Celebrating the magic of cinema these statement pieces are made with the finest in craftsmanship and reflect the creativity that exists at the heart of film.

HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR 

Necklace in pink gold with onyx and Mother of Pearl, round emeralds and sapphires, pave-set of diamonds and fancy intense yellow diamonds, Mandarin garnets and rubies.

Earrings in pink gold with one round emerald and sapphire, pave-set of diamonds and fancy intense yellow diamonds, Mandarin garnets and rubies.

All Bvlgari

Dress, Amur at Bloomingdale’s Dubai.

Diva’s Dream Tourbillon Watch. 37mm White Gold case with 76 brillant-cut Diamonds. Skeleton dial decorated with a hand-painted motif of peacock and stars. Pink Gold skeleton tourbillon movement. Total of 127 Diamonds. Limited edition of 50.

All Bvlgari

Dress, Milly.

Necklace in pink Gold with Malachite and wood inserts, cushion shaped pink Tourmalines and pave-set Diamonds.

All Bvlgari

Dress with belt, Sachin + Babi at Etoile La Boutique.

Necklace in yellow gold with chrysoprases, amethyst and pink tourmaline beads. Pave-set diamonds, marquise and brilliant Diamonds cut. Serpenti Twist Your Time Watch in rose gold and diamonds with rose gold interchangeable bracelet composed of four tiny chains. Quartz movement.

All Bvlgari

Dress, Bazza Alzouman.

Necklace in white gold with Mother of Pearl, rubellite beads, pear shapes sapphires, emeralds and diamonds.

All Bvlgari

Serpenti Sedutori Watch in pink gold and diamonds. Quartz movement.

All Bvlgari

Dress, Oscar de la Renta.

Necklace in white gold with rubellite, yellow tourmaline, amethyst, citrine, tanzanite, topaz, South Sea cultured pearls and diamonds. Earrings in pink gold with pink tourmalines, aquamarines, tanzanites, beads of emeralds and diamonds.

All Bvlgari

Dress, Oscar de la Renta.

Necklace and earrings in white gold with calcedony and lapis lazulis, round sapphires and diamonds.

All Bvlgari

Dress, available at Esposa Privé.

Photographer; Ziga Mihelcic
Styling and Direction: Lindsay Judge
Hair and make-up: Manuel Losada
Model: Karina at Wilhelmina Dubai
Location: Queen Elizabeth II – Dubai

Max Mara merged the boundaries of femininity and masculinity with a playful show at Milan Fashion Week for its Spring/Summer 2020 presentation.

Max Mara Spring Summer 2020

With a show-stopping model line-up that included fashion week regulars Gigi and Bella Hadid and Kaia Gerber the Italian brand presented a colourful collection that broke classic style rules.

Max Mara Spring Summer 2020

Feminine tailoring was given a masculine twist with the addition of oversized shirts Windsor knot ties and utility pockets. Juxtaposed against knee-high socks and braided hair this quirky twist on classic tailoring brought together to moods.

The colour palette which started with shades of grey moved into soft lilac and blues before bursting into a pastel-toned rainbow.

Max Mara Spring Summer 2020

After the tailoring casual dresses were paired with blazers and jackets and paisley prints were seen on dresses and shirts. Materials were floaty and easy to wear – the sharp tailoring was complemented with a much softer side of ruffles and flowing silks.

Max Mara Spring Summer 2020

Classic jackets were, in true Max Mara style in their masses. Various lengths, cuts, colours were layered over tailored looks or loose flowing dresses.

Max Mara Spring Summer 2020

The finale of asymmetric hemmed silk dresses in various pastel tones had us dreaming of summer already.

READ MORE:

Silvia Fendi was inspired by a very specific sunset for her latest collection –  the one that warms up the summer evenings of South Italy. It was this that took the show-goers back to their summer holiday and built up an atmosphere of anticipation in the Fendi show space.

After a few seasons without Karl Lagerfeld it seemed Silva has found her feet and while Lagerfeld’s soul will always be felt within the brand a new dawn had arrived on the runway.

It was this new dawn  that inspired the war colour palette of soft pinks warm oranges and bold yellows of this collection.

With a holiday atmosphere in the room models wore looks that were fit for the Italian Riviera. Short shots, padded miniskirts and high-waisted flowy trousers were paired with crisp shirts, loose-fitting tops and layered with light-weight jackets. Belted at the waist, dresses had a cool seventies feel that continues the theme of the recent couture show, but offered more freedom and the opportunity to experiment.

Prints came in the form of multicoloured retro flowers and checks and these were paired with floral translucent tights.

Of course, fur was prominent on jackets and accessories and quilted fabrics made their runway debut.

In accessories, the Baguette and Peekaboo followed the prints of the ready-to-wear pieces with the addition of tassels on the baguette, while oversized totes where decorated with the Fendi logo.

READ MORE: 

Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2020: Max Mara

Milan Fashion Week Highlights: From Alberta Ferretti to Prada

Situated on the south coastline of Dhofar, Oman, this heavenly resort feels a million miles away from the desert with lush greenery, tropical scenes, freshwater lagoons and coconut-fringed beaches – despite just being a two-hour flight from Dubai.

As the oldest independent state in the Arab world, Oman is defined by a rich history, with a wealth of archaeological sites, imposing forts, frankincense trees and vibrant souks for those looking to tune into the spirit of old Arabia. And Salalah really is a surprisingly breath-taking destination that’s closer to home than you would ever imagine.

With the monsoon season turning the landscape green there are many good times to visit this scenic destination. From June through to August Salalah is at its greenest, waterfalls flow into the freshwater lagoons and the temperatures are warm but not overwhelming – a perfect escape from the UAE’s hot summers.

For those looking for something slightly cooler, visit between September and November when temperatures will drop and you’ll experience scattered showers and light wind, while the spring offers a more humid heat that’s still great for sun worshippers.

For those seeking the luxury lifestyle, there is only one place to stay. Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara is situated in the heart of the resort, a luxurious haven with uninterrupted panoramic views of the Indian ocean.

The resort embraces the culture of this unique destination. The hotel itself boasts striking and authentic architecture, surrounded by lush tropical gardens and an Instagram-worthy infinity pool at the centre. The resort was designed with the region’s beauty in mind. Whitewashed facades and clean lines complement the blue skies while Arabic lanterns create a magical evening atmosphere.

For a personal touch, guests can benefit from the knowledge of the resident Salalah Guru. The Omani local grew up in Salalah and is an expert in the region with unsurpassed knowledge of the area and is on hand to guide and show guests the local sites and give them a glimpse into the local life, culture, history and landscape.

There are also plenty of activities to keep guests busy including mountain hiking, visiting the local waterfalls, discovering the Al Baleed Archaeological Park – a 60 hectare UNESCO World Heritage Site, jet skiing, kayaking, fishing trips and so much more.

ROOMS & VILLAS

The resort comprises of 136 rooms and villas, all designed with handcrafted furnishings and rich textures providing a subtle Middle Eastern ambience. Overlooking either the Arabian Sea, lagoon or picturesque gardens, each room is equipped with modern comforts. The resort’s 40 Premier and Deluxe Rooms all feature a spacious bedroom, en-suite bathroom with rain shower and separate bathtub, walk-in dressing room and media hubs with portable Bluetooth speakers alongside a terrace or balcony.

Meanwhile, eight one-bedroom Villas and 88 one and two-bedroom Pool Villas entice guests with personalised services and separate living areas, with Pool Villas benefiting from private temperature-controlled swimming pools, the first of their kind in Salalah. The largest of all the rooms is the exclusive three-bedroom Royal Beach Pool Villa is the epitome of luxury, boasting commanding views of the sandy bay and idyllic lagoon.

FOOD & DINING

Al Baleed Resort Salalah offers three dining venues all completely different and unique. Each dining destination embraces both local traditions and ingredients as well as international recipes. The all-day dining restaurant Sakalan (translated to The Land of Frankincense), offers international cuisine served in open kitchens.

For something a little more specialised visit Mekong – the resort’s signature restaurant sends guests on an Asian adventure with Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine served in a stylish setting. If the weather allows, guests can dine on the outside terrace next to a peaceful lagoon and decorated with lanterns – the perfect setting for a romantic evening.

Meanwhile, relaxed beachside dining restaurant Al Mina offers Mediterranean treats and shisha.

Anantara’s ‘Spice Spoons’ experience allows guests to discover the secrets of cooking Thai or Arabic cuisine. Upon departure, each guest is provided with a certificate and recipe cards, allowing them to recreate their dishes at home.

SPA & WELLNESS

The Anantara spa takes guests on a holistic journey offering the only luxury hammam in Salalah as well as rejuvenating treatments that use natural ingredients inspired by the region including frankincense, coconut and pomegranate.

The spa has a focus on restoring a radiant sense of wellbeing and rejuvenation with feel-good treatments that are balanced with the region’s ancient rituals and indigenous ingredients.

The spa features five treatment rooms as well as separate male and female wet areas, relaxation areas, Thai massage room and nail spa. The spa’s signature treatment; The Frankincense Ritual is a unique massage experience that sees two therapists perform a four-hand synchronised full body massage. The treatment embraces the local treasured ingredient of Frankincense which has healing benefits.

The Coconut Indulgence treatment is another highlight. The replenishing experience begins with a full-body brush using coconut shells, guests are then wrapped in fresh banana leaves to detoxify and re-energise, followed by a relaxing massage using warm coconut butter. The treatments are available for solo visitors and couples.

If you are looking for something truly special visit the traditionally inspired hammam. The only one of its kind in Salalah, the old age ritual purifies the body, cleansing it from toxins and stimulating the immune system. In the marble designed Hamman visitors will be scrubbed thoroughly to increase blood circulation and awaken the senses before relaxing with a cleansing olive foam soaping, nourishing mask and massage.

The rasul treatment room also allows guests to apply natural mineral mud to their face and body before relaxing in steam to ensure the skin is left silky smooth after their treatment experience.

If you’re looking for something more than just a beauty treatment The Anantara spa also offers a wellness experience that is designed as a way to balance the body and mind. Consultants and alternative health practitioners create three, five and seven-day packages targeting weight management, revitalisation, relaxation, de-stress, detox and rejuvenation.

The spa’s experts can design bespoke wellness programmes that cater to each guest’s specific needs. To complete the experience guests can benefit from the use of a fully-equipped gym, yoga classes and beach boot camp sessions.

For more information visit anantara.com.

See the latest creation that brings together the past, present and future of the house. Here we discover with CEO and Chairman Serge Brunschwig what this latest launch means for the future of the division and the house as a whole.

Fendi Watches presented its latest launch the Forever Fendi watch in Rome earlier this year. This contemporary yet sophisticated timepiece perfectly represents the brand with the instantly recognizable FF logo, created from links on the strap and is elegantly finished with diamonds and mother-of-pearl.

Forever Fendi is a tribute to the brand’s heritage and sits perfectly with the image of the house overall. While the watch is a statement-maker it has a soft and feminine side thanks to the polished lacquer and round curves that perfectly catch the light.

The watch was presented in Fendi’s home city of Rome earlier this year and was accompanied by a unique exhibition. The Shape of Water installation saw bespoke fountains created by designer Sabine Marcelis.

Taking inspiration from, and pursuing the Design Miami project, the fountains and images were showcased with a modern and fresh take on the relationship between Fendi and Rome, as well as two of the most iconic symbols of the Maison – the FF logo and Palazzo Della Civiltà Italiana – using water, an element that Fendi cherishes the most, as a design tool. Representing the fusion between the historical, creative and aesthetic legacy of Fendi, these special installations became the perfect frame to unveil the new collection.

Presenting the Forever Fendi collection at the event was Fendi CEO and Chairman Serge Brunschwig. Brunschwig joined Fendi just over a year ago and was tasked with finding a way to bring the brand into the future whilst still retaining its legacy and heritage. Here we discuss the challenges he faces with Fendi Watches and the outlook for the future of the brand as a whole.

What’s the message that Fendi is giving with Forever Fendi?

I think it’s super important to reaffirm that this watch is a real watch and that it is really part of Fendi. There is an emphasis on the word ‘real’ and we are mixing all the elements together. It’s our first time to do a presentation like this, and to me, it made no sense to do anything else. We saw the birth of the product and clearly, it looked simple but refined and really expressed the message of the brand.

What do you think is a challenge you face with Fendi Watches?

I think the challenge is to try to connect and produce something that’s much closer to our heart and I think this watch will produce fantastic results. Fendi Watches will have all the authenticity of a Fendi product. The universe of Fendi is proud and we must be sure to communicate this.

The success of the Fendi Policromia is thanks to the bespoke option –  to what extent do you think bespoke is relevant in the industry?

I think it’s super relevant and I think we are really the leaders in it – we do it for bags, furs and watches. I think it’s great to have this expertise in watches. Policromia is Fendi’s baby and we are super happy that it’s now a member of the family, and yes, it’s definitely something that we want to push.

If you were to create your own Policromia watch, how would it look?

If I had to design my own watch, my favourite colour would be red which is very inspiring for me. I think I would marry it with Fendi colours, maybe earthy colours, that would be quite beautiful. I would play with brown and all those earthy tones.

Fendi is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Baguette this year – what else is coming up for the house during the rest of 2019?

2019 started with the emphasis on the Baguette. We had a lot of campaigns and films and that will continue with more surprises. The Baguette is incredible and the response to what we have done this year has been great so far. We are in a stock shortage already in some of the designs! The Peekaboo will also continue its success and will remain a priority for us. We are one of the few houses to have two iconic bags which is a dream come true.

What is there you still want to achieve at Fendi that you haven’t done yet?

I think we have built a lot of foundations in the past year including the revival of the organization. There is a lot of new blood circulating within the company which is superb. I think I’m still a bit impatient to see our global performance. Then, of course, we have the new projects which will be the opening of extraordinary flagship stores and fantastic website – all of these are things that are going to make statements in the future.

What one piece of advice would you give your younger self?

To believe in yourself even more. At some point, you discover your strengths and it would have been great to discover them a bit earlier!

What do you say no to?

To dishonesty and conflicts.

How would you describe Fendi in one word?

Passion.

Are you reading a book at the moment?

Yes, I am. It’s the story of a French journalist who escaped alive and wounded from the Charlie Hebdo magazine attack in Paris – it’s an incredible story. The way he recovered and found life again – it’s stunning. It’s called Le Lambeau by Philippe Lançon.

What is your personal motto?

Have faith.

How would you like the world to remember you?

As a giving person.

Interviewed by Lara Mansour Sawaya.

