As part of Les Journées Particulières 2022 an initiative brought to life by LVMH, Fendi has opened the doors of its factories across Italy including the iconic Rome Palazzo Fendi and the new leather goods and shoe Factories across the country.

The initiative which is happening across the LVMH Group’s brand on 14th, 15th, and 16th 2022 will see 52 Maison will open their doors to the public, granting free access to exclusive and unique places usually closed to the public.

For the occasion, Fendi will open and officially inaugurate its two newest factory locations: the Fedni Factory for leather goods in Capannuccia near Florence and the FENDI Factory shoe manufacture in Fermo, Marche together with the in-store Fur Atelier and Fendi Privé private Apartment in Palazzo Fedni Flagship Boutique in the heart of Rome.

These new factories highlight the importance for the Roman luxury house to invest and bring up the values of Made in Italy while making craftsmanship attractive for future generations, as well as its commitment towards corporate social responsibility. The two new factories are designed to be as environmentally neutral as possible. Initiatives within the buildings include making maximum use of natural daylight with part of the electricity generated from solar panels.

The Fendi Factory in Capannuccia will feature a special a permanent photographic exhibition with the history of Fendi Factory and focus on sustainability, together with a special temporary set-up to pay homage to craftsmanship and artisanal excellence, showcasing some of the Fendi ‘hand in hand’ Baguette bags, a project that involved working with local artisans across Italy.

In addition, the works of the DIS-CYCLING project – The seductive allure of creativity in sustainability, a collaboration between Fendi and Istituto Marangoni Firenze, together with New York-based artist Sarah Coleman mentoring students from the Florentine school that have worked to recover materials previously used in the Maison’s window installations, will be showcased within the exhibition space at Fendi Factory in Capannuccia.

Rome’s Palazzo Fendi, located at the very centre of the eternal city, is the Maison’s flagship boutique. Throughout this period Leather goods artisans will work live from the boutique while creating a Fendi bag and a special set-up will be dedicated to the Fendi ‘hand in hand’ Baguette bags from Basilicata and Marche regions from Wave 2 of the project. The exclusive Fendi Privé private Apartment overlooking Largo Goldoni and Via Condotti will also be open for the occasion.

Find out more about Fendi’s operating locations, interact with the artisans and discover the magic behind the most exclusive products from October 14^th to 16^th from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm by booking a visit on https://www.lesjourneesparticulieres.it/2022/

Maison Guerlain has revealed two new exceptional pieces. The L’Heure Bleue from Yves Klein Edition features two masterpieces, designed to celebrate the 110th anniversary of L’Heure Bleue.

For these special editions, Guerlain showcases the perfume in a prestigious artist edition, created in partnership with the Yves Klein Archives and limited to 30 unique pieces worldwide.

A spectacular 1.5-litre format of the iconic “inverted heart” bottle imagined by Raymond Guerlain in 1912, has been entirely painted with the mythical International Klein Blue (IKB) patented by the artist.

L’Heure Bleue was inspired by the fleeting moment when “the night has not yet found its star”, in the words of its creator, Jacques Guerlain. This iconic blue was first seen in the Maison’s creations 110 years ago and has been a house treasure ever since.

What makes L’Heure Bleue so captivating is that, just like the elegant Parisiennes who embraced it, the fragrance boldly matches two facets of femininity: delicacy and sensuality.

Only two pieces of these special pieces are available in the Middle East in Guerlain boutiques: one in Qatar displayed in Place Vendome boutique and one in UAE. The retail price in UAE is AED 66,600.

Ralph Lauren presented his first ever West Coast show in the US last night on 13^th October 2022.

Titled “California Dreamin’” the American designer was inspired by his own trips to the state.

The collection showcased pieces from the full world of Ralph Lauren, spanning across the Collection line, Purple Label Double RL, Polo Ralph Lauren and Childrenswear.

The show began with a. tribute to the Wild West which saw Double RL’s rugged spirit is translated into a mix of eclectic designs. The heritage of early California is reborn in rough-hewn leather, rustic cowboy boots, layered necklaces, romantic skirts, bias slip dresses, three-piece suits, and western-inspired embroidery.

Next, the Collection and Purple Label Lines offered a taste of Coastal Elegance drawing inspiration from the dramatic coastlines of Southern California during golden hour. A palette of sand, cream, and sunset-inspired metallics transforms classic silhouettes into a story about the ease and effortlessness of coastal living.

A series of bright and bold looks embody a sophisticated interpretation of seaside glamour, translating menswear tailoring and dramatic eveningwear into something modern and eye-catching. Skirt suits, berets, cashmere turtlenecks layered beneath tailored blazers, and classic pleated details are imbued with an eclectic sensibility found in California’s iconic artist communities.

For the Polo Ralph Lauren offering the designer focused on West Coast Prep giving classic styles a fresh, youthful spirit. Cable knits, striped oxfords, cricket sweaters, and bold colours like pink and green, all combine with unexpected details and accessories for a look that is the essence of modernity.

The show closed with a statement of colour. A contradiction of casual Polo looks with the iconic designs of the Collection line. A-line ball gowns in vibrant colours are paired with striped rugby shirts, sweatshirts, knit caps and the new top handle RL Bag for a look that romances Venice beach into something akin to Surfer Couture.

The show attracted A-list guests including Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, John Legend, Lily Collins, Jessica Chastain and more.

Italian footwear brand Gianvito Rossi has opened its first boutique in the UAE.

The new store is located at The Dubai Mall and is the beginning of an ambitious expansion plan for the brand in the region.

The unique space features a modern design concept in partnership with Milan-based architect Patricia Urquiola. It is elegantly defined by the brand’s quintessential simplicity, expressed through straight lines and sinuous curves.  A colour palette of neutral tones and dusky pink offers a welcoming atmosphere throughout.

The brand’s designs are showcased on gold-varnished shelved and see-through glass panels and guests can relax on bespoke furniture as they discover the latest collections from the Italian footwear designer.

Celebrating the unique quintessence of Gianvito Rossi treasurable styles, the boutique layout and exquisite décor mirror the most authentic expression of Italian savoir-faire as a result of craftsmanship and impeccable quality.

Global Keynote Speaker, Futures Strategist and Bestselling Author John Sanei discusses why the successful fashion businesses of the future will be focused on intelligent, informed suggestions from brands

I perhaps surprisingly, want to talk to you about the low-cost fashion brand Shein today. Shein might not be a luxury brand, but when it comes to selling clothing, it’s doing something phenomenal as far as its business model and the way it is using technology. So I want to explain a little about how Shein runs its business and why other brands in all industries, no matter the cost of their products, should be taking note of what they are doing.

This is a new business model that to my knowledge, no other fashion brand is using and we can see how successful it is because the company is now worth $100 billion. When you compare that to Zara for example, which is worth $13.2 billion, you can understand how big the company has become. Shein has adopted a practical way to use technology to improve its brand…

For the longest time businesses have run their companies on a business model called “economies of scale.” In terms of fashion what this means is that you create a collection, you try and keep the costs low and increase your profits as much as possible and then you take out what you make. This is the way most businesses have worked for 200 years. All of a sudden, because of the developments in technology, there are opportunities for new ways of doing business. So the business model Shein is using is called “economies of learning”. To explain: if you think about what Zara does, the brand designs and creates a collection, delivers it to the stores a couple of times a week, takes products from design to stores in two weeks and add 2,000 new styles to its stores per year, that’s approximately 300 per day.

In comparison Shein is not a clothing business, rather it is a data management business. What they realised was that if they only show people what they want, it’s much easier to sell products. So they have AI and data scientists scraping the internet, looking for the clothes that are being liked and shared the most by people around the world. They will then take those clothes and computer generate ten different variations in ten different colours and put them up on their website. So a lot of what you see on the website is computer generated, and products are only made when ordered by a customer. So what they have is an opportunity to bring to their website 10,000 new styles a day! There is no comparison. But here’s the cherry on top: it costs Shein almost nothing to put online nearly 10,000 new styles a day, but it costs Zara billions and billions of dollars to put 10,000 new styles a year into their stores. Why? Because data management and AI are almost free. Once the programmes are set up there almost work on their own.

Now, when you place an order with Shein, the manufacturing is outsourced and sent to customers directly, cutting out all the costs of retail management, warehouses, transportation, and retail staff, all of that is gone! So if you think about what is happening, they are able to service the client for 70 per cent cheaper than the cheapest brands we have experienced previously, based on the fact that they don’t have a design team and they are only generating what we like. This is the difference between economies of scale and economies of learning. Economies of learning means they learn before they even make the products.l

So because of this, as a whole we need to relook at the fashion industry and the way it works because what fashion brands do is make products, put them on the shelves, market them and then hope people buy them and if not they eventually go on sale. Now what Shein is doing is creating items they already know people will like, and they are making to order which also drastically reduces waste. And the concept is completely scalable because you have thousands of outsourced manufacturers around the world, waiting to take on the world.

You may have heard the phrase “data is the new oil”. It is talking about how the currency of the future is no longer oil but data. Whoever can gather, curate and match data becomes the most powerful. And that is ultimately what Shein has done and in that sense, it is the most future-thinking fashion brand there is. The fact that they are using technology in a way that makes them incredibly profitable, and continuously on trend – because we’ve told them what we like! It’s genius!

The ironic thing is to think that a brand that is selling such low-priced clothing is so far ahead of anyone else. So I ask luxury brands to take note: they should be running all of their businesses like this, of course in more niche or slimmed-down ways, but I truly believe it is the future.

Now the reason why this has worked so well is that companies need today and tomorrow teams. Your today team focuses on what you’re doing now and the tomorrow team is experimenting and imagining for the future. So all brands, no matter how small or how big MUST have today and tomorrow teams, you cannot ask the same people to do both.

So as we move forward expect more intelligent data management and more personalised data management and these will be the businesses that succeed moving forward. It is just a matter of time before everything in our lives becomes intelligent suggestive machines. The reason Netflix is losing market share is not because of the lack of content but because of the lack of suggestions. People today want things to be easy and fast and in a sense handed to them on a plate without having too much choice, and these are the companies that will succeed in every sector.

By John Sanei

Jaguar is celebrating 75 years of its sports cars with its final models of the year; the F-TYPE special editions.

These new additions to the brand’s iconic F-TYPE come in two special editions; the F-TYPE 75 and the F-TYPE R 75, powered by Jaguar’s supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine in 450PS and 575PS forms respectively, and available in both Coupé and Convertible body styles.

The range has become simpler and more focused, making it easy for customers to select their perfect F-TYPE. These two exclusive cars feature unique design elements, rich specifications and the unique paint option of Giola Green metallic.

It features 20-inch wheels as standard on all models, and there are a number of discreet detail changes such as the wheel centres and grille badge changing from red to black, and the R and R-Dynamic badge accent colours now black and grey instead of red and green.

