The news from the region you shouldn’t miss.
١. H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan honours winners of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) awards
On May 13, 2024, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, highlighted the UAE’s support for creativity, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This commitment was showcased at the ADMAF Awards ceremony, honouring achievements in jewellery design, fine arts, performing arts, and sustainable design.
The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) organized the event in partnership with L’ÉCOLE Middle East, Van Cleef & Arpels, TotalEnergies, and Gulf Capital. Winners included Badria Ali Saif Salim for her jewellery piece ‘Al Iqd Al Bahir,’ Sarra’a Abdulaziz Alshehhi for her film ‘A Small Dream,’ and Mohamed Juma Ali Al Darmaki and his team for their theatrical piece ‘Phobia.’ Sara AlMahmoud and Maryam AlQassim were recognized for their sustainable design project ‘The Makeshift City.’
٢. The New Official Face of the Lady Dior Campaign
The Lady Dior bag, a symbol of Dior’s excellence, is reimagined here by Maria Grazia Chiuri, balancing heritage and innovation. This iconic accessory is celebrated in a new campaign featuring Grammy-winning artist Rosalía, Dior’s global ambassador. Photographed by Collier Schorr, exclusive the campaign captures Rosalía in an extensive musical setting, highlighting the connection between fashion and music.
Further images showcase the Lady Dior bag’s architectural design, with its matte or patent leather and signature cannage pattern, reflecting the House’s craftsmanship. This campaign, celebrating femininity and freedom, underscores the timeless allure of the Lady Dior bag.
٣. Curated Playlist’s Two-Week Pop-Up is in Town
The Curated Playlist, founded by Ingy Mansour and Ghalia Gharbawi, is hosting its second pop-up event, The Summer Shop, in Dubai. Following the success of their Ramadan pop-up, this event aims to provide equal opportunities for regional retail brands.
Scheduled for May 17-19 and May 24-26 at the Ritz-Carlton Residences – Creekside, the pop-up will feature a variety of premier regional and global brands across categories like fine jewellery, fashion, homeware, and food. The venue offers state-of-the-art interiors and scenic views of Dubai Creek.
٤. MIU MIU Launches Fifth Upcycled Collection 2024
Miu Miu introduced its Fifth Miu Miu Upcycled collection, featuring denim known for its durability and unique ageing patina. Launched in 2020, the Miu Miu Upcycled initiative celebrates vintage fashion and promotes circular design practices, valuing the timeless beauty of historical garments. This collection sources original pieces from global experts, which are then reassembled with added natural suede borders and visible white stitching.
The collection includes loose-fitting jeans worn low on the hips, abbreviated scarf tops, micro-shorts, and modified blouson jackets with suede borders and front zips. The campaign, photographed by Tarek Cassim, features models showcasing the upcycled designs in a series of cut-out and collaged portraits that highlight both the products and the models.
٥. Les Benjamins launches new Resort 24 ‘Mediterranean Summer Breeze’ Collection
Les Benjamins has unveiled its new Resort 24 collection, “Mediterranean Summer Breeze,” inspired by the glamour of Bodrum on the Turkish Riviera. The collection, which reflects the sun-drenched days and nautical charm of Bodrum, features an earthy colour palette and Bohemian styles. It includes versatile womenswear pieces such as slinky gowns, midi skirts, summer dresses, and beach cover-ups, as well as swimwear with bold prints and elegant designs.
Signature pieces include matching sets and printed T-shirts with Turkish-inspired embroidery. “Mediterranean Summer Breeze by Les Benjamins” is available online and in Les Benjamins stores.
٦. Fujifilm Instax launches INSTAX Mini 99TM
FUJIFILM Corporation has announced the release of the INSTAX mini 99™, a high-end analog instant camera, available from May 15, 2024, in the Middle East. The mini 99™ builds on the success of the INSTAX mini 90™, introducing features like “Color Effect Control” and “Vignette Mode” for enhanced print expressions. It also retains popular functions from the mini 90™, such as Landscape, Macro, Indoor, Sports modes, and a Self Timer.
The camera boasts a leather-like matte texture and a classic design, combining a premium feel with advanced analog usability. The INSTAX mini 99™ is available across MENA markets, including Noon and Amazon in KSA, Grandstores in the UAE, xcite.com in Kuwait, and electronyat.qa in Qatar.
Learn more here.
٧. DIPTYQUE Releases New Candle Collection Inspired by French Café Verlet
Diptyque has launched a new limited-edition candle collection inspired by the gourmet palette of Café Verlet, Paris’s oldest coffee purveyor. This collaboration merges Café Verlet’s tradition of exceptional coffees with Diptyque’s scented expertise, offering scents like Café (Coffee), Chantilly (Whipped Cream), Biscuit, and Fruits Confits (Candied Fruits).
Each candle evokes the essence of Café Verlet, from the rich aroma of roasted coffee beans to the sweetness of whipped cream and spiced biscuits. Available at Diptyque boutiques and online, these candles offer a delightful, sophisticated olfactory experience.
٨. LOEWE x ON Collaborate for a Running Collection
Global Fashion house LOEWE presents its fifth collaboration between On, presenting a versatile collection of ready-to-wear garments, encompassing technical activewear, standout outerwear, and cushioned footwear designed for both men and women. This collaboration merges LOEWE’s unique design ideology with On’s technical prowess, resulting in a wardrobe exclusively tailored towards urban exploration and wild landscapes alike.
The exclusive pop-up experience in the UAE, situated in Dubai Mall from May 23 to June 8, promises an immersive encounter with an interactive floor inspired by the campaign’s ethos, offering a glimpse into the innovative spirit driving this partnership.
٩. ETRO Opens New Boutique In Bahrain
Expanding its footprint in the Middle East, ETRO boosts its presence with the inauguration of a new boutique in Bahrain’s Marassi Galleria Mall, following recent openings in Riyadh and Dubai. Positioned on the ground floor of the upscale mall, the store boasts an architectural marvel characterized by sophisticated materials and complemented by travertine exteriors.
Inside, the space is adorned with exquisite Moroccan carpets, echoing the brand’s vibrant and eclectic style. The new ETRO boutique offers a wide array of women’s and men’s ready-to-wear and accessories collections, ensuring a lavish and all-encompassing shopping experience for customers.
١. DIORAMA & DIORIGAMI – Dior’s New High Jewellery Collection
Since 1999, Dior’s timeless motifs have consistently influenced the jewellery designs of the Maison’s artistic director, Victoire de Castellane. As a nod towards this legacy, Castellane shines this year with an exceptional collection titled Diorama & Diorigami, blending past elegance with modern allure.
The initial instalment, Diorama, pays homage to the iconic toile de Jouy, a symbol of French artistry cherished by Christian Dior. Crafted with exquisite skill, these creations use glyptic techniques to sculpt precious stones into captivating landscapes, enhanced by Dior Joaillerie’s signature lacquer.