If you’re dreaming of your next summer staycation, why not head to the blue seas of Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat island? We discover tranquil seas and white sand at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island.

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island

Less than an hour’s drive from Dubai you’ll find Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island. This low laying island is just 500 metres off the coast of the mainland but despite having access by bridge, really has the feeling of being in the middle of the ocean. White sandy beaches and the bluest of waves have the feeling of a desert island making this a place to really escape and forget about the hectic life of the city.

While there are many hotels to choose from on the island, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island is well worth a visit. From the grand entrance to the stunning private beachfront to the elegant dining options thanks to the recently opened Buddha-Bar Beach. The resort features a huge infinity pool for guests as well as a modern adults-only pool and the nearby Saadiyat Beach Golf Course offers something for sport-lovers. Here we discover a little more about this luxury property.

Accommodation

The rooms and suites are decorated in welcoming blue and white tones with wooden accents, reflecting the scenery and ensuring the spaces are light and airy. Influenced by the Mediterranean the rooms are spacious and relaxing. We stayed in a Premium Sea View Room and waking up to that view was undeniably relaxing. There really is something about the blueness of the sea around this island that makes you feel a million miles away. Each room has a private balcony so you can enjoy the calmness of the ocean day and night.

As well as the Premium rooms there are a variety of options to choose from varying from the superior rooms to the Spa Suite which includes an in room massage, to the Two Bedroom Ocean Suite with unparalleled views over the ocean. For those looking for the ultimate luxury the Royal Suite is a three-bedroom penthouse over two floors, which comes with its own private plunge pool.

Inside the rooms you’ll find marble floors and natural materials included wood, stone, woven can and resin rattan, this gives the feeling of bringing the outside in. The artwork on the walls reflects the local landscape and gives a homely feel to the stay.

Each room includes a 42-inch flat screen television, free Wi-Fi, docking station, and the St. Regis Butler service. When you want to cool down the showers are to die for! Huge walk-in rainforest showers are the ultimate luxury and if you fancy something a little more relaxing the oversized sunken bathtubs are stocked with Remède bath amenities.

If you find yourself not wanted to leave the room after all that relaxation, why not order room service and relax in your robe for the evening?

Food and Dining

For those wanting to experience a little more of what the resort has to offer, head to the quite recently opened Buddha Bar Beach Abu Dhabi. The fifth Buddha Bar destination in the world is the newest of the brand’s venues. This beachside restaurant and bar doubles up and an outside party destination in the winter months, seeing a line-up of world renowned DJ’s hitting the beachside decks.

Buddha-Bar Beach, Abu Dhabi

After a long day at the pool head to the outside terrace to watch the sundown while sipping on a unique and quirky offering of mocktails and drinks created specifically for Buddha Bar Beach by an in-house mixologist. The interiors are something to marvel over. Modern wooden furniture and marble walls make this an uber-classy destination.

Buddha-Bar Beach, Abu Dhabi

As night falls head back for dinner where you’ll find a fusion of flavours that combine Chinese, Japanese, Thai and other Asian cuisines with a Mediterranean twist. The restaurant team are on hand for recommendations but the Buddha-Bar Chicken Salad is a must try, while for mains the Tooth Fish is delicious. From the same family as Black Cod there are similarities but the Tooth Fish is meatier and in our opinion even more tasty. Finish with the Platter of BBB Gorgeous Desserts & Fruits which is presented in the most Buddha-Bar of ways! If you love Asian food you must also pay a trip to Sontaya. The restaurant overlooks the hotel’s pool and offers delicious south-east Asian cuisine.

If Asian cuisine isn’t your thing there are plenty of other dining options to choose from. Olea, the all-day-dining restaurant offers a vast offering of Mediterranean cuisine. The breakfast here one was of the highlights of our stay. With dozens of live cooing stations, and buffet options to choose from you’ll be there all morning! The evening presents a tempting selection of live cooking stations as well as an à la carte menu.

A Little More

Aside from fine dining and absolute relaxation The St. Regis Saadiyat Island has a number of activities to keep you busy during the day. The nearby Saadiyat Beach Golf Club overlooks the resort and features a beautiful beach-side 18-hole golf course. And while you send your husband to the gold course, the Iridium Spa has an extensive treatment menu for us ladies to relax and pamper ourselves. There’s even a kid’s club to keep the little ones entertained while you have a little ‘me time’. Absolute bliss.

Iridium Spa

For more information call 02 498 8888 or email reservations.saadiyat@stregis.com

If you’ve wanted whiter teeth but have never been sure where to start, Dr Sofia at Euromed Clinic Center is your key to success for getting sparkly whites

When it comes to teeth whitening it’s often hard to know where to begin. Should I do it at home? How much will it cost? Will it hurt? How white do I want to go? These are just some of the questions we had, so we decided to find out more.

Dr Sofia, Dentist at Euromed Clinic Center is an expert in cosmetic dentistry. She is one of the only dentists in the Middle East to hold a Master of Science in Lasers in Dentistry and is the one of the only dentists in the UAE to be a Digital Smile Design specialist meaning she can give you the ultimate smile. Dr Sofia offers two types of whitening; at-home tray whitening and in-clinic laser treatment. The two are very different but offer similar results over varying periods of time. If you decide to opt for a combination of the two treatments this gives the best longest-lasting results.

Dr Sofia

Before you make the decision Dr Sofia will guide you through the options – and don’t forget to ask her for her at home remedies to cleaner and whiter teeth as she has some great secrets to share!

The in-clinic laser teeth whitening treatment consists of two or three appointments. During the first, Dr Sofia will clean and polish your teeth to ensure they are sparkling and ready for the treatment. If you have sensitive gums you may be asked to come back at a later date, otherwise part two of the treatment can be done within the same session.

Once your teeth are nice and clean you’re ready to begin the whitening process. The recommended laser treatment consists of two sessions of twenty minutes, usually done on separate days. The whitening session begins with Dr Sofia explaining the process. In-clinic whitening provides fast results thanks to 33 per cent strength hydrogen peroxide in the formula. This is very strong, much stronger than anything you can use at home, so your gums have to be protected while the whitening takes place. Dr Sofia will first place a gum shield inside your mouth to protect your gums. This is followed by the placement of the whitening gel on your upper and lower teeth. Next a UV light will be placed in front of your mouth and you wait for 20 minutes while the whitening takes place. Don’t worry you won’t get bored, you’ll be able to watch anything you want on You Tube while waiting for the process to finish.

After 20 minutes Dr Sofia will remove the gel and gum guard and you will see there is an instant result! After the first session your teeth won’t be as white as the final result but there will be a significant difference in colour. We will be completely honest, this isn’t a pain-free process. If you have particularly sensitive teeth they can react during the treatment and in the hours after the whitening takes place. It’s can be quite painful so be sure to be prepared with Ibuprofen and rubbing Sensodyne toothpaste into your gums is a great help too! The pain will ease after a few hours and in a few days you’ll be ready to go back for your second session where you’ll get to see the final result.

Once your two sessions of whitening are complete, the results should last for a good few months. What Dr Sofia advises however is to complement the in-clinic whitening process with at home whitening trays. This way, you will have your own method of whitening at home, allowing you to top up your teeth in between sessions. In a follow up appointment Dr Sofia will take and impressions of your teeth and create moulds so that you can take your whitening kit home with you. And voila you’ll have your long-lasting Hollywood smile!

Digital Smile Design

For those looking for a more accurate smile enhancing experience Digital Smile Design combines science, technology and art so that your dentist can create your perfect smile. This unique technique uses advanced software, and the classic beauty guidelines of Leonardo Da Vinci, to suggest teeth shapes that will complement your face shape. During a consultation your smile will be photographed in detail so that you can work with Dr Sofia to create a digital preview of your dream smile. From this temporary teeth mock-ups are created so that you can wear them for a few days and test out your new look. Depending on what you’re looking for DSD can provide you with a combination of whitening, veneers, fillings, crowns and more.

Euromed Clinic offers three options of teeth whitening:

1. Home teeth whitening kit (requires clinic visit to take impressions for trays):  AED 2,000.
2. In-clinic teeth whitening (requires two visits); AED 2,500 for a package of 2 appointments, or AED 1,500 if purchased as single sessions.
3. Home kit plus one in-clinic treatment: AED 3,000.

All prices are starting from and are exclusive of VAT.

For further details, call 04 394 5422 or visit www.euromedclinicdubai.com www.facebook.com/EuroMed.Clinic.Dubai

READ MORE:

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A Yoga Festival Is Coming to Dubai This November

A guide to the essential pieces to invest in this season to see you through to spring.

SHARP BLAZER

Sharp shoulders, exquisite tailoring and clinched in waists make for the wear-with-everything perfect blazer for this autumn/winter.

Balmain

PUSSY-BOW BLOUSE

Yes, the classic seventies style is back.  Wear your blouse with a jacket and midi skirt for the full seventies look.

The Row X Net-A-Porter

PLEATED MIDI SKIRT

Chic and simple the pleated midi skirt is a new wardrobe essential that doesn’t seem to be dying out any time soon. Be sure to invest in a quality one that will last you all season.

Zimmerman

FLORAL DRESS

Florals, in autumn? Yes, you heard us right. Invest in a floral dress that will become your winter essential. If it’s cold pair with tights or stockings or layer this key piece with a jacket.

Burberry

CLASSIC TRENCH

It never gets old and the classic trench is set to be this season’s go-to coat, especially in warmer climates, this wardrobe staple is great as a light extra layout to complete any outfit.

Dundas

METALLIC DRESS

The little black dress has new competition. The LGD is set to become the must-have look in the lead up to the festive season. You’ll look as cute as a gift-wrapped present!

Officine Generale at Matches Fashion

ANIMAL PRINT

From leopard print coats at Versace to spotted capes at Marc Jacobs, spots ruled the runway. Wear with classic simple separates to add some personality to your look.

Valentino

LACE ESSENTIAL

Whether it’s a lace pencil skirt or a simple dress, lace is going to become an essential part of your wardrobe this fall so choose your piece wisely.

Accessories can make or break you. Whether it’s your choice of handbag, jewellery or the style of shoes, we discover the latest trends that will be the finishing touches to your autumn/winter wardrobe.

Dior, D&G, Miu Miu

Mary-Jane Shoes

Cute and feminine, the Mary-Jane shoe is the must-invest style this season, as seen on the runway at Dior, Dolce & Gabbana and Miu Miu. Choose from kitten heels, flats or the high chunky heel variety.

Prabal Gurung, Givenchy, Chanel

Pearl Earrings

Nothing says elegance like a pearl earring, and this autumn it is going to be the go-to jewellery of choice for those looking for understated glamour. Take inspiration from the runway at Chanel, Givenchy and Prabul Gurung.

Celine, Givenchy, Chloe

Snakeskin Details

Snakeskin shoes and bags are the ultimate status statement. Opt for rich autumnal tones as seen at Celine and Chloe or light stand-out shoes as seen on the runway at Givenchy.

Dior, Michael Kors, Valentino

Bold Hats

Headgear came in all shapes and sizes but the one thing they all had in common was to make a strong statement. From Amish-style bucket hats at Valentino to slouchy caps at Marc Jacobs, there was something to suit every taste.

Fendi, Versace, Hermes

Cross-Body Bags

The fuss-free convenient way to wear a bag is across the body. As function prevails over fashion for today’s modern woman this cross-body bag is the perfect solution. Take style inspiration from Fendi, Hermes and Versace.

Balenciaga, Bottege Veneta, Alexander McQueen

Oversized Chains

Throw it back to the old school with oversized gold and silver chains. This costume jewellery piece isn’t for everyone but wearing it with something simple as seen at Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga gives the style a whole new lease of life.

Loewe, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo

Ladylike Bags

Top handle bags are the most feminine of all – so much so even The Queen wears them. Elegant new bag designs were seen on the runway at Loewe, Prada and Salvatore Ferragamo to name a few.

Paco Rabanne, Chanel, D&G

OTT Jewels

Sometimes more is more, and this season’s jewellery trends embrace just that. Think over the top blingy, matching necklaces and earrings worn together for a full sparkly look. Dolce & Gabbana, Paco Rabanne and Chanel perfectly embraced the style.

Dior, Fendi, Versace

Socks and Shoes

Once thought of as a fashion faux pas, socks and shoes have proved themselves to be edgier than ever imagined. Court shoes or Mary Janes were paired with colour clashing socks or tights at Versace, Fendi and Dior and we think it’s catching on.

Fendi, Max Mara, Gucci

Retro Sunnies

Sunglasses take a step back in time this seasons with oversized, colourful retro frames being the style of choice. Fendi, Max Mara and Gucci all displayed new and cutting edge vintage-inspired styles.

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Ermenegildo Zegna’s latest campaign What Makes a Man launches in New York today with two-time Oscar winner and star of Green Book and Moonlight Mahershala Ali and Chinese singer and songwriter Nicholas Tse as the new faces of the band.

The campaign is angled around the question; what makes a man? Especially focusing on the ever-changing world we live in today and how the notion of masculinity has changed so much.

Mahershala Ali

Today masculinity is a state of mind, not a set of given rules. Men are changing whether it is to be more in touch with their emotions or admitting their inner weaknesses. Zegna believes that the cocept of masculinity has changed and that’s what they are embrace with the What Makes a Man campaign.

Zegna is a brand that has always adopted an every-changing mindset. A trend setter that is now encouraging men to open a conversation around what makes a man today. The brand recognizes that it takes courage to express a new type of masculinity – a masculinity that is, perhaps, different from the idealized versions of masculinity that have existed for so long. With a deep respect for this courage, Zegna, a brand rooted in tailoring and fine craftsmanship, is also embracing an idea of masculinity that is fluid, sensitive, and unequivocal.

Nicholas Tse

The two me that were chosen for this campaign embody this essence of fluid masculinity and have been taken on board to help the word spread around the world.

Two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali is a versatile actor has depicted and embodied many shades of masculinity. He is a natural fit to represent the idea of what a man is today. He brings a personal gravitas and a lightness of spirit, an inner richness and wit.

Mahershala Ali

Artist Nicholas Tse was destined to become a star since the day he was born. His unique personality and passion for the arts, coupled with his determination to challenge stereotypes, makes him the perfect voice to explore the meaning of modern masculinity.

To support the campaign a  #WHATMAKESAMAN t-shirt has been designed to be sold in our stores. All the proceeds will be donated to a global charity supporting an education program to build up a better future. Education means openness, which in turn means freedom.

Stay with A&E for updates on the campign as it launches this weekend.

