Lebanese design Rami Kadi presented his Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2021 Collection “Dessiner Le Vide.”

This collection represents a revolutionary approach to lie, no matter what is happening in the world.

In light of the explosion that happened in Beirut on 4^th August 2020, the designer captures a new world inspired by promise and prospect.

With a minimalist approach Rami Kadi introductions a collection that focuses on optimism, creation and sustainability. He said: “Creativity does not shy away from the unknown, and beauty can never cave in even when the going gets tough. On the contrary, beauty pulls the beast of void by its horns and tames it to its liking. It redefines emptiness and illustrates it in a memorable fashion.”

The collection is made up of 20 dresses including two bridal gowns. Geometric lines offer a modern silhouette given a traditional twist with tulle pointillé with velvet dots, teardrop Swarovski crystal stones, glass beads and sequins, metallic watery sequins, iridescent scroll knitted sequins, and laser-cut sequins sheets. The sparkle of this collection creates a sense of optimism and possibility.

The colour palette, ranging from deep mauve to dusky orchid to peach blush offers a rainbow of colour and romance. The use of laser-cut ostrich feathers and tiers of peacock feathers adds a sense of romance to the collection.

See more at rami-kadi.com

As they were about to finish their Fall/Winter 2020-21 Haute Couture collection earlier this year AZZI & OSTA designers George Azzi and Assaad Osta had their world turned upside down when the explosion in Beirut port took place on 4^th August 2020. Months of hard work and their brand new atelier were destroyed in an instant.

But even this tragic event couldn’t stop the determined designers from bringing their latest Haute Couture designs to life. A collection dedicated to those who have lost everything in the blast and the hope to rise again.

The new Haute Couture collection “Reve Flamand” is inspired by travel; even if it is just in our dreams. While all of us are dreaming of travelling again, the reality is, it’s not possible at this time, so the two Lebanese designers have captured that desire we all have at this moment. Created during the pandemic the collection was inspired by the designer duo’s desire to escape the closed doors of their atelier through their unparalleled imagination transporting them to navigate the endless canals of Amsterdam.

The collection began its journey with the tulip – it’s bold colours and fascinating frills. Inspired by the bright colour palette of tulip fields and the joy they spark. This was combined with the designer’s love for art history.

Faille, organza of silk, crepe, tulle, lace and velvet were al key players in the collection – fabrics representing the textures of those tulip fields.

Embroidery in golden threads, lit with pearls, are sown on an oversized jacket with large lapels, dropped shoulders and puffed sleeves reminiscent of the ‘Queen of night’ tulips, a fairyland where petals dragonflies and pineapples coexist in harmony.

A black jumpsuit is adorned with complementary patterns, ending with an imposing choker collar embroidered with crystals and baroque pearls. The is called “Rembrandt Gold”.

Blye tones are key to the collection, representing the sky while contemporary silhouettes, combined with medieval influences create a unique twist of old meets new. Embroidered tulips, a cape lined with tulle and an interpretation of Vincent Van Gogh’s “Vase of Roses” highlight the fascination with art and flowers.

The ribbon bow belt plays in this collection the role of a red thread borrowed, out of admiration, from the trompe-l’oeil of Samuel Van Hoogstraten, painter of the 17th C. known for its hyperrealistic assemblages of motley objects held by cords. Trompe-l’oeil elements appear through the collection in tactile collages inspired by Flemish tiles on a white organza coat.

La Maison d’Orange is represented by an asymmetrical dress cut in an abundance of silk faille from the bright orange of the ‘Orange princess’ tulip, short from the front and long from the back in an impressive ball gown dominated by an oversized top embroidered with shimmering crystals in a cross pattern.

The collection was photographed in the old-fashioned charm of the Maison de Gournay, rue Trabaud, in Beirut. The walls covered with paper or fabric, painted or embroidered with landscapes of floral or bucolic inspiration, some borrowed from the great currents of interior design or from artists of all eras, offered an ideal field to develop around dresses of endless narratives.

Between wall coverings, porcelain, fabrics and curtains made by creatives and craftsmen, de Gournay signs interiors whose philosophy responds to Baudelaire’s Invitation to a Voyage, precisely inspired by Holland.

As we all navigate the new normal we are living in, Morin Oluwole, Global Head of Luxury at Facebook discusses how technology and innovation can open up a whole new experience of opportunity during this time.

The world of social media is one of the few industries that has thrived throughout the global pandemic. Providing opportunities to connect with loved ones, as well as business connections and a platform that brand can use to elevate their communication during a time when physical interaction is difficult. While many companies are struggling this year, Facebook has excelled, developing new technologies under its wing and expanding the capabilities of its already forward-thinking platforms to exciting new realms. From Instagram to WhatsApp to Messenger which all part of the Facebook group, we have all come to rely on these entities and they have been an essential part of life throughout this difficult year.

But it’s not just on a personal level that social media can elevate the user experience. In the luxury world, Facebook is providing solutions for brands, allowing them to take their communication to the next level in new ways that are particularly effective in this era of digital communication. Leading the way with these developments is Morin Oluwole, Global Head of Luxury at Facebook. Morin’s role is to assist luxury brands in developing their global communications through Facebook’s platforms. This can be anything from producing branded filters on Instagram, to streaming a live fashion show through Facebook. As brands are looking to find new ways of communicating with their clients in this “new normal”, the role of luxury communication through social media has become more necessary than ever. We discuss with Morin Oluwole the ways her department is helping brands to elevate their reach and communication with customers during this time, as well as the latest technologies that are taking things to a whole new level.

This year has been a strange year for all – tell us a little about how Facebook has operated during the COVID-19 period?

It has indeed been quite a tough time and a tough global challenge and also a time where we must think about colleagues and employees of the company. As a company, we are currently still working from home and that is very likely to continue into next year. I would say that the approach of the company has been very much to provide and facilitate information and support people in this time of need. From a company point of view, Facebook has taken several actions, notably creating a COVID centre across all of our platforms where people can access the most accurate information regarding the crisis. From an employee point of view, it’s been important that people can address their personal lives and needs when it comes to managing the crisis. We have also made a company, over $100 million donation to support organisations that are working to help the current pandemic as well as supporting businesses that are in need.

From a business point of view, our Modus Operandi has been about being there and being present for our partners. Making sure that our approach is not only a commercial one but also very much about how we can help support them in any way possible. How we can support their teams, knowing that many companies are going through challenges and making sure that from a partnership point of view, we continue to be very present for them.

Instagram Shops

How do you think technology and social media in particular has helped people throughout this period?

In addition to the concrete actions that we’ve taken, we’ve also looked at how we address product development and make sure that we are able to have the right tools and places for people to connect, especially because many people are away from their loved ones during this time. When it comes to product innovation, for example, we’ve seen that video calls have increased by around 70 per cent as people are using Messenger and especially What’s App to connect with their families around the world. And so we have made some changes there, for example increasing the number of people you can have on group calls. We have created Messenger Rooms, where users can have live chats with people in their network to foster that connection with people.

How do you think social media has enabled the luxury world to continue with business during this time?

Consumer behaviour, especially when it comes to e-commerce has completely evolved and much more rapidly than anyone could have imagined. A recent report by McKinsey reported that we have seen three years of progress in just three weeks. Contentsquare has shared that there has been an increase of 100 per cent of purchases of luxury items via e-commerce versus before the crisis. So we see people are shopping more and more online and this presents an opportunity for the sector that maybe would have taken more time for businesses to address the e-commerce opportunities. Businesses are addressing what is the best way for them to engage with their consumer, while still maintaining a sophisticated and high-end experience. That could be with digital activations like how to best translate a fashion show online, how to best create or transform the in-store experience so customers can remain connected with their clients, and of course from an e-commerce point of view, making sure the flow is seamless and still representative of the brand.

What are some of the biggest challenges you are facing now as a company?

The priority as a company was to make sure that our employees were safe and that is still the most important aspect that the company has addressed. Now the question is how to ensure that we’re still able to work and communicate as effectively as possible through the crisis when we’re not able to physically see each other, and how do we stay close to our partners? We are ensuring that even though we might be on Zoom and communicating differently, that we are still able to foster these relationships with our partners. There has been very much a notion of empathy and support in the communities that need them most, especially in the context of racial and social justice. Also making sure that we’re able to build a secure and safe experience when it comes to Instagram and Facebook.

Going back to e-commerce, we know that more and more people are registering online, but the question is how to create innovation that supports this activity – how to create virtual showrooms, take advantage of Live experiences or even using virtual reality to be able to bring people into this storytelling experience, giving that the experience may not be the same as we have known it to be in the past.

Instagram Shops

What is the main goal you are focusing on for the remainder of 2020?

The good thing is that as a company our priorities haven’t changed that much because we are very much going in the direction that we were going in before the crisis. For quite some time now, the key strategy has been commerce. How we address commerce and make it easier for all kinds of businesses to be able to plug into this serendipitous experience that people have on our platforms. When you think about Instagram for example, we first launched Instagram Shops this summer, which allows brands to be able to create an immersive and customised experience. You can even go as far as integrating payment systems to allow customers to purchase directly from the platform. This has launched in the US and will hopefully soon launch around the world. Parallel to that is Messenger and how it can create stronger links between consumers and brands, especially when it comes to the new realms of experience. One brand that comes to mind is IWC who created a “bot” on Messenger for the launch of their latest watch and their objective was to be able to not just showcase this new watch, but also to allow people to reserve their appointments in the boutique through a Messenger experience. So you go from this storytelling experience to actually bringing the customer into an in-store experience.

What do you think sets some brands apart from others in the ways they use technology and what do you think is the secret to being successful moving forward?

Resilience and agility. Agility of course has been critical since the beginning and especially this year. It concerns being able to adapt to the circumstance while still retaining a strong brand point of view and not sacrificing the brand message and heritage. So when you think about agility, we need new ways of communicating that allow brands to connect with consumers, while still retaining that rich history and heritage. I talked already about Shops, and we’ve also just launched Reels, which is a new functionality on Instagram that permits brands to create authentic home videos, and we’ve had very strong feedback on this so far, especially when it comes to the creative community. Creators and brands have been testing Reels to see how they can engage with consumers and we are very excited as we continue to evolve it. We just announced that Reels would now have the option to create 30-second duration videos as well as 15-second videos, which will give more space for creativity. Louis Vuitton was one of the first to test Reels and it’s been great because the luxury world is understanding that it can create things in a very light yet authentic manner, without losing the essence of who they are as a brand.

Last time we talked you shared with us some of the AI applications you were working on for luxury brands, particularly with Instagram – how has this progressed and can you share anymore on how new technology is enhancing the customer experience with luxury brands?

When it comes to artificial intelligence, filters are still a great way for brands to communicate creatively and to be able to allow people to engage in an interactive way with the brand. It’s very early, but we are working on an AI assistant function that will recommend your outfit and accessories and help you find the perfect combination. This is some of the work that is being done by the Facebook AI researchers and one of the projects is to work out how to make new style recommendations and options to make outfits more fashionable. This is called Fashion++ and we are doing a lot of research in this segment at the moment. It’s still in the very early stages and of course, it’s important to be sure that the impact is positive and it works effectively before it is out in the public domain. So we are doing a lot of work to build more futuristic tools that are also very practical when it comes to life and the fashion and luxury world.

Facebook Shops

What is the process you go through when a brand comes to you looking for solutions?

It’s critical that when brands invest with us that we are able to drive value for themselves. Our approach with every single one of our partners is customised. This is key to allowing us to make sure we can address their business and consumer needs. We aim to take advantage of the fact that yes, we are a technology company, but we are also a company that provides tools that brands can use to support their businesses. We have resources at our disposal from our Creative Shop team, which allows us to help brands best translate their messages digitally. The world is becoming more technical and we can advise brands how best to be the most efficient when it comes to media. For innovation, we work very closely with our product teams and luxury brands are often the first ones to go to market with our new innovations, like Shops and Reels. The approach is very much customer depending on what the brand is looking for.

What can you tell us about Facebook for luxury in the Middle East? Our approach when it comes to building on our luxury support teams is that we have been very much focused on making sure that we can address different market needs. We started the team with just two people in early 2015 and we have worked on building a practice that is able to respect the codes of luxury. Over the years we have grown our teams in our key markets including in our Dubai office who work with our partners in markets. What’s important is that all of our teams align so we have a global brand strategy but each market can adapt that locally. When it comes to creating content, for example, we’ve had brands like Cartier who have adapted their creative to the Middle East market and we are able to have very close alignments and inputs with this, working with our global partners, making sure that they can address if needed, their audiences in a more relevant way.

This issue we are talking about success – how would you define success?

