Chopard presents its latest High Jewellery collection; Paradise at The 74^th Cannes International Film Festival.

At one of the year’s most glamorous events, The Cannes International Film Festival, Chopard presented its new High Jewellery collection; “Paradise”. As the official partner of the event since 1998 Chopard annual shares its latest collections with the world at this star-studded red carpet gathering, inviting the world to discover fine craftsmanship and the high level of detail that goes into their creations.

This summer Caroline Scheufele Chopard’s Co-President and Artistic Director, unveiled a collection of 74 pieces (the same number as the years the film festival has been running), themed around the idea of paradise and fantasy. Allowing the designer to express her creativity and open her mind this theme is closely linked to beauty, dreams and opening the doors of imagination.

Each year Scheufele designs her collections around a real narrative. Each piece stems from an emotion, followed by a sketch and then finally, a mosaic of precious stones that sees the dream come to life.

The Paradise Red Carpet Collection 2021 returns to a topic that is very dear to the Maison: nature. Scheufele imagined the lush nature of mythological or real places that evoke colour and happiness.

A bountiful Garden of Eden, where precious stones are picked like berries, where plants and animals offer their songs and spectacular colours; a secret landmark, like the island of Pantelleria, where the telluric depth of the volcanic rocks is reflected in the crystalline transparency of the waters.

Caroline Scheufele said of the collection: “The Red Carpet Collection always gives me the opportunity to give free rein to my creativity and this year I was inspired by the idea of Paradise: I wanted our creations to invite women on a journey towards a comforting haven, an imaginary world brimming with dreams and optimism.”

She continued: “There are various ways of envisaging one’s personal Paradise and I have tried to give life to these multiple worlds within the Red Carpet Collection through creations honouring fauna, flora and the finest gemstones, as well as by designing jewellery that is part of the fantasy of movies. The Red Carpet Collection is a jewellery masterpiece made possible by the skill of all the artisans who pool their talents in our Haute Joaillerie ateliers. Each of these creations is a work of art in itself.”

As well as bringing to life Scheufele, the Red Carpet collection also highlights the extraordinary work of the Artisans who exercise their skills in Chopard’s Haute Joaillerie’s Geneva workshops, producing the finest pieces in high jewellery. The Collection symbolises the quintessence of classic jewellery-making expertise and carefully preserved tradition, nurtured by a fresh eye and a genuine avant-garde spirit.

This year, as the Cannes Film Festival returned to a physical event, Chopard presented the Paradis collection with an event held at the Chopard Rooftop in the Martinez Hotel. The terrace was entirely refurbished to reflect the “Paradise” theme, resembling a hanging garden overlooking the sea.

Guerlain’s new L’art & La Matière Haute Parfumerie collection elevates fragrance to a new level of luxury. We discover more.

 

Fragrance at Guerlain has been an art form at the house since 1828. Priding itself on working with the finest in raw materials to produce luxury scents that go beyond the standard realms of Haute Parfumerie. This September Guerlain relaunches its L’Art & La Matière collections, an impassioned celebration of fragrance-made art that takes inspiration from the House’s heritage.

 

FRENCHY LAVANDE, HERBES TROUBLANTES

As precious as the liquid inside it is the bottle that houses these luxury scents. Based on an original bottle from 1870, the design reflects the Guerlain Heritage Square Bottle that was first created over 150 years ago. On the front of the bottle an embossed window features the name of the perfume, while the back is engraved with a bee; the house emblem since 1853. The bottle can be personalised by engraving with initials or words, as well as the option to replace the plate placed on top of the bottle stopper and choose a personalised coloured tassel to finish. All personalisation can be done in store.

 

SANTAL PAO ROSA

As part of the collection, the art of perfumery expands into the home with a selected offering of home scents and accessories. As is the tradition at Guerlain scents can be used in all moments of a woman’s lives and the Les Matières Confidentielles collection brings the magic into the home with exquisite home fragrances.

 

 

ROSE CHÉRIE

 

EAU DE CASHMERE

 

 

The new L’Art & La Matière Haute Parfumerie collection launches this September across the region.

This week the UAE announced the first set of projects as part of the Projects of the 50; consisting of 50 initiatives that will help lay out the future of the Emirates.

Among the announcements included a number of legislative changes that will encourage the modernisation of visa and work permits. This involves a complete restructuring of the entry and residency system in order to make the UAE an ideal destination for work, investment, entrepreneurship, education and life.

One of the highlights of the package of new regulations is the introduction of the “Green Visa”. This is particularly notable for freelancers and self-employed workers based in the UAE and overseas who can now apply for self-residency. The Green Visa applies to individuals who work in specialised fields such as artificial intelligence, Blockchain and digital currencies. It will distinguish between work permits and residencies and enable highly skilled individuals, investors, entrepreneurs and top students and graduates to sponsor themselves.

The Green Visa also allows:

• Sponsorship of young people until the age of 25 instead of 18
• Extending the grace period for leaving the country upon job loss or retirement to 90-180 days instead of 30.
• Sponsorship of parents

Additionally, the Freelancers Visa will allow self-employers to sponsor themselves in the first federal scheme of its kind.

The new regulations also include expanding the “Golden Visa” eligibility to include managers, CEOs, specialists in science, engineering, health, education, business management and technology.

On the new residency schemes, His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said: “The restructuring of the residency system is a significant step towards enhancing efforts to attract qualified and highly skilled people, as well as facilitating business and creating an ideal destination to live and work.”