Matthew Beaven, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Designer, Exteriors, said; “For 75 years Jaguar has been renowned for producing extraordinary sports cars that deliver performance, agility and maximum driver reward. The F-TYPE special editions hold true to these principles, adding unique interior and exterior design details to celebrate this lineage before Jaguar becomes an all-electric brand from 2025.”

The new F-TYPE limited edition models will be on sale from early 2023.

Elie Saab has revealed the latest bridal collection for Fall 2023.

Titled “An Echo of Polylymnia” the collection is inspired by ancient Greece and offers femininity and beauty with a majestic and regal appeal.

Statuesque silhouettes are sculpted with noble materials and refined detailing that elevate classical virtues into contemporary moments. Lush foliage and embroidered laurel leaves, like victorious Olympian crowns, gloriously wreath around strapless bodices and down ethereal tulle into demure a-lines.

Glimmering beads and crystals dance with soft lace panels to rhythms of light embroideries and vibrant textures that glisten with the allure of virtuous white marble sculptures. Sumptuously draped mikado enfolds natural forms with floral buttoned bursts, while Chantilly lace blossoms across sweetheart necklines and translucent sleeves into revealing open-back ballgowns.

Each gown is carefully crafted to enhance the aesthetics of symmetry, balance and harmony, inspiring a sense of awe, like the pillars of ancient temples.

Fine crepe georgette braids lined with glistening details move off the shoulder into gracious fluted columns. In the same spirit, luminescent sequins, beads and pearls structurally swirl off the shoulders and down a sweetheart-fitted bodice like opulent colonnades carried by contrasting ruffled tiers.

Translucent gemstones shimmer across a V-neckline, gathering at a delicately knotted waistline before streaming into a modest but equally dazzling floor-sweeping skirt. Veils lined with complementing embroideries from crown to floor and quintessential ELIE SAAB defined waist, bring a final touch of grace and poise.

See more of the collection below:

German fashion brand HUGO has announced that it will collaborate with renowned Web 3.0 company, Imaginary Ones on a holistic, 360-degree metaverse experience including the launch of an exclusive NFT collection.

The new move comes as part of a complete global refresh of the brand which began early in 2022.

An exclusive HUGO x Imaginary Ones NFT collection of 1,001 3D animations, entitled ‘Embrace Your Emotions’ (EYE), will be launched early November. The collection encourages owners to connect with their emotions, and to share a message that all feelings – positive and negative – are valid and should be embraced, as the freedom to feel and express can significantly improve mental health and overall well-being.

Of the 1,001 NFTs, six characters will contain special attributes. Five characters each represent one of our everyday emotions – joy, sadness, fear, anger, and love. The fun storyline of the collection will also benefit a charitable cause as, to mark World Mental Health Day on October 10, a special sixth character bringing together all five emotions will be auctioned, with 100% of the proceeds donated to Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM).

An allowlist will provide access to the HUGO x Imaginary Ones EYE collection, and enable the purchase of the NFTs. Of 1,000 allowlist spots in total, 500 will be allocated to customers who purchase an exclusive phygital T-shirt. There are 500 limited-edition T-shirts for sale, and each will contain a QR code where users will be directed to a Snapchat Lens to create a special augmented reality effect.

Miah Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing & Brand Communications at HUGO BOSS, said: “The metaverse is an exciting new space for fashion brands, one that is rich with potential for HUGO. We are excited to partner with Imaginary Ones to deliver an NFT collection of beautiful 3D assets that enables us not only to further explore this virtual world, but also to share a message of self-acceptance and being true to yourself, which is at the heart of what HUGO stands for”.

Clement Chia, Co-Founder of Imaginary Ones, said: “Imaginary Ones is humbled and honoured to partner with HUGO and to be the first Asia-born NFT project to collaborate with an international fashion brand. We share the HUGO’s values and commitment to contributing to an inclusive and equitable world. With this partnership, we aspire to strengthen Imaginary Ones’ presence beyond the Web 3.0 space and further our cause in embracing inclusivity and diversity everywhere”.

In addition to receiving a “golden ticket” for a 10% discount in the HUGO online store, all holders of a HUGO x Imaginary Ones NFT will have access to Imaginary Ones’ staking ecosystem, which grants the holder a separate set of special HUGO x IO merchandise, experiences, and content, including digital HUGO wearables and HUGO-themed Imaginary Ones drops.

Chopard’s Happy Diamonds – Happy Me collection is now available with a series of Arabic letters.

The new collection features pendants in rose gold with dancing diamonds and 15 letters of the Arabic alphabet including four new letters.

Fatima Al Maazmi

Dancing diamonds have been part of Chopard’s collections since 1976 and this latest addition offers a nod to the region as the brand collaborates with a series of friends of the house from the Middle East.

Mariam Mohammed

The pieces feature a perfectly round pendant in 18-carat ethical rose gold topped with a diamond. At the heart of this circle, the Artisans have placed two sapphire crystals setting the stage for several dancing gold mobiles of which the collection offers 2 different variations: small-size pendants available with 11 letters.

Each of the letters corresponding to the first letter of the most popular Arabic female names – Is embellished with three dancing diamonds. Together they twirl in a dance of joy imparting a resolutely feminine style.

Nada Baeshen

The letters symbolise individuality and personal style and would make the perfect gift for a loved one or for yourself.

Discover more now in Chopard stores across the region.

Alexander McQueen presented its Spring/Summer 2023 collection in London on 11^th October 2022. Returning to the brand’s home city, Sarah Burton titled the offering “First Sight” and offered a stripped-back collection which focused on elegant cuts and drapes and strong silhouettes.

“This collection is about searching for humanity and human connection. The eye is a symbol of that humanity, a register of emotion, an expression of uniqueness. Our clothes are designed to empower. They are stripped back, dissected and focused on cut, drape and silhouette. We also looked at the work of Hieronymus Bosch, at once dark and beautiful.” Said Sarah Burton, Creative Director

The collection comprises features the classic McQueen silhouette combined with strong masculine lines. Feminine pieces give a bold edge with the addition of the classic McQueen jacket. A bold blow-up eye print is present on ready-to-wear pieces throughout the offering giving an eye-catching finish.

In accessories, looks were paired with naked sandals in transparent plexi or black leather, as well as compact knit and embroidered boots with a wedge heel. Ankle and thigh-high boots in leather are finished with slash detailing.

The looks are finished with iconic bags including the slash bag in leather with a metal chain shoulder strap and Skill Four-Ring closure. The Peak bag, the Bow bag and the Jewelled Hobo are also key pieces in the collection.

See more of the collection below:

This October Ralph Lauren reinforces its 22-year support of the fight against cancer with the Pink Pony Initiative.

The company’s global initiative is dedicated to cancer care and prevention, and supports programs for research, screenings, early diagnosis, treatment, education and patient navigation.

This year’s campaign builds upon the Company’s continued commitment to raising awareness and funds around the cause, with donations raised from the annual Pink Pony product collections benefitting the Pink Pony Fund of The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation, as well as an international network of cancer charities.

It does this with a capsule collection of pieces of which the company will donate all or part of the proceeds to the Pink Pony Fund or to a network of international cancer charities. Within the UAE, proceeds benefit Pink Caravan (Registered Charity No. 146) and within Saudi, proceeds benefit Zahra Association (Registered Charity No. 366).

The company will donate 100% of the purchase price from the sale of the new Pink Pony Oxford Shirt and Pink Pony Fleece Hoodie and 25% of the purchase price from the sale of the new Pink Pony Cashmere Hoodie, as well as select Polo classics in a pink colourway.

In addition, throughout the month of October, the Company will feature a series of in-store activations to raise awareness and funds for Pink Pony around the world. The Company will release a special edition of the “Coffee at Ralph’s” video series highlighting a powerful conversation between Maria Tucker, a cancer survivor who received treatment at the MSK Ralph Lauren Center, and Jasmine Gibson, one of the nurses that guided her during the process. Together, they reflect on the relationship between patient and caregiver and the difference that can be made through an early diagnosis, sharing the bond built over the course of their journey together.

The items will be available in October in select Ralph Lauren stores across the UAE and Saudi.

For more information on Ralph Lauren’s commitment to cancer care, please visit: Pink Pony – Fight Against Cancer | Ralph Lauren.

Hublot has unveiled the new Magic Gold watch featuring the first scratch-proof 18K gold invented by the brand’s in-house Manufacture.

This patented material is a game-changer in the industry and offers ease of wear and flexibility for the owner.

Magic Gold is the first and only 18K gold alloy in the world that perfectly withstands scratches, even with an extremely active lifestyle. It maintains its beauty, shine and polished appearance over time and doesn’t age.

Hublot’s dedication to innovation and the development of new materials has long been a key element for the brand. As part of its “Art of Fusion” philosophy, the watchmaker is constantly trying to push the boundaries and celebrate creativity and innovation. This latest development once again highlights the brand’s dedication to this philosophy and opens a new world of experimentation and satisfies the needs of the client. i

The new Magic Gold is featured in several of the brand’s iconic watches including the Sang Bleu, and Unico watches.

We reveal the forward-thinking cities that are leading the way for the future.

Singapore

Singapore has been named the world’s smartest city for the last two years, kicking London off the top spot. Since launching its Smart Nation initiative in 2014 the Asian city has introduced a wide range of new smart technologies in homes and businesses across the city. Contactless payment technology is now used widely across the city’s transport and movement systems. To help reduce the pressure of an ageing population the government introduced a digital health system which consisted of a wearable Internet of Things device used to monitor patients’ health. In 2021, Singapore introduced the development of a Smart City concept that would transform all aspects of the city from the water systems to a sustainable infrastructure, to urban planning and land use, education, smart buildings and tech parks and public safety. The government has since been working to ensure every aspect of the residents’ lives is governed by a smart element.

Helsinki

Helsinki has set itself many ambitious goals in terms of sustainability and modern living and they are on the way to achieving many of them. One of these was to become carbon neutral by 2035 as well as reduce traffic emissions by 69 per cent. By 2035 the city will have transitioned its public transport system to electric vehicles as well as expanding the Metro and electric car charging networks. The city is also focused on developing energy-efficiency measures in buildings which is particularly important in the winter months when temperatures drop and heating is essential. Sustainability and seamless travel are at the heart of Helsinki’s plans which will maximise technological advancements to draw out a roadmap for the future.

New York

As one of the world’s busiest cities thinking smart has always been ingrained into the nature of New York, but as technology advances The Big Apple is looking for new ways to successfully lower its negative impact on the world and make life easier and smoother for its residents. The city has been working on several projects that are leading the world in smart living. In 2013 it introduced the Accelerated Conservation and Efficiency (ACE) programme which introduced LED lighting across buildings in the city and helped to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In 2020 the city piloted its initial smart city programme which amassed and used data to help manage day-to-day services across the city more efficiently. The city has also seen the introduction of smart hubs and contactless technology as well as wifi capabilities across the city and online charging stations replacing phone booths. The city government is also encouraging car sharing to help reduce traffic in business areas as well as working on ways to reduce water wastage and lower bills for residents.

