Gucci presents its Cruise offering “Constellations” at the Castel del Monte in Italy.

Gucci presented its latest collection “Constellations” designed by Creative Director Alessandro Michele yesterday evening in the picturesque location of the historic Castel del Monte in Andria, Italy. As the sun went down the lights went up on this collection which was comprised of a series of “constellations” presenting a narrative that transverses centuries, geographies and languages.

Alessadro Michele

Michele paid homage to Hannah Arendt and Walter Benjamin. The two met in Paris after fleeing Germany during World War Two. Benjamin, was a collector of quotations who would organise debates surrounding the political situation in Europe at that time. After Benjamin passed away Arendt published an essay on him, she described him as a “pearl diver” collecting pieces of magic and bringing them to the surface, or in his case, bringing quotations to the forefront of people’s minds rearranging them in a magical way which at first can seem random, but on closer inspection, they are perfectly aligned, like the stars in the sky.

Much like Benjamin’s way of creating the perfect storm with his collections, Michele envisioned Gucci Constellations as a magnificent and poetic fete of colours, silhouettes, and references, highlighting that there are no rules when it comes to dressing up. This bold and playful collection took Gucci through the ages, with many looks inspired by the House’s archives.

What may have been previously imagined as elements that clash or collide were brought together in perfect harmony. Optical patterns, plays on proportions, retro-inspired accessories and modern tailoring combined with transparent fabrics, all-over sequins and crystals, which illuminated the looks in an almost magical way.

“I always make clothes to shine, if I can” Said Michele via the House’s social media account. And shine they did. This colourful array represented the random yet perfectly alignment of the stars in the sky.

See more of the collection below:

Over the past few years, there has been a strong shift in direction back to nature when it comes to our beauty products. We are all looking for ingredients that are kinder and less toxic to our skin and, quite rightly so, natural ingredients seem to have the magic answer. Not only can they be better for our complexion compared with man synthetic ingredients, but using products with natural ingredients is better for the planet too. We discover some of the latest brands to try.

1. INDIE LEE

In 2008, Indie Lee was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumour that doctors felt could be environmentally derived and attributed to something as simple as what she was putting on her skin. After learning that up to 60% of what we use on our skin may be absorbed in as little as 26 seconds, Indie had an awakening. She embarked upon a wellness journey to create a clean beauty collection dedicated to inspiring and empowering others to be mindful about what they put on their skin as well as into their body. Sourcing the world’s finest ingredients and formulating them with the help of leading, like-minded chemists, Indie Lee & Co. intrinsically blends nature and science to bring the most efficacious products to market without sacrificing safety. The brand’s mission to provide healthier skincare options is embodied through its undertaking of rigorous testing protocols to ensure clean, high-performance products. Indie is committed to creating change and building community in the clean lifestyle and wellness categories. Indie Lee is available at Ounass, Faces and other retailers across the region.

2. IXORA

Pioneered by Dr Nader Sheasha, a pharmacist specialising in herbal medicine, IXORA will free your skin from all harmful chemicals with its all-natural formulas. Using a combination of modern science and results-driven formulas, IXORA’s ranges include products that will simplify the skincare routine, help you to feel healthier and leave your skin feeling smoother as the ingredients penetrate at the deepest levels. The latest Organic Detox range comprises four key products; Cleansing Gel, Facer Toner Rejuvenating Peeling Gel and Purifying & Balancing Clay Face Mask, which offer four steps to healthier smoother looking skin. IXORA currently has branches in Dubai Festival City Mall and The Dubai Mall.

3. Fable & Mane

Inspired by traditional Ayurvedic beauty Fable & Mane has just launched across the Middle East. Born from traditional Indian beauty rituals, the brand’s products contain potent Ayurvedic adaptogens and wildcrafted holistic plant roots which thicken your hair, awaken your roots and promote a healthy scalp. Founded by siblings Akash and Nikita Mehta, Fable & Mane pays homage to the traditions that strengthened familial bonds during their youth. Their grandmother would massage a blend of oils into their scalps to promote hair growth, but also to offer an opportunity to bond and share stories and fables. The brand is fuelled by a desire to bring these calming rituals of massage and meditation into everyday beauty routines. Clean and natural formulas that are vegan and silicone-free were developed, promising the world beautiful, strong and healthy hair that Indian women are famed The products are designed to transform your regular hair wash routine into a weekly ritual offering a sensorial experience. Now available at Sephora stores across the region.

4. Davines

Eco-friendly haircare company Davines aims to transform the hair industry thanks to its commitment to sustainable products that do not compromise on performance. The Company was founded in Parma, Italy in 1983 by the Bollati family, as a research laboratory specialised in the production of high tips hair and skincare products for renowned cosmetic companies worldwide. In 1993 Davines was created to identify hair cosmetic products dedicated to the market of professional hairdressing with design, formulation and productions entirely performed by its in-house laboratories. Today Davines offers a range of products for men and women that go back to basics, providing reliable and safe solutions to everyday hair problems. The product formulations privilege the use of ingredients of natural origin, they are produced using energy from renewable sources and packaged minimising their environmental impact. The latest product OI Liquid Luster is a treatment with a water-like liquid texture that in just a few seconds moisturises the hair making it so shiny and soft. Now available at www.eideal.com  

5. Olivanna

British skincare brand Olivanna was created by Janine Summers, who was an early adopter of clean beauty. Inspired by her daughter and the desire as a mother to have only the cleanest and best products for her children, Janine decided to create a range of products that are scientifically formulated but offer gentle formulas that can be used by girls and women of all ages. This female-founded brand is anchored in formulating sustainably-sourced, clinically-proven products, using natural ingredients that are beautifully formulated and packaged. Ingredients are sourced from the British countryside around Janine’s home and include homegrown plant and seed oil extracts. The glass bottles are handcrafted by one of the last remaining family-owned glass specialists in England. The current ranges offers products for both day and night that work together to help your skin get back its youthful glow. Available at www.olivanna.com

How immersing ourselves in nature can help achieve the balance we all need in life.

Jamie Dimon, CEO and Chairman of JPMorgan Chase Bank, the largest bank in America, recently put together a group of 250 top CEOs from the United States who have started re-writing the rules of shareholder primacy. Since the 1990s the focus of companies has always been profit over planet over people but Jamie Dimon and this group including Jeff Bezos, are re-writing the rules to move from shareholder focus to stakeholder focus and towards purpose, people and planet over profits, or at least together with profits. This is quite exciting for all of us as it means that shareholders and executives are starting to mature and to make decisions that are more long-term and funnily enough, actually more profitable. We are not living in a short-term world anymore, we need longer-term viewpoints of looking at businesses to be able to bring about profitability. So to have Jamie Dimon who is a very respected CEO doing something like this, makes me confident about the natural resources that we have and their future on planet earth and therefore our future on planet earth and this is a very key moment for our future.

I recently decided to take a month off to travel to Thailand. Being away has allowed me to think about our connection to nature. It has allowed me to walk barefoot on the grass and ground myself alongside this very conscious being; mother earth. We call her mother earth because, make no mistake, she is our mother – she feeds us, she lets us live with her – and for us to have this respect for our relationship with her, is something that benefits us. So for me to get this sense of nature that I’m experiencing in Thailand and then to start seeing these big shifts from organisations around the world moving towards respecting mother nature more, it lets me feel a deep sense of optimism for the future and to know there is hope for us to reverse some of the things we have done in the past. We’ve all been talking about sustainability for a long time now, but I don’t think that is enough moving forward. We need to now become more regenerative in how we go about doing things in order to secure our future.

1989 was a key year for humanity because it was the year that the human population around the world on average went past the age of 40 for the first time. As we mature we move into a very different space and things drastically change. After 40 a lot changes in us and who we are and I think as humanity evolves we are changing in the way we think about nature and spend time in nature, and I also think that we have seen a huge evolvement around farming connected to this. We have new vertical farms, new ways to produce crops, and much more localised farming which is a growing industry. Two-thirds of the cost of our products amounts from transportation, storage etc. so if we are locally producing goods this will cut the costs drastically. Mother earth is a living being and for us to treat her like that shows our level of consciousness and awareness that we are growing into.

If you believe in energies at all in any way, you’ll know that there are many research papers on people’s energetic aura and space and how this grows exponentially when you spend time in nature. We are much more aware of who we are when we spend more time in nature and we naturally move into the cycles of nature, becoming symbiotic with it. This is the key because if we adopt the pace of nature, we then start to realise that patience becomes an incredibly important aspect. After all, nature has been working in symbiosis with itself for millions of years, evolving at a very slow and patient space. As human beings, we could all adapt and learn a lot from her patient ways. The best balance for us all is to spend some time in an ambitious, driven, creative, innovative, disruptive world, and then retract ourselves into a space of patience and stillness that we can get from nature. The idea of balance needs to be replaced with a concept that I call obsession and silence, which means getting into a space where you are obsessed about something, you work through it and then you move away into pockets of silence so that you can give yourself the space to reflect. This combination for me is a necessity.

Rolex unveils its latest creations as part of Watches and Wonders 2022.

This year Rolex continues to combine fine watchmaking with innovation on its quest for excellence. Keeping the aesthetic codes of the brand, this year’s offering builds on the technological and aesthetic excellence of the watchmaker.

Oyster Perpetual Air King

Oyster Perpetual Air King

The Air-King collection celebrates the pioneers of aviation. This new generation watch offers an entirely redesigned case which incorporates a shoulder to protect the crown and features straight case sides, like the case of the majority of models in the Professional category. The Oyster bracelet has been revised in terms of its proportions; the centre link has been widened, and, for the first time on the model, it is equipped with an Oysterlock safety clasp. The display has also been re-worked. The new generation Air‑King also features an optimised Chromalight display, guaranteeing maximum readability in the dark and it is equipped with calibre 3230, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, which allows it to display the hours, minutes and seconds.

Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II

Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II

The new GMT-Master offers a reinterpretation of the Maison’s classic multi-time zone watch. On this new version, the winding crown and the shoulder protecting the crown are positioned on the left side of the case for the first time requiring a new process for measuring the precision of the watch. The date window has also been moved and appears at 9 o’clock. Crafted in Oystersteel and fitted with an Oyster bracelet, this version also features a one-piece two-tone Cerachrom bezel disc in green and black ceramic; a combination of colours never before seen on this model. This original reference underlines the character of the GMT-Master II, which is geared towards discovery and novelty. It is equipped with a calibre 3285 movement which allows it to display the hours, minutes, seconds and the date as well as a second time zone in 24-hour format.

Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40

Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40

Exclusively made of precious metal, the new Day-Date 40 in platinum 950 is easily recognised by its glacier blue dial, and, for the first time, fluted bezel. It is equipped with calibre 3255, which allows it to display the hours, minutes, seconds, day and date. Platinum is a typically difficult metal to work with and requires a unique and innovative manufacturing process developed by Rolex to produce this timepiece. Like all Rolex watches, it benefits from the Superlative Chronometer certification, which guarantees its excellent performance on the wrist.

