Chloé: Couture, Reimagined for the Real World

January 26, 2026

COS Opens a New Chapter at Mall of the Emirates

COS continues its steady expansion in the UAE with the opening of its latest store at Mall of the Emirates, marking the brand’s sixth location in the country. More than a retail addition, the new space reflects COS’ ongoing commitment to thoughtful design, material exploration, and a quietly confident approach to fashion and interiors.

Designed in-house by the brand’s interior specialists, the store unfolds across a calm, neutral palette that immediately sets the tone. The environment feels deliberate and composed, allowing both the architecture and the garments to breathe. Ready-to-wear collections are presented on sleek aluminium railing systems, reinforcing COS’ preference for clarity and structure, while a custom-made table by PAPER FACTOR anchors the space with understated elegance. Crafted in Italy from plywood and natural pigments extracted from the earth, the piece introduces a tactile, grounded element to the store’s visual language.

Materiality plays a central role throughout the interior. Grassi Pietre terrazzo flooring runs seamlessly across the space, complemented by hand-tufted rugs by Kasthall that add warmth without excess. Carefully selected furnishings and purposeful lighting create a dialogue between modern design and timeless craftsmanship, echoing COS’ broader design philosophy.

In the lounge area, Tacchini’s Sesann sofa brings sculptural softness, while HAY’s Chisel lounge chairs (you might not know that yet but we have a huge love. for HAY, by the way) introduce precision through their plywood construction and clean lines. The fitting rooms continue this balance of comfort and design, featuring NOR11 upholstered daybeds and pouffes set against dark wood accents. Throughout the store, Helle Mardahl’s candy-coloured Bon Bon wall lamps add a subtle, playful contrast, casting a warm glow that softens the minimalist surroundings.

The new location debuts with COS’ latest womenswear and menswear collections, offering elevated wardrobe essentials defined by craftsmanship, contemporary detailing, and distinctive silhouettes. True to the brand’s ethos, the focus remains on pieces designed to last, garments that feel relevant now and adaptable over time (our jeans are literally 10 years old and still intact.)

Founded in London and inspired by contemporary culture, COS has built its reputation on a bespoke approach to design, combining function with enduring style. The Mall of the Emirates opening feels like a natural extension of that identity, a space where fashion, architecture, and material integrity converge in a way that feels both current and considered.

Discover the new store at Mall Of The Emirates.

January 25, 2026

Ramallah Art Fair 2026: Narratives Under Occupation

Ramallah has long been a city where culture persists not despite reality, but through it. In its fifth edition, Ramallah Art Fair returns with a title that feels less like a theme and more like a lived truth: Narratives Under Occupation.

Taking place against the backdrop of two years of ongoing genocide in Gaza, the 2026 edition brings together forty-two artists from Palestine and the Golan Heights to reflect on what it means to create, remember, and imagine while living under sustained oppression.

This year’s fair is both an act of witnessing and an act of insistence. Across two sections — Contemporary and Rare — the artworks navigate displacement, loss, identity, memory, and the weight of everyday life under occupation, while also carving out space for resistance, resilience, and visions of a future beyond it.

In the Contemporary section, the urgency of the present is impossible to ignore. Works unfold as documents of survival, grief, and endurance. From Gaza, Maisara Baroud presents original pieces from his series I’m Still Alive, a body of work that captures the daily anguish of life under bombardment with raw immediacy. Sari Tarazi contributes striking photo montages composed from images taken during street demonstrations across Palestine protesting the ongoing genocide in Gaza, layering collective action with visual fragmentation.

Bashar Khalaf introduces a new body of work examining the devastating fire that tore through Ramallah’s main vegetable market, a blaze ignited during an Israeli military incursion when tear gas bombs reduced the space to ashes. The works move between documentation and mourning, bearing witness to how violence seeps into even the most ordinary sites of daily life.

Inass Yassin participates with two works, 100 Oranges in Yafa and Mohammad Returns Home. The latter depicts preparations for a welcome ceremony, with images of artworks appearing in the background; a quiet but devastating reference to absence. The work is dedicated to Palestinian artist Mohammad Alhaj from Gaza, whose artworks were lost beneath the rubble. Here, memory becomes both tribute and refusal to forget.

For the first time at Ramallah Art Fair, Noor Elshaer from the Golan Heights presents a series titled Tayyat (Folds). Her works explore the internal contradictions of motherhood through intimate daily rituals, such as folding scarves. These gestures become symbols of closeness, care, and the emotional weight carried within the seemingly mundane.

The Rare section, inaugurated last year and now firmly established, deepens the fair’s historical and cultural grounding. It brings together works by artists whose practices have shaped Palestinian and regional visual language across decades. A rarely shown lithograph by Syrian artist Burhan Karkutli depicts village life through his signature densely patterned compositions, where figures, animals, and motifs coexist like scenes from a collective story. A rare etching by Juliana Seraphim, an artist displaced in 1948, revisits themes of homeland, femininity, and memory through her surrealist lens.

Also on view are works by Vladimir Tamari, Laila Shawa, and Shafik Radwan; the latter having lost all of his artworks under the rubble of his home in Gaza. In this context, the Rare section does not function as nostalgia or archival distance, but as continuity. It asserts that Palestinian artistic production has always existed in dialogue with loss, exile, and perseverance.

Running until 29 March 2026, Ramallah Art Fair 2026 offers artworks at accessible prices, encouraging new collectors to engage with Palestinian art not as an abstract gesture of solidarity, but as a tangible act of support. More than a marketplace, the fair positions itself as a space of encounter, between generations, geographies, and lived realities.

Narratives Under Occupation does not attempt to soften its message. Instead, it insists on complexity, on presence, and on the necessity of art as both record and resistance. In Ramallah, creation remains an act of defiance, and of hope.

More info on Zawyeh.net

www.sevaexperience.com

January 22, 2026

Where To Eat Healthy In Dubai This January

In Dubai, “healthy” dining has quietly evolved beyond calorie counts and superfood buzzwords. Today, it’s about intention, balance, and spaces that understand food as part of a wider way of living.

Whether rooted in wellness, sustainability, or simple pleasure, these restaurants prove that eating well doesn’t mean sacrificing flavour, atmosphere, or joy.

Here are some of the city’s most thoughtful destinations for nourishing both body and mind.

SEVA Experience

Tucked away in a villa on Jumeirah Road, SEVA feels less like a restaurant and more like a pause button. Step inside and you’re immediately removed from the city’s rhythm, entering a sanctuary built around holistic wellbeing.

Opened in 2014 as the Middle East’s first 100 percent plant-based dining concept, SEVA’s menu is crafted with clear intention. Every dish is free of gluten, cane sugar, and GMOs, designed to nourish without deprivation. But SEVA’s appeal extends well beyond the plate. From sound healing and yoga sessions to movement and breathwork workshops, the space invites guests to slow down, reconnect, and ground themselves. It’s a place where eating well becomes part of a wider ritual.

‍

Above Eleven Dubai (Veganuary & Dry January Edition)

For those easing into the new year with intention, Above Eleven Dubai offers a compelling reminder that “healthy” doesn’t have to mean muted. Throughout January, the rooftop destination introduces a limited-edition Veganuary Nikkei menu alongside ABOVE 00, a dedicated non-alcoholic beverage collection.

The plant-based set menu explores Japanese-Peruvian flavours through dishes like sweet potato tempura, king oyster mushroom nigiri, palm heart tiradito, miso-glazed cauliflower, and a coconut tapioca dessert. Paired with complex, alcohol-free drinks inspired by Japanese precision and Peruvian warmth, the experience feels celebratory rather than corrective.

It’s a welcome shift for those looking to reset without giving up ritual, flavour, or atmosphere.

www.aboveelleven.com

Soulgreen

Originally from Milan, Soulgreen brings a distinctly Italian sense of ease to ethical dining. The concept blends tradition with modern sensibilities, speaking to diners who care about what they eat without wanting to feel preached to.

The menu is 80 percent vegan and 20 percent pescatarian, with a strong focus on sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. Expect vibrant bowls, comforting pasta and risotto dishes, and indulgent burgers made with red quinoa and truffle spinach. Overlooking Creek Harbour, Soulgreen offers a calm, cosy escape from the city’s pace, where food feels generous, warm, and quietly considered.

www.soulgreen.ae

Splendour Fields

Splendour Fields proves that food can be both deeply healthy and genuinely exciting. The focus here is on flavour-forward dishes that don’t rely on heaviness or excess to satisfy. Clean ingredients, thoughtful combinations, and bold seasoning come together in plates that feel energising rather than restrictive.

It’s the kind of place you leave feeling nourished, not just fed.

www.eatx.com

KOBEYa Gluten-Free Eatery

KOBEYa is one of Dubai’s rare spots where gluten-free isn’t a limitation, it’s the whole point. Positioned as a 100% gluten-free concept with a Japanese and Far Eastern leaning, it’s built for diners who want flavour and peace of mind in equal measure, from comforting bowls to lighter café-style plates. We also love their breakfast and dessert menu, allowing us to indulge without the consequences.

www.kobeya.ae

Tawa Gluten-Free Eatery

For those navigating gluten-free dining without wanting to compromise on comfort, Tawa delivers familiarity with care. The menu focuses on accessible, flavourful dishes that feel reassuring rather than niche, making it a reliable go-to for everyday healthy eating. Their bakery items are truly to die for, and wait until you try the desserts.

www.instagram.com/tawabakery

Joga

Positioned as a neighbourhood eatery, Joga keeps things simple and consistent. Their philosophy centres on wholesome, nourishing meals designed for everyday life. Sandwiches, wraps, salads, and smoothies are made using fresh, quality ingredients, with vegan and vegetarian options woven naturally into the menu.

It’s casual, unpretentious, and grounded, the kind of place you return to without overthinking it. And guess what? Our favourite women chef, Soraya Aoud aka 'Sunchef' is collaborating with Joga for a special menu, coming soon.

www.eatjoga.com

January 21, 2026

Abu Dhabi Steps Into the Global Luxury Conversation With Shoptalk Luxe

In recent years, Abu Dhabi has been quietly but deliberately positioning itself as a place where culture, commerce, and long-term vision intersect. This January, that positioning becomes even more pronounced as the UAE capital hosts Shoptalk Luxe for the first time, bringing one of the world’s most influential luxury retail platforms to the Middle East.

Taking place from 27 to 29 January 2026, the inaugural regional edition of Shoptalk Luxe will convene over 2,000 senior decision-makers and more than 170 global speakers, placing Abu Dhabi at the centre of conversations shaping the future of luxury, fashion, hospitality, and elevated consumer experiences. Among the confirmed speakers are figures who rarely share the same stage: Vera Wang, Daniel Grieder, CEO of Hugo Boss, Marco Parsiegla, CEO of Amouage, Philippe Zuber, CEO of Kerzner International, and Michael Ward, Managing Director of Harrods, alongside leaders from Christian Louboutin, Harvey Nichols, Fabergé, and more.

More than a conference, Shoptalk Luxe is designed as a working forum. Part of the globally recognised Shoptalk series, the event arrives in Abu Dhabi through a strategic collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), reflecting the emirate’s growing role as a global hub for luxury brands seeking meaningful engagement with sophisticated, internationally minded consumers.

What sets Shoptalk Luxe apart is its industry-led agenda. Built collaboratively with leaders across retail, fashion, and technology, the programme focuses on five core themes shaping luxury today: delivering value beyond product ownership; deepening consumer relationships; redefining online and offline experiences; elevating search and discovery; and driving excellence through leadership. Rather than aspirational soundbites, these sessions aim to address real challenges facing luxury brands navigating changing consumer values, digital acceleration, and the demand for authenticity.

Abu Dhabi’s selection as host city feels intentional. Supported by a strong economic foundation and world-class cultural institutions such as Louvre Abu Dhabi, the upcoming Zayed National Museum, and the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the emirate offers an ecosystem where luxury is increasingly defined by substance, culture, and long-term relevance rather than visibility alone.

Beyond the stage, Shoptalk Luxe places emphasis on connection. Through its curated Meetup platform, the event will facilitate over 20,000 targeted meetings between brands, investors, and technology partners. More than 80 sponsors and solution providers, including global players such as Shopify, eBay, and Snapchat, are expected to participate, showcasing innovations across personalisation, omnichannel strategy, and artificial intelligence.

As Zia Daniell Wigder, Global President of Shoptalk, notes, the platform is intended as a catalyst, bringing together the global luxury community.

For Abu Dhabi, hosting Shoptalk Luxe marks a defining moment. It signals a shift from being a place where luxury is consumed, to one where its future is debated, designed, and built. And as the industry looks ahead, the UAE capital is increasingly positioning itself not only as a destination, but as a driver of the next chapter in global luxury.

More info here

January 20, 2026

Meet Yal Solan, The Lyrical Priestess

She is the voice of a generation lost in noise... a poetess in a world that is slowly being dehumanized ... a committed activist calling to action in contrast of hitting frantically on purchase buttons.

With her grounding calmness she commands to be heard yet her music touches, reaches, transcends boundaries and merging universes.Unveiling the artist that is Yal Solan...

By Ghena Maalouf

As a multidisciplinary artist, how would you describe your body of art as a whole?

- Y.S: My main art is my music, but my body of work spans different mediums. I’m initially an animator and graphic designer who metamorphosed into a singer-songwriter, model, actress, poet and voice over artist.
The former has allowed me to raise awareness on causes dear to my heart, such as environmental issues, women’s rights, LGBT rights, through visual storytelling and activism. The latter is a continuation of that passion in different artistic forms. My music, my modeling, and overall presence are a celebration of the much-needed feminine energy in our modern day, one that carries compassion, embodiment, sensuality and empowerment. They all flow together. They all are part of a journey bridging awareness, from my inner world to the outer world.
All of these disciplines are different manifestations of me. I am not one thing, and nothing is ever separate. I act when I perform. I perform when I model. I write when I sing.

Making of Music Video *Ya Enay Kafa Alam* by Mayan Msaed

Which art medium allows you to best express yourself without inhibitions in regard to your audience? Does it happen to be your favorite way of self-expression?

- Y.S: In regard to the audience, definitely singing. It is my way to encrypt the contents of my soul, musically. However, to myself, it would be writing.My notebooks are a very intimate, uninhibited space for me.
My music is born from the safety of letting the stream of my consciousness flow fully from mind to pen, and then gets transformed into songs I can share with the world.

'I am not one thing, and nothing is ever separate. I act when I perform. I perform when I model. I write when I sing.'

Watching your artistic trajectory unfold, one may notice that you evolved (but not ceased to be) from being a lyrical poetess engrained in spirituality and feminine mystic; thus directing your energy flow from within to the universe; to raising awareness of what is happening in the world and trying to incite empathy around you (in your last two singles), yet liberation remains at the core of your message. What has brought this shift on?

- Y.S: It feels like it is the path of artistic maturity, in the sense that the higher values that I sing about, are taking root. These shapes are being embodied, becoming tangible enough to express what needs to be expressed, in the current moment.

For instance, Manam, the single I released before Ya Enay Kafak Alam, was alight bulb moment. I was approached to song write about my stance as an artiston the turbulent situation in Lebanon. I was almost going to turn it down, thinking that my musical work is only up in the clouds. But, when I started writing it, I realized just how political it is. How our internal worlds are shaped by the outside and vice versa. These ideals can’t live in a vacuum.

Over time, my awareness has expanded to my surroundings and then globally, growing in unprecedented ways. My work is more grounded and directional, but the ethereal force is all the same. And, I do see myself continually alternating between the earthly and the ethereal.

**How would you describe your artistic style in rapport to your fashion style?Do you feel they are intertwined & coherent, or intentionally clashing & parallel?**

Y.S: Musically, my style is something I call “Soul Fusion”, a mix of my oriental and occidental influences combined with my more personal tendencies towards the mystical. Soulfulness is the main ingredient in my work, as it is my tool to express holistic awareness, feminine energy, sensuality, and awakening.
When it comes to fashion, I’m pretty much a chameleon. I can go anywhere from bohemian and earthy, to shiny and flamboyant, to androgynous or gender-fluid.And I can shamelessly say, yes, this does clash with my music. Glam and glamorous, is definitely not something one would immediately associate with a soulful singer-songwriter. But I also find it kind of ridiculous how some people dress “spiritual” to fit the mold of what a “spiritual” artist should look like. To me, there is a lack of authenticity in dressing - or being – of what people expect you to be, and I would rather surprise than fulfill any expectation. I do not believe an artist should ever be put into a box. I always seek to reinvent myself, out of the pure pleasure of self-discovery.

Takes from Ya Enay Kafak Alam music video by Samara Noureddine

After working with prominent & established talents like Mike Massy, Zeid Hamdan & Bachar Mar Khalifeh, how would you describe the dynamic you established with them?

- Y.S: First and foremost, Mike Massy! From initially being my vocal coach, to arranging and producing my first two singles, and now becoming a mentor to me, he really was the person who set me out on this path. Working on my third single, La7ali, with Bachar Mar-Khalife, was also a tremendous pleasure. He was able to really translate the feeling of La7ali into the sound I imagined, all in one studio day!
As for Zeid, it was such a free-flow. We got to perform together during JAM3A,the fundraiser he initiated with KED. We didn’t prepare much, yet the connectionon stage was so fluid that we totally improvised a mixture of my poetry and hissounds.
The biggest lesson to take from these experiences is to put your art out there. If Ihad not dared to sing, to write, to be vulnerable and to take risks, how wouldthese established artists have found me?
It has been humbling to collaborate with them. I think it is such a beautiful cycle of support, how experienced artists can uplift younger ones, to keep the power of music alive. For these inspiring artists to believe in me enough to contribute to my journey, while I am still in the first few years of it, is quite a big deal for me, and I am honored.

How did you discover your penchant for art? And how did you hone your talents?

- Y.S: It all came out from a very unpredictable unfolding. I was a math nerd who knew she wanted to create for the rest of her life. My first contact with art was studying graphic design and animation at university, yet the place where I also discovered singing was the university’s chamber choir.

It took several years before I realized the poetry that I had been writing purely for myself, can actually be song-writing. And then some more years to muster up thecourage to perform live.
My talents were fed and sculpted by the desire to share a gift, I think.

Singing and using my voice was a revelation, until the next natural step was sharing my own writing through them, and expressing my soul through my voice.Beyond that, what is the point of writing if it meant keeping those songs to myself? It felt like something was missing, not putting them out there, and performing out of the joy of sharing them with people and connecting on a deeper level.

“Al Souq Al Oumoumi”, a cabaret show directed by Hisham Jaber, choreographed by Khouloud Yassine and produced by Metro Al Medina, gained a lot of traction and success, and in my opinion it is likely set to become one of the staples of our Lebanese pop culture, how do you live this experience?

- Y.S: With this show celebrating its two-year anniversary now, I can definitely agree with you! Ever since I read the script, I knew it would be life-changing. It was actually my first experience in theatre, so I was given a lot of trust. It has been such a fun experience! Opening up the side of me that is overtly feminine, and provocative, at least relative to the more conservative perspective of Lebanese society. Being part of a burlesque show like this brought out another side of me on stage, and allowed me to bring three different facets within me together: the singer, the actress and the dancer. It is also a very interesting contrast to the more soulful and calmer presence I have in my own concerts.
“Al Souq Al Oumoumi” displays the history of the red light district in my country,and it’s very important that such overlooked information is brought to thelimelight, and disseminated to the public in such a lively and engaging way. I think Metro Al Madina is doing our culture a great favor, by revealing it unto itselfand celebrating, the past and the present, the obvious and the obscured.

**Circling back to your latest release “Ya Enay Kafak Alam”, how did it come to be??**

- Y.S: It is actually really wild how it started - I did not choose it – it is one of those things that just happened. A producer all the way from Tunisia, Bilel Abdou, reached out to me on Instagram out of the blue. The track he had sent me was initially empty; asking me to song write to it, along with sampled voices singing“Ya Eneya”. Something about those words and how they were sung was magical to me, and I started asking about the song and researching it further. When I heard the full song, this Sudanese folk song through a cover by Zahraman, and listened to its words, I knew I wanted to sing it.

And the process was not just artistic; it felt like a message that needed to be voiced out. In light of the violence and wars across countries in the SWANA region like Lebanon, Sudan, and Palestine, “Ya Enay Kafak Alam”, which translates to “Oh My Eyes, Enough Pain”, resonated in a different way today. I wanted to respect and honor its Sudanese origins, while letting it speak truthfully of our harsh, common present realities.

“Ya Enay Kafak Alam” speaks to the universality of pain that is felt across our borders, but is also an act of resistance. When the world has turned a blind eyeto such immense suffering, this song calls for us to look it in the face, and acknowledge that this is a collective plea. This song became my vessel toaddress the cycles of violence that haunt our lands, and to express a deep desire for liberation from them.

What can we wish for Yal Solan?

- Y.S: To finally get that EP out! On a more serious note though, you can definitely wish for Yal to keep writing, expressing, and releasing music, all while growing mindfully. It is quite the tough road. I am on a path with a lot of challenges, distractions and set backs, so you can also wish me the strength and perseverance to carry on, so that I can put out some beautiful thoughts into the world.

“Ya Enay Kafak Alam” streaming on all platforms and music video out onyoutube.com here.
Find Yal Solan’s whole discography and work on yalsolan.com

Follow Yal Solan on Instagram, here

For TikTok, click here

January 19, 2026

What the 2016 Trend Might Reveal About Our Present

You’ve probably found yourself digging through decade-old photos in your social media archives these past few weeks, haven’t you?

The nostalgia of 2016 is hitting hard; a year when we filtered ourselves with dog ears, Instagram posts were anything but curated, captions were random, and filters were unapologetically aggressive. Songs like Sia’s Cheap Thrills and Drake’s One Dance topped the charts, Beyoncé’s Lemonade reshaped pop culture, and our calves were firmly imprisoned in skinny jeans. Beyond the screen, the world was shifting too, with Brexit and the election of Donald Trump marking the first time many of us felt a real political rupture take place in real time.

By Cynthia Jreige

And yet, despite the turbulence, there was a sense of simplicity to that moment. Social media still felt social. We saw updates from friends rather than an endless stream of AI-generated ads, algorithmic suggestions, and content we never asked to see. The internet felt less like a marketplace and more like a shared space made of imperfection, chaos, and humans being humans.

For many, 2016 represents the last moment before everything became heavy. Before social media fully professionalized itself, before every post was optimized, monetized, or subject to getting canceled. Platforms still felt playful, chaotic, and oddly intimate. Influencers were people, not brands. Content felt spontaneous rather than strategic. Looking back, 2016 sits in our collective memory as a cultural “before.” I mean, damn, we even went through a pandemic in this decade, the type of thing that frankly, we thought we would never experience beyond the movie Contagion.

Today’s return to that era feels less about aesthetics (clearly and thankfully...) and more about emotion. In a present defined by constant crises, algorithmic pressure, and digital fatigue, nostalgia has become a form of emotional regulation. It's as if revisiting older internet languages offers a sense of grounding or an odd sense of comfort. It reminds us of a time when being online felt lighter, less surveilled, and less performative.

There is also a clear rejection embedded in this revival. Over the past few years, feeds have grown increasingly polished and homogeneous with minimalism, luxury neutrality, and hyper-curation dominating visual culture, until perfection began to feel corporate and not so aspirational. The 2016 comeback pushes back against that. It reintroduces awkwardness, humor, and imperfection, qualities that now feel sort of...radical?

Leonardo DiCaprio winning his first, long awaited first Oscar

This moment also reflects growing exhaustion with algorithms. Today’s platforms reward repetition and conformity: certain sounds, poses, aesthetics, and narratives rise while others disappear. The appeal of 2016 lies partly in the fact that it predates this uniformity. Reviving its visual language is a way of reclaiming individuality in a system that increasingly flattens it.

At a deeper level, the resurgence raises an uncomfortable question: did things actually improve? Technological progress promised connection, creativity, and freedom, yet many now feel more anxious, more self-conscious, and more disconnected than before. The turn toward 2016 is not naive nostalgia: it’s a subtle critique of linear progress and a recognition that more tools didn’t necessarily mean more joy.

Still, this is not about going backwards entirely. The revival is filtered through today’s awareness. It carries more inclusivity, more cultural consciousness, and more self-reflection. What people are really reaching for is not the past itself, but the feeling it offered: spontaneity, humor, and the freedom to exist online without constant optimization.

The return of 2016 trends tells us something important about the present; it reveals a collective desire to lighten the weight of being visible, to reconnect with sincerity, and to remember that the internet once felt like a space for expression before it became a marketplace.

In revisiting that era, we are not trying to escape reality. We are searching for clues on how to make the present feel more human again.

Cover picture: La La Land, 2016

January 18, 2026

Rosewood Doha Opens as a New Cultural Landmark in Lusail

This past January 7, Rosewood Doha marked its official opening with a celebration that unfolded across the property’s many spaces, an introduction not just to a hotel, but to a new cultural address within Qatar’s rapidly evolving landscape.

Set within Lusail Marina District, the opening brought together leaders from culture, government, and the creative industries, signalling the hotel’s ambition to exist beyond hospitality alone. The presence of H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani, H.E. Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, and H.E. Mr. Akbar Al Baker underscored the significance of the moment, as Rosewood Doha officially took its place in the city’s future-facing narrative.

An Opening Shaped by Culture and Sound

Rather than a traditional inauguration, the evening was conceived as a multi-sensory experience. Live performances anchored the celebration, with British pianist and producer Tokio Myers delivering a dynamic set that blurred classical and contemporary sound, followed by Saudi duo AlTurk Twins, whose modern interpretation of Arab music created a powerful dialogue between global and regional expression.

Fireworks lit up the Lusail skyline as guests moved through the hotel’s signature spaces, offering a first glimpse into a property designed to be explored — not observed from a distance.

Architecture Inspired by the Sea

Rising along the marina, Rosewood Doha is defined by its sculptural, twin-tower form, a vertical interpretation of Qatar’s maritime heritage. The architecture and interiors draw inspiration from coral formations, the movement of water, and traditional dhow boats, translating the natural rhythms of the Arabian Gulf into contemporary design language.

Inside, oceanic hues, curved lines, and tactile materials create a sense of calm that contrasts with the city’s ambition outside: a balance between retreat and connection that feels deliberate and thoughtful.

Beyond its opening night, Rosewood Doha positions itself as a fully integrated lifestyle destination. The property is home to 155 rooms and suites, 162 apartments, and 276 Rosewood Residences, blurring the boundaries between hospitality, long-term living, and social space.