Other changes that have been introduced include:

• The extension of business trip permits from 3 months to 6 months
• Sponsorship of parents under the visa of direct family members
• One-year residency extension for humanitarian cases
• Extension of children’s age limit on parents’ residency from 18 to 25 years
• Extension of grace period upon job loss or retirement to 90-180 days

The measures have been introduced to enhance the competitiveness and flexibility of the UAE labour market, facilitate sector growth, spur knowledge transfer and skills development, and create greater stability and security for residents.

We may be approaching winter but there’s no need to shy away from colour. After a dark year, it’s time to bring vibrancy back to your wardrobe with bold and bright hues that will act as key statement pieces. We reveal some of the brands that are embracing colour this autumn, to bring some joy back into your life and your wardrobe.

Versace

Max Mara

Gucci

Loewe

BOSS

Prada

Dolce&Gabbana

Tod’s presents the new MOSAIC bags made from a special patchwork that links together a series of unused materials originating from its Italian ateliers.

The focus of this initiative is to highlight the importance of sustainability in luxury goods and to recover unused materials, giving them new life.

The MOSAIC patchwork originated in the local Italian know-how and used traditional techniques. Put together by hand MOSAIC draws on creative elements used in the traditional leather and shoe factories where artisans would use leftover leather to make small grocery bags. Taking inspiration from this tradition the new collection consists of a limited number of shopping totes and pouches as well as a selection of home accessories.

The collection is on display in the Tod’s flagship boutique on via Montenapoleone in Milan alongside an installation of sculptures made from recycled Tod’s leather. The brand has partnered with American contemporary artist Willie Cole who is known for creating three-dimensional art pieces from existing materials.

This collection defines the values of the brand: manual skills, strong creativity and the focus on Italian lifestyle combined with highlighting the importance of sustainability and raising awareness on this topic.

As the Venice International Film Festival continues to caption the world’s attention we take a look at some of the hottest beauty looks from celebrities on the red carpet. Scroll down to see more…

Zendaya

Jessica Chastain

Kate Hudson

Penelope Cruz

Barbara Palvin

Barbara Palvin

Hailee Steinfeld

Dakota Johnson

Ester Exposito

Sara Sampaio

Anya Taylor-Joy

Kristen Stewart

After the announcement of the “Projects of the 50” last week, UAE Ministers have unveiled the first set of strategic projects aimed at fostering the UAE’s growth that will roll out this month.

Announced in a press conference the first set of projects seek to establish the UAE as a global nation and a testbed for technologies and innovation.

The first line up of projects will include new and amended visa schemes comprehensive global campaigns to attract foreign investment, national initiatives to support emerging Emirati companies and boost the quality of national products, partnerships with major economies across the world, and programmes to support the applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in all sectors.

His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs said of the announcement; “Over the past five decades, the UAE has opened its doors, ports, skies and economic sectors to become a destination for all, and we will continue on this path as we establish a pathway for 50 more years of development and opportunity. ‘Projects of the 50’ presents to the world a unified economic and investment identity for the next developmental stage in the UAE, establishing an agenda for the next 50 years based on development and opportunity.”

The “Projects of the 50’ scheme will cover several key sectors including economy, entrepreneurship, advanced skills, digital economy, space and advanced technologies. The projects which will roll out this month are implemented in line with the 50^th anniversary of the UAE and its desire to grow further over the next half a century.

The first series of development and economic projects aims to accelerate the UAE’s economic growth and diversification to ensure a decent life for its citizens and residents, enhance both the public and private sectors, and build a brighter future for the next generations.

Among the announcements includes expanding the “Golden Visa” eligibility to include managers, CEOs, specialists in science, engineering, health, education, business management and technology.  The new “Green Visa” will distinguish between work permits and residencies and enable highly skilled individuals, investors, entrepreneurs and top students and graduates to sponsor themselves.

On the new residency schemes, His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said: “The restructuring of the residency system is a significant step towards enhancing efforts to attract qualified and highly skilled people, as well as facilitating business and creating an ideal destination to live and work.”

The UAE will also allocate AED5 billion to support Emirati projects and emerging Emirati businesses. The AED5 billion is part of the Emirates Development Bank’s April 2021 allocation of AED30 billion to help accelerate industrial development, adopt advanced technology, and support entrepreneurship and innovation by 2025 – all to support its wider mission of increasing productivity, enhancing the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP and creating job opportunities for UAE’s citizens.

The second phase of projects will be announced later this month.

Fatma Taher Co-Founder of UAE fashion brand Maureen discusses working with her mother and the vision behind their company.

After realising their shared passion for fashion, Emirati mother and daughter Mahin Al M. and Fatma Taher decided to come together to create their own fashion brand. Launching earlier this year, “Maureen” focuses on timeless pieces that are versatile and contemporary. The idea was to transcend eras, backgrounds and origins and produce pieces that appeal to women from all walks of life. Coming from contrasting backgrounds of Cosmetology and International Relations, Maureen acts as a canvas where Mahin’s timeless, classic touch is fused with Fatma’s eye for modern, contemporary elements. Seamlessly blending structure against fluidity and traditional against modern, each collection reflects luxurious fabrics reinvented into clean silhouettes.

The debut collection “Essentials 2021” brings to light the key values of the brand with a collection of pieces that can be worn by any woman in a number of ways. Long fluid dresses, structured coats and light silky separates bring together the key pieces that we all need in our wardrobes. Designed using high-quality fabrics and a clean, simple colour palette the pieces are both elegant and timeless. Subtle details of raw edges and asymmetrical cuts are fused with statement elements of fringes, beaded tassels and buttons; enhancing a sense of versatility. To find out more about the latest homegrown fashion brand, we talk to Co-Founder Fatma Taher.

Why did you decide to launch your fashion line? 