Seoul

South Korea’s capital city is ahead of the game when it comes to technology and innovation. Seoul is home to Songdo, the world’s first smart city. The fully sustainable project was completed in 2015 and the processes and technologies for this have since been rolled out across the rest of the capital. Seoul uses an advanced data system to gather information and analyse urban patterns across the city including traffic floor, air quality, movement of people etc. this data is then used to apply smart infrastructure across the city. A safety system was also put into place to protect the city’s elderly residents. When no movement is detected for a long period emergency services and case workers are immediately alerted. Seoul is also looking into using the data platform to highlight crimes within the city.

Zurich

The Swiss city of Zurich began its smart journey by introducing a series of energy-efficient streetlights that enable an energy saving of around 70 per cent. After this kicked things off the city started to think about how it could improve a number of its elements by installing innovative systems. This included advanced sensory technologies that collect environmental data to measure the flow of travel and act as a public WIFI antenna. Smart building management systems also allow for more environmentally-friendly living for residents. This system centrally connects the city’s heating, electricity and cooling systems to ensure they are not overused.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam was one of the first developers of a smart project. Beginning in 2009 it featured more than 170 operations across the city. Amsterdam has always had a strong design to be innovative, as well as increase its sustainability measures. The two combine across the city in several ways ranging from renewable energy for homes and vehicles to installing solar-powered bus stops, as well as billboards, traffic signals and more. Thousands of businesses and buildings have been modified to use ultra-low energy LED lights as well as installing energy-efficient roofing insulation which is particularly helpful within the winter months. Amsterdam has always been known for its large number of cyclists but this has greatly increased over the past few years with many more areas becoming pedestrianised and the number of electric vehicles skyrocketing.

Piaget has unveiled its new Possession collection, a unique and playful offering that celebrates life and invites the wearer to express their personality.

The collection revolves around a spinning movement and unique shape. It is designed to be worn in an individual way by the wearer.

This year Piaget’s iconic Décor Palace design adorns the Possession collection on a new set of seven rings and one triple rose gold earring. This manual engraving process is inspired by the guilloché technique that is traditionally used on watches to add a three-dimensional texture to the designs

Colours gemstones also feature on these new pieces, adding vibrancy to the collection as they combine with diamonds. Mixing colour, volume and textures, this collection is unforgettable and stylish.

The highlight piece of the collection is the Possession Rainbow Ring. This special piece features an impressive array of green tsavorites and coloured sapphires, organised into a spectacular rainbow. Each stone has been carefully selected to find the perfect colour and size for each gemstone to smoothly transition to the next.

Cartier has unveiled Indian actress and producer Depeeka Padukone as their newest ambassador.

The elegant beauty represents the Cartier spirit and is a voice of global resonance yet remaining true to her roots, balancing modernity and tradition much like the historical Maison.

“We are delighted to welcome Deepika Padukone to our community of extraordinary talents”, said Arnaud Carrez, Cartier’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “As an inspiring actress and committed philanthropist, Deepika embodies the Maison’s spirit and values of celebrating creativity, universality and open-mindedness.”

“It is my absolute honor to be joining the Cartier family”, commented Padukone on this announcement, “and I look forward to teaming up with a house known for its timelessness and iconicity”.

Padukone is known for her roles in a number of Hollywood films and has become a global fashion icon over the past years. The philanthropist and entrepreneur also founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation, which works tirelessly towards raising awareness about the importance of mental health in India and destigmatizing illness.

This season Dior presents the men’s B101 sneakers.

A shoe to make a statement these sleek shoes combine contemporary lines with elegant calf leather and suede: the perfect combination of modern and traditional.

Enhanced by the luminous colours of the ready-to-wear collection and signed by Creative Director Kim Jones, these stylish accessories are a statement-making piece for the fashion-conscious man.

A tribute to the art of detail, something that is dear to the House of Dior, the CD Diamond signature is revealed on the sole, tongue and heel, for an ultimate urban look.

Discover now at Dior stores globally and online.

As we are all trying to navigate the Metaverse and the new concept of Web3 and virtual reality, luxury brands are realising how they too can explore this universe and take their businesses and interaction with consumers to the next level.

The new world of Web3 is allowing brands who of course are based on the concept of selling physical material products, to experiment with the idea of selling non-tangible items. This may at first feel like a strange concept to get your head around – the whole point of buying a fashion accessory is to carry it around with you right? Yes, right, however, the wider scope of investing in luxury products is exactly that: as an investment. So why does that investment have to be physical? You are buying into the universe of the brand, not just the products and brands are starting to use this to their advantage by experimenting with virtual concepts.

In March, the first Metaverse Fashion Week; hosted by Decentraland saw several international brands participating in virtual shows, presentations, after-parties, immersive experiences and shopping opportunities, all taking part within a fully-virtual world. This opened up the world to brands and consumers who are still navigating its concept. And then there are platforms such as Roblox, that allow brands to share their universes through virtual games that engage users, as well as opportunities for users to shop in virtual stores. Now, as brands are seeing the potential from this sector, some international luxury houses are starting to dip their toe into the Metaverse in new exploratory ways. We discover who is getting it right so far, and what more lies in the potential of this sector for luxury brands.

Gucci

Italian fashion house Gucci was one of the first to offer its consumers experiences in the digital world and is one of the most advanced in the development of its digital projects and content. In February of this year, Kering president and CEO François-Henri Pinault revealed that the company had created a team who are fully dedicated to working on web 3.0 activities.

Gucci which also has its own dedicated team began by presenting the digital version of its Gucci Garden on Roblox, which was followed by a partnership with Zepeto, allowing users to buy pieces of virtual Gucci clothing to dress their avatars. Then more recently, the brand launched a series of NFTs in collaboration with Superplastic. Based within the Gucci Vault platform an experimental concept store revolving around vintage Gucci pieces, the SUPERGUCCI collection features a colourful collection of characters that reflect the House’s latest collections and can be purchased by users.

The brand has promised to continue with its projects in the metaverse and is also offering users the opportunity to purchase virtual real estate within in gaming platform The Sandbox, as well as various partnerships with NFT owners and creators.

Louis Vuitton

In 2021 Louis Vuitton celebrated the 200th anniversary of its founder by launching a virtual game; Louis The Game. This mobile game was embedded with 30 NFTs and chronicled the journey of the house’s fashion mascot, Vivienne. Vivienne completes several tasks in a virtual world as it travels through the history of the brand and tries to find the 30 hidden NFTS created by artist Beeple throughout the land before levelling up to collect 200 candles to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Louis Vuitton.

The game has so far amassed over two million downloads and has been updated with new locations and different types of outfits for Vivienne. Ten new NFT postcards were also created in collaboration with NFT designer Mike Winkelmann, Wenew Labs and Beeple, Louis Vuitton, along with Dior is expected to be one of the first LVMH Group brands to delve further into this world, reaching a new audience and embracing the virtual world.

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren’s CEO Patrice Louvet has widely spoken of his intention for the brand to explore the metaverse as a way. To expand and increase profits of the American brand. In 2021 Ralph Lauren was one of the many brands to set up shop within Roblox, which has a total of over 50 million active daily users. Its ” Ralph Lauren Winter Escape” virtual store stocked pieces that were priced at an accessible level making them attractive to gamers and increasing the brand’s reach within the virtual world.

The experience was developed in collaboration with a Roblox community developer, Funomena, a creative game design and development studio bringing unique and innovative experiences to life on the platform. The brand also offered users the opportunity to customise pieces from its digital collection, which was inspired by the Ralph Lauren Polo Sport line from the nineties.

Balenciaga

Balenciaga’s first venture into the metaverse was through the computer game Fortnite. With a temporary Balenciaga hub, players of the game could purchase digital outfits inspired by real-life Balenciaga Fall 2021 pieces from a virtual boutique. Some items including the brand’s Triple S Sneakers could be unlocked by users without having to buy them and could be worn by their characters in the game. Throughout the duration of the hub, players were invited to try on outfits in the virtual changing room as well as hang out with fellow players in the digital boutique.

To tie the virtual world into the real world And to tie this into the real world, a series of clothing was also available in select Balenciaga stores and on their website and customer who purchased the real-life pieces could also unlock the Balenciaga outfits in Fortnite. This seamless experience between virtual and physical is a real turning point for brands. Further to this, Balenciaga has revealed ambitious plans to further its presence in the digital world.

Burberry

Earlier this year, Burberry introduced a collection of virtual handbags which will soon be available on the global online platform Roblox. Taking inspiration from the brand’s iconic Lola bag, this exclusive limited edition collection of virtual creations highlighted Burberry’s longstanding affinity for nature and the outdoors with five handbags that take inspiration from natural elements with experimental designs. Created in partnership with @Builder_Boy, one of the Roblox community’s most established designers the virtual bags feature colourful compositions with the addition of natural elements such as clouds, water and wild foliage.

Members of the virtual community could dress their avatars with the handbag, wearing it throughout the Roblox platform as they explore the user-generated worlds. Each bag was accompanied by an exclusive emote, a unique action that avatars can perform on Roblox, available to users for free for a limited time. The distinctive movements, such as levitation or dance, mirror each handbag’s design theme.

Rachel Waller, VP of Channel Innovation at Burberry said at the time of the launch: “We are thrilled to partner with Roblox to share a virtual handbag collection and to bring our iconic Lola bag to life in an entirely new creative way. The expression of our digital personas is a fascinating concept and one which we know is increasingly important to our customers. Roblox is a platform built on imagination, community and creativity pillars which are central to our brand, and we’re delighted to bring our virtual products to this community.”

Dolce & Gabbana

Forward-thinking brand Dolce&Gabbana is embracing the metaverse in a big way. One of the brands to showcase at the first Metaverse Fashion week by Decentraland, the designer presented a bespoke collection of 20 looks or Metaverse wearables, designed to celebrate the creativity and innovation of the medium. In addition, the brand also released DGFamily, an exclusive NFT (Non-Fungible Token) community.

The DGFamily NFT offers a unique ecosystem of benefits for holders, including access to exclusive drops, physical and digital events and collaborations. Affirming the one-of-a-kind DGDNA 3.0 that truly transcends reality and the Metaverse.

Fendi

At the beginning of this year, Fendi began its journey into the Metaverse with the Men’s Fall/Winter 2023 collection. The collection was presented in January with a virtual fashion followed by the launch of the Fendi cryptocurrency wallet; a range of crypto hardware accessories. Additionally, this September, the brand expanded its horizons in the sector with the introduction of two innovative AR effects. These were developed with Meta’s Spark AR technology and designed by creative agency BUCK. The effects are now available on Meta’s platforms: Instagram and Facebook. These interactive experiences honour the brand’s partnership with the new ambassador of the house Karim Benzema and the new Faster sneakers.

Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the region’s leading retailer of luxury watches and jewellery and Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe have unveiled two new flagship boutiques in the UAE.

The two stores in Abu Dhabi and Dubai highlight the brand ethos, and values that truly represent Patek Philippe. With exclusive novelties, VIP area and the opportunity to discover the history of the brand, the two boutiques offer a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere for clients to sit back and make their next purchase.

Located in The Dubai Mall and The Galleria Al Maryah Island Abu Dhabi both boutiques cover an extensive area and are in prime position. The flagship boutique located in The Dubai Mall marks a global first for Patek Philippe and its retail footprint, represented by the first of its kind design of the shop front and facade. The boutique also includes a noteworthy hospitality area for clients to further enhance their experience.

“Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is honoured to celebrate this milestone with Patek Philippe in the UAE as we unveil two new flagship boutiques. With a partnership spanning over 60 years, the shared vision, respect for tradition, quest for excellence, and passion for horology and our clients; have been instrumental in establishing and growing our relationship with the watch community in our region. As we embark on this new journey together, we look forward to our continuing partnership and building on our shared values for years to come.” said Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, Chief Commercial Officer, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons.

The partnership between Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and Patek Philippe dates back to 1960, marked by the celebration of many notable milestones together; including the opening of the first stand-alone Patek Philippe Boutique in 2005 in Wafi Mall and a special series of limited editions created to commemorate Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons’ 60th anniversary and 50 years of partnership with Patek Philippe.

Ameca, the Humanoid Robot has become the first robotic member of staff at Dubai’s Museum of the Future.

Ameca will be part of the Museum of the Future’s Tomorrow Today exhibition and will greet and interact with visitors, guiding them around the museum and answering questions.

Described by its manufacturer, Engineered Arts, as the world’s most advanced human-shaped robot representing the forefront of human-robotics technology, Ameca is AI-powered and features a human-like face and a robotic body, shaped like a human. She is capable of making facial expressions and even has a sense of humour.

Tomorrow Today is one of the museum’s experiences which explores the contrasting ways in which technology can shape the future by contributing to solving societal and environmental challenges. It features more than 50 exhibits, including prototypes and current products focusing on five areas: waste management, environment, food security, agriculture, and city planning.

Hotel de la Ville, Rocco Forte

Hotel de la Ville – Cielo

Situated at the very top of the Spanish steps on the iconic street Via Sistina, Hotel de la Ville is a quaint boutique property offering Italian style with a modern twist. With an incredible view across the city, overlooking the Piazza di Spagna and Trinità dei Monti and just next to the entrance of the beautiful Villa Borghese gardens the location is perfect for those looking to relax but still have all the elements of the Eternal City on your doorstep.

Lobby

When entering the property you will immediately embrace a homely feel, with elegant décor and great attention to detail, you will notice every element has been carefully thought out and considered. The hotel’s building, much like many in the city has a great history. Dating back to the 18th century the building was first classified as a hotel at the beginning of the 20s and was later expanded in the mid-twentieth century. Today since a remodel in 2019, the hotel is part of the Rocco Forte Group and it combines this history with elegant design and interiors and the latest in modern technology.

Rooms & Interiors

The hotel’s interiors were designed by Olga Polizzi, Design Director for Rocco Forte Hotels with architecture by Tommaso Ziffer. Together the two drew inspiration from the 18th century Grand Tour, an era that has inspired the property since the beginning. Around the hotel, you will find carefully placed artworks and coloured elements that bring together the old and the new. This juxtaposition makes you feel at home and offers a modern twist on the classic property. 

The rooms themselves are super spacious with every detail thought out. Our Junior Suite was large but homely with added details such as a spacious wardrobe, bookcase, work area and state-of-the-art coffee machine adding to the luxury lifestyle. The hotel has 104 rooms in total many of which have views of the city or the quaint inner courtyard. Lavish fabrics are given a contemporary touch with that feeling of old meets new present throughout. The bathrooms are uber-luxurious with Italian marble from floor to ceiling, and if you’re looking for complete relaxation, lay back in the bath and enjoy the luxurious Irene Forte body and skincare products. 

Food & Dining 

Rome is one of the greatest city’s in Italy when it comes to food and Hotel de la Ville brings you some of the best of the capital’s cuisine. All of the property’s F&B concepts are overseen by Fulvio Pierangelini, Creative Director of Food for Rocco Forte Hotels with menus by Maestro Pierangelini. Begin your day with breakfast at Mosaico as you relax in the outdoor courtyard and indulge in a wide offering of international and local dishes. In the evening choose from a variety of experiences depending on your taste. We recommend beginning your evening at the idyllic Cielo Terrace Bar, situated on the rooftop of the hotel for a traditional aperitivo.

This intimate yet glamorous venue is one of the best places in the city to take in the historical views. Also, a great place to watch the sunset Cielo is a relaxed location that would make the perfect destination for a date or catching up with loved ones. Later in the evening head to Da Sistina for dinner. This elegant bistro is designed in the style of a typical neighbourhood trattoria bringing classic elements from the local cuisine into a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere. With a modern take on classic Roman gastronomy, the menu offers a fresh alternative to traditional dishes using locally sourced ingredients.

Hotel de Russie

Situated a little closer to the hustle and bustle of the luxury shopping streets of Rome, Hotel de Russie is perfect for those who love to be in the centre of all the action. This historic property is sat between two of Rome’s most famous piazzas, Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo. With most of the city’s shopping districts and tourist destinations within walking distance, Hotel de Russie is the perfect destination for those who love to meander through picturesque streets and get a true taste of Roman life.

Much like its sister property, the hotel has a long history dating back to 1816 when the land was first acquired. In the year 2000, it became Hotel de Russie as we know it today and has since become a favourite for VIP guests and celebrities visiting the Eternal City. When entering this property you will instantly feel at peace and at ease. There is a feeling of greatness as you enter the spacious lobby with high ceilings and elegant interiors. Through the back of the lobby, you will see the famous “Secret Garden” designed by Giuseppe Valadier which mirrors the beauty of the Villa Borghese.

Rooms & Suites 

The Rooms of Hotel de Russie are highly focused on comfort with fine attention to detail. While more classic than those at Hotel de la Ville the sense of fine Italian hospitality and luxury is overwhelming. A colour palette of soft pastel tones creates a harmonious mood with touches of vibrant shades offering a bold artistic accent. Many of the rooms feature Fornasetti wallpaper, adding a creative flair and furnishings come in the form of hand-woven rugs and carefully selected accents.

Contemporary works of art complete the rooms, many of which have impressive views across the city’s rooftops and terraces. For the ultimate luxury, the special suites are individually designed for a sense of uniqueness. Bringing the outdoors in, each of these rooms is bright and airy and combines elements of nature that can be found around the city. Traditional Italian furnishings will make you feel completely at home. 

Food & Dining 

Le Jardin de Russie is one of the most sought-after destinations in the city. From a relaxing breakfast in the morning to aperitivo with friends in the early evening, and dinner in the evening set in the picturesque courtyard, this 360 destination must be pre-booked thanks to its high demand from both tourists and locals alike. Beginning with an elegant dining room Le Jardin de Russie sprawls out into a raised garden at the back of the hotel, at the foot of the Pincio hillside, surrounded by billowing pines and flowering citrus trees. The most relaxing destination, the Jardin de Russie becomes an exclusive restaurant serving mouth-watering traditional Roman dishes and local specialities. You must try the including “cacio e pepe” ravioli, spaghetti with fresh tomato and basil, and sea bass baked with pink Himalayan salt, and for dessert, there is a selection of delicious sweet treats to discover.

When you have finished with dinner, head to Stravinskij Bar which again is one of the most coveted places to visit in the city. Dedicated to the Russian composer for which it bares the name, the bar of the Hotel de Russie includes both an internal and external area overlooking Piazzetta Valadier, perfect for taking in the wonderful views of the garden even in the coldest months, thanks to an external heating system.

Out & About 

Both hotels offer a series of exciting excursions and experiences for guests. Ranging from guided tours of the city, shopping experiences and a chance to discover the rich culture of the city in five-star style. Further afield take the opportunity to get a closer look at the region’s gastronomy with an exciting day trip to Fattoria delle Ville Pontificie. Here you can explore a dairy far and discover how local ingredients are grown, sourced and prepared. The ancient island of Ponza can also be reached in just 40 minutes by helicopter from Rome and this can be organised by the hotels if needed. The opportunities are endless.

For more information visit www.roccofortehotels.com/ 

DIFC’s newest dining destination is combining the flair of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines.

Alaya, the brand-new dining concept by Evgeny Kuzin and Chef Izu is paying homage to the Mediterranean and the Middle East with a unique menu that combines the best of European and Middle Eastern cuisine. The menu was designed by Chef Izu who partnered with Dubai restaurateur Evgeny Kuzin, who you may know from his other Dubai restaurants including Gaia and ShanghaiME, to create a concept inspired by their love of travel and the vibrant cuisine of the Mediterranean, featuring Middle Eastern influences.

The menu is filled with interesting creations that also highlight Chef Izu’s creative flair. Vibrant colours and unusual ingredient pairings off the best of both cuisines. All the dishes combine a selection of interesting herbs and spices as well as different kinds of nuts including pine, pistachio, almond and sesame, mixed with freekeh, pulses, and plenty of squeezes of lemon, across delicious meats and fish.

Some of our favourites on the menu include the Warm Whole Lobster or King Crab Salad to start. Followed by the Lentils and Fasoulia Salad. For main you can’t go wrong with the Wagu Ribeye which is served with peppercorn sauce, or for those who prefer seafood, the Pan Fried Dover Sole or the Whole Grilled Seabass are to die for! Don’t forget to save room for dessert! Indulge in traditional Arabic Kunafa or the Mochikan Chocolate cake for those with a real sweet tooth.

The interiors of the Dubai-based concept much like the menu combine the best of Eastern and Western influences. Designed by Richard Saunders & Sagrada the light open space is accentuated by Arabesque-style details such as interpretations of original details like marquetry and traditional tapestry. Bold colours, opulent finishings and intricate textures and patterns add a touch of elegance.

Commenting on the opening, Chef Izu said: “I am thrilled to be continuing my partnership with Evgeny to create another unique homegrown dining concept in Dubai. Alaya is our tribute to the Middle East, born from a desire to bring an entirely new culinary experience to the DIFC scene. Our inspiration comes from a combination of our extensive travels across the Eastern Mediterranean and our deep affection for the region, resulting in an eclectic concept driven by creativity, generosity and honesty.”

Evgeny Kuzin added “Chef Izu and I are long-term partners with a shared vision around creating homegrown concepts that will also appeal to an international audience. Following the expansion of GAIA, ShanghaiME globally and the successful opening of La Maison Ani this year, it is our aim to continue on this path, sharing a new style of cuisine to a wider global audience.”