Dining plays a central role in shaping the experience, with eight distinct venues spanning global cuisines and moods, from Chinese fine dining at Koo Madame and Mediterranean-inspired Mila, to the Golden Age–influenced Stoke & Stoker and the delicate indulgence of Butterfly Room & Patisserie. Wellbeing is anchored by Asaya, Rosewood’s integrative wellness concept, offering a culturally rooted approach to restoration through hammams, treatments, and mindfulness practices.

A Long-Term Presence

For Rosewood Hotel Group, the opening represents more than expansion. As CEO Sonia Cheng noted during the evening, Rosewood Doha reflects the brand’s commitment to creating places that resonate culturally and build meaningful connections within the communities they inhabit. Managing Director Juan Samsó echoed this sentiment, highlighting the sense of connection that defined the opening night and the community the hotel aims to foster moving forward.

In Lusail — a city imagined as Qatar’s future — Rosewood Doha arrives as a carefully considered addition, placing culture, design, and experience at its core, and signals a new chapter of how luxury is lived.

More info on Rosewoodhotels.com

January 16, 2026

Amina Muaddi Picks Level Shoes To Open First UAE Boutique

January 15, 2026

Reel Palestine Returns to Cinema Akil for Its 12th Edition

For over a decade, Reel Palestine has carved out a vital space for Palestinian cinema in the UAE: as archive, testimony, and living cultural practice. This January, the festival returns to Cinema Akil for its 12th edition, running from 23 January to 1 February 2026, reaffirming its role as one of the region’s most enduring platforms for Palestinian storytelling.

Presented by Bayt and held in partnership with Alserkal Avenue, this year’s programme brings together fiction, documentary, and short films that span generations, geographies, and lived realities, offering audiences not a single narrative, but a constellation of voices shaped by memory, resistance, humour, grief, and imagination.

Cinema as Witness

The festival opens with the UAE premiere of Once Upon a Time in Gaza by Arab and Tarzan Nasser, a Cannes-premiered drama set in Gaza in 2007, where survival, loyalty, and spectacle collide under siege. The opening night screening will be followed by an in-person Q&A with actor Majd Eid, grounding the cinematic experience in dialogue and presence.

Among the centrepieces of this year’s programme is a focus on Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir, who will attend the festival in person. Her latest feature, Palestine 36, returns audiences to British Mandate Palestine in 1936, tracing a young man’s life as political unrest reshapes both village and city. The programme also includes a special screening of Jacir’s celebrated film Wajib, presented in tribute to the late Mohammad Bakri, honouring his legacy through one of his most enduring performances.

Stories Beyond the Headlines

Documentary cinema plays a powerful role in this year’s edition, offering intimate perspectives shaped by care and proximity rather than distance. Put Your Soul in Your Hand and Walk by Sepideh Farsi unfolds through video conversations with Palestinian photojournalist Fatma Hassona, forming a fragile yet vital record of life in Gaza. Meanwhile, The Clown of Gaza follows Alaa Meqdad, who transforms performance into an act of tenderness for children living through devastation.

Other works — from Palestine Comedy Club to Who Is Still Alive — reveal how humour, memory, and creative expression persist even under the weight of loss, challenging the narrow frames through which Palestinian life is so often viewed.

Short Films, Living Archives

The short film programme continues this intimacy through smaller gestures and personal stories. From Born A Celebrity to Gaza Bride 17 and BAISANOS, these works explore identity, privacy, displacement, and belonging, often through unexpected lenses such as football fandom, family tension, or quiet moments of interior conflict. Together, they form a mosaic of Palestinian experience that is as varied as it is deeply human.

Beyond the Screen

Reel Palestine extends far beyond cinema. Across two weekends, the Reel Palestine Souk transforms the spaces around Cinema Akil and KAVE into a gathering place for Palestinian designers, artisans, collectives, and social enterprises. Fashion, jewellery, books, homeware, and food sit alongside conversation and exchange, reinforcing the festival’s role as a living cultural ecosystem rather than a standalone event.

This year’s visual identity, created by Palestinian artist Rami Afifi, draws from the lineage of Arab illustration, echoing the work of Helmi El Touni, Mohieddine Ellabbad, and Naji Al-Ali. The artwork becomes an act of return: weaving fishermen, orange groves, ka’ak, musicians, and native flora into a visual archive shaped by longing, memory, and resilience.

A Necessary Space

In a region where Palestinian stories are often fragmented or politicised beyond recognition, Reel Palestine remains grounded in care, offering space for complexity, contradiction, and dignity. Its 12th edition is not only a celebration of cinema, but a reaffirmation of storytelling as a form of continuity.

Reel Palestine runs from 23 January to 1 February 2026 at Cinema Akil. Tickets and the full programme are available via cinemaakil.com.

January 15, 2026

The Spirit of the Athenian Riviera In Dubai Harbour: Discover Son Of A Fish

Opened since this November at Dubai Harbour, Son of a Fish introduces a new rhythm to Greek dining and we truly love this one: from sunlit seafood lunches to late-night, music-led gatherings by the sea, it has all it takes for a perfect moment.

Brought to life by AlphaMind, the global lifestyle group formed by Addmind Hospitality and ADMO Lifestyle Holding, Son of a Fish is one of the first concepts to debut at Harbour House, the new dining and entertainment hub set along the waterfront of Dubai Harbour.

Inspired by the Athenian Riviera, the concept pays homage to early Greek fishermen but reinterprets tradition through a contemporary, day-to-night lens. Son of a Fish belongs to a new generation: those who salt their fish generously, pour their friends’ drinks before their own, and let the final song decide when the night ends.

The space mirrors this philosophy. Understated and stripped back, the interiors echo the natural beauty of the Athenian coastline. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the sea beyond, opening onto a minimalist terrace designed for long lunches, laid-back drinks, and electric moments as the sun dips below the horizon. Sitting down with a Greek frappé in hand, served by our lovely Greek waiter, brought us right back to our Aegean holidays, a pretty perfect memory.

At the heart of the experience is food meant to be shared. Son of a Fish serves expertly prepared seafood alongside authentic Greek dishes with a global twist. A fresh fish display evokes the warmth of a seaside taverna, while the beverage programme is curated for every hour: bottles chosen for leisurely afternoons, golden-hour sunsets, and nights that build in energy as the music takes over. And not to be dramatic but literally everything we ate was absolutely delicious. You don't believe us? We recommended the place to a group of friends and they all said the same.

Sound is central to the concept. DJs guide the atmosphere from sundown to starlit skies, with Modern Aegean Electronica setting the tone. A cultural programme of curated live performances further weaves music into the fabric of the experience, transforming dinner into something immersive and fluid.

“Son of a Fish is a homegrown concept we’re incredibly proud of,” says AlphaMind Founder Tony Habre. “Set within a stunning waterfront location, it offers a unique day-to-night experience that speaks to food lovers, sunset chasers, and music enthusiasts alike.”

Located next to Bar du Port, Son of a Fish marks the first homegrown opening at Harbour House; a destination poised to become one of Dubai’s most exciting lifestyle addresses. With additional concepts set to be announced in the coming months, the stage is set for a new chapter in waterfront dining, where atmosphere is as essential as what’s on the plate.

Son of a Fish is now open at Dubai Harbour.

January 14, 2026

Burberry Celebrates Ramadan with an Exclusive Capsule

January 12, 2026

Gucci introduces new campaign La Famiglia, A New Chapter Under Demna

Gucci introduces La Famiglia, a new campaign that signals the beginning of a new chapter under Demna; one defined by an unapologetic sense of sexiness, extravagance, and daring confidence.

First revealed in September, the collection marks a moment of transition, drawing from the House’s vast archive and visual language across decades, while quietly setting the stage for Demna’s personal vision for Gucci, set to unfold in February.

Photographed by Catherine Opie, the campaign unfolds as a portrait of personalities rather than a traditional cast. Each figure embodies a different facet of Gucci’s universe, shaped by attitude, presence, and an instinctive understanding of what makes something unmistakably Gucci. Together, they form an extended family bound by a shared mindset; a certain Gucciness that transcends era or silhouette.

Throughout the campaign, gesture and styling take on as much importance as the clothes themselves. Ease, posture, and attitude become defining elements, revealing how individual wardrobes come together to create a collective identity rooted in character and iconic codes. The result is a vision of fashion that feels lived-in, expressive, and self-assured.

La Famiglia unfolds through a series of characters whose wardrobes reinterpret Gucci’s signatures with renewed sensuality and Italian attitude. Incazzata appears in a vivid ’60s-inspired little red coat, mirroring her fiery temperament. Gallerista moves with quiet authority in a refined black look, punctuated by the re-proportioned Bamboo 1947 bag.

The Italian notion of sprezzatura — that art of effortless elegance — runs through the collection, visible in relaxed gestures and soft leather mules worn stepped-in. Pleasure-driven dressing extends into menswear, from Direttore’s sharply tailored suit to Principino’s look, shaped by an innate magnetism and ease in commanding attention.

Together, these characters form La Famiglia: a constellation of personas that reflect the many attitudes, contradictions, and desires that define this new Gucci moment.

The La Famiglia collection is available in Gucci stores worldwide and on gucci.com since January 8.

January 8, 2026

Reformer Pilates Vs. Lagree And What We're Trying This Year

From the outside, Reformer Pilates and Lagree look almost interchangeable. Springs, platforms, straps. Slow, controlled movements promising strength without impact. We assumed the difference would be subtle.

It wasn’t.

We tried both. And after Lagree, and more specifically, the Microformer, we genuinely couldn’t walk properly for three days. No exaggeration or editorial drama. Just very sore legs, stiff stairs, and a few good laughs.

Lagree With Sauce by Soraya Bakhtiar, Jeddah

Precision versus pressure

Reformer Pilates feels rooted in intention. Every movement is purposeful, guided by breath and alignment. It challenges you quietly, asking for control rather than force. You leave feeling worked, but also lengthened and recalibrated as if lyour body had been gently reorganised rather than pushed to its edge.

Lagree isn't exactly as gentle and it isn’t “just Pilates on a different machine.” Created in Los Angeles and patented by founder Sebastien Lagree in 2006, with the explicit goal of delivering specific results, it focuses more on integrated strength and endurance. It’s a high-intensity, low-impact, full-body method built around strength, endurance, and a cardio effect, all performed on the Megaformer (or its smaller variations, like the Microformer).

What makes it feel so brutal isn’t speed, it’s the opposite. Lagree is obsessed with time under tension: slow, continuous movements that keep your muscles working for longer than they want to, often paired with isometrics and isokinetics (think: holding, shaking, moving at a controlled tempo). That’s why it can feel like you’re “barely moving,” while your body is fully on fire.

And then there’s the machine difference: while both use spring resistance, the Megaformer is more of a fitness machine than a rehabilitation tool: larger, more ergonomic, with front and back platforms and handles that allow for more variety and faster transitions (which also means less rest).

The Microformer looks minimal, almost understated, until you’re on it. Movements are painfully slow, holds feel endless, and rest barely exists. Every muscle is switched on at once. The shaking is expected, encouraged, even. We went in thinking it would feel similar but harder. In our humble opinion, it was much harder (that microformer thing is not for the weak.)

How it actually feels

Reformer Pilates wakes up deep muscles you didn’t know you had. It’s technical, controlled, and humbling in a subtle way. You may not leave drenched in sweat, but your posture improves, your core feels awake, and your body feels more cooperative afterwards.

Lagree feels like endurance training disguised as low impact movement. The burn builds quietly, then completely takes over. It’s the kind of workout where you wake up the next day thinking you’re fine... until you try to stand up.

Studios on our radar

Reform Atheltica , ICD Brookfield and Jumeirah, Dubai

PEAQ Wellness, Dubai

SOAR Lagree, Beirut

Lagree with Sauce, Jeddah

FORM, Abu Dhabi

Origin Circle, Beirut

Namat, Beirut

Corelab, Amman

Sculpt, Doha

Curve Club, Abu Dhabi

What else we’re curious to try this year

As much as Reformer and Lagree dominate the conversation, movement today feels bigger than any single method. This year, we’re drawn to workouts that combine community, creativity, and intention and not just results.

SYNKRO

Well technically we already tried. Part movement, part performance, part sensory experience, SYNKRO blends rhythm, coordination, and strength into something that feels expressive rather than punishing. It’s less about isolating muscles and more about syncing body and mind through flow. Challenging, yes but also joyful and immersive. The group of women all following the choreography in synch, as we're all whispered the same encouragements through the headset, brings a sense of empowerment very little other workouts managed to bring us. Plus, the insane views from One Za'abeel truly add to the experience.

More info and bookings, here

Barre50

Then there’s Barre50, where ballet-inspired precision meets serious strength. Small movements, deep burn, impeccable posture. It’s elegant on the surface and brutal underneath, the kind of workout that looks graceful until you’re halfway through and questioning your life choices.

More info, here

Gray Wellness

We’re also drawn to spaces that don’t separate movement from restoration. Gray Wellness feels like a response to burnout culture, offering reformer, yoga, strength, and recovery under one roof. It’s less about chasing intensity for its own sake and more about balance, longevity, and listening to the body. The kind of place where working out and slowing down can coexist.

More info, here

FS8

You're already know we're obsessed with F45. Its sister company FS8 is the perfect miy of reformer pilates and strength: just like at F45, you follow a screen while an instructor goes around making sure you're executing the movements correctly. With a first regional opening in Qatar, FS8 recently made its way to Abu Dhabi.

More info, here

And for the mind and soul...

A vision board workshop morning with Nour Bachir, mindset coach and founder of Bedaya. Happening this Sunday January 11th in Dubai, it promises to help you 'design your personal vision board, set powerful intentions, and take the first step toward manifesting your dreams for the year ahead.' To sign up, click here

And yes, run clubs are still very much alive

One of the most refreshing things about Dubai’s movement culture is how run clubs have quietly become a staple of city life: low-barrier, social, and surprisingly joyful. They’re less about beating personal records and more about shared rhythms, scenic routes, and community energy.

On the social end of the spectrum, Jumeirah Johns Running Club feels like a weekly ritual with friends rather than a formal workout. Runs are welcoming to all levels, and you’ll often come away with new conversations, and perhaps plans for coffee or brunch afterward.

Not far behind in scale and vibe is Dubai Creek Striders, one of the city’s most established groups. Their routes often wind along scenic waterfronts and historic pockets of the city, giving each session a sense of place and pace that’s as much about exploration as it is about cardio.

Then there’s the gently community-oriented Humantra Running Club, which blends run and walk sessions with stretching and social intervals; a slower-paced, intentional way to start the weekend that feels more like wellness with friends than training.

‍

January 7, 2026

Proximities Exhibition Brings the UAE to South Korea

In partnership with the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) presents ‘Proximities’; a new exhibition that brings contemporary art from the United Arab Emirates to Seoul.

Curated by Eunju Kim and Maya El Khalil, ‘Proximities’ is the second exchange project between SeMA and the ADMAF. It builds upon the success of ‘Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits’, shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat back in May 2025, showing contemporary South Korean art in the UAE, promoting transnational dialogue and cultural understanding between the two countries.

By Robert McKelvey

This subsequent exhibition – the largest of its kind yet – assembles a multigenerational selection of over 40 UAE-based artists in the South Korean capital, showing works that range from the 1980s to the present day. The show examines the tensions between regional and global identity, offering visitors valuable insight into the complex and highly mutable nature of today’s international society from alternate perspectives.

“While the nation of the UAE officially coming together in 1971 is quite recent, this has always been a place of movement, very connected to the outside world,” El Khalil told Jdeed. “Today, the population of the UAE is about ten-percent Emiratis; the rest are foreigners. When you have a place with such a rich history and diversity of people, it becomes a place that is very prone to intense communication, exchange and creativity.”

“The hybridity of the region and how different cultures merge is at the heart of the identity of the UAE,” explained Kim. “In Korea, we are a very homogeneous nation, so how I would present the UAE to Korean audiences was one of the first questions that I asked myself. We decided to host three different generations of UAE artists to show the viewer how these people live in this modern world, and the commonalities that can be found, through their own eyes. We wanted to help Korean audiences recognise and identify the society of this region, and then to go further; to understand their world and their thoughts.”

Each of the exhibition’s three sections centre upon a distinct type of encounter. The artist-curators of each section were asked to respond to themes that resonate with their own creative practices, selecting peer works that lend additional points-of-view to spark further contemplation and discussion. These sections are then linked by satellite works, creating engaging connections where additional approaches to cultural navigation can emerge organically.

The first section – titled ‘A Place for Turning’, and overseen by photographer Farah Al Qasimi – combines the familiar and unfamiliar, exploring the relationship between comfortable mundanity and intimate secrecy within domestic life, producing multifarious imaginary realities. Blending 1990s Gulf pop culture aesthetics with a sense of the uncanny, it confronts how rapid urban development and societal shifts infiltrate the home, transforming familiar spaces in unexpected ways, revealing unspoken truths through changes within the social landscape.

Multidisciplinary artist Alaa Edris is exhibiting several pieces as part of this section, including ‘School’, a single-channel video work that documents a performance in which Edris recreates an impulsive childhood act of breaking discarded fluorescent lightbulbs in an abandoned school; a commentary on the transmission of knowledge. This is accompanied by ‘Kharareef – Fables from the Trucial State', another video work that blends archival material and footage captured by Edris into dreamlike narratives that refer to folktales of jinn told by mothers to their children to educate and discipline them. Meanwhile, her ‘The Seven Jinnat Of The Trucial States’ are simultaneously self-portraits, and a visual documentation of the oral traditions of the UAE.

“Something that connects all cultures are folk stories,” said Edris. “Many of these are very similar across different cultures. By presenting the mythology of the UAE, I'm hoping that visitors in Korea might see how our cultures are similar. I think having a strong visual can help people. It's definitely an easier gateway, more so than works that are more text-based or subtle, especially when language can be a barrier.”

Alaa Edris, The Seven Jinnat Of The Trucial States, 2011

The second section – ‘Recording Distance, Not Topography’, by Cristiana de Marchi and Mohammed Kazem – investigates spatial relations in flux through works that engage with notions of place, challenging the assumed neutrality of traditional cartography and navigation. Movement is presented as a complex transition of status rather than a simple shift in location, highlighting the societal and emotional gaps created by shifting borders.

“We were really looking at this idea of displacement and belonging,” said de Marchi. “That's why we selected works which make use of coordinates, maps and even compasses; elements that are usually referencing specific locations. At the same time, we were ready to disrupt that sense of stability.”

De Marchi’s own ‘The Atlas of the Impossible’ – filmed across various locations, including a former market, a public garden and a traditional domestic home – traces themes of individual life, migration and loss, while also exploring the possibilities of new beginnings and connections. The choreography adapts to the history and atmosphere of each location, while the audio responds to breath, pauses and stillness, inviting the audience to imagine how far – physically and emotionally – these bodies have travelled.

The final section – ‘That Thing, Amphibian’ – sees trio Ramin Haerizadeh, Rokni Haerizadeh and Hesam Rahmanian come together to explore works by the younger generation of Emirati artists who also have other professions, existing ‘amphibiously’ between two environments, revealing the intersections between art and civic structures, institutional context and independent practices within the UAE.

Proximities, installation picture, That Thing, Amphibian section

Artist Shaikha Al Ketbi also works as a creative director for the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, based in Abu Dhabi. In her work ‘Sigh’, she takes on the role of a bizarre, otherworldly creature that arrives in the middle of the desert in a bathtub. Thus begins her adventure exploring an abandoned park, interacting with the objects in a ritualistic manner. Through these disjointed interactions, she investigates subconscious images rooted in childish memory, unfolding into wider reflection on introspection.

“This video is the first episode of this character that I’m performing as,” explained Al Ketbi. “I specifically love places of recreation and play, because these kinds of spaces are disappearing in the UAE. I love wandering in these spaces by myself but, when I try to embody a specific character, I react to the space very differently.”

‘Proximities’ will run at the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) until March 29, 2026.

January 7, 2026

Coffeemania Has Finally Landed in Dubai

There are places you walk into and immediately know you'll have good time, even if you’ve never been before. Coffeemania is one of those places.

We had heard about it for years. Our Russian friends would talk about it being the "place to be" rather than a restaurant. Somewhere you go in the morning and somehow end up staying longer than planned. So when Coffeemania opened its first UAE location at Dubai Hills Mall, we got really curious.

What struck us first wasn’t the coffee or the food, but the atmosphere. It feels elegant without being stiff. You can come alone, with family, for a meeting, or just to sit and think, it works either way. On the day we visited, there was actually a line of people waiting to find a table; a good sign that we were in good hands.

Founded in Moscow in 2001, Coffeemania has nearly 25 years behind it, and you feel that confidence immediately. The brand isn't trying to introduce itself ; Dubai just happens to be its next chapter, and its first outside Russia.

The menu leans into comfort in the best possible way. Olivier salad, beef stroganoff, honey cake: some of the best items Russian gastronomy has to offer, with a modern take. The coffee is taken seriously here, not as a side note but as the backbone of the experience (well, not like there isn't a big hint in the name.) The original Raf coffee, created by Coffeemania’s own baristas, makes sense once you try it: it's Soft, indulgent, and a bit acidic like we love it.

The space itself deserves time. Designed by Studio APAA, it’s warm and layered. Marble, wood, leather, soft lighting. Nothing flashy, nothing cold. You notice the details slowly, which feels intentional. Even the art, curated in collaboration with RARARES Gallery, blends into the space rather than demanding attention. Works by artists like Fatma Lootah sit comfortably here, adding depth without distraction.

Dubai has no shortage of places to eat or drink coffee. Coffeemania doesn’t try to compete with noise or novelty. Instead, it offers somethinglasting. A place you return to and a place that becomes part of your routine; especially in malls that can feel a bit impersonal, it really stands out.

Coffeemania is now open at Dubai Hills Mall,

More info on Coffeemaniagcc.ae

January 5, 2026

Amr Mansi on Ownership, Ecosystems, and Shaping Egypt’s Cultural Future

For Amr Mansi, culture has never been about spectacle alone. It is about ownership, continuity, and the responsibility of building structures that outlast applause.

From El Gouna Film Festival to Shark Tank Egypt and the Egypt Entrepreneur Awards, Mansi has quietly positioned himself at the intersection of culture, business, and social impact. What emerges from his reflections is not the story of an event-maker, but of a builder: someone deeply invested in creating ecosystems that allow people, industries, and narratives to grow on their own terms.

At the core of everything Amr Mansi builds lies a single conviction: culture must serve the people who create it. “The vision that drives me is the idea of reclaiming our cultural narrative and shaping it in a way that builds real ecosystems around it,” he explains, emphasizing that these ecosystems should “influence society and the economy, not just moments in time.”

Egypt’s cultural richness, he notes, has always been present- across film, art, and entrepreneurship -yet too often detached from tangible benefit. “For a long time these stories were either overlooked or told without truly benefiting the people behind them,” he says. His response has been to create platforms that do more than spotlight talent. “I wanted to create platforms that put this work in the spotlight while giving back to the people behind them.”

That sense of responsibility extends beyond visibility to ownership. “We are the movers and enablers of these stories, and it’s time we take ownership of them, in a way that is sustainable and genuinely beneficial to our communities.”

This philosophy is particularly evident in the Egypt Entrepreneur Awards, a platform designed not as a celebration for its own sake, but as an entry point into something larger. What defines the next generation of Egyptian talent, Mansi says, is “their resilience and clarity of purpose.” Many, he adds, “didn’t come from privilege or easy access, they built something from very little, through persistence and drive.”

“The vision that drives me is the idea of reclaiming our cultural narrative and shaping it in a way that builds real ecosystems around it”

Recognition, in his view, must translate into opportunity. “When we designed the Egypt Entrepreneur Awards, the goal was never just to hand out trophies.” Instead, he explains, “by giving them credible recognition, you give them more than exposure; you give them validation and allow them to integrate systems and networks that will enable them to grow and scale.” That is why, he insists, “we focus on building a community around the awards, not just an annual ceremony.”

Mansi’s understanding of scale and impact was shaped early on through ievents, where the turning point came not through growth metrics, but through people. “That realization came gradually,” he recalls, “but one defining moment was when I saw the long-term impact of what we were doing, not just on audiences, but on people’s lives.”

He points to squash as a powerful example. “I watched the sport go from being underappreciated to thriving, with players gaining global recognition and sponsorships.” One memory remains especially vivid: “There’s one image I still keep with me: a young boy who volunteered at one of our tournaments in 2010. Fifteen years later, he’s ranked in the world’s top 10.” It was then, Mansi says, that everything clicked. “That’s when it became clear that ievents wasn’t about logistics or production, it was about supporting journeys and building gateways.”

This same realization carried into film, entrepreneurship, and media. “We weren’t just organizing events; we were creating platforms that could genuinely move industries forward.”

Operating at the crossroads of creativity and commerce requires discipline, something Mansi approaches with clarity. “If the story is real and the intention is genuine, sustainability becomes much easier,” he says. Still, belief alone is not enough. “Passion alone isn’t enough. Vision and structure are necessary.” Drawing from sports, he adds, “you may love the game, but without strategy and consistency, you won’t last.”

When developing new concepts, intention must be matched with structure. “We’re very intentional about building a solid business model around it; partnerships, scalability, and long-term relevance.” Ultimately, what matters most is connection. “People don’t connect with products; they connect with experiences.” And when that connection is real, “commercial success becomes a byproduct, not the goal.”

Despite global progress, Mansi believes misconceptions about the region persist. “One of the biggest misconceptions is that creativity in our region isn’t up to global standards.” The reality, he insists, is different. “The talent here is extraordinary, what’s often missing is access, platforms, and trust.”

He has seen the shift firsthand. “Whether it’s filmmakers in GFF or entrepreneurs on Shark Tank, the potential has always been there.” His role, as he defines it, is simple but demanding. “My role, as I see it, is to build bridges: between creativity and business, between local talent and global platforms, and between ambition and opportunity.” And when those bridges are built with intention, the impact is lasting. “When you invest in people, you don’t just change perceptions, you change reality.”

Keep up with Amr Mansi on his Instagram, here

January 2, 2026

Lion in the Sun: The Latest Gastro-Gem Making A Grand Arrival Above Downtown Dubai

We recently made our way to the newly opened Lion in the Sun, located on the top floor of Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai, not without excitement. Opened on November 25, the restaurant marks the global debut of the Lion in the Sun concept, with Dubai chosen as its launch destination.