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42

The Rolex Yacht-Master 42 is now available for the first time in yellow gold with a flexible yet robust Oysterflex bracelet. This new version features a bidirectional rotating bezel with a graduated Cerachrom matte black ceramic disc and benefits from an optimised Chromalight display. The indexes and hands are covered in a new luminescent material, exclusive to Rolex, which guarantees prolonged emission intensity. In daylight, the white tint of these elements is more vivid. The watch features a calibre 3235 movement and benefits from the Superlative Chronometer certification, which guarantees its excellent performance on the wrist. Designed originally as a watch for sailors and skippers, this new version combines functionality and style and will appeal to bother professionals and style-conscious watch collectors.

Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31

Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31

For Spring, the dial of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31has been given a feminine makeover representing rebirth with a poetic shimmer. Three new versions see the dial brought to life with elegant floral decorations, evoking wild meadows in summer. Each design features 24 flowers, distinguished by their finish sunburst, matte or grained. Each of them is illuminated by a diamond, a sparkling note set in the heart of the corollas.

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40

Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31

The new Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40 captures that beautiful moment when the sky meets the sea and the sun emerges from the waves. Its bezel is set with diamonds and sapphires in azure, silver and pink tones, inspired by the aurora borealis and the glow of dawn. Crafted in 18-carat white gold the design gives the bezel a unique shimmer, further enhanced by a triangle-cut diamond at 12 o’clock. As for the case, it features 46 brilliant-cut diamonds that make it sparkle from the lugs to the protective shoulder of the crown. This precious variation of the Yacht-Master 40 is equipped with calibre 3235 and benefits from the Superlative Chronometer certification, which guarantees its excellent performance on the wrist.

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi has passed away.

The UAE’s leaders died on Friday 13th 2022. A statement issued by The Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced read:

“The Ministry of Presidential Affairs mourns the death of the nation’s President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan,”

The Ministry also declared a 40-day mourning period, beginning with a three-day suspension of work for those in ministries, departments, federal and local institutions and the private sector, beginning on Saturday 14th May.

Born in 1948, His Highness has acted as Ruler of the UAE for 18 years. He was the second president of the UAE and the 16th Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

For Miu Miu’s latest collection the foundations of fashion get a new silhouette and a new dimension that represents the woman of today. She is elegant, chic yet playful, and at her core, empowered and independent. Welcome to her universe.

See more of the collection below:

 

Miu Miu viscose top
Miu Miu viscose stretch top Miu Miu popeline plisse skirt Miu Miu jersey panty with logo Miu Miu silk socks
Leather loafers with heel

Watch the video here…

Miu Miu embroidered cady jacket
Miu Miu logo-embossed leather top-handle bag

 

Miu Miu georgette dress Miu Miu leather shoulder bag
Miu Miu choker with pearls

 

Miu Miu viscose top
Miu Miu viscose stretch top Miu Miu popeline plisse skirt Miu Miu jersey panty with logo Miu Miu silk socks
Leather loafers with heel
Miu Miu denim jacket Miu Miu denim crop shirt Miu Miu denim plisse skirt Miu Miu leather belt Miu Miu Leather loafers with heel Miu Miu silk socks Miu Wander matelassé leather bag

 

Miu Miu embroidered cady top Miu Miu embroidered cady skirt Miu Miu jersey panty with logo

The second edition of Homo Faber celebrated creativity and craftsmanship in a unique showcase of arts and culture

The Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship and its partners welcomed journalists, cultural commentators and key figures in the international arts and design world to Venice to celebrate the opening of the 2022 edition of Homo Faber. Now in its second edition, this unique showcase of contemporary craftsmanship celebrates the world’s arts and culture scenes and the importance of handmade objects and craftsmanship in the world today.

Tracing Venice
Homo Faber Event 2022

The ribbon was cut by Professor Giovanni Bazoli, Chairman of the Fondazione Giorgio Cini, and Franco Cologni, Co-founder of the Michelangelo Foundation, accompanied by some of the event’s Young Ambassadors. Speakers at the opening ceremony included Simone Venturini, Deputy Mayor of Venice in charge of economic development; Judith Clark, fashion exhibition designer, Professor of Fashion and Museology at University of the Arts London, and a curator of Homo Faber Event; and Inès Mesmar, Director and Founder of La Fabrique Nomade, the French association which aids the professional integration of migrant and refugee craftspeople. They were joined by the curators of Homo Faber Event including general curator Alberto Cavalli, Executive Director of the Michelangelo Foundation.

Artisan: Hiroshi Matsuda
Umbrella installation

The artisans selected for this edition of the event represent the diversity of crafts, cultures, customs, human talents and life stories around the world and across the generations, from young talents taking over a family business to long-established masters sharing their knowledge with the next generation. Visitors had the opportunity to discover the work of a Franco-Beninese ceramicist striving to connect diverse cultures, a young British leatherworker giving new life to traditional saddlery techniques, and a pair of woodworkers from Afghanistan whose hand-carved tabletop games tell stories from their homeland. Together, the more than 400 artisans showcased in the event demonstrate the depth and breadth of craftsmanship in Europe, Japan and beyond, and its continuing relevance to all our lives.

Group photo Homo Faber 2022 Curators

The immersive event invited visitors to not only admire the objects on display but to get up close to the craftsmanship and witness artisanal skills in action. Visitors had the opportunity to meet master artisans and see how they are passing on their skills to young apprentices. The event urged visitors to reflect on the nature of craft and its place in our everyday lives: from our homes and our wardrobes to the wider worlds of theatre, music, cuisine and flower design. Not only does the event present unique decorative objects which would take pride of place on our mantelpieces, but it also shows how craft is essential to creating exquisite functional objects that enhance our daily lives better than any machine-made piece: tables made with Italian heritage stone, handcrafted porcelain dishes, glass vases made using traditional techniques from Murano, unique leather bags embossed by hand, and fountain pens carefully crafted using age-old French techniques.

Andrian Melka Artisan at work
Sculptor, UK, United Kingdom

This year, in keeping with its mission to show how craft can connect cultures and people around the world, Homo Faber explores the entwining cultural relationship between Europe and Japan. It honours the official recognition that Japan gives to its finest masters, the National Living Treasures, who are considered keepers of important intangible cultural properties. A fil rouge running through the whole event demonstrates Japan’s influence on European craftsmanship, from porcelain design to luxury goods, while visitors can get even closer to Japanese culture by participating in workshops demonstrating the art of ikebana and the Japanese tea ceremony.

Exhibition space: 12 Stone Garden
Curated by Naoto Fukasawa
Homo Faber Event 2022

Guided by a philosophy of sustainability, the event also highlighted the importance of making craft businesses viable and safeguarding them for the future, showcasing the transfer of knowledge between master and apprentice and placing a strong focus on the next generation. The event’s Young Ambassadors, carefully selected from Europe’s top arts and design schools, are on hand to guide visitors around the exhibition spaces, imparting the knowledge, passion and enthusiasm that make them the faces of craftsmanship’s bright future.

For the first time, Homo Faber Event went beyond the walls of Fondazione Giorgio Cini to allow visitors to experience the craftsmanship hidden between Venice’s canals. More than 100 artisanal workshops, businesses and museums across the lagoon city opened their doors as part of Homo Faber in Città. Visitors were invited to create bespoke self-guided craft tours according to their interests, allowing them to experience the city in a completely new way.

Hamad International Airport in Doha has collaborated with Fashion Trust Arabia to rebrand its uniform.

As part of the Doha Hamad International Airport expansion strategy, Fashion Trust Arabia and the airport have collaborated on a competition that is inviting Qatari designers to apply for the opportunity to design the new uniform to be worn by the airport’s customer service team.

The winning applicant’s uniform design will become the new official uniform of the Hamad International customer service team starting January 2023.

The “Call For Designers” search launched on 11^th May 2022 and applications will be invited to submit their designs, re-envisioning the HIA airport uniform design in their own style.

As the airport expands its facilities and services, in the form of its exciting airport expansion project, it expects the new uniform design to reflect the organization’s true vibrant spirit and commitment to offering an exceptional passenger experience.

The winning designer will see their design showcased to millions of travellers who pass through the airport every day.

“We are delighted to partner with Fashion Trust Arabia on this unique initiative. Through this collaboration, we are proud to launch our rebranded uniforms and at the same time provide fashion designers with the opportunity to showcase their talent to the millions of visitors who pass through HIA.” Said Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer at HIA.

“Fashion Trust Arabia is honored to partner with HIA on this incredible opportunity to shed the spotlight on Qatar based talents through designing the new official airport uniform that will be seen and recognized by millions; truly an iconic moment!” Tania Fares, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Fashion Trust Arabia.

Interested designers can apply at https://fashiontrustarabia.com/hamad-international-airport/

Sunglasses, Swimwear
FF Greca Bracelet
All Versace by Fendi

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE…

Safety Pin Dress FF Greca Necklace Baguette Spille Bag                                                  All Versace by Fendi

Sunglasses
Safety Pin Dress
Laser Perforated Leather Jacket                                                                                              All Versace by Fendi

White Safety Pin Dress
Baguette Bag
Necklace
Fendi First sandal with Greca Chain                                                                                       All Versace by Fendi

Gold Baroque Jacket Safety Pin Dress Safety Pin Earring Fendi First Sandal with Greca Chain Baguette Bag      All Versace by Fendi

Sunglasses Ventagli Twill Jacket FF Greca Bracelet                                                            All Versace by Fendi

Fendi Sunshine Bag
Versace by Fendi

Pink has become the colour of the year and it’s time to embrace its vibrancy and feel-good factor.

This season the shade of pink has been painted across catwalks and red carpets alike, bringing some much-needed colour to our lives and wardrobes. From head-to-toe ensembles to elegant pink accessories and even show-stopping gowns, pink has the power to turn heads, however you choose to wear it. This season’s pink is bolder and brighter than ever and it’s time to embrace it.

Giorgio Armani

Valentino’s Creative Director, Pierpaolo Piccioli is one of the key figures leading this vibrant outburst. During Valentino’s Fall/Winter 2022 runway show in March, Piccioli expressed his creative genius, channelling Elsa Schiaparelli’s shocking pink and stripping it down to a single hue.

Alexander McQueen

This vibrant colour was maximised throughout, from platform heels to embellished gowns, fur coats and even exaggerated pink eyeshadow. Pink has also been a prominent colour across the Spring/Summer 2022 collections including pink offerings from Alexander McQueen, Giorgio Armani, Moschino, Channel and Prada who all displayed bold shades of fuchsia for men and women. And celebrities and VIPs have been jumping on the trend too.

Moschino

This year’s Grammy Awards saw a wash of pink across the red carpet with many guests dressed head-to-toe in the hue including Chrissy Teigen who wore a lavish pink gown by Nicole & Felicia Couture and St. Vincent who wore a show-stopping sequined dress by Gucci. And it wasn’t just the ladies that were having a pink moment, male celebrities including Travis Barker, Justin Bieber and Billy Porter have all been embracing their feminine side.

Chrissy Teigen

It may come as a surprise that in the early 1900s, pink was a colour traditionally worn by men, a pink suit was often seen as a masculine statement and not gender-specific at all. However, by the middle of the century, it became recognised as an aristocratic and ladylike hue, taking its place as a stereotypical colour for girls and women and those connotations have long remained.