My mother and I have always had an eye for fashion. Over the years, we noticed that her timeless taste combined with my edgy style work perfectly in sync. This fuelled our desire to create a brand that speaks to both of us. We also appreciate quality designs with clean-cut tailoring and exquisite fabrics and this is the key focus of our brand.

Tell us about the concept and the inspiration for your brand? 

Maureen is a timeless and versatile brand that speaks to the modern woman. We wanted to create collections that emphasise on pieces designed to suit women of all ages and cultural backgrounds. The designs are timeless, making each piece suitable to be worn now or years later. The brand is inspired by my mother and her simple, minimalistic taste in fashion. A lot of people ask why we chose to call it “Maureen; the reason is that it is named after my mother “Maheen ” who wanted to use a pseudo-name that sounded similar to hers.

What are the challenges you faced launching a brand during a global pandemic?

Production setbacks were an issue especially during the lockdown period in 2020. The brand took a lot longer to build from the ground up while the whole world faced tough times. However, it was a blessing in disguise. It gave us more time to think and work hard without having to rush through building the foundations of the company.

How do you think your backgrounds and personalities complement each other within your work?

The advantage we have is that my mum got to experience fashion during the 80s and early 90s while I had the advantage of experimenting with it in the 2000s and 2010s. Our vast knowledge of different fashion eras and having varying style icons give us a lot of ideas and inspirations for each collection. My mum also had the opportunity of living in the United States while I studied in the UK and France and I believe this helped us experience and acknowledge different cultures that complement and inspire our designs.

What are some of the challenges when working with family? 

We would say there are more advantages than challenges! Challenges such as having different tastes or opinions are common during the design process however, we always find a way to overcome these differences to create exquisite pieces.

Tell us a little about your creative process.

We are inspired by different cultures, fashion eras, architectures and elements from around the world. We combine our tastes with such inspiration to create designs that satisfy us both. Although it’s a lengthy process, it is definitely worth it when we see the final piece!

You recently launched your first collection Essentials – what can you tell us about it?

Our first collection set the tone for the types of fabrics and clean cuts we love to work with. ‘Essentials ‘21’ showcases a range of satin, silk, taffeta, and organza fabrics in a range of neutral colours. The collection’s main “it” factor is the tassels that helped in creating looks worth investing in.

What is your vision for Maureen moving forward? 

We would love to see Maureen expand globally and have people from all around the world wearing our designs.

How do your culture and upbringing inspire your fashion designs? 

Our culture focuses on modesty and we see that a lot in our designs. We try to find a balance between modesty and modernity when it comes to the clothing form and pattern.

What are three items every woman should have in her wardrobe today?

A classic pair of pants, shirt, and dress or abaya that could be dressed up or down. Pairing these with accessories will further elevate your look. We believe that such items are present in our Essentials 2021 collection.

What are your thoughts on the fashion industry in the UAE and where would you like to see it go? 

We believe the fashion industry in the UAE is thriving. We see a lot of hard-working brands that have made a name for themselves around the world. We would like to see the industry grow even more and make its way into some of fashion’s most iconic moments such as the Met Gala, Milan Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week.

This year the UAE will celebrate 50 years – what is a message you would send to your country at this incredible moment?

We’re so thankful to be a part of a country that continuously provides women with opportunities to thrive in all industries and empowers us to work hard towards building our future. Moreover, we are thankful to the UAE for helping us believe that anything is possible if you put your mind and effort into it.

We will also shortly see the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai – as Emirati women what does it mean to you to have this global event in your country? 

We feel honoured to have this global event in our country. It will provide the world with an insight into the many talents of the people of the UAE. It will also showcase how women in the UAE can truly achieve a lot when they have their country supporting them to see them succeed.

Who is the person that inspires you the most? 

I would have to say my mother and my grandmother. They are hard-working women who always inspire me to push beyond my limits and achieve great things.

What is a quote or motto that you live by? 

Work hard today so you can build a comfortable future.

What is something that you fear?

A fear of not working hard enough or succeeding in a field we truly feel passionate about.

How would you describe your brand in one word?

It’s two words: Timeless and versatile.

As La Prairie launches a new luxury skincare collection, we discover more with Dr Jacqueline Hill, Global Director of Strategic Innovation and Science and Dr Daniel Stangl, Director of Innovation, La Prairie.

Known for its dedication to the finest raw ingredients La Prairie has been sourcing some of the highest quality materials to create products that have visible effects on the skin. This year, the Swiss company uses its surroundings as inspiration for the new Pure Gold Collection. Based on the idea of capturing the light of the magical golden hour as the sun touches the tips of the Alps and the unique way it highlights the skin, this new line uses pure gold as its core ingredient.

To create the line, La Prairie has developed a new and exclusive Pure Gold Diffusion System, designed to provide immediate radiance and sustained delivery of two key replenishing ingredients to help compensate for the loss of receptiveness of the skin. This unique system has been designed to leave skin feeling revitalised, replenished, enriched. Here we find out more about this ground-breaking product launch and the incredible capabilities of gold as an ingredient with Dr Jacqueline Hill, Global Director of Strategic Innovation and Science and Dr Daniel Stangl, Director of Innovation.

Dr Jacqueline Hill, Global Director of Strategic Innovation and Science

Gold is at the core of the Pure Gold Collection. Can you tell us more about the cosmetic properties of this precious metal?

Gold is like no other metal because its atomic structure and the way its electrons are arranged are very special. The atomic structure determines the colour of gold and explains its unique surface chemistry. Under white light gold appears to have a warm tone of yellow to human eyes, providing immediate radiance when applied to the skin. In submicron gold particles, a large number of gold atoms are located at the particle surface. These surface atoms are very unique. They do not fully interact with each other, as the inner atoms do. As a result, surface atoms have free binding sites in the form of electrons which are available for attaching active ingredients to the gold particles. Such actives will gradually be released from the gold particles over time when they interact with specific biomolecules on the skin surface. This process is steady and slow, and that’s why we call it a “time-controlled release”.

