Dolce&Gabbana presents its Alta Moda, Alta Sartoria and Alta Gioielleria collections in AlUla with a celebration of ancient equestrian heritage.

As a destination filled with beautiful landscapes, thriving culture and rich heritage, AlUla in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia offered the perfect backdrop for Dole&Gabbana to present their latest Alta Moda, Alta Sartoria and Alta Gioielleria collections. On January 27th 2022, the Italian fashion house invited visitors to a spectacular runway show, showcasing these collections as part of the AlUla Moments festival season. The Ikmah Fashion Calvary Show, an event that was part of the Winter at Tartora season showcased the brands latest couture designs and also celebrated the ancient equestrian heritage of the region.

“Our first fashion show in AlUla was the perfect combination of exquisite elegance and nature. With the Ikmah mountain and date palms framing the runway under a perfect starry night, the result was breathtaking. Thanks to Dolce&Gabbana for choosing AlUla to showcase their Alta Moda, Alta Sartoria, Alta Gioielleria collections. AlUla is a cradle of creativity with artistic endeavour stretching back thousands of years – we are now once again a place to welcome and inspire all areas of arts.” Said Phillip Jones, Chief Management and Marketing Officer, Royal Commission for AlUla.

The presentation of the collections was set against the stunning backdrop of AlUla’s magnificent sandstone mountains; one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. A large sun-shaped structure represented the majestical moment its rays touch the earth. The collections, magical in their design and luxurious in their precious fabrics, reflected the twilight setting and refracted the light onto the millenary sandstone rocks. This was an invitation to be fascinated by beauty and a great celebration of the elegance and craftsmanship of the Italian tradition, combined with the magical nights and heritage of Arabia.

The nobility of princesses and the delicacy of nature in full bloom materialise in unique clothes and jewels, made even more special by the search for detail, the use of the finest materials and the meticulous study of proportions. The boundary between reality and fantasy dissolves, the two worlds are reflected in each other: the creation of shapes, artistic inspiration and refined handcrafted decorative techniques make each creation an authentic work of art.

In addition to the show, the brand also exhibited a one-of-a-kind collection in the iconic location of Maraya; the world’s largest mirrored building, surrounded by rolling sand dunes and historical landmarks. Guests had the opportunity to visit the space and meet with the Dolce&Gabbana première and master tailor to share their choices from the unique and customised collection.

Ikmah Fashion Cavalry Show is a special exhibition celebrating the extraordinary spirit and tradition of Arabian horses, famous all over the world for their unparalleled beauty and elegance. Jabal Ikmah, which is considered one of the main historical and archaeological sites in AlUla, was host to this special evening dedicated to handmade fashion design creativity with an all-Mediterranean flavour. The show also showcased a full parade of twelve Arabian horses with customised horse accessories and attire, highlighting the harmony between horses and models and impressing the attendees with a unique show.

Winter at Tantora runs from 21st December 2021 to 12th February 2022, offering both international and local visitors an exciting six weeks of music, cultural and equestrian events.

The Ashi Studio Spring Summer 2022 collection “Heaven Scent” was unveiled through a digital documentary as part of Paris Haute Couture Week.

The documentary was split into three parts, showcasing the collection as well as giving an insight into the designer’s creative process that ultimately brings inspiration to life.

The collection which was created in the Paris atelier of the couture house- includes 14 looks total with five looks for men, marking Ashi Studio’s first presentation that caters to men, as well as women.

A symphony of artisans worked in Paris to transform the hand-drawn sketches to hand-crafted couture masterpieces, that came to life in a sea of silk in black, white, grey and hints of vivid colours such as red and white.

The collection features the Paris-based brand’s classic intricate draped silhouettes that utilize the meticulous craftmanship yet revisits it with an eye of minimalism and simplicity.

Dior’s Spring/Summer Haute Couture collection was inspired by the coming together of the worlds of art and fashion.

Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri celebrated the art of embroidery as she worked with the Chanakya School of Craft in Mumbai. The attention to detail in the looks was impeccable.

The below video explores the details and savoir-faire behind some of this intricate embroidery specifically focusing on looks 59 and 5.

Working with embroidery specialists Maison Vermont in Paris, the House of Dior was able to create these beautiful, ethereal looks with embroidery on the most delicate materials, finishing with sparkling gems.

Discover more below and see the full review of the collection here:

Look 5

Look 59

Elie Saab’s Haute Couture Spring/Summer 22 collection is an ode to the Mediterranean.

Titled “Eden on Earth” this joyful collection offers colour, beauty and charm through its intricate, feel-good designs.

The Mediterranean in spring truly is “Eden on Earth” with its blossoming blooms, rich colours, rich heritage, beauty and charm. This landscape has long provided a sense of joy to the Lebanese designer.

Elie Saab HC S22

And it is clear to see elements taken from this beautiful region in his designs. From the glistening blue sea to the rich fuchsia of wild bougainvillaea.

A bright spectrum of colours evokes a sense of excitement and happiness. Striking silhouettes give way to feathered ballgowns and elegant dresses that capture the magic of the moments where the sun tints the skyline with beautiful hues. Embellished details give the sense of the light reflecting on the sea at the break of dawn or the moment of sunset.

Elie Saab HC S22

Plunging necklines and mermaid tales also take this inspiration from the sea but this time within its rich blue waters. Layers of fuchsia, blush and chartreuse taffeta explode into large off-the-shoulder rose petals and peony bouquets that exaggerate organic feminine curves.

Strong structured shoulders reflect colonnades of ancient temples, and sleeves continue into graceful gloves embroidered in a sun-kissed, sparkling sea of aquas and mints usher us forward, while tassels and fringe swish and sway to myths of the Greeks and Romans.