Located in DIFC, Dubai Alaya is now open for reservations. For more information, please visit www.alaya-dubai.com or call +971 (0)4 570 6289.

1. Hybrid Skincare

Sisley Paris

With busy and constantly demanding lifestyles, women are finding it more and more difficult to make time for themselves. Women want real results, fast and they don’t always have time to go to the salon. With that in mind, the need for results-proven beauty products that minimise time and avoid a complicated regime is leading the way. Two-in-one solutions that simplify skincare but ensure visible effects are the way forward Sisley’s new Exfoliating Enzyme Mask for example introduces a new beauty step that is a cross between an exfoliant and a mask. Reducing time and avoiding regular trips to the salon this Hybrid skin care solution incorporates a natural fruit enzyme with an exfoliating action.

2. Digital Vs Physical

MAC Cosmetics

Much like we see happening in the fashion industry, beauty brands have started to explore the metaverse and discover new ways they can connect with their customers. One of those onboard is MAC Cosmetics which has created a range of NFTs. The Viva Glam x Keith Haring NFT collection features three limited edition animations of lipsticks based on the work of the late artist/activist Keith Haring. When buying one of these NFTs MAC also offers the owners physical benefits such as complimentary products and one-on-one consultations with MAC makeup artists. The NFT has ultimately become a ticket to exclusive products and experiences.

3. Microbiome Skincare

Murad Prebiotic 4-in -1 MultiCleanser

Microbiome-focused skincare products are having a moment. Much like we take probiotics to help our body from the inside, Mircrobiome skincare products focus on the microbiome which is in short, an ecosystem of bacteria that lives on the skin’s surface. Don’t panic, much of this is good bacteria and having a balanced microbiome is beneficial, especially to skin health. Mircrobiome help to keep harmful aggressors away and reduce inflammation within the skin when needed. Products that will help to balance this layer will not only improve the appearance of your skin but will be beneficial to overall health. Look for ingredients in products such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid that will help balance and improve barrier function.

4. Supercharged Facial

FOREO Bear

Why have a regular facial when you can have it supercharged? A new generation of electricity-powered gadgets is allowing women to experiment at home with devices that will offer a “non-invasive facelift”. The FOREO Bear is this year’s number-one skincare device and it is making waves across the world. The powerful device delivers a non-invasive treatment and restores skin elasticity, Featuring an anti-shock system, BEAR is the safest microcurrent device available on the market, measuring your skin’s resistance to electricity and automatically adjusting microcurrent accordingly for maximum safety and comfort. It offers a completely customised skincare routine, while T-Sonic™ pulsations energize the skin for a stimulating facial treatment to restore firmness and reduce visible signs of ageing. Available at Sephora, Namshi.com, Sivvi.com, Noon.com and FOREO.com

5. Condensed beauty

Davines Solid Shampoo

Condensed beauty or “waterless skincare” is a new movement originating from South Korea that is helping to make the industry more environmentally friendly. It is a way for brands to discover new ways to amplify the results and efficiency of beauty formulas, while reducing product waste. It goes beyond sustainability and recyclable products by reducing water and creating products in powder or solid form. This can be anything from a powder cleanser to a solid shampoo or body wash. All you do is add water – it reduces waste and also prolongs the freshness of the products.

London’s newest boutique hotel is in the perfect location of all of the city’s historic landmarks.

Lost Property St Paul’s Hotel recently opened its doors in London as a boutique, quirky alternative for those with creative flair and who are looking for something out of the ordinary from their stay.

This Curio Collection by Hilton property is the first to open in the sought-after location of London’s square mile and is the perfect setting for those on business, or those looking to have a touristic weekend break. Located just across the road from the iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral, Lost Property St Paul’s is a great starting point for all your exploring needs.

Lobby

The property itself is situated within one of the city’s historical buildings and features 145 rooms and suites spread over six floors. The hotel’s concept is based on the ethos of being lost in the city, a theme runs throughout the hotel with quirky touches expressing the idea throughout, beginning with the “lost” statue in the hotel’s reception.

Bedroom

As you make your way through the hotel you’ll be entertained by the colourful décor and carefully created furnishings and artworks, which blend together old and new. The interiors celebrate the intricacies of lost craftsmanship and innovative design, echoing the shapes and architectural forms found in the nearby St Paul’s Cathedral and the neighbouring streets.

The rooms, like most in London, aren’t huge, but the space is used in a great way with plenty of light coming through. Pops of colour and quirky details and accessories can be found around the rooms to add a personal touch. Details are inspired by the local area and the artworks in the rooms and corridors offer a modern touch to this historical building. Marble bathrooms and a sleek contemporary design throughout combine the old with the new.

Bathroom

Food & Beverage

Found

On the ground floor of the hotel, you’ll find Found; a quirky bar and restaurant. The name derives from the same concept as the hotel representing that moment you find yourself somewhere new. The décor of found features an impressive bespoke bar, crafted from blue resin, while Murano glass lights create a cinematic mood.

Found is the destination for breakfast in the morning, where you can find an array of traditional English dishes, healthy options, and delicious pancakes for those wanting to treat themselves! In the evenings, Found comes alive inviting both in-house and outside guests to enjoy the atmosphere. Some of the recommended dishes on the menu include rich French classics such as Bouillabaisse and Coq au Vin and hearty British classics such as Ploughman’s and Welsh Rarebit.

Elsewhere in the hotel, you’ll find a state-of-the-art fitness centre, as well as a friendly team of staff to help you find your way around the city. Before you head out pop into the hotel’s coffee shop Tattle to grab a drink and a selection of homemade healthy and organic bites.

Lost Property St Paul’s London – Curio Collection by Hilton is located at 3 – 5 Ludgate Hill, St Paul’s London EC4M 7AA.

For more information, please visit: Lost Property St Paul’s London – Curio Collection by Hilton or call 0044 20 4553 0555.

This annual mentorship programme designed by the Saudi Fashion Commission invites Saudi brands and designers to share their talent with the world.

Saudi 100 is designed to offer emerging local brands a professional development program which helps them achieve their full potential.

For the 100 brands that are accepted, founders will be able to benefit from masterclasses, workshops, one-on-one mentorship sessions, and professional development delivered by industry leaders and experts.

The program covers ten different categories: ready-to-wear, modest, concept, premium, demi-couture, bridal, handbags, and jewellery and this year, for the first time ever, fragrance and footwear have been added as two new categories in the programme.

Designers can apply for the year-long international program for established brands, or a six-month program for smaller brands.

Applications are now open and will close on 16 October 2022. The program will start in November 2022. Apply here: https://saudi100brands.com

Egyptian luxury handbag label, Okhtein made its Paris Fashion Week debut this season as it collaborated with French fashion house Balmain.

An exclusive piece designed in collaboration with Balmain Creative Director Olivier Rousteing and Okhtein’s co-creative directors and co-founders Aya and Mounaz Abdel Raouf, made its way down the runway as part of the Balmain SS23 collection on Wednesday, September 28th, 2022.

For the occasion, Aya and Mounaz Abdel Raouf designed a bold bustier in worn-out resin, inspired by the iconic Egyptian alabaster stone.

The collection was inspired by the rebirth and rediscovery of the beauty of the Renaissance, highlighting how ancient masterpieces can be adapted to modern times which perfectly coincided with the design of this piece.

The bustier is enriched with a bangle in Okhtein’s iconic brass material, and the ancient Egyptian postiche. Aya and Mounaz intended to also incorporate the brand’s distinctive snake brass bangle, from their newest ‘Bangle Bag’ along with the postiche, emphasizing on the contrast of old and modern, to portray rebirth.

Aya and Mounaz spoke of the piece: “This piece was the most challenging project for both of us, however we found it as an opportunity to push ourselves as designers and product developers. We are grateful for our team and for the factories we work with, for bringing this piece to life.”

Olivier and Aya & Mounaz

They continued: “We are both thrilled and excited to be collaborating with Olivier Rousteing and Balmain for their SS23 collection. Our first encounter with Olivier was back in 2019, when he was one of the judges at the Fashion Trust Arabia. We look up to him on so many levels and truly love his genuineness and passion for what he does.

We are excited to be showing a little piece of our brand and its story. Coming from Egypt, a country of rich heritage and history, the story combining both our vision and Olivier’s has been a truly wonderful experience.”

Nour al Nimer, Founder of Nimerology discusses her latest tableware collections and her passion for design

Inspired by Founder Nour al Nimer’s love of gatherings with family and friends around the table, Nimerolgy is not just about beautiful homeware pieces, it is about providing a lifestyle and luxury experience for customers and bringing colour and vibrancy into their homes in the form of elegant tableware.

Nimeroloy’s collections bring together a medley of cultures, translated into elegant tableware that will add a sense of personality to your dining table. Whether you’re preparing for an elegant dinner party with friends, a casual family gathering, or a festive season event, Nimerology has a range of designs to suit every need. Al Nimer’s passion for travel can be seen throughout her collections, taking elements from various cultures and bringing them together in a unique combination. Born in Beirut to a Palestinian father and Turkish mother, al Nimer highlights the coming together of cultures and the East meeting the West through her creations. Here we find out more about the latest collections and why we all need a little Nimerology in our homes!

“Gül n’ Eloïse, The Dragon”

Tell us about the vision behind Nimerolgy and where the company is at today. 

My vision for Nimerology from the outset was about the appreciation and accessibility of beautiful things, be it in the collection’s designs, quality of tableware or even the table settings. I wanted to champion the importance of everyday luxury and beauty, to provide my customers with an elevated and functional experience, where form and function truly come together.

What first inspired you to set up your company?

A table is where we gather with loved ones. Where we engage with each other and create memories. I wanted to create high-end luxury chinaware without the

intimidation that often comes with beautifully-made pieces. My collections are to be used every day, an opportunity to share not only food but also to have an enjoyable experience with fine tableware.

Can you tell us about your creative process?

A new collection always begins with research in the form of real-life experiences. Exploring a museum, reading a new book or travelling to a new city, are all experiences that open my mind. With the latest collection “Gül n’ Eloïse, The Dragon”, however, I didn’t have to travel very far!

The process from start to finish is multi-faceted in terms of old and new techniques, taking the best of both worlds. We worked with some of the greatest traditional chinaware makers in the UK and we also used cutting-edge digital software to manipulate the designs and create complex patterns inspired by heritage and tradition.

Once the chinaware designs and the artwork have been established, these two worlds come together to create the Nimerology identity, a place where appreciation of high-end traditional know-how and craftsmanship merge with modern graphic design elements, creating collections that are both modern and steeped in tradition. It is this juxtaposition of old and new, luxurious and functional, that carves out the Nimerology niche.

“Gül n’ Eloïse, The Dragon”

What inspires you the most?