If one word were to summarize the experience, it would be grand. The ascent alone sets the tone: an imposing staircase leading upward, gradually revealing sweeping views of Downtown Dubai. You'll spot the Address Sky Views unfolding in one direction, the Burj Khalifa anchoring the other. Designed by Richard Saunders, the space blends timeless elegance with contemporary refinement. The décor, the open kitchen, and the rhythm of the room create a sense of theatre that feels almost cinematic. Before the food even arrived, we found ourselves already immersed and served a feast for the eyes.

At its core, Lion in the Sun celebrates the art of open-fire cooking, a philosophy led by Culinary Director and celebrity chef Batuhan Piatti. Here, fire is treated as ritual rather than spectacle, shaping dishes that prioritize depth, purity, and shared experience. The menu draws from Mediterranean influences, allowing premium ingredients to speak through simplicity and precision.

Among the standouts, the king crab leg is one we’ll remember for months to come: indulgent and impeccably executed. The rib eye and the sea bass, both simply grilled, rank among the finest we’ve had the chance to enjoy, reinforcing the idea that simplicity can be the ultimate luxury.

And while we wrere trying to give our carb intake a break, the pasta menu was seriously inviting and we might have to be back just to try the truffle rigatonis. If you're visiting as a group, the paella looks like the ultimate succiuent choice.

Then came dessert or the moment that truly sealed the evening. A mandarin sorbet, vibrant and refreshing, so delicious we could have easily ordered five scoops without hesitation. But it was the pistachio flan that proved unforgettable: silky, comforting, and rich without being heavy. The kind of dessert that stays that could genuinely justify a two-hour drive through traffic, just for one more bite.

Inspired by the original Lion in the Sun retreat in Malindi, Kenya, a cultural landmark developed by Flavio Briatore and long associated with art, fashion, and music, the Dubai outpost reinterprets that legacy for the city’s rhythm. Reimagined under the umbrella of Majestas, Lion in the Sun positions itself as more than a restaurant: a contemporary cultural destination where heritage meets horizon, and where hospitality is designed to feel like a sense of home.

Lion in the Sun doesn’t rely on spectacle alone. It understands scale, yes, but it’s the alignment of setting, concept, and execution that makes the experience resonate long after the table is cleared.

More info on Instagram, here.‍

Monday to Sunday: 12PM – 12AM
Address: Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Wasl Tower - Albanny Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai

WhatsApp: +971 56 573 8283

January 2, 2026

Finding It Hard To Embrace: The Struggles Behind Being a Mixed Kid

It is a very particular kind of loneliness to feel like you do not belong, and not in the misfit sense of not relating to TikTok dances, or people drinking matcha. It is the ache of realising that nowhere you go will ever feel entirely yours, never fully your home, your culture or your identity, no matter how hard you try to claim it.

This feeling can appear anywhere and at any moment: when you stumble through one of your own languages, when someone casually asks where you are from, when you worry that choosing a certain path might disappoint the part of your heritage or family you are expected to honour. The ability to step into different worlds is magical, yet the constant sense of drifting between them can be quietly alienating.

By Cynthia Jreige

As someone with three nationalities who grew up in a fourth country and studied within a fifth school system, identity was never simply a question. It actually quickly became a burden. It is impossible to choose a side or feel more one thing than another, and instead you grow up as fragments of many places at once, unable to claim any of them completely. You learn to live in that uncertainty, pausing every time someone asks where you are from, unsure of the answer or knowing they will lose interest before you finish explaining.

Still, many people manage to embrace this complexity with grace, turning it into richness and strength. When you look at it closely, it truly is beautiful to understand people on a deeper level, to speak their languages, to know their traditions and cultures. It opens your mind in ways that few experiences ever could.

Yet this sense of belonging everywhere and nowhere can bring an intense feeling of solitude. There are moments when one culture takes over, when you find yourself identifying more strongly with it, only to suddenly miss parts of the other: the food, the weather, the rhythm of life.

In parts of the Middle East, another layer complicates the search for belonging: nationality can only be passed down through the father, effectively erasing, at least on paper, a woman’s ability to carry forward her cultural legacy. Trips to Lebanon and a few conversations with taxi drivers initiated by the paleness of my skin and the color of my eyes, that all started similarily: “ente men wen?” (where are you from?) and always concluded in the same way: "ya3ne eza bayyik lebneni, ente 100% lebneniyye” (If your dad is Lebanese, you are 100% Lebanese). Could they have solved, right then and there, years of insecurity and questioning? (Please read this question on a sarcastic tone.)

Italian grand-mother and Belgian grand-father circa 1960

It seems like this question of belonging is common across third culture kids:

“The hardest part for me was being placed in a school that didn’t reflect the country I grew up in,” Joe* tells us. “When I later started working with people from that country, I realized just how far removed we were from them. I was also born in Brussels, a city I hardly know today, which adds to the feeling that nowhere is truly home. I’m half Lebanese but don’t speak the language, and half Belgian, yet I never lived in Brussels.”

What often made things harder were people’s reactions to our “mixed” identities. Oh wow, that’s too complicated. We don’t really know where you’re from. You’re the alien of the group. These are things I’ve heard more than once, and that quietly reinforced the feeling of being a complete outsider.

Growing up, it’s probably no coincidence that my closest circle was made up of third-culture kids. Most others had parents from the same country- sometimes even the same village- and carried their patriotism with so much certainty and ease (you know these moments at house parties were certain songs come on and everyone is singing them so loudly in unison but you have no idea what the lyrics were? I was there more than once.) Not that I lacked love for my countries; I love all of mine deeply. But their unshakable sense of belonging often made me question my own, intensifying that persistent feeling of being out of place.

Today, at 32, and potentially thinking of a future as a mother myself. I can't help but wonder if my kids would feel the same way, or worse? Elisa* , a third-culture kid herself, shares the same point of view: "The only real fear is knowing what culture to pass on to my child, but I make peace with it by accepting that cultures shift through time and that whatever I do will be part of this general cultural shift."

‍

*Names have been modified for privacy

December 22, 2025

EmpowerHer Brings a Festive Winter Wonderland to Dubai Mall

After a summer season that drew crowds and conversation, EmpowerHer returns to Dubai Mall with a holiday twist. From December 8 to 28, the platform unveils its first ever Winter Wonderland, a festive pop-up created in collaboration with EMAAR and perfectly timed with the mall’s annual holiday campaign.

The result is a full winterscape in the heart of Dubai Mall. Think immersive décor, sparkling lights, and that unmistakable December energy, all wrapped around a curated marketplace featuring more than 60 regional and international brands. EmpowerHer has always championed discovery, and this edition brings together everything from fashion and abayas to jewellery, skincare, perfumes and gifting essentials. Homegrown names like Setrah, Carat Craft, and Ikkiu join global newcomers, offering a holiday edit that feels both regional and refreshingly diverse.

This season’s pop-up also expands into homeware, with brands like Ikkiu and Pluto Deco offering décor pieces to bring a festive atmosphere into your home. Whether you are shopping for loved ones or simply indulging in a little seasonal self-gifting, the curation hits all the right notes.

Set beside Galeries Lafayette and adjacent to The District, the location could not be more convenient for holiday wanderers drifting between decorations, hot chocolates and last-minute gift runs. The experience goes beyond browsing, with live entertainment, carols, music performances and family-friendly workshops planned throughout the three-week celebration.

Of course, no EmpowerHer event is complete without a moment for regional creators to shine. Influencer Hala will showcase OFA Jewelry during the opening round, while beauty favourite Narin launches Narins Beauty in person with a special meet and greet on December 16 from 6 to 8 PM.

‍
Among the brands taking part this season is a mix that beautifully reflects the region’s creative landscape. Fashion finds sit alongside artisanal jewellery, modern abayas and festive gifting gems. Labels such as Turana Atash London, Takara, Tensplace, Nabat and Hagat, Setrah, Balena, Basic Abaya and Narcise Couture bring a spectrum of ready-to-wear and modest fashion to explore.

The jewellery offering is equally rich, with Carat Craft Fine Jewelry, Evara Diamonds, Joubijoux, Mas Jewels, Mayra Jewelry, Calmeus Jewelry, Idman, Zoppini, Elly, By Farida and more presenting pieces that range from everyday sparkle to statement heirlooms.

For beauty lovers, Pearl Scent, The Perfume Bar, Adira Skin, Siyate, Reachful Beauty, Silkylicious, Hello Angel and others bring skincare rituals, perfumes and thoughtful wellbeing essentials.

Those decorating for the season will find homeware and decor from Ikkiu, Pluto Deco, Moushe Design and Maveroc, and UAE Christmas Store, adding festive charm to any space.

Accessories and lifestyle pieces from Knotty Dreams, Tilahn, NABIL Studio, Hala Pop, JOY and CO, Dammah Store, 229 Boutique, Bride to Be, Kallirroi Concept, ABAY, Jamila Bags and many others complete the experience. The result is a marketplace that feels alive, diverse and thoughtfully curated — a true reflection of EmpowerHer’s mission to champion creativity in all its forms.

EmpowerHer’s Winter Wonderland brings together the heartbeat of the region’s creative scene at the year’s most festive moment. It celebrates women-led ventures, independent designers and the joy of discovery, all in one of Dubai’s most iconic spaces. A holiday market, a festive escape and a cultural snapshot, all wrapped into one.

More info on Instagram.com/Empowerher_ae

December 22, 2025

December Guide: The Businesses Redefining Everyday Life

December always makes us pause a little. We look around, take stock of the small things that make everyday life feel beautiful and intentional. This month we are spotlighting the brands that have shaped our homes, our routines and our personal style. These are the names we keep returning to and that bring soul into the ordinary.

INTERIORS

Contemporary Spaces

We first noticed Contemporary Spaces the way you notice anything quietly exceptional. Their pieces are made to elevate the rooms they'll live in. Founded by Emirati siblings Alya, Maitha and Obaid Al Suwaidi, the studio carries the memory of their childhood spent inside their family’s workshops. Today that legacy has grown into furniture crafted in Al Quoz. Each creation is rooted in precision and warmth. Each one designed to live with you and grow with you. Contemporary Spaces is a reminder that homegrown craftsmanship can be both soulful and modern.

More info on Instagram.com/contemporaryspaces.ae

Peristylia

Peristylia feels like stepping into a space that understands you. Founded by architects Ahmed El Morshedy and Sally Negm, the studio builds environments where beauty, purpose and wellbeing move together. Their interiors feel thoughtful and intentional with a commitment to timelessness and material integrity. Peristylia creates spaces that function as sanctuaries rather than rooms.

More info on Peristylia.com

JEWELLERY

Kaltham’s Pavilion

If you're new here you might not know yet that we've loved Kaltham's Pavilion for some time. Kaltham’s Pavilion brings joy to jewellery. Based in Qatar, the brand creates pieces that feel feminine, colourful and wonderfully wearable. Each design feels like a small celebration of style and self expression. Perfect for gifting and perfect for keeping and especially during this season when everything feels a little more sentimental. And though the pieces are more feminine than our usual style, they land at just the right level, adding a feel-good touch to our daily lives.

More info on Kalthamspavilion.com

Elyamm

Elyamm is one of the newest names on our radar and already one of the most exciting. The debut collection Zigzag introduces stackable pieces with sculptural lines and an easy sense of play. The aesthetic is modern and chic with a touch of boldness aka everything we love. The more you explore the pieces, the more you notice the thoughtful balance between fun and refinement, which makes them surprisingly versatile. It is the kind of jewellery that instantly lifts an outfit and quietly signals a fresh point of view.

More info on Elyamm.com

Lynor

Lynor is one of those Dubai born brands that effortlessly slips into your everyday life. Founded in 2019, it creates delicate pieces shaped by both Middle Eastern and Western influences, resulting in jewellery that feels personal, modern and expressive. The designs layer beautifully and carry a sense of meaning, making them just as perfect for daily wear as they are for gifting. Lynor is all about those small pieces that make every day feel a touch more special.

More info on Lynorofficial.com

FASHION

Miniaar

Miniaar is a Dubai based fashion house that has mastered the art of quiet luxury. Known for its couture, bridal and refined pret collections, the brand moves with a sense of effortless elegance that feels both modern and timeless. Each silhouette is crafted with precision and an eye for detail, resulting in pieces that drape beautifully and hold their shape with intention.

What makes Miniaar stand out is its ability to balance simplicity with impact. The designs feel understated but never plain, luxurious but always wearable. Whether you are dressing for a celebration or elevating your everyday wardrobe, Miniaar offers a distinctly chic aesthetic that continues to define the region’s contemporary fashion landscape.

More info on Miniaar.com

BEAUTY AND WELLNESS

The Curve Club

The Curve Club in Abu Dhabi has become one of the most thoughtful wellness spaces in the region. Known for its signature Curveformer classes and calming interiors, the studio invites women to move with intention and reconnect with their bodies. Founded by an Emirati entrepreneur, it embraces the idea that a woman’s journey is always evolving and that strength is found in every stage of it.

With attentive instructors and a nurturing atmosphere, The Curve Club feels as much like a community as a fitness studio. It is a place to feel supported, grounded and encouraged, both during the workout and long after you leave.

More info on Instagram.com/currveclub

OLAH Haircare

OLAH is an Emirati haircare brand rooted in nature and family tradition. Inspired by founder Alia Almarzooqi's grandmother’s timeless recipe, the products blend natural ingredients with clean, modern formulations that feel both nostalgic and refreshingly contemporary. Each bottle reflects a commitment to gentle care and real nourishment, free from harsh additives and designed for every hair type.

What we appreciate most is the sincerity of the brand. OLAH feels trustworthy, offering simple routines that genuinely support the hair’s natural health. Proudly produced in the UAE, it brings heritage and modern beauty together with ease.

More info on Instagram.com/olah.haircare

EVENT SET UP

Âme Studio

Âme Studio in Dubai feels like a creative retreat. The studio offers floral design, event styling, bespoke gifting and workshops that bring beauty into every moment. Their approach is artistic and mindful with attention to detail that transforms any occasion. Âme is also a lovely destination for intimate gatherings and celebrations. A space shaped by craft, creativity and community.

More info on Instagram.com/amestudio_uae

December 22, 2025

WatchHouse Lands in Dubai: A Modern Coffee Moment on Marsa Boulevard

We first discovered WatchHouse in London, tucked into one of those beautifully designed corners of the city that make you forget you are meant to be somewhere else.

So when word got out that the cult-favourite Modern Coffee brand was opening in Dubai, we made our way to Marsa Boulevard faster than we care to admit. And yes, the excitement was entirely justified.

WatchHouse officially opened on 1 November, marking its first-ever location in the UAE and the beginning of its Middle Eastern story. Set along the new seasonal waterfront destination on Dubai Creek, the House create the perfect opportunity to slow down, breathe and reconnect with the ritual of coffee in a place where land, water and evening light meet effortlessly.

We arrived curious, a little nostalgic for our London memories and very ready to see how WatchHouse would translate in Dubai. We were also daring enough to try the falafel pastry, which turned out to be excellent, warm, savoury and the perfect companion to one of the best coffees we have tasted in the city. Between an espresso and a soy flat white, both prepared with the precision that makes a great drink, it became clear that WatchHouse’s philosophy had travelled well.

It is this philosophy (as to know, Modern Coffee as connection, intention and sensory experience) that defines WatchHouse. The Dubai opening takes that ambition forward, with Founder and CEO Roland Horne describing the House as a love letter to what the brand does best: craftsmanship, design integrity and hospitality rooted in meaning.

Set at the edge of the Creek and facing the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, WatchHouse becomes part of a curated neighbourhood celebrating food, design and culture. It is a spot where you can watch the sunset paint the water gold, catch up with friends or stage an effortlessly cute coffee date without trying too hard.

A Coffee Menu Worth Showing Up For

The Dubai pop-up introduces the city to WatchHouse’s signature menu, including Rarities, the brand’s celebrated collection of exceptional coffees sourced from renowned producers. Each is prepared with a level of precision that honours its origin: the Wilder Garcia Gesha, Peru, scented with lemon verbena and nectarine, the Los Rodriguez SL28, Bolivia, bright with hibiscus and blackberry, the Sebastian Ramirez Gesha, Colombia, wrapped in notes of lavender, peach and fig.

There is also the Golden Cardamom Latte, a Dubai-appropriate creation that blends cardamom, turmeric and chai into something that feels like a warm hug disguised as a drink.

Whether enjoyed at the water’s edge or taken to go, every cup reflects WatchHouse’s devotion to quality and its insistence that small rituals deserve sincerity.

Design Worth Slowing Down For

Designed with Berlin-based architect Kirill Borisov, the Marsa Boulevard House is a study in calmness and cultural memory. Drawing from desert architecture and the Creek’s maritime heritage, the space features four sculptural wind towers, a brutalist reinterpretation of traditional barjeel ventilation that doubles as a symbolic lighthouse.

Locally sourced materials, earthy textures and modular lines frame uninterrupted views of Dubai Creek, creating a design-led retreat that feels both grounded and contemporary. It is minimalist but warm, architectural yet intimate, and unmistakably WatchHouse in its pursuit of purposeful beauty.

A New Ritual in the City

WatchHouse’s arrival feels timely. In a city that embraces innovation while holding tight to heritage, the brand’s Modern Coffee ethos resonates deeply. It offers not just a caffeine fix, but a space where architecture, landscape and intention converge.

And for us, it has already become one of those places you plan to revisit: sometimes for the coffee, sometimes for the sunset and sometimes simply because it feels good to be there. We already cannot wait for the Abu Dhabi openings, this 2026!

More on WatchHouse.Com

December 18, 2025

FENDI Introduces a Paris-Meets-Rome Fantasy for the Emily in Paris Capsule

December 18, 2025

Art Basel Qatar 2026 : Doha Steps Onto the Global Cultural Stage

In February 2026, Doha will open a new chapter in contemporary culture as Art Basel Qatar unveils its inaugural edition. Anticipation has been building for months, and with good reason.

The fair arrives not simply as another stop on the global art calendar, but as a defining moment for the Middle East’s cultural landscape, placing Doha at the crossroads of regional storytelling and international dialogue.

At the heart of this first edition are 84 artists and 87 galleries from 31 countries, supported by a deeply ambitious Special Projects program that transforms the city itself into an extended exhibition. Curated by Wael Shawky in collaboration with Vincenzo de Bellis, the program introduces nine monumental sculptures, installations and performances distributed across Msheireb Downtown Doha, weaving art into the rhythm of urban life.

Hazem Harb Reformulated Archeology- Series 5 / Galerie Tanit

‍

Anchored by the fair’s thematic focus, Becoming, these projects examine transformation in its many dimensions. Personal, political, ecological and spiritual shifts all find expression in works that refuse to sit neatly within traditional formats. Instead, Art Basel Qatar positions the city as both canvas and collaborator, inviting visitors to move through an environment where contemporary art is not simply viewed but experienced.

When the City Becomes the Exhibition

Rayyane Tabet , render, courtesy of Art Basel

The selection of Special Projects forms a compelling blend of voices and artistic languages.
Mexican artist Abraham Cruzvillegas expands his celebrated autoconstrucción philosophy into one of his most ambitious public sculptures to date, exploring reinvention as a cultural and personal inheritance.

At M7, Bruce Nauman floods the theatre with a vast projection of Beckett’s Chair Portrait Rotated, dissolving the boundaries between architecture, movement and perception. Nearby, Hassan Khan’s Little Castles and Other Songs unfolds through a bespoke digital sound system, drawing visitors into a shifting emotional landscape shaped by uncertainty and global flux. The conversation continues with Khalil Rabah, whose installation Transition, among other things assembles fragments of domestic and institutional structures to probe how memory and identity occupy physical space. Above the district, Nalini Malani turns the façade of M7 into a stop-motion cosmos with My Reality is Different, a haunting universe animated by displacement, mythology and collective trauma.

Further along, Nour Jaouda imagines a waystation built from steel, suspended textiles and layered drawings, a site where emotion quietly overrules geography. Rayyane Tabet introduces a contemplative pavilion in What Dreams May Come, evoking the simple gesture of resting beneath a palm tree and offering the city a moment of stillness. Completing the constellation, Sumayya Vally’s In the Assembly of Lovers reinterprets Islamic public architecture through a continuously shifting communal space shaped by movement, poetry and the act of gathering.

The performance collective Sweat Variant stages a durational choreography exploring the gestures of holding and witnessing, transforming physical endurance into emotional dialogue.

Together, the projects form an urban choreography that invites audiences to wander, encounter and reflect. Doha becomes an active participant in the artistic process, its public spaces reimagined as sites of possibility.

Inside the Galleries: A New Centre of Gravity

Bouthayna Al Muftah- photograph by Robin Augustine

Within the fair itself, the Galleries sector draws a sophisticated portrait of contemporary art across the MENASA region and beyond. More than half of the participating artists represent the cultural geographies that Art Basel Qatar seeks to spotlight, establishing the fair as a new anchor within the Art Basel network.

Highlights include focused presentations by Etel Adnan, political and ecological inquiries by Ali Cherri, documentary reflections by Ahmed Mater, and new works by Mona Hatoum and Marlene Dumas. The sector also features conceptual investigations by Mohamed Monaiseer, transformations of form by Philip Guston, object-based systems by Hassan Sharif, and expansive narratives from Simone Fattal, Shirin Neshat, Lynda Benglis, Sophia Al-Maria and others.

Here, regional modernism, diasporic memory and experimental contemporary practices coexist, offering an unusually layered view of artistic production today.

A Wider Cultural Season Across Qatar

Coinciding with Art Basel Qatar is an extensive calendar of exhibitions and public programs across Qatar Museums institutions.

From the expansive we refuse_d exhibition at Mathaf and the retrospective of I. M. Pei at ALRIWAQ, to Rirkrit Tiravanija’s large-scale installation in MIA Park and the immersive celebration of MF Husain at Katara, the city-wide programming enriches the fair with parallel narratives. The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum brings a cultural lens to design through Sneakers Unboxed, while public artworks by Richard Serra, Olafur Eliasson and regional artists extend the experience into Doha’s urban fabric.

A Fair Rooted in Place and Looking Forward

Art Basel Qatar 2026 arrives with the clarity of a cultural landmark in the making. It reimagines the role of an art fair, positioning Doha not only as a host city but as a site of artistic experimentation, civic engagement and regional storytelling. In its inaugural edition, the fair does more than present art. It proposes a new way of encountering it, one shaped by transformation, proximity and place.

Doha stands at the beginning of a cultural horizon that feels expansive and distinctly its own. Art Basel Qatar, in its first gesture, has already ensured the world is watching.

More on ArtBasel.com

December 17, 2025

How Dubai Culture is Training Heritage Teams to Better Support People of Determination

Across Dubai’s cultural landscape, a quiet but meaningful shift is taking place. Museums, heritage houses, libraries and public art spaces are moving beyond accessibility as an architectural feature and toward accessibility as a lived experience.

At the centre of this evolution is Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, which has just completed a specialised training programme designed to empower heritage site teams with the skills and sensitivity needed to support People of Determination in cultural guidance and visitor engagement.

Held under the community initiative Empowering People of Determination in Cultural Guidance, the programme was developed in partnership with the Taqarrub Centre for Rehabilitation and Generation Preparation, bringing together experts, families and frontline cultural staff. The aim is simple yet transformative: to make every cultural visit in Dubai both inclusive and meaningful, regardless of ability.

Hosted at Hor Al Anz Public Library, the training gathered twenty-two Dubai Culture employees who work across heritage sites throughout the emirate. Together with Taqarrub specialists, parents and companions, participants explored global standards in accessible communication and learned how to recognise and respond to a wide spectrum of needs. The sessions extended beyond theory into practical, scenario-led exercises, inviting trainees to navigate real-world situations inside heritage environments and adapt tours to different abilities while maintaining safety and engagement.

The initiative directly supports Dubai’s wider social vision through the "My Community… A City for Everyone" programme, which aims to make the emirate one of the world’s most accessible cities for residents and visitors alike. It also aligns with the Dubai Code, reinforcing environmental, humanitarian and accessibility standards across public institutions.

More than workforce training, the programme signals a cultural shift in how institutions understand their role. Heritage sites are not static spaces filled with objects and stories. They are living environments shaped by the people who enter them. By building teams equipped with empathy, professionalism and adaptive communication skills, Dubai Culture is redefining what it means to host, guide and educate.

There is also an important reciprocal dimension. As People of Determination gain access to supportive tools and confidence-building methodologies, new pathways open for them to become active contributors to the cultural sector. The initiative gives them the opportunity not only to visit heritage sites but also to lead tours, share perspectives and engage as cultural guides in their own right.

In a city known for rapid innovation, projects like this remind us that progress is not only measured in architecture or scale but in the quality of connection. Bridging gaps in access, expanding representation and reimagining inclusion as a creative process are the building blocks of a cultural ecosystem that sees everyone, welcomes everyone and makes space for everyone.

More on Dubaiculture.gova.ae

December 17, 2025

Paula’s Choice Lands in the Middle East with Science Led Skincare

Paula’s Choice has finally touched down in the Middle East, and skincare lovers across the region are paying attention. Long celebrated by global beauty communities for its evidence-based formulations and myth-busting approach, the brand officially launches at Sephora Middle East, marking a significant milestone in its international journey.

The arrival feels both overdue and perfectly timed: at a moment when transparency is valued more than marketing gloss and when consumers want formulas that respect both skin and intelligence, Paula’s Choice steps into the region with the sort of quiet confidence only science can offer.

For Chief Executive Officer Faiz Ahmad, the move was inevitable. The Middle East has always been a home to discerning beauty enthusiasts, people who read ingredients, who track results, who expect performance. Bringing Paula’s Choice to the region is not simply a distribution expansion. It is the beginning of a shared conversation about what honest, research-driven skincare can look like.

At the core of the brand is Paula Begoun, the founder who built Paula’s Choice in 1995 from a place of deep consumer advocacy. Before transparency became a buzzword, Paula was translating scientific research into accessible knowledge, challenging industry myths and refusing to release any product that could not be justified by peer-reviewed evidence. This philosophy became the backbone of the brand: clinical grade formulations grounded in reality, fragrance-free and rigorously tested, designed to support skin rather than overwhelm it.