Elie Saab HC S22

Threads of silk are braided into intricate patterns that move across the body in geometrical arabesque-like curves.

The finale: a divine pearl white bride, enrapturing in feathers, floats in on a mist of organza and tulle billowing from below.

See more of the collection below:

Elie Saab HC S22

Elie Saab HC S22

Elie Saab HC S22

Elie Saab HC S22

Elie Saab HC S22

Elie Saab HC S22

Elie Saab HC S22

Valentino’s Spring/Summer 2022 Haute Couture collection “Anatomy of Couture” celebrates the beauty of all women, whatever their shape or size.

Pierpaolo Piccioli enlisted women of all different body frames and ages to showcase his collection in Paris expressing an open and inclusive side to an industry that has notoriously been quite the opposite of that.

In the show notes the brand recognised how the body is something that changes over tie and no two people are the same. “Driven by the urgency of rethinking the rituals and processes of Couture in order to create a canon that reflects the richness and diversity of the contemporary world and promoting an idea of beauty that is not absolute, Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli imagined this Valentino Anatomy of Couture collection not on one single and idealized house model, but on a variety of women with different body frames and ages.” It read.

The collection was created with the bodies of all women in mind. Pieces that could not only be worn by models but that would complement any shape or size and make a woman feel beautiful within her own skin, whatever that may be.

Valentino’s codes of couture were presented throughout the collection: voluptuous shapes, bold colours, attention to detail and a feminine approach, but all were carefully constructed to be worn in new ways and for an audience that may not always be a size zero.

This was not a restriction, in fact, quite the opposite; creating haute couture clothes for real women allowed Piccioli and his team of ateliers to discover new silhouettes and shapes that have never been seen on a haute couture runway before.

During Paris Haute Couture Week, Chopard has presented a truly exceptional gemstone.

The Chopard Insofu Emerald is one of the most extraordinary rough stones ever to be presented. At 6,225 carats this rare stone discovered in the Kagem mine in Zambia is one of the most important ever found in terms of both its weight and quality.

Remarkable jewels will be carved from this extremely rare emerald as part of the upcoming Haute Joaillerie collection.

Zambia is known for its renowned landscape and incredible fertility of its geological strata. It is estimated that the precious stones to come were already forming their nourishing cocoon 500 million years ago and leading gemstone mining company Gemfields has learned all the secrets of this biotope through respectful exploration.

Chopard Insofu Emerald ©Eric Sauvage

In an open-pit mine in Kagem at the heart of a rich and well-preserved biotope, that this rare emerald was found.

Insofu is a name showing respect for this emerald’s land of origin, since it means “elephant” in the Bemba language because of its shape evoking the animal’s trunk.

Unlike a diamond, which can be analysed with precision to determine how the final stones will look, emerald is a dark stone that will only reveal its full potential during the cutting process. It is also the most fragile gem of all: a wrongly positioned impact can shatter the stone into a multitude of irrecoverable fragments.

This traceability of this stone enables Caroline Scheufele to accompany each stage of its development right the way through to the final piece of jewellery.

Kagem Mine in Zambia

She says: “It is profoundly moving to be confronted with the beauty and mystery of such a treasure, collected from the depths of the Earth, formed millions of years ago, and which has come to us at last to be enhanced by the hand of artisans who will reveal the full extent of its beauty while transcribing the emotions it arouses”.

“Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by precious stones and lucky enough to work with some of the most beautiful in the world. For reasons that escape any form of rationale, some of them blow you away immediately, but the feeling that overcame me with the Insofu Emerald surpassed any emotion I have ever known. From the moment I saw it, I knew that it would be a hugely important stone for Chopard and I am immensely excited to begin this adventure today.” She continued.

Chanel presented its Spring/Summer 2022 Haute Couture collection in Paris on 25^th January 2022.

To the surprise of the audience, Charlotte Casiraghi, a princess of Monaco and granddaughter of Hollywood icon Grace Kelly, opened the Chanel Spring/Summer 2022 show by riding a horse down the runway. A known rider, she was riding her own horse, Kuskus while wearing a Chanel jacket made of black tweed and sequins to the delight of the audience at the Grand Palais.

Charlotte Casiraghi

Casiraghi was reiterating the theme of this season’s collection as set in place by Virginie Viard. That Chanel (even Haute Couture), can be worn for any occasion.

The show’s décor which was the basis for Viard’s inspiration for this collection was created by French artist and sculpture Xavier Veilhan who is a close friend of Casiraghi and also uses horses within his artistic universe. Together with musician Sébastien Tellier who was performing live at the show using oversized instruments imagined by Veilhan, the three came together to form a close family around this collection presentation.

The collection itself was as always, very Chanel, very French, very Haute Couture, but it had a distinct sense of modernism to it. A feeling of freedom, of going beyond the boundaries of couture as we know it. Contrasting the ultra-elegant with the real to create something that women truly want and will wear today in all aspects of their lives.

The geometric lines of the scenography were reflected in the looks; Virginie Viard explains: “These geometric shapes made me want contrasts, a great lightness and a lot of freshness: ethereal dresses that float as if suspended. Lots of flounces, fringes, macramé, bright lace, iridescent tweeds, colourful jewelled buttons.”

This was juxtaposed with feminine accents. A pink tweed jacket with white stripes, straps composed of white braid embroidered with beads or silver chains, two- tone Mary-Janes with heels inspired by the 1920s revisited via the 1980s. Geometric embroidery brought together these feminine and graphic elements.

All of the House of Chanel’s embroidery partners collaborated on this collection, “one of whose key pieces is a dress entirely embroidered by Lesage with constructivist camellias in black, white and coral beads, worn with a little black jacket”, Virginie Viard explained concluding: “These references also belong to Gabrielle Chanel, of course. It’s like a conversation that crosses time.”