Etro

However, it seems that men are starting to claim back the power of pink with more gents embracing the shade and taking it back to its historical roots. Flashes of pink scarves, shirts and jumpers have appeared in numerous men’s collections, and it seems that this previously controversial colour is now for either gender wishing to make a bold statement.

Zendaya

If you haven’t found a place for this extravagant shade in your wardrobe just yet and the thought of head-to-toe ensembles sends you in the opposite direction, then try adding some small accessories to your outfit. Worn with the dark tones of a black or navy suit, a pink tie looks sophisticated and safe, whilst pairing a simple white dress with a pink clutch looks fresh and crisp.

Shaikha Alanoud Alattiya Founder of Qatari Haute Couture brand TIIYA shares her vision and her passion for design.

After being surrounded by beautiful haute couture pieces from a young age, Shaikha Alanoud Alattiya was inspired by her mother’s love for luxury fashion to create her own designs and one-of-a-kind pieces. Starting her own haute couture label in 2015, she fulfilled the dream of exploring her creativity through her love for fashion but also allowed her to create stylish pieces that withheld the cultural needs of women in the region.

After growing up seeing her mother wearing haute couture pieces from the world’s high fashion houses Alanoud began her creative journey which would see her be inspired by some of the pieces her mother used to wear and subsequently offer her own take on some of the styles. After spending many years creating pieces for herself and her daughters Alanoud discovered others were also impressed by her designs and wanted to learn more about these designs, so she decided to start her own fashion label that would allow her to share her talent with the world. After launching TIIYA in 2015, the Doha-based design enlisted the help of her daughter Shaikha Shaikha Al-Thani who works closely with her mother on the brand’s collections and one-of-a-kind pieces.

Tell us about the journey of TIIYA so far and how it got to where it is today?

Alanoud: From my memory, many designers throughout history have had some sort of affiliation to dressmaking in their families and they have gone on to create gowns for clients. For us, I suppose, we come from the other side of that spectrum, as we are the clients of these designers. My mother was one of the first women in the region to wear Dior in the sixties. When she married my father, he would take her to France to attend shows of some of the iconic fashion brands when many of their designers were still alive.

My mother used to commission gowns back home and she had an extensive collection of both European couture pieces as well as custom styles that she envisioned and had made for her to suit our cultural norms. As I grew older the same was done for me but eventually buying couture pieces designed by other designers no longer appealed to me and I started to design gowns for myself. This allowed me to explore and unearth my own designs and I think this is what inevitably caused me to fall in love with my own vision and unique one-of-a-kind creations.

Then when my daughter Shaikha grew up she had access to all of this at her disposal, including the staff who work with us to create the designs. It’s certainly a unique take on starting a brand and I believe that if what we have is a talent, it’s certainly hereditary and passed down from one generation to another.

What is your current vision for your brand and what is in the pipeline?

Alanoud: One thing on the horizon is that we are starting to design modest wear. It is a niche market and who better to understand our cultural needs than ourselves as modestly-dressed hijabi designers? Modest wear and in particular the hijab, the most prized and protected garment for those who chose to wear it, is often targeted by many official entities who mistakenly claim it is an item of female subjugation, which couldn’t be further from the truth. We need to be respected for our choice to wear it. This is why we as designers shouldn’t only cater to a void in the market, but also understand the greater need to support women by designing fantastic modest wear that can still be fashionable. This is the much-needed representation we need and I truly hope we will embark on creating our own TIIYA modest wear line with hijabs as part of our pret-a-porter collections.

My eldest daughter Maryam, who loves to wear TIIYA designs doesn’t design even though she is brilliant and creative in her own way. But she is even more creative than I am and I believe she has the passion, talent and know-how to develop the brand into anything she wants, so I hope that one day she designs jewellery, as she’s very good at it!

Shaikha: My vision for the brand transcends the boundaries of simply creating. I hope to one day have the pleasure of curating exhibitions with my mother that will showcase the craftsmanship and all the years of acquired skill, and the dedication that is behind every TIIYA creation. Co-creating couture and photographing it may tell a story, but I feel that it is with exhibitions that the creative input behind the brand will truly find a voice.

Who is the woman that you design for?

Shaikha: The TIIYA woman is timeless and elegant. She carries herself with regal poise. She is debonair, cultured, and intellectual. She is a captivating sight to behold.

Tell us a little about the savoir-faire and handmade element of your pieces?

Shaikha: To describe TIIYA’s savoir-faire and handmade aspects is to describe the brand’s signature. There will always be a dichotomous play on soft and hard, light and dark in the shape of sculptural structured form juxtaposed by diaphanous and gossamer-like textures. And there will always be delicate hand beadwork that is now synonymous with the brand.

What does it mean to you for your products to be “Made in Qatar”?

Alanoud: It means a great deal to us because in 2006 when I started my first label Noblesse Oblige, it was the very first product bearing the label “Made in Qatar” to be exported outside of Qatar aside from oil and gas. We are also very proud of our Ruler’s vision for our country and the innumerable achievements in many fields as the country continues to grow, all while maintaining our traditional values.

How do you think the concept of haute couture and handmade pieces is still relevant today?

Alanoud: Being a designer is one facet of my personality. I am also a researcher, an academic and a holder of a UCL postgraduate degree in museum and gallery practise, particularly specialising in intangible cultural heritage. I know very well the importance of safeguarding the providers of artisanal skills required for handmade objects as this could be a dying heritage as the world progresses. I take pride in knowing that we support the continuity and help to sustain this craft and industry and the families that rely on it. The world has much to lose if we lose the craftsmanship of handmade wearable art and those who are skilled in doing it.

How do you source your materials and what do you look for in the materials you use? 

Alanoud: Quality and sustainability are always at the heart of everything we do.

Can you share a little on the growing fashion industry in Qatar and how, in your opinion, are aspiring designers from Qatar being supported to grow further? 

Shaikha: There has been so much growth in Qatar’s fashion scape as of late. But there is always room for more. We are proud of the advancements of the growing fashion community here. There is great support for emerging designers with many initiatives and programs, however, we do look forward to seeing how existing and established designers can be supported too.

When are you in your most creative state of mind and what inspires you the most?

Shaikha: What inspires me the most is certainly the natural world. I have always been fascinated by the flora and fauna that surrounds us. From the iridescence of bird feathers to the form of fungi, there is always a little bit of nature that finds its way through to the couture.

Alanoud: I’m most creative when Shaikha and I bounce ideas off each other.

Who or what is your biggest source of inspiration? 

Shaikha: My mother! I can confidently say that she has played a principal role in actively forming my tastes, ideas, and interests. She took great pride in instilling an appreciation and eye in me for all things creative. There has always been a strong focus on the unusual and remarkable and this has resulted in a higher level of perfectionism, which I can only attribute to my mother’s consistent push to constantly strive for excellence and improvement. Her talent, imagination, and creativity know no bounds. For this, she will always be my inspiration.

What is your first memory of fashion?

Shaikha: It is very difficult for me to pinpoint my first memory of fashion given that I grew up under the umbrella of a couture house even before TIIYA was born. What I do remember, however, is sitting by my mother hand-stitching gowns from scraps for my dolls while she converses with our petit mains. Afterwards, I would share with her whatever I had created. This was long before I joined the design helm and I was still a child. I also remember looking through her extensive collection of magazines from the 80s and 90s. Essentially fashion has always been part of my life since I was a young child.

Are there any designers that inspire you? 

Shaikha: Where to begin? I find that the designers that inspire me are often creators of spellbinding and avant-garde pieces. There is Roberto Capucci and his sculptural art, Guo Pei and her magical creations, and Theirry Mugler and the eccentric pieces that are out of this world. And of course John Galliano, especially his collections during his Dior design reign; each one more incredible than the last.

Alanoud: Since the early nineties my greatest design inspiration has been Gianfranco Ferre. In fact, I once sent my sketches to him and he responded by saying I should join his atelier. I couldn’t due to many reasons although I would have loved to discuss designing with him because I truly feel I’m his biggest fan. What I love about his narrative is that when he was asked to join Dior, it caused a stir amongst the French as he was the first Italian to helm the iconic French label. He quickly won them and the whole world over with his creations and I think that in my personal opinion feels very true to the essence of the brand.

What can we expect to see from you for the rest of this year? 

Shaikha: I can only say that we are planning something exquisite and we are very excited to share it with you soon. The themes and narratives that our future collections will follow are highly inspired. You will just have to wait and see!

Alanoud: I don’t plan, when the idea strikes us we just do. I love letting Shaikha inspire us. We jokingly call it ‘trust falls’ and I’ve learnt to let go and enjoy the process and joys of working with her. It’s become the highlight of my day!

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

Alanoud: We as Middle Eastern designers should not have to trade off our unique and beautiful culture and traditions in the face of change. We should hold on to our identity because we have a great wealth of knowledge, that is linked to our intellectuality and can be portrayed creatively which we should feel comfortable sharing with an international audience. If we do not uphold our traditions when representing ourselves and our culture, we may be at risk of changing our narrative and appearing to be non-authentic.

Born and raised in Kuwait to Iraqi parents, Zaid Affas has always been inspired by the Middle East. After immigrating with his family to London, aged 10 he was able to grow up blending the inspirations of the East and the West to further develop his love for design.

Affas graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design with a degree in Menswear Fashion before assuming positions at several international labels including Ports1961 and Ralph Lauren. Zaid moved to Los Angeles after finding it to be a hub for inspiration and he launched his own brand in 2014. His designs play on the true luxury of tailoring, demi-couture processes and architectural forms, combining the timeless and classic with a touch of modernity.

Last year Zaid was honoured by Fashion Trust Arabia for his designs. As the winner of the ready-to-wear category, he was recognised for his masterful tailoring. Taking him back to his roots in the Middle East, this experience has allowed him to raise awareness and grow his brand in the region and share his designs with the women who live here. We discover more about what’s next for the designer.

What can you tell us about your latest collection and what you are currently working on? 

At the moment I’m a hundred per cent focused on production. Once we ship, I’ll be starting to work on a new collection focused on reworking the core of my work. My latest collection was also a new proposal of the ZAID AFFAS core brand values. I believe in the continuation, reworking and improving intrinsic good concepts.

What did it mean for you to be recognised for your work by Fashion Trust Arabia? 

It meant everything. To be acknowledged by what is now one of the most formidable, internationally recognised, fashion competitions that represent talent from my culture and heritage is an honour. I’m proud to be part of the Fashion Trust Arabia family, its history and future, and to represent my region of the world.

How do you think the platform is helping to support talented designers in the region? 

The exposure internationally of Arabic talent, plus the connections, mentorships and introductions to and by some of the most established people in the industry, is phenomenal for young designers from the region.

What first inspired you to start your own fashion label? 

I have a very specific point of view on design and it was important for me to express that through my work. I wanted to build a conceptually designed timeless, luxury wardrobe for the ZAID AFFAS women.

Who is the woman that you design for? 

She is a woman of intellectual understanding of understated true luxury.

What is the current vision for your brand? 

To continue to grow within manageable steps, work with more of the right retail partners, and to develop our private client business further and launch our e-commerce website.

You have lived in many locations around the world – how has this inspired your designs?

