

The 414 rooms in the hotel cover a vast range of floors. We highly recommend staying on one of the higher floors if you can, in order to experience the panoramic views of Dubai and the ocean from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Rooms & Suites

With a staggering 414 rooms and suites, Rixos Premium Dubai has plenty of options to suit a range of guests. All rooms feature impressive views of the Arabian Gulf and Ain Dubai or the Dubai skyline. Prepare to have your breath taken away by the scenery – the higher the floor, the better the view! Rooms range from a Deluxe Room up to two Bedroom suites depending on each guest’s needs and preference. If there are two of you on your visit, we recommend the One Bedroom Suites which feature ample space to relax, work or party – whatever you fancy!

The hotel’s interiors are sleek and understated with clean lines and modern furnishings throughout. The rooms feature bold touches of colour to add a playful edge to the interiors. The rooms are perfect for lounging into the evening as you watch the sunset over the nearby Ain Dubai. The large bathrooms feature an impressive bathtub which is perfect for a long relaxing bath before heading out for the evening.

Dining & Nightlife

With nine restaurants and bars on-site there are plenty of reasons to celebrate at Rixos Premium Dubai – in fact, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Turquoise restaurant

Start your day with breakfast at Turquoise Restaurant, the hotel’s all-day-dining destination. Offering a combination of authentic Turkish and International cuisine Turquoise has an array of dishes on offer from day to night. Enjoy a lazy breakfast with hot and cold dishes to satisfy your palette.

Azure Beach

After breakfast head outside to Azure Beach, the hotel’s in-house beach club and restaurant. We highly recommend booking ahead as Azure is a very popular Dubai destination. The private islands are the best way to experience Azure with your own secluded haven next to the water.  Relax by the pool as you embrace the warm weather and soak up the sea views. The menu is focused on Asian fusion cuisine with a delicious offering of sushi, pizzas and fresh hot and cold dishes that will take you back to your last holiday by the Mediterranean sea. Depending on the day of your stay Azure has a number of deals and events happening throughout the week, including ladies’ day.

Azure Beach

If you are arriving in a large group, the exclusive cabanas are perfect for an elevated day experience. Available for groups of up to 6 or 12 people these private areas included their own individual plunge pool, sunbeds and an exclusive area. The cabanas are available with a variety of curated food and drinks packages.

STK

As the sun goes down you’ll be spoilt for dining options. Our personal favourite choice is STK which combines fine food with a party experience. Hailing from London STK is known for its modern dining experience of a living party atmosphere, accompanied by five-star food. Of course, steak is on the menu with a selection of prime cuts to choose from as well as delicious fish dishes and fabulous starters.

STK

Much like Azure, STK also has various events throughout the week so depending on the day of your stay there’s always something to do including Ladies’ Night on a Tuesday and the popular brunch Rare on a Friday and Saturday evening. If you’re visiting over the weekend this is not to be missed – expect to have a fabulous time!

LSB

After dinner, if you’re still in the party mood head over to the nearby bar LSB. LSB is one of the city’s favourite bars with live music, great food and of course a wide selection of drinks. It’s the perfect location to catch up with friends and either enjoy a laid-back evening or dance the night away. For the guys, LSB also shows live sporting events and it’s great for a Sunday roast!

Spa & Wellness

Naturelife Spa Premium

Naturelife Spa Premium combines the best of Middle Eastern luxury with Turkish-inspired treatments designed to allow you to focus on relaxation and wellbeing. The spa features a traditional Turkish Hamman which can be experienced alone, as a couple or with a group of friends. The authentic experience is one of the best in the UAE and it promises to leave you feeling relaxed and revived. Choose from a range of treatments carefully curated to combine the best of the west and the east. The spa also features a steam room, sauna, ice fountain, and our bespoke couple’s suite.

Naturelife Spa Premium

For those hoping to keep fit during their stay the on-site gym allows you to work out in style with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment. Work out overlooking the ocean as you gaze through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The RixGym features weight machines, free weights, bicycles, treadmills and elliptical trainers. There is also a programme of daily complimentary fitness classes, available for guests at the outdoor fitness area.

For more information and to book visit https://www.rixos.com/en/hotel-resort/rixos-premium-dubai-jbr

Breitling introduces the first watch in its journey to do better when it comes to sustainability.

Breitling has revealed its first-ever “traceable watch” as part of the brand’s mission to become more sustainable. The new Super Chronomat Automatic 38 Origins is designed to inform and engage owners about the origin of its precious materials with a specialised blockchain process. With each watch, a provenance record on the owner’s blockchain-backed NFT details the responsible measures taken along the supply chain for the watch’s artisanal gold and lab-grown diamonds, with all information independently verified.

The watch’s design is intended to make a statement and features a stylish finish which can be adapted from day to night. Taking it to another level the watch features ceramic rider tabs and crown, and the rubber rouleaux bracelet, only available with this supercharged line.

Gold Refining

“Breitling is on a mission to create beautiful products and experiences with better materials and better manufacturing,” said Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling. “Our roadmap begins here with the proof-of-concept Super Chronomat Origins.” 

Refining and Polishing

The watch marks the beginning of Breitling’s mission to do better and is the first key moment to bring more responsible gold and diamonds to the brand’s portfolio. Breitling is embarking on a journey to bring artisanal gold and lab-grown diamonds, responsibly sourced from accredited suppliers to its products, as well as introducing end-to-end traceability. By 2025 this mission will be in place, further confirming the brand’s commitment to this issue.

Touchstone Mine Colombia

“Consumers are increasingly reflecting on the products they buy and what goes into them. We want to give them those answers upfront,” said Kern. “Super Chronomat Origins is one step on a transformative journey at Breitling. This is just the beginning.” 

lab grown diamonds

For Super Chronomat Origins, Breitling has sourced gold from a single artisanal mine that meets the Swiss Better Gold Association’s criteria. The association improves working, living and environmental conditions in artisanal and small-scale (ASM) gold mining communities and facilitates the creation of responsible supply chains for the Swiss market.

Touchstone Mine Colombia

Breitling is working toward having all of its gold traceable to specific ASM mines by 2025. For every gram of gold purchased, Breitling makes a contribution that supports local community development projects. Communities in turn benefit from infrastructure investment, legal wages, healthy working conditions, protection of biodiversity and, at the close of mining activities, land rehabilitation.

Touchstone Mine Colombia reforestation

The lab-grown diamonds used in the Super Chronomat Origins feature type IIa single-crystal diamonds, which qualify as the most valued and purest type of diamonds. They are created by applying gas and heat to a diamond slice in a vacuum. Under the heat, the gas develops into a cloud of plasma, creating conditions that allow the diamond to crystallise and grow. Lab-grown diamonds are identical to mined diamonds and are subject to the same rigorous quality testing.

By 2024, Breitling will have completed a transition to lab-grown diamonds across its entire product portfolio, all of them traceable to growers who meet a high standard of social and environmental performance in addition to a stringent requirement of climate neutrality. For every carat purchased, Breitling makes a contribution to a social impact fund that supports diamond-producing communities.