The brand’s iconic Ingredient Dictionary remains one of the most trusted online resources for anyone seeking to understand what is in their skincare, and more importantly, why it is there. This commitment to empowering the consumer has created a global community that values knowledge as much as glow, placing Paula’s Choice at the intersection of science and self-confidence.

With the Middle East launch, several cult favourites finally land on regional shelves. Leading the collection is the celebrated Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, a toner that has reached near-mythical status for its ability to clear pores, refine texture and reduce blemishes without irritation. Alongside it sits the Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer, a firming and hydrating formula driven by a powerful blend of peptides and amino acids.

Daily protection comes through the 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50, which brightens and evens skin tone while shielding it from UV and pollution. For those seeking targeted transformation, the Pro-Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment combines retinaldehyde and encapsulated retinol for visible renewal without the usual discomfort. Completing the lineup is the 10% Azelaic Acid Booster, a multipurpose staple that addresses redness, uneven tone and blemishes with calm precision.

These formulas promise measurable results, respect for the barrier and honest communication; qualities that resonate strongly with a region that increasingly seeks authenticity from its beauty brands.

With Sephora Middle East as its exclusive retail partner, Paula’s Choice becomes accessible in store and online, inviting both longtime devotees and curious newcomers to experience a brand that has always prioritised truth over trend.

For a market that appreciates innovation yet remains deeply connected to routine and ritual, Paula’s Choice feels like a natural fit. Its arrival signals a shift toward elevated skincare literacy, empowering consumers to understand their skin and the formulas they choose.

More on Paulaschoice.com

www.golagallery.com

December 15, 2025

A Land That Remembers: Inside the ‘Ard: To Belong to Land' Exhibition in Milan

At Milan’s Galleria Gola, a new exhibition invites visitors to step beyond headlines and enter a quiet, powerful space where land is not a possession but a relationship.

Opening to the public from 14 to 30 December 2025, with a special preview on 13 December, ‘Ard: To Belong to Land is a profound tribute to the unbreakable bond between the Palestinian people and their homeland. Curated by British–Iraqi writer and editor Dalia Al-Dujaili, the exhibition brings together eight contemporary Palestinian photographers whose work reframes the narrative surrounding Palestine with tenderness, intimacy and visual integrity.

Since 1946, more than 5.9 million Palestinians have been displaced. The Nakba of 1948, a catastrophe that reshaped the region’s history, continues to echo through generations, shaping questions of memory, belonging and the meaning of a land that lives both in the physical world and in the bodies of those who carry it within them. This exhibition confronts that history not through spectacle but through presence.

The title, ‘Ard — meaning land, earth, ground — shifts the narrative entirely. Rather than land as something to own, it becomes something one belongs to. A reciprocal space defined by care, rootedness and protection. In this spirit, the exhibition foregrounds natural landscapes, scenes of everyday life, animals, gestures of quiet resistance and the enduring relationship between people and the environment that holds them. These images reveal a Palestine that is alive, textured, complex and deeply human.

The works on view come from eight artists whose practices represent some of the most vital voices in contemporary Palestinian photography. Adam Rouhana explores new visual narratives shaped by memory and personal history, while Maen Hammad blends documentary insight with research and writing, his work appearing in international publications and receiving global recognition. Jenna Masoud weaves nostalgia and identity through a lens that moves between documentary and stylised storytelling.

From Bethlehem, Samar Hazboun brings a journalist’s precision and an artist’s sensitivity, with contributions to The New York Times and support from organisations such as Magnum Foundation. Kholood Eid, both photographer and filmmaker, captures the emotional and psychological resonance of Palestinian life with work spanning National Geographic, TIME and beyond. Sakir Khader, known for his raw cinematic approach, examines the fragile line between life and death in conflict zones, recently earning his place as a Magnum Photos nominee.

Zach Hussein, moving between the West Bank and the United States, uses photography and film to cultivate empathy in places where solidarity is often absent. Completing the collective is Dean Majd, a self-taught artist whose work has been featured in Aperture, Vogue and The New Yorker, and who continues to expand the language of Palestinian visual culture through exhibitions and residencies.

Adding a literary dimension to the experience, the exhibition includes a poetic contribution by Yahya Al Hamarna, whose words act as a connective tissue between the images, offering emotional cadence and narrative depth.

More than a reaction to any single political moment, ‘Ard stands as a gesture of respect for Palestinians martyred from 1948 to the present day, as well as an act of solidarity with those who continue to fight for liberation both within Palestine and across the diaspora. It is a collective archive of memory, resilience and radical tenderness.

At its core, the exhibition is also a testament to the power of curation. With her background in SWANA arts, migration and environmental narratives, Dalia Al-Dujaili brings together artists whose works do more than depict: they witness, honour and reimagine. Through careful selection and spatial storytelling, she constructs a shared visual narrative that challenges reductive representations and instead returns viewers to the emotional and physical landscapes that define Palestinian life.

‘Ard: To Belong to Land is a reclamation of story; a reminder that land can hold memory, that resistance can be quiet, and that photography can become a form of collective healing. In Milan, far from the olive trees and stone terraces that fill these images, the exhibition creates a space where Palestine can be seen, felt and remembered with clarity and tenderness.

See it Gola Galleria

Via Emilio Gola, 5

Milan, Italy

December 15, 2025

A Cocoon in Manama, Bahrain: Finding Stillness at The Merchant House

It would have taken us nine years to return to Bahrain, but when the opportunity presented itself to spend two days in the kingdom at the boutique hotel The Merchant House, we didn’t think twice.

(Mind you, we received the invite in the midst of our Beirut trip for Wedesign, a trip that was supposed to be ending after six long weeks, during which we swore we would stay put until Christmas.)

As anxious flyer–AV geeks — yes, this paradox is somehow true — we also knew we’d be flying on the new Emirates A350, and couldn’t help but get even more excited. But as soon as we arrived at The Merchant House, despite a very short night behind us and our sunglasses still firmly on, we felt an immense sense of peace.

The hotel is a true oasis: right next door to the charming Bab Al Bahrain, a short eight-minute drive from mega-mall The Avenues, and yet it feels like a cocoon far removed from the hustle and bustle of Manama. We were quickly welcomed by the lovely team and the oh-so-charming Gordon Campbell Gray, an iconic hotelier known for creating spaces that feel lived-in, artistic and quietly luxurious — the kind of hospitality that stays with you long after checkout.

A Boutique Hotel That Redefined Boutique Hotels

Since opening its doors, The Merchant House has redefined the boutique hotel experience in Bahrain. With only 46 thoughtfully designed suites, each individually styled with curated artwork, the hotel blends comfort, creativity and understated luxury with a distinctly residential feel.

Every Urban Suite, Urban Plus, and Executive Suite includes a kitchen, dining and sitting area, while the Corner Suites flood with natural light thanks to dual-aspect windows. The Signature Suites, spanning 60 square metres, can interconnect with Urban Suites to create generous two-bedroom residences — ideal for extended stays, family trips, or simply when you want a little extra room to unwind.

This is not just a place to sleep, it literally feels like it becomes your holiday home.

A Destination for Dining and Design

The beating heart of the hotel is Indigo Terrace, the rooftop restaurant crowned by a floral British-style garden. Celebrated by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the Top 10 Restaurants in Bahrain and among the Prettiest Restaurants in the Middle East, Indigo offers a fine-dining fusion of Mediterranean and Asian flavours with a focus on sharing plates, seasonal produce and relaxed sophistication. From vibrant business lunches to slow evening dinners under the Manama sky, Indigo has become one of Bahrain’s most beloved culinary destinations. The black cod was particularly delicious.

Overlooking the lobby, The Library houses more than 1,000 curated books, creating an intimate space for reading, working, or simply sinking into a moment of stillness. Open throughout the day for light bites and refreshments, it transforms each afternoon into a refined tea lounge serving an elegant Afternoon Tea ritual between 2 pm and 5:30 pm with a choice of traditional British or locally inspired selections. We absolutely loved our tea-time (which with us had to obviously become a coffee-time; there was something so special about enjoying fresh hot scones and flipping through some books in the most plush atmosphere.

Just steps from the energy of Bab Al Bahrain Souq, Café Gray offers a tranquil escape for casual bites, pastries and freshly brewed coffee — the perfect in-between stop for both travellers and locals.

Wellness and Artistry at the Core

Lobby with Jamal AbdulRahim's "Om Kolthom 2"

Guests are invited to unwind at PURE Spa, with bespoke treatments designed for deep relaxation and rejuvenation. Wellness continues at the chlorine-free rooftop infinity pool (which sadly we didn't have time to try), with views sweeping across the Manama skyline, as well as a fully equipped 24-hour gym for those rare moments of motivation while travelling.

But perhaps the most defining element of The Merchant House is its devotion to art. The hotel’s extensive collection -personally curated by Gordon Campbell Gray - features original works by Bahraini and international artists, infusing every corridor, suite and common area with moments of inspiration. There's a Pop Art- inspired artwork of Umm Kalthoum by Jamal AbdulRahim in the lobby that we would have loved to take home...

Behind the scenes, the hotel continues to invest in Bahrain’s creative ecosystem, supporting local suppliers across chocolates, spa products, art, menus and more, making the guest experience not only luxurious, but meaningfully local.

An Award-Winning Legacy

In just five years, The Merchant House has evolved from Bahrain’s pioneering five-star boutique hotel into one of the Gulf’s leading examples of contemporary luxury and cultural elegance. Accolades from Condé Nast Traveller, TripAdvisor, and the Haute Grandeur Global Awards reflect the hotel’s dedication to excellence but its true charm lies in its intimacy, its stories, and its ability to make travellers feel instantly at home.

A Return Worth Waiting For

Nine years may have passed before we made it back to Bahrain, but staying at The Merchant House made the wait feel almost poetic. Between the art-filled spaces, the warmth of the team, the calm that settles the moment you step inside, and the unmistakable touch of Campbell Gray - it is a place that slows you down, softens the edges of travel, and reminds you of the pleasure of discovering (or rediscovering) a city.

We might have just found our home away from home.

More info on TheMerchantHouse.Bh

www.mandarinoriental.com/netsu

December 10, 2025

Festive Tables, Sparkling Nights & Coastal Magic: Where Dubai Celebrates the Season

As Dubai slips into its most dazzling time of year, the city’s dining and lifestyle scene transforms into something truly special; a mosaic of twinkling lights, tables dressed for celebration, immersive culinary experiences, and nights designed to linger.

From château-inspired Christmas lunches to moonlit beachfront dinners and vinyl-scored countdowns, the festive season is less about tradition and more about the experiences we create together. This year, Dubai’s most coveted venues are rewriting the rules of celebrating in style.

Italian Riviera Glamour at Ristorante Loren

Palm West Beach’s coastal jewel, Ristorante Loren, brings the spirit of the Italian Riviera straight to the shores of Dubai this festive season. Overlooking the Marina and styled like a timeless postcard from the Amalfi Coast, Loren’s Christmas celebration unfolds on December 25th with a family-style brunch set menu complete with live violin performances — the ideal setting for relaxed elegance and festive flair.

As the year draws to a close, Loren becomes a front-row seat to Dubai’s most spectacular night. Their New Year’s Eve celebration elevates coastal dining into a true soirée, blending curated festive dishes with live entertainment in a Venice-inspired ambiance overlooking the fireworks. Chic, romantic and sensory, it’s the kind of night that embodies JDEED’s vision of festive indulgence — stylish without losing the warmth of togetherness.

Christmas Day Brunch

25 December 2025
AED 450 per person (drinks à la carte)
Live violin performance
Set-menu brunch & dessert buffet

New Year’s Eve Celebration

31 December 2025
AED 1,000 minimum spend (indoor)
AED 1,500 minimum spend (terrace)
Live performance | Venice-inspired décor | Sky views

www.lorenristorantedubai.com
Reservations: +971 4 557 8293
�eservations@lorenristorantedubai.com

‍Sweet Traditions with a Modern Touch: Café Bateel

For those whose holidays revolve around elegant desserts and cozy coffee rituals, Café Bateel offers a refined take on culinary nostalgia. Their festive menu introduces limited creations such as the Chocolate Yuzu Bûche, Pistachio & Caramel Bûchette, and the charmingly understated Vanilla & Apricot Dome, alongside winter beverages like the spiced Golden Date Latte, a distinctly regional twist on a global classic.

Whether it’s brunch with loved ones, gifting beautifully crafted cakes, or savoring quiet moments over coffee, Bateel’s seasonal menu celebrates the art of slowing down and sharing.

www.cafebateel.com

Erth Abu Dhabi – Heritage, Elegance & Festive Wonder

In Abu Dhabi, the festive season unfolds with poetic warmth at Erth, where Emirati heritage meets contemporary elegance. The celebrations begin on 12 December with the hotel’s enchanting Christmas Tree Lighting & Gingerbread House Ceremony, a family-favourite evening filled with Santa visits, children’s gingerbread workshops, mulled wine and hot chocolate.

Throughout December, guests may enjoy a serene Festive Afternoon Tea, a refined ritual featuring seasonal pastries and fine teas.

On Christmas Eve, two distinct experiences await:
Ergon Deli & Café: A romantic, Mediterranean-inspired four-course dinner under the stars.
Al Rimal Restaurant: A lavish buffet of roasted turkey, prime ribs, festive desserts and live entertainment. Christmas Day brings an abundant international brunch with live music and a dedicated kids’ area, followed by an extraordinary New Year’s Eve celebration, Celestial Elegance Under the Stars, complete with gourmet dining, performances and Abu Dhabi’s glittering fireworks. The festivities continue into 2026 with a relaxing New Year’s Day brunch and an elegant Orthodox Christmas Dinner on January 7.

Beautifully rooted in heritage yet effortlessly luxurious, Erth offers one of the UAE’s most soulful festive calendars.

www.erth.ae

Michelin Moments & Grand Feasts at Atlantis

Few destinations do festive exceptionally quite like Atlantis Dubai. Across Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal, the season unfolds as a world tour of gastronomy.

At the pinnacle of celebration, FZN by Björn Frantzén offers an ultra-exclusive nine-course tasting journey inspired by modern European cuisine infused with Japanese techniques. Meanwhile, the iconic Dinner by Heston Blumenthal celebrates British culinary history through its festive tasting menu, while Ossiano heightens the magic with progressive dining beside the shimmering Ambassador Lagoon.

Celebrity chef hotspots like CARBONE, Nobu, La Mar, and Ariana’s Persian Kitchen provide atmospheric dining for those who love the buzz of holiday energy mixed with standout world cuisines. Family feasts come alive at Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen, while playful celebrations take over Wavehouse, Saffron and the globe-trotting marketplace of Gastronomy: perfect for multi-generational festive gatherings.

For something softer, dessert lovers gravitate toward Plato’s and The Royal Tearoom, both showcasing festive afternoon teas designed to savor slowly, porcelain cups in hand and skyline views beyond the windows.

All info see below

Classic Elegance at St. Regis Downtown Dubai

Timeless glamour defines the festive program at The St. Regis Downtown Dubai. With the Dubai Water Canal and Burj Khalifa as its backdrop, the hotel’s celebrations pay tribute to grand hospitality traditions.

At BASTA!, guests embrace a hearty Italian Christmas through seasonal menus, while Christmas Eve brings a four-course fine-dining experience paired with house beverages. Christmas Day brunch unfolds over live cooking stations, riverside terraces, entertainment, and a charming special appearance by Santa Claus, basically a flawless blend of luxury and warmth.

Across the canal-facing terraces of Ginori Terrace, festive afternoon tea is served on elegant Ginori porcelain, while gourmet holiday hampers offer beautifully crafted gifts for taste-led indulgence long after the season fades.

All Info see below

Netsu by Ross Shonhan – A Festive Season of Fire & Japanese Flair

At Netsu, the holidays ignite with the dramatic flames of the Warayaki grill and a bold interpretation of Japanese festive dining. On Christmas Day, the renowned Omakase Brunch takes center stage: a sharing-style journey featuring Wagyu Beef Gyoza, King Crab Tacos, pristine sushi and sashimi, Spicy Miso Tiger Prawns, Roasted Canadian Lobster and Australian Wagyu Ribeye. A festive dessert medley offers the perfect finish.
AED 550–2,650 depending on beverage package │ AED 250 for children.

On New Year’s Eve, Netsu reimagines Japan’s traditional Omisoka with a lavish curated dinner, live music, DJ sets and the glow of the straw-fire grill. Guests may dine in Netsu Lounge for AED 995 or experience the main restaurant with a minimum spend of AED 1,500 per person.

For those who wish to keep the night alive, the Kabuki Omisoka After Party takes over the rooftop terrace with an adults-only celebration with panoramic Dubai fireworks, high-energy sets and premium service, offered at AED 5,000 minimum spend for a table of four.

A festive destination for diners who want refinement with rhythm, fire and unforgettable flavour.

Playful Vibes at Mama Shelter Dubai

If your festive mood leans more toward high-energy fun than classic formality, Mama Shelter Dubai brings a refreshing edge to the season. Their signature approach mixes bold food with entertainment-first experiences.

The Mama Claus menu presents comforting Christmas plates with a decadent twist, while the Christmas Day brunch transforms Mama Restaurant into an enchanted forest complete with cocktails, a hot-chocolate bar and live entertainment. Those who prefer to sing their way through the holidays are well-served by the joyful chaos of Boxing Day Karaoke Night, while the year’s grand finale arrives in the form of their NYE Flashback Party: a nostalgic DJ journey through musical decades, paired with Wagyu Tomahawk, Lobster Thermidor, and prime viewing access to the Burj Khalifa fireworks.

All info see below

Vinyl Soundtracks and Japanese Feasts at Honeycomb Hi-Fi

For NYE revelers seeking something refined yet undeniably cool, Honeycomb Hi-Fi offers the antidote to traditional glitter ball count-downs. Dubai’s first vinyl listening bar hosts a Japanese-inspired multi-course feast featuring plates such as yellowtail tartar, ebi katsu, and duck breast with persimmon & yuzu honey, with a parallel vegetarian tasting menu for non-meat guests.

Three beverage packages guide the experience — from non-alcoholic pairings to premium cocktail and sake selections — while curated vinyl sets provide the night’s atmospheric heartbeat. It’s less about big-room spectacle and more about intimate celebration for true audiophiles and culinary insiders.

NYE Dinner Packages

• Non-Alcoholic: AED 600
• House Beverage: AED 700
• Premium Beverage: AED 800

Includes multi-course tasting menu & live vinyl soundtrack.

www.honeycombhifi.com

Scalini – An Italian Holiday Filled With Warmth & Tradition

Few restaurants capture the intimacy of an Italian holiday quite like Scalini Dubai and Scalini Cucina. This year, both destinations invite guests into a world of nostalgia, warmth and impeccable Italian hospitality. Christmas Eve at Scalini Dubai begins with Dinner with Babbo Natale, where Italy’s beloved Father Festive brings joy to guests of all ages. On Christmas Day, families can gather for a heartwarming festive lunch from 1pm to 4pm, complete with surprise visits, seasonal dishes and the signature comfort of Scalini’s timeless favourites.

At Scalini Cucina in Dubai Mall, the festive spirit continues with a lively Christmas Day gathering designed for families, featuring special treats for children and plenty of Italian charm. A highlight of the season is Scalini’s iconic Panettone, available beautifully packaged for gifting or taking home; as part Italian, our founder would love to tell you that under no circumstance should you miss out on a Panettone or Pandoro (ortheScalini Parmgiana, the best EVER).

To welcome 2026, Scalini Dubai hosts an intimate New Year’s Eve soirée filled with laughter, where acclaimed Emirati comedian Abz Ali takes the stage for a special stand-up performance. Refined Italian festive dishes, a warm atmosphere and a night of joy make Scalini a must-visit for lovers of authentic holiday traditions.

www.Scalini-dubai.com

Festive by the Sea: Sirene Beach by GAIA

If the holidays mean salt air, candlelit tables and sunset soundtracks, Sirene Beach by GAIA delivers coastal festivities at their most poetic. Running from December 23 to 31, Sirene’s Aegean-inspired menu showcases dishes such as tempura oysters with lemon butter, grilled lobster with clams and botarga, crab orzo, and a refreshing tuna salad with grain mustard dressing.

For celebratory groups, the AED 1,200 set menu becomes a feast of Greek comfort, beginning with Mama Chicken Soup and moving into signature plates like Sea Bream Carpaccio, White Truffle Pasta, Grilled Seabass and clay-pot Baby Goat, ending with nostalgic desserts including Apple & Raisin Pie and Sirene’s famed frozen yogurt with honey walnuts.

All week long, DJs and live artists soundtrack the experience, from organic downtempo lunches to elevated sunset DJ sessions and late-night poolside rhythms. This is festive freedom as only Dubai does it: barefoot luxury meets coastal after-dark glamour.

Festive Set Menu

23–31 December‍

AED 1,200 per person

Dishes include:
Tempura Oysters │ Grilled Lobster │ White Truffle Pasta │ Sea Bream Carpaccio │ Baby Goat Claypot

Daily DJ sets & live vocal performances

www.sirenebeach.com

Atlantis Royal

Michelin Stars & Haute Dining

FZN by Björn Frantzén – 3 Michelin Stars
Dec 24 & 25 | Dinner
AED 2,000 tasting menu
Wine pairings from AED 750–1,400

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal – 1 Michelin Star
December daily | Christmas Eve & Day
AED 980 – AED 1,095 for festive tasting menu

Ossiano – 1 Michelin Star‍

Christmas Day
AED 1,500 tasting menu (+ beverage pairings)

Celebrity Chef & Lifestyle Dining

CARBONE – À la carte Italian + festive specials
NOBU – Festive brunch from AED 495 / Dinner à la carte
LA MAR – Festive brunch AED 550
ARIANA’S PERSIAN KITCHEN – Festive set from AED 370

Family & Crowd Favorites

Gordon Ramsay Bread Street Kitchen
‍‍Christmas brunch from AED 695

SAFFRON Buffet
Christmas brunch packages from AED 750

PLATO’S Afternoon Tea AED 240 – AED 345 per person

Booking websites:
www.atlantis.com/atlantis-the-palm/festivewww.atlantis.com/atlantis-the-royal/festive

ST REGIS DOWNTOWN

BASTA!

Daily Festive À La Carte
4–30 December

Christmas Eve Dinn

AED 450 per person including beverages

• Christmas Day Brunch
AED 525 – AED 850 per person

Ginori Terrace – Festive Afternoon Tea

4–30 December
AED 295 – AED 325 per person

Festive Gourmet Gift Hampers available

www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dxbxr-the-st-regis-downtown-dubai/overview

MAMA SHELTER

Mama Claus Menu

22–26 December
À la carte from AED 45

Christmas Day Brunch

25 December | 1–5pm
AED 249 soft | AED 399 house | AED 499 prosecco

Boxing Day Karaoke

26 Dec | Evening
AED 249 – 449

NYE Flashback Party

31 Dec | From 8pm

Minimum spend AED 695 per person

www.mamashelter.com/dubai

JDEED’s Festive Forecast

This festive season, celebration moves beyond tradition into something deeply personal, whether that means Michelin-level gastronomy, playful karaoke nights, intimate vinyl grooves or barefoot dinners by the sea. Dubai’s festive offerings reflect a city that celebrates diversity of mood just as much as luxury: grand or low-key, classic or unconventional, there is no singular way to experience the holidays here.

‍

December 9, 2025

Miu Miu’s Holiday 2025 Is Made for the Art of Celebration

The festive season, according to Miu Miu, is less about excess and more about joy; its Holiday 2025 collection captures exactly that spirit. Designed as a wardrobe of optimism and wonder, the latest offering is a playful balance between elegance and rebellion, celebrating femininity while subtly rewriting its rules.

Layering sits at the heart of the collection, with contrasts of texture and proportion shaping silhouettes that feel both classic and fresh. Crumpled and embroidered duchesse satin opera coats shimmer in soft, luminous hues, while shearling jackets and stoles bring a cocooning richness to winter dressing. Knitwear is elevated with glitter and sequins paired with micro-shorts, injecting a dose of irreverence into festive styling, while bias-cut satin slips and lingerie-inspired dresses, trimmed with delicate bows and ribbons, honor the house’s signature ultra-feminine aesthetic. Floral prints float through the collection, adding a softness that feels effortless and lighthearted.

When it comes to accessories, Miu Miu continues to explore contrast with confidence. Supple moccasins, loafers and ballerinas sit alongside knee-high stretch leather boots, first unveiled on the Paris runway. Ultra-flat sneakers in nylon and suede ground the mood with a sporty touch, offset by patent pumps edged with grosgrain and finished with either kitten or high heels: each silhouette expressing the brand’s dialogue between practicality and polish.

The handbag offering is equally rich, with iconic styles including the Wander, Arcadie, Pocket, Beau, Solitaire, pouches and backpacks returning in classic leathers and timeless shades, alongside special holiday hues of pink and red designed to brighten winter wardrobes. The Miu Miu Custom Studio also moves forward this season, reimagining sneakers and bags into truly unique, personalized pieces, embellished with playful tricks, pins and accessories that embody the label’s spirited DNA.

With Holiday 2025, Miu Miu delivers a festive wardrobe that refuses to take itself too seriously — blending softness with shine, tradition with disruption, and glamour with an unmistakable lightness of spirit. It is a collection that reminds us that celebration starts not with an occasion, but with the way we choose to dress for everyday moments of joy.

More on MiuMiu.com

December 8, 2025

Shaping Culture, Bridging Futures: A Conversation with Shaima Rashid Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design & Literature Sector at Dubai Culture

As CEO of the Arts, Design & Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, Shaima Rashid Al Suwaidi carries one of the most influential roles in shaping the city’s cultural narrative; one where heritage is not preserved behind glass, but actively reimagined for contemporary life.

From the experimental spirit of Sikka Art & Design Festival and the material-driven innovation of Dubai Design Week, to the policy frameworks transforming creativity into a sustainable economy, her work sits at the meeting point between tradition and forward momentum.

In conversation with JDEED, Al Suwaidi reflects on building creative ecosystems, listening to the needs of artists and communities, and the importance of mentorship and access, especially for emerging women creatives. She speaks to the values guiding Dubai Culture’s initiatives, from the development of Al Quoz Creative Zone to the global positioning of Dubai as a cultural capital, where storytelling, design, and diplomacy coexist.

At once strategic and grounded, her leadership is defined by a belief that culture grows strongest when it is heard first; a philosophy that continues to shape the city’s evolving creative landscape.

Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi - Official Photo

You lead the Arts, Design & Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, how do you balance celebrating Dubai’s rich heritage while also championing bold, futuristic creative narratives?