I really believe, and speaking from experience, that the more places and parts of the world you visit and the different cultures and languages you discover influences your ability to create for a wider range of women. I always think about finding the right shade of a colour to complement as many different skin tones, I think about how a design might work on different body shapes if it would work within different cultures and societies etc. It enables you to learn what people of different cultures and societies like and don’t like.

What is the place or destination that inspires you the most? 

Everywhere can and does inspire me. You can get a brilliant idea from a building, or a person and so on that inspires thoughts and ideas in any city I’ve been to. Having said that, the reason why I’m based in Los Angeles is that I feel I can be the most creative here. The light, nature, and freedom to do what you want, when you want all provide an amazing place to create.

Tell us about your creative process and the materials you use? 

Anything can be a starting point for my collections, be it an art piece of art in a museum, a building, nature, a person, it can be anything. But I do personally like to work more like an architect or industrial designer, so materials, fabrications and the end-use of a garment are a big part of my creative process and key to establishing my brand’s core values. I spend a lot of time reviewing and selecting fabrics. Much like cooking, if your ingredients are not good and perfectly mixed then the meal would not be the best it can be.

Can you share a little on the fashion industry in the Middle East and where you would like to see it go moving forward? 

I truly believe as a region and as people, we will be at the forefront of the industry when more designers Arab designers build brands based on modern design. The Arab world has covered if not conquered the very dressy eveningwear section of the industry and is also covering the cultural heritage part of the industry. I think there is still room for more modern, design-led brands.

When are you at your most creative state of mind? 

When I have time to think with no distractions, listening to music that inspires me and all in great sunlight. I need to let my thoughts wander, analyse, dream, engineer and conceptualise all at the same time. This environment allows that to happen freely.

What is a lesson you have learnt along the way since starting your brand? 

There are too many to choose from but I think to embrace the current cultural ways of doing things. Also to focus your craft and concept.

Who is a person that has been an inspiration or mentor to your throughout your career and why?

So many people have either been an inspiration or mentors to me over the years. But within the industry, I’d have to say the legendary retailer Linda Dresner has been a continued supporter, mentor and friend since we first met. Also, Princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz is a close friend who has been an amazing support and someone that I can always go to for sound advice and her impeccable point of view.

What is your first memory of fashion? 

My parent’s impeccable taste at dressing when I was a child. They always looked so chic, sophisticated and elegant when they went out and socialised, which happened a lot back in Kuwait.

What is the professional motto that you live by? 

Work hard at what you passionately believe in. Stay positive no matter what comes your way and stay true to yourself.

Are there any designers that inspire you or you love to wear?

There have been many designers that have inspired me throughout my career. Cristobal Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Azzedine Alaia, Jil Sander, Yohji Yamamoto, Jean Paul Gaultier, Rick Owens, Phoebe Philo and Alber Elbaz to name a small selection of the many greats.

What can we expect to see from you for the rest of this year? 

We are launching our own e-commerce channel under a newly updated website soon, we are planning to do personal presentations to private clients in the Middle East, and a new collection later in the year.

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

We’d love to meet you when we are back in the region, come see us and discover the collection!

Salina Handa Founder and CEO of SENSASIA and Spa People discusses the UAE’s luxury spa market and the secret to business success

If you live in Dubai and haven’t heard of the SENSASIA spa chain you must have been living under a rock. As the largest independent spa group in the UAE, SENSASIA has become a must-visit pampering destination for Dubai residents, with branches all across the city. Its unique offering of treatments and convenient locations offer a fuss-free yet luxurious experience, allowing you to take time out for that well-deserved pamper time! Salina Handa opened the first branch of SENSASIA in 2004 after finding a gap in the market for independent spas that truly cater to women’s needs and offer a high level of excellence and a bespoke experience that is expected from a five-star spa destination. SENSASIA has become known for its unique treatment menu – from pregnancy massages, to jet lag cures and everything in between – and this has given women good reason to keep returning at every moment of their lives. Here we find out more about the entrepreneurial vision behind SENSASIA and the plans for further expansion moving forward.

What first inspired you to set up your own chain of spas in the UAE?

I don’t have a spa or beauty background, but I believe this has been the key to my success. I graduated from Boston University with a business and marketing degree and moved to Dubai in 1999 for a role where I flourished in building brands and creating concepts for major corporations. But I come from a very entrepreneurial family and had always wanted to run my own business. As a total spa junkie, I visited many spas across the world throughout my twenties, and it was actually in a colonial house in Vietnam that I had my “lightbulb moment” to create SENSASIA. I had the most blissful Shiatsu massage and spa experience I had EVER had. It was then, as an extremely hard to please client, that I realised I knew how to create the completely flawless and immersive spa journey that didn’t exist in the UAE.

What do you think SENSASIA offers today that other spas don’t? 

I think SENSASIA offers a level of care that you can’t find anywhere else. We are a spa that relies on the guests returning – so that extra profiling, those extra notes, that extra personalisation we ensure we carry out, is our foundation. We also have a strong concept: we know we are not for everyone. We are boutique in our offering, but our range of services is considerably larger than average. Our consistency in service delivery is also key, which we scrupulously maintain with an extremely high standard in-house training team. Part of the core SENSASIA concept was to develop treatments that would take a woman through the milestones of her life. If she was pregnant, detoxing, trying to lose weight, stressed, tired, feeling and looking flat – we developed treatments with this in the front of mind. With such a wealth of hotel spas in the UAE, there is often a focus on transient holiday guests, but this is not where SENSASIA sits at all. We’re here for the long-term resident who comes to us as a lifestyle choice.

How has SENSASIA grown since it began and what is your vision for the future of the company?

SENSASIA began as a single spa at The Village in Jumeirah, Dubai, in 2004, and is now the largest independent spa group in the UAE. We have enjoyed expansion into six further locations, plus a portfolio of SENSASIA brand extensions, private projects, bespoke concepts, and industry awards. The pandemic also sparked the creation of THE SPA PEOPLE in 2020. This is the consultancy I created following the flurry of requests for help and guidance from fellow wellness business owners as we navigated the impact of COVID-19. THE SPA PEOPLE offers everything from short-term guidance and troubleshooting to existing operators, to a full spa solution for businesses looking to enter the market, with the full backing and proven success from SENSASIA in their corner. In the future, I think we will continue to operate and manage spas across the region and we are ready to expand into neighbouring spaces.

What is the biggest challenge you face in what you do today?

Being the owner of the company and also having a role within it as a department head of marketing is extremely challenging. Swapping hats and moving into different modes during the day is sometimes testing.

As a businesswoman what is the best piece of advice you would give to aspiring entrepreneurs? 

I truly think I suffer from ‘imposter syndrome’ and it can be debilitating. But second-guessing decisions and letting anxiety overwhelm you will take a toll on your business idea’s progress. Remember that no one, not even yourself, should stand in the way when you believe what you are doing is worthwhile.

What do you think guests are looking for from a spa today? 

I think for so long visiting a spa meant pampering and relaxation. Now, it is so much more, as people begin to realise that it is far from just physical benefits that are achieved after a spa session. We have lost so much human connection in recent years. Spa treatments give us that critical touch therapy we as humans crave, as well as time to connect to ourselves, and our spirituality, and in turn, increase our self-worth. Targeted spa treatments can reduce the stress hormone cortisol, aid in recovery from injury, working out and/or indulgence, kickstart weight loss, improve circulation and significantly improve our skin. The list goes on!

How do you elevate the facilities and luxury offering of a spa today?

In my opinion, you can have the most incredible facilities with the latest trends – and have spent a large amount of money building them – but fail when it comes to execution. To me, luxury is definitely about having a functional yet beautiful space, with the right complementary facilities such as wet areas, but a clear investment in the people that are delivering the service. The guest needs to see, hear, smell and feel the thought that has gone into their spa experience at every turn.

As standalone spas Vs. Hotel spas what are some of the main differences that have to be considered as a spa owner?

There are many! Management of systems that are able to interlink with the hotel setup are a challenge. The branding and the ‘guest journey’ also must reflect the hotel itself, which then needs to blend seamlessly into marketing and communication. You have two sets of guests that you need to market to – particularly in urban hotels. You want your seasonal in-house guests, but your marketing strategies that work here will have to be tailored to attract and retain your external residents.

What can you tell us about some of the latest technologies and treatments in the market? 

I am really liking Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) for facial muscle contouring. I think we work a lot on the skin with products and super ingredients, which work, but now I am researching a lot into facial work that targets muscle tone. You can use basic tools such as the ‘Gua Sha’ face scrapers, through to full-on equipment that will ‘work out’ your facial muscles as you would parts of your body, and they get results. We will soon be launching our own SENSASIA collection of skin tools, in response to client demand!

What do you consider when it comes to spa interiors?

I start by asking myself or the client what they want to achieve with the space, how they want guests to feel when they visit, and what is the core concept? With the guest’s experience of the brand and their journey through the spa at the front of my mind, I then go to “cut up” the space with an architect, create the layout, allocate rooms and decide on the features within the rooms – lighting and fixtures are key! I label revenue Vs non-revenue generating spaces, then decide and locate the ‘wow’ element that will bring the concept of the spa to life. Then we build out the facilities including treatment rooms, wet areas, and thermal circuits, before selecting textures, visuals and colour schemes – which are so important to get right. Finally, we look at retail spaces and common areas where the guests can gather or just ‘be’.

How do you work to develop new and different treatments for your customers?

I tend to develop what I like, based on what my needs are. This goes back to my core concept of being a super picky client. So, if I need it, or want it, I am sure there are many out there who do as well. Then we take it through research and development, select or create products, and then my trainers execute, fine-tune and totally perfect it. I have to say I love the testing phases!

What is the one treatment our readers should try?

The Ultimate Recovery Massage. It’s an intense massage with lots of full-body stretching, kneading and acupressure, and uses heated herbal poultices to encourage the lactic acid out. Ideal post-workout, or just when you feel like your body is “tied up in knots”, and really needs relief.

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

A work-life balance! The pace of UAE business can be all-consuming and I would like to get to a level where I can opt-in or out without too much impact.

Chanel showcased its Cruise 2022/23 Collection at the picturesque destination of Monte Carlo Beach Club in Monaco on 5^th May 2022.

The collection offered many tributes to the late Karl Lagerfeld who held the picturesque destination very close to his heart.

“From very early on, I knew we would hold a show there, and more precisely at the Beach Hotel.” Explained Virginie Viard. “Besides, Karl was dreaming about it. From this magnificent venue, one can glimpse his villa, La Vigie. I will never forget the times I spent there: terraces and balconies, big umbrellas, baskets of flowers – so much beauty.”

As expected the collection offered a colourful, relaxed mood, bright tweed suits, long flowing dresses, two-piece suits and elegant beachwear. This collection has everything you need for an adventurous summer holiday. From relaxing on the beach to hiking in the mountains, to catching a boat, or even embarking on a cross-country road trip. The light-hearted mood offers a new more adventurous expression of the Chanel woman.

There is “A sporty atmosphere, but not only. There are lots of tweed or silk jumpsuits lined with light terry cloth. Many sequins and flowers shape embroidered plastrons adorning thinly striped long shirt-dresses with white high collars – a nod to Karl –, a sequined midnight blue dress, or backless tops worn over wide-cut trousers.” Explained Viard.