And finally, in the brand’s step to offering its customers full traceability Super Chronomat Origins owners will receive a precious materials’ provenance record as part of their blockchain-backed NFT. Within this, the full supply chain—from raw material to finished product—is documented both on the owner’s NFT and publicly on an online source map, with all information independently verified.

This new watch is supported by a campaign featuring Two-time Olympic gold medallist Chloe Kim. The snowboarder became the youngest woman to win gold in the halfpipe when she was just 17. With an informed interest in improving our planet, Chloe works with Protect our Winters to safeguard alpine areas from the effects of climate change. Of her Super Chronomat Origins, Chloe Kim said, “I loved this watch from the moment I saw it. The white strap and dial, and the sparkle of the diamonds are like the reflection of sun on snow, so it has a personal connection for me as a snowboarder. As an advocate for sustainability, I believe in this watch’s mission. We all have a responsibility to question where our products come from and to put a preference on brands that go the extra mile to source ethically. I know this effort will set a precedent.” 

As part of the Cruise 2023 collection Maria Grazia Chiuri reinvents the iconic Dior Bar Jacket once again. An icon for almost a century the Bar jacket was first presented by Christian Dior in 1947.

With its ground-breaking modern shape, the Bar jacket set off a fashion movement at its time and became one of the most desired pieces by society’s high-flying women.

This season the Bar Jacket returns as part of the Cruise 2023 collection. Much like the full collection, the new addition of this icon is inspired by the area of Seville in Spain and its traditions.

© ANDREA CENETIEMPO

The jacket is presented with a high neck and multiple buttons adding detailing on the cuffs and body celebrating Andalusian culture and savoir-faire. It pays a particular tribute to Chinese culture through the use of Pankou buttons.

© ANDREA CENETIEMPO

Grazia Chiuri worked with talented local artisans as she oversaw the creation process blending the finest in savoir-faire with Traditional crafts. We take a closer look at the creation process behind this elegant look.

© ANDREA CENETIEMPO

© ANDREA CENETIEMPO

© ANDREA CENETIEMPO

© ANDREA CENETIEMPO

© ANDREA CENETIEMPO

Valérie Messika has been disrupting the jewellery industry since her brand began in 2005. As the daughter of famous diamond merchant André Messika, Valérie has been surrounded by jewellery and diamonds her whole life.

This inspired her to start her own line, taking diamond jewellery in a new direction and creating contemporary pieces that offer a unique take on what jewellery is about, and allow the wearer to express her individuality with a completely different take on jewellery design. Over the past 15 years Valerie has affirmed her place in the industry and has been growing at an impressive rate for a relatively new brand, but this year she has opened a new chapter with the launch of her first ever high jewellery collection.

Moving into a space that is saturated with many incredible jewellers with hundreds of years of history was a bold move, but a challenge Valérie was ready to take on. The “Beyond the Light” collection launched earlier this year at Paris Fashion Week when it was presented to a star-studded audience. The presentation itself pushed the boundaries of high jewellery, offering a new edgy way of showcasing jewels of this kind. The designs reflected those of the Maison’s previous collections but in terms of materials and craftsmanship, took the brand to a new level. The collection is inspired by ancient Egypt and features a beautiful collaboration with Valérie’s brother Ilan, who is a diamond merchant like her father. Here we find out more about the collection and the future of this journey into high jewellery for the Maison.

Valérie et André Messika

Tell us about the past year at Messika and what you have been working on?

I wanted to take a new step forward in High jewellery in 2022 and create a collection featuring exceptional stones and this is how “Beyond the Light” was born. It is a special collection, that is close to my heart. It combines a beautiful family story and strong inspiration from ancient Egypt. The more I advanced in my research for this new collection, the more the subject became a part of me and resonated with me; a bit like a piece of music that stays with you forever.

The new high jewellery collection Beyond the Light celebrates Ancient Egypt – tell us more about the inspiration behind this collection.  

Ancient Egypt is a breathtaking civilisation, both in terms of its architecture and its history. It has an air of mystery that fascinates all generations. Its mythology and spirituality are also very inspiring. This collection however was not a literal inspiration from Egypt but rather a reinterpretation of its forms, its symbols and its energy. I wanted to take them to something different, to stimulate a contemporary and modern dynamic around this fascinating ancient civilisation.

Tell us about your choice of stones and materials in this collection. 

As I worked on this theme, I also followed the project led by my brother, Ilan. He was working on an extraordinary rough diamond of 110 carats, from which he extracted 15 masterful stones. It is these stones that illuminate the centrepiece of this collection “Akh-Ba-Ka”. Our projects came together naturally, as a matter of course. A family story intertwining around a common passion. And because I’m on a mission to make unique creations, which break the codes, I wanted to go somewhere unexpected. I wanted to take this fascination with Ancient Egypt to the extreme by paying homage to this period while creating something modern and new. And in this case, by using white gold instead of yellow gold for the centrepiece.

Is there a particular piece in the collection that has a special story or has a particular significance to you?

The Akh-Ba-Ka set is a symbol of my collaboration with my brother Ilan and it represents a very beautiful emotion. I draw great strength from my family; it is an essential inspiration for me which helps me to surpass myself, and this has been the case from the very beginning of Maison Messika. I was able to transmit all this beautiful energy to my brother Ilan. When I told him of my decision to acquire all 15 diamonds, I felt it meant a lot to him too. Beyond the challenge, it was a gesture of recognition of his work. A beautiful transmission of energy between brother and sister. For my brother, a diamond dealer, there was also something magical about seeing the design take shape little by little, to witness the whole process of creation around these 15 diamonds from the same family. Fifteen stones, all different sizes, have found their place perfectly in the same set. They illuminate each other. For him, this story is a bit like siblings, where each member, despite their personality or their own style, complements and reveals the beauty of the other.

When creating high jewellery pieces how do you ensure they remain modern and relevant whilst using traditional techniques?

As opposed to the prestigious houses of Place Vendôme that have centuries of rich archives and distinctive styles, all of my creations start with a blank page. It allows me to create modern pieces and disrupt the codes set by the industry. At Messika, each new collection is a real jump into the void. I am partial to certain jewellery techniques over others; however, I always start the process without a precise brief, which helps my team and I to push the limits of jewellery further and present something fresh and unprecedented every time.

With my teams, we have climbed heights in terms of inventiveness, self-transcendence and craftsmanship. Each creative questioning has allowed us to invent and renew ourselves, both in terms of design and technical responses; for example, the work in faceted gold mirror polish that makes up the wings of the scarab in Akh-Ba-Ka or the challenge of designing transformable pieces. It has been a unique and unforgettable adventure for us all.

Who was your muse for this collection?

To be perfectly honest, my first encounter with Egypt came thanks to the cinema. Films like “The Ten Commandments” or “Cleopatra” marked my imagination very early in my life. I remember Elizabeth Taylor, sporting incredible costumes and adornments. These are somewhat “vintage” films today, but I wanted to take all these motifs in a futuristic, more contemporary direction. I wanted to twist these fairly popular references and symbols to create new and avant-garde designs.

Can you share a little about your creative process and what inspires you?