There is a Japanese philosophy that aligns the different aspects of success. The first part is professional success, being passionate about what one does, being able to make a living out of the way one lives and also, having an impact on the world. And so if you think about these different aspects, having the balance of these things is the secret to success. It can be very difficult to balance these, but personal fulfilment has to be part of success. Success on paper is great, but if it doesn’t drive your passions you can never have true success.

How do you think Facebook can help enhance or speed up success for businesses in the luxury sector?

We’ve done a lot of work in this sector specifically related to diversity and inclusion. This is a topic that’s very important for the company and we are very focused on the ways that we help and support business owners around this aspect. From making donations to support small businesses especially during this crisis and also using our tools and platforms to respond to the needs of these businesses. When we look at some of our functionalities like Shops; there are very concrete ways for companies to talk to people who can’t come into the physical stores to engage with the customers.

With success comes setbacks or failures – in your line of work how do you deal with failures and stay motivated?

The most important aspect is asking what we learnt from that setback. Asking why didn’t it work? One of the posters that we had in the office read “Fail Harder”. I find this very relevant. It means that failure is actually accepted and welcomed because it helps us to be better and to improve on what it is we’re working on. There have been many projects that have not worked but they have allowed us to build on the next one.

Facebook Shops

What would you still like to achieve in your role that you haven’t been able to do yet?

Right now, we have a very big opportunity that we’re still addressing because no one knows what the future is going to look like. Making sure that we are the number one partners and that we truly drive value for our partners is key. That value can come in different ways, it can be brand equity for example. We have a new objective to figure out how to create the most luxurious online experience that you can imagine. And I do believe that it is critical to create a seamless experience when it comes to the in-store and online experience. We have made a lot of different advances and there is a huge opportunity that’s still yet to be tapped into.

What do you think is something positive that will come from this period?

We had a reality that we thought was going to be the same forever and now the realisation is that things can change and have changed overnight. So the opportunity arises from who is best positioned to be able to adapt and be agile in this ever-changing world. That’s what’s going to be most important moving forward and that’s where the opportunities will come.

If you could look back, what is something that you would tell your younger self?

Stop doubting your talent. You are going to achieve and really become a force. I think this is something that we all work on, daily and personally; my experience has been very culturally led. I was born in Nigeria and I lived in London and the US before coming to Paris and when you are a black woman and you don’t see examples of people who have been successful ahead of you, it’s, unfortunately, easier to doubt whether you can achieve this level of success. Not just professionally, but personally as well. I take this responsibility very seriously and I discuss and engage with a lot of young women who are trying to figure out what their path is going to be and try to help guide them and allow them to learn from my experiences.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

It’s not something that was given to me personally but I believe the best quote that has inspired me was by Mark Twain who said: “They didn’t know it was impossible, so they did it.” I think this is important because when you set limits for yourself or you are blocked by the ideas that things are not feasible, that is one of the factors to failure. So knowing that the impossible can happen is the key.

What is the professional that motto you live by?

It’s absolutely critical to focus on people first.

Apple has unveiled its new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini complete with a beautiful new design and 5G technology.

The most innovative iPhone yet, the new models include A14 Bionic, an advanced dual-camera system, and edge-to-edge Super Retina XDR display for a brighter more immersive viewing experience and Ceramic Shield front cover.

The Apple-designed A14 Bionic, the fastest chip in a smartphone, powers every experience on iPhone 12, allowing for a smoother, faster and more technologically advanced experience.

Apple iPhone 12

The advanced dual-camera system delivers new computational photography features and the highest quality video in a smartphone.

“The arrival of 5G marks the beginning of a new era for iPhone and we’re thrilled to bring these impressive new capabilities to our customers with iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “We’re once again pushing the boundaries to deliver incredible computational photography advancements, Super Retina XDR displays, and the biggest leap in durability in iPhone history with the new Ceramic Shield front cover. Available in two great sizes, iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini take design to a new level in a new form factor that’s as beautiful as it is durable, and makes it easier than ever for customers to find the perfect iPhone to fit their lifestyle.”

Apple iPhone 12

iPhone 12 models also introduce MagSafe, offering high-powered wireless charging and an all-new ecosystem of accessories that easily attach to iPhone. The two sizes of iPhone 12 are available in five aluminium finishes, including blue, green, black, white, and (PRODUCT)RED.

Also unveiled were the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max with 5G.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro

These larger models again feature the powerful A14 Bionic, all-new design with Ceramic Shield, pro camera system, LiDAR Scanner, and the biggest Super Retina XDR display ever on an iPhone.

The two phones use a powerful 5G experience and advanced technologies that push the boundaries of innovation for users who want the most out of iPhone.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro

“This is a huge leap for iPhone, bringing the best 5G experience in the market and delivering our most advanced technologies to users who want the absolute most from their iPhone,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Each generation of iPhone has changed what we expect from a smartphone, and now with 5G, iPhone 12 Pro provides a new generation of performance. Our tight integration of hardware and software enables incredible computational photography features like the expansion of Night mode to more cameras, and introduces support for HDR video with Dolby Vision. A state-of-the-art LiDAR Scanner means users can experience AR like never before, and also offers benefits to the camera with faster autofocus in low light and the introduction of Night mode portraits. These experiences and so much more make this the best iPhone lineup ever.”

Pre-orders for iPhone 12 begin Friday, October 16, with availability beginning Friday, October 23. iPhone 12 mini will be available for pre-order beginning Friday, November 6, and in stores beginning Friday, November 13.

iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models in graphite, silver, gold, and pacific blue starting at AED 4,199 and AED 4,699, respectively. Customers can also get iPhone 12 Pro for AED 3,139with trade-in and iPhone 12 Pro Max for AED 3,489 with trade-in from apple.com, in the Apple Store app, and at AppleStore locations.⁹ iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max are also available through Apple Authorized Resellers and select carriers (prices may vary).

Celine’s Fall/Winter 2020-21 Collection Designed by Hedi Slimane Features Masculine Styles With a Feminine Seventies Twist Creating the Perfect Blend of Old Meets New.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO…

Goat coat in cashmere, Jabot blouse in silk, Crosta 70’s skirt in calfskin, Melody tri-buckle Mary Jane pump shoes in python, Medium 16 bag in calfskin.
All CELINE BY HEDI SLIMANE

Rust 70’s short skirt in velvet cotton, Multicolour flower printed sable blouse with Anita collar, Supple leather trench coat in lambskin, Melody creased Mary Jane pump shoes, AncreCeline cuff in gold brass.
All CELINE BY HEDI SLIMANE

Rust 70’s short skirt in velvet cotton, Multicolour flower printed sable blouse with Anita collar, Supple leather trench coat in lambskin, Melody creased Mary Jane pump shoes, AncreCeline cuff in gold brass.
All CELINE BY HEDI SLIMANE

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE… 

Silk blouse with plastron and lavaliere, Leather saharienne signature jacket in lambskin, Dylan flare pants in velvet, Elegant 11 belt.
All CELINE BY HEDI SLIMANE

Slim mid-rise jeans, Loose cotton shirt with pleated collar, V-neck cashmere sweater, Celine Folco boots in calfskin, Ava bag – triomphe canvas.
All CELINE BY HEDI SLIMANE

Folk vest in velvet, Long wool skirt, Loose silk shirt with long lavaliere, Keith hat with soft bord, Horizontal cabas – Triomphe embroidery, Celine Folco boots in calfskin.
All CELINE BY HEDI SLIMANE

Folk vest in velvet, Long wool skirt, Loose silk shirt with long lavaliere, Keith hat with soft bord, Horizontal cabas – Triomphe embroidery, Celine Folco boots in calfskin.
All CELINE BY HEDI SLIMANE

Lavaliere dress with butterfly sleeves, Over the knee flat boots in suede and calfskin, Les Cristaux Celine fragment oval cuff in brass gold and rock crystal.
All CELINE BY HEDI SLIMANE

Short wool jacket, Culotte wool skirt, Sweater with boule collar in cashmere, Claude calfskin boots, Elegant 9 belt in whips snake Tambour bag – Triomphe canvas.
All CELINE BY HEDI SLIMANE

Flower jacquard velvet cape, Flower jacquard velvet Colombine dress, Claude boots in calfskin.
All CELINE BY HEDI SLIMANE

Etro has opened a store dedicated to its luxury home collections in Beirut, Lebanon.

The 700 square-metre boutique is located in the fashionable downtown area of the city and is comprised of two floors.

A colourful eclectic open space that reflects the brand’s identity the store has walls covered in floral prints as well as the house’s iconic Paisley patterns in the form of wallpapers.

Parquet flooring and golden decorative elements are offset against the luxury furniture pieces, as well as wallpapers and decorative accessories.

The boutique was opened in collaboration with the local partner AD Collection, and furniture pieces are produced under license by Jumbo Group, and wallpapers by Rasch wallpapers.

The 2020 Green Carpet fashion Awards highlights some of the fashion industry’s trailblazers in the realms on sustainability, equality and environmental issues

This year’s very different Green Carpet Fashion Awards took place through a digital event that saw attendees and award winners tune in from the comfort of their own homes. The unique event combines visual FX, holograms and animation to transform Milan’s Teatro Alla Scala into virtual reality. The fourth edition of the event which celebrates, diversity, equality, sustainability and the future of the industry was organised by Exo-Age with and Camera Nazionale Della Moda, with support from the Italian government and Italian Trade Agency. Issues including the global pandemic, social inequality and unrest, sustainability, pollution and the Black Lives Matter movement were all key topics of discussion throughout the ceremony.

Livia Firth

Livia Firth, the founder of Eco-Age, spoke of “re-fashioning” the industry, “healing what is broken and treading lightly with little luggage,” going forward. “How we see the future is through the clothes we wear every day,” she said.

Colin Firth

Highlights of the night included the moment actress Zendaya was awarded the 2020 Visionary Award which recognises trailblazers in the industry who have been at the forefront of fashion and are leaders in issues such as equality and diversity. Zendaya was praised for leading the charge to increase both inclusivity and diversity in fashion and using her platform as an actress to open doors and give a voice to those who otherwise would not be able to showcase their talent. The actress wore a vintage silk beaded dress from the Versace fall/winter 1996 collection – the year of her birth.

The GCFA Best Independent Designer Award went to Sindiso Khumalo, a Central St Martins graduate and sustainable textile designer based in Cape Town. The designer addresses issues such as sustainability, environmental issues and poverty with her designs. The GCFA North Star Award was won by the organization UN for the UN Global Goals while Venetian brand Progetto Quid won the CNMI Responsible Disruption Award, and the work of Italian artisans was recognized with the GCFA Art of Craftmanship Award, supported by S.Pellegrino.

Sindiso Khumalo Spring/Summer 2021

Meanwhile, Ellie Goulding wore a custom made gown by Ralph and Russo adorned with 150 Gemfields Zambian emeralds as she made an appearance on the virtual green carpet. The singer wore the sustainably produced emerald green gown when she appeared virtually from her home.

Ellie Goulding

Other virtual attendees opted to wear recycled dresses including model Arizona Muse who re-wore an Alberta Ferretti gown created from certified organic silks that have been produced without the use of chemical pesticides. The model had originally worn the gown at Venice Film Festival. The designer was also in attendance to share a message of sustainability and hope via a video link. Alberta Ferretti wore a gown inspired  by the ocean and its waves to remind us of “good memories and new ones to come.”

Ariozona Muse wears Alberta Ferretti

Elsewhere actress Julianne Moore, Iman, Robert Downey Jr, Colin Firth and more were wearing recycled pieces or outfits that have the most minimal impact on the environment. The event also saw personalities such as Olivia Palermo, Maisie Williams, Cate Blanchett, Lucky Blue Smith, Nomzamo Mbatha, and Lewis Hamilton participating, some appearing as holograms.

Retro futuristic undertones, modern lines and bold colours represent Fendi’s strong vision of femininity in the fall/winter 2020-21 collection designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi.

