The news from the region you shouldn’t miss.
١. Mehdi Görbüz wins Dior La Colle Noire Award with shell-inspired installation at Christian Dior’s estate
French-Turkish artist Mehdi Görbüz has won the fourth “Dior La Colle Noire Award,” a prize celebrating young talent from the Beaux-Arts de Paris. His work, Blue sky, rising waters, our childhood memories, is now on view in the gardens of La Colle Noire, Christian Dior’s beloved estate near Grasse. The installation features large sculpted shells, inspired by childhood paddling pools, scattered across the terraced landscape. Made from lime and salt rock, they’re designed to slowly blend into nature over time, while also feeding the local sheep that graze the area. Görbüz created this piece as a tribute to memory and place, drawing from pop culture, mythology, and Dior’s own reflections on childhood. His project was selected from among eight finalists in a competition tied to the “Inhabiting the landscape” Chair, a creative partnership between Dior and Beaux-Arts de Paris launched in 2020. The initiative supports student artists exploring how art interacts with living environments, with an exhibition held earlier in May at the Beaux-Arts’ Cour Vitrée in Paris.
٢. Elissa Studio launches exclusive collection at Anthropologie in UAE and Qatar
Elissa Studio, the fashion brand that grew from the success of Elissa Stampa, has officially launched at Anthropologie stores in the UAE and Qatar. Known for its timeless and elegant designs, the new collection blends Mediterranean charm with a relaxed, modern feel. Founded in 2023, the brand focuses on combining craftsmanship with comfort, offering pieces inspired by the sun, sea, and slow living. Each item features soft textures, clean cuts, and artistic prints, designed for both city days and seaside escapes. The collection is now available in-store and here.
٣. Ishara Art Foundation opens first summer show ‘No Trespassing,’ bringing street art into the gallery
Ishara Art Foundation has launched its first summer exhibition, No Trespassing, curated by Priyanka Mehra. The show brings the raw energy of the streets into the gallery space, featuring six artists from the UAE and South Asia. Instead of defining what the street is, the exhibition explores its ever-changing nature, filled with signs, graffiti, lights, and traces of human presence. The artists use on-site interventions—marking walls and floors—to blur the lines between street art and institutional spaces, challenging traditional ideas of artistic value. No Trespassing opens a conversation between public and curated spaces, showing how art can reflect and reshape the cities we live in. The exhibition includes works by Fatspatrol, H11235, Khaled Esguerra, Rami Farook, Salma Dib, and Sara Alahbabi, with support from reframe and Alserkal Arts Foundation.
٤. Sony World Photography Awards 2026 now open for free global submissions
The 19th edition of the Sony World Photography Awards is now open for submissions, inviting photographers from around the world to take part for free via worldphoto.org. Organised by Creo and supported by Sony, the competition is one of the most respected in the industry and celebrates both emerging and established talents through four categories: Professional, Open, Youth, and Student. This year’s Student brief is themed “Together,” encouraging young photographers to explore stories of connection in all its forms. Winners will receive Sony digital imaging equipment, with top cash prizes of up to $25,000, and their work will be shown at a major exhibition in London before touring globally. Deadlines begin in November 2025, with full details available online.
٥. Gigi Rigolatto brings Italian glamour to Mandarin Oriental Bodrum this June
Gigi Rigolatto, the glamorous lifestyle and dining brand known for its locations in Paris, Saint-Tropez, Dubai, and Rome, is bringing its Italian charm to Bodrum this summer. Opening June 5 as a pop-up at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum, the venue promises a vibrant mix of Italian cuisine, stylish beachside vibes, and sunset Bellinis. The launch marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration, with a permanent Gigi set to open at the resort in 2026. With a 120-seat terrace overlooking the Aegean Sea, guests can enjoy signature dishes like Vitello Tonnato and Gelato al Pistacchio, shop curated fashion and home items at Gigi’s boutique, and soak in the elegant setting designed by architect Hugo Toro. Reservations are now open.
٦. Carolina Herrera launches emerald musk fragrance with UAE and Saudi creators as part of exclusive confidential collection
Carolina Herrera’s new fragrance, Emerald Musk, part of the brand’s luxurious Herrera Confidential Collection, is now available everywhere starting today. Inspired by Mrs. Herrera’s own jewellery, famously featured in her Andy Warhol portrait and a Vanity Fair shoot by Annie Leibovitz, the scent captures the rich energy of emeralds with notes like spicy pink pepper, elegant rose, earthy leather, and warm vanilla and amber. The deep green perfume comes in a stylish glass bottle with gold details. This launch also celebrates a special collaboration with Emirati content creator Marwa Al Hashimi and Saudi influencer Daim Gaw, highlighting regional talent and the brand’s focus on individuality. Emerald Musk joins 14 other exclusive fragrances in the Herrera Confidential Collection, designed to be worn alone or layered for a personalised scent experience.
٧. Huda Kattan regains full ownership of Huda Beauty, marking a new era for the brand
Huda Kattan has officially regained full ownership of Huda Beauty, ending an eight-year partnership with TSG Consumer. After selling a minority stake in 2017, Kattan has now bought it back, making Huda Beauty one of the few major beauty brands fully owned by its founder. This move kicks off a new chapter for the globally loved brand, known for pushing boundaries and promoting authenticity, self-expression, and innovation. With Huda and her husband Christopher Goncalo as Co-CEOs, and her sister Alya Kattan leading social strategy, the company plans to keep growing, launching bold products, and staying connected to its global beauty community.
٨. Adidas and Al Ahly FC unite for Club World Cup push with “You Got This” campaign
As Al Ahly FC gears up for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, adidas has launched a new chapter of its “You Got This” campaign to celebrate the team’s spirit and strong fan support. The campaign includes a powerful short film showing the emotional journey of the club and highlights how belief from fans and teammates fuels the players. adidas also revealed Al Ahly’s new 2025/26 home kit, inspired by the club’s 2006 World Cup appearance, featuring heritage graphics and the words “Club of the Century” on the back. The jersey is now available in adidas stores across Egypt, Miami, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
٩. SIRO Boka Place and Samadhi Wellness launch immersive yoga retreat in Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor
SIRO Boka Place in Montenegro has teamed up with Dubai’s Samadhi Wellness to launch a five-day yoga retreat from June 25 to 30, 2025, set in the scenic Bay of Kotor. Led by expert instructor Noelle, the retreat combines yoga, fitness, mindfulness, and wellness activities like hiking, cryotherapy, and sailing. Guests will stay at SIRO’s modern wellness hotel, enjoy daily meals, fitness classes, and relaxing sessions at the spa and sauna. This retreat is now open for booking and promises a relaxing and revitalising escape designed to help travellers feel their best.
١.. Saudi artisans showcase traditional crafts at Selfridges London for Year of Handicrafts 2025
The Saudi Cultural Development Fund (CDF) is bringing a special showcase of handmade pieces by Saudi artisans to Selfridges in London from 3 to 22 June 2025. The display aims to highlight the beauty and value of traditional Saudi crafts on an international stage during the Year of Handicrafts 2025. In partnership with Turquoise Mountain, a nonprofit focused on preserving traditional arts, the exhibit features items like palm crafts, jewelry, accessories, and leather goods—all inspired by Saudi Arabia’s heritage and made with local, sustainable materials. Running alongside a Saudi fashion showcase, also supported by CDF, the event helps promote local talent and boosts global awareness of Saudi Arabia’s growing cultural scene. It also supports wider efforts by the CDF to invest in creative businesses, including the newly launched Nama’ Accelerators program, which helps artisans grow their craft into sustainable enterprises that contribute to the country’s cultural and economic future.