I draw my inspiration from everything around me. The more you train your eyes to see the beauty around you, the more inspiration you find. As a travel enthusiast, I am inspired by art and architecture, and by the women, I meet around the world. I also find inspiration in music, which is something I am passionate about. I grew up in Paris, the fashion capital of the world, and used to visit famous ateliers like Chanel and Dior regularly. I was enthralled by how elaborate details are added to the pieces by hand, and above all, what a playful process it was. I wanted to make jewellery fun and dynamic, like fashion, instead of feeling heavy and serious. And that mission is the driving force behind my creative process whenever I start working on a new project.

What can you tell us about Messika in the Middle East and can we expect to see you back here any time soon?

Messika has received a lot of love from the region since its inception. The Middle East was home to the first Messika boutique that opened outside of Paris and has since become a second home to me as well. I always make sure to visit the region at least once a year, both for business and leisure.

As a brand you continue to grow and the reaction to Messika seems to have been fantastic – tell us more about where the brand is at today and what is your vision?

My goal since the very beginning has been to reinvent the richly symbolic and meaningful diamond into a desirable and disruptive object that lends self-confidence to anyone who wears it. Messika constantly innovates to realise this vision, creating new designs and new techniques – conceiving jewellery that is as individual as it is explosive.

Our Maison has been successfully setting trends since 2005; bringing a liberating breath of fresh air to the jewellery industry. Our philosophy is based on making the diamond come alive: making it move and dance. I want to make wearing diamonds every day fun and never boring.

What can you tell us about what else is in the pipeline for the rest of the year and next year?

In October we presented the Beyond the Light collection on the runway during Paris Fashion Week and we are planning to continue in this direction next year and showcase our 2023 High-jewellery collection during Paris Fashion Week as well. For the rest of this year, you can expect to see more novelties in the fine jewellery category as well as the debut of our charity line MESSIKA CARE(S). Through this launch, our Maison is committed to helping the poorest in Lebanon – a country ravaged by multiple crises. For each piece of jewellery purchased, 100 Euro will be donated via the Valérie Messika Foundation to the CARE NGO that has local teams on the ground to help support this mission.

What is the professional motto that you live by?

Dare, on a daily basis…

It takes a certain courage to launch a High jewellery show during Fashion Week and even more to make it last. It was also extremely daring to bring High jewellery into the world of fashion. A way to open a new door, making them more accessible and “cool”, so to speak, for these exceptional pieces, which aspire to be worn more freely.

How would you describe this collection in one sentence?

Ancient Egypt through Messika’s modern lens. This collection is about going beyond light, beyond reality, and surpassing oneself and that is exactly what Beyond the Light evokes for me.

Seeing the beauty of the world, preserving it, and above all, enriching it, are values that have continuously influenced Cartier’s philosophy since the beginning.

The new high jewellery collection reaffirms these values as it celebrates the jeweller’s ability to create beauty through design, the tension of lines, geometry and abstraction. Clean lines balance with the interplay of stones to amplify the elements of nature and culture that inspire the collection, creating masterpieces of design and craftsmanship.

“This collection enriches the Cartier vocabulary from all the natural beauty it embodies, through treasures from the sea, exotic animals, succulent plants with delectable fruit, or intriguing traditional objects, from both here and elsewhere.” Explains Pierre Rainero, Image, style and heritage Director of Cartier. Featuring the finest coloured gemstones, diamonds and metals, Cartier’s expert artisans have created a collection that showcases the best of the Maison’s abilities in a timeless yet contemporary way.

“Beautés du Monde is born from the desire to recognize and pay tribute to the beauty of the world wherever it may be, through the stones we chose and that reflect the elements of nature as well as the cultures that inspired this new collection. The designer interprets the emotional message and the beauty that each stone carries.” Said Pierre Rainero. The Maison’s Craftsman took on the challenge to recreate beautiful objects of nature in a way that’s both elegant and modern. Working over a series of months each piece was made from start to finish by hand by some of the world’s most skilled artisans.

“This collection is about seeing the beauty of the world, preserving it, and above all, enriching it. These are values that have continuously influenced Cartier’s philosophy. Through the material and the volume, the light and the colours, each piece is a source of stimulation for our imagination, showcasing the beauty of nature and of worldwide cultures, hence the name. Every collection is an opportunity to unveil a new and distinctive aspect of the Cartier style, a style as you know that is unique and multi-faceted at the same time. In this collection, Cartier’s codes are present in the colour combinations, the different shapes and volume of the stones, their particular settings and the overall design of the pieces, where all the materials are assembled.” Explains Rainero.

“A collection is a family.” He said. “Each piece has a specific character and brings its own touch to the collection. It has a special connection with the person wearing it. This special connection is very different from one another. Stones are always at the heart of our creations and collections. We consider all of them as the key to spread emotions through our High Jewellery pieces.” We discover some of the highlight pieces of the collection.

The Nouchali necklace

The Nouchali necklace features a stylised approach to a water lily, capturing the centre of this aquatic flower with a unique sculpture. The centre of the necklace has a true ‘wow factor’ thanks to its central 10.61-carat rubellite, which is surrounded by diamond petals and onyx, creating an impression of volume. The petals are geometrically shaped to create symmetry and a design reflective of the brand’s DNA. The design of this necklace features a “trembling” setting, which animates the petals by allowing them to vibrate slightly at the slightest movement. The centrepiece is complemented by a long necklace featuring lilac-coloured chalcedony beads. Each bead was threaded one by one to create a light and delicate drop.

The Water Aspis

The Water Aspis is a true expression of Cartier style, featuring a flexible water snake decorate with the finest blue sapphires, triangular diamonds and lapis lazuli. At the centre of the necklace are five impressive Ceylon sapphire cabochons that punctuate the body of the snake with an intense blue hue. Geometric shapes follow the lines of the snake with openwork between them as it hugs the neck.

The Recif necklace

The Recif necklace is inspired by the marine ecosystem, celebrating the beauty of coral reefs with a bold and bright design. Lush green emerald and coral-hued beads are positioned along a diamond atoll for an intense chronomantic contrast. The statement appearance is further enhanced by the twisting movement given to the coral and emerald beads which allow the white sparkle of the diamonds to shine through.

The Apatura

The Apatura piece is inspired by the captivating colours of a butterfly wing. Featuring three stunning Australian opals weighing 22.08 carats at its centre, this piece makes a bold statement. The iridescent opals are framed by geometrical motifs composed of diamond bars and blue sapphire beads whose shade of colour echoes the opal’s fire. It is not a question of reproducing a butterfly figuratively, but of suggesting it through an abstract composition, a display of shimmering colours that evoke the idea of the most marvellous of insects from far and wide. This versatile necklace can also be worn with or without a pendant and the pendant can alternatively be worn as a brooch.

The Rituel necklace

The Rituel necklace pays tribute to the beauty of embellishments with a close connection to traditional Mesoamerican jewellery. Composed of a double row of azure chalcedony beads the necklace unfolds to showcase an iridescent constellation of rubies. Subtle and delicate, the patterns alternate between diamond cones and faceted rubies that seem to hang without any link between them through an invisible setting. Its graphic lines feature soft turquoise cabochon-cut chalcedony with soft pink and blue tones highlighted by intense black onyx.