Inspired by the Monte-Carlo ballet and the dancers’ pointe shoes, black satin shoes are adorned by thin strass buckles. Bags are shaped like tennis racquets. The flowy and shiny swimming suits are twisted into asymmetrical black skirts or draped dresses.

Viard concluded; “Monaco is inherent to the history of CHANEL. We have lived so many happy moments there.”

See more of the collection below:

Dior’s fine jewellery collections embrace the beautiful imperfections of nature and reignite Monsieur Dior’s passion for our planet’s greatest gifts.

Rose Dior Couture Necklace Rose Gold and Diamonds
By Dior Fine Jewellery

Gem Dior Watches Yellow Gold, Diamonds, and White Mother-of-Pearl Steel, Diamonds, and White Mother-of-Pearl
All by Dior Timepieces

Gem Dior Earrings Yellow Gold and Diamonds
By Dior Fine Jewellery

Gem Dior Earrings
White Gold and Diamonds
By Dior Fine Jewellery

Bois de Rose Bracelets Yellow Gold
Rose Gold
White Gold
All by Dior Fine Jewellery

Gem Dior Rings White Gold and Diamonds Yellow Gold and Diamonds
All by Dior Fine Jewellery

Rose Dior Couture Rings Rose Gold and Diamond
Rose Dior Bagatelle Rings White Gold and Diamonds
All by Dior Fine Jewellery

Photography: David Goff

Styling and Direction: Lindsay Judge 

Styling Assistant: Fiona Lee 

Today YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP is the world’s leading online luxury and fashion retail business. With a strong focus on sustainability, supporting local and upcoming designers, as well as promoting long-lasting fashion, the Group is a leading force in the future of the luxury industry and it continues to innovate and develop its platforms to offer customers a seamless and personalised experience of online shopping.

In the Middle East, the Group has experienced rapid expansion over the past few years. Having launched as part of a joint venture with Mohammed Alabbar’s Symphony Investments in 2016, the focus has been on localising the Group’s sites and ensuring they provide global content and products that are of specific interest to the customers in this region, and a more personalised user experience. Under the leadership of Nisreen Shocair, CEO YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP Middle East, the Group has recently launched Arabic platforms for its brands as well as growing its localised capabilities and improving the customer experience to offer a service that meets the demand of the customers in this region. As the Group continues to go from one strength to another we meet Nisreen Shocair to discover more about the continued development of the Group in the region and the plans for the future.

What is the current focus for the YOOX NET-A-PORTER Group in the Middle East?

Our main focus across NET-A-PORTER, MR PORTER, The Outnet and YOOX is to cater to the discerning Middle Eastern customer. Our platforms are all localised at this stage, meaning that our current customers and new customers have the option to enjoy the same unique shopping experience in Arabic. Our localised platforms also offer curated merchandising that reflects local nuances that can be found across different markets in the region. For instance, you’ll find that we have a dedicated Ramadan edit each year on each one of the platforms. We also offer regional editorial content on Porter Arabic on NET-A-PORTER that highlights topics of interest for customers in the region. We are working towards the same goal with The Journal, MR PORTER’s dedicated editorial page.

We also understand the power of social media, especially in the Middle East, where the engagement rates and screen time amongst younger customers are much higher than elsewhere in the world. On this, we commission regional key opinion leaders and work closely with social content creators on different campaigns and local initiatives. This helps drive our brand value proposition in pushing key messages in the region. For example, we recently launched our first regional campaign in the Middle East for YOOX. The campaign focused on the month of Ramadan and in line with YOOX’s overarching strategy of championing up and coming young talents, we featured two regional GEN_Z talents in the campaign.

Finally, you’ll see that we continuously create engaging offline activations and events that drive our brand resonance and increase our share of voice in the media. We had our menswear and Iris & Ink SS’22 launch event for The Outnet back in March at ME Studio, ME Hotel. The event was a success as we saw a great turnout, an increase in app downloads and social media traction. It also helped highlight two key moments for The Outnet such as the menswear launch and the continued efforts behind Iris & Ink as a circular brand – with 85% of the collection created under a considered process.

How is NET-A-PORTER supporting local designers in the region and further afield?

NET-A-PORTER is a global brand and we aim to offer our regional designers a chance to grow on a global scale. We had Benchellal launch an exclusive and considered eveningwear collection on NET-A-PORTER last year. His collection was highlighted under the “NET SUSTAIN” edit where customers can discover consciously crafted fashion, beauty, homeware and jewellery on site. The brand has been a regional favourite and we are looking to grow this momentum even further.

We also saw a huge success with the Elie Saab launch last year on NET-A-PORTER. The launch was supported with 360 marketing communications and a virtual event with Mr Elie Saab himself, talking through his plans on the platform and how he sees further growth in the Middle East.

You’ll find that our regional designer list has grown over the past few years across all categories, not just ready-to-wear. We have Nimerology in our homeware category. Nour’s designs are loved by our regional and global customers alike. We also featured the designer; Nour Al Nimer, in Porter Arabic to give the NET-A-PORTER customers an insight into who she is.

What can you tell us about the exclusive collections available at NET-A-PORTER? 

One of NET-A-PORTER’s unique selling propositions is its ongoing exclusive offering. The list is endless but customers can constantly find exclusives during our key regional moments such as the Judith Leiber Flag clutches during the UAE 50th celebration last year, or our Ramadan exclusive offering that has almost doubled since last year with regional favourites such as Taller Marmo, Elie Saab, Louisa Parris, Oscar de la Renta, and more.

We also have exclusives and collaborations offered by trending brands such as Jacquemus and Loewe Paula Ibiza during seasonal and new-in campaigns. The Jacquemus pieces are still available on the website, I love all the colours and the launch coincides perfectly with the approaching summer holidays!

In your own words, how would you differentiate the following platforms: NET-A-PORTER/Mr Porter, YOOX and The OUTNET?

NET-A-PORTER delivers the ultimate curation of products and content. It’s exclusive and on-trend.

The OUTNET is for your essentials, the classic pieces in your wardrobe that you can’t go without. It also is the benchmark of luxury discount shopping.

MR PORTER is a lifestyle brand, your ultimate online destination for men’s style.

YOOX is GEN_Z, fun, colourful, accessible and expressive. You can find a wide selection of hard-to-find clothing and accessories there.

Our four platforms share a common goal of encouraging conscious and responsible shopping, helping customers be kinder to the planet by investing in fashion with longevity.

What are some of the steps YOOX NET-A-PORTER Group has taken in the region to make the customer experience smoother?

We have a 24/7 Customer Care team that speaks both English and Arabic and we also have a dedicated personal shopping team in the Middle East, catering to our EIP’s (Extremely Important Person) needs. Our return and exchange process is speedy and we constantly work on making it as seamless as possible across all four brands. As discussed before, we are also offering customers the chance to enjoy their shopping experience in their language of choice and we ensure that our communication channels reflect the same.

Without the in-store experience, what luxury benefits do customers get from shopping online? 

We offer an unparalleled curation of products and content that you will not find in physical stores. As mentioned, we also have ongoing exclusives and limited-time capsule collections that the customer can’t find anywhere else. Our fine watches and jewellery category is one of the top-performing on-site as it offers a great roster of designers that customers can shop for from the comfort of their homes. Our dedicated personal shopping team also offers previews, exclusive ongoing discounts, and exclusive events for our EIPs (Extremely Important Person).

Can you share a little on sustainability at the Group and how you are supporting the company’s policies on this in the Middle East? 

At YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP, we are inspired by the possibilities the future holds and how we can play a role in shaping it. We see a future where the clothes we love last for longer and if they fade, may start a new beginning, forming part of a circular fashion system. A future where customers are empowered to make informed choices and where luxury and fashion can play a role in restoring our planet. We believe in an inclusive future where our industry is truly diverse, and where the next generation is equipped with the skills to make a difference. Through our technology capabilities and the global influence we’ve grown over the past 20 years, our aim is to collaborate and foster an enabling environment for our people, industry peers, brand partners and customers, who want to see a change and create a sustainable future together. It’s time to transform the way fashion is made, sold and used.

What is the biggest achievement of the Group in the region so far?

We are pioneers and leaders in bringing together the realms of technology and luxury, YOOX NET-A-PORTER connects the most discerning clientele with the joy of luxury and fashion that lasts a lifetime and beyond. It combines a curated edit of the world’s most coveted brands with personalised end-to-end service, all shaped by 20 years of insights into the modern shopper. This formula will never change and it’s reflected in any new direction that the business takes. For instance, when we localised the NET-A-PORTER website, we maintained our personalised services, our unparalleled editorial and our roster of coveted brands by curating everything in the language of the region. While also continuously aiming to bring Middle Eastern talent to a global stage through Porter Arabic.

As a businesswoman what is the professional motto that you live by?

1. No one knows you, loves you or believes in you more than you.
2. Never stop learning so you never stop earning.
3. You get what you ask for – but don’t forget to always give back.

What are some of your personal favourite brands currently?

I love The Row, Bottega Veneta, Chloé, Loewe and Halpern

Since joining Parmigiani Fleurier as CEO in January 2021, Guido Terreni has been working on the Swiss watchmaker’s future strategy.

This elevated and luxurious brand has been catering to a niche consumer since 1996, and it continues to expand globally. Parmigiani Fleurier is one of the few luxury brands that are independent, and the founder, Michel Parmigiani, is still very much involved in the company. Its values are clear; understated luxury and fine watchmaking are at the heart of the brand, but its strategy and vision have been slightly realigned since Terreni joined. While it will never become a mass-market brand, Terreni is finding ways to refine the offering while widening its appeal to a slightly more diverse audience. This began with the launch of the Tonda PF collection last year, which has already seen great success. As the brand unveils its latest novelties including the Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante, Tonda PF Skeleton, Tonda PF Flying Tourbillon and Tonda GT Chronograph, we discover more through our latest chat with the renowned CEO.

Tell us about the vision and Parmigiani Fleurier since you joined and where would you like to take it?

I would like the brand to be recognised as a discreet luxury brand for people who are not ostentatious and who are deep and respectful in their choices. It’s a brand that is delicate in its soul and I would like to keep it that way and I think there are a lot of people who are feeling this. Where creativity pushes you forward, we don’t want to re-edit the past, on the contrary, I want to reinvent things and to have a dynamic approach in which people are having fun with luxury, not just showing off their wealth, that’s not who the Parmigiani Fleurier client is, our clients show off their knowledge and their understanding of luxury. It’s an educated, intimate choice. I think there are a lot of people that are quiet in their choices and are looking for something like this. Our products make you feel elegant, refined, subtle and different from the crowd but not in an extravagant way. These are the values that we want to share, and they are built on competence and understanding, and we want to express this in a creative, fresh, serene way.

Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante

When you joined the brand and saw the product assortment what did you tell yourself you wanted to start with?