See more of the collection below:

Dior’s Spring/Summer 2022 haute couture collection by Maria Grazia Chiuri celebrates the crossroads of art and craft and the beauty of experts coming together to create something as beautiful as a Haute Couture collection.

For her “Art in Dialogue” collection Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri wanted to shed light on her creative dialogue with India, by bringing together two artists: Madhvi and Manu Parekh. The objective was to highlight the complementary notion of male and female.

The showspace featured the work of the two artists, covering the entirety of the walls bringing together the work of the two to create a unique new art piece in itself. This coming together is the basis for Chiuri’s collection which celebrates the craft of embroidery.

The House of Dior worked with Chanakya School of Craft in Mumbai. The school’s embroiderers worked closely with the Creative Director to elevate the savoir-faire of the collection which revisited Dior icons and offered a new take on the coming together of femininity and masculinity.

Dior Couture

The collection itself came in a striking colour palette of black, white and greys, with iridescent fabrics adding a touch of sparkle and a sense of joy. Embroidery was of course a key element of the offering and could be seen in many different ways throughout the pieces.

See more of the collection below:

Dior Couture

Dior Couture

Dior Couture

Dior Couture

Dior Couture

Dior Couture

Dior Couture

Dior Couture

Dior Couture

Dior Couture

Arcadia, the fragrance brand founded by Emirati entrepreneur Amna Al Habtoor has revealed a new fragrance collection inspired by boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

The collection titled ‘Thunderous’ was inspired by the icon’s commanding presence and charisma that attracted attention and admiration wherever he went.

“We created Thunderous as a reflection of this exceptional man who left a lasting impression of strength and peace with every encounter. The greatest in every respect, Muhammad Ali left a legacy of grace, integrity and resilience,” said Amna Al Habtoor, founder of Arcadia.

Thunderous perfume’s top notes are grapefruit, violet leaf and cardamom, with heart notes of lavender and pepper and base notes of oakmoss, amber and sandalwood. The perfume is available in two sizes: 100ml and 15ml. The collection also features a scented candle and a steel travel tube embossed with Ali’s signature.

To coincide with the launch, The Scent Library in Dubai’s Al Quoz district hosted a three-day event, taking visitors on an immersive journey in celebration of the new fragrance.

As part of the official launch, visitors will experience the concept behind the fragrance, which is based on Ali’s famous quote, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee…” A remark he made in 1964 before winning the world heavyweight crown for the first time, which propelled him into an international sporting icon.

The new collection will be distributed through Arcadia’s flagship store in Dar Wasl in Dubai and marketed internationally online at www.arcadiabyamna.com. The collection will also be available exclusively at THAT Concept store for a limited period in Mall of the Emirates and Mirdif City Centre.

Rami Al Ali has unveiled his spring/summer 2022 couture collection via a digital presentation, paying homage to the dawn of spring. The 22 unique looks explore the beauty of landscapes as they evolve from one season to another.

Representing new beginnings the collection features fauna in bloom and the grey fields of winter transitioning to a lighter more vibrant mood. Warm beams of light filter through the trees while the mist rising from melting frost subsides in the morning sun.

Rami Al Ali

Dubai-based designer Ali Ali aims to capture this precious moment and he uses his craft to showcase the beauty of this seasonal shift.

Delicate yet structured shapes appear in a soft, elegant colour palette. A mystical tone embodies the collection while modern forms perfectly highlight sculptural and tactile tailoring.

Al Ali seamlessly illustrates a structural shift, transitioning from moulded to fluid in one effortless design. Silhouettes dance between sleek cylinder forms to voluminous multi-layer skirts.

A sensibility is felt through the incorporation of draped tapestries. Delicate fabrics including muslin, tulle, satin, silk and organza bring lightness to the collection. Soft transparencies are given a frost-like effect through the inclusion of crystals. Intricate beads in geometric patterns to give the illusion they are melting off the gowns.

Rami Al Ali

Unique designs exuding modernity and classic style stand out against a muted palette of pastels. Mint greens, citrine yellow, pale rose and icy blues are thoughtfully interspersed with black to provide a level of depth and a moody undertone.

See more of the collection below:

Rami Al Ali

Rami Al Ali

Rami Al Ali

Rami Al Ali

Rami Al Ali

Rami Al Ali

Schiaparelli opened Paris Fashion Week with its Spring/Summer 2022 Haute Couture collection. Designed by Daniel Roseberry the collection is the epitome of feminine elegance and celebrates the finest in couturier.

Titled “The Age of Discipline” this collection was the Maison’s first return to a physical show since the beginning of the pandemic.

Schiaparelli

Roseberry wrote in the show notes; “after two years of thinking about the Surreal, I found myself instead thinking about the empyreal: The heavens as a place to escape from the chaos of our planet, but also the home of a mythical high priestess, at once goddess and alien, who might in fact walk among us.”

And that he did. This collection allowed us to dream once again. “I imagined a being whose very clothes defied rules of gravity”. He continued.

Schiaparelli

The collection combined razor-sharp tailoring with nipped in waits and oversized “dove” collars. Short cream duckbill-backed jackets were embroidered with vintage Schiaparelli palm trees.

Neat shorts are trimmed in ecru silk faille, beige satin waist cinchers, aerodynamic bustiers with cream satin sashes, and fountains of black crin that trembled and bounced in movement.

Schiaparelli

A long tailcoat in satin back faille is embroidered with a vintage Schiaparelli motif – the Apollo Fountain of Versailles.