The Iwana necklace

The Iwana necklace was inspired by the skin of a green iguana. Featuring diamonds and emeralds it lays across the neck in perfect symmetry. The scales of the creature are further emphasised by a geometric succession of diamond-paved triangles, creating an open-work between each other. Three Colombian emeralds weighing 43.45 carats finish the remarkable piece.

A collection of captivating cocktail rings draws inspiration from the depths of the deep and its unique beauty. Statement pieces recreated some of the sea’s creatures in a unique and modern way, designed as if they were sculptures. All of the rings are enhanced by an interplay of coloured stones and diamonds.

Triangular diamonds, purple spinels, cabochon tourmalines or green diamonds: the stones in each of the rings, beloved by the Maison for their extra touch of soul, are a testament to the originality of Cartier’s choices.

The story of Tashas began in Natasha Sideris’ home country of South Africa. After embarking on a journey to redefine casual dining in the country, she then expanded to the UAE with the opening of the first tashas café in Dubai. Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength, becoming Tasha’s Group in 2020 with a vast restaurant portfolio across the UAE and South Africa. You may recognise some of the Group’s destinations including Avli, Flamingo Room by tashas, Galaxy Bar and of course, tashas.

But with so much competition in the UAE today, how does Natasha stand out from competitors? Firstly it is the quality of food and service she provides, as well as the unique designs and authenticity of her properties. But it’s not always easy. Here we find out more about the story of Tashas Group, the challenges and the expectations for the future.

Congratulations on the success of Tashas Group – tell us about the story behind Tashas Group and how you came to be where you are today.

The story of how Tashas Group began goes back 17 years when I opened my first tashas café in Johannesburg. I set out to redefine casual dining by creating a stunning space with beautiful food and engaging service – something that, back then, didn’t really exist. Over the next nine years, we expanded our footprint in South Africa opening another ten tashas locations in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. In 2014, after being approached by my now business partner, we set sights on expanding into the UAE, and our first location opened in Dubai.

Spending time in this region, I realised that there were opportunities to create new concepts and, in 2017, Flamingo Room by tashas was born out of my love for my home in South Africa. It was met with resounding acclaim which gave me the confidence to create Avli by tashas and Galaxy Bar, inspired by my Greek heritage and the resilient culture of one of my favourite cities in the world, Athens. I am so grateful that all three have been very successful.

In 2008, we went into a joint venture with a publicly listed company in South Africa that bought a large share of the business. In 2020, I bought them out and this is when we actually became Tashas Group. They were fantastic partners, but their goals and objectives were different from ours. Taking back control of the business allowed us to focus on the expansion and concept creation that I find so inspiring.

It has been an incredible journey and in so many ways, I feel that we are still at the beginning. Tashas Group is so much more than just me. I have an incredible team that is instrumental in building the company and the culture that I have always dreamed of.

Avli

We hear you have plans to expand, can you tell us about this?

Over the next 7 months, we will be opening 5 new locations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and London. It’s incredibly exciting – and overwhelming in equal measure.

In December, we are opening a brand-new beach concept called Bungalo34 located at the Pearl Jumeirah. It is inspired by the rivieras of Greece, France and Italy, this restaurant is where 70’s glamour meets beachside chic. While I told my team that I was going to stop creating new concepts, this location was too amazing, and it inspired me to create something completely different!

In the first quarter of 2023, we will be opening Flamingo Room by tashas in both Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. Each of the locations will have a Collective Africa, our luxury retail concept inspired by Africa, and African Lounge, serving decadent high tea, elegant afro-fusion bites and delicious non-alcoholic cocktails. Flamingo Room in Abu Dhabi will also have an exclusive new bar called Perlage.

Then, in early 2023, we will be opening Nala, creating a new category which we are calling “luxury fast food”. The concept will offer freshly prepared meals using natural ingredients that are sustainably sourced and feature unique, unexpected flavours and dishes inspired by African and Middle Eastern cultures.

If that is not enough, we are expanding our footprint into Europe, opening our first tashas in London in the middle of next year.

What does it mean to you to be of the few groups in the hospitality industry with many brands that were born and bred in the UAE?

I am honoured that we are one of the few groups in the hospitality industry with many brands that were born and bred in the UAE. While I was born and raised in South Africa, Dubai is now my home. I find it an incredibly inspiring place to live and work where the sky is the limit. As a result, it allows me to tap into my creativity and develop new concepts where there is a market for new opportunities.

Avli

What is your vision and ultimate goal for the company?

That is a great question. My vision is to grow an international hospitality company, with a number of successful concepts targeting different market segments, that is loved by our customers and is one of the greatest organisations to work for.

Tell us a little more about the offerings you have and what is unique about your dining concepts.

Every one of our concepts is influenced by “Beautiful food, stunning environments and engaging service”. Using this foundation, we have created a number of concepts:

tashas – My namesake and more casual café concept. While the brand ethos runs through every location, each one is unique in its own way both from a design and offering perspective.

Flamingo Room by tashas – It is an elevated dining concept inspired by African Glamour and my original home of South Africa. There is currently one in Jumeirah Al Naseem with two more locations opening in Riyadh, in Diriyah Gate, and in Abu Dhabi.

African Lounge – This concept will sit within the Flamingo Rooms in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi and is inspired by the tented safari camps that I have visited in Africa.

Avli by tashas – Another elevated dining concept, inspired by my Greek heritage. We currently have one location in the DIFC and will be opening other locations in the future.

Galaxy Bar – Located next to Avli, I am proud to say that Galaxy Bar is one of World’s 50 Best Bars. It is a beautiful cocktail lounge inspired by the night sky in Athens.

Le Parc by tashas – This is a concept that is very dear to my heart which opened in Johannesburg in 2021, inspired by the stylish cafés and much-loved food and flower markets of Paris. We plan to open one in the region in the near future.

Bungalo34 – Just when I told my team I wouldn’t create any more concepts, Bungalo34 was born. The location at Pearl Jumeirah is one of a kind so this casual, chic beach concept was born.

Nala – As mentioned above, Nala is a luxury fast food concept that will open in Dubai early next year. While the first one will launch in Dubai, it is distinctly influenced by Africa.

We are also involved in two joint ventures and while they are not dining brands, they are an important part of our portfolio:

Collective Africa – A luxury retail concept that sits within all of our Flamingo Room locations as well as at Bungalo34. It offers products that are inspired by Africa and curated from around the world.

1701 – Founded in South Africa, we are working with this luxury nougat brand to establish them in the GCC.

How would you assess the UAE’s hospitality industry today – what do you think is missing and what do you think there is too much of?

The hospitality industry in the UAE is vibrant and growing. There are so many incredible restaurants and concepts that I don’t think anything is missing. I would say that there are too many burger chains – but this is an issue, not only in Dubai but also globally.

I think that my only worry is that we reach a point of saturation where there are too many restaurants and not enough people. However, Dubai is doing an incredible job at attracting more people to live in the region as well as visit here so hopefully, this won’t happen.

With so much competition how do you ensure you stand out in the market?