Discover the collection in our latest editorial shoot “New Age”

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO…

Suede jumpsuit fitted at the waist, Suede cardigan jacket with an all-over micro perforated motif, Suede Wide Belt, Peekaboo ISEEU, Iconic Medium FF Mono Earring, ALL FENDI

Long A-line coat with peak lapels and wide puffed sleeves. Promenade Biker Boot Peekaboo, ISEEU Iconic Medium ALL FENDI

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE…

Jumpsuit with short trouser legs, wide puffed sleeves and teardrop-shaped neckline. ALL FENDI

Long single-breasted coat with squared shoulders, Peekaboo ISEEU Iconic Medium, Black Bootie in Elastic Lace Intreccio ALL FENDI

Long mink animal print coat with lamb leather lining, Sleeveless sheath dress with squared shoulders and matching belt at the waist, Peekaboo ISEEU Iconic Medium ALL FENDI

Leather midi dress with wide puffed sleeves. Promenade Boot, Peekaboo XS
ALL FENDI

Single breasted long coat with wide puffed sleeves. Baguette with chain, ALL FENDI

Light nylon jersey midi dress with sweetheart neckline, Straight-cut blouse with puff sleeves, Mini Peekaboo Fendi Colibri Lite Slingback ALL FENDI

Light nylon jersey midi dress with sweetheart neckline, Straight-cut blouse with puff sleeves, Mini Peekaboo Fendi Colibri Lite Slingback ALL FENDI

Medium leather shopper with embossed logo, Jumpsuit with short trouser legs, wide puffed sleeves and teardrop-shaped neckline. Quilted A-line Skirt Promenade, ankle boots with velcro strap at the ankle and leg. ALL FENDI

Actress Cate Blanchett has sat down with IWC Schaffhausen CMO Franziska Gsell to talk sustainability and the future.

Following the release of IWC Schaffhausen’s second sustainability report the two women discussed a topic that is very dear to them, touching on IWC’s approach to the topic, its environmental and social impact and how it has become a leader in sustainable luxury watchmaking.

Franziska Gsell

IWC CMO Franziska Gsell, who is also the chair of the brand’s sustainability committee hosted the video conference which also saw them discuss the longevity of IWC’ mechanical timepieces and how they are in themselves sustainable thanks to the fact that they are engineered to last for generations. They also spoke about the importance of protecting the environment by purchasing renewable energy and reducing waste. Another focal point was the responsible sourcing of raw materials and IWC’s certification to the 2019 Code of Practices of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).

Cate Blanchett said: “When Franziska and I first met in 2015, we quickly discovered our mutual interest in sustainability topics. It is more important than ever for brands to review their environmental footprint and take concrete steps towards sustainability. The notion of transparency is key because clients want to know how a luxury product is manufactured.”

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE…

Swiss triathlete Daniela Ryf has taken on some of the hardest physical challenges in the world.

A ten-time Ironman World Champion, she pushes her body to the limits to endure some of the hardest races known to man. Ironman challenges typically consist of a 3.86 km swim, a 180.25 km bicycle ride and a marathon, raced in that order. The races are undertaken all around the world, often in extreme conditions and require a lifetime of training.

Daniela began her triathlete career at a young age. She joined her first team when she was just 13 and began training in her home country of Switzerland. Triathlons have taken her all around the world, with some of her most notable successes including winning the Ironman World Championship in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. She has a total of an impressive ten World Championship wins.

This year has been very different for the athlete, who is used to flying across the world for her next race. Because of the global pandemic, Daniela has spent much of this year in Switzerland, continuing to train and improving her skills as well as recently returning to studies in Food Science.

Daniela is a member of Breitling’s Triathlon Squad, which was formed in 2018 as part of the brand’s “Squad on a Mission” campaign. Daniela was recently in Geneva for the launch of the Breitling Endurance Pro during the Geneva Watch Days event. The Breitling Endurance Pro is the latest sports watch from the brand, joining Breitling’s professional line of timepieces. This ultra-light, highly precise and sporty watch is perfect for those undertaking high impact sports and its interchangeable colour straps make it stylish and unique. To find out more about why this watch suits her lifestyle and how this year has allowed her to develop and evaluate her success so far, we talk to Daniela Ryf.

Why did you decide to partner with Breitling and what are the values you share with the brand?

The way the brand is established, especially with Georges Kern (CEO) having such enthusiasm, is really dynamic. It’s a very sporty brand but technically very elaborate. The fact that it is Swiss is also very cool as I am Swiss too, in fact, Breitling’s headquarters are actually close to where I live and grew up. In terms of values, I think

putting effort into sports and always striving for perfection are very similar to mine. Even during the lockdown, I was seeing similarities with how Breitling was still very active, they didn’t want to stop, and as an athlete, I am very similar. I kept training! And now I’m waiting to get back to the competitions. The Squads are something very new and it’s a very unique concept. Having great athletes come together and with Georges Kern joining us for initiatives like for example the Coronation Double Century race in South Africa, it starts to feel like a family.

What do you look for in a watch you wear when you are training or competing and for your free time?

For training, I always look for something very light. That’s why the Endurance Pro is so great. I want a watch that I don’t feel on my wrist when I’m training and also something comfortable. I’m not the kind of person that wants to track everything all the time on a watch so I like the approach of this watch being sporty and functional, but not over analysing everything or going too much into the data. It’s still a very stylish watch, but robust and sporty. That’s why I love it. In my free time, I do love the Superocean. I like to be a little bit classier when I’m not training, as I don’t always walk around in my running shoes!

Do you find you can wear the Endurance Pro when you’re not training too?

Yes, especially the one on the white strap. I think for a woman, that’s the one I love the most. You can pair it with jeans and a white shirt and it looks so cool, classy and modern. When you add colours it makes it sportier but I also wear the orange strap quite a lot, it’s cool because it’s different and it stands out. But for everyday life, I would say the white is my favourite.

What are your thoughts on the women’s offering at Breitling?

I think it has changed quite a bit and now there is a huge focus on women’s watches and there is more to come. I love their approach because I’m quite a strong woman; I’m sporty and I don’t wear tiny watches, I like to have a good piece on my wrist but still keep it classy. I love the Navitimer for example. I like how it approaches the elegance of women but still represents a strong side of women.

Breitling’s squad concept is very unique to the brand – what is it like to be lined up alongside the other successful squad members?

It’s been quite a lot of fun and we’ve had a few projects together already. I think the highlight has been the cycling race in South Africa, we went as a Squad and took part in a big team race together, that was great fun. Plus, it was for a good cause, which is cool, and it’s great to make memories together.

Of course this year you haven’t been able to compete – as an athlete how have you managed during this time?

I’ve gone through quite a lot of phases. In the beginning, I thought it was awesome, the pressure was off and I could train and just be at home doing my own thing. But then after a while, I started to miss the races. It became hard when I was training but I wasn’t getting to compete, as this is the way I often measure my fitness. So this year I never really had that. In one way it felt like freedom, then in the other way, it was hard to know if I was going in the right direction. I was hoping that I would have been able to compete in September but the race was postponed again. So every time this happens you have to adjust again and there is always uncertainty, which is hard. To be honest, I do enjoy training quite a lot, so I have been able to keep myself motivated but I think there is a positive and negative side. I could say, “Why should I train if there are no races?” Then, on the other hand, I could say, “I have one year now to get even better than where I was last year.” So it’s really how you look at the situation.

What is the goal currently, are there any races you are working towards?

It changed in September as they cancelled more races, so at the moment I have told myself that it is going to be next year before I can race again. So having accepted that makes things easier as I have a long-term motivation and more time to focus on a few things that I normally wouldn’t. But who knows what is going to happen.

What is a lesson you have learnt from this year?

I have learnt that I don’t do what I do just because of the racing; it’s the whole process. I’ve realised that sometimes the process of continually working to improve my fitness to see how fit I can become. I still get satisfaction when I have a good ride or a good session that makes me feel really tired. So the fact that I still have that satisfaction is good proof for me that I am doing the right thing. I have also learnt to be patient and flexible which has been very important this year for everyone. I also did some new things – I started to play the piano and use my time differently.

Triathlons are not something easy – what made you decide to go into this line of work and what keeps you motivated?

I started very early and I just grew into it. I was swimming when I was 9 and doing athletics when I was 10 and then I went to a youth camp, which is where I met my former coach. He invited me to join his team in Basel when I was 13 and from then on I was already doing triathlons. So I never really decided to do it, it’s something that just happened and I really started to enjoy it. We had a great team it was lots of fun – we trained hard but we went out on the weekends, so it was a really good combination. I made so many friends who are still my best friends today. I think the surrounding just worked well and I enjoyed getting better. A lot of the people I trained with were quite a bit older than me and I always wanted to beat them or be as fast as them and I think that’s how I started to enjoy what I did. It was never in my plan to do it as my job but it just happened and I think this is often the way.

What’s the biggest challenge you face as an athlete?

What most people underestimate is that being an athlete is a 24/7 job. Even when you’re not training you’re always an athlete and you have to live it all the time. You’re always thinking about nutrition, recovery, training. It’s 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So I think the biggest challenge is to keep that balance of enjoying life and training. Sometimes I need to do things that might not always be the best as an athlete but you have to allow yourself to relax and this, in the long run, will help your performance, as it’s hard to perform if you are too tense.

What is the biggest achievement in your life so far?

It would be the 2018 race in Kona during which I got stung by a jellyfish. I almost drowned during the swim when it happened just moments before the race started and I wanted to give up, but I decided I would fight through somehow. I was about 10 minutes behind at this point but I kept going until eventually the stinging stopped and I not only won the race but also got a World Championship record.

What went through your mind during that race?

I told myself that the jellyfish sting didn’t happen and tried to ignore it, but it was very hard as it really hurt! The harder I swam the more blood there was and the more it burned. That was most definitely the craziest race I’ve ever had. For me, quitting is never really an option and I had to find a way to carry on and finish the race. I didn’t even think about winning, I thought maybe I’ll do it in 15 hours instead of 8 and a half, but I just didn’t want to give up. This taught me how a bad situation can be turned into a good situation.

What is something you would still like to achieve that you haven’t had the chance to do yet?

For a race itself, it’s hard because the World Championship is definitely the biggest and I have achieved that, but I think it’s always hard to do it again and again. The higher the expectations, the harder it is to do it again. I still think I haven’t had my absolute perfect race but I also think the goal is to have performances that people can remember. I hope a jellyfish never stings me again but that’s why racing is interesting because no matter how prepared you are, something can always happen.

You are working on a programme that helps to develop young talent – what can you tell us about this and why is it important to you?

Yes, it’s a programme I run in my hometown in Switzerland. I believe that if you give young people an opportunity, that’s the only way they can become good at something. Of course, they have to take that opportunity but it needs to be there in the first place. I was lucky that I found my team when I was young and that was my opportunity. So to be able to go to training and have the opportunity to train alongside the education is great for some of these kids. It was important to me to give back and we have around 12 athletes in the programme now. They come to see our training and I think it’s great for them to see where they can get to.

Where is a place you like to travel to?

I’m quite lucky that I can train close to home. I do like to switch places but I don’t like to actually travel. Especially having so much luggage for races! But within Switzerland, there are so many different places you can travel to and different landscapes and temperatures. I’m a mountain person; I feel such locations give you peace.

What do you do during downtime or on days off?

Sometimes I just like to sleep! I’m quite a relaxed person and I think because I train so much it is nice to go out for dinner or go to a lake and have some quiet time.

What is the motto that you live by?

Success is not to win everything but to make the best out of each situation. So whatever gets thrown at you it doesn’t matter if you’re the best as long as you give your best, that’s all you can do.

In every great career we see people experience failures – how do you deal with that and is there any particular failure you can share with us that was a big learning experience for you?

I try to use it as motivation. I had one race in Frankfurt where I was just really cold, I thought I was going to freeze to death and I had to stop and pull out of the race during the cycle. This was hard for me because I had to give up, but I was almost falling off the bike, I didn’t have a choice. But I think you can always take something good out of a bad situation like that and try to improve for next time.

Amna Al Habtoor has been fascinated by fragrance her whole life. Inspired by the scent worn by her late mother and the memories and emotions that fragrance evokes in her mind, the UAE-born entrepreneur set about creating her own business that captures these moments and bottles them to be reminded of them forever. Her first scent was created as part of her wedding day.

A perfume that would capture that moment and remind her of the special day forever. Realising her love for fragrance, Amna decided that it was more than just a passion and she left the family business to set about fulfilling her own dreams by opening her own perfume business. Arcadia by Amna was born in 2015 with a line of scents that conjure up memories and emotions. With a collection of dynamic fine fragrances, Arcadia sustains purity. Each fragrance is made cruelty-free, paraben-free, chemical-free, using the highest quality ingredients.

Earlier this year, Arcadia by Amna opened its first flagship store in Dubai allowing clients to really immerse themselves in the Arcadia experience and lifestyle for the first time. The store opening has been coupled with a line of limited edition fragrances that capture the moment we are in right now. While this has been a turbulent year in many ways, Amna has taken it as an opportunity to reassess and plan for the future. We discover what’s next on her journey and what we can expect to see from the brand moving forward.

This year has been a strange one for all – what is something you have learnt during this period?