There has been much talk about the challenges that luxury brands are facing in China. We investigate what’s happening in the market and discuss the future of international brands in the Far East.

As the world’s biggest luxury market it’s no surprise that fashion houses, watchmakers and jewellers are putting immense pressure on themselves to succeed in China. It is, after all, the most cash-rich market in the world with, according to McKinsey & Company, spending up to 770 billion yuan ($115 billion) on luxury goods at home and abroad last year, equivalent to a third of the world’s total, while a recent report by UBS reported that Hong Kong alone is responsible for five per cent of the world’s luxury sales.

This is not a new phenomenon, huge international luxury brands have been operating in China for decades, but the fast-growing economy and increasing globalization means the world is more accessible than ever, so the amount of brands and the speed they are opening in China is intensifying rapidly. But there is a problem. While everyone wants to be in the country there seems to be a continuing struggle for brands to get it right in the region.

In just the last few months, countless luxury brands including Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Balenciaga, Burberry, Givenchy, Coach and more have all found themselves in situations where they have had to issue public apologies to China.

Brands have cancelled shows, pulled products out of the region and even closed stores. We’re not talking niche about brands. Even huge global labels who have equally huge marketing and research teams are still sometimes getting it wrong.

Stemming mostly from Chinese social media, there have been calls to boycott certain brands and demands for names to apologize both in English and Chinese. The issues in question ranged from mistakes in text on T-shirts, which were seen to be suggesting that regions of China such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau were actually different countries, to featuring these regions as separate entities on their online drop-down menus, and even publicising advertising campaigns that were deemed offensive to Chinese people.

So in today’s industry how does this continue to happen? Brands would surely have done their research before entering the market, so why the errors? Luxury Fashion Consultant Babette Radclyffe-Thomas specializes in the Chinese market.

She explains: “International luxury brands need to listen more to people on the ground, the people who are immersed in the culture and language. Often brands have headquarters in Hong Kong and China but a lot of direction still comes from New York or Paris. I honestly believe a lot of the recent incidents we have seen could have been avoided if the brands had run the designs or advertising campaigns past a locally based team or conducted a small focus group.”

And there’s something else intensifying the situation; social media. Chinese internet users – or as they are often referred to as ‘Netizens’ are a unique breed. The internet in China is heavily controlled by the government and all information coming in and going out is filtered. This result is a tight-knit internet-using community and information is shared and passed around within this community faster than probably anywhere else in the world.

Chinese social media sites such as Weibo are the primary source of information for much of the younger generation and news spreads unbelievably quickly on these platforms. When an issue like this happens with a brand, this is where the calls to boycott certain companies will occur and stories will start circulating.

“There has also been the rise of ‘wu mao’ (or The 50 Cent Army) online especially on Weibo, who are paid by the state to comment and share the government-approved version too, as well as bots too who are now also spreading onto other social media platforms,” says Radclyffe-Thomas.

The timing of these recent incidents is also particularly bad as they come at a moment when China is experiencing political issues within its country. Protests in Hong Kong have been reaching boiling point.

What started as a revolt against an extradition bill to transfer fugitives from Hong Kong to mainland China has now developed into a broader pro-democracy protest which has seen thousands of Hong Kong residents taking to the streets to stand their ground. So the Chinese government is particularly heightened to anything that may be deemed as disrespectful.

The protests in Hong Kong are no laughing matter for luxury brands. According to a recent report by Forbes, Hong Kong accounts for 11 per cent of Richemont’s total global sales, while the city accounts for 9 per cent of sales at Burberry, and between 6 and 8 per cent at Kering and LVMH. Brand’s like Tod’s and Prada also have around 6 per cent of their sales in Hong Kong alone. So they are looking at potential huge losses if things continue.

So far, stores, shopping malls and even the airport have been forced to close and with protests erupting, shoppers are being put off visiting the stores that are open – after all, who would want to walk around with a designer bag when protests are taking place on the street?

Many of Hong Kong’s sales are to those from mainland China who take day trips or holidays to the island to shop but with tensions rising between the island and the mainland, the amount visitors from there is likely to decrease.

It’s not just Hong Kong causing issues for multi-national brands. The economy in China as a whole has been slowing down recently – this is in part due to the ongoing trade war with the US. Going forward, many brands will likely need to raise prices in mainland China to account for a devalued yuan, which may or may not continue to decrease depending on whether the problems are resolved any time soon.

This will also put off brands from investing further in a market that could ultimately make them lose money. This is especially the case for American brands such as Tiffany & Co, The Movado Group, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren.

With all this going on, Chinese shoppers are looking for other ways to shop – be it travelling elsewhere or turning to locally-based sites to buy their goods. The industry is seeing a younger generation of cash-rich shoppers who are travelling abroad to shop. The Middle East, for example, has seen an increase in Chinese shoppers while other markets such as the US and Japan are on the decline.

The buying habits of the young Chinese generation is very different from that of their parents and grandparents because of the wider availability of access to the internet and social media. This is also allowing domestic brands in China to carve out their own industry.

As the New York Times highlighted in its overview of Alibaba’s recent financial results: “Analysts say the trade war with the United States has prompted shoppers to become more selective, and many have switched to buying domestic brands that they feel are of high quality.”

Particularly in the cosmetics and skincare market – China is building its own market and of course you have the booming beauty market from Korea which could see Chinese residents shopping closer to home for beauty products rather than turning to western brands.

So where do we go from here? The demand for goods from international luxury brands is far from dead in China. What needs to be addressed is the ways in which these brands can do it better for the customer.

There is no margin for error because when these incidents happen, savvy consumers will look elsewhere and before you know it, brands will have missed the opportunity. The key is diversity and localising content says Radclyffe-Thomas.

“Diversity also needs to be reflected in the design and marketing teams and processes too. It is not enough to come to Shanghai or Hong Kong for two weeks of quick meetings and then direct the brand’s global vision from a New York base with a New York perspective.”

This is what needs to be done internally, but marketing campaigns and the ways in which products are presented to the Chinese customer need to be looked at as well. “The use of models such as Gigi Hadid as a brand spokesperson seems quite out of touch as Hadid lacks cultural recognition here.

Instead, brands should look to more culturally relevant celebrities such as Asian stars (who might not be known in America but are huge in this market). Certain regions also have different notions as to who is perceived to be beautiful, as well as cultural notions in regards to behaviours and attitudes.”

The bottom line is more research, more investment and more understanding of the market. “Hire good people with inter-cultural communication skills who know the culture well, and then once hired actually listen to them. Send the campaign to your locally based team before it goes public to see their feedback” says Radclyffe-Thomas

. If almost one-third of the world’s luxury goods are purchased by Chinese consumers – why do we still see luxury brands with almost 100 per cent of their staff European? Something has to change. Radclyffe-Thomas highlights; “the Chinese luxury consumer is not one person or one target consumer. For example, there is a big difference between a Shanghainese design student who no longer shops in London as it’s not cool enough and prefers Berlin, compared to a retail magnate from a fourth-tier city – their tastes and expectations will be and are so different.

“So it’s really important for brands to recognise that there is no such thing as ‘the Chinese luxury consumer’ and instead diversify their understanding of this market.”

The coming months will be crucial for brands – those who have already made errors will be working hard to rectify mistakes while others will surely be re-analysing and planning strategies going forward. There is a lot for some of the big players to consider as they put more focus on this huge, ever-changing market.

Maria Grazia Chiuri’s fall/winter 2019-20 collection for Dior fall celebrates sisterhood and the coming together of strong, powerful women. Discover more in our latest fashion editorial.

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Fashion Director: Eliza Scarborough

Photographer: Carla Guler

Hair and Make-up: Kenny at Carol Hayes

Models: Inka and Neele at M&P

Shot on location in England

As the world leader in online global luxury fashion, the YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP has become the go-to platform for luxury shoppers around the world. Sitting with A&E, Chairman and CEO Federico Marchetti gives an insight into the future of the business and the plans to continue leading the market.

Federico Marchetti

What started as one man’s vision 20 years ago has become a global online retail giant with a client base of over three and half million high spending customer from over 180 countries. Today the Group’s multi-brand online stores include NET-A-PORTER, MR PORTER, YOOX AND THE OUTNET.

Federico Marchetti, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP founded YOOX in 1999. At that time most industry insiders and customers were still learning what the internet could offer when it came to fashion and luxury. Marchetti was ahead of the curve, managing to anticipate new customer trends and predict how markets would change and develop as the world of e-commerce grew.

After successfully developing YOOX not only in its own right but also operating the e-commerce sites of some of the leading global fashion brands, Marchetti successfully struck a merger with NET- A-PORTER founding YOOX NET-A-PORTER-GROUP in 2015.

8 by YOOX

Four years on and the group is the world’s leading online luxury fashion retailer and is going from strength to strength. With over 5,000 employees around the world, it is one of the fastest growing online companies in the world and in 2018 when YOOX NET-A-PORTER became part of Richemont, it was valued at six billion dollars.

Originally from Italy, Federico Marchetti now splits his time between Milan and London, overseeing the group. Marchetti graduated from Bocconi University in Milan with a degree in economics and after a short career in finance made the decision to pursue his entrepreneurial dream.

Discovering the accessibility of the internet was the starting point of Marchetti’s idea to launch his own company YOOX which officially began in 2000. Almost two decades on and with a hugely successful business and more advancements in technologies than anyone ever thought possible, Marchetti is looking to new technology and artificial intelligence to help ensure YOOX NET-A-PORTER continues to be the leader in the market.

Here we discuss the future of the company as it is today and what it is doing to incorporate the demands from global markets.

What is the main goal YOOX NET-A-PORTER is looking to achieve in the coming year?

Today, we are the world leader in online luxury and fashion, with well over $2 billion in revenues. I want to ensure that YOOX NET- A-PORTER GROUP is truly unbeatable for years to come. We’re doing this by offering the very best customer experience and by continuing to build a complete luxury ecosystem that is unique in the world.

At YOOX NET-A-PORTER we create luxury stores that sit in the palm of your hand. We use a mix of technology and human touch to give the world’s most discerning customers a truly luxury shopping experience, from start to finish. Our customers live on their smartphones, so we are obsessive about creating luxury experiences that make the most of mobility.

Our family of multi-brand online shops offer a perfectly curated selection from the world’s leading luxury brands, whether the customer is shopping for the latest luxury creations straight off the runway, the most on-trend fashions from the previous season or even a piece of art to decorate their home. And we also power many of the online flagship stores of leading brands such as Valentino and Moncler. Behind the scenes, are our sophisticated technology and logistics platforms.

What would you say is a challenge you face today and what are your plans to help you overcome that challenge?

When we wanted to strengthen our offering in the Middle East, we knew we had to find the best possible partner in the region. That’s why we were eager to forge an alliance with Mohamed Alabbar’s Symphony Investments group. Now we are working to deepen our presence in China. Just as we did in the Middle East, we turned to the number one player. That’s why, together with Richemont, we established a joint venture with Alibaba to become truly unbeatable in China.

In a market that is changing so quickly, how does YOOX NET- A-PORTER keep up with the latest technology?

We’ve always been pioneers at the intersection of technology and luxury. My concern isn’t how to keep up with the latest technology as much as choosing what’s right for our customers. Back in 1999, I imagined YOOX as the shop of my dreams; I saw myself as the customer. That focus has always guided the business. That’s why so much of our innovation is focused on the mobile experience.

We know that luxury customers live on their smartphones – all the more so in the Gulf region and in China, where sales via smartphones are significantly above the global average.

Carine Roitfeld Parfums

Is artificial intelligence something YOOX NET-A-PORTER is working with and how do you think the business can benefit from this?

Luxury brands have always aspired to give their customers an experience that is unique to them. AI opens up fabulous opportunities to take personalisation to a new level. Consider the online shopping homepage. No more will you see one page for our over three million customers. Instead, you’ll see three million pages crafted instantaneously for each customer, with a curated selection of luxury fashion,  jewellery and watches, and editorial content that is suitable for their upcoming engagements.

Data such as weather, location, purchase history and more could, at a customer’s request, be used to create the ultimate luxury shopping experience, all powered by AI. That said, it’s important to remember that in luxury the human touch will always be vital.

Social media has become such a big part of consumers’ lives, how does YOOX NET-A-PORTER use this to move the business forward?

Social media has changed luxury forever; now, everyone has a voice. You see this in our private label, 8 by YOOX. These collections are generated by data – gathered from social networks, the web and customer behaviour – to guide our product development team.

Social media has also changed the way we interact with customers. We have over five million Instagram followers who can now shop with us without having to leave the Instagram app. At the same time, social media can be a very personal channel for our most valuable customers. Our personal shoppers regularly use WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and WeChat to advise our clients.

As a global company, how do you focus on specific markets while keeping your overall goal and mission?

A fully localised experience has always been important for our customers around the world. We want to provide an experience that feels close to our customers and is aligned with their culture and traditions.

In the Middle East, NET-A-PORTER has produced exclusive Ramadan women’s collections since 2016, as well as featuring a modest dress section for customers in the region. We also offer a choice between our signature branded packaging or discreet boxes. A localised version of THE OUTNET site in the Middle East was our group’s first-ever dual- language site. Later this year, we will unveil other enhancements to the customer experience in the Middle Eastern market.

The Row

E-commerce has become such a big part of our lives, what do you foresee happening in the next five years?

The future of online is all about the smartphone. Thinking forward you have to imagine how the luxury shopper of the future will engage on their personal device. Augmented Reality will bring the catwalk into each customer’s home, voice recognition will make online shopping incredibly natural, visual search will make it easy to see a piece on the street and instantly purchase it on your device.

But I don’t believe in the death of the store. In fact, I see online and offline coming together to create a seamless luxury retail experience. We are developing this advanced omnichannel concept together with Valentino as one of our Online Flagship Stores.

Customer service is such an important part of the customer experience – how do you ensure you excel in this when much of your company is digital?

You need to strike the right balance between the human touch and the gains of technology. Our customers are very discerning but time-poor. They look to us as a trusted source of style advice, inspiration and product selection.

One of the ways we do this is through our Personal Shoppers, who work closely with customers. To assist them, we are harnessing artificial intelligence to build a giant database of taste that learns from 20 years of experience and recommendations of our stylists. With these insights at hand, our Personal Shoppers can offer an unmatched shopping experience to our top customers.

As online and offline shopping merge together, there will be many more opportunities to balance human and machine.

NET-A-PORTER’s Sustainability Campaign

How do you think luxury products like high jewellery and watches can successfully translate to selling digitally?