I believe that one of the most critical aspects of standing out in the market is our dedication to never-ending improvement. We are constantly reinvesting in our interiors, innovating our menus and up-skilling our team members. There is always a fine balance between pushing boundaries and staying true to the essence of a concept and not following every trend. Striking that balance that helps us to remain competitive. To stay competitive, we must stay relevant in the eyes of our customers, keep them at the heart of everything we do and continue to meet the high expectations that they have of us.

We see many concepts come and go over the years – how do you ensure the longevity of your restaurants?

To ensure longevity, we can’t rest on our laurels – not even for a minute. We need to make sure that every single member of our team is committed to the never-ending pursuit of excellence. This means that we are constantly improving, innovating and, at the same time, making sure that we consistently deliver what our customers expect from us.

Tell us some of your favourite dishes that we have to try?

I have so many favourite dishes – but here are my absolute favourites:

tashas

Steak Tagliata

Parmesan Chicken Cous Cous

Jett & Luke’s Mini Breakfast Rolls

Flamingo Room by tashas

Calamari Mozambique

Salmon Wellington

Texas Salad

Avli by tashas

Lamb Youvetsi

Dakos Salad

Tuna Tartare

What inspires you to create new concepts?

There are so many things that inspire me to create new concepts. Firstly, travel. I love travelling and seeing new ideas, cultures and concepts. Secondly, my team. I am surrounded by many inspiring people that have such extraordinary ideas – like Neydine Bak from Verhaal, with whom I have collaborated with on many projects as an interior designer and Alex Avgitidis and Melpo Theodorou, of AM Branding that does all the brand design for our concepts. Lastly, I am inspired when I see a space that we can totally transform into something very special as we have with Bungalo34 and Avli by tashas as two examples.

How do you choose chefs and talents to collaborate with?

Choosing the right chefs and talent is all about synergy and shared values. One of the critical things is that they are able to be flexible, adapt and truly collaborate in working towards the vision that I have.

As well, I like to work with people that are able to execute the vision we create and not be influenced by trends and social media.

What is something you would still like to do that you haven’t done yet?

We are actually in the midst of finalising a number of concepts that I have always wanted to do – a beach restaurant with Bungalo34, a fast-casual concept with Nala and a beautiful tearoom with African Lounge. I can’t think of anything past this that I haven’t done yet – but I am sure something new will inspire me!

What do you say no to?

I say no to concepts that don’t feel authentic to me and my heritage. As an example, I wouldn’t open an Asian restaurant – even though I love the food. I say no to bad-quality ingredients. The quality of the ingredients is a critical component of the overall taste and texture of a dish. I say no to fake interior finishes and always go for the real thing. It is why our interiors look as beautiful as they do.

In short, I say no to things that don’t feel authentic.

What is the professional motto you live by?

Passion outweighs reason.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Slow down to speed up.

Piaget’s High Jewellery story dates back to the 1960s when the house started making jewellery pieces to complement its watches which by that time had become icons in the industry. The brand already had the skills in-house to produce jewellery pieces so it was a natural progression to move into this sector. Today, jewellery accounts for more than a third of Piaget’s sales and has become a key area of focus over the last two years as the Maison has firmly aligned itself as one of the world’s leading high jewellers. Its designs are understated and elegant and have a perfect way of appealing to customers of all generations.

Piaget’s high jewellery collections showcase the very best of the Maison’s craftsmanship skills and ability to make beautiful creations. Using only the finest materials and stones these creations are the epitome of the brand’s ability to create beautiful designs. Colour has always been at the heart of the brand’s creations, with only the finest gemstones and diamonds being selected.

This year Piaget’s High Jewellery collection marks the second chapter in the Maison’s “Give Us The Night” story. The Solstice collection is inspired by the moment the sun goes down and the moon and stars begin to shine. Capturing joyful moments as crowds begin to celebrate with their loved ones in moments of joy. There is a reference to the origination of cocktail rings in the 1920s, with a selection of statement rings inspired by bright and colourful drinks, as well as watches and jewellery pieces paying homages to the colourful creations enjoyed during an evening of celebration. The pieces celebrate energy, fun and happiness in a perfectly modern way.

Under the guidance of Christophe Bourrie, Piaget’s Global High Jewellery & Exceptional Creations Director, the Maison’s craftsmen worked for months, pushing the limits of their excellence to create unique pieces. The result is a collection that exceeds expectations and opens up the Maison to a more modern client base. Here we find out more about the latest high jewellery collection as well as what to expect from the brand in the jewellery sector moving forward.

Tell us about the past year at Piaget and what you have been working on.

The past year has been quite positive for Piaget High Jewellery. After two challenging years due to the COVID-19 impact, we have managed, in the last months to start travelling and meeting our clients again. It is great to be able to showcase our creations once again through events and to offer our clients the opportunity to experience the Piaget Society. So most of my time has been spent in the markets with our clients for a celebration.

Tell us about the inspiration behind the new high jewellery collections.   

After a night under Extraordinary Lights, our last High Jewellery Collection is inspired by the year’s most exceptional night. The night of the solstice. The Solstice collection is a celebration of shared joy, extravaganza and pure beauty. After a first chapter inspired by voluptuous and fluid Haute Couture gowns, the Solstice collection takes this precious combination of fun and craft even further: Solstice’s second instalment is all about laughter and long conversations under the shimmering moon. Outside, night has finally descended. Inside, illuminated by the stars in the sky and the glowing moon up above, the lights shine an infinity of sparks on the joyful crowd.

Is there a particular piece in the collection that has a special story or is of particular significance to you?

The cocktail rings are definitely talking pieces. They represent very well what Piaget is all about: colour, playfulness and shared joy. They also strongly rely on Piaget’s unique expertise in gemmology and gold craftsmanship. To reproduce the volume, colours and textures of each cocktail’s ingredients, the Piaget ateliers and their faithful craftsmen worked for months, pushing the limits of their excellence to create unique pieces. All over the world, gemmologists looked for the perfect stones, ones that could stand in for grenadine (pink sapphires), mint leaves (emeralds), sprinkled sugar (diamonds paved mounting), ice cubes (rough diamonds), or slices of lime (sculpted peridot)

Piaget’s High Jewellery savoir-faire then came into play, to assemble these gems with extreme precision and playfulness. The fruit slices were sculpted by hand by glyptic masters, and ultimate precision was needed for the diamonds and metal slices covering the fruit to fit perfectly.

On the rings, the delicate decorations open to free the centre gem which can then be worn as a solitaire, once again establishing Piaget as a master of creativity and transformability.

There is a lot of colour in the collection, what can you tell us about the choices of stones?

Colour is very important to Piaget. In 1963, Piaget launched its first colour dials in hard stones, a true milestone. Ever since, the brand has used colour in all of its creations and collections, whether it is through gemstones, hardstones, mother of pearl, feathers, precious woods or many other materials. Even if the palette is infinite, the choice of colour has its importance: they are vibrant and straight, a real choice that pushes the audacity and differentiation of the brand

How does Piaget balance craftsmanship and innovation and continue to appeal to existing and new customers?

