The news from the region you shouldn’t miss!
١. Dubai Fashion Week unveils international lineup for Autumn/Winter 2025-26
Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) returns to Dubai Design District (d3) from February 1 to 6, 2025, featuring over 25 designers worldwide, including the debut of Australian couture brand Paolo Sebastian and a closing show by Indian icon Manish Malhotra. Showcasing a mix of haute couture and ready-to-wear collections, the event strengthens Dubai’s reputation as a global fashion hub, with highlights such as the International Buyer’s Programme connecting designers with major retailers from the USA, UK, Italy, and Germany. Alongside runway shows, attendees can enjoy workshops, activations, and exclusive events, supported by key partners like Visa, Spotify, and Instagram. Registration is open on the DFW website, promising a celebration of innovation, creativity, and international collaboration.
٢. Portrait Milano and Frette launch exclusive Milan-inspired home collection
Luxury hotel Portrait Milano and iconic Italian linen brand Frette have partnered to create an exclusive collection, “A Meeting of Icons,” blending Milanese sophistication with masterful craftsmanship. This collection, featuring sheet sets, duvet covers, towels, and bathrobes, brings the refined hospitality of Portrait Milano and Frette’s artistry into homes. Available from November 22, 2024, at Frette’s Milan flagship store and online, the collection reflects the timeless elegance of both brands. Portrait Milano, located in a restored 17th-century seminary in Milan’s fashion district, is part of the Ferragamo family’s Lungarno Collection, while Frette, with over 160 years of heritage, is renowned for its luxurious linens gracing royal homes, iconic landmarks, and luxury hotels worldwide.
٣. Saudi Womenswear brand Leem opens first international store at Westfield London
Saudi womenswear brand Leem has celebrated a significant milestone by opening its first international and permanent store at Westfield London. Spanning 1,100 square feet, this move marks Leem’s ambition to expand globally, following the success of its 2022 Selfridges launch and a popular pop-up at Westfield last year. The store offers a sleek, minimalistic design with a tonal colour scheme and rose gold accents, enhancing the shopping experience. As part of its growth, Leem is also expanding into the GCC and European markets with new partnerships, including Ounass, Bloomingdale’s Dubai, and soon, Harvey Nichols Doha and Bloomingdale’s Kuwait. This expansion highlights Leem’s rise as a key international player in fashion.
٤. Piaget unveils luxurious new boutique at Mall of the Emirates
Piaget has unveiled a stunning new boutique at the Mall of the Emirates, reflecting the brand’s signature craftsmanship and luxury. Located on the first floor, the boutique’s design, created by architect Rafael de Cárdenas, is inspired by Piaget’s rich history and features radiant gold hues, intricate textures, and opulent colour palettes. The space includes a mural of green, blue, and gold, a cabinet of curiosities showcasing Piaget’s natural gems, and a VIP room for an intimate experience. This boutique brings Piaget’s iconic style to life, blending elegance and innovation to create an inviting, luxurious atmosphere.
٥. Sonara launches Nara on the Sea: a luxury dinner cruise experience on Dubai’s iconic canal
Sonara has launched Nara on the Sea, a luxury dinner cruise experience aboard the Lady Nara, a custom-designed dhow in Dubai. The cruise offers residents and tourists a unique opportunity to enjoy gourmet dining while cruising past iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Canal. Guests can choose between two experiences: a Sunset Cruise with Mediterranean-inspired canapés or a Dinner Cruise with a lavish sharing-style menu, crafted by French Chef Gregory Khellouf. The Lady Nara can host up to 90 guests, offering a modern yet traditional ambience. Nara on the Sea promises a memorable culinary journey with stunning views of Dubai’s skyline.
٦. Les Benjamins to debut as correspondent designer at Dubai Fashion Week 2025
Istanbul-based brand Les Benjamins will be the first to join Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) as a Correspondent Designer, showcasing its Autumn/Winter 2025 collection. The event, held at Dubai Design District from February 1–6, 2025, will feature the “Altai Turks/Altaicana” collection, inspired by the Altai people’s relationship with nature and ancient traditions. Les Benjamins, which has been in the UAE market for six years, including opening a flagship store at The Dubai Mall, continues to grow its global presence. The runway show is set for February 5 at 9 PM. Les Benjamins is known for blending Eastern and Western influences and has previously collaborated with major brands like Nike and Apple.
٧. RIMOWA launches exclusive Mahjong Attaché, combining tradition with modern design
RIMOWA has introduced its latest creation, the RIMOWA Mahjong Attaché, following its previous releases in table games like the Poker and Chess Attachés. This new piece blends traditional Mahjong with RIMOWA’s signature design and durability. Made from the brand’s iconic grooved aluminium, the case features a double-tier system to store the game’s components, including 144 hand-adorned acrylic tiles and four aluminium dice. The set is completed with a red leather tag that can be personalized with initials. The RIMOWA Mahjong Attaché is now available in stores and online at RIMOWA.com.
٨. James Turrell unveils monumental light and space project at AlUla Arts Festival
James Turrell’s exhibition at AlUla Arts Festival showcases his signature mastery of light and space while offering a glimpse into his monumental Land Art commission for Wadi AlFann, set to open within four years. Known as the “Valley of the Arts,” Wadi AlFann will feature vast tunnels, chambers, and Skyspaces carved into AlUla’s canyon floor, blending natural and celestial elements to create immersive sensory experiences. The exhibition, running until April 19, highlights Turrell’s innovative use of light to transform perception, featuring both early works like the ethereal Alta and recent installations such as the hypnotic Jubilee. Visitors can explore renderings of the upcoming project, which draws on AlUla’s clear desert light to connect art, nature, and the cosmos.
٩. Ali Ali becomes first Egyptian jury President for Film Craft Lions at 2025 Cannes Lions Festival
Ali Ali, a renowned filmmaker and co-founder of Good People Films, has been named the first Egyptian Jury President for the prestigious Film Craft Lions category at the 72nd Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Known for his award-winning work, including the viral “Never Say No to Panda” campaign, Ali will evaluate global creative excellence at the festival in June 2025. This year’s Cannes Lions also introduces updates like renaming the Social & Influencer Lions to Social & Creator Lions and expanding the Glass: The Lion for Change category to honour works addressing social equity across diverse communities. Submissions are open until April 10, 2025, with the festival running from June 16 to 20 in Cannes, France.
١.. Karen Wazen launches her first belt collection, redefining everyday luxury
Karen Wazen expands her brand with the launch of her first-ever belt collection, introducing two standout designs: the bold Bond Belt with the signature infinity logo and the refined Signature Belt with a square buckle. Both are crafted from genuine black leather with 18k gold-plated buckles, blending luxury with versatility and offering various sizes and widths. The belts also feature innovative belt tags, which can hold sunglasses or double as luggage tags, combining practicality with style. Known for turning essentials into fashion statements, Karen’s new collection reflects her personal style and is now available online and in select stores across the UAE and Lebanon.