Shaima Rashid Al Suwaidi: Heritage is the foundation of our creative identity in Dubai. It influences how artists think and the meaning they bring to their work. At Dubai Culture, we work to keep it alive by inviting artists to reinterpret our culture in new and relevant ways. You’ll see this mix at Sikka, where traditional architecture serves as a stage for experimental art, or in public installations that reimagine Emirati craftsmanship for today’s audience.

This connection between the past and the present also runs through programmes like Dubai Design Week, where regional designers experiment with materials such as palm fronds, clay, and coral stone to explore sustainable design for the future. Even in literature, we support writers who revisit folklore or oral history to tell stories that reflect modern life. The goal is to let heritage evolve naturally, so that it is seen as the source of creative energy that continues to guide Dubai’s next chapter.

Sikka Art & Design Festival, Dubai Design Week and other festivals have become global stages for the region’s creative ecosystem. From your perspective, what role does culture policy play in turning Dubai into a “creative capital”?

Shaima Rashid Al Suwaidi: Culture policy turns creative energy into a lasting ecosystem. At Dubai Culture, our role is to create the structure that allows ideas to grow through frameworks, licensing, funding, and access. The Dubai Creative Economy Strategy and initiatives like the Al Quoz Creative Zone give artists, designers, and writers the space to turn their practice into viable enterprises.

Festivals such as Sikka Art & Design Festival, Dubai Design Week, and the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature act as global stages that showcase this ecosystem in motion. They draw international audiences, encourage cultural exchange, and attract investment that feeds back into the local economy. In 2024 alone, the cultural and creative industries attracted AED 18.86 billion in FDI capital inflows and generated over 23,000 new jobs through 971 new projects.

Culture has also become one of Dubai’s strongest forms of soft power. Today, the city is shaping international dialogue on creativity and innovation. Events such as the World Cities Culture Summit and the International Council of Museums (ICOM) General Conference 2025, as well as the upcoming International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art (ISEA2026 Dubai), bring together cultural leaders and policymakers from around the world. These gatherings position Dubai as an active voice in setting the global cultural agenda, showing how the city’s growth in creativity is deeply linked to knowledge exchange, collaboration, and cultural diplomacy.

'Culture has also become one of Dubai’s strongest forms of soft power. Today, the city is shaping international dialogue on creativity and innovation.'

You’ve publicly spoken about mentorship, community, and rising local talent. What are the most meaningful ways Dubai Culture is creating access for emerging women designers, artists, and creatives?

Shaima Rashid Al Suwaidi: Access begins with opportunity, which is why our focus is on giving creatives every chance to create and be seen. Through initiatives like Al Quoz Creative Zone and Talent Atelier, we’re building the infrastructure that helps women turn talent into sustainable careers. Platforms such as Sikka Art & Design Festival and Dubai Design Week offer visible stages for emerging designers and artists to showcase their work and collaborate with established names. Mentorship is central to these programmes, connecting early-career creatives with industry leaders who guide their growth.

This reflects the UAE’s wider commitment to inclusion and equality. Women play a defining role in shaping Dubai’s cultural landscape, whether as artists, entrepreneurs, or decision-makers. At Dubai Culture, that representation informs how we develop programmes.

'At Dubai Culture, women play an active role across all levels of the organisation. That vision is driven by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Her Excellency Hala Badri, who continue to inspire a culture of inclusion.'

Many leaders talk strategy. You’ve spoken of listening first. How has this approach—listening to creatives, communities, and audiences—shaped the projects you initiate or support at the Authority?

Shaima Rashid Al Suwaidi: Listening is at the centre of what we do. Before any project begins, we spend time understanding what artists, entrepreneurs, and communities actually need. Many of our programmes were shaped this way, including the Al Quoz Creative Zone and the Dubai Cultural Grant. When we listen, we uncover what helps people most, whether it’s space to create, access to funding, or the chance to grow internationally. Each year, the Sikka Art and Design Festival also evolves based on what participants and visitors tell us.

As an Emirati woman in a senior creative leadership role, what personal values or experiences inform how you lead and how you hope to inspire the next generation of creatives in the region?

Shaima Rashid Al Suwaidi: I take that responsibility seriously. When I was younger, seeing women in leadership roles changed what I believed was possible. Today, I try to create that same sense of opportunity by building spaces where people feel safe to explore ideas and grow at their own pace. If sharing my experience helps someone feel more confident in their path, that’s deeply rewarding.

I’ve been lucky to build my career in an environment that values women’s contributions. At Dubai Culture, women play an active role across all levels of the organisation. That vision is driven by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Her Excellency Hala Badri, who continue to inspire a culture of inclusion. Their representation reinforces the idea that it’s talent and dedication that define leadership, not gender.

Find out more on DubaiCulture.Gov.Ae

December 5, 2025

Curated Playlist Returns to Al Quoz With Its Winter Edition

With Dubai’s winter finally setting the mood for open-air everything, one of the city’s most anticipated creative events is back. Curated Playlist, the pop-up that’s grown into a true community gathering, returns with its Winter Edition from December 5 to 7 at ONE OF US Courtyard, Al Quoz, welcoming visitors daily from 4 PM to 11 PM.

More than a shopping destination, Curated Playlist has always been about discovery, providing that feeling of stumbling upon brands you didn’t know you needed to meet. This season’s edition brings together an inspired mix of regional and international names across fashion, lifestyle, design, and creative products, carefully placed within an outdoor setting designed to celebrate individuality and creative energy.

Across three vibrant evenings, guests can explore exclusive drops, connect directly with founders, and browse a lineup of independent labels that reflect Dubai’s ever-evolving creative scene. Interactive activations throughout the space make each visit feel layered and spontaneous, while the open-air environment, paired with Dubai’s perfect winter weather, transforms the pop-up into a laid-back weekend hangout rather than just a shopping stop.

The atmosphere is what makes Curated Playlist feel special. Whether you’re popping by with friends, making new connections, or simply wandering solo through the booths, the mood stays buzzy yet relaxed. Food and beverage vendors are scattered throughout the venue, serving up coffee, comfort bites, and refreshing treats designed to keep visitors fueled as they roam from brand to brand.

At its core, Curated Playlist continues to champion what it does best: building community through creativity. Each edition strengthens the platform’s mission of spotlighting both local talent and rising international designers, creating a space where retail becomes social and shopping becomes cultural exchange.

This year’s Winter Edition is proudly supported by Quiqup, Hypelify, and Wisewell, brands whose shared focus on innovation and lifestyle excellence aligns seamlessly with Curated Playlist’s creative vision.

More details on Instagram, here

December 4, 2025

Istituto Marangoni Dubai Unveils First Graduates

Istituto Marangoni Dubai officially unveiled its first graduating cohort in Fashion Design & Accessories this week, marking a defining milestone for the institution since opening its regional campus in 2022.

For JDEED, the showcase carried a special resonance. Before completing a master’s degree in journalism at London College of Fashion, our founder studied Fashion Design at Istituto Marangoni Paris — making it a rare and reflective moment to witness the school’s newest generation presenting their work here in Dubai, years later, as the brand completes its global loop from Europe to the Middle East.

The intimate press preview highlighted the creativity of five graduating designers: Frederico Chiminazzo Assumpcao, Iva Ajtoski, Khadija Kalla, Ibrahim Yakubu, and Sara El Youssef, each presenting collections shaped by strong conceptual narratives and contemporary craftsmanship.

Frederico’s JetStream took inspiration from the emotional pull of aviation and his pilot father’s career, translating movement into technical silhouettes and fluid construction. Iva’s deeply personal collection explored generational creativity and the pressures surrounding inherited artistic legacies. With 56, Khadija bridged literature, film references, and South African-sourced materials into a layered narrative on identity and memory. Ibrahim’s Hana blended floral motifs with architectural streetwear elements as a tribute to growth and resilience, while Sara’s Gilded Tension explored illusion and perception through honeycomb textures, layered structures, and material experimentation.

The showcase was held in a sensorial setting, accompanied by a bespoke fragrance developed in collaboration with Symrise, reinforcing the multi-dimensional approach Marangoni Dubai is cultivating across its creative programs. Footwear for the collections was supplied by Marangoni alumna Nish Shewak, a nod to the institution’s global alumni network.

Founded in 1935 in Milan, Istituto Marangoni has trained over 45,000 fashion professionals worldwide and continues to educate approximately 5,000 students from 108 countries across its international campuses, including Milan, Paris, London, and now Dubai, establishing the city as an increasingly important hub for fashion education in the region.

Seeing these collections debut locally highlights how Dubai’s fashion ecosystem has matured — shifting from a consumer capital to an emerging platform for talent creation. Marangoni’s first graduating class is a reflection of that evolution: globally trained, conceptually driven, and ready for the next stage of the industry.

More on IstitutoMarangoni.com

December 3, 2025

Art Dubai Turns 20: A Milestone Edition

Back in 2017, when JDEED was still in its very first chapter, Art Dubai was the first art fair we ever covered. We walked the halls wide-eyed, notebooks in hand, unsure of what kind of publication we would fully become yet — but knowing we wanted to tell the stories of creativity in the region with honesty, warmth, and depth.

That moment became our unofficial starting line. And now, as we look toward the fair’s 20th anniversary edition in 2026, we’re preparing to return for our ninth year in a row with the same excitement, just a little more perspective.

Richard Saltoun Gallery - Fathi Hassan, Africa (1991), oil on canvas, 120 × 90 cm, courtesy of the artist and Richard Saltoun Gallery

Art Dubai 2026 takes place at Madinat Jumeirah from 17–19 April, marking two decades of shaping the Middle East’s global art conversation.

This milestone edition will bring together over 100 contemporary, modern, and digital presentations from more than 35 countries, structured under the curatorial framework “Future, Past, Present.” It’s the first edition under new Fair Director Dunja Gottweis, and it introduces a revamped fair structure, unveiling new sections Zamaniyyat and Bawwaba Extended alongside the established Galleries, Bawwaba, and the expanded Art Dubai Digital.

Jhaveri Contemporary – Anwar Jalal Shemza, Arches (1978) Gold and silver foil, coloured inks on handmade Japanese paper, 37.5 × 37.5 cm, Courtesy of Jhaveri Contemporary.jpg

But beyond the impressive numbers and new curatorial directions, Art Dubai’s magic has always been about something deeper: connection. Rooted in the city yet resonating globally, the fair remains a meeting point for artists, curators, collectors, and thinkers from across MENASA and beyond, reinforcing Dubai’s role as a cultural crossroads. More than half of the 2026 participants hail from the MENASA region, with a growing presence from Africa and Latin America, a reflection of the fair’s evolving geography and widening reach.

What excites us most about this edition is how closely it mirrors the evolution of the creative scene we’ve witnessed firsthand since our early days. Zamaniyyat, curated by Dr. Sarah A. Rifky, revisits modernisms from the 1950s to 1990s across global timelines; Bawwaba, curated by Amal Khalaf, champions experimental and diasporic voices focused on belonging and resilience; Art Dubai Digital, now entering its fifth year and curated by Ulrich Schrauth and Nadine Khalil, places immersive and technology-led practices right at the centre of contemporary dialogue; while the new Bawwaba Extended, curated by Khalaf alongside Alexie Glass-Kantor, opens the campus to large-scale installations that reshape how the public engages with art across space.

Bawwaba 2026_Traits Libres Gallery - Katia Kameli, Untitled (2025), textiles and pigments, 110 x 70 cm, courtesy of Katia Kameli

For JDEED, returning to Art Dubai year after year has felt like growing up alongside the fair itself; learning, evolving, and continually rediscovering the power of creative storytelling. From our first tentative walkthrough in 2017 to now preparing to attend our ninth edition, the fair remains a marker of our journey as much as it is a highlight of the region’s cultural calendar.

Four Paws, Five Stars: Dubai’s New Pet-Friendly Staycation

Pet parents, this one’s for you. Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai has officially rolled out one of the city’s most heart-warming hospitality launches yet with “Pawfect Stay on the Palm” — a staycation designed entirely around welcoming our four-legged companions as full-fledged guests.

Timed with the debut of the resort’s newly unveiled Palm Seaview Rooms with Terrace, the experience offers something that’s still exceptionally rare in the UAE’s luxury hotel scene: a five-star escape where pets aren’t just tolerated but are celebrated.

Located on the second floor, these new terrace rooms are tailor-made for travels with furry plus-ones, blending sleek interiors with spacious outdoor areas perfect for sunshine lounging or early-morning stretches. Their introduction makes Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah the first five-star property on Palm West Beach to officially open its doors to pets , a milestone that reflects the evolving needs of modern travellers who don’t want to leave any member of the family behind.

From Check-In to Tail-Wagging Comfort

The VIP treatment starts the moment paws step through the lobby. Pets receive a personalised welcome including tailored treats, a welcome letter, and an in-room setup complete with a pet bed, food and water bowls, a branded “Pet in Room” door hanger, plus take-home goodies such as a chew toy and a walking map. Guests can enjoy pet-inclusive breakfast and optional lunch or dinner either in-room or at MYAMI, while dining venues MYAMI and Bal Harbour Beach now offer dedicated pet menus alongside shaded seating areas. For quieter moments, the Fountain Area offers a relaxed setting to unwind together.

Walk, Wander, Repeat

Of course, one of the standout perks lies just outside the hotel doors: Palm West Beach Promenade — widely recognised as one of Dubai’s top dog-walking locations. This scenic beachside stretch is ideal for sunrise strolls, sunset wanders, or leisurely midday laps by the water, placing fresh air, ocean views, and casual daily adventures directly at guests’ feet.

Homegrown Partnerships, Thoughtful Touches

To elevate the experience even further, Marriott has partnered with two of the UAE’s most beloved homegrown pet brands: Furchild Pet Nutrition, the country’s pioneering fresh and raw pet food company, and Pet World UAE, a premium retail destination for accessories and essentials. Through these collaborations, guests receive exclusive offers and discounts, ensuring the highest-quality local nutrition and products are available throughout their stay — true “home-away-from-home” hospitality for humans and pets alike.

As Gerrit Schmitt, General Manager of Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, shares:
“Guests told us what they wanted, and so we created it… The addition of pet-friendly stays reflects our commitment to evolving with our guests and delivering meaningful moments of connection.”

With pet-friendly luxury still a rarity in the region, “Pawfect Stay on the Palm” answers a growing call from Dubai residents seeking destination escapes where no companion is left behind. It’s thoughtful, modern hospitality — and a refreshing reminder that true indulgence means everyone gets to travel together.

Stay Details

Pet stays are exclusively available in the Palm Seaview Rooms with Terrace, welcoming up to two pets (dogs or cats only) per room, each weighing up to 25kg. A non-refundable fee of AED 300 per room, per night applies. Pets may access guest lifts, lobby areas, and the second-floor hallway while moving through the resort, with designated pet-friendly zones including MYAMI, Bal Harbour Beach, the Fountain Area, and the Palm West Beach Promenade.

The “Pawfect Stay on the Palm” package can be booked directly via:
www.marriottresortpalmjumeirah.com+971 4 666 1111

December 3, 2025

Why Is Authenticity Only Applauded When It Fits The Narrative?

Authenticity has become the latest trend: applauded, marketed, packaged, sold. But only as long as it fits neatly within a narrative designed for us, not by us.

Every day, we’re bombarded with products promising to shape us into our “best selves.” A face cream that erases time. A gym membership that rewires discipline. GLP-1s that melt away the parts of us we were told to hide. Each one marketed like a passport to a new identity: shinier, smoother, smaller.
A life where insecurities magically vanish and we emerge as an improved, invisible version of ourselves.

But hold on.
Do we even want that?

By Cynthia Jreige

Between persuasive branding and the constant hum of self-optimization culture, it’s easy to forget to ask the question. We follow the script on autopilot, convinced that transformation is the only way forward. But the paradox is clearer than ever: be your best self, but only the version we’ve pre-approved. Look how you’re sold to look. Feel what you’re told to feel.

Where, then, does the real “you” sit in all of this?

Because being truly authentic—living by your own desires, your own beliefs, your own contradictions—rarely fits the commercial blueprint. Saying no when everyone else is nodding yes. Wearing blue in a world committed to yellow. Choosing a life that doesn’t photograph easily.

We’re encouraged to journal, manifest, meditate, “be ourselves.” But not too much. Not too loudly. Not in ways that might disrupt industries built on manufacturing insecurity. After all, radical self-acceptance doesn’t exactly boost quarterly sales.

‍

And perhaps this rise in curated authenticity isn’t just cultural — it’s symptomatic. Recent studies show that self-confidence and well-being among younger generations remain strikingly fragile. The Deloitte 2025 Gen Z & Millennial Survey reports that only 52% of Gen Z and 58% of Millennials describe their mental well-being as “good” or “very good” (1). Meanwhile, a 2025 global report by EY reveals that young adults aged 18–34 are navigating life with “a more sophisticated set of instruments” but also heightened uncertainty around identity, self-expression, and personal confidence (2)

In a world where image is currency, the pressure to perform a version of confidence rather than experience the real thing, keeps rising.

Look at social media: a universe overflowing with purchased followers, inflated likes, synthetic engagement. The irony is almost artistic. The very posts preaching “self-love” are often the most curated, the most edited, the most unreal.
Who are we trying to impress?
What are we performing?
And how does distorting who we are—even digitally—serve us in the long run?

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: authenticity makes people uneasy. It mirrors back their own fears, their own insecurities, their own silent longing to be free. It’s easier to dismiss an unapologetic person than to confront the parts of ourselves we’ve muted.

This isn’t a call for chaos or boundary-less living. Society needs structure; community needs care.
But imagine how different things would feel—how much lighter—if we were genuinely supported in showing up as we are. If authenticity wasn’t a marketing trend but a cultural norm. If being real wasn’t radical.

Maybe the real revolution is this:
To stop performing.
To stop shrinking.
To stop editing ourselves into oblivion.

‍

(1): Deloitte

(2): EY Global Generation Research

Cover: Mirrorpix / Getty Images

December 3, 2025

Beirut's Favourite Coffee Shop Backburner Opens in ABC Dbayeh

For us at JDEED, Backburner has always been part of a routine: our absolute favourite coffee shop in Lebanon, and the place we always head to the moment we land in Beirut. The ritual is non-negotiable: a Freddo Espresso or Cappuccino Freddo, icy, creamy, perfect. And instantly, we feel home again.

So naturally, we were thrilled to hear that Backburner, already beloved for its Saifi Village branch, has just opened a brand-new location at ABC Dbayeh, where we always make a pit stop on the way to the North.

A Bigger, Brighter Home for Beirut’s Coffee Lovers

The new space sits on L2 with over 50 indoor seats, finally giving us a spot in Dbayeh where we can camp out with our laptops, meet friends, or simply hide away with that beloved Freddo in hand. It’s spacious, cozy, and unmistakably Backburner: think warm woods, soft tones, and that relaxed Beirut mood that’s impossible to replicate anywhere else .

On the menu? All the familiar favourites: coffees, smoothies, superfood drinks, savory bites, and pastries, freshly made and always satisfying. And just in time for winter, they’ve rolled out their seasonal drinks: pumpkin spice lattes, hot chocolate, and all the comforting flavours we crave the moment the temperatures drop in Lebanon.

A Coffee Shop With a Community Soul

Backburner has always been more than a caffeine stop: it’s a place where the coolest people in Beirut gathers. Their commitment to freshly roasted beans and an in-house daily menu, paired with baked goods from artisanal local bakers, has helped shape a space that feels local, grounded, and loved by everyone who walks in.

The brand, under the Nothing But Love Group, already has locations in Saifi Village, Dbayeh, seasonally at Faqra Club, at Beam downtown, and soon in Tripoli, with franchises in Kuwait as well (and we're crossing fingers for the UAE). Since 2016, they’ve built something rare: a coffee shop that feels like a community pulse point, a little sanctuary in a city that thrives on connection.

And now, with ABC Dbayeh added to the list, we have a new go-to spot for our “we’re finally back in Beirut” ritual.

More on TheBackburner.com

November 25, 2025

Beit Prod: A Home Built From Memory

When we started JDEED back in 2017, we were a baby magazine with big dreams, hunting for the voices and visual storytellers who felt true to our region.

Prod Antzoulis was one of the first names on our moodboards — someone we admired long before everything aligned professionally. There was something in his eye, in the way he framed a street, a moment, a car, a person: honest, warm, and a little nostalgic.

Watching him grow from those early days in Dubai to now shooting major campaigns — Gucci included — has felt like witnessing a friend step into his destiny. But what’s even more beautiful is seeing him circle back to the place where it all began with a project that feels deeply personal: Beit Prod.

Beit Prod isn’t just a brand, it's a lived-in world built from memory, Mediterranean light, and the textures of the Arab region. As described in the press release, it’s “a living dialogue between memory, design, and modern craft.”

Objects, prints, décor, and collaborations that feel familiar without trying; pieces that feel like home because they come from one.

The word “beit” means home in Arabic, and the project lives up to that name. Every item — whether it’s a piece of vintage décor from the ’60s–2000s, a found object, a film print captured across the region, or a small-batch collaboration — carries warmth, story, and intention. According to page 1 of the press release, each piece is chosen for its character and “emotional pull,” designed to feel discovered rather than produced, lived-in rather than decorative.

What we love most is that Beit Prod feels like a continuation of Prod’s own journey; a natural extension of the nostalgia he has always photographed. He describes his work as capturing “honest and unedited moments revealing the eccentricities and particularities of places and people,” nurturing a sense of comfort and familiarity to uncover a subject’s rawness. That same sincerity runs through Beit Prod.

There are analog film prints, shot across the Arab region and Mediterranean, made in small runs and authenticated in-house. There are collaborations shaped around cities, archives, and personal memories. There’s merch, built slowly and intentionally as the brand’s identity evolves. And there are vintage objects — glassware, ceramics, tech, décor — curated with feeling rather than algorithmic trend-chasing. Everything is small batch. Everything is intimate. Everything is real.

In many ways, this project embodies the kind of creativity JDEED has always championed: region-rooted, story-led, memory-driven. It also feels like a full-circle moment — from admiring Prod’s talent when we were building our own identity, to watching him build a world that reflects exactly who he is now.

Beit Prod is not nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It’s an archive of a life lived between cultures, between cities, between frames. A home built from the things we choose to keep and the memories that keep choosing us.

And we couldn’t be prouder to witness this chapter.

More on BeitProd.com

November 21, 2025

Nammos 2.0: Dubai’s Original Mediterranean Icon Returns, Reborn

If you’ve lived in Dubai long enough, you know that Nammos in always in the city’s social calendar. A long-lunch tradition. A “meet me by the water” moment. A spot you bookmarked for everything from birthdays to “I need to feel alive again” dinners. So when the doors closed for renovation, everyone wondered what the next chapter would look like.

And now we have our answer: Nammos Dubai is back and it feels familiar, but better.

Reopening this December, the iconic beachside address returns to Jumeirah with a refreshed setting and a renewed sense of ease. It’s still the Nammos you know but with a calmer mood, a little more intention, and design details that make you stop and smile. The delicious dishes from the Aegean sea? Still there.

‍

A Greek Original, Reborn for Dubai

Nammos started more than 20 years ago on Psarou Beach in Mykonos, and that roots-first energy still anchors everything. But the Dubai edition now stands proudly on its own: part Mediterranean, part Dubai, part something entirely in-between. As Petros Stathis—Chairman of Nammos and Vice Chairman of ADMO Holding—puts it:

“From the beginning, Nammos has always been about more than cuisine or setting; it’s about emotion.”
And the space delivers exactly that. Not loud emotion but familiar emotion.

The Food Still Steals the Show (Obviously)

There are restaurants you go to for the view, and restaurants you go to for the food. Nammos has always been both.

The menu returns with the greatest hits: Salmon Teriyaki. Spicy Crab Tartar. Aubergine Mille-Feuille. Risotto Saganaki.
And a few new surprises shaped by seasonal Mediterranean creativity. Nothing forced. Nothing gimmicky. Just simple dishes that taste like summer without trying too hard.

The Nammos “Day Turns Into Night” Phenomenon

One thing Nammos has always understood is rhythm. You arrive for lunch thinking you’ll stay two hours. Suddenly the sun drops, the music shifts, the tables reshuffle, and you realise you’ve been there all day.

The beach, the terrace, the alfresco dining, the performances, the unexpected DJ sets…all meant for you to stay from lunch to dinner.

Aegean by Heart, Dubai by Design

The renovation leans into Cycladic lines, sun-bleached textures, and those signature Nammos blues.
But then you notice the details that make it Dubai: hand-painted tiles, curated landscaping, glazed lava surfaces, and mahogany sunbeds that nod to Riva boats; small touches that tell you someone paid attention.

It’s barefoot luxury, but grown up, more relaxed, more intentional, more “come as you are.”

More on Nammos.com

November 21, 2025

Saadiyat’s New Roar: The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi just dropped its biggest cultural flex yet — and yes, it involves dinosaurs, cosmic explosions, ancient savannahs, and a T. rex showdown that feels straight out of a sci-fi blockbuster. Welcome to the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, now officially inaugurated by HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District.

Opening to the public on 22 November, this 35,000 sqm giant becomes the largest natural history museum in the Middle East, but it’s more than a museum: it’s a full sensory journey through 13.8 billion years of life, from the birth of the universe to the creatures that once stomped across the region’s ancient, lush savannahs. Yes, the UAE was once green — and home to a four-tusked elephant, now revived inside the museum’s galleries.

Dinosaurs? Not One. Not Two. But a Whole Herd.

The museum opens with an entrance flex no one saw coming: the world’s first-ever display of FIVE sauropod dinosaurs together — a towering prehistoric welcoming committee that instantly shifts the vibe from “museum visit” to “epic time-travel moment”.

And then comes the drama. Deeper inside, another world-first: two Tyrannosaurus rexes locked in battle over a Triceratops carcass — featuring the iconic 67-million-year-old Stan, one of the best-preserved T. rex fossils on the planet. Actual bite marks included. Yes, it’s as wild as it sounds.

An Arabian Lens on the Planet’s Story

What makes the museum even more groundbreaking is its approach: a global natural history narrative reframed through a distinctly Arabian point of view.
Visitors get to wander through a past where the Gulf wasn’t all dunes and coastline, but thriving ecosystems teeming with creatures long gone. It’s nature, but told with regional intimacy: scientific storytelling grounded in place and memory

As H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak put it,

“Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is a place where knowledge meets wonder… Understanding our planet’s past helps us protect its future.”
A perspective that lands with even more weight in a region rewriting its future through culture and innovation.