There are no limits. We’ve had customers spend over $220,000 (AED800,000) for a watch on MR PORTER and $180,000 (AED660,000) for a piece of jewellery on NET-A-PORTER. Hard luxury is now one of our fastest-growing categories, and our customers in the Middle East are particularly interested in jewellery, often purchasing items alongside luxury fashion.

NET-A-PORTER recently launched EIP Privé, our first invitation-only destination that brings the experience of the private jewellery salon to the digital realm for our top customers. Along with watch exclusives and private viewings of the newest and rarest jewels, EIP Privé will provide personalised services including customisation, bespoke requests and sourcing of one-of-a-kind pieces.

How important is sustainability to you as a company and what are you doing to be sustainable?

I have always put a great emphasis on sustainability. In 2009, YOOX debuted YOOXYGEN, one of the first online destinations for sustainable fashion. More recently, NET-A-PORTER launched Net Sustain to help customers identify sustainable brands more easily.

As a group, 99 per cent of our plastics in operations are recycled and all our shipping boxes are plastic-free. Within the production of our own label 8 by YOOX, we are experimenting with bio fabricated leather and biodegradable nylons.

What changes would you like to see happen in the fashion industry to support sustainable living?

The pace of change needs to accelerate. There’s been a lot of progress in the past 10 years; the misconception that design, style and luxury could not co-exist with a positive social and environmental impact is a thing of the past. Still, I’d like to see a much broader offering of sustainable fashion.

NET-A-PORTER’s modest offering

What are your thoughts on the growth and trends in the Middle East?

The Middle East is definitely one of the most exciting markets for luxury. Our customers in the region are young, adventurous, mobile-driven and often purchase a broad range of luxury items every season. They really value exclusivity – we see this in the success in the region of our THE VANGUARD programme that leverages our expertise in scouting and cultivating emerging fashion designers.

Across our platforms last year, we introduced 400 new brands and 135 exclusive capsule collections including partnerships with The Row, Tiffany & Co and Saint Laurent, as well as the debut of Carine Roitfeld’s fragrance collection.

As an entrepreneur what advice would you give to others that are hesitant about following their dreams?

If you believe in your project, you need to act with conviction. I launched YOOX just months before the dotcom bubble burst. If I had waited, it never would have taken off. Instead, I ploughed ahead and conveyed my dream to some of the biggest names in fashion, long before anyone believed that luxury and technology belonged together.

What is the professional motto you live by?

Be courageous. There are many traits that make a strong entrepreneur or leader. But you can’t succeed without courage.

See more at net-a-porter.com.

NET SUSTAIN

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Breakout luxury fashion brand Nemozena is bringing a new concept to the market. Born in the UAE but with production and design now based in Italy, this new and unique fashion brand is combining the influences of the East and West to create something that is what the modern woman is looking for.

Nemozena’s clothing is created to withstand the test of time while looking great is, of course, important, the core objective of the pieces is to last for many years. This is achieved through the use of innovative, versatile materials, flawless construction and attention to detail.

With a focus on essentials, Nemozena provides the key pieces every woman needs in her wardrobe, seemingly becoming the building blocks that hold together the core of her wardrobe for years to come. While trends come and go, Nemozena’s pieces are designed to stay in fashion whatever the fashion and therefore are timeless.

One of the unique characteristics of the pieces is their versatility. This is achieved in many ways be in pieces that can be worn in more than one way, removable straps, flaps and layers, as well as the ultimate in versatility the reversible design. This quite simply means that many of the pieces can be turned inside out to create a completely different look – giving you two looks in one!

Head of Womenswear Ioanna Solea

At the heart of the brand’s innovative ideas and creations is Head of womenswear, designer Ioanna Solea. Based in Milan, Solea is proud to present pieces that are timeless in their design made modern in their innovation. Here she discusses the idea behind the brand and how it will take versatility to the next level.

Nemozena has a very unique concept – what inspired it?

Nemozena is a unique luxury fashion brand based on feminine, timeless designs, that give women the freedom to build a very inter-personal wardrobe. Through both reversible and modular items, as well as mix and match suiting, separates, outerwear and dresses, the Nemozena woman can create her own individual, ultra-wearable style.

Nemozena is for today’s woman and will speak to her intellect and taste while connecting to her inner spirit. The clothes are very much grounded in reality and are the smart option for an everyday busy life, reflecting the world today, with diversity in age, size, colour and beliefs. Nemozena clothes are for everybody and every “body”.

How do you think the brand is influenced by both Europe and The Middle East?

Born with the belief that fashion should support and interpret the current consciousness of today’s woman, Nemozena is an inherently modern brand where women are absolutely at the forefront and celebrated with every collection. Nemozena is inspired by an Italian heritage of exceptional design and style and has its roots in excellent craftsmanship. The ‘Made in Italy’ stamp is at the very heart of every collection.

Nemozena is also inspired by strong confident women, who are leaders and role models for luxury sustainable fashion and buying responsibly, which is also a theme that is especially prevalent in the Middle East and a core concept of the brand. Nemozena as a brand, celebrates women in all of their accomplishments, whether in the home or as entrepreneurs and pioneers when it comes to business.

There are many similarities between Italy and the Middle East when it comes to celebrating women’s achievements and supporting their future. We always try to ensure influences from the women of this region are reflected in the designs we create.

You talk a lot about timelessness with your pieces – what would you say makes them timeless exactly?

Nemozena clothing withstands the test of time as we design our pieces to feel great and last for many years, both in the construction of the garment and also in the quality of the fabrics, all of which are noble and made in Italy. Characterized by flawless construction, attention to detail and an effortless inner feminine core, each of Nemozena’s collections have a silent twist within every piece, with the idea that these clothes become the building blocks of your wider wardrobe.

A day dress becomes a cocktail piece, a trench becomes a bolero… inside out, back to front, and removable or inter-lockable design means that key items work perfectly together and also fit seamlessly with what you already own to make your everyday life not only easier but infinitely more contemporary.

Why do you think women are excited for the reversible concept?

Our reversible garments are the ultimate travel companion. Lightweight and easy to pack, these are holiday essentials whatever the season, so are incredibly versatile and a perfect timeless compliment to a woman’s wardrobe. With life being so hectic at times, who wants to stick with the same dress all day? It just takes reversing a piece to have a completely different colour, different style and altogether a different look!

There are many key items also in the new winter collection that take the word reversible to a whole new level. Reversible at Nemozena doesn’t only relate to turning an item of clothing inside out, which would be far too basic. Take a classic coat, which can be worn three ways for example: as a dress, as a coat, and by removing a zip, also a cropped bolero jacket. We tried to be more intuitive and technical with each new collection, without being too fussy or overly clever.

Who is the woman you are designing for?

The Nemozena woman is a global citizen and conscious of the world around her. She is culturally curious, driven, thoughtful, and confident. Believing in the need to push the conversation forward, she has a broad range of interests from contemporary art, current affairs, sustainability and her personal style.

While she appreciates the slower values of yesterday, she rejects the stuffiness of traditional grandeur and is embracing a more relaxed approach to luxury, looking to move beyond the typical into the unusual, giving her the ability to see the unseen and communicate her individuality. She also doesn’t have time for fads.

What can you tell us about some of the unique materials used in your designs?

We source our material directly from Italy. The materials we use are functional, feel good on the body, and have a sense of innovation in them at the same time. Fabrics that are “multi-weather” and can endure long hours of travelling. We are really keen on fabrics that reflect a sense of luxury, but at the same time are anti-crease, stain resistant, water resistant and easy to care.

Take techno wool for an example, which is a key fabric in the new winter collection: it can be packed in a case for a long trip and appear crease free at the other end, it’s water resistant and also easy to wash. And above all, it’s luxurious.

Do you have a favourite piece from the AW19 collection?

The trench coat and the trench dress have to be my favourite pieces. They are classy, versatile and have a touch of coolness about them but still allow you the freedom to adapt them to your own personal style. I strongly believe that clothes should not take on the personality of the wearer

Why is sustainability important to you as a brand and what are you doing to support it?

Sustainability is becoming a very important subject for everyone these days. It is essential that we all commit ourselves to doing our best with working ethically and always striving for improvement. The brand reflects the idea of buying consciously by giving value to fashion pieces that are made to last.

This is why for us, quality and timeless style are really important, it is all about respecting and reflecting on the choices we make including our brand values, integrity, honesty and originality. To this end, our pieces encourage women to buy carefully as well as responsibly and by choosing Italian made fabrics, we are also additionally supporting age-old family textile businesses and rejecting mass-produced and mass-manufactured fashion.

What are the three key pieces every woman should own?

A woman should own pieces that compliment her three most important attributes; her body, her confidence and her personality. In terms of specific pieces, I would say a stylish trench coat, a boyish shirt and a flowing dress that can be worn multiple ways over multiple seasons.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a designer today?

It’s a tough industry and a tough business. In a continuously evolving commercial and digital landscape, designers must remain true to the core conceptual ideas while keeping up with technology, customer engagement and the industries changing needs.

With communication constantly speeding up, there is a higher need to be at the forefront of changes in a very short time, so we can work on how and if we want to fit into such changes whilst trying to find a way to stand out at the same time.

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

Nemozena is a young brand so we are working hard at building its image, values and awareness. There isn’t an ultimate goal that we’re striving to achieve, however with each season that we design for, comes a better understanding of what we are doing and why we are doing it and this is what helps us grow and improve. We really want to help women get up in the morning and feel and look effortlessly cool, all over the world.

You’re already pushing the boundaries of innovation and technology at Nemozena – what next?

Fashion is always evolving and so accepting innovative changes depends on how long it takes for an idea to get out there and be understood. We are setting new standards of innovation through the reversible capsule of Nemozena, but the brand is still really young. However, that being said, I can’t wait to be asking myself the question about what’s next for Nemozena!

What is the professional motto you live by?

Keep inspired, keep going and get to know your customer!

And your personal motto?

Whatever you do just remember to do it with a smile.

Who or what is your fashion inspiration?

I can get inspired by anything, an idea, a concept or sometimes even just a colour or a small element of an artwork. Through the years, I’ve always found Dries Van Noten’s work inspiring. The way he mixes colours and patterns, sometimes in a clashing way, sometimes harmoniously, but always so effortlessly fresh and respectful about what the brand represents.

Are you reading a book at the moment?

I just finished reading ‘The Spy’ by Paolo Coelho

How would you describe Nemozena in one word?

Versatile.

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Dreaming of a relaxing island vacation but don’t have the time to board escape to cooler temperatures this summer? Or maybe you’ve just got back from a exotic getaway and are already wishing you had another vacation in the diary?

We have just the solution. Anantara the Palm has all the magic of Thailand in the heart of Dubai with its unique themed resort.

Inspired by the beauty of Thailand, the highlight of this resort is its tropical island feel which is creating by surrounding the resort with a huge flowing lagoon-style pool, with direct access to some of the hotel’s rooms. We tried a Lagoon View room which offered sprawling views of the serene lagoon that runs through the resort. Inspired by what you can find in Thailand, there are also Lagoon access rooms which allow the guest to enter the lagoon 24 hours a day from the privacy of their own balcony. By day you’ll be able to relax next to the waters with freshly made drinks delivered by boat and by night you can partake in a quiet evening swim.

Lagoon View and Lagoon Access Rooms

For further privacy choose one of the 15 Beach Pool Villas which come complete with their own infinity pool as well as private access to the white sandy beach. Or for complete privacy, try one of the 18 Over Water Villas – the only ones of their kind in the UAE. These villas are perfect for families and offer direct access to the sea as well as glass floor panels to give you a unique view of the underwater world. While these rooms don’t have the unique lagoon access they offer pure luxury and the perfect escape from the city. If you’ve brought the kids along with you check them into the Tuk-Tuk kids club which they will be engaged in activities including arts and crafts, painting and building sandcastles, while teens will be kept occupied by computed games and themed nights.

Over Water Villas interior

Food and Beverage

Anantara The Palm has a number of dining offerings to choose from but there were two that particularly caught our eye. Aside from the not-to-be-missed extensive breakfast buffet at all-day-dining restaurant Cresendo, our first must-visit dining destination is Asian restaurant Mekong. With its quirky interiors which includes rickshaws for chairs, this vibrant venue offers authentic Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese cuisines in a one-of-a-kind environment. As well as the regular menu you’ll find rotating Chef’s Specials which are not to be missed. But if you’re looking for something slightly different, meat lovers should head to Australian steakhouse Bushman’s Restaurant and Bar. With a traditional Ozzie twist on classic dishes the presentation of the food in this place is as good as the taste. Finish your evening with a relaxing shisha at the Beach front restaurant and lounge; Beach House.

Mekong, Anantara the Palm

Something Extra

If you want more than just a relaxing stay there are a few hidden gems at Anantara The Palm that you won’t experience anywhere else in the UAE. The first is the Anantara cooking classes. The hotel chain is famed for its unique dishes and during their stay guests are invited to discover the secrets of Thai cooking. Learn how to cook classic dishes with a step-by-step class as well as learning new cooking skills and discovering more about the ingredients in your kitchen.

Another exciting activity is to take a trip on a long tail boat. Weather permitting this traditional Thai-style boat will take you out along th coast of Palm Jumeirah for an experience like no other.

Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort – Anantara Spa – Couples Treatment Room

Spa and Wellness

If you visit the resort you can’t leave without a visit to the spa. Named the best spa in the UAE on many occasions, Palm Jumeirah, Anantara Spa is a one of a kind destination thanks to its unique setting. Surrounded by the blue lagoon waters you really will feel immersed in the Thai environment and guests can even choose to have their treatment overlooking the calm waters. Choose from a vast range of treatment options including the Anantara Signature Massage which is not to be missed.

This summer Anantara The Palm Dubai is offering an exclusive deal to visitors. Guests will receive 30% off and complimentary daily breakfast with family or friends with rates starting at AED1,995. Valid until 31^st December 2019.

To book call +971 4 567 8999 or email resdubaipalm@anantara.com

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Fashion designer Nourhan Sawa talks us through the inspiration for her brand and her big plans for the future.

Nourhan Sawa, Founder of Casa Di Nourelle

Originally  from Egypt, Nourhan Sawa had a dream to create fashion for the kind of women she was inspired by from the Ancient Egyptian culture. These were strong powerful women who were in fact, very ahead of their time. After finishing fashion school Nourhan Sawa set out to begin her brand Casa Di Nourelle.