This year so far has definitely been a struggle, especially during lockdown. My main takeaway is how I learnt to be content with being alone, without the distractions of everyday life that kept me occupied before the pandemic.

How did you spend your time during the lockdown?

I spent a lot of time with my family and home-schooling my two older children. Baking was something that kept me busy too, like most people around the world!

Are there any changes you have made within the company during this time that you think are for the better? And is there anything you believe you will do differently moving forward?

We utilised this time to look back and reflect on what our future plans should be and what we should launch next. We have very exciting plans in the works! Before the pandemic, Arcadia has always adopted a more flexible working approach, whether it was with timings or working from home, so that’s a policy that’s here to stay!

You recently opened a store in Dubai what can you tell us about that?

Arcadia’s flagship store officially opened in March this year. The store showcases our full offering, with all ten scents from our debut collection, Edition 1 and the Edition 2 collection, as well as several limited-edition fragrances. To coincide with the store launch, we created an exclusive Limited Edition fragrance called “Bounded” to bookmark this big step in our journey. The opening of our flagship store in Dubai not only reinforces our goal to be recognised as one of the leading perfumeries in the region but also reiterates our long- term expansion plans both regionally and internationally.

Take us back to the beginning – what was your initial idea behind Arcadia By Amna and what were the challenges you faced at the start of your journey?

My love for fragrances is inspired by the memories of my late mother, peace be upon her. This passion grew more with time and fuelled me to start experimenting with my own mixtures that made me reminisce meaningful moments in my life. I loved the idea of bookmarking a significant time in life and being able to return to it with a familiar aroma. I first took a leap of faith when I created a fragrance to capture the moment of my wedding and distributed it to all my guests as a memento. This fragrance, Infinity, is now part of Arcadia’s collection.

Of course, having passion needs to be accompanied with the know-how, so I did several perfumery courses in London and New York. The biggest challenge for me at the start of my journey was to believe in myself and in my passion and leave the family business to pursue the vision I had for Arcadia.

How important do you think it is for men and women to have fragrance in their lives?

Simply put, long after one has forgotten what another wore, the memory of their perfume lingers.

Your fragrances are unisex – how do you think the industry has changed in terms of having fragrances that are more versatile for men and women?

All of our fragrances are unisex as we wanted to create scents free from societal and gender norms. Our collection aims to focus solely on memories, nostalgia and emotions rather than femininity and masculinity. I think this shift in approach, especially when it comes to gender norms, is something we are seeing across the spectrum, so why not when it comes to perfumery?

What are your thoughts on fragrance layering?

Creating perfumes based on layering is unique to Arab culture and tradition. We always love to elevate our fragrances by layering them with bakhoor and oils – it makes the scent distinctive, whilst keeping true to the notes of the scents. Each household has a unique bakhoor formulation that is passed down from generation to generation. That unique bakhoor scent adds a very personal touch to the layering aspect of the perfumes that are created. From our collection, No. 1 Royal Orchard and No. 9 Vanilla Pod are standout fragrances when it comes to layering because they work beautifully with bakhoor and other oils.

What is a favourite ingredient that you love to work with?

That’s a very difficult question! But I particularly love working with musk as it gives so much depth to the overall scent.

Can you remember the first perfume you owned?

Ombré Bleue by Jean-Charles Brosseau was one of the first perfumes I owned; my mother actually bought it for me. Although it was a complex scent for a child, I loved it!

What can you tell us about your latest products or what we can expect to see soon?

We launched “Unity” earlier this month as a Limited Edition fragrance and it has already sold out within less than a month! Soon, you can expect more fragrances and product extensions.

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

There’s a lot on my bucket list when it comes to Arcadia. Generally speaking, however, I would still like to gain more awareness internationally as a UAE brand.

How would you define success?

Many often measure success solely on superficial metrics, but to me, success is defined by happiness, love and pride in what you do every day.

With every success comes setback and failures – how do you deal with this and stay motivated?

When I face setbacks, I always go back to why I started Arcadia, and that was to create fragrances inspired by the memories of my late mother. Her memory will always keep me motivated.

What is a challenge you have faced throughout your journey and how did you overcome it?

The COVID-19 pandemic that humanity is facing is for sure the biggest challenge to date! But upon Arcadia’s inception, my biggest challenge was creating fragrances that were not only nostalgic for me, but also for whoever smelt them. I also didn’t want to create a brand that was intimidating since Arcadia is more of a feeling. It is this raw, authentic emotion we all can relate to.

If you could look back, what is something that you would tell your younger self?

I would tell myself to continue taking risks. Looking back now, the best career decisions I ever made were when I took risks.

How do you think your heritage and upbringing has influenced what you do today?

I always want to stay true to my culture, heritage and upbringing. This wasn’t difficult to do, particularly when formulating fragrances, as we are blessed with a variety of unique notes. These oriental notes are commonly used in Arcadia, but paired with unusual notes to give it international appeal.

What would you say to anyone at the beginning of their business journey?

Believe in yourself and look to those who have your best intentions at heart for support!

What is the life motto you live by?

Don’t be too hard on yourself, in the end we are all human.

Luxury hat-maker Borsalino has unveiled its fall/winter 2020-21 campaign which pays homage to the brand’s heritage and the Italian tradition of hat-making.

Known for its world-renowned craftsmanship, Borsalino opens the doors of its Spinetta Marengo in manufacture Alessandria, Italy and Villa Borsalino, the home of founder Giuseppe Borsalino’s heirs.

Inviting you into the heart and soul of the brand, this campaign is all about celebrating the craftsmanship and artisanal techniques that have been celebrated by the house for 163 years.

Borsalino is currently undergoing a relaunch strategy under the artistic direction of Creative Curator Giacomo Santucci to translate its DNA into contemporary aesthetics and project the Maison’s 163 years of Italian elegance and style into the future.

This campaign interprets the new collection with a modern edge while capturing the essence of the Maison at these key locations.

Borsalino’s Spinetta Marengo manufacture is a magical place where the company’s talented craftsmen and machines work together side by side like a musical orchestra. Between the antique wooden tools and puffs of steam, felt materials take shape thanks to its one-of-a-kind manufacturing process that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Requiring talent, time and expertise, each Borsalino hat necessitates more than 50 manual steps and a minimum of 7 weeks to complete.

Villa Borsalino, built in a Genoese style and residence, is full of unique charm and contemporary spirit, reflective of both founder Giuseppe Borsalino and his descendants’ passion for art and travel.

The campaign stars models Natasha Borozan; Sofia Vittoria Ronchi; Daniele Crostella and Andrea Rodriguez Mianulli and was shot by Italian photographer Helmut Berta.

Her Excellency Sara Al Madani does it all – a mother, wife entrepreneur, motivational speaker, business manager, fashion designer, CEO, tech-innovator and more.

This young woman has accomplished so much at a young age, starting her first business at the age of just 15, and is paving the way for the next generation of Emiratis to do the same. She ventured into the business world when most Emirati women were afraid to do so. Breaking stereotypes and defying gender and cultural norms she never looks back only forward to the next challenge. Today she has many businesses, her latest being a technology and robotics company that is changing the way we use technology in our day-to-day lives.

In a year when we all faced challenges, Dr Sara Al Madani sees them as opportunities and her entrepreneurial spirit allows her to take leaps and move on to the next thing when others are dwelling on their failures. Throughout the pandemic, Al Madani has been looking at ways she can maximise the potential of her business and explore new ways of working. We discover what are her secrets to being a positive, successful and opportunistic businesswoman.

This year has been a strange year for all – what is something you have learnt from this period?

I am an extremely positive person and I have total control of my emotions – if I can’t do something about it why worry? And if I can do something about it why worry? So I don’t worry about anything. When the COVID situation started, of course, the business was hit, the economy was hit and everything went bad, but to be honest I’ve been through worse! I’ve dealt with bankruptcy and two recessions, so I knew that when things hit rock bottom, my heart and mind would always be there so I can pick up easily. I call it the “nest effect”, because as a bird when the wind blows your way if you know how to build a nest you will build it anywhere.

With situations like these, I think of it as though I am a student of life. I don’t see it as a negative. So when the crisis came, I started questioning where my opportunities were. As a businesswoman, I decided to focus on where I can grow at a time when a lot of businesses were struggling to stay alive. To be completely honest they didn’t all go bankrupt because they didn’t have the money to survive, it was because their business model didn’t fit the new one required to succeed today. You have Uber for example who owns no cars or drivers, compared with something like Avis who owns all their drivers and cars. So there is a lot more to lose and the business can’t be adapted easily. But to me, when I see this happening I start drooling as an entrepreneur because I know the field is open for me to play! In any crisis, there is always an opportunity for people who thrive and who can solve problems.

The most important thing I learnt during this time is that it’s OK not to be busy. Because I was always on fast-forward. I used to feel that if I wasn’t doing anything, I wasn’t being productive and I have managed to change my mindset on this and change my priorities and the way I look at life. I am a very spiritual person and I have been trying to find ways to upgrade myself throughout this time and it has been a beautiful learning experience.

Have you changed any of the ways you plan to do business moving forward?

The culture within my companies has never been a corporate culture. I believe in leadership and I believe in people. I already knew that people could do the same work at home, but what I have just realised is where money was wasted. I used to spend so much money as a company in creating a great atmosphere; a beautiful office etc. and now I see that it is not necessary at all. There are so many ways that you can be connected with your team and I realised that letting go of these attachments really allows things to work. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a beautiful office or at home on a kitchen table. So the way we spend money within the business has completely changed. Even when it comes to employees, we are open to hiring part-timers as this is something that works and allows the employees to have flexibility.

How would you define success?

Success is asking ‘what have I done for myself and what have I done for others?’ It is not about certificates on the wall or trophies on the shelf. I know so many people who are so successful and have made a lot of money, but they’re not happy because they haven’t found their purpose in life. A lot of people tell me I’m selfless because I keep talking about giving and helping others, but what people don’t understand is that when I do that for people, I’m not being selfless, I’m being selfish – because that action feeds my soul. But at least I’m selfish by doing something beneficial for others!

With every success comes setbacks and failures – how do you deal with these setbacks and stay motivated?

I’m releasing a book soon called “The Mango Tree”. In this book, I talk about how I downloaded the best version of me. One of the chapters looks at how I discipline myself with failure. What people need to understand is that failure is an emotion – it’s anger inside. Just like any emotion in your life, you need to get it out of your system physically. You can’t just sit down and change your mindset. I have something called the 48-hour rule where for 48 hours I give myself the green light to do anything I want to express my emotions. This can be going to the beach and screaming, boxing, going to a room and breaking glass – as long as it takes that emotion physically out of my body. Then after that period, I discipline myself focus on the solutions.

We all grew up thinking that failure is something we should be ashamed of. And our reaction is to blame someone or something else for our failures so we can feel better about it. This mindset is completely wrong because if you play the blame game, you don’t get anywhere. So when I fail, I sit down and think about what my contribution to this failure has been. I cannot change anybody else, all I can change is me and what I did to add to this failure. So I write down where I went wrong and once I do this, I can start learning. Failure is a step towards the ladder of success and if someone tells you they’ve made it without any failures, they’re lying. I don’t understand why people take failure personally – if you failed it’s because an ingredient is missing you need to work out what that is and do it in a new way.

What advice would you give to anyone afraid to take risks?

You’re willing to take risks all the time. Driving your car in the morning is a risk. So why don’t you take other risks? Because you don’t know for certain what the outcome will be. It doesn’t mean you should not take it. You take risks every day, but the only risk that might change your life and be spectacular is the only one you don’t want to take? It doesn’t make sense. If I don’t take risks, I cannot sleep at night! Knowing that there was an opportunity that I could have taken and I didn’t kills me. Every risk has a 50/50 chance and we shouldn’t be focusing on what if it fails. Focus on what if it works and you become a better person from this.

What is your biggest achievement so far?

I don’t like to link myself to one specific achievement. To me, every day is an achievement. If I come home and I’m still alive and I’m healthy, I celebrate. I celebrate every single success, small or big! If you teach yourself to do this, you’ll feel good about every single thing you do. What kills me is when I meet people who don’t want to celebrate every success; don’t be so hard on yourself.

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

So much! I only live once and I want to try every single possible thing in the world. When I think I cannot do something I limit my possibilities, but if I’ve tried everything then at least I know.

We know you wear many hats – how do you manage your time and ensure a work/life balance?

I do not believe in a work/life balance. As beautiful as it sounds, it’s a myth. The balance is different for every individual person. It’s the balance that you create for yourself that you are happy and comfortable with. It shouldn’t be affected by the opinion of others as long as you are happy you don’t need to judge your balance against anyone else.