Science, But Make It Future-Shaping

Behind the spectacle lies a serious mission: education, research, biodiversity, climate awareness, and a plan to inspire the next generation of scientists, researchers, and environmental leaders.
With state-of-the-art labs on site, the museum becomes a hub for paleontology, earth sciences, conservation, and community-driven science — all powered by the UAE’s long-term commitment to sustainability and knowledge production.

The youth are not just visitors; they’re the future workforce the museum aims to shape. Workshops, school programs, and community initiatives are built into the foundation, making natural history accessible and engaging for all ages.

Arabia's Climate with Act 1B - The Evolving World - Cenozoic

Blue Whale Skeleton (Balaenoptera musculus)

A New Cultural Planet on Saadiyat

With neighbors like Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena, and soon the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum, Saadiyat Cultural District is building an ecosystem where art, science, and imagination coexist.
The Natural History Museum slides right into this constellation — but with a roar.

This is not just another cultural space- it’s an invitation to rethink our place in the universe. To see how far we’ve come and how much of Earth’s story we’re still writing.

More info, here

November 21, 2025

Kinzy And Jana Diab Curate Dubai’s Most Personal Wardrobe: Miu Miu Select Arrives at Fashion Avenue

There’s something undeniably special about fashion when it becomes personal. Not algorithm-generated, not trend-dictated — but chosen. This November, Miu Miu handed the keys to its universe to two of the region’s most stylish sisters, Jana & Kinzy Diab, for the latest edition of Miu Miu Select, hosted at the Miu Miu boutique in Fashion Avenue, The Dubai Mall.

Miu Miu Select isn’t just a shopping moment. It’s a mood, a point of view, an invitation into someone else’s fashion mind. Since its launch in 2019, the series has travelled the world from London to New York, Milan to Tokyo, partnered with global names like Georgia May Jagger, Gigi Hadid, Coco Gauff, Chloë Sevigny, Emily Ratajkowski, Poppy Delevingne, Cailee Spaeny, Alexa Chung, Lotta Volkova, and MOMO from TWICE.

Each edition is a window into individuality; a curated wardrobe that says, this is me. And this time, Dubai got the Diab treatment.

Inside the boutique, a dedicated section was transformed into the sisters’ personal edit — a collection of their favourite ready-to-wear, bags, shoes, jewellery, and eyewear from the new season. Every chosen piece carried the unmistakable energy of Jana and Kinzy: playful, sharp, feminine, and fashion-literate. To heighten the intimacy, hand-sewn tags signed by the sisters were added to each purchase, turning every garment into a tiny collectible of its own. And no joke, but we think we we would have made the exact same selection.

To polish the experience, purchases from the event were wrapped in custom Miu Miu Select bags and boxes, underscoring the brand’s love for craft and ritual.

‍

Dubai isn’t the only city touched by the moment. This season’s Miu Miu Select spin-off continues across the region:
— Riyadh at Kingdom Centre Mall (Nov 19–24)
— Kuwait at The Avenues Mall (Nov 19–24)
— Doha at Place Vendôme Mall (Nov 20–24)

A travelling capsule of personality, style, and Miu Miu attitude.

More on MiuMiu.com

November 19, 2025

Design As Dialogue: Hisham Mahdy And The Vision Behind Cairo Design Week

As Cairo cements its place as one of the region’s most dynamic creative capitals, Hisham Mahdy stands at the center of its design renaissance.

A creative and design entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience, Hisham has shaped everything from interiors and architecture to major advertising campaigns for leading regional brands. The founder behind Mental Flame, Cairo Design Award (2017), and later Cairo Design Week (2022), he has spent the past decade building Egypt’s largest design platform — one that champions emerging talent, nurtures visibility, and reframes design as a cultural language rather than a decorative discipline.

As Cairo Design Week prepares for its upcoming edition — now spanning three districts and increasingly seen as a movement shaping Egypt’s creative identity — JDEED spoke to Hisham to explore the ideas behind “Design, So I Can See You,” the event’s first-ever campaign. A philosophy inspired by Socrates and grounded in the belief that design is how we reveal who we are, the campaign signals a powerful new chapter for creative expression across the city .

In this conversation, Hisham reflects on visibility, cultural storytelling, and the growing ecosystem he hopes will shape the next generation of Egyptian designers.

“Design, So I Can See You” is such a poetic and powerful theme. What inspired this concept, and how do you see it reflecting Egypt’s evolving creative identity on a global stage?

Hisham Mahdy (HM): The idea began with a question: how do we see each other through what we create? This question brought one of our favorite quotes to mind, Socrates’ “Speak, so I can see you,” which suggests that expression - whether through words or design - is how we reveal our true selves. This is where “Design, So I Can See You” was inspired by.

For us, this campaign is about reclaiming design as an act of visibility and identity. Egypt’s creative scene is at a turning point: it’s confident, experimental, and unapologetically local while being globally fluent. We wanted to reflect that. Through this campaign, we’re saying to our creative community: let the world see you, through your design, your culture, and your story.

‍This is Cairo Design Week’s first-ever campaign — a big milestone. What does launching this campaign mean for the evolution of CDW, and how do you hope it will reshape how people engage with design in Egypt?
HM: Launching our first-ever campaign marks a defining moment for Cairo Design Week. Since 2022, CDW has evolved from a design festival into a cultural movement. With “Design, So I Can See You,” we’re giving that movement a voice and a visual language. It’s not just a campaign; it’s a shift in how we think about design. We want people to see design not as decoration, but as a shared lamguage. Something that shapes our cities, our homes, and our sense of identity.

The campaign draws from Socrates’ quote, “Speak, so I can see you.” How does this philosophy translate into today’s creative culture, where visibility and identity are often mediated through design rather than words?‍
HM: Today, design is our language. Whether it’s the spaces we inhabit, the products we use, or the brands we interact with, design expresses who we are before we even speak. In a world where images and experiences communicate faster than words, design becomes the new dialogue.

That’s what this campaign celebrates. It’s about authenticity ; it encourages creatives to design from the inside out and to make work that reflects their truth.. Visibility today isn’t just about being seen; it’s about being understood through what you create.

CDW 2025 will span three districts — Heliopolis, Zamalek, and Downtown Cairo. How do these locations contribute to the storytelling of this year’s edition, and what kind of energy or dialogue do you hope will emerge between them?

HM: Each district tells a different chapter of Cairo’s design story. Heliopolis reflects our architectural heritage and craftsmanship, Zamalek embodies the artistic and cultural heartbeat of the city, and Downtown Cairo represents revival, and the fusion of old and new. By activating these three districts simultaneously, we’re inviting people to move through Cairo as a living design experience—to see how design connects past and present, tradition and innovation. We want to spark a dialogue between generations, between neighborhoods, and between local and international voices. The city itself becomes the canvas, and everyone who takes part becomes part of the story.

You’ve described Cairo Design Week as a “movement that shapes how design is experienced in Egypt.”
Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope CDW will build for the next generation of Egyptian and regional designers?HM: Our vision is for Cairo Design Week to stand as more than an annual event—it’s a catalyst for a design culture that’s sustainable, inclusive, and globally recognized. We want young designers in Egypt and across the region to see design as a viable path, one that contributes to economy, identity, and community.

The legacy we’re building is about empowerment. Through initiatives like the CDW Universities program, we’re investing in the next generation, creating platforms for visibility and opportunity. Ultimately, we hope CDW will inspire a regional design ecosystem that celebrates originality, values craftsmanship, and connects Egypt to the global creative map.

More on CairoDesignWeek.net

November 18, 2025

Fashion Trust Arabia Reveals Its 2025 Jury: A Global Fashion Powerhouse in Doha

Doha is once again preparing to take center stage on the global fashion map. Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) has announced the full judging panel for the 2025 FTA Prize, marking the seventh edition of the region’s most influential award for emerging designers.

Uniting iconic names, creative disruptors, couture legends, and industry-makers, this year’s jury reinforces FTA’s role as a cultural bridge between the Arab world and the international fashion landscape. As the non-profit continues its mission to uplift MENA talent, Doha will welcome 21 finalists competing across seven categories: Eveningwear, Ready-to-Wear, Accessories, Jewelry, Franca Sozzani Debut Talent, Guest Country: India, and Fashion Tech

And the jury? Nothing short of extraordinary.

A Jury That Defines Fashion Today

The 2025 panel includes some of the most influential visionaries shaping contemporary style and storytelling — from fashion titans to red-carpet couturiers, boundary-pushing designers, and cultural icons. Among the names:
Daniel Roseberry, Gisele Bündchen, Veronica Leoni, Zuhair Murad, Giambattista Valli, Bethann Hardison, Remo Ruffini, Christian Louboutin, Rabih Kayrouz, Francesco Risso, Viktor & Rolf, Amina Muaddi, Stefano Pilati, Imran Amed, Duran Lantink, Yoon Ahn, Paloma Elsesser, Natalia Vodianova, Guram Gvasalia — and many more who continue to shape the industry’s creative pulse.

With a jury of this scale, the deliberation becomes more than selection — it becomes a conversation on the future of fashion itself.

Empowering the Next Generation

The stakes remain high. Winners will receive financial grants of up to $200,000, in addition to mentorship from international industry leaders and retail partnerships designed to elevate their brands onto the global stage.

A New Era of Partnerships

FTA also revealed its 2025 sponsors and partners, each reinforcing the platform’s regional and global impact.

The Diamond Sponsor is Visit Qatar — whose support continues to strengthen FTA’s mission of celebrating design, talent, and cultural exchange across the MENA region, the Platinum Sponsor, Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) — joining as Guest Country Partner (India), in a partnership that underscores the power of cross-cultural craftsmanship and collaboration. Finally, the Gold Sponsors are Place Vendôme Qatar, Galeries Lafayette Doha
and Chopard — reflecting luxury’s ongoing commitment to nurturing creative excellence in the Arab world

Retail Partners Connecting MENA to the World

FTA’s retail partners are equally pivotal.
Harrods will showcase the collections of the 2025 winners in London and host them in Dubai for celebratory launches — an unprecedented platform for visibility and global reach.

Ounass, returning as the MENA-Based Prize Partner for a second year, will feature the winning designers’ Ready-to-Wear, Eveningwear, Accessories, and Jewelry collections online, further cementing its role in elevating regional talent to an international audience.

From its world-class jury to its visionary sponsors and retail partners, Fashion Trust Arabia’s commitment remains clear: to empower Arab designers and amplify creativity across the region and beyond

This November, as Doha welcomes the 2025 finalists, the FTA Prize becomes more than an event.
It is a proof that the future of fashion is diverse, global, and unmistakably rooted in the Arab world. Follow us on Instagram as JDEED reports live from Doha.

More on Fashiontrustarabia.com

November 18, 2025

Two Icons Collide : Levi’s® x Barbour Reimagine Heritage for a New Generation

This season, Levi’s® and Barbour join forces in a transatlantic collaboration celebrating over 170 years of shared heritage, craftsmanship, and workwear culture.

A meeting of two originals, two global fashion legends, and two materials that have shaped generations: Barbour’s signature waxed cotton and Levi’s® legendary denim.

The collaboration merges functionality and endurance with that effortless, lived-in style both houses are known for, resulting in limited-edition jackets, apparel and accessories that feel archival yet newly charged with purpose.

A Story Rooted in Workwear, Reinvented for Today

Both brands were born in the 19th century — Levi’s® outfitting miners and pioneers of the American West, while Barbour served sailors and mariners along the rugged British coasts. The new collaboration reinterprets silhouettes from each archive, striking a balance between outerwear expertise and denim-driven utility through pieces designed not just to last, but to evolve.

Highlights include the women’s Levi’s® x Barbour Spey Wax Jacket, and for men, two iterations of the Bedale Jacket — one in dark navy wax and another in denim, complete with traditional details such as triple-needle stitching, tartan lining and antique brass trims.

The Type II Waxed Jacket blends Barbour’s olive tones with Levi’s® indigo, bridging heritage aesthetics with modern everyday wear.

Complementing pieces include corduroy trousers, graphic tees, heavyweight hoodies and waxed caps, each stamped with subtle co-branding that feels authentic rather than over-styled

Two Textiles, One Philosophy: Wear, Age, Repair

Every waxed garment in the collection uses Barbour’s beeswax-infused cotton, designed to soften and develop character with wear, just as Levi’s® fades uniquely over time.The collaboration also introduces Re-Loved pieces, where vintage Levi’s® denim is restored and reimagined using Barbour’s iconic waxed fabrics, creating one-of-a-kind patchwork jackets and 501® jeans that celebrate repair culture and circular design.

A Campaign Dedicated to Masters of Craft

The campaign, shot by photographer and director Tbone Fletcher with styling by Tirino Yspol, pays tribute to the quiet, deliberate pursuit of mastery, framed around the famously referenced “10,000-hour rule”. Rather than using models, it features real makers - from furniture builders to ceramics experts .- shining a light on the hands, minds, and stories behind craft today.

“The design choices are, at times, understated, and I think there’s a quiet confidence in that… The pieces are made with care, and genuinely built to last,”
says Ian Bergin, Director of Menswear at Barbour

A Limited-Edition Drop With Long-Term Vision

The Levi’s® x Barbour collection will be available globally via Levi.com, the Levi’s® App, select Levi’s® Stores, Barbour retail channels and selected wholesale stockists which startd October 30, 2025, with Re-Loved pieces releasing November 20, 2025 at Selfridges London, Levi’s® Harajuku and Barbour Cat Street Tokyo

More on Barbour.com

November 18, 2025

Weekend Must-Do: The Traiteur Brunch Returns to Park Hyatt Dubai

Some brunches are good, some are great... and then there’s Traiteur Brunch at Park Hyatt Dubai. The city’s most iconic brunch is back, and we’re still thinking about it.

Set across the stunning terraces of Brasserie du Park and NOÉPE, overlooking the marina and the sparkling creek, Traiteur is what Dubai does best: grand, beautiful, and delightfully excessive — in the best way. It’s not just the setting that makes this brunch special, but the sheer abundance of culinary artistry. From perfectly grilled meats to ocean-fresh seafood stations, everyone will find something to love.

And let’s talk about the cheese room — because, honestly, it deserves its own Michelin star. A magnificent chamber lined with wheels, wedges, and textures of every kind, all hand-sourced from Europe, it’s the kind of experience that makes you momentarily forget your lactose intolerance (and brave the consequences). If heaven had a smell, it would be that room.

Seafood lovers will feel right at home too. Lobster Wellington, oysters, mussels, escargot, sushi — name it, and it’s probably being served, grilled, or freshly shucked before your eyes. It’s truly a paradise for lobster enthusiasts, and we didn’t waste a single bite.

What also sets Traiteur apart is the vibe. There’s an elegance to how the afternoon unfolds: cocktails that actually taste like cocktails (we’re looking at you, watered-down brunches of Dubai), a live band that perfectly complements the mood, and views that stretch across the creek like a painting. You’ll find yourself lingering a little longer than planned, just to soak it all in.

Led by Chef Sydney Stranger, the brunch captures what Dubai dining should feel like — sophisticated, social, and effortlessly glamorous.

And when the last plates are cleared and the band wraps up, the story continues next door at NOÉPE with the Sunset Soirée — an after-brunch gathering made for golden hours and slow dancing by the water.

So yes, we loved it, from the countless food stations to that unforgettable cheese room — and we’ll say it: Traiteur Brunch might just be Dubai’s ultimate weekend ritual.

Fore more info, click here

November 17, 2025

Design Takes Flight: NOMAD Lands in Abu Dhabi

From November 19 to 22, 2025, NOMAD will take over Zayed International Airport’s historic Terminal 1, transforming one of the UAE’s most symbolic architectural landmarks into a living exhibition of art, design, and cultural dialogue.

For its landmark Middle East debut, NOMAD reimagines the concept of a design fair. Instead of the sterile halls of convention centers, the fair unfolds within the modernist curves and mosaic roof of Terminal 1, originally designed in 1982 by French architect Paul Andreu at the request of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The terminal, once a symbol of progress and refinement, is now reborn as a stage for innovation, storytelling, and artistic exchange.

NOMAD in ABU DHABI 2025vTerminal 1, Zayed International Airport Photo Credit N. Berezhnoy and Courtesy of NOMAD

Curated by Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte, the fair’s co-founder, NOMAD has earned international acclaim for its site-specific philosophy, staging editions in Capri, Venice, St. Moritz, and Monaco. Its Abu Dhabi chapter marks the beginning of a new global season for the itinerant platform—one that bridges Gulf modernism, collectible design, and contemporary art into a single, immersive experience.

“Each NOMAD edition is embedded within its architectural context,” says Bellavance-Lecompte. “Luxury here is not a spectacle—it emerges from material integrity, from rhythm, from human connection.”

An Architectural Revival

Terminal 1’s distinctive circular lounge and arched walkways will serve as the foundation for NOMAD’s installations, inviting visitors to rediscover this landmark of Gulf modernism through a new lens. The fair will feature leading international galleries, from Milan’s Nilufar and Paris’ Galerie BSL to Cairo’s Le LAB and Dubai’s The AP Room—each presenting limited-edition design pieces that reflect a dialogue between heritage, materiality, and innovation

NOMAD in ABU DHABI 2025_Terminal 1, Zayed International Airport, Courtesy Zayed International Airport

Among the highlights we are super excited for, Leila Heller Gallery will present Chihuly: Four Decades of Iconic Works, a sweeping celebration of Dale Chihuly’s masterful glass sculptures, Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council (Sharjah) unveils the Tilad Collection with Mexican artist Ricardo Rendón, fusing Emirati talli and safeefah crafts with volcanic stone and pine wood.

Orient 499 collaborates with Lebanese design duo David/Nicolas on Mida, a contemporary interpretation of the majlis that celebrates hospitality and craftsmanship while Maison Perrier-Jouët x Formafantasma bring Cohabitare, an ecological installation exploring coexistence and biodiversity through terracotta and flora. Another anticipated project include IN TRANSIT: A Nomadic Library, presented by Dongola Limited Editions x Studio Etienne Bastormagi x Mira Hawa Projects.

Finally, Bottega Veneta’s Destinations project marks the 50th anniversary of its iconic Intrecciato weave, reimagined by regional designers such as Abdalla Almulla, Esna Su, and Bahraini–Danish.

Christopher Benton, *How to Be at Rest* Installation, 2020

A Cultural Dialogue

Set against the backdrop of Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District—home to the Louvre and the future Guggenheim—the fair aligns with the city’s rising stature as a global creative hub. Timed alongside Abu Dhabi Art, NOMAD extends this momentum, drawing collectors, curators, and visionaries into a conversation that connects the Middle East’s heritage with its avant-garde future.

“Abu Dhabi embodies what NOMAD stands for,” says Bellavance-Lecompte. “It’s a place where tradition and innovation are not opposites, but partners in creating meaning.”

Off-Site and Beyond

Beyond the terminal walls, NOMAD expands into the city with Shifting Terrains, an off-site showcase in partnership with Jumeirah Saadiyat Island. This exhibition traces the evolving creative landscape of the Emirates through works by KAMEH, Georges Mohasseb, Neda Salmanpour, and Datecrete, exploring how place, material, and memory shape design today.

In partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways, NOMAD’s 2025 edition represents a real revival of dialogue between the Middle East and the world. By transforming a dormant airport terminal into a cultural gateway, it celebrates both movement and memory—a fitting metaphor for a region whose artistic spirit continues to travel far, without ever losing its roots.

In Partnership With

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

Strategic Partners
Abu Dhabi Airports
Etihad Airways

Official Partners
Bottega Veneta
Abu Dhabi Sotheby’s International Realty
Perrier-Jouët

Hospitality Partner
Jumeirah

Strategic Organizing Partner
VCA Cultural Agency

Strategic Media Partner
AD Middle East

Media Partners
DOOR
Mousse Magazine

F&B Partner
The Lighthouse

& more...

More info on Nomad-circle.com

November 17, 2025

Where Heritage Moves: Aline Asmar d’Amman tells us about Dream of the Desert

“Dream of the Desert was born from a shared desire to elevate the art of travel into an experience of cultural connection and timeless beauty.” — Aline Asmar d’Amman

Unveiled during the 9th edition of the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Dream of the Desert marks Saudi Arabia’s first ultra-luxury train, a collaboration between Arsenale S.p.A., Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR), and the Ministry of Culture, redefining what it means to move through a landscape; not simply as a traveller, but as a witness to heritage.

At once poetic and technical, the project embodies what its designer, Aline Asmar d’Amman, calls “a moving bridge between worlds, a poetic dialogue between Italian engineering excellence and Saudi artistic soul.” Crafted in Italy and reimagined with Saudi artistry, Dream of the Desert merges savoir-faire, tradition, and modern design into a single living structure. “The train’s carriages, crafted in Italy and reimagined with Saudi artistry, embody a philosophy of upcycling, giving new life and meaning to existing structures,” she explains.

Luxury in Motion

For Aline, designing something that moves demanded a different kind of architecture, one where memory and motion coexist. “This is the very first time that I work on the design of a train interior,” she shares. “The philosophy is however the same when it comes to intervening on large-scale hospitality projects steeped in patrimonial buildings.” Whether it’s Hôtel de Crillon in Paris or Orient Express Venice, her process always begins with “context and stories of cultural relevance.”

She describes Dream of the Desert as “not only a reflection on luxury hospitality in motion, but also a remarkable opportunity to pay homage to a culture so rich, layered, and generous in its transmission.”

A Passage Through Emotion

From Riyadh to the Kingdom’s farthest horizons, Dream of the Desert will offer one- to two-night itineraries across 1,300 kilometres, with curated stops that celebrate Saudi Arabia’s natural beauty, cultural depth, and architectural heritage.

Inside, Aline envisioned each carriage as “a passage not only through landscapes, but through layers of emotion.” “From the welcoming majlis-inspired lounge to the contemplative suites and refined restaurant, each space is a different chapter of the same poetic journey deeply rooted in the kingdom’s rich heritage,” she says.

Every detail feels considered — a choreography of color, texture, and light. “The desert’s palette of earthy tones, sandy browns and oasis green are softly lit by the cinematic glow of Murano blown glass,” notes Arsenale. The train’s 33 private suites, Majlis lounge, and fine dining cars are designed to “capture the essence of tradition while setting the stage for timeless elegance with cultural relevance.”

Artistry as the Ultimate Luxury

For Aline, Dream of the Desert is a statement about legacy as much as luxury. “I wanted passengers to feel a sense of belonging, of suspended time, where comfort, beauty, and culture come together in a sensorial crescendo,” she shares. “Saudi Arabia’s embrace of the future is a generous invitation for the world to discover its rich cultural tapestry and traditions.”

“My architectural work is rooted in the transmission of heritage, a dialogue between past and future, elevated by stories of cultural connection,” she adds. “To me, artistry and craftsmanship are the ultimate luxury — a testimony of emotional intelligence, a token of cultural relevance honoring millennial gestures while capturing the spirit of our times.”

The Desert, the Spirit, and the Story

The Lebanese architect’s connection to the project is deeply personal. “I was born in Lebanon, where adversity teaches you to appreciate life and thrive for peace and beauty,” she reflects. “From my Lebanese upbringings, I keep the treasured memory of the Arabian poets’ melodic words… Ibn Arabi’s philosophy is summarized as such: ‘A desert may be dry, but it is rich in spirit.’”

It is through this lens that she approached the project — as both designer and dreamer. “I aimed to capture the spirit of the desert, that emptiness that allows for beauty to unfold with prosperity,” she says. “My quest for cultural relevance is coupled with a freedom to invent new realms where modernity is inspired by tradition, without any nostalgic restraint.”

Aline Asmar d’Amman — The Architect Who Bridges Worlds

Born in Lebanon and Parisian at heart, Aline Asmar d’Amman is the founder of Culture in Architecture, a design studio based between Paris and Beirut, dedicated to “bridging cultures while balancing the past and present.” Known for her ability to weave “dialogues between the raw and the precious, heritage and modernity, poetry and materiality,” her international portfolio includes the reopening of Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, the renovation of Le Jules Verne at the Eiffel Tower, and the upcoming Orient-Express Hotel at Palazzo Dona Giovannelli in Venice.

Her collaborations include a creative partnership with Karl Lagerfeld on Les Grands Appartements at Hôtel de Crillon and the sculptural collection Architectures, showcased at Carpenters Workshop Gallery. In 2022, she designed the Lebanese Pavilion at the Venice Art Biennale, further solidifying her reputation as an architect who builds stories through her spaces.

Dream of the Desert now joins that legacy, standing as a testament to her belief that design is both an act of cultural preservation and reinvention — a living bridge between memory and modernity.

A Journey, Not a Destination

For Arsenale, Dream of the Desert is more than a train; it is a symbol of Vision 2030’s creative ambition — a promise that Saudi Arabia’s story is one of movement, heritage, and transformation.
“This project embodies the shared pursuit of beauty, innovation, and hospitality that unites our two cultures,” said Paolo Barletta, CEO of Arsenale. “It marks the beginning of a new global platform redefining ultra-luxury travel – one that celebrates heritage, creativity, and a deep respect for local identity.”

As Aline Asmar d’Amman concludes: “Dream of the Desert embodies this vision — rooted in deep respect for heritage while seamlessly embracing modernity.”

And perhaps that’s what makes this train more than a marvel of design — it’s a reminder that in the vastness of the desert, movement itself becomes poetry.

More on DreamOfTheDesert.Com

November 17, 2025

Craft, Culture, and Creation — JDEED’s November Guide to the UAE

Ahead of National Day, JDEED rounds up its favorite Emirati and regional experiences celebrating art, movement, beauty, and craftsmanship.

As National Day approaches, there’s no better time to celebrate the creative pulse and entrepreneurial spirit shaping the UAE’s modern identity. Across the Emirates, homegrown brands and visionary founders are redefining what luxury means today: rooted in experience, authenticity, and community. From sensory workshops and wellness sanctuaries to culinary destinations and fine jewelry houses, JDEED’s November Guide to Luxury in the UAE explores where artistry meets meaning, and where design meets heritage.