And finally, after the rigour of tailoring and exhausting a new, sharper silhouette, the Schiaparelli woman embraces her inner Folly – giving way to fountains of gold, black plumage, creepy crawlies in cabochons, and a crystal cocktail dress like the inside of a jewellery box.

Schiaparelli

A colour palette of black and gold is elegant and commanding. The new Schiaparelli gold is a perfected shade that’s neither brassy nor rose and has been specially formulated for the house using pieces of 24K gold leaf.

“Designing this collection also made me realize something else. There are designers who design because they love clothes.” Concluded Roseberry.

“There are designers who make clothes because they love the craft, because they love people. There are designers whose work is indebted to fashion as a concept, or to glamour as a business. But I design in order to make people feel something. When clothes and craft and hair and music and the wearer are in harmony together, when they are all trying to communicate something, we can be reminded why we love fashion— why I love fashion. It isn’t for the celebrities. It isn’t for the likes. It isn’t for the reviews. It’s because, when it’s done right, when it has something to tell us, it can help us feel the inarticulable. It’s because it still has the power to move us.”

Schiaparelli

See more of the collection below:

Schiaparelli

Schiaparelli

Schiaparelli

Schiaparelli

Schiaparelli

Schiaparelli

Schiaparelli

Schiaparelli

Schiaparelli

We round up some of our favourite from the men’s Fall/Winter 2022-23 collections which were showcased in Paris this week.

Dior

Dior’s Men’s Fall/Winter 22 collection celebrates some of the most iconic moments in the House’s history. Designed by Kim Jones the collection which was presented in Paris yesterday gives a new contemporary aesthetic to classic Dior signatures.

Dior Men

Dior Men

Dior Men

Dior Men

Dior Men

Dior Men

Hermès

Véronique Nichanian’s latest offering for Hermès is comprised of subtle yet stylish elements for the modern man. The collection is characterised by original combinations and contemporary layering, creating joyful mixes that being a sense of happiness to fashion. The silhouette is slender, movement-free and rhythmical, but there are also generous volumes and relaxed fits.

Hermès

Hermès

Hermès

Hermès

Hermès

Hermès

Hermès

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Fall-Winter 2022 collection was the last to be designed by former Artistic Director Virgil Abloh. It has been titled; “An octology according to Virgil Abloh. Collection 8: In the grand scheme of things.” Abloh takes us back to childhood with a collection that celebrates boyhood and allows us to dream as we did when we were young.

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton

Jil Sander

Jil Sander offered a new sensual side to tailoring with a soft silhouette that works in both masculine and feminine elements. A muted colour palette and embroidered details come together perfectly to create an offering that’s perfect for the modern man.

Jil Sander

Jil Sander

Jil Sander

Jil Sander

Jil Sander

Jil Sander

Kenzo

In his first collection for the Maison, Nigo fuses the influences of his own upbringing and career with the heritage of Kenzo Takada, writing a language for the Maison that looks to the future by learning from the past. Traditional ideas of formal, sports and “streetwear” splice into one logic: real-to-wear, exercised across women’s and men’s wardrobes, which mix tailoring and workwear, both cutting a genderless silhouette.

Kenzo

Kenzo

Kenzo

Kenzo

Kenzo

Kenzo

Kenzo

Loewe

Designed by Creative Director Jonathan Anderson, Loewe’s Men’s Fall 2022 collection proposes that nothing is as it seems. Elements of men’s dressing are given a new twist and presented in ways that go against the norm.

Loewe

Loewe

Loewe

Loewe

Loewe

French fashion designer Manfred Thierry Mugler has passed away aged 73.

A true icon in the industry, Mugler was known for creating sensual silhouettes, celebrating the beauty of the female body.

The news was announced via the designer’s Instagram account on 24th January 2022 but details are yet to be released of the circumstances surrounding his death.

The statement read; “We are devastated to announce the passing of Mr Manfred Thierry Mugler… May his soul Rest In Peace.”

Thierry Mugler has dressed some of the most iconic ladies in the world over the past five decades. His avant-garde label was one of the most influential throughout the eighties and nineties.

Mugler retired from his fashion house in 2002 but he made a return to the red carpet when he designed Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala dress in 2019, followed by a number of looks for the reality star in the months to come as well as outfits for Beyonce, Cardi B, Lady Gaga and more.

A retrospective exhibition of his work is currently on display at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

Kendall Jenner is the new face of Messika’s latest campaign. With the new images, the brand reconfirms its connection to the modern woman and showcases pieces that are fluid and easy to wear.

The campaign was shot by Australian photographer Chris Colls in the beautiful South of France and features the model wearing contemporary jewels in a serene setting.

Each of the jewellery pieces designed by Valérie Messika is easy to wear and can be stacked and layered in a way that suit’s each woman’s individual personality.

Messika Paris & Kendall Jenner – Lucky Move 1 © Chris Colls

Highlight pieces include the Move Noa Bangle which has become an icon of the brand. Available with or without diamonds this piece is part of the Move collection, the signature line of the house. Like a gold ribbon, the Move Noa Bangle sits perfectly around the wrist like a second skin.

“I wanted to illustrate a subtle alliance between grace and strength and capture an image of an alpha woman with a mysterious and hypnotic aura; Kendall perfectly embodied that for me.” Said Valérie Messika.

Kendall Jenner and Valérie Messika © Chris Colls

Kendall Jenner said: “I am very happy to have been chosen by Messika for its new campaign. Its jewelry has always reminded me of Paris, one of my favorite cities. During the shoot, I was able to see so many beautiful pieces, which gave me a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship of the house that goes into even the smallest earring.”

Messika’s latest collections are now available online and in stores around the world.

Louvre Abu Dhabi is opening a new global exhibition “Versailles and the World” on January 26th.