What is a challenge you have faced throughout your journey and how did you overcome it?

I’m a positive person so every challenge that comes my way does not last a long time. I think the biggest challenge, which isn’t a problem in my mind, but sadly it is in the world, is gender. Me being a woman and people thinking that I don’t belong in a masculine industry. If I see this as a problem I will get emotional, so I just see it as a bump in the road that I cross and move on. It is something I face a lot, but do I take it to heart? No way!

Do you think the opinion towards women in business has changed in the Middle East?

Everyone can see the change, but what people don’t understand is that this change is slow. I live in a country where my leaders are praising women and fighting for their equal rights, then you have the media who are champions for women – everyone if rooting for women, but the main cause of damage is what happens inside you home and throughout your upbringing. If your parents raised you to believe in a certain way, all the efforts on the outside are wasted. This is why it’s so hard to change people whose mentality is old, but it’s so easy to change young people. I talk about gender equality with my son all the time. So with the future generations, we will truly see the change.

How do you think your background and heritage has helped to shape up who you are today?

I don’t know if it inspired me but what I know is that I started walking when I was just nine months old. Then I started speaking at ten months. My father told me I always acted older than my age. When I was four I used to run a business at home, massaging family members for money! Then by the time I was 8 I used to hire my cousins to work as sales reps so I could re-sell candy that I bought from the store! My dad tells me that what’s scary is how I managed the whole internal process at that age. It’s something a child doesn’t do. I don’t know if it’s my heritage, my genetics, I have no idea, but it’s something innate. No one in my family has a business, I’m the only one like this.

What are you working on at the moment and what can we expect to see from you for the rest of the year?

Right now I’m focusing on my tech start-up company, which is an entertainment platform, called HalaHi. I’m putting all my energy and focus into that and I also have a robotics company in Los Angeles that I’m focussing on. So I’m focusing on the work that is technology-related because that doesn’t require any human interaction at all.

If you could look back, what is something that you would tell your younger self?

Don’t regret or change anything just keep doing it.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

What you’re looking for is looking for you.

What is the professional motto that you live by?

Stay in the right mindset.

What or who inspires you?

Me! If you think about it, I started my journey when I was young and my family did not believe in me at that point. No one was there at the beginning and I was the only one there for myself. I think self-love is the most important.

What message would you give to anyone that’s at the beginning of his or her business journey?

Just go for it. Stop asking others how they did it because how they did it does not work for you. The journey is not easy, but just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Dior is now offering its ABCDior personalisation service in Arabic for a limited time only.

Personalise your Dior bags including the Dior Book Tote and Lady D-Lite in all Dior boutiques in the Middle East until 24th October with a unique message that will make your luxury purchase even more special.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE…

A symbol of elegance and distinction, ABCDior personalization of the House’s emblematic creations has been developed as a way to allow each purchase to be unique and sentimental to the individual. Now with this limited time personalisation, bag owners can share their message in elegant Arabic letters. 

As someone who has achieved great success in her career but has also experienced the challenges and issues that failures and setbacks can have on mental health, Psychotherapist and Clinical Hypnotherapist and founder of Whispers of Serenity Her Highness Sayyida Basma Al Said offers a unique outlook on success and the ways we should perceive it.

From the struggles of comparing ourselves to others to picking ourselves up again when we get thrown off course, Al Said discussed the ways to stay motivated and the challenges we all experience in one way or another throughout our journey.

In your own words, how would you define success?

I would define success as a journey. A journey that in the end, I might be happy with or I might not be satisfied with. But it’s a learning curve and a way of thinking.

Can you explain a little about how perceptions of success can vary from person to person?

I believe the way we think of success has got to do with the way we were brought up. What were we taught about success? How important is it? I really believe the definition changes from person to person, based on their childhood and experience of success. Then also the way things have gone for them and the things they have learnt on their journey can influence the way they perceive it.

What are some traits or mindsets that we should have to achieve success?

I think we need to have the idea of not giving up. Believing that you need to keep on going and that it’s OK to fail. The trait of trying to be as positive as you can, keeping an open mind and remembering that it’s all a learning curve. You might succeed, or you might not. Getting up on your feet again and again is very important as well as being innovative, creative and always coming up with new ideas. A creative person I feel will always be a successful person. People who are OK with a plan B. are the ones who will succeed.

With every success comes setbacks – how can we turn failures into positives?

For sure setbacks are very useful and healthy and failure is healthy because if you don’t fail you won’t aspire to succeed. Setbacks teach us and allow us to ask ourselves how we can make things better next time, which leads to a positive output. Once you’ve seen the ways things don’t work, it allows you to try another way and in the long run, the outcome will be better. Looking at things in a positive way is very difficult and it’s a challenge, but it’s a good one and it’s very useful because once you can do that, even if you fail, you can take the positive of it. So failure can actually be something positive, but it depends on how you look at it.

What are some of the effects of the expectations of being successful on our mental health?

Being successful makes us feel good, gives us good energy and also makes us go on to do more and build more ideas. Success to a lot of us is a boost of energy so it is very good for our self-esteem and it will also boost our immunity. But does that mean that our mental health will be on a low if we don’t succeed? This is the key that needs to be managed.

How can we deal with the pressures mentally that are put on us in relation to being successful?

I think the pressure of being successful is everywhere. It’s in your family, it’s on the TV, it’s the people around you. And if your foundation isn’t strong enough, it can affect you mentally in a bad way. So how do you deal with it? First of all, you need to organise your thoughts and put your goals in line. You need to believe in yourself but it’s very difficult. Once you have that strong foundation, anything that happens around you doesn’t really affect you as much and that’s what you need to have to look after your wellbeing. Also, talking and voicing your pressures to people that you trust or see as role models can help. Once you feel you are getting to a breaking point, that’s when the danger comes, so before you get to that point you need to talk to someone and find ways to make you feel more motivated and lift you up.

What are some of the ways we can stop ourselves from comparing our careers or successes with others and letting that get us down?

The key goes back to us and how we can be creative and generate new ideas. Not copying people or trying to be like anyone else because that’s when things can go wrong. You are your own source of creativity, and the one who comes up with the ideas, so once you realise that, then you don’t worry at all. Even if you did worry about your competition, that’s actually very healthy because it pushes you to work harder in a good way, not in a negative way. Imagine if there was a world without any competition; that would be boring! So actually having competition, but not negatively comparing yourself, can push you to be more creative. People will always compare, that’s human nature, but once you know understand that you are unique, nobody can compare you.

How do we deal with the idea that there is always more to achieve?

I think having the idea that there’s more to achieve is actually a positive thing, there’s always room to achieve more and there’s always room to want to do more and I think that’s a good thing because if we just stick to what we’re doing, we will get to a point where we are bored and we start not being creative or energetic because we are doing the same thing again and again. So actually, the idea that there is always more to achieve is a good idea. We are on a journey so you don’t want to see the same view every day. If you think about the other way around of not wanting to achieve – that would be a problem.

What about time management – something particularly important for parents – how do we get over the guilt of not spending more time on work or spending more time with family while still trying to be successful in our career?

When it comes to family and time management, there has to be some kind of agreement within the family. I always think it’s good to tell your kids what you’re doing and include them. You can even ask them for their point of view. Including them and telling them that you are doing this because of a certain goal, will make them interested to know if you got to the goal you were hoping to achieve. And in this way, you’ll be teaching them. It’s not about juggling everything at the same time. I think as a mother you will always feel guilty and that’s normal. Feeling like this, but also including your kids in what you’re doing and working hard and telling them why you’re doing it, I think that’s the best way to manage it.

You have had great success in your career, what are some of the challenges you have faced and how did you overcome them?

I think the challenge I faced at the beginning was myself. Only recently did I start to understand that I was my own challenge. I would put the load on myself and worry and want to help everyone. I would challenge myself and I think that’s the case with everyone. As much as we say ‘it’s the market, it’s the economy’, that’s always going to be there. But once you are able to deal with your thought, that’s when you will succeed. So really, we are all our biggest challenge.

What is your biggest achievement so far?

I don’t want to sound cliché but I think my biggest achievement was when I heard my kids giving a presentation about me to their classmates. It was a surprise. I went to an event at their school and they were talking about what their mum did. That was honestly one of the happiest moments in my life. The second is getting mental health acknowledged in different ways. Showing that it’s a topic that should be talked about because it’s everywhere. Making my company different, creating the “Not Alone” campaign and making it international. Especially in times of crisis like now, this is the achievement that I feel proud of.

What advice would you give to anyone afraid to chase his or her dreams?

I would tell them that they are not living. Because the day you stop dreaming it’s as if you stop living. Dreams, whether they are successful or not are something that humans need to have and go through. What’s wrong with dreaming? Maybe that dream will become a reality and maybe not, but it’s a positive thing that makes you happy and makes you feel alive.

What would you say to those at the beginning of their journey – whether that’s business or family-related?

It is a journey. You might succeed, or you might not, but for sure you will learn if you give yourself the chance and open your mind. You might fail but there’s nothing wrong with that as long as you pick yourself up. And it’s never the end of the road – there is always something more to achieve. It’s not about getting to the top; it’s about the journey that you’re going to experience on the way.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

The best advice I’ve ever been given is to appreciate myself and not to always feel like I need to do more. Appreciate what I’ve already done. The second thing is that I used to worry a lot about people thinking I got to where I am because of my name and someone told me that there is nothing wrong with using your name for good. And that was life changing.

When it comes to success – what is the motto you live by?

A knife has two uses – a positive and negative – and I think success is the same. I would still say that my motto concerning success is “it’s a journey, a journey where you might fail, but when you get up, you’ll be way stronger than before.” If you play it well it will also be great for your self-esteem and your mental health.

Freedom, energy and desire for the absolute clashes with a relaxed feminine softness for Chanel’s fall-winter 2020/21 ready-to-wear collection, designed by Virginie Viard

Black and white coat in wool and satin embellished with jewelled buttons. Earrings in metals, glass and strass. Black and brown leather boots.
ALL CHANEL

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO…

Black and white coat in wool and satin embellished with jewelled buttons. Earrings in metals, glass and strass.
ALL CHANEL

White blouse in cotton poplin embellished with a removable collar, Ecru viscose skirt
Black and brown leather boots. ALL CHANEL

Black and white striped jacket in faux fur embellished with jewelled buttons.
Black and white top in silk tweed. Black and white skirt in tweed embellished with sequins. White tights embellished with double Cs. Black and brown leather boots. 
ALL CHANEL

Black and white striped jacket in faux fur embellished with jewelled buttons. Black and white skirt in tweed embellished with sequins. ALL CHANEL

Pale green jacket in wool tweed embellished with jewelled buttons.Pale green gilet in wool tweed embellished with jewelled buttons.Pale green skirt in wool tweed embellished with jewelled buttons. Black tights embellished with double Cs. Black and brown leather boots.
ALL CHANEL

White lace jacket embellished with jewelled buttons. White satin blouse. Ecru viscose skirt embellished with a jewelled button Brooch in metal, resin and strass. Necklace in metal interlaced with leather, glass and strass White tights embellished with double Cs. ALL CHANEL

Navy blue, white and gold sweater in viscose and brass embellished with a plastron and jewelled buttons. Grey jodhpurs in wool tweed. Bracelets in metal, glass and strass. Black and brown leather bag. ALL CHANEL

Prada has partnered with Sotheby’s to unveil a selection of original Prada pieces for an online auction to raise funds for UNESCO, and its efforts to safeguard learning for students around the world in the face of the unprecedented disruption caused by COVID-19.

The collection titled Tools of a Memory will see classic Prada pieces available for auction online until 15th October.

Prada will donate its proceeds raised in this auction to specifically benefit UNESCO’s new campaign entitled Keeping girls in the picture and their Global Education Coalition’s Gender Flagship.

Every item featured is an original piece from the Fall/Winter men’s and women’s fashion shows, including one-of-a-kind garments worn by the models, as well as photographic prints of candid moments backstage, polaroid, seat cards and invitations, objects from the runway décor, and vinyl with the accompanying music for both presentations by Frédéric Sanchez.

The sale features 72 lots in total and will run until 15th October. Detailed information about the online auction can be found on sothebys.com as well as on prada.com.

As hundreds of thousands try to re-build their lives support from international organisations is crucial as the country by no means has the facilities or finances to re-build themselves.

Cartier is supporting Swiss humanitarian NGO Medair to deliver emergency assistance to those impacted and displaced by the disaster – in particular, to meet their shelter and health needs – and to assist in the rehabilitation of damaged buildings and public facilities. Medair’s teams are also working to provide mental health support to the most vulnerable groups.