I told myself that we must go back to the drawing board and redefine our soul because I felt that the brand had aged with its clientele, and it needed to be refreshed. But we had to do that while respecting our values. I think luxury must be about the product, I don’t believe in selling through pure storytelling, if there is no product in the story there is no story at all. The higher-end the brand, the more important the product is, and it has to be part of the equation. So, the priority was to ask ourselves who we are, who we want to be and how we want to be. After we did that, the Tonda PF came out quite quickly because when you are deep into answering these kinds of questions and it allows you to understand who you are. This watch and how it’s designed it’s respecting the same values; it’s not loud, it’s fresh and there is a coherent message and aesthetic codes that were already part of the brand. We did a lot of introspection and the COVID-19 pandemic helped us as it gave us time to reset. We worked hard on trying to define what we wanted. It had to be comfortable, it had to be long-lasting in its design, and it had to be subtle in its aesthetic choices. We dug into our aesthetic codes that were already there and reinterpreted them into this watch. There are a lot of details in something that seems so simple. It is so complex and there is a tension between the idea that it needed to be immediately understandable and intuitive, with the making of a watch that is extremely refined, and this is difficult to do. This is what we call “rich minimalism” because the effect and look are minimal, but the process is extremely difficult and expensive to do. You find those details only by looking at them closely and if you don’t have an educated eye, you will probably miss them. We say we apply a sartorial approach to watchmaking, looking into what can be the signature style or refinement.

What in your opinion are the pre-requisites for a product to become an icon? 

There are plenty of things that make something an icon. First of all, the creative idea has to be understood and it has to be long-lasting. With the Tonda PF we toned down every element in the idea, but we didn’t tone down the watchmaking element of it and this is the best ingredient in something becoming an icon. Being long-lasting in its design is one element but then you must have a brand which is prestigious and can be consistent. Then you must have a client that carries you because the client is part of the image of the brand. These are all the elements that you have to build on and align through a strategy that is pure and without compromise. You must do it in the right way, and you can’t have shortcuts when you’re creating an icon.

Tonda PF Skeleton

What are the challenges you face today in your role and achieving the company’s objectives?

The first challenge is almost overcome because it was a change of mindset inside Parmigiani Fleurier. Resistance to change is natural and I am very proud because we have transformed the company but with the same people who were there before. Transforming what people can do and making them do things that they didn’t even know they could do is part of what a leader should do. It’s about getting the best out of people and that is what we have done. Of course, we could not travel so we were restricted in that sense, there are teams around the world that I still haven’t met, in China and Hong Kong for example, so it’s disturbing to me to lead a brand without physical contact and meeting people in person and this is also a challenge. But the turning moment was in Geneva when we presented our collection and I felt that the salespeople were starting to believe that it is possible to do new things and that the new watches will complement the existing offering that we have. From the beginning, my idea was that they would coexist. Then when you receive the complements of the trade, and you see the sales which are still surprising me today as I didn’t imagine such a quick response. The response has been unimaginable.

It is in the brand’s DNA not to overproduce and to keep itself exclusive – are there any plans to expand on this? 

I do think there is work to be done in terms of how we manage the power of supply, but we have the capacity to grow. We don’t want to become a mass-produced brand but there are ways we can cater to a slightly wider audience. We will still be at a relatively small capacity but there is some room for expansion. We need to be very disciplined in what we do and we have to be respectful not to overdo it or create too many references.

Tonda PF Flying Tourbillon

What is in the pipeline globally for the brand this year? 

The priority is the reduction of our points of sale. Previously the brand had been pushing distribution to sell, now, on the contrary, we are in a demanding situation so it’s easier now to refine where we sell our products. It’s a question of priority and we will pick those who we understand and believe in us. The belief in your partnerships and distribution is a key growth factor, but it can also be a negative factor if it is mismanaged. It’s like a marriage – the two must have the same long-term vision and we have to ensure they are not exploiting our brand in any way. I want to work with distributors who share our vision and priorities and understand the brand and their clientele.

What is something you still aim to achieve? 

Working on the product is natural for anyone in watchmaking, but the communication side is the most difficult part because when you have an understated client you need to know how to talk to a discreet person in the right way. And I think finding the right tone of voice in our communication is something that we are still working on.

Tonda PF Flying Tourbillon movement

Do you think that now is the moment for independent brands to step forward into the spotlight? 

I think that independent brands or niche brands have a beautiful future if they know why they exist. If you know your reason for being and you stick to that, you can do very well, but if you are trying to be something that you’re not, then you should change business. So yes, independent brands are important, and they are enjoying a big moment because they are creative and experimental and because they are coveted by people who are starting to get fed up with seeing the same watches again and again. So, it is the rise of interesting brands that have a human relationship in their business.

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

I think the brand is interesting to people who are looking at luxury not in a stereotypical way. It’s not a brand for followers but it is a brand that speaks to independent minds.

How would you describe the brand in one word?

Understated refinement – it’s two words!

Inspired by iconic paintings, Buccellati’s high jewellery collection reflects the colours and beauty of nature through the finest gemstones and materials.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE…

Unica necklace in yellow and white gold set with 216 rose-cut diamonds (ct. 3,86) and 1 diamond (ct. 2,85). Cocktail Earrings in white and yellow gold set with diamonds. Band Ring in white and yellow gold set with 4 diamonds carrè, 61 diamonds and 40 round brilliant-cut diamonds. Cuff bracelet in white and yellow gold set with round brilliant- cut diamonds (ct. 1,77)
All Buccellati
Top and skirt, Zimmermann at Harvey Nichols Dubai

Opera necklace in white and yellow gold with one tourmaline (ct. 16,31) and 1093 diamonds (CT 11,57). Opera Pendant Earrings in white gold set with 278 diamonds (CT. 6,18). All Buccellati Dress, Taller Marmo

Opera button earrings in white gold set with diamonds and 136 round brilliant-cut diamonds. Unica pendant in white and yellow gold with 30 diamonds (CT. 1,30). Cocktail ring in white and yellow gold set with cabochon tanzanite (ct. 23,01) and round brilliant-cut diamonds (ct. 1).
All Buccellati
Dress, Self Portrait at Harvey Nichols Dubai

Unica necklace in yellow gold set with 88 turquoise stones (ct. 209,45), 114 pink sapphires (ct. 20,25) and 138 round faceted sapphires (ct. 14,38). Cocktail Ring in white and yellow gold set with 1 tourmaline (CT 9,24) and 54 diamonds (CT. 0,60). All Buccellati
Dress, De La Vali at Harvey Nichols Dubai

Cocktail earrings in white and yellow gold set with 196 round brilliant-cut diamonds (ct. 3,05), 4 sapphires (ct. 2,63) and 10 round facets sapphires (ct. 2,58)
Unica ring in white and yellow gold set with 1 faceted sapphire (ct. 5,19), 12 round brilliant-cut diamonds (ct. 2,86) and 60 diamonds (ct. 0,37). All Buccellati
Dress, Loro Piana

Unica necklace in white and yellow gold set with 722 round brilliant-cut diamonds (ct. 9,1) and 7 sapphires (ct. 28,84). Cocktail earrings in pink and yellow gold set with 2 cabochon amethyst (ct. 142,76) and 332 pink sapphires (ct. 10,68). Coloured cocktail ring in yellow gold set with 1 ruby (ct. 9,07) and round brilliant-cut diamonds (ct. 0,82) All Buccellati Dress, Solace London at Harvey Nichols Dubai

Cocktail earrings in yellow and white gold set with 228 round brilliant-cut diamonds (ct. 2,23)
Opera Cuff Bracelet in yellow and white gold with 19 diamonds (CT. 1,18).
Opera Cuff Bracelet in yellow and white gold with 272 round brilliant-cut diamonds (CT 1,62), 16 oval-cut diamonds (CT. 1,43) and 1 diamond (CT. 0,16).
All Buccellati
Dress, Iris and Ink

This year the Met Gala is back to its traditional schedule on the first Monday in May and it’s set to be more fabulous than ever.

After a shift in dates last year due to the global pandemic, fashion’s most glamorous event returns to the red carpet this May. As it has done since 2005, the first Monday of May will see the Big Apple’s Metropolitan Museum of Art welcome the who’s who of the fashion and celebrity worlds to mark the opening of the museum’s latest exhibition with a stylish celebration.

The Gala first began in 1948, when Eleanor Lambert, a New York publicist, decided to host an annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Formally known as the Costume Institute Benefit, the event was coined ‘The Party of the Year’ and attracted the who’s who of the New York social scene. Back then, the event entrance fee was just $50 and it was an intimate yet exclusive soirée for Manhattan locals. As each year passed and news spread, celebrities and A-listers began to attend, including Diana Princess of Wales, artist Andy Warhol and singer Cher.

Diana, Princess of Wales at The MET Gala in 1996

Today, The Met Gala is Chaired by Anna Wintour, Worldwide Chief Content Officer and Global Editorial Director of Vogue who each year enlists the help of friends and colleagues in hosting the event which sees the biggest names in film, music and fashion, attending. Celebrities showcase the boldest outfits in a competition for best dressed, while fashion houses spend months preparing for the style spectacle.

Each year the gala’s theme is created in coherence with the Museum’s Costume Institute Exhibition, which is also the basis and inspiration for the guest’s outfit choices. This year’s theme “Gilded Glamour” is the second edition of a two-part series that first debuted in September 2021, when the last gala took place. Last year’s theme ‘American Independence’ saw Kim Kardashian appearing in an all-black Balenciaga outfit, whilst Billie Eilish captured hearts in her Marylin Monroe-inspired look by Oscar de la Renta.

Kim Kardashian at the MET Gala in 2021

Gilded Glamour pays homage to the era between 1870 and 1890, where, especially in New York, technological developments made it easier for the elite to buy more clothes and more extravagant garments than ever before, and so the “more-is-more” approach to fashion began. Quite fitting for the Met Gala don’t you think? During this period, extravagant feathered headpieces, colourful gowns, and corset tops were staple pieces for women, with top hats and pocket watches being key accessories for men. The theme is perhaps already having a moment with TV series such as “The Gilded Age” and “Bridgerton” celebrating the all-out glamour that this era represents.

So be ready for one of the most glamourous events yet, and you can bet the who’s who of fashion will be back with a bang on the red carpet this May.

Dior’s latest collections offer the perfect gift ideas for the upcoming Eid holiday.

To mark the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, the House is perpetuating the art of giving and pleasing, something that was so dear to Monsieur Dior.

A collection of stylish luxury gifts for women make the perfect presents for all of your loved ones this Eid-Al-Fitr.

The gifts are taken from the Dior Or Ramadan capsule collection which offers a series of metallic styles for women.

In bags, the essential Dior Book Tote, Lady D-Lite and Lady Dior bags make the perfect arm candy while in shoes, the Dway mules, DiorAct sandals and D-Connect sneakers will make a perfect addition to your summer wardrobe.

This timeless, refined selection, celebrates the essence of Dior and offers the perfect way to treat your loved ones over the holiday period.

Shop now at Dior stores across the Middle East.

This year Cartier celebrated Ramadan with an exclusive Majlis concept that brought its community in the UAE together over the Holy Month.

Manama, a Majlis concept created in collaboration with renowned Emirati Architects and Urbanists, Ahmed and Rashid Bin Shabib was installed at iconic locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, the installation was hosted at the iconic Al Khazzan Park, while Abu Dhabi’s iteration took place at Manarat Al Saadiyat, the heart of the emirate’s cultural hub on Saadiyat Island.