Organised in partnership with Musée national des châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon, with the support of France Muséums, the exhibition will showcase the history of the royal court at Versailles.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore more than 100 artworks from the collections of Louvre Abu Dhabi, the UK’s Royal Collection Trust, and 17 French lenders including the Musée National des Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon, alongside a wide-ranging cultural programme.

By focusing on the reception, interpretation and appropriation of foreign cultures by the court in an era of scientific emulation, the exhibition will also explore how the Palace of Versailles became a crucible for intellectual encounter and cultural exchange between the French monarchy, the court, and foreign ambassadors and diplomatic missions during the reign of three French monarchs: Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI.

Entrance to the exhibition is included in the museum’s admission ticket. The exhibition will run until Jun 4^th, 2022.

Louis Vuitton and Nike have teamed up with Sotheby’s for an exclusive auction featuring a limited edition number of Virgil Abloh’s Nike “Air Force 1” sneakers along with the Louis Vuitton “Pilot” cases.

The auction is a link in a string of related Louis Vuitton events to take place from January through 2022. Proceeds will benefit The Virgil AblohTM “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund.

The fund was set up to support the education of academically promising students of Black, African American, or African descent.

The auction marks the first-ever release of the Louis Vuitton and Nike “Air Force 1” created by Virgil Alboh. Prior to his passing on 29^th November 2021 the Men’s Artistic Director was involved in the early organization of the auction and its surrounding events. The auction will take place in association with his family.

The 200 pairs of the special edition will be made available in a range of sizes, from 5 – 18, and with a starting bid of $2,000. The sneakers, entirely made in precious calf leather, are embellished with Louis Vuitton’s emblematic Monogram and Damier patterns with natural cowhide piping.

Each pair will be sold with a Louis Vuitton pilot case, also from the Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2022 collection, which was reinterpreted from the Maison’s archive in an iconic orange colourway and made of Monogram Taurillon Leather.

The pilot case features Louis Vuitton’s classic S lock closure in white metal finishing and includes a luggage tag in the shape of the Nike Swoosh.

The auction will be open for bidding from 26^th January to 8^th February and can be accessed Here

Tashkeel reveals its latest exhibition in partnership with Emirati photographers.

Tashkeel has launched its 2022 exhibition programme featuring the work of six Emirati photographers, examining the bonds between humanity and the natural world.

Curated by Tashkeel Founder Lateefa bint Maktoum and veteran Emirati photographer Jassim Al Awadhi, “From End to End” will run from 18 January – 1 March 2022. A series of thought-provoking images demonstrate the ever-evolving process of art and creation in unique ways.

Mona Al Tamimi

There are a total of 30 images on display from Emirati photographers Ola Allouz, Yaghoub Al Hammadi, Mousa Al Raeesi, Faisal Al Rais, Mona Al Tamimi and Maitha Bughanoum, each offering their own personal take on the exhibition’s theme.

‘From End to End’ prompts the viewer to question mankind’s synergy with the natural world. With selected works depicting intimate aspects of human existence spanning

geographical locations including the streets of Satwa to the remote mangroves of Al Dhafra and the bustling coastlines of Zanzibar.

Faisal Al Rais

The subtle details of each work highlight man’s unrelenting disruption of the environment around him: The microparticles of plastics worn by fisherwomen drifting into the seas; the remnants of fishing nets deposited in the seas of the Arabian Gulf; the dredged tidal flats off the shore of Abu Dhabi; and the plastic waste generated from communal feasts.

While in an untouched area of Dubai nests an owl and her chicks. The images act as a bold reminder of the fragility of the natural world and the need for mankind to step up and fulfil its moral duty to protect and preserve the planet.

“The images that we have selected for this exhibition epitomise the relationship between each stage of the artists’ lives and creative endeavours. The participating photographers present ideas that reflect both the depth of their abilities and the abundance of their commitment to their craft, which has enabled them to encapsulate entire worlds within each work,” says Jassim Al Awadhi.

:From End to End” will run at the gallery in Tashkeel Nad Al Sheba 1, Dubai from 18 January to 1 March 2022. The exhibition opens from 10am to 10pm daily Sunday to Thursday and Fridays (9am-12pm & 3-7pm). Admission is free.

The grey skies outside have got us in the winter mood! With that in mind, we round up some of our favourite knitwear looks from the Fall/Winter 2021-21 runways. Scroll down to see more.

Dior

Miu MIu

Louis Vuitton

BOSS

Brunello Cucinelli

Loro Piana

Etro

Max Mara

Chanel

Dolce&Gabbana

Dior’s Bar Jacket has become an icon of the fashion world since its first introduction by Mr Christian Dior in 1947.

SCROLL DOWN TO WATCH THE VIDEO…

Each season this classic piece is reinterpreted in new ways, modernising it, yet still keeping the spirit of tradition.

For the launch of the Cruise 2022 collection, the brand’s Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri has collaborated with Athenian filmmaker Marianna Economou to create an exclusive documentary focusing on the craftsmanship behind this collection.

Titled “The Greek Bar Jacket” the documentary showcases the work of local artisans who used family traditions and authentic crafts to bring the collection to life and reconnect Dior’s heritage to Hellenic culture.

The documentary showcases the journey of Maria Grazia Chiuri and her team through the process of creating this collection. From France to Greece the film showcases the journey of this collection from start to finish.

The journey begins in the Peloponnese city of Argos, with a visit to the workshop of tailor Aristeidis Tzonevrakis, who has reinterpreted the iconic Bar jacket.

Then in Soufli, in the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region, the director stops by the Silk Line factory run by Kostas Mouhtaridis and Dimitra Kolotoura, where the Dior looks’ precious featherlight silk fabrics are born.