Movement: The Curve Club

In Abu Dhabi, movement takes on a new form at The Curve Club — the region’s first women-only studio to introduce the Curveformer, a revolutionary machine designed for intelligent, full-body workouts. The studio’s ethos is clear: wellness should be elegant, empowering, and effective. Beyond Pilates, The Curve Club’s offering extends to yoga, mobility, and stretch sessions, all within a space of calm sophistication.
Here, innovation meets femininity and strength, quite literally, finds its curve.

More on Instagram @currveclub

Food: Parlour Boutique

Long considered one of Dubai’s best-kept secrets, Parlour Boutique reintroduces itself with a refreshed look and an expanded culinary offering. The reimagined café blends cosmopolitan energy with understated elegance — part Parisian salon, part Dubai cool. With its new international menu celebrating seasonal ingredients and its layered spaces — from a coffee bar and live bakery to a fine dining restaurant and communal lounge — Parlour Boutique continues to define the intersection of culture, coffee, and connection.

More on Parlour.ae

Creative Workshops: Âme Studio

Dubai’s creative hub Âme Studio continues to blur the line between art, design, and community. At its beautiful new space in Umm Ramool, Âme is hosting a series of public workshops throughout November, inviting participants of all ages to explore their creativity. From Perfume and Soy Wax Candle Making to Bukhoor Crafting and Ikebana, every session reflects Âme’s signature aesthetic — minimalist, sensory, and deeply intentional. Led by expert instructors, these workshops are not just classes but experiences of connection and craftsmanship, designed for curious minds who find beauty in the process.
Workshops run daily starting November 2nd.

More on Instagram @Amestudio_ae

Haircare: OLAH Haircare

Founded in 2023 by Alia Almarzooqi, OLAH Haircare is rewriting the narrative of Emirati beauty. Inspired by her grandmother’s traditional haircare recipes, Alia transformed a family ritual into a modern, clean beauty movement. Today, OLAH stands for more than natural ingredients — it’s a story of heritage and innovation. Each formula is rigorously tested, fully licensed, and designed for visible results, embodying the brand’s values of self-care, cultural pride, and authenticity.
As OLAH expands across the GCC, it continues to celebrate beauty that’s deeply personal and proudly local.

More on Instagram @Olah.haircare

Jewellery Pop-Up: Tripat

From Amsterdam to Dubai, fine jewelry label Tripat makes its UAE debut with an exclusive pop-up at Kulture House Dubai (21–23 November). Founded by designer Sanah Khurana, the brand reimagines Indian heritage through a modern, minimalist lens. Handcrafted in recycled gold and set with ethically sourced gemstones, each piece feels like a modern heirloom — art for the everyday. The event, “A Garden of Memories,” invites visitors to explore Tripat’s world of design and storytelling, with one attendee winning the chance to co-create a bespoke jewel alongside the designer herself.

More on Instagram @Tripatjewellery

Jewellery to Discover

Nejla Bint Asem

The Jordanian royal and designer Nejla Bint Asem creates jewelry that feels like poetry cast in metal. Each piece carries emotional symbolism — joy, love, strength — through color and form, reinterpreting Jordanian heritage for a modern audience. These jewels are not just adornments, but stories to wear.

More on Najlabintasem.com

Kayaa Jewels

Founded by Aashna Sanghvi, fifth-generation jeweller and visionary behind Kayaa Jewels, this brand brings sustainability to the spotlight with lab-grown diamonds and accessible luxury. Every piece combines timeless beauty with ethical innovation — jewelry that tells a story, and one that feels good to wear. Available now at Kulture House Dubai.

More on Kayaajewels.com

Lana Al Kamal Jewelry

A symphony of architecture and emotion defines Lana Al Kamal’s Ward Collection, an ode to femininity and renewal. Inspired by the rose, each piece captures the delicate geometry of petals through sculptural craftsmanship — wearable art that blooms with meaning. We particularly love the collections's vibrant colors, making your daytime and nighttitme outfits pop

More on LanaAlKamalJewelry.com

Nigaam Jewels

At Nigaam, jewelry transcends ornamentation. Each piece is a masterwork of balance and form, created by artisans whose skill shapes some of the world’s most exceptional treasures. Whether bold or subtle, every design carries the house’s deep understanding of emotion, legacy, and beauty. We're completely obsessed with their use of Diamonds and emeralds in particular with our favorite (husband if you read this) ring being the 'Bypass' ring in 18K yellow gold and diamonds that you need to see for yourself here.

More on Nigaam.com

The Essence of Emirati Luxury

In every corner of the UAE, creativity thrives . Grounded in tradition yet open to the world. Whether it’s a fragrance workshop in Dubai, a Pilates class redefining movement in Abu Dhabi, or a homegrown haircare brand rewriting beauty norms, these stories remind us that luxury in the Emirates isn’t about excess like a lot think, it’s about intention.
This National Day, we celebrate the artisans, founders, and dreamers shaping the country’s next chapter: one creation, one idea, one beautiful detail at a time.

November 14, 2025

Is Nostalgia an Arab Gene?

It seems like nostalgia can never really escape us as Arabs.
It sits quietly in our morning rituals, in the way we pour coffee, in the way our grandparents’ voices still echo in our kitchens.

It’s in the sobhiyye, that sacred morning coffee gathering that becomes less about caffeine and more about connection. It’s in how we still like to preserve our heritage - we're Phoenicians, Pharaohs, Bedouins — as if history is a family member we refuse to let go of.

By Cynthia Jreige

Maybe nostalgia isn’t something we remember. Maybe it’s something we inherit.

It shows up in the little things. In teta’s endless prescriptions: “drink a 7UP to feel better,” “rub rose water on your skin,” “orange blossom cures the spirit.” In the way we hold onto our crafts, embroidering the same stitches our great-grandmothers did, weaving the same palm, beating the same copper. Even in cities that keep reinventing themselves every decade, our instinct is to preserve, to archive, to remember.

It’s also in our traditions, the ones that quietly survive time.
In reading the future in coffee cups turned upside down, tracing stories in the leftover grounds as if the universe still speaks our dialect. In blowing out candles over a Forêt Noire cake, served with a fruit salad, a 'lazy cake' and a side of packaged whipped cream. And for the younger ones, nostalgia comes secondhand; inherited, imagined. We mourn the Lebanon that had a train, the Beirut once called the Paris of the Middle East, the Damascus of cinemas and jasmine balconies, the Cairo of black-and-white films. We feel attached to memories we never lived, places we only know through family photos, old songs, or stories told in kitchens thick with the smell of cardamom coffee.

Das Island, United Arab Emirates 1976 © René Burri/Magnum Photos

Nostalgia, for us, is less about looking back and more about holding on — to smell, to sound, to story. The Arab world moves fast, but our sense of self seems to move through time in layers. A jar of pickles beside an iPhone, a tattoo of an ancient god under a designer sleeve, an oud note lingering in a minimalist Dubai apartment.

We affirm our identities every day not because we’re unsure of them, but because the act of remembering feels like a rebellion against erasure. To remember is to exist.

Maybe that’s why we can’t let go. Because nostalgia, to us, isn’t melancholic. It’s medicinal. It’s the rose water we splash on our faces in the morning, the cardamom we insist on in our coffee, the photo we keep on the fridge long after the color fades. It’s how we make sense of who we are in a world that keeps asking us to forget.

So, is nostalgia an Arab gene?
Maybe. Or maybe it’s just our favorite way of saying: we’re still here.

November 13, 2025

The Art of Moving: RIMOWA’s Essential Collection in Clay & Terracotta

November 13, 2025

PIAGET: Shapes of Extraleganza — A Conversation with Cynthia Tabet

In the world of fine jewelry, few Maisons have mastered the balance between craftsmanship and creative audacity quite like Piaget.

Known for its sculptural elegance and radiant daring, Piaget continues to push the boundaries of jewelry design, channeling its rich 1970s heritage into creations that speak to both artistry and emotion. At the heart of this evolution stands Cynthia Tabet, Global Product Marketing Director, whose journey from Cartier to founding her own luxury consultancy has shaped a storytelling approach rooted in both precision and passion.

JDEED speaks with Tabet to know more.

“After studying finance, I indeed started working as Product Manager at Cartier,” she recalls. “It was a great place to learn; as I was able to develop my knowledge of jewellery craftsmanship and of course, gemstones within a big Maison with high expectation and demands. It taught me everything I needed to then create my own enterprise and consult with incredible family-owned Maisons like Boghossian for instance.”

This foundation informs her vision at Piaget, where storytelling begins not with words but with form. Speaking of the ‘Shapes of Extraleganza’ High Jewelry collection, Tabet reflects on the creative dialogue between geometry, light, and emotion. “High Jewellery really serves as the aspirational pinnacle and creative laboratory for a Maison. For me, it represents the ultimate expression of the Maison’s identity, pushing the boundaries of creativity and technical skill. Form has always been a playground for Piaget’s craftspeople, and this collection is a perfect example of the subversive playfulness of the Maison and of its connection to art and artists.”

Piaget 'Shapes of Extraleganza' exhibition in Abu Dhabi

For Tabet, form transcends design—it is philosophy. “To me, form is everywhere. The variety of shapes in nature is endless, it represents complexity, harmony and resilience all at the same time. I am passionate about architecture, and I find these shapes in the buildings while strolling in a new city – this is truly inspiring.”

Describing Piaget as “a very unique Maison, kind of niche and so rich that there is always a chapter we’re ready to rediscover,” she emphasizes that what truly sets it apart is “its joyful, elegant, and extravagant approach to celebrating life.” She continues, “The Maison’s unique identity is rooted in the 1970s, a period of exceptional creativity marked by long watch necklaces and memorable watch cuffs. This is achieved by blending the precision of a watchmaker with the artistic and creative vision of a jeweller.”

Behind each piece lies a process that harmonizes analytical rigor and spontaneous artistry. “The creation process is a dynamic one. We typically begin by analyzing our targets, trends, our existing collection, and the market to inform our creative briefs. At the same time, we remain flexible, allowing the design team's innovative ideas to lead the way. When this happens, we then identify the potential target market and adapt our strategy to include them.”

Piaget 'Shapes Of Extraleganza' at Erth Hotel, Abu Dhabi

Her admiration for the artisans who bring Piaget’s vision to life is palpable. “The most memorable aspect of Piaget is the wonderful and passionate people I encountered,” she shares. “Their dedication is reflected in the in-house manufacture, where I love to stroll. I really enjoy the process of the ‘Decor Palace’ engraving. As this technique is handmade, each bracelet is unique and different. It is very Piaget. Our goal is to show this savoir faire to our clients and contribute to the story and the success of our Atelier de l’Extraordinaire.”

As Piaget’s ‘Shapes of Extraleganza’ arrives in Abu Dhabi, Tabet sees the exhibition as a dialogue between cultures. “For us, at Piaget, local artistry and culture need to be embraced and explored. Abu Dhabi’s unique identity made it the perfect setting to celebrate the latest High Jewellery collection and reinforce the city as a premier luxury retail destination. Our goal is to highlight the uniqueness of each market and build long-lasting connections.”

And in a final poetic gesture, Piaget pays homage to the region through one very special creation. “You can see it in different aspects and details, but also in one unique creation we’ve specially crafted for Abu Dhabi—the Desert Pearl Swinging Sautoir in diamonds and mother-of-pearl, a material so dear to the UAE and our way to pay homage.”

More on Piaget.com

November 11, 2025

REFY Lands in the Middle East — and We’re Already Obsessed

November 11, 2025

YLA’s Fall 2025 Edition: Where Metal Learns to Breathe

As Dubai’s design scene shifts into a new season, YLA introduces its Fall 2025 Edition, expanding on its exploration of metal as a material that holds both strength and sensitivity.

Building on the success of its debut Audace Collection, the new pieces continue to redefine what contemporary metal furniture can feel like — elemental, emotional, and endlessly evolving.

“Every season tells a story of evolution, bringing new shades, shapes, and emotions,” says Benoît Rondard, founder of YLA. “For Fall 2025, the story is one of depth, balance, and duality — between nature and design, between the calm of introspection and the vibrancy of renewal.”

Rémi Damilleville, left and Yla Founder, Benoit Rondard, right

A Palette of Change

This edition introduces two new signature colors — Sienna Ochre and Moss Green — each chosen for its emotional resonance. “Sienna Ochre reflects the warmth of autumn and the golden calm that comes with change,” explains Rondard. “Moss Green embodies constancy, grounding, and quiet strength — a timeless hue that connects design back to nature.”

Through these shades, YLA continues its mission to create a dialogue between material and emotion — between the rawness of metal and the softness of the human experience.

The Art of Living Material

Led by French designer Rémi Damilleville, the Fall 2025 Edition celebrates metal’s tactile depth and versatility. “Metal is a living material,” Damilleville notes. “It holds memory, it reacts to light, to touch, and to time. It’s a dialogue between the artisan’s hand and the material’s will.”

Each piece is crafted and hand-finished in Dubai, where artisans use layered matte finishes and subtle texturing to capture light and motion — creating furniture that feels alive, even in stillness.

Emotion in Structure

For YLA, design has always been about feeling as much as form. “Luxury is about intention,” says Rondard. “It’s about how a piece makes you feel in its presence — grounded, calm, connected.”

Through its Fall 2025 Edition, YLA continues to transform metal into emotion, movement, and memory. These are objects designed not only to inhabit space, but to shape it and add rhythm and reflection to the way we live.

As Rondard concludes, “Design is a language of transformation. We want YLA to be a reminder that even the strongest materials can hold tenderness, and that beauty, like metal, is born through time.”

More on yla-metal.com

November 10, 2025

JDEED tries NALA: Alserkal’s Casually Fancy Corner of Comfort

As Dubai eases back into rhythm after the long summer drift, NALA in Alserkal Avenue feels like exactly the place to land. Warm, familiar, and full of flavor, it’s where students, professionals, and the endlessly curious meet over food that’s as quick as it is carefully considered.

More than a canteen, NALA has quietly become one of Alserkal’s most beloved rituals: the spot where ideas begin, where lunch turns into conversation, and where the everyday suddenly feels a little more inspired.

The energy here is unmistakable. Casually fancy, always satisfying. From breakfast through dinner, NALA offers a menu that feels both familiar and inventive — comforting but with that twist you didn’t know you needed. The Sof has become a crowd favorite, while the Pistachio Bostock (Unreal) and Quinoa Bowl have their own fan following. And then there’s the Ube Brûlée and those dangerously addictive Double Chocolate cookies — proof that even quick meals deserve a perfect ending. But yeah for that Bostock, we're afraid to report you'll get addicted whether you like sweet or not cause it's THAT good.

Every season, NALA writes a new chapter of its story, but the icons remain — because love, as they say here, is never seasonable. Among those icons: the signature Chilli Crisp, the condiment that somehow became a character in the NALA story. Decadent, bold, and unforgettable, it’s not just something you add to your meal; it’s a little piece of NALA itself — the kind of flavor that lingers long after you leave. We personally adored the Tuna Pita Pocket, don't know what that bread is made of but surely some sort of magic ingredient that makes it incredibly soft yet crunchy on the outside. Immediately yes.

But NALA’s story goes beyond the menu. With its bold purple walls, playful design, and the hum of Alserkal Avenue just beyond its doors, the space captures something distinctly Dubai: a balance of creativity and calm. It’s the kind of place where you might come for a quick bite and end up staying longer than you planned, lost in a conversation, a deadline, or a moment of doing absolutely nothing.

Part of the Tashas Group, NALA is their first fast-casual concept, redefining grab-and-go dining with intention and ease. It’s a canteen that feels global yet local, vibrant yet grounded — a spot where good food meets good energy. Whether you’re here for ten minutes or two hours, NALA offers a simple truth: food doesn’t have to be fussy to feel special.

And perhaps that’s why it’s become a cornerstone of Alserkal Avenue’s creative community; a place where work meets play, where flavor meets friendship, and where being “casually fancy” suddenly feels like the most natural thing in the world.

Imagery courtesy of NALA

More on Tashasgroup.com

November 10, 2025

Meet Vanissa Antonious: The Mind Behind NEOUS’ Sculptural Minimalism

When Vanissa Antonious speaks about design, there’s a quiet certainty in her tone — a mix of restraint and conviction that mirrors the world she’s built through NEOUS.

The London-based founder has shaped a brand defined not by ornament or excess, but by proportion, balance, and purpose. She tells JDEED, “I founded NEOUS as a response to the overstimulation of modern fashion. At its core, the brand was created to provide women with timeless, functional objects that are as relevant today as they will be in years to come.”

There’s no manifesto, no sweeping gestures — just focus. “My vision has always been to design with integrity and purpose,” Antonious says. “Every NEOUS piece is built around proportion, balance, and materiality — not trends or noise.”

Born in Sydney, Australia, Antonious’ early fascination with visual storytelling grew through her background in art history. “Art history gave me a deep appreciation for architecture, sculpture, and the purity of form,” she explains. “Before founding NEOUS, I worked in fashion media, where I learned to communicate visually and emotionally — skills that naturally carried into design.”

That foundation now informs the sculptural clarity of NEOUS — a label that sits at the intersection of emotion and discipline. “NEOUS is about clarity,” she continues. “It’s about stripping back the unnecessary to reveal what’s essential.”

Each NEOUS piece is handmade in Italy by family-run ateliers, using materials that age gracefully with time. “Our artisans are at the heart of everything we do,” she emphasizes. “Each piece is handmade in Italy using natural materials that age beautifully. The process is slow, intentional, and rooted in respect for craft. There’s a humanity to that kind of work.”

That humanity, a rare tenderness in the world of minimalist design, defines the brand’s emotional resonance. Antonious doesn’t see design as decoration, but as dialogue. “A curved heel or a folded leather strap can communicate more than decoration,” she says. “They carry emotion, movement, even memory. I like to think of each piece as an extension of the body — something that complements, never dominates.”

Since its inception, NEOUS has grown organically — stocked today in over seventy retailers across twenty-three countries, and worn by women who appreciate quiet power over spectacle. Yet Antonious remains unwavering in her approach. “We’ve evolved, but we’ve never lost focus,” she says. “I want NEOUS to be a reminder that design can be both rational and poetic — that it can live quietly and still be felt deeply.”

For Antonious, design is not only about aesthetics; it’s about rhythm — a sense of flow between object, maker, and wearer. “The woman I design for doesn’t follow trends,” she says. “She follows her intuition. She moves with intent. She’s confident in her quietness.”

That quietness, for Antonious, is not absence but rather space. Space to see, to touch, to breathe. “I think true beauty lies in clarity,” she reflects. “It’s not about adding more. It’s about creating meaning with less.”

And perhaps that’s what makes NEOUS stand out in an era of constant noise: “I want to create things that feel timeless not because they’re classic,” Antonious says, “but because they’re sincere.”

As the world races forward, Vanissa Antonious moves differently — with grace, with intention, and with the rare ability to make stillness feel like strength.

Cover picture/ Vanissa Antonious

More on Neous.co.uk

November 10, 2025

When Time Becomes Art: Olivecoat’s ‘Reverso Stories’ for Jaeger-LeCoultre in Dubai

At this year’s Dubai Design Week, Jaeger-LeCoultre unveiled Reverso Stories, an immersive pop-up at Dubai Design District (d3) celebrating nine decades of its iconic watch through a conversation between craftsmanship, imagination, and contemporary art.

As part of its Made of Makers™ program, which bridges watchmaking and creative disciplines, the Maison collaborated with artists across the world, including Olivecoat, a self-taught webcomic artist from the island of Cebu in The Philippines whose digital narrative brought the Reverso’s origin to life in a way only she could. JDEED had a chat with the artist to know more.

“I’m a self-taught webcomic artist,” Olivecoat tells us. “I started out posting on Webtoon, which really pioneered the whole vertical scrolling format. Before that, I was an interior designer — but eventually I pivoted to creating webtoons full-time. When Jaeger-LeCoultre reached out last year, I honestly thought it was a scam,” she laughs. “I had never even seen one of their watches in real life — we don’t have a store on my island!”

After researching the Maison, Olivecoat quickly realized the magnitude of the collaboration. “A friend told me they’re one of the best watchmakers in the world, and when I saw the complexity of what they do, I was blown away. They brought me to Switzerland — the mountains, the atelier, the history… it’s all so beautiful. I realized that watchmaking, much like art, has evolved beyond function. People don’t need a watch to tell time anymore — they need it to tell a story.”

That idea — time as narrative — became the heartbeat of Olivecoat’s project. Her Reverso Webcomic reimagines the 1931 origins of the watch, blending historical accuracy with the emotional weight of invention. “They gave me a list of facts — the real events and figures like César de Trey and Jacques-David LeCoultre — but I told them I needed more characters. You can’t make a compelling comic with just two people,” she explains. “So they went back into their archives to find real historical figures I could bring in. Every character is real — but only the two central figures drive the story. The rest build the world around them.”

Her background in interior design became unexpectedly essential. “We studied art deco, architecture, and spatial composition — so when it came to recreating the 1930s manufacture, I asked for everything: old photographs, blueprints, any reference they had. They sent me so much material that I rebuilt the entire setting in 3D before illustrating it.” Her dedication extended to the India scenes, too: “We initially thought about having a party setting for the polo fields, but later simplified it. I wanted it to feel grounded — real. Many of these archival details aren’t even available online, so I had to work closely with the Jaeger-LeCoultre team to get it right.”

Technically, the project pushed her into new territory. “They needed the comic formatted in InDesign for translations and printing, which I had never used before. I had to ask a friend to help me, and I definitely learned a few new tricks.” The webcomic launched on October 17, later printed as a collector’s edition. “The online version is closest to how I imagined it — the colors are richer, more alive. Printing sometimes mutes that vibrancy, but it’s still special to hold it in your hands.”

At Reverso Stories, the experience extended beyond illustration and watchmaking. Visitors were invited into a fully immersive journey through Jaeger-LeCoultre’s world, complete with the 1931 Café, a pop-up pâtisserie created by award-winning chef Nina Métayer. Inspired by the elegance of the Reverso and the golden age of Art Deco, her pastries mirrored the Maison’s sense of craftsmanship — architectural, refined, and delicately layered. Between the smell of espresso, the gleam of enamel, and the swirl of vanilla cream, it was a multisensory dialogue between time and taste, art and precision.

Standing inside Reverso Stories in Dubai, Olivecoat seems quietly moved. “It’s my first time here, and I love it. The energy is calm but creative — it’s so inspiring,” she says. “This collaboration reminded me that both art and watchmaking are about memory. They’re about what remains after everything else moves on.”

More on JaegerLeCoultre.Com

November 9, 2025

Postcards of Memory — When Hands Meets Doodle and the Gang

In a dialogue that bridges continents, craft, and emotion, JDEED spoke to Asmaa and Mentalla Said, the creative sisters behind Doodle and the Gang, and Pranay Patodia, Director of Hands, about their collaborative collection Postcards — a celebration of memory, material, and shared nostalgia woven between the Arab world and India.

“At Hands, every collaboration is a bridge between legacy and imagination,” begins Pranay Patodia. “Working with studios like Doodle and the Gang allows us to see our craft through a new lens — one that challenges form, colour, and storytelling while still holding onto what defines us: the human touch.”

Asma Said, left and Mentella Said, right

For Asmaa and Mentalla Said, the creative duo behind Doodle and the Gang, that dialogue took visual form in Postcards — a collection capturing memory, place, and belonging through texture and tone. “We set out to design what is essentially a graphic representation of a fond memory or experience we’ve had in each of these five cities,” they explain. “Our goal was for every piece to stand on its own aesthetically, to feel visually compelling even to someone who may not know the story behind it, while also carrying a cheeky ‘if you know, you know’ familiarity for those who share that collective memory.”

“Beirut, for instance, is expressed through the lens of food — Bonjus and Kaak — but also through the rhythm found in its architectural façade of the iconic Koujak building,” they continue. “Twirl, our postcard to Cairo, captures the hypnotic motion of Sufi dancers and the layered rhythm of their skirts. A-Bae-A, Dubai’s postcard, on the other hand, was inspired from the colorful dresses of Emirati women, hidden under their black abayas.”

The duo’s journey to Bhadohi — the heart of India’s weaving tradition — deepened that exchange between memory and material. “Visiting Bhadohi was transformative,” they recall. “You walk into the workshops and realize that every thread carries generations of knowledge. Seeing our drawings come to life on the loom and watching artisans translate a line or a color into texture changed how we think about authorship and collaboration. It reminded us that storytelling isn’t just about concept, it’s also about the hands that give it form.”

From the Hands side, Patodia echoes that sentiment. “They were not just weaving rugs; they were weaving memories — some their own, and some shared through stories from another land,” he says. “When we first discussed the inspiration behind Postcards, the images and colours brought by Doodle and the Gang felt foreign yet familiar. The emotions, however, were universal — nostalgia, longing, warmth, and belonging. For our weavers in Bhadohi, it was like writing a letter in another language but with the same feeling. Each thread became a translation of those stories into textures they know best — knots, yarns, dyes, and patterns. The result is something deeply human: memories from two regions meeting on one canvas.”

The collection celebrates the poetry of the everyday. “The most cherished memories in anyone’s life often have a familiar backdrop; a shared meal, a bustling city street, or a quiet moment in nature,” note Asmaa and Mentalla. “We may lead different lives, but we share far more than we realize. We wanted to capture those everyday elements and translate them into tactile pieces; rugs that invite people to recall their own memories of these places. It’s a simple way of connecting us all through shared nostalgia.”

At Hands, imperfection becomes part of the design language. “Perfection for us is not about symmetry — it’s about sincerity,” says Patodia. “Every rug carries the mark of the hands that made it, and that’s what makes it alive. We encourage our weavers to bring a part of themselves into what they create. A slightly uneven line, a subtle shift in tone — these are the quiet signs of life within the piece.”

The collaboration concludes with Marigold, a sculptural wall piece woven from leftover yarn — a fitting closing chapter. “Marigold felt like the most fitting way to close the Postcards collection, a moment of transformation and quiet celebration,” say Asmaa and Mentalla. “The marigold flower holds deep cultural and emotional significance in India; it’s a symbol of offering, renewal, and continuity. There’s something poetic about that; the idea of beauty emerging from what remains. Marigold became both a tribute to the artisans and a gesture of gratitude for the journey itself.”

More on doodleandthegang.com and handscarpet.com

‍

November 6, 2025

The Sound of Now: IMS Dubai 2025 Sets the Stage for a New Era in Music

November 6, 2025

Jun’s Dubai: Our Second First Impression

Ok, I need to be really honest. The first time I went to Jun’s was after I had seen a reel about their gluten-free pancake covered in chocolate chips that looked delicious; I decided to try it for brunch on a random Sunday.