Our clients like to be surprised. With each new collection, we try to come up with new audacious feats, being in terms of innovation or craftsmanship. At Piaget, we push our historical and traditional know-how to adapt it to our contemporary creations. Both our designers and artisans work hand in hand to apply traditional techniques, but to interpret them in a more modern way. The perfect example could be how we adapt the palace engraving (traditionally used on our jewellery watches) on unique necklaces or cuffs. The shine of the engraving plays with the light of the diamonds and coloured gemstones uniquely and originally. Nevertheless, we like to push the boundaries by working on new techniques, such as transformability for example or also by using new materials like titanium. To push our creativity even further, we also like to associate unexcepted Métiers d’Art with our creations. To do so, we work with artisans and artists who are masters in their fields of expertise. These partnerships enable us to present inimitable creations that can be seen as true works of Art.

Is there a particular era in the history of the brand or a style of jewellery that you love? 

Piaget’s watches of the 1960s and 1980s conveyed the spirit of an era that saw the future flying the banner of freedom, thereby reflecting the art, architecture, and design of the time. History provides an understanding of the extent to which the originality of these creations must have been a true bolt of lightning within the context of a more conservative Switzerland. I love this tension between audacity and tradition at the same time.

What inspires you or gets you into a creative state of mind?

The creative mindset at Piaget is the result of a long process together with our creative committee led by our Artistic Director Stéphanie Sivrière. Ideas are shared and challenged by all to explore every aspect of the collection’s theme which allows everyone to express their core creativity.

What is the biggest challenge you face in your role today? 

Creating a new high jewellery collection takes approximately three to five years, from the design brief to the collection launch. At the same time, the last two years have taught us to look into the future differently, and to be more resilient and agile when it comes to day to day. So there is this challenge of living in a constantly evolving present while projecting into the future.

What is something you would still like to do that you haven’t done yet?

Piaget is constantly listening to its patrons. As a result, we have developed strong expertise in transformable pieces allowing different ways of wearing in one single creation (ex: the centre stone of a necklace to wear as a ring). Pushing the boundaries even further than we do today would be a great feat, also feeding our Infinitely Personal program.

What can you tell us about sustainability at Piaget?

Sustainability is key at Piaget. We have a dedicated department as well as a sustainability committee steered by our CEO Benjamin Comar. We just had our first sustainability week last month as well.

It is in the heart of our company and we have many projects going on, notably on limiting our environmental footprint with the recent implementation of solar panels for our manufacture for example.

When it comes to the sourcing of gemstones and gold:

• 100% of our fine gold, provided by our Group refiner, is RJC Chain of Custody (COC) certified.
• 100% of alloyed gold (e.g. 18 carats) components as well as 100% of diamonds are purchased from RJC COP-certified suppliers.
• Regarding coloured gemstones, in CY2021 99.8% of the rubies, sapphires and emeralds were also bought either from RJC COP certified (91.9%) or ESG-audited (7.9%) suppliers.

What are your thoughts on how women in the Middle east wear jewellery?

Women in the Middle East have always had a special relationship with jewellery and High Jewellery, as they are gifted at each key moment in their life birth, graduation, marriage, giving birth etc.

They also collect pieces in order to pass them down in their families, as a legacy for future generations. They also want to feel special and distinguished, there is a true quest for uniqueness and designs that no one else has. They wear their jewellery with pride and distinction, as a true ceremonial dress.

What can you tell us about what else is in the pipeline for the rest of the year and next year?

We just launched chapter II of our new collection Solstice in Hong Kong with great success. The third chapter of the collection shall be launched soon, so this is our nearest challenge.

At the same time, we are: actively working on the next year’s collection which is already under creation in our Ateliers as well as designing the collection to be launched in 2024. So we definitely have a full calendar!

What is the professional motto you live by?

Nothing works until you try it. “They didn’t know it was impossible so they did it.” Mark Twain.

How would you describe Piaget in one word? 

Extravaganza!

Giorgio Armani is supporting the first project by the Horizon Foundation, the non-profit association founded by French model Benjamin in 2022.

At the age of 28 Benjamin, who has modelled for Giorgio Armani throughout his career, discovered he was suffering from a serious form of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a genetic degenerative vision disease for which there is still no cure. RP affects the retina, making cells break down slowly over time, causing progressive and gradual loss of vision usually progressing to blindness. While there is still no cure, there are research programmes hoping to find suitable treatments to fight the disease, but funding and awareness is essential.

After his diagnosis, Benjamin decided to channel his experience of the condition into helping others and to increase public awareness of the illness, as well as raising funds for research into the disease and its treatment.

In his first major project, Benjamin fulfilled one of his dreams by sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. But his journey also carries an important message about transforming every experience into an act of commitment and personal expression and making the most of life.

As Benjamin undertakes this one-in-a-lifetime trip alongside four of his friends, Giorgio Armani will be documenting the journey, in order to share the story and to help raise funds for this important cause. Armani will share a series of chapters across the brand’s social media accounts, giving extraordinary access to the charitable journey as it happens.

Find out more about the Horizon Foundation at www.horizon-foundation.org

Patek Philippe’s new Aquanaut Luce “Rainbow” chronograph is the first in the range to feature a chronograph movement as well as the colours of the rainbow made from baguette diamonds and baguette sapphires. It is also the first self-winding Patek Philippe ladies’ chronograph, combining the best in fine watchmaking with high jewellery excellence.

Featuring a rose gold case, self-winding calibre CH 28-520, a vertical disc clutch, and a large 60-minute counter at 6 o’clock, this sporty elegant timepiece is both stylish and functional.

The octagonal bezel is adorned with two rows of baguette-cut gems. The inner row consists of 40 flawless rare white Top Wesselton diamonds (2.05 carat). The outer one, slightly angled, sports 40 sapphires in the colours of the rainbow (2.31 carat). Each of them was hand-picked to assure the perfect transition from one colour to the next.

The stones have an elaborate invisible setting technique in which the gems are horizontally notched on the lower facet. They can then be set on “metal rails” that are invisible from the outside. The gems also feature on the mother-of-pearl dial.

At 39.9mm this elegant watch features three straps in red, matte beige and matte white. The watch is delivered with all three straps, allowing the wearer to change it as they please via a simple process. To finish, the patented Patek Philippe fold-over clasp is adorned with ten baguette diamonds.

Black Flamingo is the latest restaurant to open in the UAE, combining the best cuisine from the Caribbean and the Americas, showcasing the flavours and iconic dishes from many islands and cities in the Caribbean and the Americas.

Located on the Palm Jumeirah, the venue features bright and bold interiors, celebrating the best of Miami and Caribbean culture, food and music.

The new destination is a homegrown concept from 7 Management. CEO Rabih Fakhreddine says: “We are so excited to bring Black Flamingo to Dubai, promising a one-of-a-kind experience that we know the UAE will go crazy for! Stepping foot in Black Flamingo will transport you to a world that’s 12 thousand kilometres away. When you walk out of here and people ask you where you were last night, you might as well say Miami, because that’s what Black Flamingo is. It will be THE BEST Caribbean/Latino/Hispanic place on this side of The Gulf. A big statement, yes, but one we will stand by.” 