What other active ingredients are present in the Pure Gold Collection? 

The products of the Pure Gold Collection contain our exclusive Pure Gold Diffusion System. It is a blend of four active ingredients: gold particles of an average size of 60 microns, spherical submicron particles of pure gold with a replenishing peptide and a polyphenol attached to the gold particles’ surface, as well as the peptide and the polyphenol each in free form. The Pure Gold Diffusion System has been specifically designed to serve the needs of devitalised skin and to give back the glow and radiance of young skin.

Moreover, the formulas of the Pure Gold Collection are enriched with La Prairie’s Exclusive Cellular Complex. A scientific signature and a closely held secret for decades, this proprietary complex has been at the heart of La Prairie skincare formulations since the beginning. It invigorates epidermal stem cells to reignite renewal efficiency and cellular functionality, enabling them to behave more like those of younger skin. The rejuvenating and age-delaying power of the Exclusive Cellular Complex extends beyond the epidermis. It densifies the dermal extracellular matrix and protects dermal stem cells from stress factors, for a rejuvenated appearance. To note, the Pure Gold Collection products consist of complex formulas that cannot be limited to the main ingredients mentioned above.

Dr Daniel Stangl, Director of Innovation, La Prairie.

What does the Pure Gold Diffusion System consist of and what has it been designed for? 

In addition to the deposition of gold on the skin’s surface, the new Pure Gold Diffusion System was designed to allow for sustained delivery of two key replenishing actives into devitalised skin. As a result, these actives are constantly available for the skin cells. This helps to compensate for the cells’ reduced receptiveness to nutrients and improves cellular communication in devitalised skin.

The new Pure Gold Collection is said to be addressed to individuals experiencing “devitalised skin” – can you tell us more about this skin state and how gold contributes to fighting this condition?

Over time, skin becomes devitalised. It appears thin, dull, dry and fragile with an undefined contour. Cells in devitalised skin become less receptive to nutrients and cellular communication, leading to a slowing down of many cellular processes. Cells in devitalised skin also show reduced receptiveness towards active ingredients from cosmetic products. For active ingredients to work efficiently in devitalised skin, they need to be available to skin cells permanently at significant levels. However, these ingredients start to become metabolised and degraded the moment they reach the viable layers of the skin. Within a rather short time, their levels drop below the concentrations needed for cells in devitalised skin to function optimally. The new Pure Gold Diffusion System delivers two key replenishing ingredients into the skin in two waves of different durations. The first wave is a fast one that delivers the pure active ingredients in high concentrations immediately after topical application of the cream or serum. The second wave results from the gradual release of the actives from spherical gold particles deposited on the skin surface, infusing the skin with these ingredients over an extended period. Together, both waves maintain appropriate levels of active ingredients to be used optimally by cells of low receptiveness in devitalised skin.

How are the gold particles used and why – do they sit on the skin to deflect light? Do they also penetrate the skin to create additional benefits from within?

Gold particles are deposited on the skin surface and promote youthful and radiant skin by reflecting the warm tone of yellow light. The submicron gold particles carrying the two replenishing active ingredients also stay on the skin surface and release the attached replenishing active ingredients in a time-controlled manner to penetrate into the skin.

How do these products achieve the promised glow of the “Golden Hour”? 

To achieve the promised glow of the “Golden Hour”, the Pure Gold products act both in the short term and in the long term. They provide immediate radiance and revitalise the skin over time to bring back lost resplendence. La Prairie’s Pure Gold Diffusion System contributes to these actions as it has been designed to deliver three peaks of events to revitalise skin. Firstly, the deposition of gold particles on the skin surface for immediate radiance. Secondly, an intense wave of two replenishing actives, which penetrate into the skin to provide long term skin reconstruction. Thirdly, a gradual release of the two replenishing actives from spherical submicron gold particles, allowing them to penetrate into the skin and further support its reconstruction.

It has been some time since La Prairie has launched a new Luxury Collection. How long and how complex was the development of the Pure Gold Collection?

The development of the Pure Gold Collection was relatively complex. Once the concept was defined, the design and development of the Pure Gold Diffusion System took approximately one and a half years and the development of the three products took approximately two and a half years.

There used to be another collection within the La Prairie catalogue that incorporated the virtues of gold as part of its formulas – Radiance. How is the Pure Gold Collection different from the Radiance Collection, especially from a formulation point of view? 

The Pure Gold Collection can be considered to be an evolution of the Radiance Collection. We have leveraged the knowledge and experience gained from working with gold and our gold-peptide, as well as our understanding of the properties of gold to take the science one step further in order to optimally address the concerns of devitalised skin. Building on a unique combination of the qualities of gold, its colour and surface chemistry, we designed our “Pure Gold Diffusion System” specifically for devitalised skin in order to revitalise it and bring back its lost resplendence.

The sustainability of skincare formulas is a key topic in the industry today. Can you tell us more about La Prairie’s present efforts, and how these are coming to life as part of the launch of the Pure Gold Collection?

For a formula to be truly sustainable, many different aspects of its journey need to be considered. These aspects include each of the raw materials, their origin, sourcing and production method and conditions, transport, storage and of course their biodegradability, they also include the bulk manufacturing methods and conditions, among other elements. When designing our formulas, we take the above elements into account whilst maintaining our client at the heart of our considerations. We carefully balance the different facets relating to each raw material’s origin, sourcing, efficacy, sensorial properties, information transparency and manufacturing constraints as part of the selection process.

