The news from the region you shouldn’t miss.
١. Louis Vuitton’s Michelin-starred Chengdu restaurant teams up with WING for exclusive two-day culinary event
Louis Vuitton’s restaurant in Chengdu, The Hall, will host an exclusive dining event with Hong Kong’s acclaimed modern Chinese restaurant WING on May 16 and 17. The special collaboration is part of Louis Vuitton’s ongoing effort to blend fine dining with cultural exploration. Since opening in 2022, The Hall has become a standout on the city’s culinary map, earning a Michelin star and working with top restaurants like Sühring and Caprice. This latest event will bring together the refined styles of Chef Leonardo Zambrino and Chef Vicky Cheng, combining European techniques with Chinese flavours in a two-day “Four-Hands” menu experience. Limited seats are available by reservation.
٢. Saudi Fashion Awards 2025 to spotlight rising talent and global innovation in Riyadh
The Saudi Fashion Commission has announced the second edition of the Saudi Fashion Awards, set to take place on May 22, 2025, in Riyadh. The event will once again honour the designers, creatives, and entrepreneurs shaping the Kingdom’s growing influence in global fashion and beauty. This year, the awards will feature new categories, including Fashion Stylist of the Year, Menswear and Womenswear Brand of the Year, and Jewellery Brand of the Year, along with special recognitions in partnership with WWD and Hia Magazine. A prestigious panel of judges, such as Law Roach, Amanda Smith, and Burak Çakmak, will select winners. Launched in 2024, the Saudi Fashion Awards celebrate creativity, innovation, and talent, further establishing Riyadh as a rising capital for fashion and culture.
٣. Guerlain names Charlotte Le Bon as Global Bee Ambassador and Mohammed Hindash as the first Regional Make-Up Ambassador
Guerlain has named Canadian actress and artist Charlotte Le Bon as its new Bee Ambassador on World Bee Day, May 20, 2025. Known for her love of nature and artistic talent, Le Bon will support the French beauty brand’s long-standing bee conservation efforts, including education programs and awareness campaigns. Guerlain sees the bee as a symbol of nature’s beauty and biodiversity, and this partnership highlights its mission to protect pollinators and the planet.
Meanwhile, the brand also announced Mohammed Hindash as its first-ever Regional Make-Up Ambassador for the Middle East. The Dubai-based makeup artist and entrepreneur will represent the brand’s makeup legacy across the region. A long-time fan of the Maison, Hindash brings his unique creative vision and deep cultural connection to this new role, celebrating Middle Eastern beauty and storytelling through Guerlain’s iconic products.
٤. Sephora celebrates 25 years of artistry with Mario Dedivanovic through exclusive partnership and global masterclass tour
Sephora has announced a special partnership with celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic, marking 25 years since he first began his beauty journey at the brand. Once a fragrance consultant at Sephora’s Flatiron store in New York, Mario went on to become a world-renowned artist and the founder of Makeup by Mario, a brand now exclusively sold at Sephora. Together, they’ll launch a series of in-person masterclasses across the US, UK, and Germany, starting May 21 in Hamburg, followed by London and a final stop in the US this September. The collaboration will also include exclusive content and tutorials, blending Sephora’s love for innovation with Mario’s signature techniques.
٥. Jewels of the World opens in Riyadh with rare global collections and luxury showcases
Jewels of the World has officially opened at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah in Riyadh, welcoming visitors from May 17 to 19. The luxury event features a wide range of jewellery and watches from top global brands and designers, offering pieces that are rarely seen in the Kingdom. With nearly double the space of its Al Khobar edition, the Riyadh showcase brings together everyday fine jewellery, bridal sets, and high jewellery with both modern and traditional designs.
More than 70 international names are participating, including Bil Arabi, Yoko London, Scavia, FerriFirenze, and Renad Alamoudi. Highlights include Renad Alamoudi’s Swiss-made Marque Legacy timepieces, Bil Arabi’s debut of its high jewellery Hobb set, and Yoko London’s modern pearl creations. Italian house Scavia impresses with colourful gemstone masterpieces, while FerriFirenze presents sculptural designs from its Vito collection. All purchases at the event will be certified by Danat, Bahrain’s pearl and gemstone authority.
Jewels of the World is open daily from 4 pm to 11 pm until May 19, with another edition planned for Riyadh and Jeddah in October. The event is presented by Lucid Motors and supported by Brinks International and Store Makers.
٦. Guerlain expands Bee school program with Montreal Insectarium for World Bee Day
To celebrate World Bee Day, Guerlain is expanding its Bee School program by teaming up with the Espace pour la Vie Foundation in Montreal. This new partnership will bring fresh educational content about wild bees and other pollinators, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these vital creatures and biodiversity. Originally focused on European honeybees, the updated Bee School will include fun, science-based lessons designed for all ages to inspire people to help protect nature. Guerlain’s commitment to bees goes beyond education, supporting conservation projects and empowering women through initiatives like the Guerlain For Bees Conservation Programme and Women For Bees. This collaboration with Espace pour la Vie, home to the Montreal Insectarium, highlights Guerlain’s dedication to combining science, creativity, and education for a more sustainable future.
٧. Pierpaolo Piccioli reflects on legacy as he takes creative lead at Balenciaga
Pierpaolo Piccioli shared a heartfelt message as he steps into his new role at Balenciaga, reflecting on how his journey led him here. He recalled that the first image he ever posted on Instagram was a 1967 Balenciaga wedding look — a moment that now feels meaningful. Piccioli expressed his pride in continuing the legacy of a fashion house known for its bold creativity and constant innovation, paying tribute to its past leaders including Cristóbal Balenciaga, Nicolas Ghesquière, Alexander Wang, and Demna. He praised Demna for honouring Balenciaga’s spirit while adding his own vision and said he looks forward to writing a new chapter for the brand. Thanking Kering’s leadership for their trust, Piccioli emphasised that fashion is about people, and said he feels grateful, inspired, and ready to begin this new chapter.