Casa Di Nourelle follows an artistically driven design aesthetic where the creations are rich in a fusion of luxe, flowy, delicate fabrics made by the hands of Italian artisans and Egyptian craftsmen who are highly skilled artists of great knowledge of genuine Egyptian hand work and ancient embroidery techniques mixed with Sawa’s own vision of abstract art.

Here we discover more about the brand and Sawa’s big plans for the future.

What can you tell us about your brand?

Casa Di Nourelle is simply the reflection of me and everything I’m deeply influenced by in a form of storytelling. Growing up in Egypt with all the history, subcultures, diversity and charm this land holds, my brand’s culture is inspired by a Mediterranean mix, projecting the rich and sophisticated art found in the Fatimid period and the Greco-Roman Egypt which I discovered through Alexandria’s catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. The mesmerizing historic site merges the ancient Egyptian, Roman and Greek culture under one roof, it’s a culture of all the common elements found in supposedly contrary worlds. Aesthetically, my creations are rich in flowy, delicate fabrics such as silk, tulle and organza, applied in flattering silhouettes that make women feel feminine, confident and powerful.

Who is the woman that you design for?

Regardless of age, ethnicity and size, I design for all powerful women who can be in charge of their own lives while embracing their femininity. The woman I design for has a deep passion for art and can spot beauty in the simplest things in life. her style is classic, graceful and timeless, yet trendy and sometimes edgy.

How can you explain to us the term “demi couture”?

Demi couture or semi couture is a special hand crafted design made with high attention to detail and premium craftsmanship, exclusively produced in a very limited number of pieces per each design, ready for immediate purchase in standard sizes with a less expensive price than haute couture.

What is the biggest challenge you face with your brand?

Starting a fashion brand is not an easy thing to do, it’s a long road that requires a challenged spirit, hard work, consistency and most importantly transparency and authenticity. the most challenging part for me is delivering the message I want to deliver in the way I imagined, through authentic storytelling in a form of a fashion production. The challenge is that this can be very hard sometimes when you are your own boss and working in the creative field. Everyone you work with tends to interpret their vision in a different way, from stylists and makeup artists to photographers and art directors, so in order to make this a successful team who perfectly translate my vision to reality, I feel like I’m the one responsible for all these parts and my role doesn’t stop at being a designer or a creative director, I must have control over each detail of these and it can be overwhelming sometimes especially as a person striving for perfection. I think any creative has been through what I’m saying, but at the end, when I see the final outcome and I’m happy with it I feel like I really enjoyed the challenge and it was worth every minute.

What can you tell us about the Egyptian artisans that you work with?

These are the magic hands behind it all, I call them my second family. Coming from Egypt, artisanship is the primordial part of the Egyptian heritage, all the artisans I work with inherited their skills from their parents and grandparents which makes them extremely dedicated and passionate about their roles as craftsmen and this is very important to me.

One of the very dear tailors on my team actually used to make dresses for the late Egyptian Arab cinema star, the diva Hend Rostom. Having a member like him on my team adds a lot to my brand as it is dedicated to powerful and successful women who leave a mark wherever they go, it’s great to have someone on your team who actually worked with such an example, and I’m proud to say that I learn from him every day. That’s how it is with my team of Egyptian artisans, everyone has something to teach to the other regardless of age, experience or position.

Your brand is still quite new, what would you like to achieve both in the short term and long term?

Honestly, I’m a very big dreamer the list is so long but if I have to name a few, one of my biggest priorities would be to build a community within the brand where the women of Casa Di Nourelle would feel a sense of belongingness. I’m planning to work on this in collaboration with other creatives from the industry through workshops and discussion panels about different topics that the brand will address with each new collection such as empowerment and art. By dedicating a part of the sales to organizations supporting the topics we’ll shed a light on within this community, I want each woman wearing my design to feel that she too is creating an impact and can be a part of a significant change. Another goal I would like to achieve in the short term is gaining international recognition, locally launching my first flagship store and then having my flagship stores in every fashion capital in the long term, introducing my heritage and my vision to the world through my brand.

Who is your inspiration?

My parents are my greatest inspiration. I call my father superman – he never takes no for an answer and he will always find a way to achieve whatever he wants, he taught me that nothing can stop me in the way of achieving my dreams no matter how big it is, with strong will and determination there’s no limits. My mom is a superwoman as well, since I was born she has taught me how to fearlessly voice my opinion, how to stand up for myself while she was supporting me all the way. Not to mention her amazing fashion flair; she used to let me pick her outfits when I was a little girl and I used to enjoy it a lot, I think she’s the reason why I wanted to become a designer!

What do you consider your biggest achievement to date?

Actually my biggest achievement so far would be starting Casa Di Nourelle. I started planning for this five years ago after I graduated high school. I have  been facing a lot of challenges ever since in the build-up process, from studying the market, sourcing materials and selecting the right team to work with in Italy and in Egypt, to manufacturing, sampling, production and shooting. There’s a lot of failed attempts in between but these are what kept pushing me forward and made me even more determined and never willing to compromise the dream of building my brand so it feels great to finally see what I’ve been working so hard on actually becoming a reality, this will always be on top of the list of my achievements.

We know you travel a lot what do you think travel adds to your character?

Travel adds a lot to my creativity and it’s constantly helping me evolve in so many ways. The hours I spend in the sky when moving from a place to the other is when I feel the most serene and I get to think of life and how I view things from a different perspective. Having my work based between Cairo, Dubai and Italy, I get to meet a lot of people from very diverse cultures and that’s what adds to my character, it’s the people I meet who add to my character with all their different mentalities, traditions, vibes, and stories. I became able to see through people, understand others’ differences and delving in the stories they get to share with me about different parts of their lives and culture which really inspire me every time.

Why is it important to you to show your heritage through your creations?

Well, from an artistic point of view, the Egyptian heritage is very rich in breathtaking architecture, especially the ancient Egyptian architecture, from temples decorated with beautiful handmade paintings in vivid colors, to detailed wall carvings of the temple of queen Hatshepsut for example which was a turning point in the Egyptian architecture. These elements truly inspire me, it’s art.

I have this concept of creating one art piece in each collection which I fully construct with my hands in a form of an abstract painting using embellishment inspired by the elements of the ancient Egyptian architecture, my heritage allows me to express my true self in each collection and I believe that’s what makes me original. Another reason why my heritage is an important part of my creations is being a brand dedicated to the powerful woman. Women in ancient Egypt were really ahead of their time, Hatshepsut for example was the first great woman in recorded history to hold the title of a female Pharaoh, she is the woman who was a king! Queen Tiye was the first woman in history whose name appeared in social acts. That kind of power is how I want the woman wearing my designs to feel, that’s why it’s very important to me to show my heritage through my creations.

What is your take on sustainable fashion?

This may sound a bit philosophical but honestly earth is such a beautiful place, I tend to be in a very peaceful and inspired state of mind when surrounded by nature and it deeply saddens me how parts of the fashion industry can be very harmful to the planet with all the beauty that it holds. For this reason, I try to contribute to sustainability as much as I can through making sure all the materials I use are ethically sourced. I minimize any waste that may occur in production through reusing excess fabric in new collections. I am constantly trying to create a healthy, friendly environment for all the artisans I work with so no one is unfairly treated or working beyond the average hours, and most importantly I am working to sustain the artisan crafts in Egypt something that is in jeopardy. I do this through my vision of “ancient luxury renovation” referring to the Egyptian crafts as ancient luxuries which include Egyptian copper patchwork and Khayamiya which is a technique that has never been used in fashion before and we are proudly introducing it in the next collection inspired by  a very interesting ethnic minority in Egypt “The Amazigh of Siwa” in a totally renovated way where we’ll use the ancient Khayamiya technique to create artworks on silk and organza, I really can’t wait to share this collection with everyone.

Is there any one thing you would like to change in the industry?

Yes. of course this doesn’t apply to the whole industry but I would say imitating other’s work. We see a lot of brands nowadays lacking originality and copying other brands and this is very frustrating to watch. I hope one day there will be an end to this.

What are your thoughts on the fashion scene in the Middle East?

I always thought that the Middle Eastern woman owns a very unique and impeccable style which is very sophisticated and elegant. This has been the case since the queens and princesses of the golden age of Egypt such as princess Faouzia Fouaad known for being the epitome of style and glamour alongside her mother queen Nazli Sabri, to the modern queens of our modern day such as Her Royal Highness Queen Rania of Jordan who was seen dressed in amazing middle eastern talents recently. I think the fashion scene in the Middle East has been evolving in a very impressive way, now we see a lot of middle eastern designers dominating couture week such Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad to name a few. Regional talent such as Reema Al Banna and Arwa al Banawi making revolutionary waves in how the world views the modern Arab woman, not to mention the modest fashion movement. I think the Middle Eastern fashion scene is very original and is getting more impressive everyday with the rise of new bright talents and creatives shaping the scene.

What’s your personal motto?

Always stay true to yourself. Also there’s a quote by Rumi that I find very inspiring “You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in a drop”

And your professional motto?

It’s a quote by Diane Von Furstenberg “ I don’t like to talk about my dreams. I like to make them happen. I prefer to talk about them when they’re done.”

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Don’t over stress, stay calm yet focused and trust the journey.

What would you tell yourself 10 years from now? 

I believe I’ll be in a great place in 10 years, hopefully I would’ve achieved a lot of what I planned for, I’d tell myself “I’m so proud of you and where you’ve become, don’t stop and keep moving forward”.

How would you describe your style?

Effortless, classic, feminine with a trendy twist and edge.

What do you say ‘no’ to?

I say a big no to toxicity and anything trying to hold you back from achieving what you believe you can achieve, be it a person, a thought, or whatever kind of toxic energy that makes you underestimate yourself and your abilities in conquering anything.

What book are you reading at the moment?

I Just finished reading The Forty Rules of Love which really helped me evolve spiritually, now I’m reading another one by Elif Shafik called The Architect’s Apprentice.

How do you want the world to remember you?

I would love the world to remember me as an inspiring woman who inspired others and lifted them up. A woman who left a mark and made a change in her industry, and a woman who was a ray of sunshine to all the dear ones in her life!

How would you describe your brand in one word?

It’s hard to describe in one word but If I  have to, I would say dreamy.

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After the success of its previous Dubai exclusive pieces earlier this year, Sergio Rossi returns this season with another limited edition range of styles exclusively designed for Dubai.

The Sr Walk collection consists of the highest quality Italian-crafted styles which were created with the elegant woman in mind, encapsulating the magic and mystery of Arabia through classic styles with a touch of glamour for the Middle Eastern customer.

Two key pieces from the collection include an embellished court shoe in satin, which is available in three colourways; red, grey and platinum.

While the court shoe with metallic detail is available in five shades; dark cherry, black, dark grey, green and pale pink.

Sergio Rossi has been creating styles that embrace the classic elegance of a woman since 1966. While the brand was founded and based in Italy the Middle East remains a huge market thanks to the appreciation of luxury, well-made footwear.

This latest collection in only available in a limited number of pieces so be sure to get them before they’re gone. The pieces are exclusively available at the Sergio Rossi store, Dubai Mall.

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On a hot summer’s day in Paris, Haute Couture week came to a spectacular end with a highly anticipated show by Valentino. Pierpaolo Piccioli’s autumn/winter 2019 Haute Couture show was always going to be the most talked about show of the week but few anticipated the true emotion that would fill the beautifully lit quintessential greenhouse at the Italian embassy in Paris last night.

An emotional and colourful presentation celebrated inclusivity and the beauty of every woman (a soundtrack featuring Aretha Franklin’s Natural Woman cemented this), while the show line up itself included women of all ages, (including iconic model Lauren Hutton, aged 75), nationality and skin colour.

Much like last season, the autumn/winter collection embraced the true craftsmanship of classic couture. Hours of work were celebrated through feathered coats, floral appliqués (which reportedly took 990 hours to create), handwoven tassels, oversized bows, thousands of sequins and gauze squares sewn together by hand – these details showed the work of a team of true masters.

The colour palette felt more springtime than winter which was a beautiful breath of fresh air. Soft pastel tones and strong statement colours were paired together while clashing prints were inspired by flowers. Two-piece loose-fitting trouser and top sets created the classic Valentino silhouette of clean geometric lines, while Red-Riding hood style capes brought a sense of fantasy to the runway.

Accessories came in the form or tribal-style headdresses, inspired by the folk trend. Slouchy coloured boots added a pop of colour and heeled sandals with bow details made for a playful finish.

The beauty look consisted of colourful glitter eye make-up that perfectly fitted with the colourful mood of the show.

The show ended with an emotional finale which saw Piccioli walk the runway with his entire team of seamstresses. The team received a standing ovation from the audience which included Celine Dion, Gwyneth Paltrow and Naomi Campbell – a well-deserved moment of appreciation for these men and women who worked hours and hours to create a very special collection.

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Held at Paris’ Petit Palais Armani Privé’s autumn/winter 2019 Haute Couture offering was a celebration of folk fashion.

The style, which became popular in the late eighties and early nineties is given the Armani touch of elegance in a collection that embraces the contrast of femininity and masculinity while bringing a new modern freshness to the style.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an Armani Privé collection without perfectly tailored pieces. Long monochrome jackets were edged with metallic thread, while tapered and loose fitting trousers were paired with crystal embellished jackets.

Sheer and lightweight materials including tulle mesh, tulle, organza and delicate silk create a sense of lightness, a romantic fairytale, like a lake reflecting a ray of sunlight. Pieces were finished with fully embroidered light-reflecting crystals that caption the light and emit an elegant sparkle, while fitted bustiers create a contrasting element.

The polka dot was a prominent print as it was seen in various sizes and colours on day wear. Either all over on tapered trousers or as an accent on jackets and shirts.

Eveningwear was flowy and feminine. A colour palette of pale pink, blue, green and yellow made for a playful collection that had a sense of youth about it, while the addition of black made a strong statement against the softness. Perhaps one thing Giorgio Armani prides himself on is the ability to create for women of every age and this collection surely did that.

Accessories came in the form of delicate rose headpieces – the rose has shown itself to be a symbol of this Haute Couture week so far. While statement earrings and handheld clutch bags added some context and wearability to the looks.

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Giambattista Valli’s Autumn/Winter 2019-2020 Show Presents a Twist on the Traditional Runway

In an unusual twist, Giambattista Valli skipped the runway this season in favour of an exhibition of his latest collection – presented in the most part, not on models but on mannequins.

“I wanted the people finally to look at… the artwork of making Haute Couture — and not from far and not in movement,” Valli explained during the event. And he had a great point. This unconventional way of displaying couture allowed the audience to get up close and personal with the fabrics and really see the exquisite details on the clothes, which are often overlooked with the faced-paced movement of a runway show.