Expect to be overjoyed by colour and impressed by the Miami Maximalist design, as well as entertained by a balanced and well-tailored mixture of Afro beats, Reggaeton, Latin, HipHop and RnB from all eras and generations. Enjoy!

Where: Radisson Beach Resort, Palm Jumeirah. Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday 5 PM till late, Friday to Sunday 1 PM till late. Booking: Email reservations@blackflamingodxb.com, Call +971527176464 or +97145134777

EILAF is a LUXURY handbag and accessories brand, founded by Sudan-born designer Eilaf Osman, that combines high-quality craftsmanship, minimalist silhouettes, and East African techniques to bring thoughtful products to the world and share the talent of the region with others. This year, EILAF was awarded the Fashion Trust Arabia Prize in the accessories category. Straight after the announcement, we talked to Osman to find out her initial reaction and what she hopes to be achieved since being recognised by the organisation.

Congratulations! How does it feel to be selected for the FTA prize in the accessories category?

It feels surreal to be selected for the FTA prize in the accessories section because overnight my brand has suddenly gained some of the opportunities and support that it needed to gain access to the global market.

Tell us about your brand and your journey to where you are today.

My brand is a contemporary luxury handbag line that combines East African and Sudanese artisanal motifs with high-quality craftsmanship to bring thoughtful products to the world. I started my brand two and a half years ago during the COVID-19 lockdown after I completed an internship at the Emilio Pucci Heritage House. I was constantly thinking about how to bring Sudanese heritage to the luxury world and show and share the value of Sudanese craftsmanship with others. It has been a long process of research and design as I developed my raw materials in Sudan and Uganda. We worked with handwoven Sudanese cotton and an experimental garden in Uganda to create more colours using local flowers for the basket dyes.

Can you share a little about how your brand is influenced by your Sudanese culture?

My entire brand is completely rooted in my Sudanese heritage. I work with a research and design centre in Khartoum that travels around Sudan to research and archive different Sudanese tribal art, especially marginalised tribal art. We focus on using this knowledge to bridge the gaps of tribal tensions and promote peacebuilding in the country after years of conflict and the revolution. Then we train women with IDP status in the different art and craftsmanship we’ve archived to support them to sell in the local market. I use this knowledge of different Sudanese artisanal motifs as the basis of my designs to also bring sustainable solutions such as natural flower dyes for the basket weaving, handwoven Sudanese cotton, and basket weaving motifs from marginalised areas.

Can you share a little about how you think the impact of FTA prize will help your business?

The prize greatly impacts my business because the grant money now allows me to build a team to support me with my e-commerce and social media strategy. The prize also offers me showroom representation and PR consultancy with Maison Pyramide and placement on Matchfashion.com. It is so important for my brand to gain retail placements to increase brand exposure and the prize will help me get into rooms that I could not have entered on my own.

Tell us about your experience during the awards ceremony and the reaction so far?

I had the best night of my life. In a second, I was embraced by the fashion elite and at the after-party I had thoughtful conversations with different changemakers about working with them. A lot of people praised my speech and how I showed my emotions and passion for showcasing Sudanese craftsmanship on a global stage.

We saw Bella Hadid was wearing one of your bags – what was her reaction?

Bella Hadid is genuinely one of the sweetest people, she immediately wanted to wear and photograph my bag to support me even before my win was announced. This just shows her true dedication in supporting emerging designers from the region.

What is the plan moving forward?

My first step is having retail meetings for my SS23 collection that I debuted at the FTA showcase and my next plan is to do my SS23 photo campaign with the support of Deena Ali Al-Juhani and major fashion magazines in the MENA region to show my brand’s visual direction.

What is a message you would send to the organisers and also to the industry in the Middle East?

I cannot thank the organisers of FTA enough for leading the charge of developing a competitive MENA fashion scene that can push forward from the margins of the fashion world and enter the core of the global fashion market. I would like to thank the organisers and the industry for embracing Sudanese culture as a core culture in the MENA region.

Tell us about your creative process?

My creative process is focused on researching different artisanal techniques that are indigenous to Sudan and East Africa and seeing how we can use these techniques to present sustainable solutions. I then think about how this artisanal motif can be used in a contemporary way by the modern muse that enjoys unique quality craftsmanship that sparks conversation.

Where did your passion for design begin?

My passion for design began when I was in the 6^th grade. I had moved to a new school and had a really difficult time making friends. So I started making little bags and selling them to students. For some reason, my bags became a trendsetter at my school and it was a way for me to initiate conversations with people and make friends.

Who or what inspires you the most?

The beauty of resilience inspires me the most. The ability to go through a difficult time in your life but find pockets of happiness whether through community support or art is such a beautiful experience and gift given to us.

What is the motto that you live by?

I live by the motto: “it’s never too late to start because time is passing regardless if you start now or never.”

A series of Candlelight concerts will take place in Dubai this week with beautiful performances of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake & More being illuminated by thousands of candles.

The first in a series of romantic shows will take place at The Theatre, Mall of the Emirates on November 5th at 6:30pm and 9pm. The concert will see The Theatre illuminated by thousands of candles, allowing viewers to fully immerse themselves and discover the music of “Swan Lake”, “The Nutcracker” and “The Sleeping Beauty”, performed by a string quartet and accompanied by a ballerina.

The candlelight concerts are dedicated to bringing audiences closer to their favourite musicians by creating intimate experiences where fans can connect directly with their favourite artists through an exclusive acoustic setlist that features hits spanning decades along with new tracks from their latest albums.

The new concept was designed to cultivate the city’s unique venues, celebrating the greatest composers and local musical talent, while contributing to making culture accessible to people who wouldn’t usually have access to classical music.

Find tickets to Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake & More concert here.

The finale of Coperni’s Spring/Summer 2023 runway presentation at Paris Fashion Week at the beginning of October was one of the most talked about moments of the season.

The show concluded with model Bella Hadid appearing on the runway wearing only her underwear before she was sprayed all over with unique formula coming from an aerosol can. This spray would almost immediately turn into a spray-on fabric to create a fully-fledged dress. This innovative technology was developed by the London-based company Fabrican.

Founded by Dr Manel Torres, Fabrican is a research company that has developed a unique spray-on technique that produces an instantaneous non-woven fabric that can be worn on the skin. It creates seamless garments that can be worn as regular pieces of clothing and can be custom-designed to each wearer’s needs and preferences. The process has also been used in other industries such as cosmetics, medicine, automotive and more. But the journey has only just begun for Dr Manel Torres and his team who see this invention as a way to change the world’s manufacturing industries forever.

Originally from Barcelona, Torres moved went to London to study for a Masters in Womenswear Design at the Royal College of Art. Upon graduating he was always concerned with the future of fashion and he had a vision of creating materials of the future. He embarked on a journey to develop a spray-on material which saw him found his company Fabrican. Today alongside his team, Torres plans to develop his concept further to take it across the world and make it available for consumers to understand its benefits both as an innovation and as a sustainable alternative to regular textiles. Here we find out more about this special technology and how far into the future it can take us.

Can you give us a brief overview of Fabrication and how it came to be?

