Freshest news from the region and beyond, straight to your screens.
١. Picasso, Reframed: The Figure Takes Over Louvre Abu Dhabi
A rare art moment is landing in Abu Dhabi. Picasso, The Figure at Louvre Abu Dhabi brings a landmark monographic exhibition dedicated to Pablo Picasso and his radical reinvention of the human form. From classical silhouettes to surreal distortions and late-life transformations, the show traces Picasso’s lifelong obsession with identity, love, and metamorphosis through major loans from the Musée National Picasso-Paris and other global institutions, with a special nod to his influence across the Arab world. On view 21 January – 31 May 2026, and very much a “see it before it’s gone” situation.
Beyond the canvases, the program expands into conversations and cinema. Curatorial talks dive into cross-cultural dialogues and regional parallels, while a screening of Le Mystère Picasso (1956) pulls viewers straight into the artist’s creative process; brushstrokes, erasures, and all. World-class, time-limited, and the kind of exhibition that turns a museum visit into a full cultural night out.
More info here.
٢. On Running Brings Race-Day Energy to Dubai’s Marathon Season
As marathon season peaks in Dubai, On Running steps into the spotlight with its Cloudboom franchise — a dual race-day lineup designed to match different runner profiles without losing performance edge. The Cloudboom Strike targets seasoned marathoners chasing speed and precision with its carbon Speedboard and ultra-responsive foam, while the Cloudboom Max offers a more cushioned, confidence-driven ride for everyday runners aiming to finish strong and comfortably. Together, the two silhouettes underline a simple shift in running culture: performance isn’t one pace or one body type: it’s personal, engineered, and very much taking over Dubai’s streets this season.
٣. New Balance Opens First “Grey” Concept Store in the Middle East
New Balance has officially opened its first-ever Grey store in the Middle East at Place Vendôme Mall, introducing its most elevated global retail concept to the region. Positioned as the exclusive local home for the brand’s collaborations and limited drops, the space brings rare in-person access to fashion-forward partnerships — including high-luxury crossovers with Miu Miu and Loro Piana — while showcasing premium lines like Made in USA, Made in UK, and its Tokyo and Shanghai Design Studios. Understated yet immersive, the store shifts New Balance firmly into the contemporary luxury conversation, catering to collectors and style insiders who value craftsmanship, curation, and quiet exclusivity over hype.
٤. Concorso Italiano UAE Returns to Dubai with a La Dolce Vita Twist
On 8 February, Dubai slips into full La Dolce Vita mode as Concorso Italiano UAE returns for its fourth edition at Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa — an open-air celebration of Italian automotive elegance, design, and slow-afternoon indulgence. Around 20 rare pre-2006 classics from marques like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia will be showcased in an intimate concours setting judged by international experts, paired with Italian buffet spreads, live music, and Riviera-style social energy. Less spectacle, more taste — it’s an afternoon for collectors, design lovers, and anyone craving a refined escape into timeless Italian style.
٥. Tiara Drops ‘Nawi Aaleih,’ A Flirtatious Arabic Pop Release
Lebanese rising star Tiara sets the tone for her new musical era with ‘Nawi Aaleih’, an Arabic dance-pop single released via MDLBEAST Records that leans into the thrill and uncertainty of new romance. Blending Arabic lyrics with R&B textures and global pop melodies, the track plays on emotional push-and-pull — flirtation, curiosity, and the vulnerability of waiting for someone’s true intentions to surface. Produced by Nasir Al Bashir and Keen, its punchy percussion and dreamy harmonies mark another step in Tiara’s evolving identity, positioning her among a new generation of artists reshaping Arabic pop without losing its authenticity.
٦. COS Unveils Limited Ramadan & Eid Al-Fitr Collection
COS introduces a limited-edition womenswear capsule for Ramadan alongside a curated Eid Al-Fitr edit, built around fluid silhouettes, enveloping pleats, and soft injections of blush and neutral tones. Designed for effortless day-to-night transitions, the collection leans into understated elegance — from vintage-inspired tailoring with cinched waists and delicate matching sets to batwing-sleeve dresses and hand-painted anemone prints that add an artisanal haze. The Eid selection continues the brand’s quiet-luxury language with statement linen floor-length dresses, structured double-breasted sets, and a reimagined trench featuring modern cuffed sleeves and fluid draping — timeless, versatile, and made for refined occasion dressing.
٧. adidas Serves Up “Adizero Pasta” for Marathon Week in Dubai
In a playful twist on marathon fuel culture, adidas teams up with Dubai’s artisanal pasta lab Sagra Italian Pastificio to launch Adizero Pasta — a limited-edition ravioli inspired by the Adizero EVO SL running shoe and offered free to registered runners during marathon week. Available for one day only at the Adizero House of Fast at Kite Beach, the collaboration turns carb-loading into a social pre-race ritual, blending performance, craft, and community. The experience extends city-wide through an exclusive partnership with Careem, making the pasta accessible beyond the beach and reframing race prep as a collective Dubai moment rather than a solo routine.
٨. Nada Debs Opens Dubai Flagship at Alserkal Avenue
Beirut-born design studio Nada Debs has opened its Dubai flagship boutique at Alserkal Avenue, marking a new global chapter and a generational shift as founder Nada Debs’ son, Tamer Khatib, steps in as Managing Director. The two-floor space blends warmth and industrial contrast through wood-clad structures, terrazzo textures, and a signature sandalwood-cedar-incense scent, showcasing best-selling pieces alongside new collections and a customization corner. Rooted in the studio’s East-meets-East philosophy — bridging Middle Eastern craft with Japanese minimalism — the boutique introduces regional audiences to refined mother-of-pearl inlay, hand carving, and marquetry, positioning Dubai as the brand’s natural gateway to its next era.
٩. Eman Announces New Single “Packing Away”
London-based Saudi-Iranian singer-songwriter Eman is set to release her second single “Packing Away” on 27 January 2026, an emotionally raw indie-folk-meets-dream-pop track that explores heartbreak, identity, and the quiet transformation that comes with letting go. Positioned as her final acoustic-leaning release before shifting toward a bolder pop sound, the single captures the vulnerability of loving someone who has already moved on, layering delicate guitars with atmospheric percussion for a cinematic feel. Shot in Tunis, the accompanying music video mirrors the song’s themes of departure and discovery, turning the city’s vibrant landscapes into a visual metaphor for closing one chapter and stepping into the next.