Al Manama is the Arabic word meaning “a place to rest and sleep”. This modern take on the concept pays tribute to Cartier’s long-standing relationship with the UAE, dating back to Jacques Cartier’s first visit in 1912. This special tie has strengthened over the years and influenced the Maison’s creative design and stylistic development.

“I remember the first time I encountered the term Manama was through my grandmother, who mentioned that during her day living in Shindigha the only way to survive the harsh summer is to sleep in an elevated structure that was considered a central pavilion within the courtyard of the house called Al-Manamah. This structure, although historic today, has very little remanence. It is through these small architectural, artefactual interventions that shape much of the vernacular of the city’s identity,” said Rashid Bin Shabib.

“At Cartier, we treasure the sense of community and togetherness and take pride in celebrating key moments of local relevance. It is our way of expressing our gratitude to this inspiring region and the enduring relationships we have built here,” explained Caroline Dumont Frotiee, Managing Director of Cartier UAE.

“This year, we really wanted to develop a unique, creative yet locally relevant and meaningful concept. This is how the idea of a reimagined Majlis, through Al Manama, came to life. Having worked with the Bin Shabib Brothers for several years, they were an obvious partner for us to jointly bring this to life,” she added.

Guests to both Majlis spaces were presented with a retrospective of presentation of Cartier’s journey in the region through a series of archival videos. When entering the courtyard they found a display of local and traditional crafts, including a 12 meter long Misbah, created in collaboration with Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council.

“Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council is an embodiment of resilience — of both the UAE’s local craftswomen and the crafts they practice. We are delighted to see the result of yet another successful artistic collaboration with our longstanding partner, Cartier, manifested in the awe-inspiring decoration of the space with original craft creations of female artisans working with Irthi,” said Reem BinKaram, Director of NAMA Women Advancement (NAMA). “Our mission at the Council is to empower women practicing national crafts whilst preserving our cultural heritage by adding new, exciting dimensions to it through alliances with likeminded entities such as Cartier, who appreciate artisanship and are keenly dedicated to finding new ways to sustain their traditions and the planet.”

Cartier’s Ramadan film “Togetherness is a Jewel” was also on display as guests joined this cultural experience.

This year, L’Oréal will celebrate 25 years of its partnership with the Cannes Film Festival as it reaffirms its long-standing commitment to supporting women in cinema.

The upcoming edition of the film festival will kick off next month and will mark a landmark anniversary in the beauty giant’s partnership. This year will see L’Oréal Paris honour one promising female short film director in the second annual edition of the brand’s signature Lights on Women Award program.

The winning film will be chosen from the Short Films Competition and La Cinef’s selection at Cannes and will this year be presented in person by Academy Award-winner, L’Oréal Paris spokesperson and head juror, Kate Winslet.

Eva Longoria

The ceremony will take place at the Jeune Cinéma dinner on May 27, and will also see L’Oreal’s iconic family of spokespeople in attendance. An exclusive anniversary dinner with the L’Oréal Paris family and friends of the brand will also be hosted to pay tribute to the 25 years of partnership on May 18, 2022.

L’Oreal spokespeople in attendance will include Kate Winslet, Elle Fanning, Eva Longoria, Gemma Chan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Andie MacDowell and many more.

Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, Global Brand President, L’Oréal Paris, says, “Twenty-five years at Cannes is an incredible milestone. Throughout this historic partnership, we have always aimed to bring our brand’s beauty expertise to the forefront of the Festival, while also honouring the best cinematic talent from around the world. This year’s Lights on Women Award will continue to break down barriers and encourage talented female filmmakers to achieve their dreams. As we look ahead to the next 25 years, my hope for the future is that this kind of award won’t even be necessary, as women who make cinema continue to take their rightful place in the industry.”

Actress Kate Winslet adds, “The Lights On Women Award plays a vital role in bestowing much needed praise on today’s female creators––women who are much too often passed over for their male counterparts in this industry. The sheer beauty and force of last years’ inaugural film moved me to tears, and I am honoured to play a part in continuing this important program, which offers a pathway for women in film to propel their careers forward.”

The 2022 edition of The Cannes Film Festival will run from 17^th to 28^th May.

If you’re flying off for the Eid weekend you’ll want to find the perfect balance between style and comfort for your airport ensemble. We round up some of the brands that will maximise your airport style while ensuring it’s a smooth journey.

L’Couture

L’Couture

L’Couture is a Dubai-based luxury activewear brand focused on empowering women to embrace a more fulfilled lifestyle. Whether you find comfort in brightly coloured yoga pants or cosy velour two pieces, L’Cotoure has the complete combination. The brand also provides a collection of children’s wear, so that you can effortlessly match with your little ones on your family vacation.

L’Couture recently launched its Elemental Loungewear collection which features neautral-toned fabrics that are smooth and flowing, whilst others lead with texture through ribs and towelling touches.

L’ Couture | Women’s Luxury Activewear | L’COUTURE (lcouture.com)

The Giving Movement

The Giving Movement

If you’re the kind of person who immediately heads for the sweatpants section of the wardrobe when putting together your airport ensemble, then look no further than The Giving Movement. This environmentally conscious brand can elevate your comfy-casual look whilst ensuring you stay stylish and hip. The Giving Movement provides a mixture of sports and loungewear, as well as hijabs, abayas and dresses, all with comfort at the forefront. The materials are ethically sourced so you can expect the finest quality clothing.

The Giving Movement is also offering up to 50% off in their latest Ramadan Sale, just in time for those Eid vacations. Find the collections at https://thegivingmovement.com/

Loro Piana

Loro Piana

Choosing only the finest yarns of cashmere, merino wool, cotton and linen, Loro Piana produces luxurious, sustainable clothing for the whole family and is perfect for travel. The lightweight materials are soft on the skin and allow the body to relax and breathe. Their Spring/Summer 22 collection includes silk floral dresses, linen shirts, lemon yellow accessories and handmade straw hats, these looks take you beyond the flight and into your paradise escape.

An exclusive capsule has also been created for the Ramadan season and Eid celebration; these garments are adorned with the work of renowned Emirati artist Mattar Bin Lahej.

Find the collection at Loro Piana

Johnstons of Elgin

Johnstons of Elgin

If you’re travelling to cooler climates this Eid, or find the inflight AC a little chilly, then take it from the highland loungewear professionals, Scottish brand Johnstons of Elgin. Rendered in neutral palettes and classic knit patterns, the ready to wear collection includes soft merino wool trouser sets and cashmere roll-neck sweaters. The minimalist sets provide a delicate off-duty look but feel warm and luxurious on the skin. You’re sure to feel in holiday mode wearing these relaxing sets.

Order yours from Matchesfashion

Azzalia

Azzalia

Closer to home, Emirati brand Azzalia, founded by Sheikha Amal Al Maktoum, has produced a travel wear collection, using the finest fabrics. Azzalia blends modern elegance and classic luxury using the latest embroidery techniques. Linen kaftans and oversised cotton pants make the perfect comfort clothing ready for travel, whilst the poplin shirt with pearl cuffing adds an element of glamour to your airport wardrobe.

You can also find the latest Ramadan collection, as well as colourful beachwear and evening dresses, fit for sandy beach walks and sunset drinks by the sea.

See the travel wear selection at Azzalia

A new five-star hotel has opened in Dubai overlooking the iconic Dubai Marina skyline. W Dubai – Mina Seyahi is a 31-storey hotel boasting striking glass architecture and panoramic views Dubai’s landmarks.

This latest property from W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of hotel brands is set to become a must-visit destination for tourists and residents looking to immerse themselves in the W lifestyle.

“Dubai is an always-on, high-energy city with a growing luxury lifestyle scene, making it the perfect destination for the iconic W Hotels brand,” said Candice D’Cruz, Vice President – Luxury Brands, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “W Dubai – Mina Seyahi is the third W hotel to launch in the UAE and reflects its world-famous culture and social vibrancy, and brings the W brand’s signature style of luxury to travellers looking for new ways to celebrate the destination. Guests and locals can expect the unexpected with intriguing spaces, vibrant dining experiences and dynamic programming.”

W Dubai – Mina Seyahi Welcome Entrance

Dubai’s history is woven throughout the design of the hotel which offers a modern take on the city’s culture and social fabric and there are many nods to the Middle’s history of mystique and its mix of poets, storytellers, and performers who brought the energy of the region to life.

The hotel features 318 rooms including 27 suites, all sea-facing with a private balcony. Guests can relax and watch the sunset over the sea as well as get unparalleled views of some of the city’s landmarks including Palm Jumeirah and Ain Dubai.

W Dubai – Mina Seyahi Ginger Moon

The newly opened destination will also be home to a number of world-famous gastronomy experiences as well as unique experiences for the discerning traveller.

For more information and to book, please visit www.w-dubai-mina-seyahi.com

As we prepare to mark Eid-Al-Fitr we round up our selection of luxury gifts perfect for celebrating with your loved ones on this special occasion.

Frivole Ring, Van Cleef & Arpels

Navitimer B01 Chronograph, Breitling

Fleur Du Désert Eau de Parfum, Louis Vuitton

BOSS

Christian Louboutin

Aura Home

Bliss Flowers

Bally

Tory Burch

Salvatore Ferragamo

Salvatore Ferragamo

Balenciaga

Louis Vuitton

Tod’s

GHD Soft Curl Tong

Pomellato

Andrea Wazen

YSL Beauty

Rituals

Givenchy

Alessandra Rich at Harvey Nichols Dubai

Mach and Mach

Stella McCartney

Elie Saab

Valentino

Ex Nihilo on Ounass

MAC Cosmetics on Ounass

Kilian on Ounass

SemSem at NET-A-PORTER

As we enter spring, it’s the time of year when luxury brands present the latest holiday and travel collections for 22/23. We reveal all you need to know on this season’s Cruise shows.

CHANEL

Monaco has been chosen as the location to host the 2022/23 CHANEL Cruise collection and is an integral part of the Maison’s history. As a destination dear to Gabrielle Chanel, who had her villa built just a few kilometres from there, and Karl Lagerfeld who made this his summer place of residence, Virginie Viard, Creative Director, seals and prolongs CHANEL’s ties with the Principality.

The Cruise collection has been anchored in the history of the House since the late 1910s when Gabrielle Chanel offered her clients lightweight comfortable designs imagined for various sunny destinations.

The presentation will be held on Thursday, 5^th May.

Louis Vuitton

Unlike many of the other brands hosting their shows across Europe, Louis Vuitton is flying across the pond. The Salk Institute in La Jolla, California will be hosting this year’s Louis Vuitton Cruise Collection. The Maison is known for staging Cruise shows in some of the world’s most remarkable architectural settings reflecting genuine sources of inspiration for Nicolas Ghesquière, the Artistic Director of Women’s Collections.

“Having spent a lot of time in California, I was drawn to the idea of showing there again. The Salk Institute has been a place of wonder for me over the years” said Nicolas Ghesquière.

This institute has been specifically chosen for its two mirror-image concrete buildings and central courtyard, creatively mixing architecture with nature, sky and sea.

The presentation of the collection will be held on Thursday, 12^th May.

Find it live-streamed across www.louisvuitton.com and the Maison’s official social media channels.

Max Mara

Max Mara is set to present its 2023 resort collection in Lisbon. The event will take place in the Portuguese capital at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, an institution dedicated to the promotion of the arts, philanthropy, science, and education.