Medair has been active in Lebanon since 2012, working primarily to provide shelter materials, household supplies, medical care and mental health support to the most vulnerable populations. Since early 2013, the organisation has led the Geographic Information System mapping of informal settlements across the country – often rural and hard-to-reach areas that have no official boundaries or addresses – providing a vital coordination tool for humanitarian actors to respond promptly. After the devastating port explosion that ripped the city apart, Medair stepped up its relief work.

Over the next few months, building on its shelter expertise and in close coordination with the other humanitarian actors and the constantly evolving needs, Medair will rehabilitate damaged residential buildings and public facilities. Cartier is supporting these efforts in any way it can, helping to get those affect back to some kind of normality as quickly as possible.

Christophe Massoni, Chief Executive Officer of Cartier in the Middle East, India and Africa said: “We were deeply saddened by the recent events in Beirut and have been exploring different options to help the Lebanese people. This partnership with Medair will support to deliver emergency assistance to estimable 11,000 people impacted by the disaster.

 

These measures build on Cartier’s longstanding commitment to helping the most vulnerable, restore their dignity, reduce their vulnerability and enhance their resilience, through Cartier Philanthropy, the Maison’s grant-making foundation established in 2012.”

Success is a strange idea. Unlike most words, it means something completely different to each of us. We measure and define it as individuals and groups, and yet it’s still something we all strive for: we all want to be successful.

But what does that mean in a world where the future has arrived a decade earlier than anyone expected? Language is a powerful tool for shaping our reality. The truth is that our old understanding of success brought our world to the brink, and we have a unique opportunity to write a new definition that empowers us to develop an understanding of success that helps us create a world that is more fair, just, and sustainable.

It’s time to write a new success story; but first, we need to understand how we got to this point, and unravel the success story that’s been written on our behalf.

GROWTH MEANS SUCCESS, RIGHT?

Way back when our ancestors didn’t have to grapple with the fluid meaning of success. Their only goal was survival, and that did not change for centuries. Granted, we got more efficient at ensuring our survival by farming and developing weapons to fend off predators, and the means to travel to find more comfortable conditions – but it wasn’t until the industrial revolution that we started to see success as anything other than staying alive.

Mass production opened up an entirely new world and saw a dramatic shift in priorities. In a very short time frame, we went from a time of scarcity to abundance. And rather than worrying about how to survive, we had the security to start to expect a certain level of luxury, comfort and convenience from that life. And we were hooked. The growing demand for an easier life fuelled an industrial explosion. Newly-formed companies scrambled to cash in on the exponential demand for everything: we needed bigger farms to feed more people. Factories grew to manufacture the appliances and machines that made life comfortable.

There were undoubtedly positives to this growth: expanding markets meant that there were jobs that lifted families, communities and countries out of poverty, allowing them time to develop the technology we needed to make some of our most important scientific discoveries. But there was a dark side to this early success. The feeding frenzy and growth were making a lot of people incredibly wealthy, and so greedy that the elite prioritised growth over everything else. Profit came first, regardless of the impact on people, animals and the planet.

And somehow that wasn’t the worst consequence of building an increasingly industrial society. As the manufacturing world become normal, ordinary people were conditioned to actively aspire to keep the machine moving. We were educated to find, and fill a small role in a bigger process. Crucially, we measured our success by how seamlessly we functioned within those boxed-in roles. The better we complied, the more we earned – allowing us to buy the badges we were told we need to declare our superior status. Our success could be measured by how much stuff we could buy.

It’s a dangerous, dark spiral that has fuelled ruthless competition – not only between cold-hearted businesses who refuse to take responsibility for ravaging our natural resources but also between ordinary people who have been told that we have to do whatever it takes to beat everyone around us in our endless race for to get “more”. We simply have not been able to shake the belief that we live in a time of scarcity. But we are fortunate enough to live in an age of true abundance and opportunity. And what’s more, we’ve been given a chance to rewrite our story and start again.

WRITING A NEW STORY

The pandemic is a tragedy and I do not mean to take anything away from anyone who has a lost a loved one to the virus, but it has presented us with a unique gift. For the first time in modern human history, we have a chance to pause and reassess who we are, what we are doing, and what we’re going to write in our chapter of human history.

I believe that rewriting that story of obsessive greed starts with redefining what it means to succeed right now, and by implication, to fail – because this is the generation that will take the planet down a new path – even if most of us don’t feel like world-beaters at the moment. There’s a reason for that lingering, vague negativity that’s become like a shadow for many of us: we simply don’t have the usual parameters in place that we rely on to navigate reality.

American neuroscientist Dr Andrew Huberman suggests that we can handle almost any challenge if we have a clear understanding of its Duration, the Path ahead, and the Outcomes of the struggle. Think about a strict diet you’re trying to follow. Normally, we set the time frame (Duration), plan our meals and exercise regime (Path), and focus on how much weight we’d like to lose (Outcome). It’s the same when we earn a degree: we know that for the next 4 years (Duration), we’ll be expected to navigate constant testing and exams (Path) as we get closer to earning a qualification (Outcome).

These three factors make almost any experience manageable, but right now, we don’t have any of them to anchor our thoughts. The pandemic has no expiry date, and every day is a fresh step towards an unclear outcome – and that’s not likely to change. So, how do we navigate forwards? It starts with understanding failure.

At the beginning of the year, people working as freelancers, or who invested in their passions and explored multiple career paths were labelled as unreliable or even lazy – simply because they did not fit the manufacturing mould. Now, that approach allows us to cultivate our curiosity and build a futureproof personal brand as we enter an era that’s all about the business of you. Don’t let the lack of “DPO” trick you into believing that you have failed just because your life has been changed by circumstances beyond your control. Instead, we can all use this pause to focus on the memories that tie us to the past: to make sure we’re energised and excited to move forward, we need to heal ourselves from past hurt that’s holding us hostage, as well as the memories we didn’t get a chance to make

Painful memories can force us to repeat harmful patterns that hold us back: so we need to confront them, feel them, and heal from them. Then, we need to work through the five stages of grief in reference to the plans we had made. Many of us are still holding onto what was “meant” to happen, and it’s another anchor to the past. We need to let go of those future memories, too. Free from those memories – and the past we’ve left behind – we can start to write ourselves a new story – but it’s not as easy as just choosing to start a new chapter. We need to be resilient enough to conquer our complex world with confidence.

REDEFINING REALITY WITH RESILIENCE

One of the biggest shifts that we’ve seen as the result of the pandemic is a movement away from complication, towards complexity. It’s a subtle but important distinction. We’d built a world by using our growing access to information to predict and plan our next step. Think about the way investors (used to) make decisions: they’d look at historic performance data, read consumer trend reports to try and suss out what’s happening in the market, and try to find patterns that protect their investment. Even though this meant sifting through a lot of complicated data, they could do so with confidence, because we had developed the mathematics and technology needed to recognise and process those patterns to the point where a large part of the process was automated.

Our world is simply too complex to do that: it’s all become too random, volatile and chaotic, and we cannot plan ahead when totally unpredictable events may lie just around the corner. Unlike complication, complexity cannot be processed because any patterns that emerge aren’t repeated. In a complex world, uncertainty rules: today, investors have no precedent to base their planning on, and the result is a jittery, reactive, cautious market.

In this multi-variable, unpredictable world, what we need is resilience; but I don’t mean that we must simply develop the ability to bounce back to “normal” repeatedly when setbacks knock us down. Instead, we need to be able to move forward as experiences help us evolve constantly, learning from every moment, instead of just getting back up again unchanged.

There are three phases to being resilient. First, we must respond to the circumstances we face – whether that means dealing with a delayed order or shifting a business into a new space. Next, we need to Recover as best we can, while coping with uncertainty around demand, supply, labour markets and credit availability. And lastly, we need to Reimagine the way forward, understanding that consumers, employees, businesses and industries are all changing.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER?

We do not need to accept the success story that we’ve been told for decades; in fact, it will continue to damage us and our planet if we do. We have the chance to create a new definition of success: a definition that replaces ruthless competition with curiosity and collaboration to uplift everyone rather than simply funding the few.

To pursue that possibility, we need new businesses that can overcome complexity, and drive a new doctrine – not of growth at any cost – but of adaptable resilience. So I urge you to use this time to heal your past, mourn the memories you could not make, and become the resilient writer of a better collective future where our success is shared.

Nicolas Ghesquière’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection for Louis Vuitton closed the latest season of Paris Fashion Week.

Presented at the Samaritaine building, the showspace offered an elegant Art Deco backdrop. With both a live and virtual audience the show offered 360-degree angles of every look.

Ghesquière blended the boundaries of masculinity and femininity with the colourful eighties-inspired collection.

This collection was a coming together of many different elements: baggy trousers, minidresses, lapel suits oversized T-shirts – all belted at the waist and loosely highlighting an eighties silhouette.

Many of the pieces had a “genderless” appeal – oversized, wide-leg trousers, boyfriend jackets, vests, baggy jeans – this feeling of no-frills dressing is something we have all experienced over the past months.

The colour palette had a neutral base with pop-art prints and bolt accents adding splashes of colour.

A number of new bags debuted in the collection including the new bucket bag the new Carousel bag and a new Petite Malle in a bold new green that is a key colour for this season’s offering.

While the global pandemic has is still very much a reality, breast cancer awareness month should still be at the forefront of our minds this October. Breast surgeon Houriya Kazim explains why it’s still important to talk about cancer.

Each October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month helps thousands of women around the world to recognise a problem in their own body, or help breast cancer sufferers and survivors to get through the disease and fight on. Since its inception in the United States 1985, Breast Cancer Awareness month has raised awareness and encouraged women (and men) to talk about the disease and recognise how common it has become in our society as well as raising millions to help towards research and support of people who suffer from the disease. The harsh reality is that breast cancer affects one in eight women. So the chances are, even if you don’t get the disease yourself, you will know someone that does. But it’s not all negative. Between 2013 and 2017 the death rate of Breast cancer decreased by 1.3 per cent each year and this is mostly due to awareness and diagnosing the disease early, something that was previously far less common.

Someone who is an advocate for the awareness of breast cancer is Emirati Doctor and surgeon Houriya Kazim. Kazim was the UAE’s first female surgeon as well as being the first female breast surgeon. She has worked with thousands of women over her career and truly believes awareness and talking about the illness is the way to reduce the mortality rate, particularly in the Middle East where there is still a stigma connected with talking about cancer.

Aside from her work as a surgeon, Houriya Kazim felt there was even more she could do to help the women suffering from breast cancer, as well as their families. She set up a charity support group “Brest Friends” in 2002 to help support women with funding and highlight the symptoms and causes of breast cancer. Brest Friends partnered with the Al Jalila Foundation and the two have a joint mission to promote early detection of breast cancer, facilitate medical treatment and set up and fund locally-based research into the epidemiology of breast cancer in our region.

As we enter October and this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there is certainly a different feeling around the subject. The global pandemic has put COVID-19 at the forefront when it comes to disease and the worries about illness, however, as terrible as the global pandemic is, it is important not to forget that cancer is still one of the biggest killers we have today in the world. Breast cancer is still there and it should not be forgotten about. To talk more about why we should be aware of the disease and what we can be doing to support those who have it and ensure that any symptoms are eliminated at very early stages, we talk to Houriya Kazim.

Take us back to the beginning of your career as a breast cancer surgeon – why was it something you wanted to be involved in?

As a surgical intern at Rashid Hospital in Dubai, I saw women with very advanced cases of breast cancer – the likes of which I had never seen before, not even in my surgery textbooks. It was truly horrifying that someone could leave her disease to such an advanced stage, which would clearly be so obvious to the patient. What kind of mindset would allow a woman to see and feel this cancer, for a considerable period, and not do anything about it? This was over 30 years ago when women were reluctant to show their breasts to a male surgeon. These women, and their ultimate demise, were what pushed me to pursue specialising in this field.

What was the biggest challenge you had at the beginning?

Apart from working as a surgeon, it was clear that I needed to raise the collective national conscience about breast cancer. I formulated an educational program but there was resistance to my visual aids which showed a breast – from having my educational videos confiscated to not being allowed to hand out flyers with a stick- figures showing the breast! Seeing pink with the word “breast” throughout October, both in the media and in advertising, even on the side of buses, makes me so happy.

Why is it important to talk about breast cancer?

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women, accounting for over 2 million cases globally. It also causes the greatest number of cancer deaths among women. In the MENA region and Indian subcontinent, breast cancer occurs at a much younger age. The average age for women getting breast cancer in the West is 62 years. In the MENA region, it is 45-47 years. This means that when a woman in this region is diagnosed with breast cancer, she will be in the prime of her life, at the peak of her career and/or looking after a young family.