As a designer, I am compelled by my love of beautiful things, personal style expression, and willingness to enjoy the present.

What are you trying to bring to your customers with your collections?

The objective of my tableware collections is to help set the stage for self-expression. I like to encourage my clients to not be afraid to make their tableware personal by mixing and matching different collections. I always tell my customers to have items in their homes that put a smile on their faces every time they use them. It does not have to be all about patterns or bold designs; they can have discreet and understated pieces in a minimalist style that are equally beautiful. The key is to find pieces that provoke a feeling inside them. Fresh flowers are the ultimate finishing touch will always be fresh flowers. The pleasure and the loveliness of flowers are their ephemerality and their unique ability to create your chosen atmosphere. Life is short, and there is nothing I encourage more than making each moment a special occasion. Nothing is too fancy for the present, and “formal” tableware is perfectly suited to ignite sparkles to your Monday night dinner.

“Gül n’ Eloïse, The Dragon”

What do you think is the impact of having creative, artistic objects as part of our everyday life?

I believe that beauty nourishes the soul. When we interact with well-designed products there is a sense of appreciation and joy, and it goes some way in improving our overall quality of life.

What can you tell us about your latest collections?

A modern twist on classical symbology, our new series “Gül n’ Eloïse, The Dragon” combines motifs of dragons and roses (güls, in Turkish), which typically adorn Ottoman-era manuscripts, illuminations, textiles and porcelain. The dragon image is a quintessential Chinese motif in the blue-and-white porcelain of the Ming dynasty, which was later adapted by the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. It was generally portrayed by large, saw-edged leaves to create the famous Saz style. In the East, dragons were considered spiritual beings who chased evil entities and rain and were therefore also depicted flying amongst clouds. Nimerology subverts this historical tradition by juxtaposing the mythical creature against floating, multi-coloured dots and roses.

Roses have come to epitomise Ottoman Turkish art. The flower signalled the coming of spring and has influenced Turkish culture throughout the ages, playing a special role in the culinary arts, fragrance, poetry and literature. Veering away from classical blue-and-white porcelain traditions, Nimerology’s new china collection is imbued with a vibrant, kaleidoscopic colour palette.

I love the image of the dragon recontextualized as a powerful, feminine figure, which we baptized Eloise. The mythical figure evokes strength and bravery but with a soft side, represented here through the colours we selected.

“Gül n’ Eloïse, The Dragon”

Can you share with us a little about the personalisation your offer with your products?

The customisation of our tableware is a service we are proud to offer. Our exclusive clients enjoy the creation of bespoke collections showcasing their unique style and taste within their homes, restaurants or hotels. Whether it is creating a design from scratch or tweaking readymade drawings, we strive to meet their expectations to create a uniquely personal collection.

What is something you would still like to achieve with your brand?

We have so much more to do. I want to believe that we are just getting started!

Moodboard

Where is your favourite place to travel?

Turkey, I have yet to explore so many more places there.

Who would you invite to your ultimate dinner party and which collections of tableware would you use?

It is often said that you shouldn’t meet your heroes, as imagination most often trumps reality. That said, for my ultimate dinner party, I would invite Louise Bourgeois, Amy Winehouse, Martha Stewart, Etel Adnan, Yayoi Kusama and Jane Fonda. I would be captivated by the combination of personalities. Dragons and roses seem particularly fitting for this group and so I would decorate the table with the “Gül n’ Eloïse, The Dragon” collection.

What is the professional motto you live by?

Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Moodboard

When or where are you in your most creative state of mind?

My collections are always personal and connected to my memories. I am inspired by the experiences of my travel and the discovery of new cultures. I also have an interest in history and research, which is important to me. Museum visits often trigger my inspiration in the early stage of my new projects.

What else is coming up for the rest of the year?

We are adding new items to our “I’m Off to Join the Circus” collection. The multiple design elements of the collection make it a joy to mix and match. You could create a different setup every day of the week and people really love that about it.

How would you describe Nimerology in one word?

Fun.

We find out more about the Lelievre Prints featured on some of the ready-to-wear pieces.

Dior’s Spring Summer Spring 2023 Ready-to-Wear womenswear collection recently debuted in Paris.

Designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri the collection features elegant Lelievre Prints.

The floral patterns were proposed by Tassinari & Chatel, an old French House based in Lyon whose textiles are among the most sumptuous, refined and sought-after in the world.

© Melinda Triana

The first pattern “Brocade Sown with Flowers” which was first created in 1861 featured light delicate floral motifs set against a solid black background.

The second design is the “Bird of Paradise Brocade”. Inspired by Japanism an artistic movement in France between 1860 and 1890, the pattern features an elegant arrangement of birds and butterflies.

© Melinda Triana

For the Spring/Summer 2023 ready-to-wear collection these two patterns were re-editioned on a selection of garments.

See more in the video below:

Mohamed Al Banna has had entrepreneurial spirit since he was a child. Born and raised in the United Arab Emirates, he expressed his forward-thinking business side at just 17 when he invested in a car to make money, along with his best friend and his brother.

At that time, he didn’t know this was an entrepreneurial business move, but it was a sign of what was to come. After graduating from University in Dubai, Al Banna began his career as a banker at RAK Bank, selling credit cards to customers. It was then that he realised that the way to navigate successfully in life was to work smart, not simply work hard, and he began to understand the importance of building strong relationships and gaining the trust of others. Despite being one of the most challenging, this was also one of the greatest experiences in his life that would prepare him for the future. 

After leaving the bank to work for a finance company, Al Banna became the youngest team leader in the company, and he realised that he was born for sales. He loved people, networking and building good relationships. At this point, he started to see life differently and realised he could fulfil his full potential by becoming a businessman. He believed that the secret to a successful business was to have the right people around him, as well as being human and honest. He decided to open a consultancy company to assist those who wanted to buy properties in the UAE. He would handle the logistical processes for them and charge a fee for his services. This was the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey and although there have been many ups and downs along the way, today he is the founder of a network of successful companies across many different sectors. Here, we find out more about Mohamed’s business journey, his most recent venture into the virtual world and the opportunities it can bring.

Can you share the beginning of your journey as an entrepreneur?

In 2008 I owned around twelve properties with my business partner as we used to buy properties together and flip them to make money. This was when the global financial crisis happened and it became scary as no one knew what was going to happen, so I wanted to come up with a plan. I spoke to my best friend (the same one that I bought the car with when I was 17), and we decided to open a restaurant. My thought process was that even if there is a crisis, everyone still needs to eat and drink. So, we invested in a restaurant concept together. The greatest part was that we made it happen, but the challenging part was that we did not assign the right people to the right jobs and unfortunately, we didn’t have the success we anticipated.

After six months, we decided to sell and exit the business and we lost a lot of money. It was a big learning curve and yes, it was a setback, but you must keep trying. A few months later, my best friend and his family were inspired by the restaurant, and they came up with their own concept and invited me to be involved. Of course, I said yes because we made a deal when we were kids that we would take on every business opportunity together. It was a great success and we started to make our money back within the first year. It helped my cash flow and allowed me and my friend to recover from the previous loss. This was a challenging period, which some might call failure, but for me, it was more of a challenge that we turned into success.

In 2016, I was selected to work as a senior director and decided that I wanted to create a platform to set expectations for companies that were entering the UAE. Dubai is an amazing hub, and everyone wants to bring their businesses here, but there is a challenging part that they don’t know about. People think they will come to Dubai and invest one million dollars and get ten million dollars back within a year. They think they can introduce a product or service, start selling it and immediately make money, but this is not often the case. I wanted to be that person who advises them on what they can expect because there are many things they will need to do to be successful. And because I had done it myself and failed, I could use my experience to advise others, as well as help them with the logistical processes.

Let’s say you come to the UAE with a product or service that you feel has great potential. You have two options: the first is that you do everything alone, but in my opinion, this is a risky option. The second is that you work with a strategic partner who has the experience, is trusted, and has a great network. This is where I come in; I will act as that strategic partner throughout the process to assist and make life easier for the business owner.  

Tell us about LEAD ventures and the vision of the company.

My vision was to create a one-stop-station for businesses coming from abroad. LEAD Ventures will assist with all aspects of the business from company formation, to marketing and PR, to business development and sales. We will be there through every step of the process and continue to be there after the company has formed. I always say that your network is your net worth and contacts mean contracts and we will also utilise our network to help the growth of the business.

I work closely with His Highness Sheikh Juma Bin Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum, who is a strategic partner which is a great pillar for new businesses in the UAE. One of the services we offer within our platform is the support of His Highness with certain businesses that have the vision of the UAE as part of their strategy. For these businesses, he will give his approval and support and as a senior advisor, I will take this forward and help with the development of the business. 

Once we set up your business, we will handle the PR and marketing strategy to put the spotlight on the person and the vision of the company. And of course, when you are seen to be aligned with successful people, you will immediately gain trust from others. We assist with anything related to your business plan and market research and we will also be available to help with business development. This is our unique selling point. Of course, we cannot guarantee success, but we will only work with companies that we think will be successful, based on our experience and knowledge. 

We know you have already expanded the company – what can you tell us about that?

My vision for LEAD Ventures was to be a one-stop-station for all industries. Over the past few years, a group of companies has been growing under LEAD Ventures and I want to continue this growth to be present in all relevant industries. My method is not to recruit people or outsource projects but to strategically connect and partner with the right people and therefore grow into a successful partnership. For example, one of the companies YMJ, an events company, was developed with partners that I spent time searching for in the market. I found the right people to work with and within a year and a half, we are competing with big names in the industry. So I am not just supporting companies coming to the UAE, if there is something that I really believe in, I will give you my services and investment and we will go into business together. 

Can you tell us about Connect LEAD?

Connect LEAD is a consultancy arm of the company that I set up after COVID-19 to make it easier to help those businesses who do not want to invest in our full services. With Connect LEAD, we again connect with businesses wanting to come to the UAE but we offer smaller packages to strategically fulfil their needs. We can assist with a three-month trial and test the waters with the business. I will take the product or service and instead of making initial investments we will study the market in real-time and see what the reaction is from potential clients. In this way, we can get feedback before any large investment is made and we can make the decision about whether to continue or not. I would love someone to do this for me if I was entering a new market with a new idea and I want to help others do the same. On the other hand, if I feel there is something I cannot do, I am honest and transparent about that and I tell them they will lose their money. I would never take advantage. 

What is the plan moving forward?

My vision is to offer 360 services. This means I will have a company in each sector, be it real estate, events, art, education, hospitality etc., my vision is to cover all in one place. We want a person or business to be able to utilise my services and lower their costs by coming to me for all their requirements. We are planning to launch Venture Capital which will allow us to build our portfolio of money and invest in start-up companies. 