On the island of Thasos, Marianna Economou captures Christiana Soulou’s illustrations as they are transposed onto cut-yarn jacquard dresses.

In Athens, she highlights the multi-faceted work of Dior milliner Stephen Jones, the Benaki Museum’s NE.M.A trimmings, and the Tsalavoutas workshop, where a contemporary version of the iconic sailor’s cap was created.

The journey of this collection can be discovered on Dior’s YouTube page. You can watch the video here:

The world’s largest black diamond is currently on view in Dubai. Named “The Enigma” this impressive stone weighs a staggering 55.55 carats.

Currently available to view at Sotheby’s Dubai, the extremely rare black diamond will continue on a global tour before being put up for auction in London next month.

To have a natural faceted black diamond of this size is an extremely rare occurrence and its origins are shrouded in mystery – thought to have been created either from a meteoric impact or having actually emerged from a diamond-bearing asteroid that collided with Earth.

“We are honoured that Dubai has been chosen as the first stop for this exceptional rarity and are thrilled to play a part in its journey, which began so many millions of years ago. This is the first time we are introducing our cryptocurrency offering in the UAE, a move that is in line with the government’s own commitment to exploring new digital, technological and scientific advances. Unveiling this one-of-a-kind stone – both in our DIFC gallery and at the unparalleled Dubai Diamond Exchange – is a clear continuation of our dedication to showcasing the best of the best in the UAE.” Said Katia Nounou Boueiz, Head of Sotheby’s UAE.

The design of the diamond is inspired by the Middle Eastern palm-shaped symbol, the Hamsa – a sign of protection, power and strength. The Hamsa is associated with the number five, which is imbued with symbolic meaning, and the diamond is not only 555.55 carats in size, but it also contains exactly 55 facets – a technical feat for one of the toughest diamonds in existence.

Following its stay in Dubai “The Enigma” will be the star of a dedicated auction at Sotheby’s, open for bidding online from 3-9 February.

Cryptocurrency will be accepted as payment on the diamond, in a move that reflects the fact that cryptocurrency has started to make its mark in the world of physical art and objects.

Saudi racing star Reema Juffali has spoken of how she is eager to continue racing in GT3 after achieving a podium finish at the 24 hours of Dubai race.

Saudi Arabia’s most talked about female motorsport star Reema Juffali has outlined her ambitions to continue racing in GT3 following her second-place finish at the 24 Hours of Dubai race with her eyes firmly set on competing in the iconic Le Mans race in France.

In her debut, GT3 race behind the wheel of the #20 Mercedes-AMG GT3, the Jeddah-born driver impressed with her SPS Automotive Performance at the weekend as she joined her team-mates Valentin Pierburg, George Kurtzand and Ian Loggie to steer the team to second place in the GT3-AM class at the Dubai Autodrome.

She was behind the wheel for around six hours in total, testing her driving skills in the endurance format competitively for the first time since racing in the single-seater British F3 Championship last year.

Reema with her teammates

“The result was beyond many expectations that I had so I am really happy with how it all went,” said Reema.

“The goal was simply to finish and as this was my first GT3 and endurance race, I had set a realistic expectation. But when we saw what we were capable of during qualifying, we saw that there was the potential for a podium finish. Because of our strategy and approach, we got to finish, which is a great feat in itself but to also get second position in our class and a top 10 finish overall was an incredible feeling.”

While she enjoyed competing in the 24 Hours of Dubai, she believes her single-seater racing experience was crucial in achieving the impressive debut result and has her dream of lining up at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – the world’s oldest active endurance racing event – firmly in her sights.

She said: “During my time in single-seaters, I wanted to learn as quickly as I could with the best in the business and learn the hard way. It was something I was willing to take because I knew there was a greater reward in the long run. This race is a testament to that, and I know that I am in the right place now and have the right tools to take the next steps towards my dream of racing in Le Mans.”

She added: “The biggest thing for me is to go into GT3 racing, that’s the plan and finding the right team and environment to become the best that I can and gain the best experience. Hopefully in the next two years I can compete in Le Mans if it all goes well.”

Perfect Strangers, the Arabic adaption of the iconic Italian film premiered in Dubai last night, ahead of its launch on streaming giant Netflix on January 20th.

The highly-anticipated film opened with a red carpet premiere which saw the show’s cast including Nadine Labaki and Mona Zaki in attendance.

The film features a stellar pan-Arabic ensemble and is directed by Lebanese film director Wissam Smayra.

The film tells the story of a group of close friends who gather for a dinner party and decide to play a game that involved them placing their mobile phones on the dinner table and agreeing to share every call or message they receive with the rest of the group. The story unfolds into a path of secrets and reveals a lot about each of the individuals.

The original “Perfect Strangers” movie was directed by Italy’s Paolo Genevese and took over $31 million at the box office. It has since been remade in 18 territories including France, Germany, Spain and South Korea and has grossed an estimated $270 million worldwide.

The Arabic edition of Perfect Strangers will debut on Netflix in the Middle East and around the world on January 20^th 2022.

Bloomingdale’s Dubai has opened a new destination for jewellery shopping.

This shop in shop features the latest pieces from luxury jewellery brands including Boucheron, MARLI and David Yurman.

This newly remodelled section of the store at The Dubai mall captures key store design elements and transports you into a space that offers a carefully curated selection of pieces, perfect for jewellery enthusiasts and gift hunters alike.

The design teams of each of the brands worked closely with Bloomingdale’s to select materials and design concepts to offer a carefully curated, unparalleled and unique experience for the client.

Custom countertops and showcases were locally sourced, thereby creating an open and inviting space for jewellery enthusiasts, as well as for those looking to select the perfect gift in time for the festive season.

The jewellery shop in shop is now open at Bloomingdale’s Dubai at The Dubai Mall.