In total 30 dresses were on display for three hours allowing the audience to truly inspect the hundreds of hours of work that went into Valli’s creations. The dresses themselves stood true to the brand’s aesthetic. Inspired by flowers – the pieces were reminiscent of an English garden in the summertime with floral embroideries of peonies, orange blossoms, dahlias and roses. There were peony prints too that were elegantly feminine and the material was manipulated to represent the rose in the most beautiful of ways.

The colour palette was very pink – from bright fuchsia to soft blush, with the addition of gowns in subtle pastel tones of soft green, lilac and grey.

This presentation provided a very unique opportunity to experience in true detail the work of an artist.

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Dior’s Artistic Director Maria Grazia Chiuri recently told us that what she strives to achieve with her shows is for the audience to take away an emotion. The Haute Couture 2019-2020 show created an emotion around the grace and strength found in women, brought to life inside 30 Avenue Montaigne – Dior’s historic Maison, evoking a feeling of sentiment and anticipation.

Maria Grazia Chiuri was inspired by the Cariatides of Paris. These ancient female sculptures can be found within the architecture of Parisian buildings, sitting high above the city’s streets. No one knows how they came to be or what these women represent.

Through centuries the caryatids – an Ancient Greek term for sculptures that are part female form, part column, have come to be a metaphorical illustration of the supporting role women play both in architecture and in society.

It is with these concepts in mind that’s Chiuri’s vision for this collection is very closely tied to architecture. Chiuri worked with artist Penny Slinger who offered her interpretation of the Avenue Montaigne – Dior’s historic Maison, bringing to life the show space with natural elements – trees, a garden – all incorporating the elements of nature.

The show was opened with a slogan dress reading “are clothes modern?” a question asked by the Artistic Director to set the mood of the show, which could be perfectly described as modern grace.

There was a certain Ancient Greek influence thanks to the toga-style cuts and loose-fitting materials but it was somewhat ironic thanks to Maria Grazia Chiuri’s chosen colour palette which mostly consisted of black. While it was a recognition of architecture, this collection also celebrated the beauty and versatility of black. As models were mostly all dressed in the universal colour, they represented columns – striking as they graced the runway.

The pieces felt quite gothic but feminine at the same time thanks to the choice of lace, fishnet and tulle. Some looks were decorated with fringing and tassels, while others were studded or finished with feathers. Geometric lines represented architectural designs and made each piece striking and strong – perhaps a nod to the image of the modern woman?

The classic Dior silhouette complete with Bar jackets were accentuated with pleating, winged sleeves, and complemented with lace. There were forties inspired silhouettes with off the shoulder cuts. The one-shoulder dress made a strong return and ballet style dresses were still firmly placed within this feminine collection.

Created by Peter Philips, Dior Make-up’s Creative and Image Director, the make-up look had a strong focus on the eyes with dark smoky liner accentuating the models’ faces, while the face and lips were kept at a nude palette.

The closing look – a model wearing nothing other than a golden building – represented the essence of this collection and firmly concreted the designer’s inspiration.

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Nicolas Jebran, Acne Studio and Rami Al Ali: Paris Couture Week Highlights

Reveal your healthy glow with the new Terracotta Collection by Guerlain – designed for today’s busy woman who’s dreaming of a sun-kissed complexion all year round.

Terracotta Skin Foundation Stick, Terracotta Skin Highlighting Stick

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Left Image: Terracotta Contour & Glow Palette. Right Image: Terracotta Skin Highlighting Stickterracotta Skin Highlighting Stick Universal Blush

Styling and Direction: Lindsay Judge

Photography: Henry Pascual

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Darin Hachem started her brand with the aim to introduce middle eastern notions into a modernized system where barriers between civilizations fade and where cultural influences mix. Sitting down with A&E, Hachem discusses sustainability and the challenges she faces as a new brand in the market.

Born in Lebanon but raised in Gabon in Africa, Hachem had what some might call an unconventional childhood, studying in a French school with many diverse cultures and nationalities. After growing up in Africa, Hachem moved to Beirut where she studied science, before residing in London and then Milan. The designer has been exposed to so many different cultures and experiences and it is this that inspired her to launch her own fashion brand.

Hachem has a strong passion for combining inspirations from all around the world, including African cultures and traditional wax fabrics, which are quickly becoming a statement style of the brand.

Darin Hachem has a very close relationship with sustainability. She sources her fabrics and materials from all around the globe and carefully chooses fabrics that are natural or recyclable. For her spring/summer 19 collection Hachem focuses on earth and the multiple ways human beings relate to it as a physical matter, as the symbol of The Mother and as projections into space.

She uses asymmetric shapes with draping positioned to enhance feminine details in masculine shaped outfits. Metal buttons connect function and decoration, while earthy cotton fuse together to create a handmade mood, emphasized by the use of natural fabrics such as cotton, linens, and silks. Here Hachem discusses her latest collection and the importance of sustainability to her brand.

How would you describe the Darin Hachem woman?

She is a modern active woman who has to juggle between responsibilities and at the same time in need of garments that would have a visual impact, comfort and certain durability in time.

What is the message you are trying to send with your designs?

Fashion has become a game; we mix and put pieces together that work for us on different periods of our lifetime. We would like to bring to women another way of dressing up between modernity and traditions.

What do you think makes your designs unique?

I’d say the mixing of sharp edges with more organic shapes and the attention to details, but also the fact that as a Middle Eastern brand we are not following the classical couture/embroidery type.

Why is sustainability important to you as a fashion designer?

Sustainability is THE topic of our times. As a lifestyle, people are more aware of man’s impact on the earth and how we are playing an active role in our own destruction (through pollution, diseases…etc.). Fashion has a catastrophic environmental impact, and we can see how toxicity affects our planet and if we can contribute to raising awareness and getting the customer involved in the conscious process of acquiring a garment, then we’d be more than happy.

What can you tell us about your spring summer 2019 collection?

The SS19 collection is introducing the brand with themes such as Earth, Nature, and Immigration as core topics. The inspiration started with the movie “The Daughters of the Dust” a 1991 movie by Julie Dash, in which the whole story revolves around belongingness, the question of where do we come from? And where and who do we choose to be? The fight between holding onto traditions and moving forward embracing the new; which is a part of any person who lives or has lived abroad at one point and especially in the Lebanese culture.

Are there any materials or fabrics you love to work with?

Natural materials like silk, cotton, linen and mixing them together to provide a softer touch on the skin as well as adding more hold to a garment.

What are you doing with your brand to ensure sustainable production?

Sustainability for us starts with the raw materials we chose, we pick fabrics from stock places to make sure we use other types of fabrics that were left without compromising on quality, and with seasonal fabrics, we make sure we collaborate with companies that work on reducing their toxic environmental impacts with certifications like the protocol 4sustainability. The same goes for knitwear. We used threads that are in accordance with the detox Greenpeace certificate. These are a small example of how we can contribute to helping the earth. It is obviously difficult and sometimes it has a cost, but we keep on trying as much as we can.

What would you like to see happen in the fashion industry in terms of sustainability?

Fashion needs to slow down, especially fast fashion that employs people in terrible working conditions. We as consumers also have a responsibility: we buy too much, we change too much, and we throw too much. The ideal would be a slower fashion system, with garments that last longer.

How important is storytelling in your designs?

It is the basis of every collection, explaining the inspiration, the mood, and the colours. Communicating the whys and hows is the ground of every relation, and we aim to set a loyal one with customers that wish to know what is behind a product.

What does it mean to you for something to be “made in Italy”?

It adds a bit of glamour as Italy has always been considered to be the country of arts and refinement.

How do you think “seasonless” products are becoming more popular?

“Seasonless” is part of both sustainability and lifestyle. It is the idea of keeping pieces from season to season without getting bored of them, taking care of them and having an attachment to them; this is the sustainable part. As for the lifestyle part, we live in a society where we travel a lot more between hot and cold countries at any time of the year. We can mix and match pieces a lot more. Re-using, re-interpreting and re-associating are the keywords involved.

Can we expect to see more of you in the UAE?

Hopefully yes… we are working on it.

What are the contrasts you notice between the fashion industry in Europe and the Middle East?

At the root, they are wired very differently. The Middle East has always been fond of couture gowns with embroideries and shiny beautiful fabrics, that make the customer feel like a real princess; while the European system is more into sobriety and understated elegance, more of the urban minimalistic style. However, contamination is increasing, as people are travelling more and coming in contact with other cultures and becoming aware of the differences. We learn from each other.

What would you still like to achieve with your brand?

We just started, it is still the beginning and we have a list of goals to reach. Hopefully, we are on the way.

Where would you like to be in five years from now?

To live fully the duality of the brand’s personality between Occident and Orient, using the resources of both sides as it suits the brand’s identity; digging deeper into artisanal and traditional work. Thinking of fashion as a way of life, inclusive of different fields, especially the artistic one.

What is the biggest challenge you face right now?

Right now, the biggest challenge is consolidating the base, reinforcing the identity, defining a structure that works for the brand. It is all a matter of experimentation.

What is the professional motto you live by?

Step by step and quality over quantity.

And your personal motto?

Listen to the inner little voice and be aware of the energies around you.

How would you describe your brand in one word?

It is very hard to define a whole project in a single word when you put all your energy and thinking into it. But ‘Multiculturalism’ could be one, as we are the result of a specific combination of cultures. We carry with us the places we lived in.

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As one of the largest non-profit organisations in the world, Save the Children has helped the lives of millions of children for a century, and thanks to a successful ten-year partnership with Bvlgari, the reach and awareness of the incredible work it does it only growing.

Claudio Tesauro, Chairman of the Board for Save the Children Italia

Founded in 1919, Save The Children has become a global powerhouse and is one of the most recognised charities in the world today. Ten years ago Save the Children Italia partnered with luxury jewellery house Bvlgari with a mission to raise global awareness of the charity’s causes and ultimately increase the money raised to help those in need.

This ten-year partnership has given hope to some of the world’s most vulnerable children and the two companies have worked together on 114 projects in 34 countries to date, providing quality education, development, care and emergency response to children in need. This year the partnership celebrates its 10th anniversary by launching a new custom-made silver and onyx pendant, as well as unveiling the new GIVE HOPE campaign with a goal to achieve 100 million dollars of donations by the end of this year.

The pendant itself was inspired by the BVLGARI BVLGARI collection. The hard stone disk is unmistakable thanks to being encircled by the double logo and finished with precious red ruby stone, while on the back is a message of hope. Supporting this, Bvlgari Middle East recently unveiled the first local campaign shot by celebrity photographer Rankin. It portrays regional friends of the brand who are giving a message of hope and raising awareness of the project both through the campaign as well as on their own platforms.

At the heart of the project is Claudio Tesauro, who has held the position of Chairman of the Board for Save the Children Italia since 2008. Tesauro has been at the helm of countless projects since the partnership began, from working in the field himself to partnering with celebrities to help gain momentum for the cause. As a member of the Board of Save the Children International, Tesauro is also closely involved with many of the charity’s project around the globe as well as those related to Save the Children Italia. A lawyer by profession, Tesauro combines his knowledge and background to create solutions and projects for the most needed causes in the world. As Save the Children celebrates this ten-year partnership with Bvlgari we talk to Tesauro to find out more about the project and why he decided to dedicate his life to this cause.

You recently celebrated ten years of a partnership with Bvlgari, what can you tell us about how has the project developed over the ten years?

It has been an incredible partnership, I think one of the most relevant we have ever seen between a luxury brand and a non-profit organisation. Everything started ten years ago when Bvlgari decided to launch the partnership to celebrate its 125th anniversary. Since then it has been very successful, not only in terms of the money raised but also in terms of the projects we could develop – over 100 – almost in every country in the world, reaching out to over 1.5 million children. Providing care and support, teaching them, giving them jobs, help with entering society and being close to them in times of emergency such as the earthquake in Haiti for example.

Are there any milestone moments over the ten years that are particularly memorable to you?

There have been many, and I think this one now is very significant. The launching of the campaign in this region is another milestone that shows how the company has been involved in working with us and the support that we have received from them. I think the next goal is to achieve 100 million dollars in fundraising to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Save the Children which happens this year.

What is in the pipeline for the next ten years?

I think we can increase the level of awareness of what we’re doing and increase the number of people that are supporting us. Making our intervention even more effective in spreading the culture of how a partnership between a luxury brand and a non-profit organisation could be beneficial to the future generations of the world.

What’s the message you are trying to portray with the campaign in the Middle East and how would you like it to be received?

The message is simple. We owe a future to our kids and we have to give them hope, education and a future and make sure each of them has a chance to play out their future in the correct way. I think it is unacceptable that the future of a child depends on the place they are born and it is totally unacceptable that so many children are still dying today before the age of five for causes that are still easy to fight. I think we have to move on and we have a great challenge before us but I also think we can make it so we ought to try it.

What do you think Save the Children can do to help in the region and are there any particular projects you’re working on in the Middle East?

We’re working on several projects. The idea of Save the Children is that the projects are developed according to the local needs. What we’re doing in Syria for example in the refugee camps together with Bvlgari is extremely interesting. We built four kindergartens for children in the camps which act as an island to support the growth of these children who have been deprived of their essential needs.

Uganda – Students take exams at Lukumbe Chanche school

What can you tell us about the jewellery piece designed by Bvlgari – were you involved in the design?

No, everybody has to do his job – we know how to help children and Bvlgari knows how to do jewellery! So the best possible partnership is when everyone does what they do best, but all of the jewellery Bvlgari has designed so far for Save the Children, starting from the first silver ring to the new collection, has always been extremely successful and helped to promote the partnership to a very high level.

What first inspired you to dedicate your life to the charity and to children?

It’s funny because it happened by coincidence. I always liked children and at a certain point, somebody asked me if I wanted to join the board of Save the Children. I’m a lawyer by profession and I was working at a large law firm and I thought that coupling my experience with the experience of a non-profit organisation would be nice. Then at a certain point, there was a need to renew the board and they asked me to become chairman.

I thought ‘I can’t, I don’t have enough time’, but I knew that that year I was going to Vietnam to adopt my first child and so the Director General convinced me. He said, “think about how nice it will be to one day tell your child that the year you went to pick him up in Vietnam was also the year you became the President of Save the Children”. So he convinced me with his romantic idea and since then it has been a great love. I think it has been the most enriching experience I’ve ever had.

STC Vietnam

What would you say is the most rewarding part of your job?