٩. Jimmy Choo celebrates 30 years with reissued icons from its early archives
As Jimmy Choo nears its 30th anniversary, the brand is celebrating its history by bringing back eight iconic shoe designs from its first five years. This special collection reflects the original spirit of Jimmy Choo—glamorous, feminine, and made by women for women. Creative Director Sandra Choi worked with designer Conner Ives and fashion journalist Alexander Fury to select standout styles from the late 1990s to early 2000s, including the famous “72138” shoe worn by Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City. Each design—like The Boot, The Thong, and The Strappy—shows how the brand’s bold and timeless style still feels relevant today. With animal prints, delicate bows, and playful details, the collection captures the essence of Jimmy Choo’s fashion journey and sets the tone for its future.
١.. Saudi Cultural Development Fund unveils new film financing plan at Cannes to boost global collaboration and industry growth
At the 78th Cannes Film Festival, Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Development Fund (CDF) hosted a special event to bring together filmmakers, producers, and investors to talk about growing the film industry. During the event, CDF introduced a new plan to make it easier and faster to get funding for film projects. The plan includes clear rules, a simpler application process, and a digital system that aims to cut waiting times by 60%. This step supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by helping the film industry grow and making the country a global destination for movie-making.
١١. Gisou celebrates 10 years of its cult-favorite honey hair oil rooted in beekeeping heritage
Gisou is celebrating 10 years of its hero product, the Honey Infused Hair Oil, created by founder Negin Mirsalehi. Inspired by six generations of family beekeeping, the oil was the first product in the brand’s lineup and has since become a global beauty favourite. Made with Mirsalehi Honey and a blend of natural oils, it helps hydrate, smooth frizz, boost shine, and protect hair from heat. Clinically proven to add 143% shine and keep hair hydrated for up to 3 days, it works on all hair types and is safe for colored hair. The oil’s success began with Negin’s own haircare routine and grew from social media into a bestselling product, reflecting Gisou’s mission to share the beauty benefits of honey while supporting bees and nature.
١٢. Harrods renews partnership with Fashion Trust Arabia to spotlight MENA designers globally
Harrods has renewed its partnership with Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) to continue supporting emerging fashion designers from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Starting July 2025, Harrods will showcase the collections of four new FTA Prize winners both in-store and online. These designers include Yasmin Mansour (Qatar), Nadine Mosallam (Egypt/UK), RAMLA (Egypt), and APOA (Saudi Arabia), each bringing unique designs in eveningwear, ready-to-wear, accessories, and jewellery. The collaboration gives these talents international exposure, helping them grow their brands in a world-renowned retail space. Harrods will also offer mentorship through FTA’s programme, sharing industry knowledge to help designers build successful global businesses.
١٣. ICD Brookfield Place opens submissions for Tasmeem 2025, themed ‘Graphic Dissent’
ICD Brookfield Place has launched the open call for Tasmeem 2025, its annual graphic design and poster exhibition in Dubai, inviting submissions under the theme Graphic Dissent. Curated by Lebanese designer and printmaker Farah Fayyad, this fourth edition calls on designers, typographers, and students across the region to submit works that reflect social change, resistance, and collective memory through visual language. The deadline is 23 May 2025. Selected entries will be showcased in June, offering a platform for emerging and established talents to explore how graphic design can challenge norms, amplify voices, and reimagine narratives.
١٤. Bvlgari lights up ancient Greek theatre with high jewellery spectacle
Bvlgari unveiled its largest high jewellery collection, Polychroma, in a stunning show at Taormina’s ancient Greek Theatre, blending Roman heritage with modern spectacle. With 250 new pieces among 600 creations on display, including 60 “millionaire” jewels, the event featured a dramatic performance choreographed by Sir Wayne McGregor, with stars like Lisa Manobal and Priyanka Chopra Jonas in standout designs. The nearby San Domenico Palace was transformed into an immersive showroom showcasing handcrafted art, coloured marble, and digitally inspired installations. Bvlgari also introduced Connected Jewellery, linking each piece to its story through a hidden digital code. Alongside the glamour, the brand announced cultural initiatives, including the restoration of a historic fresco and new accessibility features at Palermo’s archaeological museum, marking a thoughtful balance of luxury, technology, and heritage.
١٥. Art Basel to launch first Middle East fair in Doha by 2026
Art Basel is expanding to the Middle East with a new fair set to open in Doha, Qatar, in February 2026. This will be the international art fair’s first event in the region and its fifth global location after Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris. The fair will host around 50 galleries at M7 and the Doha Design District in Msheireb Downtown, highlighting talent from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and beyond. Organised with Qatar Sports Investments and QC+, the event aims to showcase the country’s growing cultural scene. Art Basel CEO Noah Horowitz said Qatar’s strong collections and support for the arts make it an ideal place for the new fair.
١٦. Lacoste and Shangri-La Paris launch chic summer pop-up blending fashion and flavor
Fashion brand Lacoste has partnered with the luxury Shangri-La Paris hotel for a summer collaboration blending sporty style with Parisian elegance. From April 30 to October 2025, visitors can enjoy two exclusive experiences: “Summer by Lacoste,” a menu created by Shangri-La’s chefs inspired by Lacoste’s design elements, and “Le Pavillon Lacoste,” a copper-toned outdoor kiosk serving crocodile-embossed waffles and artisan ice cream. Located in the hotel’s gardens and terrace, the collaboration brings a chic twist to classic French summer dining, with a strong focus on design, gastronomy, and Instagram-worthy moments.