Previously, Max Mara presented its 2022 resort collection on Ischia, the verdant Isola Verde just west of Naples, and was held as an intimate gathering outside following pandemic protocols.

The event will take place on Tuesday, June 28^th.

Dior

Dior’s Creative Director, Maria Grazia Chiuri’s latest Cruise designs are set to be displayed in Spain this year. The Plaza de España in Seville is a landmark square with a large water feature featuring seats with painted ceramic tiles and an ornate pavilion. Dior took inspiration from its surroundings when choosing this setting for its presentation.

“Dior and Spain, and more specifically Andalusia, were forged as early as the 1950s, and have been strengthened ever since,” the label said in a statement.

The show will take place on Thursday, 16^th June.

Kerzner International the owners of Atlantis Resorts and Residences and the One&Only Resorts worldwide has announced a new hotel collection Rare Finds will feature a diverse collection of unique properties that will offer exceptional experiences for guests.

The project begins with the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort which has been acquired by Kerzner and is set to undergo a complete transformation before reopening in 2023.

“I am excited to welcome Bab Al Shams Desert Resort to the newly introduced Rare Finds collection. The addition of this legacy landmark desert resort marks Kerzner International’s continued growth and expansion within the region,” commented Philippe Zuber, CEO of Kerzner International.

Philippe Zuber, CEO of Kerzner

“We have been part of Dubai’s storied history with one of the first ultra-luxury resorts with One&Only Royal Mirage followed by the epochal Atlantis, The Palm and we continue to be very bullish on the destination with the upcoming opening of Atlantis, The Royal Resort & Residences later this year and One&Only One Za’abeel joining Bab Al Shams next year.  We are thrilled to continue to be part of the future of Dubai, and we look forward to welcoming guests to discover this new, evolved idyllic retreat.”

The extensive reimagination of the iconic desert resort will introduce a completely renewed aesthetic whilst maintaining the resort’s authentic equestrian identity. Guests will be able to return to reimagined, world-class culinary experiences such as modern Arabic cuisine, a rooftop lounge, and al fresco dining. Championing local producers and using responsibly sourced ingredients, each outlet will showcase the exceptional array of sensorial and theatrical dining available throughout the resort.

The much-loved desert infinity pool will also return, offering guests the opportunity to escape from city life and enjoy the tranquil surroundings from plush sun-loungers and private cabanas. The Desert Spa will invite guests to step into a calming mirage to unwind and rejuvenate through both traditional and contemporary treatments, such as Hammam and Hot Sand therapy.

In keeping with Rare Find’s focus on discovering a destination in a truly authentic way, Bab al Shams will offer an endless selection of expertly curated itineraries and bespoke outdoor activities, tailored to each individual guest.

“Bab Al Shams is the original immersive desert experience in Dubai, having first opened its doors in 2004,” says Issam Galadari, CEO of Meydan City Corporation. “We are looking forward to working closely with the Kerzner team to bring their exceptional service standards and renowned expertise to invigorate and breathe new life into this resort, that holds a special place in the hearts of UAE residents and visitors alike”.

As we enter the last week of Ramadan it’s time to do something extra special. We round up some of the best places to go for iftar or suhoor this Holy Month.

Raffles, The Palm, Dubai

Le Jardin

You are certainly sure to feel like royalty when visiting the newly opened Raffles hotel, located on the West Crescent of the Palm. This golden palace provides exceptional daily Iftar and Suhoor at three of its extravagant dining areas.

Begin with Iftar at Le Jardin, a regal restaurant with an outdoor terrace that overlooks the Palm and the hotel’s lush gardens. This exquisite dining experience presents a delicious selection of Middle Eastern salads and appetisers, and main courses featuring chicken makhani, lamb biryani, and shish taouk. To accompany the occasion, a live oud player plays traditional tunes whilst guests enjoy their meal.

Details: From sunset onwards till 9.30pm | AED 230 per person

Suhoor, takes place in the Blüthner Hall, an elegant dining area that hosts the bespoke Blüthner Louis XIV Grand Piano. An à la carte menu opens with hot and cold mezze with a large selection of main courses such as a seafood mixed grill, rubyan meshwi and chicken shawarma.

Details: From 8pm onwards till 1am | à la carte

Piatti by the Beach

Piatti by the Beach offers something a little different. Expect an Iftar with a difference at this stunning beachfront restaurant, where guests will be engulfed in the unmistakable charm of the Amalfi Coast. Available in the restaurant, a 5-course set sharing menu starts with a delicious Pizza Profumata, followed by a myriad of starters to share including Insalata Amalfi, Burrata, and Fritto Misto. For the pasta course, expect the homemade Maltagliati al Ragu di Vitello, followed by a home-made old school Tiramisu to round the Iftar off beautifully!

Details: From sunset onwards till 1am | AED 450 per person

To view all three menus: Dining – Raffles The Palm Dubai – Raffles Hotels & Resorts

Trèsind, Voco Hotel, Dubai

Trèsind,

Considered one of the best Indian fine dining restaurants in Dubai and counted among the top modern Indian restaurants, Trèsind is the birthplace of “innovative Indian cuisine.” It is famous for its interesting tasting menu and during the holy month, it offers a special selection dedicated to the flavours of Ramadan.

The menu begins with refreshing salads, soups and starters, before moving on to a pallet cleanser of white chocolate and black lemon bon bon before the main course. Guests can choose between a meat menu and a vegetarian menu which includes Chettinad and tomato curries, Malabari paratha spinach and corn kebab, and a butter naan black dal Kare-raisu.

Details: From sunset onwards till 11.30pm | AED 275 per person

To view the special Ramadan Menu: ramadan-menu.pdf (tresind.com)

At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa, Dubai

At.mosphere

When the thought of luxury Iftars comes to mind, where else would you find the ultimate indulgent experience to break your fast than in the world’s tallest building? Of course, we know that on the 122^nd floor, At.mosphere is guaranteed to have the most breathtaking views, but it has also introduced an exclusive 4-course Ramadan sharing menu to delight its guests.

The luxury menu consists of sharing starters, main courses, and deserts and is finished with a selection of cheeses.

Details: From 7pm onwards till 10.30pm | AED 575 per person

To view the menu: ramadan-restaurant-dinner-menu.pdf (atmosphereburjkhalifa.com)

Amaseena, Ritz-Carlton, Dubai

Amaseena, Ritz-Carlton, Dubai

Bedouin-inspired tents, a star-filled sky and the sounds of Arabic music create an authentic desert dining experience at Amaseena. From mandi-cooked lamb flavoured with hand-roasted spices, to tagine cooked in authentic clay cookware; guests will be spoilt for choice with a lavish spread across nine food stations highlighting the best of Middle Eastern.

For an intimate gathering in the comfort of your own home, the chefs at The Ritz-Carlton Dubai will prepare a magnificent spread for the family in a one-of-a-kind takeaway box. Guests can order and collect for a lavish Iftar or Suhour, with a choice of three tiers, including favourites such as lentil soup, stuffed vine leaves, a plethora of dips and salads, falafel, seafood and meat mixed grills, katayef nuts and cheese and fruit platter.

Details: From sunset onwards till 9pm | AED 249 per person

To view the menu: Home | Amaseena Dubai

Terrace Between the Towers, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai

Terrace Between the Towers, Jumeirah Emirates Towers

Experience a blend of flavours from the UAE mountains, deserts, and sea for Iftar and Suhoor in a luxurious majlis setting. The large outdoor terrace provides unparalleled views of the newly opened Museum of the Future, lighting up the Dubai sky and offering the best backdrop for the evening. Guests can enjoy a seamless blend of traditional Arabic hospitality, with an assortment of only the best dishes in weekly rotating menus with authentic fish, goat and even camel meat preparations. A live oud player keeps you entertained throughout and those looking for a more luxurious setting can book a private majlis for their family and friends.

Details: From sunset onwards till 8.30pm | AED 275 per person

For more information: Ramadan at Jumeirah Emirates Towers Majlis | Jumeirah

Shimmers, Mina A’Salam

Shimmers, Mina A’Salam

This award-winning beachside venue invites guests to soak up the peaceful atmosphere whilst listening to the waves crash along the shoreline. During Ramadan, late into the evening enjoy an a la carte Suhoor menu served to the table. This menu includes a selection of divine meat and fish options, sharing platters, plant-based dishes and an array of Shisha flavours.

Details: From 9PM – 1AM | A la carte

To view the Suhoor menu: shimmerssuhoormenu.pdf (jumeirah.com)

The Library, The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah

Chedi Al Bait Hotel

To experience the dynamic cultural life of Sharjah through its cuisine, the Iftar Twilight experience at The Library, Chedi Al Bait Hotel, blends elements of traditional indulgence with modern comfort. Distinguished by its rich traditional Arabic cuisine, this restaurant offers a selection of main dishes, from charcoal-grilled meats, including lamb chops, and a traditional Camel Ouzi with Emirati rice as the star of the night.

Details: From 6.30pm onwards till 9pm | AED 199 per person

Constellation Ballroom, Address Dubai Marina

Take a culinary journey through a vibrant Moroccan market and delight in indulgent delicacies with an inspired array of live cooking stations, at the Constellation Ballroom. Guests are offered a variety of dishes including assorted hot and cold mezze, Arabic breads and oriental rices, Lamb Ouzi and delicious sweet treats. Entertainment comes in the form of live oud music while you relax and unwind with loved ones.

Details: From sunset onwards till 9pm | AED 195 per person

A new two-part documentary will offer an in-depth look into Dubai’s journey through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Featuring first-hand experiences of those on the front line as well as following children who were home-schooled throughout the unsettling time, their parents and businesses that were affected, the documentary will offer an intimate look at real-life human stories from a diverse selection of Dubai residents as they adjust to the “new normal”.

The two 45-minute episodes will stream in partnership with Discovery and will chronicle Dubai’s journey through the pandemic and its robust response to the pandemic and its effective health measures, which ultimately enabled the city to contain the spread of the virus and mitigate its impact on the community.

Mona Al Marri, Director-General of the Government of Dubai Media Office, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with Discovery to share Dubai’s remarkable journey and proactive approach in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. From the very onset of the pandemic, Dubai set an example for the world in responding swiftly and effectively to protect lives and livelihoods, and limiting COVID-19’s impact on the society and economy. Through each episode, the documentary depicts the resilience of the emirate and its community, and showcases how each and every member of society has been part of the story of Dubai’s success in overcoming the crisis.”

Lee Hobbs, Senior Vice President of Pay TV, Global Brands and discovery+ for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Warner Bros. Discovery, said, “The world’s battle against COVID-19 has been relentless, with efforts continuously evolving as time goes on. Dubai has been unique in its approach, facing the pandemic head-on and being amongst the first in the world to undergo an extensive vaccination programme. The documentary celebrates the heroes of the pandemic, from those on the frontline, to the family heroes who took on homeschooling and caring for others.”

Filmed and produced in Dubai, the new documentary will air exclusively on Discovery, on 7th May and 14th May 2022 at 22:00 UAE time and from mid-May on discovery+, in a branded environment on Jawwy TV and STARZPLAY.