Whenever I see that our work has been capable of changing the life of a kid. This could be because you have helped the mother to be a good mother or helped the child getting out of malnutrition or helped to educate a child to improve his future.

I remember one time I was in Uganda with Bvlgari with Ben Stiller visiting the project. There was this local young man who was telling Ben Stiller about the programme that Save the Children was running in the country and Stiller asked him “do you think this works?” And the guy looks at him and says “yes, I’m one of the children that attended the programme.” So that is the best possible example of something that did work. He was totally integrated into society, educated and ready to tell, in English, to a celebrity what the programme has done for him.

What’s the most challenging part of the job?

Today migration has become a strong political issue and the organisation has always been under scrutiny. I think we should not let that influence our activity and we need to keep going straight to protect children’s rights, just making sure that we are as transparent as we need to be and that our results are easy to measure, visible and concrete.

How has technology and social media helped your mission?

It helps our mission in the sense that it helps spread the awareness of what we are doing. Of course, we all know that there is a complex side of social media that we all have to face. It changes the way you talk and reach out to people, but it is also an incredible tool and there is a level of awareness that you can raise through social media. So for us, it is a very essential way of talking to people.

South Africa

How do you keep your team and the people around you motivated when you are dealing with such tragic topics?

That’s a very good question. I remember the first time I visited a project myself, I was mostly concerned about our staff and the fact that they were exposed to this continuous challenge. We give them support in different ways, we are very professional in that way. This is also the reason why I think we need to be professional when you are on the field dealing with children. Volunteers can do many other things, but the moment you are talking about a project that you need to implement with children you need to have a high level of professionalism. Those professionals have to get support after what they see. I still carry with me in my mind images of things I’ve seen which I will never forget and they changed my life for sure.

What motivates you the most?

I think we owe children a future and while I don’t think we can give all of them a future, we have to give them all a chance. I was a lucky boy, I had a proper education so I could get the job I wanted and I think everyone else should have the same possibilities. It is totally unfair that the destiny of a child depends on the place he is born and investing in the future of the children is investing in our future so it’s as simple as that.

What would you still like to achieve with Save the Children?

Many things! It would be a long list fortunately which makes my life very interesting with many challenges still to come!

STC 2019 NEW Pendant

What’s the motto that you live by?

I don’t have a motto but I think that you have to live day by day, putting your profession and your skills in place but catch the beauty of every day.

What’s the biggest lesson that you’ve learned since working with Save the Children?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that everybody could give back, no matter where you are and what you do, there’s always something you can do. The importance of giving back is essential and it makes the world run in the right way.

Are you reading a book at the moment?

I just finished a book on the life of Eglantyne Jebb who was the founder of Save the Children 100 years ago. It’s called The Children of Our Enemy. This is because when she created the Save the Children fund in 1919 she did it to help the kids in Germany and Austria who were dying of starvation and famine after World War One. What was incredible was that she launched that campaign in a very unique way in England, asking English people, who had lost many people during the war, to support the children of their enemy.

It was not only an incredible cause but it was very unpopular at the time and she was very inspiring. I have to say it was very interesting to me to see that many of the characteristics of our organisation today resonate in the history of the organisation from 100 years ago.

How would you recommend people can get involved and help?

I think there is much room to help. First of all, everyone should do it in the way they feel they can. I think you get into charity by bringing your own experiences which is very important. So please support our campaign in as many different ways as you can, from local fundraising to communication to awareness. There are lots of ways you can help us and we need that.

South Africa

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SemSem has partnered with Egyptian cotton company KOTN to help support the manufacture of the world’s most exclusive threads, and we speak to Founder Abeer Al Otaiba to find out why this project is so close to her heart.

This summer SemSem has partnered with KOTN, a small company dedicated to supporting Egyptian cotton farmers by using the ancient material in their line of tees. Founded by Abeer Al Otaiba, who is originally from Egypt herself, SemSem has worked with KOTN to put its own twist on these handcrafted designs that use some of the world’s most sought after cotton, found in the fields of Egypt.

SemSem has adapted KOTN’s t-shirts both for women and girls in a truly unique way by adding their own embellishment and embroidery designs. In addition to including KOTN tees as part of the spring collection, they also created a whimsical graffiti design that was featured on KOTN tees during our inaugural pop-up in Washington, DC.

KOTN was born from a desire for good quality, simple essentials. They focus on one naturally remarkable fibre: their namesake authentic Egyptian cotton grown in only one place in the world–the Nile Delta. Egypt’s “white gold” as it is known in the industry, is finer, softer and more breathable than any other cotton.

Unfortunately, since 2001, there has been a 95 per cent decline in demand from big corporations who sought cheaper options. As a result, millions of farmers, weavers, and craftspeople are struggling to make ends meet. By working directly with cotton farming families in Egypt, KOTN is rebuilding the industry from the inside, making their own fabrics from raw cotton bought directly from farmers at guaranteed prices. KOTN’s cotton is then sent to their cut-and-sew factory outside Alexandria. The responsibly-run operations employ locals, securing their craft and their livelihood. By scrapping the middleman, they’ve ensured a fair wage for them, and an honest price.

To find out more about the partnership with KOTN we talked to founder Abeer Al Otaiba to find out why this project is so close to her heart.

What can you tell us about your partnership with KOTN and why is it important to you?

We collaborated with KOTN to showcase their mission through SemSem. They are a small company dedicated to supporting Egyptian cotton farmers who use the ancient material in their line of t-shirts. This season, our partnership involved featuring their tees within our women and girls’ collections in a truly unique fashion. My earliest memory of fashion was remixing the shape or design of clothes my parents bought for me. I still enjoy it up to this day and reinvented KOTN’s tees by adding our own embellishment and embroidery to them.

I think that the most meaningful part of life is how we treat others and doing what we can to make the world a better place. In this spirit, my mission through SemSem has always been to support and invest in the well-being of our community, especially women and children around the world. We do this in part by how our fabrics are sourced and garments are sewn so we’re very proud to partner with KOTN.

Why did you choose KOTN, in particular, to team up with? What are you trying to achieve with the partnership?

I am originally from Egypt, and SemSem is a brand deeply rooted in my heritage, so KOTN’s mission to improve the quality of life of generations of Egyptian cotton farmers has a powerful resonance for me, and one that is particularly close to my heart. Our goal is to raise awareness and shed light on the importance of supporting local producers and inspire others to do the same.

Why do you think it is important to preserve the use of Egyptian cotton?

Egyptian cotton is dubbed as “white gold” because it is more superior than commercially produced cotton. It is finer, softer and more breathable than any other cotton. But more than its quality compared to other textiles, Egyptian families have been working hard for decades to preserve their craft but also to preserve the livelihood of their families.

SemSem SS19 Girls Look

What would you like to see happen in the industry in terms of the use and production of cotton?

Cotton is the most used natural fibre in the world across a variety of industries. Such high demand requires mass production and is the main cause of the decline of local cotton growers such as the ones KOTN works with. As an active player in the fashion industry, I’d like to be a leader in taking steps to innovate how we choose our fabrics and how our garments are created that would impact our communities positively.

Why is sustainability important to you as a designer?

Fashion can be an industry that exploits unpleasant labour conditions and we want to be at the forefront of instigating change related to how collections are made.

What restrictions does sustainability put on you as a brand?

I think that it’s something each and every brand and company should strive to be part of their mission, and not treat it as a hindrance but a way to move forward. We have instilled in SemSem’s ethos to be socially responsible in the way we create our collections. We consciously ensure best practices are carried out with the ateliers we work with, and through offering luxury clothing, we can control the optimal quantity of resources we need, from the fabrics we use to the number of pieces created.

What can the readers at home do to contribute to sustainability in the fashion industry?

Investing in high quality, timeless pieces is a great way to start. Impulse buying is a tough habit to curb especially now with easy access to online shopping. I would encourage thinking about the true value that lies in our purchases when we shop by asking ourselves if it is something that can be worn on multiple occasions, researching about the manufacturing practices of the brand, and what impact it has on our communities and natural environment.

What has your background in Civil Engineering taught you about sustainability?

The technical skills and discipline I gained from building a career in civil engineering while I was residing in the UAE allowed me to grow in the arena of fashion and apply it to every part of how SemSem operates. Civil engineering has a lot to do with reconciling sustainable design and construction practices with its existing environment and community and that has taught me to mirror the same principles within SemSem.

What is the biggest challenge you face today as a designer?

The biggest challenge has been finding the right people. I’m based in Washington DC, and I’m managing everything remotely: My staff are in New York and our clothes are produced around the world. Trying to juggle everything and find people to depend on, that I can trust 100 per cent to understand my vision and what I’m trying to achieve is the hardest part.

You work with charities and organisations every season – why is this something that’s important to you?

Being a mother opened a piece of my heart I didn’t know existed. SemSem is the nickname of my daughter Samia and she is, without a doubt, the inspiration behind the brand. She inspires me not only to create pieces she would be happy to wear, but also to work hard and set a good example by giving back to our global community. Each season we partner with a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving gender equality, literacy, health, legal awareness, and education for women and children because the idea of giving back and being philanthropically active is deeply personal and how I operate day in and day out.

What is the message that you want to spread to women?

I want to promote empowerment, strength and independence and inspire women to strive every day to make a difference in the world.

What is the professional motto that you live by?

Never give up and never be afraid to act on a dream. Remember your strength as a woman, surround yourself with a team you can trust. Know we are often capable of more than we may realize.

How would you describe SemSem in one word?

Can I sum it up in five? A “luxury brand with a conscience”.

SS19 KOTN Shirt

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The luxury hotel giant debuts a glamorous and exclusive new residence in Spain’s stylish city.

Situated on one of Barcelona’s most famous boulevards, Passeig de Gràcia, you’ll find the new Mandarin Oriental Residences, Barcelona. Developed by KKH Property Investors, the property is the first standalone residences from the renowned hotel brand and A&E was one of the first to experience this exclusive location.

The 20-storey tower, designed by Carlos Ferrater, is the tallest residential building in the city and has some of the most spectacular views. With interior design by Muza Lab, there are 30 one, two and three bedroom apartments and four four-bedroom penthouses. The largest, the full floor penthouses, boasts 360-degree views of the city, sea and mountains.

The apartments, of course, benefit from the same level of quality of service and lifestyle as all Mandarin Oriental properties around the world. The Residences will have its own private on-site amenities, including a fitness centre, spa, residents’ lounge, rooftop garden and swimming pool.

There will also be a 24-hour concierge and doorman providing services such as in-residence dining and event catering. Owners will also have access to the facilities at the nearby hotel, the Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, which includes an award-winning spa, bars and the two-Michelin-starred Moments restaurant.

When residents want to venture out to the city, they are just a stone’s throw away from luxury shopping destinations and exceptional dining. As well as some of Barcelona’s architectural masterpieces can be found locally including Gaudí’s Casa Batlló and Casa Mila.

Paul Massot, group development director, Mandarin Oriental, said, “We are delighted to be introducing the first standalone Residences in a city known for its culture, diversity, gastronomy, history and architecture. Since its opening in 2009, Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona has captivated guests and locals alike with exceptional food and beverage offerings, an acclaimed spa, and our legendary service.

“Our 34 new owners will enjoy the security and privacy afforded by the standalone building in addition to the five-star service and amenities of Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona.”

“We are seeing a growing global trend for branded residences in urban locations and Barcelona is the ultimate urban destination with its mix of city culture and lifestyle”, says Rod Taylor, head of international new developments, Savills.

“With Mandarin Oriental, you know the level of service that you are going to get. The brand sets a very high standard in the quality of its finish, design and that legendary service.”

Full completion of the property will be in 2020.

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As one of the world’s leading suppliers of responsibly sourced coloured gemstones, Gemfields provides stones to many luxury jewellery brands worldwide.

By Ruba Nesly

Gemfields is the operator and 75% owner of both Kagem emerald mine in Zambia (believed to be the world’s single largest producing emerald mine) and Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique (one of the most significant recently discovered ruby deposits in the world), as well as active exploratory licences in Ethiopia, amongst others.

At the epicentre of Gemfields is its responsibility to source and provide stones in a sustainable manner. Taking a leading role in modernising the coloured gemstone industry and building lasting, sustainable livelihoods for the communities living close to the mines and contributing in a positive way to national economies. Gemfields believes in three key values; legitimacy, transparency and integrity.

But responsible sourcing of coloured gemstones is not just about the people working in the mines, it also covers the way in which the stones are handled. In an industry that does have a negative impact on the environment, Gemfields strives to manage its mines and sites to ensure they have minimal impact on the environment. Before mining in any particular area, Gemfields collects seeds of the indigenous plants and trees from the top soil to create a seed bank. The seeds are then grown in a nursery and are replanted once mining has been completed. The result is a minimal impact on the land as well as encouraging biodiversity. Gemfields does not use any chemical substances that are hazardous to health or polluting and machine oil is carefully discharged.

When it comes to the people working in the mines, Gemfields operates high standards and safety practices a zero-harm culture through raising awareness and highlighting the importance of individual and shared responsibility. Gemfields works closely with the local community and strives to provide education, health and an improved quality of living to the people in the areas around the mines.

Ensuring the smooth-running of all of this is Jack Cunningham, Sustainability and Risk Director. A&E talks to Cunningham to discover more on what Gemfields is doing to embrace sustainability in the sourcing of its stones.

When did Gemfields decide to start with ‘responsible sourcing and why?

Acting responsibly as a mining company was something conceived of at the start of the business when only one operation, the Kagem emerald mine, existed. The aim was to differentiate the company within the coloured gemstone industry and pave the way for more responsible practices up and downstream.

How do you define ‘responsible sourcing’?

I would describe it in terms of transparency, legitimacy and integrity. Anything sourced should come from legal suppliers who can provide assurances around how the product has been made or where it came from. Integrity and transparency in this context are about there being systems, policies or standards of working that meet best practice and that are openly communicated or published. For instance, in the coloured gemstone sector, because the majority of coloured gemstones are mined artisanally, there are weak systems of transparency and integrity to ensure that good practices have been used to mine them, or taxes paid once they are exported.

As a world-leading supplier of coloured gemstones, what are the basic rules that you adhere to for responsible mining?

Like most mining companies, our operations have to adhere to the national regulations on mining – everything from the licensing to safety, to environmental rehabilitation can be governed by strict codes of conduct or laws. As a minimum, we will comply and rectify any non-compliances we find.