I also have a consultancy side to my business which is more of a passion where I am working with a university as a mentor, and this is something I would like to do more of. I enjoy sharing my experiences and knowledge and being a mentor to students who have great ideas. I want to inspire others and I truly believe that everything we do in the world is connected and will come back around. 

What do you have coming up in the near future?

In October 2022 I will be launching Belvedere Art Space in DIFC. It is a gallery that I am opening along with my two partners. We want to turn it into a hub where people can be educated on art, how to turn art into NFTs and everything around that subject. We want to build a community around this and bring opportunities to artists both locally and internationally and develop their artworks into NFTs. We are also working with members of the royal family and showcasing their artwork and these are the kinds of initiatives I want to explore with this space. 

Speaking of the virtual world, we know you have started exploring new opportunities in this sector – tell us about that.

I had been thinking of starting something related to crypto and NFTs for some time, but I didn’t understand that world. I felt there was a gap in the market to educate people on NFTs – what to invest in, how to create their own wallet etc. and I wanted to do something even bigger than that. This is the ‘why’ behind my project Crypto Arabs, but I needed to find the right people who believed in my vision. I found a fantastic partner and we began working together. 

I knew I wanted to educate people and I learned that with any NFT project you must create a story and you have to create utilities (benefits). Once we had our team, we had to decide on a character for our NFTs. We wanted to create something emotional. I thought of my friend who is the owner of “Shaabiat Al Cartoon”, a 16-year-old cartoon that as Emiratis we watch every Ramadan. We decided to turn the characters of this cartoon into NFTs and immediately I knew it was a great idea. With this project, I want to build a community which will be there for many, many years. The platform brings interesting and successful people together in unique circumstances. The next step will be to create more utilities. The platform will enable us to educate people and bring this community together through monthly masterclasses for those who own our NFTs. These digital tokens are the tickets to the membership to be in the community. This is the greatest utility as it will open up access to people who are experts in their field.

What is your opinion on NFTs – long-term investment or a fad?

What I believe is long-lasting is the community created around NFTs and the opportunities that it provides and that is what we are trying to offer. You are not just buying something digital, you are paying money to become part of a community to learn and meet like-minded owners of the NFTs. This gives you the option to firstly make friends, and talk to people you may not have ever been able to talk to otherwise and then from this, you can benefit from the opportunities of meeting people within this network. 

And finally, we are working with The Rashid Center for People of Determination as our strategic partner meaning that part of the money made from the sale of the NFTs will go to the Center to help support their work and the people there. We will be announcing something very exciting around this soon. 

What is the plan moving forward with this company?

Once all of the NFTs have sold, if someone wants to be part of this community, they will have to bid to buy the NFT from another owner in order to join the community and that is how our NFT owners will make their money. It’s not just about buying the cartoon; it’s about being part of the community. I am now in the process of expanding our consultancy services to educate people on launching their own businesses related to the metaverse or NFTs. If we have experience and the right people, then I believe we can educate others and that is what we plan to do with the consultancy services. 

How do you manage your time?

I work very smart. I know how to manage and delegate and I have the right people around me. I book slots for each part of the business, and I also handle everything myself without my assistant. This allows me to keep on top of my time, manage everything well and create time for the things that I feel are a priority. 

Who or what inspires you?

When it comes to family, my father is the person that inspires me. He was the motivation for me to be who I am today. He failed many times and picked himself up and I believe I learnt from that. 

Secondly, I am inspired by the author Simon Sinek. He wrote a book called “Start With Why” and this is the method that I live by when it comes to business. I always start with the ‘why’ behind everything. I like to listen to his books and get inspired by them.  

What do you say no to?

At the end of 2021, I learned how to say no. Because I’m working in a platform where every day, I receive something amazing, it can be very hard to say no. I used to say yes to lots of things, but now I try to say no until I finish what I’m already working on. Right now, I have enough, so I need to say no! But if I can do something within my means then I will find a way to assign it to one of my businesses or delegate it to one of my team. I also believe greatly in partnerships, so if there is something that I can’t do, I will hand it over to one of my partners and that is why I have lots of amazing partners that I enjoy working with. 

What is the professional motto that you live by?

When it comes to business, people are always saying “the sky is the limit”, for me I say, “the sky is just the start.” I don’t see limits, I dream big, and I believe that it will happen. 

Secondly, “the more you give, the more you get in life”. I always try to give positively to others and eventually it will come back around. 

Why transparency and legitimacy of diamonds and gemstones is the industry’s trend that won’t go away.

Traceability has become one of the most talked about topics in the jewellery industry today. More than just a trend, customers are demanding to have full transparency on the origin and journey of the stones in their jewellery pieces, and for the industry’s key players, it is a win or lose situation, with many consumers already beginning to shun brands that do not offer the openness they are looking for around gemstones and diamonds.

For years the ethical (or not so ethical) sourcing of rare stones has been a huge topic of debate around the world. With many brands unable to share the full journey of gemstones and diamonds from the source to the finished piece for many years. Historically it has been difficult to trace the source of stones due to a corrupt industry in many areas of the world, as well as it being logistically a very complicated process. Today, customers are savvier and more demanding than ever which puts pressure on brands to go the extra mile to please them. This combined with new legislation in many countries requiring companies to reveal where their gems have come from has been a game-changer in the industry. As in many other areas of their lives, customers want to understand where their purchases come from and to know that they are not investing in something that has negative implications on the planet or human beings.

Tiffany & Co.

The journey of a stone or diamond is far from a simple one. Often stones will pass through many countries and owners before reaching their final destination. This creates a long chain of events that, especially in war tone countries, is not always easy to track. Over the past few decades, we have begun to see much more clarity around the origins of diamonds and gemstones used by global jewellers in the hope to keep up with the demands of customers and wish to make the world a safer place for all.

Diamond source initiative caseline display

Much of this has been thanks to newly developed advanced technology that has allowed the big players to offer a fully-automated and verifiable tracking of stones throughout the process. One of those is Tiffany & Co. who in 2020 became the first global luxury jeweller to disclose all of the countries where their sourced, individually registered diamonds of .18 carats and larger are crafted. The Diamond Craft Journey is one of the most advanced systems in the world and allows the stones to be tracked from the moment they are unearthed it to the moment they land on your finger. “All of our rough diamonds are sourced either directly from a known mine or from a supplier with a limited number of known mines. We encourage high standards in the mining industry to protect human rights and ecologically sensitive lands.” The brand explains on its website. Tiffany is also dedicated to giving back to those communities where the diamonds are found and improving their local economies with multi-million dollar investments in the local infrastructure. Not only does the Diamond Craft Journey ensure transparency it guarantees the quality of the stones. “We carefully check each diamond to make sure it meets Tiffany’s high standards of cut, clarity, carat and colour. If anything takes away from the beauty of the stone, we won’t accept it.” Explains Hanna Jee, Diamond Grader, Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany & Co. Rare Fancy Color Diamonds.

And the same applies to jewellers specialising in gemstones, which can often be even more difficult to track than diamonds due to their multiple locations and conditions around the world. At Bulgari, this is something that is continually being focused on and improved. The Italian jeweller is a certified member of the Responsible Jewellery Council; the world’s leading sustainability standard-setting organisation for the jewellery and watch industry. By following the standards set out by the council Bulgari is able to provide clients with the necessary information on the journey of their stones from mining to the store, and guarantee that it is managed responsibly. Bulgari is also a member of the Colored Gemstones Working Group which is facilitated by The Dragonfly Initiative, and brings together major brands in the jewellery industry with the common goal to develop tools and methods to enable a transparent and responsible supply chain for coloured gemstones. The brand is working with new technologies and practices to continuously develop its responsible sourcing methods and guarantee customer’s peace of mind when purchasing jewellery items.

But the work doesn’t just come down to the brands themselves. In 2007 Gemfields was founded as a mining company that would specialise in the transparent and legitimate sourcing of gemstones. Specialising in coloured gemstones Gemfields set out to change the industry for the better, working with international jewellers to provide the most ethically sourced rubies and emeralds. Over the years Gemfields has developed with the industry and new technology has been able to offer even more accurate tracing of stones and make the process a much more seamless one. Today, Gemfields oversee the responsible mining and marketing of coloured gemstones from some of the world’s finest gemstone deposits, while ensuring they benefit as many citizens as possible. As the operator of some of the world’s biggest mines, it is involved in many of the most significant findings and selling of stones today. But there is still much to be done. We talk to Elena Basaglia, Gemmologist, at Gemfields to find out more.

Elena Basaglia Gemmologist at Gemfields

As a gemmologist how do you strive to ensure full transparency of every gem throughout the supply chain? 

At Gemfields, we have always believed coloured gemstones should be mined and marketed with three key values in mind – transparency, legitimacy, and integrity. We see ourselves as custodians of our host nations’ resources and believe it is our duty to get the best prices for Mozambican rubies and Zambian emeralds so that we can funnel back the maximum proceeds to these countries of origin.

We sell our rough gemstones through private auctions, to which we invite the biggest names in the coloured gemstone world. This pioneering auction platform allows transparent and fair trading of coloured gemstones, with the market setting prices and vetted buyers allowed to inspect the gems for themselves before placing their bids. Most importantly, the process provides full transparency to the host countries’ governments, whose representatives attend and observe the entire auction process, viewing sales figures and calculating taxes due to host economies. This platform enables us to follow through on our commitment to offering complete transparency to host nations.

We are also always advocating for improvements to the wider coloured gemstone and jewellery sector. Whether working with international non-profits and industry associations or with brands in the Coloured Gemstones Working Group, we have been tireless in our efforts to help develop pioneering industry standards and initiatives to provide open-access tools, educational materials, and other resources to the industry. We feel this helps to improve supply-chain transparency and good practice.

How do you ensure that the partners you work with uphold the same level of commitment? 

We are committed to working with brands and industry partners to standardise strong, transparent practices across the sector. We carry out thorough supplier compliance due diligence process and audit this periodically. We always try to lead by example, by upholding our own high standards. We also take the time to vet every bidder at our closed auctions to ensure they share our values of responsible practice before they are invited to attend.

Pits and Surrounding Landscape MRM Mozambique

What are some of the new developments you are working on currently? 

In 2017, we pioneered the use of nanoparticles in our higher-quality emeralds, working alongside the Gübelin laboratory of Switzerland. For the first time, buyers in decades to come will be able to know which mine the emerald they purchased originated from.

This nanoparticle technology works together with Gübelin’s ‘Provenance Proof’ blockchain, in which data for each gemstone is checked meticulously, using sophisticated algorithms, and then entered on a network of distributed digital ledgers. This is an efficient and secure alternative to an unreliable paper trail, with access to this information only granted to the gemstone’s current owner.

Suitable for both emeralds and rubies, the blockchain provides peace of mind by enabling traceability and seamless documentation along every stage of the value chain from the mine to the final customer.

In your opinion how is the jewellery industry changing and what are customers looking for from their stones and jewels today? 