My vision started when I was studying for a Masters in Womenswear Design in London. I was lucky to meet some of the world’s most iconic designers including Karl Lagerfeld and Gianfranco Ferré and to be able to meet these Gods of fashion was unbelievable. While I was studying, my interest was always on the future of fashion and I started to imagine a world where we could create fibres that would instantly produce garments. I had this vision of using an aerosol can to create fashion garments and that’s really where the story began.

Once I finished my Masters I applied to do a PhD in research because I wanted to take this idea further and explore the notion of developing a spray-on fabric. At that time, there was no position available on the course so I went to work in the fashion industry in India for several years before I was offered a place at The Royal College of Art to proceed with the PhD. At this point, I went back to London and the rest is history!

Can you explain a little about the spray-on fabric and how it works in terms of science?

Our formulations consist of liquid fabric. We take materials and dissolve them into a liquid form through various processes. This liquid is then sprayed from an aerosol can directly onto the skin or another surface. As the formula reacts with air, the fibres bind together to form a solid material. We have a number of different formulas, each one producing a different type of fabric, suitable for many different uses.

What are some of the ingredients used to make the fabrics?

We use a variety of materials, from natural to synthetic. We are a research company so we are still trying out new and different materials to see how they work. We have fabrics made from corn, seaweed, keratin, the list goes on. We are moving towards using mostly bio-materials as we want this to be a sustainable product. We also have fabrics made from water-based materials. We still don’t know yet where the possibilities end and how they will evolve but the idea is to create a new way of manufacturing.

How does the fabric feel to touch?

Honestly, it’s magical. When the fabric touches the skin it reacts with the oils in our body to ensure it’s not sticky. By the time it reaches the skin it is semi-dry and it can be taken on and off much like a regular T-Shirt. Depending on the formula the fabric can be very soft, or we have harder fabrics that are much more durable, we have fabrics that feel like rubber, ones that feel like suede – there are limitless options. The amazing thing is that you can also redissolve the fabric and respray it after use. With gives an incredible sustainability element to it. From the beginning, this was something that I wanted to focus on, to reduce waste in the fashion industry. So yes there is a circular economy.

We of course saw the amazing performance with Coperni and Bella Hadid at Paris Fashion Week – tell us about how this partnership came about.

The team from Coperni came to visit my lab in July 2022 and we created a dress for them. I immediately saw the look on their faces and they were amazed! They went back to Paris and I told them if they did want to go ahead I would just need some time to create the correct formulation. On 5th September 2022, they confirmed that they would go for it which was incredible, but I already had a strong feeling they would say yes!

So after that, we set to work on finding the right materials and creating the perfect formula. I travelled to Paris to do a test run two weeks before the show and then on the day, it was truly done live on the catwalk. The particular formula we used for this show reacts with the air and becomes almost dry, then by the time it reaches the skin it is already semi-dry and is almost immediately a solid fabric. It took around six or seven minutes to make the dress in total.

How did you feel when you found out it would be Bella Hadid wearing the dress and how was the process of working with her?

We found out it would be Bella Hadid wearing the dress around a week before the show. It was magical because Bella was very interested and she really understood the technology and science behind the fabric. She embraced the idea and didn’t say no to anything. She thought it was really exciting and that created great chemistry between us.

Before the show, we tested a small patch of fabric on her skin and she couldn’t believe how the fabric was coming from the aerosol can. And then the next step was to go live on the runway. Bella has this perfect shape that embodied the dress and she gave it her all with the way she wore it on the runway. She is a great ambassador for this technology and you can see she embraced and enjoyed the process. The biggest compliment that we can get from a model that has been sprayed with the fabric is that they feel naked but dressed and this is exactly how she felt.

What is your vision for Fabrican moving forward?

It is early days to say but I know already that there is so much we can do. Fabrican is ultimately a technology and the beauty of this technology is that we can create applications for use in the medical industry, automotive processes, cosmetics, and many different fields as well as fashion which provides a great opportunity for us to collaborate with different sectors. It is a new way of manufacturing in any industry that requires textiles.

We understand you are already working with medical institutions, and on projects in other industries, can you tell us about that?

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we were very busy developing products for global companies in the medical and cosmetics industries. Of course, due to the pandemic, much of this was put on hold but we are now back to business working on several projects and we are looking for companies to take on some of our formulas and help us develop them to the next stage.

In 2019 we launched an interesting product with Schwarzkopf. It was a hair product that used the spray on fabric technology and I think this will soon be launching in the United States. So slowly we are making progress and seeing great interest in what we do, but like all industries, we have suffered from two years of slowing down because of COVID-19. So now it’s time to get back to work and we feel very blessed to be able to show that this technology is still relevant and we are thrilled to see the reaction and the media coverage that we have had so far. We are especially inspired by the reaction of the younger generation because this is a project of the future and ultimately it is for them.

In terms of the fashion industry, how do you think this technology can be transferred to something as customers we can use and experience ourselves? 

The way I imagine it is that fashion houses or sportswear brands could have different moulds that could be sprayed with the material and then peeled off to create a seamless garment. Another way could be for fashion brands to use it in their stores. I can imagine stores having a booth where customers can go inside to be sprayed by a professional and take away their unique dress. Another way could be for couture houses to combine tradition with this new technology. It would be very nice to collaborate with embroiderers and designers, to print the material, embroider it etc. It’s not something that we have done yet and it could be very interesting. I think we are at a moment where we need to link traditional textiles and futuristic textiles to create even more beautiful things.

What would you say to the historical houses and couture designers who might argue that luxury design should be a slower, or handmade process?

Fabrican is a way to bring together those two worlds and a way of enhancing something that already exists. It is an alternative way of creating textiles and another way of dressing, but we want to combine tradition and innovation because this is when the magic happens.

Who or what has been your biggest inspiration? 

I always like Japanese influences, this is something you’ll see even in the décor of my house. I like to travel to Japan for inspiration, I love the work of Japanese designers like Yohji Yamamoto. I also love European designers such as Balenciaga. I have received some comments saying my work could be likened to that of Lee (Alexander) McQueen which is, of course, a great honour and he was someone who was a great inspiration and one of my favourite designers.

What is the motto that you live by? 

I am all about spray! What I do motivates me to get up in the morning and I always want to explore, discover and go for more. It’s a big commitment but I am dedicated to my vision.

What is the biggest challenge you face?

The biggest challenge is probably understanding how we can bring this technology to the market. How can we scale it up and how can we make it available to everyone? We need to find partners and investors who share our vision and are prepared to join us on this journey.

What else is in the pipeline in the near future? 

We have many projects in the pipeline, we are working on a sportswear project, we are working on something for the automotive industry, and something for the cosmetic industry and we hope to have many more projects coming up soon. We are still developing and it’s a very exciting time.

What is a message you would send to our readers in the Middle East? 

We have already had some interesting requests from the Middle East so I believe people there are aware of Fabrican and I think it is a region that is very interested in innovation. We would be delighted to collaborate with designers or companies in the Middle East and we are very open to ideas. I have been invited to come over to Dubai for an event next year so I hope to see them then!