As Men’s fashion week continues in Milan we reveal highlights some of the latest Fall/Winter 2022-23 shows as presented in Milan this week.

Dolce&Gabbana

Dolce&Gabbana

Dolce&Gabbana’s fall/winter 2022-23 collection expressed the brand’s DNA in new ways fusing together streetwear and high fashion in an ode to today’s modern man.

Dolce&Gabbana

The collection is a tribute to two universes that coexist: The first one is music with “Machine Gun Kelly” and the second is the “Metaverse” – a universe beyond the boundaries of currently known reality.

The show also saw a performance from newly-engaged star Machine Gun Kelly who was in attendance with his new fiancé Megan Fox.

Dolce&Gabbana

The collection is personalised with the unique art and vision of @bocheone, whose imaginary universe originated through experimentation and a multidisciplinary approach. Part of the collection becomes the new symbol of #DGFattoAMano, infused by the raw energy of the street.

Dolce&Gabbana

Dolce&Gabbana

Dolce&Gabbana

Dolce&Gabbana

Tod’s

Tod’s

Tod’s presented its Fall/Winter 2022-23 collection “Italian Routes” through a digital film. A collection that celebrates the history of Italian craftsmanship and high-quality materials but also recognises the rebellious spirit of today’s modern man.

Tod’s

The collection was filmed in The Rivoli Castle, near Turin, Italy. Despite its historical architectural setting, this venue highlights the importance of contemporary Italian art, for an exposition that draws on Italy’s world-renowned creativity, rooted in artistic tradition. This was the inspiration for the collection.

Tod’s

Highlight pieces include the shirt jacket, peacoats, sports-inspired knitwear and the new sneaker. The Tod’s Gommino returns bolder than ever before with strikingly visible soles featuring much larger rubber pebbles, in a natural evolution of the original shape.

Tod’s

JW Anderson

JW Anderson

JW Anderson presented his Men’s Fall Winter 22 and Women’s Pre-Fall 22 collections together in one show for the first time. Featuring bold pieces that won’t go unnoticed the collections are an expression of audacious personality and freedom of expression.

JW Anderson

The men’s collection blurs the lines of masculinity and femininity with pieces that are fun, sparkly and ready for anything. Materials and styles clash for a mish-mash of looks that are for the eclectic dresser.

JW Anderson

JW Anderson

Prada

Prada

Prada’s fall/winter 2022 men’s show by Raf Simons and Miuccia Prada was a star-studded affair with a selection of handpicked actors both legendary and up and coming leading the runway.

Prada

The runway lineup included stars spanning generations such as Kyle Maclachlan, Jeff Goldblum, Asa Butterfield, Thomas Brodie Sangster and Filippo Scotti.

Prada

The silhouettes gave way to bold shoulders and eighties inspired shapes, juxtaposed against modern shapes fit for the future.

Prada

Prada

Etro

Etro

Etro’s Fall/Winter 2022 collection was inspired by alpine chic and the art of layering. Prints played an important role with the Paisley print taking on new forms, while knitwear was carefully paired with smart-casual pieces that could be worn from day to night.

Etro

Etro

Etro

Etro

Etro

The House of BOVET presents a special edition of its 19Thirty Fleurier timepiece.

This beautiful limited edition piece features a turquoise guilloché dial representing wisdom, good fortune, health, and protection. This timepiece was personally designed by Mr. Pascal Raffy, owner of the House of BOVET.⁣

The beautiful hand decorated manual-wind mechanical movement is housed in a 42mm case available in red gold or stainless steel and is on sale at Seddiqi boutiques in the UAE.

Swiss-based watchmaker BOVET handcrafts all of its components in-house, including the very sensitive tandem balance-spring ensuring extraordinary timekeeping precision and impressive reliability, featuring seven days of power reserve with a single barrel.⁣
⁣
This extraordinary piece is now available in the UAE.

Guerlain has revealed a newly formulated edition of its iconic Orchidée Impériale.

This reinvention of the brand’s special body cream further unlocks the power and exceptional healing and regenerative properties of the orchid flower.

This 2022 edition of Orchidée Impériale combines High Regeneration, High Naturalness and High Sensoriality to regenerate the visible signs of ageing, for longer as well as being an eco-friendly product in line with the brand’s guidelines.

The cream’s hero ingredient is the molecular extract: Orchid Totum found within the orchid plant. Composed of a wide variety of molecules, this molecular extract helps to regulate cell respiration, optimising skin regeneration and, for the first time, targets a longevity enzyme at the root of skin’s youth* to regenerate the visible signs of ageing.

“Orchid roots are extremely specialised organs capable of producing numerous molecules involved in the plant’s defence. These various molecules are able to balance themselves out and are of great interest in treating biological disorders.” Said FRÉDÉRIC BONTÉ, Director of Scientific Communication for Guerlain.

The new product includes 96 per cent naturally-derived ingredients and features a fine, ultra-soft texture that fuses with the skin and keeps it within a protective film all day long.

The new Orchidée Impériale body cream is now available in stores globally.

Zegna kicked off Milan Fashion Week Men’s today with the virtual presentation of its Winter 2022 collection, designed by Alessandro Sartori.

The brand has recently entered a new era with a new visual identity titled: Our Road, and this collection firmly reinforces the Italian House’s journey from its beginning in 1910 to where it is today.

The Zegna road originates in the mountains and crosses Oasi Zegna, the free-access natural territory in Piedmont, Northern Italy. Known as 232, this road has been woven into everything the brand has done for the past 112 years and also defines this new chapter.