We blacklist ingredients that we consider problematic from the point of view of sustainability, but also of safety or ethics and we require that our suppliers comply with our code of conduct and ensure compliance throughout their supply chain. Our code of conduct covers areas such as environmental protection, labour conditions, prohibition of child labour, occupational health and safety, discrimination and corruption. Sustainability is an important topic for us and an extremely complex one, where all is not necessarily as it seems. We consider it to be a journey.

How should one apply the Pure Gold Collection?

To apply the Pure Gold Collection products, start with Pure Gold Radiance Concentrate, follow with Pure Gold Radiance Eye Cream and then apply Pure Gold Radiance Cream.

Pure Gold Radiance Concentrate: Apply morning and evening after cleansing and toning. Begin the Pure Gold Ritual by dispensing one or two drops of Pure Gold Radiance Concentrate from the pipette onto fingertips. Gently warm the product between your fingers and begin massaging into the skin in a sliding motion with both hands simultaneously. Start between eyebrows, slide up to the forehead and continue towards temples, move across cheekbones towards the top of the nose, slide down to the jawline and chin. Finish by sliding with one hand around the mouth.

Pure Gold Radiance Eye Cream: Using the complementary golden spoon, continue the ritual by taking a small amount of product and sweeping it onto your fingertip. Dot along the under-eye area and up toward the temples, continue the gesture above the eyebrow, towards the bridge of the nose and finish by dotting under the eyebrow line. Massage into skin with a gentle press-and-roll motion until completely absorbed.

Pure Gold Radiance Cream: Using the complementary golden spoon, complete the ritual by taking a small amount and sweeping it onto your fingertips. Start with a sliding motion between eyebrows, slide up to the forehead and continue towards the temples, slide across the cheekbones towards the top of the nose, continue down to the jawline and chin. Finish by sliding with one hand around your mouth. Repeat until absorbed.

As celebrities make a return to the red carpet in Italy for the Venice International Film Festival, we round up some of the best dressed men and women who turned out for this global event.

Zendaya wearing Balmain

Zoe Saldana wearing Dolce&Gabbana

Kristen Stewart wearing Chanel

Penelope Cruz wearing Chanel

Kirsten Dunst wearing Giorgio Armani

Greta Ferro wearing Giorgio Armani

Helen Mirren wearing Dolce&Gabbana

Barbara Palvin wearing Giorgio Armani

Adriana Lima wearing Etro

Jessica Chastain

Dior invites international artists to reinterpret its iconic medallion chair.

Ahead of this month’s Salone del Mobile Dior Maison invited 17 artists to reinterpret one of its iconic emblems: the medallion chair. Chosen by Christian Dior when he founded the house this now iconic chair is a symbol of Louis XVI style that the designer used to seat his guests at fashion shows. In his memoirs, the designer describes the choice as “sober, simple and above all classic and Parisian” décor and it has since become a key part of the House’s DNA.

The oval, surrounded by a Fantanges bow became one of the major codes of 30 Avenue Montaigne, the heart of Dior and can be seen throughout the landmark address in Paris as well as in many moments of the brand’s history.

Feminine and sensual, it has featured throughout history in black and gold or pink and grey as part of the bottles of the House’s legendary first perfumes (from Diorama to Diorissimo) as well as in-store décor, starting with “Colfichets” – the first Dior boutique, inaugurated by the founding couturier in 1947, where medallion chairs were elegantly clad in cannage and toile de Jouy.

This year, as Salone del Mobile makes a return to a physical event Dior has invited a select group of artists from around the world to interpret this luxury object in their own unique way. Sam Baron, Nacho Carbonell, Pierre Charpin, Dimorestudio, Khaled El Mays, Martino Gamper, Constance Guisset, India Mahdavi, nendo, Joy de Rohan Chabot, Linde Freya Tangelder, Atang Tshikare, Seungjin Yang, Ma Yansong, Jinyeong Yeon, Tokujin Yoshioka and Pierre Yovanovitch offer their visions and artistic and cultural sensibilities – from Japan to Italy by way of Korea, Lebanon and France – to reconceive this object of desire with boundless creativity.

Among some of the most influential in the world, these artists have exhibited in prestigious museums including the MoMA in New York, the MAD in Paris and the V&A in London. An unprecedented and pluralistic collaboration, a reflection of the House’s timeless modernity that reinvents the Dior dream and lets it live on.

The new collection will be presented at Salone del Mobile in Milan this September.

As Expo 2020 prepares to open its doors next month, there is much anticipation of what the event will bring.

With information beginning to surface on some of the events that are to come over the six-month duration of the event it’s set to be one of the UAE’s biggest historical moments. Registration is now open for visitors and when the doors open on 1^st October 2020 guests from both within the UAE and much further afield are expected to arrive in their thousands. We discover what we know so far about this record-breaking global event.

The Dubai Metro Route 2020 will be able to carry 44,000 passengers per hour to and from the Expo 2020 Dubai site directly – these means easier access for residents and tourist throughout the event.

The Expo 2020 Dubai site is 4.38sqkm – equal to more than 600 football pitches.

Around 30,000 volunteers will help welcome the world to Expo 2020 Dubai throughout its six-month duration.

The Expo 2020 Dubai logo was inspired by a 4,000-year-old ancient ring discovered at Saruq Al Hadid, an archaeological site in the UAE.

Immersive culinary experts Bompas & Parr will bring their exclusive gastronomy experience to Expo 2020. The Future of Food experience will bring a feast of aerogels and edible luminescence to a world-first dining experience.

The canopy of Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion generates 4GHw of energy per year – enough for a car to drive halfway to Mars.