Increased demand for coloured gemstones has mainly been a response to consumers feeling more confident about how our gems are mined and knowing there is a reliable and regular supply of responsibly sourced coloured gemstones.

Jewellery is often bought to reflect a celebration or milestone, and therefore holds great sentiment and pride. The industry is rightly undergoing heightened supply chain scrutiny with consumers increasingly asking for certificates of origin. This has required retailers to step up in terms of their knowledge and the documentation they provide.

At an industry level, traceability is key to ensuring that only like-minded businesses are involved in a transaction. At a consumer level, it helps customers to better understand their gems. Knowing what a gem’s journey has been before it was set in a piece of jewellery gives consumers confidence and adds a rich layer to the storytelling around it, which is useful for marketing.

Gemfields has always been a pioneering company, championing responsible mining and marketing of coloured gemstones. We continually strive to be at the forefront of developments across the industry.

Gemfields

Which stones are particularly difficult to work with in terms of their traceability? 

Traceability information is mostly recorded for larger single gemstones and being able to show a customer the piece of rough from which a gem originates brings with it a great sense of pride for a lapidary. The ability to provide such traceability is achievable with the blockchain system that Gemfields uses. It’s worth noting that, when working with a parcel of minute rough gems to produce small-sized pavé-style gems, the challenge becomes quite obvious!

With responsible sourcing receiving ever more attention and becoming increasingly important to consumers, we believe gemstone provenance and Gemfields’ ability to demonstrate its responsible practices will help us to stand out from others when it comes to choosing coloured gemstones.

This issue is about innovation and technology – how is technology aiding Gemfields’ ability to be more transparent with consumers? 

Our ruby sort-house in Mozambique and our proprietary coloured gemstone grading systems, which have revolutionised the coloured gemstone trading mechanism, are just two examples of how we, as a pioneering company, seek industry-leading solutions using state-of-the-art technology.

More recently we introduced an alternative gemstone auction format and online bidding platform in response to the restrictions on movement that we saw during the pandemic. We always strive to improve awareness and delivery of responsibly sourced African-coloured gemstones all the way from mine operations through to the end consumer, while having a positive impact on the countries of origin.

Gübelin Gem Lab’s advances in blockchain technology have given a huge boost to this ambition by providing a secure solution for proving the provenance of gemstones – the only way to be sure of exactly how a gemstone changes hands throughout its journey.

We are pleased to have customers who care as passionately as we do about where their gemstones come from, and by adopting Provenance Proof Blockchain, we are able to give them the certainty that they deserve.

What does sustainability mean at Gemfields? 

At Gemfields, our approach to sustainability can be summed up in two words: responsible sourcing. This lies at the heart of our business and means implementing industry-leading policies and practices across operations, transparency in our auction sales process, playing an active role in working groups to modernise the sector, and creating projects to improve health, education and livelihoods for the communities around our mines and supporting conservation efforts to protect Africa’s wildlife and biodiversity.

We guarantee full transparency throughout the auction sales process and that all taxes and royalties will be repatriated to host countries, with full visibility provided to government representatives, who attend our auctions and receive full disclosure of the revenues and taxes due.

In July 2021, we pioneered the ‘G-Factor for Natural Resources’, a new measure promoting greater transparency about the percentage of a nation’s natural resource wealth that is shared with the host government. We published our full figures and encouraged other mining companies to do the same.

What in your opinion is the future of the gemstone industry? 

This year, our ruby and emerald auctions have seen record-breaking results – our auction revenue in the first half of 2022 stands at USD 181 million versus our prior first-half record of USD 93 million, set in 2018. While we would caution that second-half revenues are unlikely to match the remarkable first half, the results underscore the extent of the step-change being experienced in the market.

We expect vibrant consumer interest to continue, fuelling further growth in the sector. As an appreciation of their beauty, rarity and value grows, it is likely that demand for emeralds, rubies and sapphires will too.

Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in the journey a gemstone has taken before reaching their hands, and mining companies are at the beginning of this journey. Our use of blockchain will allow consumers to experience each of these steps virtually, taking in the different locations and workshops the gem has passed through.

What is your current favourite stone? 

Green is my colour, so it must be an emerald! I get lost for hours when looking inside an emerald, taking in its natural features and the magical world created within it. It’s quite staggering to think it was formed over 500 million years ago by the mesmerising work of Mother Nature!

Colour plays an important role in our lives, and I feel that we are drawn to different colours from day to day, which is refreshing. Gemstones are utterly unique, just like each one of us!

Whichever gemstone you select, it is important to buy from a trusted source in order to have full confidence that it has been sourced responsibly and that it is of the quality described. If it is a significant gemstone that you are purchasing, then you’ll need transparency about any treatments it has received – it should be accompanied by a certificate from a recognised, independent gemmological laboratory.

All major jewellery brands have a dedicated team of gemmologists and quality control departments who will be able to provide you with this peace of mind.

Seong Hyun Lee, President of Samsung Gulf Electronics discusses the benefits of integrating technology into every aspect of our lives

As technology develops, it is becoming more and more integrated into every element of our lives. Leading companies are looking for new ways to make our lifestyles not only easier but to offer us more options that are easily accessible from the palm of our hands. One company that is striving to offer technological alternatives for every element of life is Samsung. Over the past years, Samsung has been developing its systems to increase its level of bespoke processes to please even the most demanding of consumers. Going beyond your mobile phone or Smart TV, the Samsung SmartThings concept has entered the realm of luxury living, allowing users to create personalised choices within all elements of their homes. Beyond simply your electronics, this new system will help them live a seamless, stress-free and more sustainable life. As technology begins to flow through every aspect of our day-to-day experiences, we realise that it is becoming a necessity rather than a luxury. To tell us more, we talk to Seong Hyun Lee, President of Samsung Gulf Electronics.

Seong Hyun Lee, President of Samsung Gulf Electronics

How is Samsung tapping into luxury and personalised consumer technology? 

Our Bespoke design ethos prioritises helping users create personalised homes that truly reflect their tastes and aesthetics, to the end of providing evolved home life experiences. Together, the Bespoke Home 2022 lineup offers a vast array of colour and design options, across 20 categories so users can have new and different ways to express their evolving tastes, as well as have more options for home decoration.

In addition, our Galaxy Z series further enhances customer experiences through the Galaxy Z Flip4 Bespoke Edition, because one’s style and taste continue to evolve. Ultimately, we hope to empower users everywhere to be able to focus less on daily household tasks and more on living each moment more fully.

Can you tell us what the SmartThings concept means for the company and your consumers? 

SmartThings presents a fully-integrated home experience that connects not only Samsung products and services but also third-party devices such as lighting and window blinds to cater to individual lifestyles. SmartThings also helps consumers live a more sustainable life by suggesting ways users can save energy around the house by analysing energy usage patterns and more.

How can Samsung’s innovations help consumers to live a smarter life overall?

Every day, Samsung engineers and product planners work together to create products that are as unique as they are innovative and ground-breaking. Our mission is highly ambitious: to introduce new ideas and advancements in technology while raising the bar, year after year. Our Bespoke edition, for example, answers to the growing demand as users seek out more and more upgrades that are centred around personalised viewing experiences, design, and connectivity.

What can you share with us about Samsung’s drive to become a more sustainable company?

Our vision for a smarter life and a sustainable future has been integrated into our product categories across SmartThings, an intelligently connected ecosystem designed to protect the environment, support sustainable lifestyles, and empower customers to take control of their world. As such, our vision aims to offer an unmatched multi-device experience that enables users to express themselves fully.

How are AI systems being integrated into the company’s products?

We inherently believe customers deserve innovative new solutions in convenience, efficiency, and sustainability and as a result, we are always pushing ambitious new technologies that boost all three in our household appliances to make daily life more carefree. This is very much felt in our AI offerings. Looking at AI Energy Mode, a power-saving feature from Samsung’s SmartThings Energy is exactly this kind of solution. Using AI-enhanced systems aimed at creating the holistic home of the future today, with SmartThings analysing energy consumption and suggesting methods to conserve energy.

What are some of the innovations you are currently working on as a business that you can share with us?

Firstly, I wish to share how just last week, Samsung received two Golds, five Silvers and one Bronze awards, as well as 34 Finalists for innovative design solutions that elevate consumer lifestyles and experience at the International Design Excellence Awards 2022 (IDEA). We are very proud of the recognition of our product categories at the IDEA, which is one of the world’s most prestigious design awards programs. What’s more, our innovations never stop, we are very happy to be introducing our Galaxy Z series, next to the all-new Neo QLED 8K and Odyssey ARK.

Is there anything you are particularly excited about at the moment that the company is working on?

We are very proud to bolster a new environmental strategy. As such, our Vision stands to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, advance energy and resource-efficient products to empower consumers for sustainable living, and finally to invest in and develop innovative technologies for a better planet. We recently also announced our sustainability platform for mobile communications titled ‘Galaxy for the Planet’, which aims to advance green solutions in the mobile spectrum by 2025, from hardware to software, all the way to product packaging. Stay tuned for many more initiatives to come.

How have developing technologies over the past few years aided the company’s development?

We are staying focused on research and development (R&D) by navigating and testing emerging technologies with a user-centric lens. We study emerging social, cultural and technological trends across the world and quickly try out our research in the market. As a result, we derive insights to answer real human needs and maximize the potential of our engineering capabilities, ultimately creating valuable technology.

What does Samsung do to ensure it stays ahead of competitors or remains up to date with what’s happening in the sector as things continue to move so fast? 

We are seeing a once-in-a-lifetime shift in how mainstream culture, from professional to personal life, is perceived. Driven by the younger generations and adapted by all, today’s consumers are ditching the one-size-fits-all motif in favour of unique and custom experiences. We constantly listen to feedback from our consumers and update our devices to meet the needs of our users. While we don’t currently have anything to share on future products, we are committed to bringing Samsung users even more exciting and ground-breaking innovations.

What can you tell us about Samsung in the Middle East? 

We believe that innovation and growth are driven by an inclusive culture and a diverse workforce. We are building a better tomorrow for our customers and partners in the region. That includes building awareness to broaden perspectives, reframing mindsets to enhance objectivity, and practising inclusion to unlock innovation.

What are some of the trends in technology currently that are very exciting?

The demand for foldables continues to grow every year as Samsung takes these devices to mainstream audiences worldwide. Forecasts by analysts continue to grow with Strategy Analytics predicting foldable smartphone sales to reach 75 million by 2025. Next to that is our continuous commitment to bringing high customisation experiences to all our users, exemplified in our Bespoke category. The foldable Galaxy Bespoke Edition is an exclusive device customisation experience for users to create devices that are uniquely theirs. We want to create new technology that not only surpasses the expectations of what is possible but is available to as many people as possible. In fact, we created the first mainstream foldable devices and remain the market leader, from software to hardware to design to sales.