ZEGNA ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ALESSANDRO SARTORI

Beginning the new story with the Winter 22 collection Alessandro Sartori has set the tone for a new era of Zegna that holds its history at the centre but also looks deep into the future. “I keep looking at the world through the Zegna lens. The reality we live in today requires adaptability; it asks us all to be fluid. Translating this idea into clothing means building a language of shapes and textures that grows and consolidates over time, matching the needs of the moment. The notion of the hybrid is one I keep exploring because there’s progress in erasing staid categories”, says Alessandro Sartori.

The collection offers a contemporary silhouette that defines today’s modern man and takes into consideration the literal needs of dressing today. Function meets fashion with looks that are both comfortable and non-conformist.

Taking inspiration from the great outdoors, layering comes into play, while many pieces are adaptable, recognising the ever-changing environment of men today. Whether you’re relaxing in the mountains or heading to the office in the city, it is possible to have one carefully constructed wardrobe that applies to all areas of life as the lines of inside and outside is blurred.

The layering and the fusion of shapes and functions set the tone: trapeze-shaped coats are worn over taped, technical silk inner shells; ripstop anoraks are made of wool; fine leathers are cut into shirts bonded in cashmere, worn either alone or under blazers, while pullovers and thick jumpers are meant as outerwear.

The silhouette is fluid yet sharp, made of effortless sums of garments: tabarro coats and jackets, utilitarian jackets, parkas, anoraks and pullovers, trousers that taper at the hem. Collars, pockets and closures feature subtle details that bring movement to the surface making it integral to construction.

As is synonymous with the house’s desire to always be a leader in innovation and technology, an impressive array of fabrics including many #UseTheExistingTM designs re-work old materials in a new way.

Gabardine, scuba wool, technical silk, wool denim and the newly created Oasi Cashmere define the textures of layered looks that blend light notes of salt, frost white and slate grey with deep notes of ebony black and mahogany brown and accents of Zegna vicuna colour, vintage brass and aubergine quartz. The harmony of colours is broken up by a tie-dye and jacquard stripe that interprets the new Zegna signifier.

Padded, capacious bags, scuba boots and goggles add the finishing touch.

The first edition of the Saudi Design Festival has kicked off in AX District in Riyadh.

Focusing on the power of transformation in and by design, the festival will bring communities together to celebrate great design, reimagine the future, connect, and create our presence on the global culture and creative map.

Spearheaded and organized by the team behind Saudi Design Week (2014-2019), Oasis Company, Saudi Design Festival is the first of its kind in The Kingdom and will be led with the vision of creating a platform that stewards discourse, provides local talents with opportunities, and fosters communities that contribute to national development.

The festival will feature exhibitions showcasing the work of local and international design talent as well as workshops aimed to stimulate the creativity of visitors, particularly young talent.

This is the first time talented creatives from the region have come together in this manner, allowing them to share knowledge and ideas as well as showcase their talent.

The festival is expected to attract industry experts from Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and even further afield.

Saudi Design Festival runs from January 9 – 29, 2022 at JAX District, Diriyah and is open from 17:00 to 22:00 every Sunday until Thursday, and 12:00 to 22:00 every Friday and Saturday.

Huda Beauty has revamped her iconic Liquid Matte Liquid Lipstick which gave her global recognition when it first launched six years ago.

The Dubai-based entrepreneur has reformulated the product with the desire to make it even better than the multi-million selling lipstick that shot her to fame.

“I created these lipsticks because I could never find a liquid lipstick that suited my needs. This formula is so light and feels like you’re wearing nothing at all but gives you a transfer-proof finish that lasts all day, in shades to die for.” Said Huda Kattan

After two years of reworking the texture, the new formula is vegan-friendly and even more comfortable with an extended shade range suitable for all skin tones.

The non-drying formula offers a one-swipe application of vibrant colour coverage with up to eight hours of staying power and is flake, streak, smudge, and transfer-proof.

Now available in 16 shades, it also boasts the thinnest possible texture infused with the brand’s unique Lip L.O.V.E. Complex – which stands for lycopene, olive oil, vitamin A & E, essential fatty acids – that will keep lips supple throughout the day.

Huda and her team have made sure that the suede-like texture dries down with zero stickiness and feels like you’re wearing nothing at all.

Huda’s How To:

Use Liquid Matte Liquid Lipstick & Lip Contour 2.0 together:

1. For maximum impact, line lips using the Lip Contour 2.0 of your choice and fade towards the centre.

2. Apply a thin layer of Liquid Matte Liquid Lipstick in a corresponding or lighter shade to fill in.

3. Allow approximately 30 seconds for colour to set and intensify to a matte finish.

Huda’s Hacks:

1. Prep your lips with a small amount of WISHFUL Kiss Lip Scrub for soft and exfoliated lips.

2. Experiment further with your look, mixing shades to create your own personal tone.

3. For a lifted, fuller-looking pout, use Lip Contour 2.0 to slightly overline & draw straight across the cupid’s bow and centre of the bottom lip, then connect to the corners following the natural lip shape.

Liquid Matte Liquid Lipstick is available on hudabeauty.com and Sephora Middle East online and in-store.

Bottega Veneta has taken over one of the world’s most iconic landmarks in celebration of the Chinese New Year.

The fashion house has created an installation along the Great Wall of China which features its logo as well as the characters 新春快乐, which means Happy New Year in yellow against a green background.

The wall which is one of the world’s only landmarks that can be seen from space is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and one of the most popular tourist attractions around the globe today.

In line with the installation, Bottega Veneta has pledged a donation to support the renovation of the iconic tourist attraction, specifically the “Shanhai Pass”; the starting point of the eastern end of the Great Wall, historically known as the “First Pass Under Heaven”.

The takeover will stay in place until January 12^th 2022 ahead of Chinese New Year on 1^st February.