Alif – The Mobility Pavilion features the world’s largest passenger lift, which is capable of holding more than 160 persons and has a twin sister in Singapore.

The Expo Entry Portals are made of high-grade carbon fibre and resin. Laid out end to end, all of the carbon fibre filaments used would circumnavigate the world more than 5,000 times

Every Country Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai will have its own National Day celebration, celebrating with pride their nation’s achievement and prosperity.

Visitors can indulge in gastronomy experiences from around the world, with up to 50-plus global cuisines from 200 restaurants and over 100 Executive chefs across Expo 2020 Dubai.

Expo 2020 Dubai is the only Expo in 50 years to host a dedicated pavilion for women.

The Saudi Arabia Pavilion has been awarded the LEED Platinum certification by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), the highest internationally recognized sustainability rating in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It also holds three Guinness World Records: the largest interactive lighting floor with around 8,000 LED lights, the longest interactive water feature at more than 32 meters, and the largest LED interactive digital mirror screen at 1302.5 square meters.

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the home to the Firdaus Orchestra, an all-female ensemble with a diverse blend of musicians from across the Arab world, led by Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman.

Every Monday, visitors will be treated to amazing outdoor movie experiences with a dynamic combination of studio releases and nostalgic favourites.

UAE Rulers have announces a series of projects that will mark the 50th anniversary of the Emirates.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Force have announced a series of 50 significant economic projects that will take place in the UAE over the coming month.

The programme of economic and developmental projects mark the 50^th anniversary of the UAE which takes place this year and will help build on the country’s successes of the last 50 years.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum tweeted: “The UAE is starting a new season in a different way this year. We will announce a series of 50 significant economic projects starting from September 5 to lead the next phase of growth.” He added, “the UAE does not wait for the future, it shapes its own future.”

Bringing together all sectors of the society to lead the next era of growth, the projects will cover economic and social development, focusing on entrepreneurship, the digital and circular economies, and applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. With these multiple specialisations, the initiative reinforces the goals of economic diversification to broaden the base of the national economy and expand the sources of total income.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan tweeted, “50 new national projects will be announced this month, extending our development journey for generations to come. The people of the UAE are encouraged to take part, harnessing their knowledge, creativity and resourcefulness so our nation can seize the opportunities of the future.”

The new projects aim to advance the UAE’s economy, a top national priority, to ensure a decent life for citizens and residents, double the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and boost the UAE’s status as an incubator for talents and investors from all over the world. They aim to transform the UAE into a comprehensive hub in all sectors and areas of creativity and innovation, positioning the UAE as a land of opportunities and a destination for those seeking a global testbed of bold and successful ideas.

All efforts are focused on the goal of fostering a knowledge economy and turning the UAE into a laboratory for bold ideas and ground-breaking projects to boost the UAE as a successful global nation.

The Armani Group will host a spectacular fashion show in Dubai to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Armani Hotels in Dubai and Milan.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Armani hotels in Milan and Dubai, the Armani Group has revealed that the Dubai event that was to be held in November 2020, suspended as a precautionary measure, has been rescheduled for 26th October 2021.

As a major global event, One Night Only will see Giorgio Armani host a fashion show in Dubai to celebrate this landmark anniversary.

The evening also marks a new step of the One Night Only events which, so far, touched some of the most important cities in the world – London in 2006, Tokyo in 2007, Beijing in 2012, Rome and New York in 2013, Paris in 2014.

The One Night Only event in Dubai was postponed due to COVID-19 but will now take place during the time of Expo 2020 making this an even more special moment for the Italian fashion House and the UAE.

‘I am very happy to return to Dubai after 11 years with one of my itinerant One Night Only: an event that was cancelled due to the health emergency and that will coincide with Expo 2020. It will also be an opportunity to celebrate the 10th anniversary of my Armani Hotels’, says Giorgio Armani.

Stay tuned for more information as it happens.

Contemporary style and timeless sophistication come together in the latest fall/winter looks for men and women.

See our selection of looks from luxury brands below:

Dior
Earrings: Dior Fine Jewelry

Hermès

Jumpsuit: Elie Saab
Jewellery: Bvlgari

Givenchy

Givenchy

He wears: Suit: Brunello Cucinelli Shirt: Louis Vuitton Shoes: Christian Louboutin.
She wears: Elie Saab

He wears: Versace
She wears: Versace Earrings: Bvlgari

He wears: Suit: Dolce&Gabbana Shoes: Christian Louboutin
She wears: Dress: Dolce&Gabbana Shoes: Hermès Earrings: Messika

Jacket, Cropped top and jeans: Celine Bag: Tod’s
Earrings: Dior Fine Jewellery

Celine

Chanel

Giorgio Armani

Louis Vuitton

Jumpsuit: Max Mara Shoes: Tod’s Necklace: Dior Fine Jewellery Sunglasses: Louis Vuitton

Styling and Direction: Lindsay Judge

Photographer: Ziga Mihelcic
Hair and makeup: Manuel Losada
Models: Carol and Emmanuel at Signature Element

Location: Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE

As part of a series of events held in Venice Dolce&Gabbana presented the latest Alta Gioielleria jewellery creations.

With an exclusive evening set at The Doge’s Palace in the magical Italian city, guests were treated to a night of elegance and glamour as they discovered the newest jewellery pieces from the House.

Using the finest Italian craftsman to produce these pieces the brand prides itself on providing the best in handmade creations.

Take a look behind the sneak peek of the making of this stunning collection in the video below:

For their latest Alta Moda show, Dolce&Gabbana invited a star-studded audience to Venice for a special presentation of the collection which was inspired by this magical city.