What message would you give to women who are afraid or worried to share their symptoms?

Firstly, most breast symptoms are not cancer. And if it is cancer, then the earlier it is picked up, the easier it is to treat and the more likely you will survive.

How important is it to get checked sooner rather than later?

Most breast cancers, contained within the breast, has a 5-year survival rate of 99%. If it has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm, the survival rate drops to 86%. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the 5-year survival rate is 27%. So, it’s very important to pick up breast cancer early.

What age should women start thinking about Breast Cancer?

I don’t think we should “think” about breast cancer per se, instead think about their health, and their bodies as a whole, from the time they are in their late teens. I encourage full body awareness, not just breast awareness. Knowing what your body looks like and recognising where your moles and lumpy areas are so that if there is a change, you’ll be the first to know. Breast awareness is part of body awareness. Once a woman is sexually active, she should be seeing a GP or Gynaecologist for regular checks, including a breast examination, and once she is over the age of 40, she should start having screening mammograms. If a woman has a strong family history of breast cancer, we may start mammograms earlier.

Of course, COVID-19 is a huge health crisis, but we cannot forget that people are still dying of cancer – what message would you like to share with people at this time to remind them to be aware?

It certainly has been an interesting time and yes, breast cancer is still there despite COVID- 19. The hospitals and clinics in the UAE are now safe to visit so if you have symptoms, please see a specialist. If you have no symptoms and are over 40, please have a screening mammogram.

How do you think breast cancer Awareness month has helped to raise that awareness over the years?

It certainly has raised awareness. In comparison to 30 years ago, I now rarely see the advanced cases I saw as an intern, and many patients that come to the clinic now are asymptomatic and just want to be checked.

Do you think the stigma of talking about breast cancer is still there and do you think it’s something that still needs to be tackled particularly in the Middle East?

The stigma is certainly still there in this region. We don’t like to talk about any cancer because, in the past, women sought help late in their disease, so the mindset was that cancer equals death. This understandable fear has kept women from having breast checks. I’ve had women say to me that if they have a check, we will find something! Having said that, as more and more women have breast cancer and are seen to survive their illness, I think this fear will lessen.

How do you think we can be educating young girls to be aware and talk about breast cancer?

Especially with young girls, we should be talking about body awareness rather than just an awareness of the breast. Young girls have inhibitions when it comes to their bodies, so encouraging, and not scaring them, is the way forward.

What about men what is the role they should be playing in terms of support and awareness?

I think teaching men and boys to support family members and partners is a good thing and not just in the face of breast cancer.

Male Breast cancer is also a little spoken about topic – could you share a few words on that?

Reports from the West show that 1% of breast cancer patients are male. In my practice, it is much less – more like 0.1% but that could be because male patients prefer seeing a male surgeon rather than see me. I don’t have the figures for the UAE on this. Men have a small amount of breast tissue and like women, any breast tissue can become cancer. Most of the male patients I’ve seen have a family history of breast cancer, so perhaps in men, there is a genetic predisposition. Male breast cancers are treated in the same way as cancer in a female breast.

Can you share with us a little about the recent charity work you have been doing?

I set up Brest Friends in 2002, which is a charity and breast cancer support group, that is now in partnership with the Al Jalila Foundation. Our mission is three-fold – education, treatment and research. We have produced educational aids in the various regional languages for free distribution. We raise money to financially help patients, who have no insurance, or inadequate insurance, with their treatment costs. And, we’ve started some locally based research on breast cancer in the region.

What inspires you or keeps you motivated?

Definitely my patients! The World Health Organisation figures study for cancer s that one in two of us will develop some kind of cancer at some point in our lives. Some get it as an infant or child, others in adulthood and if we’re lucky, we get it in old age. There are, of course, good and bad cancers. Breast cancer is one of the good ones, particularly if caught in the early stages. My patients’ strength and grace in dealing with their disease inspires me every day to keep doing what I do.

What would you say is your greatest achievement so far?

Professionally, I would say it’s being the UAE’s first female surgeon. Getting a double fellowship in Surgery, from both the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and England, is quite an achievement as well.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt in life?

That you can make a difference! Seeing less advanced cancers and having patients come into my office and say they are fine but want to be checked, indicate that the awareness message is being heard.

Can you remember a turning point or moment in your career that stands out in your mind?

I initially trained as a General Surgeon in the UK and before coming home to Dubai. I thought I should get some experience in Surgical Oncology as I knew my training would end when I came home. I applied for a mid-level job at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, which was a difficult place to get a job as it’s the UK’s main cancer hospital and a tertiary referral centre. When I was training in the UK, only 10% of surgical consultants were women. Plus, I was not British. At surgical job interviews, I would scan the room of shortlisted applicants and knew that I had to go in there and be better than the British guys, better than the Foreign guys, and better than the British girls. I had to be the best interviewee if I wanted the job. After my interview at the Marsden, I was the first person they called back into the room. In my mind, I thought it was to give their regrets but no – it was to say I had a job and ask me which job I wanted. At this point, they tossed an A4 sheet of paper across the table at me. On this sheet was listed, in alphabetical order, the various jobs on offer according to the various specialities – pulmonary (lung), paediatric (kids) etc. I was so thrown by this sheet of paper, that I just read the first line, which said “Breast Unit”. And that is how I started on my path of becoming a Breast Surgeon!

In this issue we are talking about success – what does success mean to you?

I think true success is a personal thing. When we’re young, we want to succeed in order to please our parents or our teachers. But true success is pleasing yourself. I didn’t start my professional life wanting to be the UAE’s first female surgeon. I just wanted to help people and, coming from a large family of doctors, Medicine seemed to be the obvious path. I went to medical school wanting to specialise in Infectious Diseases and Public Health. This evolved into my love for surgery when halfway through medical school, someone put a scalpel in my hand. I then specialised in breast cancer surgery partially by interest and partially by pure fluke. Finally, I started a breast cancer charity and support group to address some important local issues.

I’ve lost track of how many people, along the way, said to me that I couldn’t do it – couldn’t do medicine because I wasn’t smart enough or couldn’t be a surgeon as it’s a man’s job or that it would be almost impossible to have kids in my 40s or that it would be difficult to start a charity. Each time I achieved what I truly wanted – that was success for me.

With all successes come failures and setbacks – how do you deal with this and stay motivated?

I’ve always been a “glass is half-full” kind of person. I do a lot of crossword puzzles and Sudoku. I like working things out. When things are really bad, I remind myself that every obstacle and setback I’ve had in the past were resolved, in one way or another, and usually for the better. This keeps me plodding along.

What is the motto that you live your life by?

As our Prophet (SWS) said; “Think positive and positive things will happen”

Miu Miu presented its Spring/Summer 2021 collection at Paris Fashion Week today in the setting of an empty sports stadium.

Streamed via a live feed with only a virtual audience, key influencers, celebrities and journalists could be seen watching via live video feeds in the back of the show space.

A bold colourful backdrop with the sound of excited crowds playing through the sound system were juxtaposed with an empty setting.

The collection itself was fun and feminine as we come to expect from Miuccia Prada’s brand, but there seemed to be a slightly more grown-up feel to this offering – perhaps a reflection of how the Miu Miu customer is evolving?

The girly playfulness was given a sporty twist with influences from a number of sports from bowling, to baseball to basketball – a representation of the uniform of today’s youth.

Track pants, sharp track jackets, micro skirts, and kitten-heeled tennis shoes embodied the dress codes of sports activities. Sporty blazers, little bowling jackets, neat shirts and plaid skirts evoked school uniforms.

Casual meets pretty with a colour palette of pastels and brights that are both playful and comfortable.

Virginie Viard’s Spring/Summer 2021 ready-to-wear collection for Chanel was a tribute to classic cinema and the muses that have inspired the brand for many years. Those iconic actresses whose beauty and style is timeless.

Set in front of a giant “Chanel” sign imitating the “Hollywood” sign models wore classic tweed suits, but also jeans in fluorescent colours, fluid dresses and t-shirts, capri pants, and long printed dresses. Sequin embroidery added a touch of glamour.

The collection was presented to a live socially-distanced audience but the house was full at the Grand Palais as the fashion crowd were eager to get a taste of normality.

Virginie Viard spoke of her inspiration: “I was thinking about actresses at the photocall, on the red carpet, that moment when they’re being called to by the photographers: their faces a little distracted, their attitude a little out of sync with the outfits they’re wearing. And then there are the fans waiting for them behind the barriers, this very lively side to cinema that happens beyond cinema, that’s what I like.”

“This collection is a tribute to the muses of the House. Some of them are far away, it’s been a long time since we saw them. Gabrielle Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld dressed so many actresses in films and in real life. I was thinking about them who make us dream so much. But without wanting to replicate. Without falling into a vintage citation. I wanted it to be very joyful, colourful, and very vibrant too.”

 Alia Al Neyadi, the UAE’s first ballerina explains why dance has inspired her to be a better person and to keep going in all that she does.

To Alia Al Neyadi ballet is more than just a dance. It is a form of art, something that touches the heart and soul of everyone that witnesses it. Al Neyadi was the UAE’s first professional ballerina. After dancing from the age of just three, when she was 15 she obtained the support of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage to represent the UAE at an international arts festival held in Crimea. The teenage ballerina placed third, stunning everyone. She went on to perform all around the world from Ukraine to Bulgaria to The United States. Alia was inspired by her mother Svetlana Al Neyadi. The Ukrainian born dancer had her own ballet school when Alia was growing up which exposed her to the world of dance at a very young age.

Today Alia has (mostly) hung up her professional ballet slippers and she is on a mission to promote and support the world of arts in the UAE; especially when it comes to young dancers, looking to achieve their dreams as she did. Alia works as Project Lead of the performing arts programs in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, aiming to inspire others and share some of the arts culture she experienced with the UAE. To find out how she values her success and helps to support the success of others, we talk to Alia Al Neyadi.

This has been a strange year for all – how have you spend your time during this period and were you able to continue in your role?

I have spent much more time with my family. The last few years have been quite crazy for me with work; I have been travelling non-stop and working on weekends both in and outside of Abu Dhabi so it was definitely a great way to enjoy life’s blessing; family. I have also been training at home consistently and eating mostly home-cooked meals. I have found ways to make healthy meals more enjoyable, my way! During quarantine, I have been working from home and I have to say it has been quite challenging to stay motivated, however thankfully working in the culture and arts scene, you quickly adapt yourself to stay creative and we shifted so much of our content virtually to engage and continue our work and supporting the artists and the cultural dialogue as much as we could.

Is there anything you have learnt about yourself or changed this year?

I constantly try to learn new things about myself and unfortunately you only really know what you’re truly capable of when things are hard. In my field of work, there are always sudden changes that need to be handled and they require a calm and quick reaction to a situation. I have learnt that eventually, every problem has a solution, the question is; which one will you choose? This year has definitely reassured me that life is unpredictable and we must not waste any time by overthinking situations. We must focus more on ourselves and what makes us happy because in the end, it is our life we are living, not someone else’s.

Take us back to the beginning of your career as a ballerina – what inspired you to become a dancer?

When I was young, my mother wanted to enrol me in some sort of activity and she gave me the choice to discover what I was truly passionate about. It took me six months of trying everything from gymnastics to horse riding and I realised that they all were missing something that only ballet gave me: soul. All of these sports are great but art is supposed to touch your heart, change your thinking, and the way you see things. I believe that dance alongside beautiful music whether it’s classical or modern can affect you in ways you never thought possible. I believe it was my calling to make people feel something from a performance, because with ballet, yes technique and movement is essential, but ultimately it is a dance and you must have soul to dance.

What is your first memory of ballet?

It would probably be watching videos of my mother teaching ballet classes in The USA; something I have watched from a very young age. I remember during my childhood I would attend classes and my mother told me that when I started walking, I could dance too. One time during class I just went to the front and started doing some movements, so I guess it was a done deal from the age of 3!

What were some of the challenges you faced at the beginning and how did you overcome them?

In the beginning, many thought that it was cute that I wanted to dance as I was so small and they thought it was great that I had a “hobby”. But when I turned 14 many people started discussing how wrong it was for me to do something like this and questioning what it means to dance on stage. I think many people didn’t realise that a 14-year-old girl wouldn’t do anything intentionally to upset anyone’s ideas or beliefs of what was acceptable. My family and friends supported me and I generally consider myself strong enough to not be offended by what I think is just someone’s way of opposing change.