Beyond that, we aim to push towards international best practices. For instance, many mines spend more time extracting the ore (the raw material) than they do rehabilitating the environment because it is costly and time-consuming to divert attention from mining. However, we believe it is a better strategy to fill in our mining pits when an area is no longer producing gemstones, so we are mining and effectively rehabilitating the mining area at the same time – minimising the effect we have on the environment.

You believe that coloured gemstones should be mined by three key values, what have you achieved so far on the ground in relation to this?

We are open with host government ministries about what we produce and what value our gemstones sell for so they can calculate the amount of taxes and royalties that are repatriated to their country. We operate as legitimate, licence holding businesses in the host countries adhering to the national regulations and laws, and finally, we operate with integrity, putting in place programmes of continuous improvement and working closely with the local communities to ensure good relations and investments in their livelihoods to help sustain their futures.

What challenges do you face now in the industry?

Right now, the whole coloured gemstone and jewellery industry is at a bit of a crossroads. Whilst we are pushing for greater transparency and a level playing field in terms of the basic approaches all should take in terms of responsible sourcing, there are others who are not supportive of Gemfields.

We accept that as the biggest supplier of coloured gemstones there are those that don’t want to see their own supplies dry up, but the jewellery companies are increasingly demanding a balance between price, the certainty of supply, quality, transparency and sustainability. The industry has to understand and reconcile that there are legal risks and challenges from sourcing gemstones from artisanal, small-scale and particularly illicit sources. But because the industry has survived on centuries-old ways of mining and trading, many are unwilling or unable to move towards a more modern manner of sourcing.

What is the future of sustainability at Gemfields?

This isn’t a project that has a start and end date. The efficacy and ethos of Gemfields’ approach will continue to evolve and improve. As the mines themselves have a 20+ year lifespan, our approach has to be considered as a long-term aspect of the business. Just as any business does not place timelines on the development of its human resources practices, neither should we see there being a finite point of time where we can say we have achieved all our sustainability and responsible sourcing goals.

How would you encourage the other companies in the world to take your steps in responsibility and sustainability?

Firstly, you need to consider how material the issues are to your business and adjust your resources accordingly. If you are a small business, resources will be harder to come by. Secondly, consider what leverage you have to make change happen – either your own business or your partners and suppliers. Develop codes of practice, policies and a vision for what kind of company you want to be and put in place a programme of projects to get there. Balance action with communication; try not to communicate unachievable goals or actions that can’t be proven.

Finally, listen to what your stakeholders expect, particularly customers or business partners – if they are demanding change, then you need to think through how you’ll meet their expectations and what you can do to get there.

Do you think that the “sustainability” movement is a trend or a way of marketing for some brands? Is every sustainable brand being truly sustainable to the bones?

It depends on the company. For some, it will be seen as a trend to jump on depending on the issue or the need to add to marketing and communications, but for others, it is at the core of their business. You only need to look at public policy and the role of media to see that habits and expectations about products are changing. Consumers, particularly millennials, are influential and want to associate with brands that are reflective of their own values. However, there are also plenty of examples of established brands continuing to use sustainability as a convenient tool to sell more product.

What is the goal that you would still like to achieve?

I would like to see large and small players in the coloured gemstone and jewellery industry work together to achieve a leap forward in terms of sustainability and responsible sourcing and for consumers to have confidence that whatever they buy has legitimacy, transparency and integrity behind it.

Do you apply sustainability in your daily and personal life?

I try to wherever and whenever possible – I consciously eat less meat these days because of climate change, and as I live in England, I buy British, seasonal and organic food as much as possible. I am very conscious about the amount of packaging waste I produce and recycle everything I can, though in the UK it’s not so easy because the recycling system is not very effective.

I don’t own a car, but instead, have joined a car-club, and I try to buy clothes that have incorporated post-consumer waste, or recycled materials. Flying is a challenge, as I fly quite a lot for work, but I don’t fly much for my own holidays.

What is your professional motto?

I don’t live by one motto in particular, but a fitting quote I come back to is attributed to Sir Henry Royce: “Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble”.

What do you say no to?

I say no to meat on Mondays or Wednesdays! As I mentioned before, this is a contribution to minimising my personal effect on climate change.

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Italian-born fashion brand LORRIVE is the brainchild of designer Lorena Rivero, so as she brings her stunning label to the region, we sit down with Rivero to discover more about the clothing line, her earliest fashion memories and the designer’s biggest achievement to date.

Born with the influence of the five natural elements, Italian fashion label LORRIVE combines lightweight fabrics with vibrant amethyst tones to product feminine pieces that have a touch of glamour.

With a focus on cocktail dresses, LORRIVE’s ready-to-wear pieces comprise of figure-hugging dresses that complement the female form. Rich jewel tones are elegant and striking and the use of real amethyst takes the pieces to another level. Lace, embellishment and print details all add a touch of elegance.

Aside from evening wear, LORRIVE also features an extensive swimwear and lingerie collection. Each piece is designed to signify power and make the wearer feel her absolute best.

Each piece is made in Italy under the guidance of Lorena Rivero. The French entrepreneur has a vision to empower women worldwide with the pieces she creates, bringing out the inner strength of each woman.

Spending many months of the year in Dubai, Rivero has a strong connection to the region and wants to spread the ethos of her brand within the region. Here we meet with Rivero to discover her vision for LORRIVE in The Middle East and what inspires her to create her pieces.

Can you tell us a little about your brand and what makes it unique?

I can actually tell you a lot about our brand and what makes it exceptional in the market. LORRIVE thrives on the energy within its work. We use the amethyst stone sourced straight from the lands of Uruguay.

It’s a beautiful gem that is a source of comfort to whoever wears it since we believe it produces such positive energy. Moreover, with the way we incorporate it into our elegant designs, the result is a unique layout best made to work in synergy with the body’s natural energies. If I may also add so myself, the end result of our work is something beautiful. A piece of art that will turn heads in any room.

How do you think it will translate to the Middle-Eastern clientele?

Simply put… Quite well! The Middle East is a place of luxury, beauty, and elegance. Being literally in the middle of the world, its women are at the centre of all fashion. They know art when they see it and have an eye for the best designs, designs we incorporate to their high-standard tastes. I do not speak from a place of unfamiliarity.

Most of the months of the year I live in Dubai. A fashion-capital where only the highest-quality succeeds. My own son calls this country his home and my exposure to Arab culture has given me a great appreciation for its values. An appreciation that has inspired our company to produce such elegant styles for the powerful Arab women.

What is your first fashion memory?

My first fashion memory was one I thank a special woman in my life for. It happened when I was 12 years old and was taken by my aunt to my first ever fashion show. Looking at these women, with all their confidence and elegance, I could not avoid being inspired. They came from different communities, they had their special beauties, and every single one possessed their own history.

With this inspiration how could I do anything except aspire to take on a career in fashion? How could I do anything except create these fantastic pieces that highlight a woman’s background, showcase their exceptional beauty; and most importantly, tell their amazing stories.

What do you consider your biggest achievement to date?

Supporting my family and the passion I put into my business. I am proud of taking care of my family and children, instilling the best values and discipline into the people I love and who are my life. All of this in tandem with running a successful business and the community around it.

I don’t prioritize one over the other and both sustain the well-being of each other. My greatest joy is seeing successful women all around the world take pride in my fashion, the designs that were inspired by my family at home and made into reality by my family at work.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Where to begin… This industry has so many challenges. Challenges I have already overcome, and challenges yet to come, only to be overcome like the others. But the biggest I would say is finding the right balance between taking care of my family and developing my business. It has not always been easy and still isn’t in some ways.

Being a perfectionist and always striving for innovation, it was not so simple to manage a life at home and another at work. But I had the best team behind me, my children. They always supported and believed in me, knowing that I was capable of great success. With such love, how could I say no to achieving only the best? And with such precious people how can I do anything except persevere and grow?

What would you still like to achieve?

So much, but for now my goal is to reach women on an international scale. Have my fashion worn by confident ladies in all the contingents and have my brand recognized in the most elegant of groups. I will get there with the support of my family, and the work of my team.  Each step taken today and going forward will be strategic, effective, and well-coordinated.

There will be no mistakes or challenges that we cannot overcome and if any are made we will simply overcome them. This is because we believe that all over, the positive energy given out by amethysts in our designs need to be shared and experienced. I know we will be the ones to achieve this.

You travel a lot, what do you think travelling adds to your character?

Travelling is a wonderful thing. It exposes you to all the cultures and people of the world, while still keeping you connected to home. You experience new insights, gain new mindsets, and see life from the eyes of many. From travelling, I lose all possible limits on my creativity and instead develop new perspectives. It fills me with positive energy that I am ready to share with the world around me.

Moreover, visiting all these places allows you to build deep friendships and meaningful connections with communities we would never have had the privilege of knowing personally without travel.

I am most fortunate that in the United Arab Emirates many cultures are brought together to relish the opportunities the country offers. But that still does not stop me from travelling the world whenever I can.

Who is the person that inspires you the most?

There is not just one, but many. I draw most of my inspiration from the elegant women of the ’60s ’70s and ’80s. Marilyn Monroe with her eye-catching yet innovative sense of fashion that inspires many women today. Bridgette Bardot and her iconic styles, considered too much by the society of her time but extremely beautiful today. And of course, Sophia Loren with her stunning beauty that captivated many.

These are the incredible women I look up to, and these are the women who serve as an inspiration for all my work. They were not just beautiful, but intelligent. Not just stylish, but successful. Not lucky at all, but secured their fame. I dream to inspire the Marilyns, Bridgettes, and Sophias of tomorrow.

What is your personal motto?

A woman has to always smile. To some, it may not seem like such an inspiring statement, but to me, it is my life rule. The world is already so full of stress and complications. The same problems that lead many to become sad.

As women, we do not let the negatives of the world become the negatives of our lives. We keep our heads up and our smiles strong, showing everyone our strength and resilience. We exude positive energy with our work and creations, and in doing so, bring up the men in our lives who also deal with the same stresses and suffer the same problems. If the world gives me one problem, I’ll give it several solutions, all with a smile on my face.

What is your professional motto?

My professional motto may seem quite the opposite, but it is “Keep family first”. When I started my company, I did so knowing it was all for my loved ones. For them, I excel in the work I produce and give pride in the accomplishments I am collecting. When you keep your family first in the business world, there is nothing you won’t do to ensure that you will do the best to provide them.

And what better way is there to provide for them than an extremely successful business? A company that will cater to their needs, show them the values of hard work, and encourage the formation of their successes. Money, luxury, fame; these are not the symbols of success but simple add-ons. The symbol of success is the impact your work has had on your family’s lives and others as well.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

When I was younger I always felt the pressure to conform and to follow others if I wanted to be successful. I compared myself to other styles and tried to come up with a blueprint for success. But now I have learned important wisdom from my years of success and of developing my business.

Be natural, spontaneous, elegant. Be yourself. Others have made their own roads to good fortune, and you will not get much aside from leftovers by following them. All that you need is already in your hands. So be yourself, develop yourself, market yourself, and take pride in yourself. Do this, and others will follow.

How would you describe your design style?

I do not have one fixed style, I change my style 2-3 times per day depending on what I am taking inspiration from. To have a fixed style is very plain in my view, you have to spice it up from time to time. Instead what I have is a fixed standard. I only make the most stunning pieces, the ones that will have heads turning when you walk in the room and turning when you leave.

But that’s not enough, my works also have to give out positive energy, they have to have a feeling of elegance and happiness. When people look at you, I am making sure that their days have been brightened and their minds occupied. These are the standards I stand by for the many styles I create.

What do you say ‘no’ to?

Many things. Mostly vulgar ideas and crude behaviour. In the world of fashion and with success, you will always have those who do not see the beauty and the elegance behind the styles this industry produces. Instead, they encourage the more shallow aspects of this field. I will never compromise beauty just to have a gimmick and I will never introduce such low standards simply to turn over more inventory.

The styles I produce are for the women first. They give confidence, they create pride, and they give off such positive energy. Everyone else can admire and appreciate, but when a strong woman puts on one of my pieces, it is her and the confidence that comes from within herself. No one else is involved; however, they are permitted to be inspired.

How do you want the world to remember you?

I would like people to remember me as a positive person who was full of positive energy. Someone who was driven, and someone who was able to transfer both this energy and drive through the work I have done and the designs I created. Positive impacts have inspired me and that is what I wish to leave behind.

Translated by Georges Habib, Industry-Writer at EliteWriting.

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SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO…

As part of a special series, we meet some of the region’s and the world’s travel professionals for an educational and insight into the industry as well as plenty of travel inspiration.

This year’s Arabian Travel Market was bigger and more diverse than ever with over 2,500 exhibitors from 150 countries. Here we meet Vittorio Di Carlo, Vice Director Gstaad Palace in Switzerland. This luxury hotel is one of the most popular in Switzerland thanks to its unique history and incredible views overlooking the mountaintops of the town of Gstaad.

Find out what makes this beautiful property unique as we talk to Vittorio Di Carlo in the video below.

The House of Salvatore Ferragamo has curated an exhibition exploring the worlds of fashion, green art and experimentation with alternative materials.

The house of Salvatore Ferragamo has curated an exhibition exploring the worlds of fashion, green art and experimentation with alternative materials. Sustainable Thinking, which will run at the Museo Salvatore Ferragamo in Florence until March 2020, will celebrate the house’s ability and desire to embrace sustainability in the luxury fashion world as well as the revolutionary use of natural, recycled and innovative materials by the brand’s founder himself; Mr Salvatore Ferragamo.

Designed by Stefania Ricci, Director of Museo Salvatore Ferragamo and Fondazione Ferragamo, the exhibition explores the issue of sustainability through artistic and cultural works that highlight key issues in the field and embrace the use of diverse materials.

Sustainable Thinking presents the work of artists and international fashion designers who have interpreted their idea of a more mindful relationship with nature and its deep connection with technique, the use of organic materials and creative recycling, to highlight the importance of a collective commitment and a more enlightened way of thinking embraced by all.

Materials are a common theme throughout with a look to the natural materials including hemp, cellophane and fish skin, researched by Salvatore Ferragamo in the 1920s. Secondly, recyclable materials are explored in the form of installations created using ancient crafting techniques and the art of recycling and the rediscovery of handcrafting traditions, which are fundamental aspects of sustainable thinking.

The exhibition will also feature some of the original shoes created by Salvatore Ferragamo from years ranging between the 1920s and 1950s. To commemorate the event the house has recreated five iconic shoes from the brand’s past, celebrating the founder who loved to experiment and embrace the art of recycling and sustainability through his collections.

Open until 8th March 2020 at Museo Salvatore Ferragamo, Florence, Italy.

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