Over several days the Italian House invited celebrities, press and VIP guests to discover the worlds of Alta Moda, Alta Sartoria and Alta Gioielleria through a series of spectacular events hosted by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, including the Alta Moda runway show which took place on August 29th 2021.

The designers chose the stunning location of the iconic Piazzetta San Marco for this special presentation. A setting that has never hosted a fashion show before, this great place of beauty was the traditional location that the Serenissima (The Republic of Venice) used to invite ambassadors and rulers visiting the city to disembark, in order to impress them with the magnificence of the view, a view that is truly like no other. After the sixteenth century, architect Jacopo Sansovino worked on the Piazetta, designing the Library that bears his name, the Mint and the loggia of the bell tower, which enables it to take on its current appearance, becoming one of the most celebrated treasures of Venice. And it is this magical space that played host to one of Dolce&Gabbana’s most memorable Alta Moda shows yet.

After a virtual presentation last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Italian designers came back with a bang as they invited a host of VIPs and celebrities to the unveiling of the collection. Celebrity guests included Jennifer Lopez who stole the show dressed head-to-toe in Dolce&Gabbana, as well as Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Monica Belluci, Dame Helen Mirren, Doja Cat, P Diddy, Christian Bale and more who flew in to witness this spectacular unveiling. Jennifer Hudson opened the show with a performance of “Nessum Dorma,” from Turandot, as guests took in the surroundings.

Arriving by water on gondolas, the models wore unique sartorial creations as they paraded down an elevated runway set against the magical backdrop between the two famous granite columns of St Theodore and St Mark. The designs took great inspiration from the surroundings and the local craftsmanship of the area, something that is continuously celebrated by the house.

Dresses made of pastel-hued tulle featured extravagant embroidery work that reflected the patterns of the glass windows and the serpentine patterns of the floor of St Mark’s Square. Satin was heavily used to reflect the flow of water in the city. An oversized cape with Venice scenery on its drapes was a more obvious nod to the surroundings, while elegant gold embellishment on precious fabrics was inspired by the local architecture.

A cascading cloak of ombre coloured feathers was worn over a tulle dress creating a picture of beauty. Metallic stitching, oversized shoulders and ruffle-edge details added drama and glamour. A cape created from gold knotted rope took its inspiration from the boats that the city is known for and a palette of colourful tones reflected the changing light as the sun sets on this beautiful city. Every look emulated opulence and royalty, capturing the essence of Dolce&Gabbana.

Accessories came in the form of extravagant headpieces. Floral fascinators and gold hardware were placed elegantly on the heads of models who wore their hair in classic low buns. Shoes were sparkly and sophisticated with a touch of glamour while jewellery was as extravagant as the clothing designs.

As the show came to a close, rain started to fall in a surreal, magical moment that saw a rainbow appear behind the show setting. As if it was meant to be, this glorious image further set the tone for a collection that is sure to go down in history.

Piaget has unveiled a new 36mm edition of its Piaget Polo, a watch that is perfect to wear from day to night.

This watch for men and women combines style and high-watchmaking to create a piece that is both playful, sophisticated and elegant.

Originally produced in 1979 he Piaget Polo was presented as a watch that went against the traditional codes of watchmaking providing a more relaxed, sportier form of elegance. Its design has always moved with the times with the spirit of this piece being reinterpreted again and again.

The new Piaget Polo Date 36mm has been fine-tuned to appeal to the new generation who want to do things differently while focuses on the essentials of fine watchmaking and elegance.

With an elegant and refined profile the design of the watch works perfectly in a smaller 36mm case. The movement comes with a slate grey coloured oscillating weight that can be seen through the sapphire caseback. Its graphic dial features a horizontal guilloché pattern, Dauphine and skeleton hands, a date at six o’clock, and diamond-set indexes. The majority of the models come with Piaget’s interchangeable strap system and are also available with a steel or gold bracelet with alternating polished and satin-finished H-design links that are perfectly integrated into the case.

The new designs include two models in stainless steel with matching steel bracelets and a combination of polished and satin-finished details. One comes with a gorgeous deep Piaget blue dial and sparkling diamond-set gold indexes, while the other features a pure white dial with a radiant diamond-set bezel that is paired with diamond-set gold indexes.

Two exquisite rose gold models sparkle with diamonds and snow-white dials with either a slate grey alligator strap or a full gold rose gold bracelet. For lovers of gem-setting, Piaget presents two fully-paved models, one of which with a dark blue alligator strap and the other on a fully-paved diamond bracelet.

Now available at Piaget stores across the region.

As the UAE celebrated the 6^th edition of Emirati Women’s Day, two Emirati female pilots joined the air wing of Dubai Police.

Dana Al Mazmi and Mohra bin Hammad have undertaken a year of extensive training and will now take on search and rescue missions as part of the Dubai Police duties

Both women joined Dubai Police in 2019 and went on to graduate from the Horizon helicopter flight academy. They also took part in a number of missions including search and rescue missions across the Emirate in order to ensure they had sufficient training for graduation.

“I’m proud to join the air wing at Dubai Police and carry out missions that would protect the public and provide its members with safety and security,” Said Dana Al Mazmi.

“We are all proud of what women have achieved in the UAE and in Dubai Police in particular,” Mohra bin Hammad said.

The two have now joined the force officially after completed all training and will continue with their duties in the air wing.

Dolce&Gabbana launched its first home furnishing line Dolce&Gabbana Casa in collaboration with Luxury Living with a spectacular presentation in Venice.

Taking inspiration from their fashion creations and their love of ‘fatto a mano’  (homemade), Dolce&Gabbana designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana worked the same spirit of their clothing and accessories into home furnishings, expanding the world of D&G into new realms.