I remember when I was 16 I was interviewed on TV and I mentioned how I am grateful for those who support me and respect those who don’t because I know what I am doing isn’t hurting anyone and it will take time for others to accept it. And now, 8-9 years later, people are emailing me on when my next show will be so I think we’re on the right track!

Your mother was a ballerina too – how did she inspire you and support you with your dancing growing up?

Dancing definitely made us stronger and connected us in a different way. We went from just being a mum and daughter at home to a student and teacher at the studio, and believe me there was no mum in the studio, I was treated equally! Many believe that she forced me when I was younger, but I vividly remember that with my sister we tried many activities. I remember being in gymnastics and learning to stand on my head, and knowing it was not for me! My mum waited for us to decide what we wanted to do and I think that’s super important; to let children discover themselves and not pressure them into something. I believe eventually we will all be on the path we need to be.

We know you are working hard to promote culture within the UAE – tell us a little about some of the work you are doing?

My work never stops. I am always trying to find ways to work with the youth and artists of our generation and try to support them as much as possible both regionally and internationally. A few months back, before the lockdown, I was in New York and I attended a competition where the girls from the ballet school my mother runs were competing alongside students from Bolshoi, China, Bulgaria and other well-known ballet academies. It’s important to mention that we were the only delegation from the Arab region to compete and few girls won awards, including one gold and two silver in different categories. I think that it’s a huge accomplishment to be recognised by some of the important players out there because I know what it’s like to have many people question your talent just because of their beliefs or ideas. It is important to prove others wrong through the work that we do rather than just defending ballet, and I believe that my work is far from over.

What is something you would like to change in the arts and culture scene in the UAE?

I think the culture scene is growing and many are becoming more acceptable to the idea, however, for anything to really succeed you need a strong support system. I am working hard and I am hoping for an official theatre of performing arts for the UAE. A place that artists can call home and a place we can showcase not only ballet and opera, but also Arabic music such as the oud and qanoon, as well as classical singing. I will keep working until that’s done.

In many ways, you defied the odds with your dancing career – what advice would you give to young people who have dreams of being a dancer?

I have given many young girls advice on this and the only thing I can say is don’t stop believing in yourself and find the strength to go on in whatever you choose. Many forget the hardship and dedication ballet requires, the physical training that takes years to perfect, the time it takes until you can be called a professional and the discipline one must have to never give up when things get hard. Stay true to yourself and don’t give up, because we may feel intimidated to stay on the path we chose because of what we think others might say, but that is the defining moment and if you love what you do you will sacrifice everything for it.

How do you think women in the UAE are getting more opportunities in the sporting world and is there anything you would like to see happen?

In my opinion, ballet is an art and not a sport, however, I love sports and I think there is still much to see in the UAE in areas such as figure skating, synchronized swimming and so on.
As for opportunities, I am impressed to see females participating in races, horse riding, running, climbing mountains, etc. Women are unstoppable! There is definitely a strong support system now for women, unlike before. Back in the early 2000s, I had no one and I felt it, which was harder, but it’s great now to see strong women pursuing their dreams.

What are you working on now?

I can’t reveal too much but as I mentioned I am very focused on the youth and I am hoping to give more possibilities to those who look for it. Stay tuned!

This issue is about success – how would you define success?

As Sophocles said; “success is dependent on effort.” Because of my training background, the harder I work the better results I get, the more I put into what I do, the better it will look. I use this idea for everything.

What is your biggest success so far and what would you still like to achieve?

My biggest success is the girls who hope to one day become like me. I get emotional when I think I can impact someone’s life just by pursuing my dream. Thank you to those who trust and believe in my message and me. My message isn’t about ballet, it’s about providing a voice for those who feel they will be laughed at or feel it’s impossible to achieve, but together we will achieve the impossible, I know it!

What is a challenge you have faced throughout your journey and how did you overcome it?

Nothing that you really want in life comes easy, and we all face challenges For me, it’s always been about people questioning my beliefs, my identity, role in society and my reason for doing what I do. I didn’t choose what to love, it chose me. In many renowned dance companies, you will see so many nationalities on one stage performing and living the story whether its Swan Lake or Sleeping Beauty, why? People on stage don’t care where you’re from or what race you are, they only care about your work and what you can do. I don’t always discuss these topics just because I prefer not to get involved in any subject that could offend anyone, because the point of what I do is to show a form of art, a form of storytelling. By believing in my work and knowing what I do, I have overcome the challenging years but I am stronger than ever and continue to work on delivering that message.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

I remember feeling so exhausted from practice during my workshops earlier in my teen years and a well-known instructor told me; “if you feel like you can’t go on anymore, be assured that you can. But if you feel like you can’t go on, know that you are doing it right.” She was right and now in anything I do and I feel like I have to take a break, I know the work that will pay off, so I have to keep going.

What is the life motto you live by?

Keep going even when the going gets tough! What can I say? Dance has given me the tools to become who I am today. So I say thank you to dance, because doing what you love only makes you better.

Chanel has shared a teaser video of its ready-to-wear Spring/Summer 2021 presentation that will take place as part of Paris Fashion Week this week.

Directed by Dutch photography duo Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin this teaser video invites viewers into the world of Chanel’s latest collection which has been designed by Virginie Viard. 

Bringing together extracts of classic French films including La Piscine (1969) by Jacques Deray, Breathless (1960), A Woman Is a Woman (1961), Contempt (1963) and Pierrot le Fou (1965) by Jean-Luc Godard, and Elevator to the Gallows (1958) by Louis Malle, this film notably brings together three of French cinema’s legendary actresses: Romy Schneider, Anna Karina and Jeanne Moreau.

The Chanel Spring-Summer 2021 Ready-to-Wear collection imagined by Virginie Viard will be presented on Tuesday October 6th 2020 at 10.30am (Paris time), at the Grand Palais in Paris. The show will also be streamed live on chanel.com and across CHANEL’s social networks.

WATCH THE PREVIEW VIDEO HERE…

IWC Schaffhausen has launched a new special Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Solidarity with Beirut” in partnership with Beirut-based NGO Nusaned.

The proceeds of the watch will go towards supporting those affected by the Beirut explosion which devastated the city on 4^th August 2020.

Available exclusively in Lebanon and the UAE, the watch is a limited edition of 30 pieces. It features a stainless steel case, green dial and a unique back engraving of the cedar tree; the national emblem of Lebanon symbolising eternity and peace.

The proceeds of the watch will be shared directly with Nusaned to assist in its Beirut Emergency Response Plan which is helping to rebuild and support those who lost everything in the blast.

The non-governmental organization is working tirelessly to help Beirut recover through its Goods In Need and Roofs That Shield programmes by providing families with immediate aid and rebuilding destroyed homes and shops.

“The global IWC Schaffhausen family stands together with Lebanon during these challenging times, and we truly believe that our contribution to Nusaned helps those in need and accelerates the restoration of the beautiful city of Beirut. With the launch of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Solidarity with Beirut”, we aim to support the immediate needs of the population in impacted areas. Our hearts are with the people of Lebanon, and we hope that together with the support of the rest of the world, we can stay strong and help rebuild a better future,” said Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Solidarity with Beirut” will be available exclusively at the IWC boutiques in The Dubai Mall, The Galleria Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi and Beirut Souks and will retail at USD 5,780. The timepiece will retail at USD 5,780, with proceeds from the sales of the watch going to Nusaned’s Beirut Emergency Response Plan.

As A&E reaches its 14^th anniversary, we celebrate the story of 14 years of style and luxury with some of the latest collections for men and women.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO…

Alexander McQueen

BOSS

Brunello Cucinelli

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE…

Celine

Dolce&Gabbana

Dior

Givenchy

Hermès

Loro Piana

Louis Vuitton

Prada

Salvatore Ferragamo

Tod’s

Tod’s

Valentino

Photography: John Rowley

Styling and Direction: Lindsay Judge

Hair and Makeup: Hannah Brooke using Oribe and Givenchy Makeup

Models: Millie Rose Loggie and Christian Arno at Select

Location: The Portobello Hotel, London, England

Givenchy presented its Spring/Summer 2021 collection as part of Paris Fashion Week.

The first collection designed by new Creative Director Matthew M. Williams this offering represents the evolution of the brand.

Presented via a series of images created in collaboration with photographer Heji Shin, the men’s and women’s creations are centred around ‘Hardware’. Key jewellery and accessories set the tone for this collection as a symbolic representation of utility and luxury.

Matthew M Williams, Creative Director, Givenchy said: “You find the pieces of the puzzle for a collection, building it from symbols and signs, but never forgetting the reality of the person who will wear it and bring it to life. The women and men should be powerful and effortless, equal and joyful, a reflection of who they really are – only more so. It’s about finding the humanity in luxury.”

This collection started with those hardware pieces. A key symbol for the designer was the Lover’s Lock – the symbol that is placed on a bridge in Paris representing those in love who have visited. The Lover’s Lock is a unisex object of utility, decoration, commitment and emotion; a sincere yet playful symbol of Paris. It is an object punctuated throughout this initial collection as both decoration and fastenings.

Designed in the middle of the pandemic, this collection explores what is to come in the new beginning for the brand. It is a new approach but it brings in elements of the past and key symbols of the House’s DNA.

Above all, there is a sense of celebration, of the people who have led Williams here and those he wants to wear the clothes.

From Hubert de Givenchy’s swathes of looped drapery, lighter than air transparencies, linear necklines and ‘Jour’ open backs, to the McQueen horn, reborn; both the classical and radical contrasts of Givenchy are embraced and shown to have always been part of the house’s history in the collection. Ultimately, it is a feeling of elegance, playfulness and pragmatism that is key to Matthew M Williams’ vision for the house.

From the Tryp-toe shoe and stockings, the Horn heel and hat together with a further examination of the Antigona bag, each is a play on and development of existing objects in the archive.

From the use of a cotton Ottoman for both genders in outerwear, technical taffeta in tailoring and structured Punto di Milano jersey to evoke more pure forms in dressmaking, tradition is respected yet refined and re-contextualized.

The study of casual archetypes continues throughout the collection, including new technical coatings of denim in both paint and resin, work that is as labour intensive as the collection’s more traditional embroideries.

Benefit Cosmetics’ new California Kissin’ Colourbalm brings together the best of lip colour and lip balm with a unique formula that will lo0ok great and give your lips a burst of moisture at the same time.

Capturing the mood of summer in California these colourful balms are a must-have for women looking to combine colour and hydration for their lips.

This moisturizing lip balm comes in 12 highly-pigmented shades that offer eight hours of lasting hydration.

The silky-smooth formula contains Wild Mango Butter, Loofah Seed Oil and Hyaluronic Acid that offer the ultimate hydration for lets.

All of the colours in the range are based on the colourful vibe of California, with colours ranging from Cherry to Spiced Red to Peach Pink. There’s a shade to suit every mood and the fresh citrus scent is an added bonus.

After a bold renovation, Louis Vuitton’s flagship store in The Dubai Mall has reopened its doors.

In a transformed space, two different levels are combined into one new location. The complete design of the space was rendered by New York-based architect Peter Marino.

In a key location within Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue the outside glass brick façade of the store is instantly recognisable.

Upon entering the store, visitors will discover women’s leather goods, followed by fine jewellery, watches and exotic leather goods.

A ceiling of “Bell Lamps” in the form of a chandelier from the Objets Nomades collection illuminates the space, along with artworks by artists Josh Sterling and Refik Anadol.

The first floor begins with a fragrance area where guests can discover perfumes and candles including regional exclusives.

Elsewhere on this floor, guests will also discover areas for both men’s and women’s ready-to-wear. The men’s space is decorated with Objets Nomades piece that add colour and modernity to the space.

The Travel room with an illuminated high ceiling of 5 meters is made of “Concertina Shades” from the Objets Nomades collection, showcase trunks, suitcases, Keepalls, a golf set, as well as accessories needed for any journey one may encounter.

The second floor can be accessed through an elevator with a custom braided leather inside and welcomes clients into the Gallery; greeted by a symphony of light created by Spiral Lamps by Atelier Oi suspended from the ceiling and placed on the floor. The Salon Privé hosts two private shopping suites for dedicated private client appointments.

There are a number of exclusive pieces for the region available in the store. This includes the Capucines Mini Gris Mordoré, the Twist Mini and Capucines BB in Rose Mordoré all crafted in Crocodilian leather.

Taigarama Trunks in Monogram Antarctica, the Malle Coiffeuse and the Sneaker Box, will also be shown for the first time in the region.

The store will also have a permanent High-Jewellery offer as well as limited edition pieces including the Idylle Blossom Sun bracelet in Pink Gold.

Discover more at Fashion Avenue, The Dubai Mall. You can also shop online at louisvuitton.ae