While the designer duo has forayed into the world of homewares before through their collaboration with Smeg in 2018, but this is the first time a full collection is offered under the DG Casa line. The colourful collection includes everything from seating, to cabinets, to home accessories and soft furnishings, each featuring iconic D&G motifs and patterns.

“With Dolce&Gabbana Casa we wanted to create a unique lifestyle. You need only to behold one of our furnishings or caress a fabric to immediately perceive its foundational values: impeccable craftsmanship, love for the ‘fatto a mano’ (handmade), respect for tradition, and the quest for innovation. The senses of sight, touch, hearing, and smell are constantly stimulated by our creations, which all contribute to the dream of building a habitat ‘tailored’ to your personality, your passions, and your tastes.” Said Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana in a statement.

They continued: “Italian culture and Beauty have always been our source of inspiration, from which we have drawn images and evocations. Over the years, these elements have been reinterpreted in a unique lifestyle, conceived in the spirit of the Dolce Vita and the joie de vivre. Indeed, the elegance of our furniture and accessories is never cold and austere, but instead tinged with the most festive tones of lighthearted joy. Perhaps because, for us, Italian Beauty is not limited to the genius of the masters of the Renaissance and Baroque or to the immortal words of the great poets and writers, but extends to our breathtaking landscapes, our wines, and our incomparable cuisine. Whether in the Faraglioni of Capri, in the blue of Sicily’s sea, in the golden beaches of our coasts, or in the pizza, the pasta, and the sundry sweets that distinguish our culinary tradition, there dwells an extraordinary poetry, a taste for the Beautiful and the Well-made that for centuries have regaled the world with unique emotions.”

Reinforcing the importance of handmade was of utmost importance as the brand worked with some of Italy’s most renowned craftsmen for the first time.  They worked closely with ancient workmanship including Murano glass-blowing, hand-painted Sicilian ceramics, fine cabinetmaking, straw weaving, wood carving and intarsia, the old-age technique of murine and the weaving of lush brocades and precious velvets on traditional looms.

The collection was presented to VIP guests in Venice on August 28th 2021. “Our collaboration with these artisans has led us here to Venice, hosted in one of its most evocative places: the Scuola Grande della Misericordia. In its extraordinary spaces, Dolce&Gabbana Casa will enhance the fine craftsmanship for which Italy stands out throughout the world. And with this unique style Dolce&Gabbana Casa will continue to offer the purest Beauty and an absolute love for the Italian ‘fatto a mano’ (handmade).” Said the designers.

The collection will soon be available online and eventually in Dolce&Gabbana stores worldwide.

As we celebrate Emirati Women’s Day Fatma AlHashimi, Founder of HASHIMI shares what this day means to her.

Now it’s even easier for women to achieve their dreams. Ahead of Emirati Women’s Day 2021, Masdar City Free Zone has introduced a new business package exclusively for all women entrepreneurs, to further support the growth of women-led companies in the UAE.

This special package will encourage women in the UAE to set up their own businesses and achieve their dreams.

Abdulla Balalaa, Executive Director, Masdar City, said, “From its inception, Masdar has valued the integral importance of women in progressing towards a more sustainable future. At Masdar City Free Zone, we mirror this view which is also in line with the UAE governments’ goal of driving greater gender equality and furthering successful sustainable development. For example, in 2017, the UAE government pledged $50m to the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative fund and has introduced several initiatives to further encourage female entrepreneurship, including the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council.”

He continued: “In addition to the number of women in the workforce, in the UAE, women also constitute approximately 70% of university graduates. From next year, this will also include women graduating from Masdar City-based, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the world’s first university dedicated to the study of artificial intelligence, and a highly significant area in progressing the global green transition. Masdar City therefore provides a unique ecosystem for women, who not only have the opportunity to study, but also the option to establish a business here and become part of an international network of innovators. With these kinds of opportunities, Masdar City Free Zone is an excellent location for women to set up their businesses.”

Masara Alameiri, Acting Director, Masdar City Free Zone, added; “Masdar City Free Zone recognizes the essential role that women play in progressing the UAE’s economic and development goals, which are critical to building a more sustainable and prosperous future for everyone. In Masdar City, which is the regional hub for the R&D of sustainability-focused technologies and solutions, women are key drivers of the ground-breaking progress being made here in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), clean energy, healthtech, food security, mobility, water, and sustainable urban development. Masdar City recognizes their vital role and is offering a competitive business option that will allow even more women to establish their companies here.”

In addition to the women-specific business package option, Masdar City Free Zone also offers competitive new business packages that offer flexibility for companies to adapt to their businesses specific requirements and are available now to both new and existing businesses.

For more information and details on the new Masdar City Free Zone package for women, please click  Here or contact the Free Zone team at info@masdarcityfreezone.com via email, or call +971 2 653 3333.

Dior has today unveiled a new Miss Dior campaign starring Natalie Portman which coincides with the release of the new Miss Dior Eau De Parfum.

Natalie Portman has been a close partner of the House of Dior and the face of Miss Dior since 2011, starring in many iconic campaigns for the fragrance.

Today as a new chapter of Miss Dior begins the American actress stars in this beautiful video which captures the essence of the Miss Dior fragrance and shows her as the strong, inspiring woman she is.

The uplifting video sees Portman find herself in a beautiful landscape, surrounded by flowers, water, greenery and birds: a representation of freedom. she rushes forward, running, laughing, singing and above all, taking in the beautiful surroundings. With style and character she represents the Miss Dior woman who is confident, strong-willed and beautiful. The video ends with Portman asking the question “What would you do for love?.”

Watch the new campaign video here…

The new Miss Dior Eau De Parfum will be available this September. Read more about it in the upcoming issue of A&E.