‍
Don’t get me wrong, the pancake was soft, with a particularly nice texture for a gluten-free rendition of this breakfast favorite; but deep down I thought to myself: that couldn't be what was getting everyone raving about Jun's, could it?

By Cynthia Jreige

Jun’s is Dubai’s home for bold, boundary-breaking flavours. Recognized by the Michelin Guide, MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants, and Gault & Millau, the restaurant redefines modern fine dining with a spirit of playfulness and innovation. Located on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, with sweeping views of the Burj Khalifa, Jun’s serves inventive, borderless cuisine that surprises, delights, and connects people through flavour.

Hailing from Canada by way of India, Singapore, and Hong Kong, Chef Kelvin Cheung is a Chinese-Canadian who grew up in the kitchen. A third-generation chef, he spent most of his childhood training for a life of cooking around the world — a life that’s reflected in every dish he creates. His style draws inspiration from his Chinese heritage, his North American upbringing, and his French training, all while sourcing the freshest ingredients from local farms. His menu is deeply personal, built on his own adventures and stories, resulting in dishes that feel both familiar and entirely new.

We were slightly intimidated by the 13 courses ahead of us — but oh, so ready to dive in. From the first pani puri with butter-poached lobster, achari, tamarind, and agua, we understood we were in for a real treat. How can a one-bite delicacy hold so much flavor? Ok gluten-free pancake, you have some serious competition here, and quite frankly, you’re kind of already forgotten.

From there, it just kept getting better.
Chef Kelvin came to introduce each dish with a little backstory each time, which truly added to the experience. We felt transported to the four corners of the world he’s lived in with a few words and a mouthful. Delicate, experimental yet traditional, by dish six we felt like everything we were served was our favourite. By the time we reached dish seven, feeling our stomachs starting to flirt with the waistband of our pants, the verdict was already clear: this is perhaps the best tasting menu in town. How dared we not give Jun’s the chance it clearly deserves?

Even for someone who usually doesn’t love dessert, I could probably now be considered a sweet tooth after I left no crumbs devouring that Coconut Ube Tart we were served as an extra. Because yes, the note I had mentioning my husband was celebrating a milestone that night was actually taken into account — which I don’t find to be the case very often.
That goes to say, the impeccable service and attention to detail are also very much part of the experience at Jun’s. The immersion into the world of Chef Kelvin is evident from the moment you pass through the doors: a mix of cultures, styles, and eras that somehow blend wonderfully well together — but also a feeling of being warmly welcomed into his home. A Dubai home he’s shaped over the past few years and that has now expanded to a new venture, 852, a bakery nestled in the heart of the city that you can bet we’ll be rushing to the minute we get a chance.

Chef Kelvin’s larger-than-life personality shines through every interaction, matched only by his down-to-earth approach and genuine passion for connection — qualities that have earned him a devoted following across the region. Having cooked for everyone from NBA players at the Make-A-Wish Foundation Gala to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, he remains deeply rooted in community and sustainability, often participating in initiatives like the Soneva Maldives regenerative dining program.

As for Jun’s, the restaurant has just introduced a brand-new tasting menu, teasing us to come back sooner rather than later. And this time, we won’t wait another year and a half.

‍

More info on JunsDubai.com

November 4, 2025

A New Legacy: OKHTEIN Opens at the Grand Egyptian Museum and Unveils ‘Lines of Origin’

There are few brands that carry the weight of heritage with such grace, and even fewer that make it feel this modern. Egyptian design house OKHTEIN, founded by sisters Aya and Mounaz Abdelraouf, continues to weave history, identity, and craftsmanship into stories that transcend time.

This season, the brand writes two new chapters: the opening of its boutique at the Grand Egyptian Museum and the unveiling of its poetic fine jewelry campaign, Lines of Origin.

Okhtein boutique at The Grand Egyptian Museum

A Boutique Rooted in Legacy

Set against the monumental backdrop of the Statue of Ramses II, the new OKHTEIN boutique is a love letter to Egypt, a dialogue between permanence and progress. Built with stones sourced from Aswan, the space mirrors the flow of the Nile, drawing inspiration from the river that has shaped Egypt’s creative and cultural identity for centuries.

The boutique’s design echoes the curves of the Felucca clutch, one of the brand’s most iconic pieces, inspired by the graceful dahabiya boats that once sailed those same waters. It’s a space that feels almost sacred, where craftsmanship, heritage, and contemporary design coexist. For OKHTEIN, it isn’t just a store; it’s a statement of belonging, a testament to Egypt’s place on the global creative map.

Lines of Origin: A Dialogue Between Past and Present

Simultaneously, OKHTEIN’s new fine jewelry campaign, Lines of Origin, explores another kind of heritage — the intimate, living kind that travels from skin to soul. Drawing inspiration from the ancient art of henna, the collection reinterprets its visual poetry through sculptural gold and silver forms.

Henna, long a symbol of blessing and celebration, becomes a motif of continuity — a bridge between ritual and reinvention. In OKHTEIN’s hands, it’s less about nostalgia and more about transformation: palms become emblems of strength, crescents of rebirth, suns of resilience.

“We wanted to let the ritual speak alongside our jewelry,” the sisters share. “Henna is connection, memory, and identity — stories drawn on skin that transcend time.” The campaign’s portraits capture women in quiet strength, adorned with pieces that feel like heirlooms of the future.

A Brand That Honors and Evolves

Since launching its fine jewelry line in 2023, OKHTEIN has become synonymous with meaningful design, where every curve and clasp carries story and spirit. Collections like The Snake Rod, The Bond, and The Intertwined Rings reflect a balance between delicacy and defiance, a signature that feels distinctly Arab and timelessly global.

From the Grand Egyptian Museum to the hands that wear its jewelry, OKHTEIN’s world is expanding yet its heartbeat remains the same. Two sisters, bound by story and soil, continuing to prove that heritage is not static. It moves, it breathes, it evolves — just like Egypt itself.

More on www.Int.Okhtein.com

November 3, 2025

H&M Lights Up Dubai: A Night of Fashion, Energy, and Experience

Dubai is no stranger to going grand, but on November 6, the city’s skyline will get a little brighter. H&M, operated regionally by Alshaya Group, is taking over Dubai with an immersive, high-energy celebration that blends fashion, music, and culture in a way only this city can pull off.

The evening begins in true Dubai fashion: a Burj Khalifa takeover at 7:20 p.m., transforming the world’s tallest building into H&M’s own vertical runway, its visuals painting the skyline in a statement of boldness and renewal. But the real magic unfolds an hour later at the reimagined H&M flagship in Dubai Mall, where the doors open to a new kind of shopping experience, immersive and interactive.

Inside, the revamped store feels more like a creative playground than a retail space: interactive fitting rooms, a customization station, a beauty claw machine, and even a photo booth that redefines the idea of the fashion selfie. Guests can move to a live DJ set while sampling curated bites, a reminder that H&M isn’t just about what you wear, but how it makes you feel.

“The re-opening of our elevated shopping destination in Dubai Mall reflects our continued commitment to the UAE — a vibrant hub for fashion, creativity, and culture,” shared Daniel Ervér, CEO of H&M Group. His sentiment was echoed by John Hadden, CEO of Alshaya Group, who described the new flagship as a fusion of “fashion, technology, and creativity in one of the most dynamic cities in the world.”

This celebration of reinvention extends beyond clothes. H&M Dubai Mall now features a beauty zone spotlighting regional and international brands like By Mina Al Sheikhly, Noha Nabil Beauty, By Haneen Al Saify, Barkha Beauty, Murad, Light Salon, and viral K-beauty favorites like Medicube and Beauty of Joseon. The first 300 visitors will walk away with goody bags worth AED 500, while another 300 will receive mystery boxes — a mix of limited-edition gifts, H&M gift cards worth up to AED 1000, and 50 golden tickets granting access to an exclusive after-party at Arte Museum Dubai.

For a brand that has spent decades redefining accessible style, this Dubai moment is about more than reopening a store — it’s about reigniting connection. By merging technology, sustainability, and the unmistakable pulse of the UAE’s fashion scene, H&M reminds us that the future of fashion isn’t just fast — it’s interactive, inclusive, and inspired by the communities it dresses.

More on H&M.com

H&M Dubai Mall Grand Reopening
Dubai Mall
November 6, 2025
Burj Khalifa takeover at 7:20 p.m., store opening at 8:00 p.m.

November 3, 2025

Our Go-To Coffee Meets Our Go-To Skincare: Alica x Summer Fridays in Dubai

October 31, 2025

Jimmy Choo’s Sandra Choi and Nadine Labaki: An Evening of Storytelling & Style in Dubai

At Dubai’s The Guild, beneath soft candlelight and sculptural food installations, two worlds met in harmony: that of Jimmy Choo’s Creative Director Sandra Choi and that of filmmaker Nadine Labaki.

It was an evening that transcended fashion and film—an intimate dinner that became a meditation on creativity, emotion, and the women who shape both.

Sandra Choi, left and Nabine Labaki, right. Picture/ James D Kelly

Hosted on October 31st, 2025, the gathering brought together some of the region’s most inspiring figures, including Cynthia Samuel, Adam Bakri, Yusra Mardini, Manuel Arnaut, Ola Farahat, Dima Al Sheikhly, and Huda Shahin. The space reflected what Jimmy Choo has always stood for—craftsmanship meeting glamour, artistry meeting emotion.

Guests began with a champagne and caviar bar, before being immersed in a dining experience crafted by Sophia Stolz, whose culinary installations reimagined tables as works of art—an edible dialogue between texture, color, and feeling.

The Guild , production The Good Trip, Pictures/ James D Kelly

Sophia Stolz, Food Designer, Picture/ James D Kelly

“The Middle East has such a rich culture of storytelling, artistry and strength—qualities that resonate deeply with Jimmy Choo,” said Sandra Choi, who described Nadine Labaki as “a woman whose work bridges emotion and empowerment with such grace.”

Labaki, in turn, reflected on the shared heartbeat of fashion and cinema: “Art and fashion both start from a feeling—a desire to express something intangible. There’s something magical that happens when women gather in beauty and truth. The evening with Jimmy Choo felt like a celebration of that power—quiet, elegant, yet deeply alive.”

From the glimmer of crystal glasses to the subtle choreography of conversation, the night was one of connection—of women honoring women, of creativity unfolding in real time. In an industry often defined by spectacle, Jimmy Choo’s dinner in Dubai reminded us that sometimes, true luxury is found in stillness, sincerity, and shared emotion.

More on JimmyChoo.com

October 31, 2025

Thomas Dillon in Dubai — On Painting, Presence, and What Can’t Be Posted

At a time when everything is designed to be seen quickly, Thomas Dillon asks us to slow down. His first solo exhibition in the Middle East, The Raw and the Cooked, presented at Opera Gallery Dubai, strips painting down to its essence—motion, tension, and presence.

Borrowing its title from Claude Lévi-Strauss’s The Raw and the Cooked, the show explores the space between instinct and refinement, where color meets resistance and surface becomes story.

In this conversation with JDEED Magazine, Dillon—self-taught, shaped by early stints in music and writing—speaks about silence as a medium, painting as confrontation, and why ambiguity might be the most honest thing left.

Thomas Dillon photographed in his studio, 2024; © Thomas Dillon

Hawkeye, 2025, Acrylic, ink and dye on canvas, 80 x 90 in | 203.2 x 228.6 cm

You came through music and writing before painting. How do rhythm and language shape your studio rituals—what you listen to, how you title works, the way a painting finds its cadence—and when do you know the title is the one?

The studio and work process is one of silence. As much as I love music, I have removed it from the painting process because the music can gradually shape a piece by speeding up, slowing, or altering my rhythm. Through trial and error, I’ve realized that silence keeps me most connected through the work and I make more decisive marks.

Titling the work is usually done after time has passed and I return attention to the work after I’ve removed myself from the painting process. The title is not meant to be the final authority of the meaning of the work, it’s merely what impression the work gives me. I believe the viewer’s interpretation of the work is as, or more, valid than mine.

You've said that painting survives by being "big, physical, unresolved, and immediate—something to be confronted directly, like a bear in the forest." Could you tell us more about this? What emotions do you want the viewer to feel whenviewing your paintings? And how did Opera Gallery’s space shape your hangs?

Painting still matters because it has a body. The rest of our creative outputs are being scaled down and simulated digitally. Painting occupies space and demands to been countered physically. You have to stand in front of it and let it work on you. That scale and immediacy create a kind of confrontation, something primal and undeniable. I want the viewer to feel that sense of presence, of being met by something alive and unresolved.

Fried, 2025, Acrylic, ink and dye on canvas, 60 x 48 in |152.4 x 121.9 cm

‍The press notes describe surfaces that “oscillate between immediacy and construction,” moving through stages where some passages remain raw while others crystallize. Can you walk us through one canvas from first mark to that moment you stop—what tells you a surface is “alive” enough to leave it be?

My process is about creating distance between my hand and the painting. That distance lets the marks come from movement and instinct rather than control or precision. I do not preplan my paintings; they emerge on their own terms. When my hand does touch the surface, it is through blunt, physical gestures meant to activate the painting rather than refine it. The rest of the work happens in response to what appears. A painting feels alive when it resists me, when it feels spontaneous and self emergent.

‍You’re self-taught, with roots in music and writing. Where do rhythm and syntax show up in your decisions—tempo of brushwork, rests/silences on the canvas, the way color phrases stack like chords?

I think of painting as a physical act first and try to remove intellect and consciousness from the process. So any of my music or writing impulses come through organically through the paintings. Painting does feel similar to songwriting. Each work contains its own mood and meaning. They are closed loops but share similarities to every other object that I created before and after it.

This is your first solo in the Middle East. What did you want to say to a Dubai audience specifically—one that lives at high speed and high clarity through screens—about the value of ambiguity and of taking time in front of a painting?

The objective of the work is to connect with the emotional aspect of humanity, to create universal feelings that are not bound to any one culture. During my time in Dubai, I felt people genuinely resonated with the paintings, which is all I can really hope for as an artist.

Cover art: Dog Star, 2025, Acrylic, ink and dye on canvas, 86 x 120 in | 218.4 x 304.8 cm

Discover more about Thomas Dillon, here

October 30, 2025

Downtown Design 2025: When Dubai Becomes the World’s Design Crossroads

Every November, Dubai Design District (d3) transforms into the beating heart of creativity, and this year’s Downtown Design—the anchor fair of Dubai Design Week—is shaping up to be the most compelling edition yet.

From the 5th to 9th of November, the Waterfront Terrace will once again host a global showcase where craftsmanship, concept, and culture converge.

A Stage for Design, Dialogue, and Discovery

Under the patronage of HH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and in partnership with Dubai Design District (d3) and Dubai Culture, Downtown Design 2025 cements its role as the region’s most influential design event. “Dubai is playing an ever-greater role in shaping a more collaborative, innovative, and inclusive future,” says Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior VP of d3. This year, the fair expands its reach—from emerging regional studios to global icons—creating a truly human-centric design experience.

The Big Names and the Bold Ideas

Returning international powerhouses include Kartell, Poltrona Frau, and Venini, joined by first-timers Roche Bobois, Draga & Aurel, Desalto, and Porada. Expect immersive concepts like Obegi Home’s luxury showcase, Huda Lighting’s large-scale exhibition, and Buccellati’s contemporary pop-up designed by david/nicolas. The Solaire Lounge by Veuve Clicquot, realized by Studio Marcel Poulain, adds a touch of champagne to the creative mix.

UAE Designer Exhibition Mauhaus Mohammed El Shehry (Palestinian-Canadian) and Huda Al-Aithan (Saudi Arabian)

From the Gulf to the Globe: Regional Talent Shines

This year puts UAE-based and regional designers front and center. MAKE debuts with its Athath Fellowship, championing Emirati innovation, while Tashkeel’s Tanween Design Programme returns with new sustainability-focused creations. From Sharjah’s 1971 Design Space to Lebanon’s BEIT Collective, the fair celebrates material experimentation and artisan collaboration.

New highlights include Pakistan’s Strata by Saira Ahsan and Yousaf Shahbaz, Egypt’s Doodle & The Gang, and Saudi Arabia’s Designed in Saudi showcase—proof that the region’s creative dialogue is only getting louder.

Immersive Spaces, Infinite Stories

Downtown Design has always blurred the line between exhibition and experience. This year, visitors can step inside Stellar Works’ debut installation with Calico Wallpaper, curated by Emirati designer Omar Al Gurg; sip through Cosentino’s Art Deco-inspired 1930 Lounge by Etereo; or unwind in Universal Design Studio’s sculptural sand-block landscape.

Even the café becomes part of the show—creatorandcurator reimagines One Life Kitchen into an art-meets-architecture social hub, proving that in Dubai, even coffee can be conceptual.

Talks That Matter

The Forum at Downtown Design continues to anchor the fair’s intellectual pulse. Expect insights from global legends like Marcel Wanders, Tom Dixon, Lee Broom, and David Hicks, alongside regional voices Pallavi Dean, Abdalla Almulla, and Rabah Saeid. Designed by Roula Salamoun, the Forum’s tactile, organic space itself will be an experience in material storytelling.

Where Creativity Meets Community

“Every year, Downtown Design grows in layers,” says Mette Degn-Christensen, the fair’s Director. “It’s become a human-centric space to discover, evolve, and connect.” This year’s edition mirrors Dubai’s growing confidence as a true design capital—one that bridges continents, disciplines, and dreams.

From the industrial beauty of Kartell chairs to the delicate poetry of Arab artisans, Downtown Design 2025 isn’t just about objects. It’s about how we live with them.

Cover: Caspaiou/ Gallotti&Radice Draga & Aurel Tratto 2025 Collection

Downtown Design 2025
🗓️ 5–9 November 2025
📍 Waterfront Terrace, Dubai Design District (d3)
🌐 downtowndesign.com | @downtowndesignd | #DTD2025

October 30, 2025

Piaget Brings Shapes of Extraleganza to Abu Dhabi — Where Light, Legacy, and Audacity Meet

If you ever wondered what happens when Swiss precision meets Arab golden hour, Piaget just gave the answer.

The Maison brought its new high-jewelry collection, Shapes of Extraleganza, to Abu Dhabi, and it wasn’t your usual glass-of-champagne-and-walk-around kind of affair. It was glow, geometry, and a little bit of poetry.

Hosted at Erth, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the four-day event (Oct 29–Nov 1) looked like a mirage you could step into.

“Abu Dhabi holds a very special place in our story,”

Benjamin Comar, Piaget’s CEO

The Maison That Dares to Dance

“Extraleganza” isn’t just a name—it’s a mood. This second chapter in Piaget’s trilogy takes what the house does best (movement, bold shapes, a little ‘70s glamour) and turns it into jewelry that feels alive. Circles, spirals, triangles—basically geometry having a party. Each piece is designed to move with you, not sit in a vault.

There’s a sense of freedom here that feels very Piaget: technical mastery disguised as ease, audacity delivered with a wink.

Why Abu Dhabi?

“Abu Dhabi holds a very special place in our story,” said Benjamin Comar, Piaget’s CEO, at the opening. The city is fast becoming a cultural nerve center—somewhere between museum and movement—so it made perfect sense to stage Shapes of Extraleganza there. Noora Al Foulathi from ADIO called it “a celebration of craftsmanship and innovation”, and honestly, she wasn’t wrong.

The setting at Erth, a space designed by French architect Roger Taillibert, did the rest. Its curved ceilings and modernist drama echoed the collection perfectly—if Piaget’s shapes could walk, they’d strut through Erth.

The Star Piece

The Abu Dhabi exclusive, Shimmering Lights, stole the show: a swinging sautoir that reimagines the Gulf’s pearl-diving legacy through Piaget’s lens. Picture mother-of-pearl, gold that ripples like water, and the kind of glow you only get from real craftsmanship. It’s wearable storytelling—a tribute to both Swiss ateliers and Emirati light.

A Legacy That Keeps Moving

Piaget has always known how to mix intellect and sparkle. Back in the day, Yves Piaget hung out with Dalí and Warhol; today, the Maison keeps that same spirit of play alive through daring form and unapologetic shine.

As Pétronille de Parseval, Piaget’s Managing Director for the Middle East, India & Turkey, put it:

“Abu Dhabi’s energy continues to inspire us. This collection reflects creativity, craftsmanship, and connection—the things that keep Piaget alive.”

It’s true. Shapes of Extraleganza isn’t just jewelry—it’s movement, emotion, and light made tangible. And if Abu Dhabi glowed a little brighter this week, we know who to thank.

Exhibition: Shapes of Extraleganza
Dates: Oct 29 – Nov 1, 2025
Location: Erth, Abu Dhabi
Presented by: Piaget × Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO)

More on Piaget.com

October 29, 2025

Nour Helou Returns With Ma Bteshbahni — A Defiant New Sound for a New Era

October 27, 2025

Humanity Code × Longevity Muse: “Sunset Serenity,” made for real life

Some collabs feel like a deep breath. Humanity Code × Longevity Muse is one of them—two women who built brands out of lived experience and met in the middle: comfort you can trust, beauty you can feel, clothes that actually keep up with a day. And we are telling you this because we actually tried it and exercised in it. No bs here.

Longevity Muse is Caitlyn Princen’s way of turning healing into a practice you can hold—soft rituals, honest conversations, a gentler pace that still gets you where you’re going. Humanity Code is Yara El Gabry’s answer to sensitive skin and long days—pieces that are kind to the body and easy on the eye, moving from class to commute to dinner without the costume change.

Together they made Sunset Serenity: an edit you’ll really wear. Think flared trousers with that easy swish, a cropped wrap that loves a plane seat and a café chair equally, sculpting leggings that don’t boss you around, and tops that land somewhere between studio and street. The palette keeps things calm—mocha, cream, navy, baby blue, black—so getting dressed feels like choosing a mood of the day.

What we like most is the attitude. Everything sits right on skin, plays nice with what you already own, and holds its shape from morning to night and from pilates to brunch with the gals.

The women behind the capsule

Caitlyn Princen — the why
Longevity Muse began as Caitlyn’s own healing: navigating PCOS, studying health coaching, and slowly building a community around conscious, intentional living. With a multicultural background, she blends Eastern philosophies and Western wellness through a grounded, feminine lens—less “fix yourself,” more “understand yourself.” That’s the energy she brings to this collab: softness with spine, ritual over hype, clothes that support how you actually move through a day.

Yara El Gabry — the how
After 12 years in corporate, Yara walked away to solve a problem she lived with: a skin sensitivity (heat rash) that made most activewear a no-go. She went deep on textiles and construction, then founded Humanity Code to make skin-friendly pieces that “activate the wardrobe”—switching from active to travel to lounge (even maternity) without losing shape or intention. Her brief is practical and empowering: design for multitasking women so they feel strong, beautiful, unstoppable.

The capsule is available at humanitycode.shop and via @humanitycode.shop × @longevity_muse. If your fall mood is ease with intention, this is your uniform.

October 27, 2025

HushEdit by Hushday × YOOX: Dubai’s New-Style Private Sale Goes IRL

October 22, 2025

Our Favorite Go-To Store LIMÉ Expands Across the Region

LIMÉ continues to make its mark in the Gulf, bringing its modern, refined aesthetic even closer to regional shoppers with a new boutique opening in Al Ain and newly launched e-commerce access in Kuwait and Oman.

The expansion signals the brand’s steady and intentional growth, rooted in its mission to make effortless, contemporary dressing accessible across the GCC — wherever style travels next.

The newest store — located at Al Jimi Mall — has been thoughtfully curated as an architectural reflection of LIMÉ’s core values: simplicity, craftsmanship, and purposeful design. Inside, the shopping experience places emphasis on clean lines, refined tailoring, and timeless essentials, all shaped through a lens of practical luxury.

With its online offering now extended to Kuwait and Oman, LIMÉ’s digital shelves are open further than before — giving shoppers across the region access to the same elevated wardrobe staples with just a click.

The brand introduces a fresh wave of arrivals aligned with its stylistic codes: structured jackets, tactile knits, and wide-leg trousers infused with quiet confidence. Each piece stays true to the brand’s understated palette and is designed for real, modern movement — built to be worn, re-worn, and styled into everyday life with ease.

From city to coast, UAE mall destinations now include Dubai Hills Mall, Mirdif City Center, Palm Jumeirah Mall, and Al Jimi Mall, bringing LIMÉ’s physical presence closer to wardrobes across the Emirates — while online shopping ensures the experience travels even farther with seamless regional delivery.

Grounded in quality fabrics, comfortable cuts, and trend-relevant silhouettes, LIMÉ continues to evolve as a brand designed for daily wear and intuitive styling, releasing new arrivals each week to keep wardrobes fresh and fluid without excess or overcomplication.

Minimal, modern, and quietly confident — LIMÉ isn’t just expanding; it’s settling into the region with intention.

More on limestore.com

October 22, 2025

Hayaty Diaries presents secondskin — an exhibition about touch, memory, and the stories we carry

Skin is the first archive. It announces us, meets the world, and—if we’re lucky—keeps the warmth of other people. With secondskin, the nomadic gallery and art collective Hayaty Diaries turns that idea into an intimate exhibition about encounters that settle on us and stay: a stranger’s voice, a family gesture, a room’s atmosphere that refuses to fade. Over ten days in London, six artists move between documentation and invention, portrait and apparition, to ask how connection—brief or enduring—becomes part of the body’s history.

If you’re new to Hayaty Diaries: the collective was founded to platform women artists from the region through roving shows that feel more like conversations than white-cube appointments.

In secondskin, the body is not just flesh; it’s atmosphere and dream. Works draw on family archives, invented figures, and spontaneous portraits that hover between worlds. Some passages remain deliberately raw, others resolve into meticulous construction—a rhythm that mirrors how memory behaves: edges sharp one minute, tender the next. As you move through the space, the exhibition unfolds less like a sequence and more like a field. Selves meet selves; traces stack; the presence of another becomes a new layer of your own.

Hayaty Diaries keeps its language soft and human—always closer to a whisper than a shout. That tone suits secondskin. Nothing is over-explained; instead, the show invites you to pay attention to small weather: the echo of a hand, the temperature of a color, the second when a face becomes a feeling. It’s an exhibition to experience with time, not a checklist to rush.

Why this matters now

In a year when speed often flattens nuance, secondskin argues for the politics of tenderness. It reminds us that bodies are meeting places—of histories, of migrations, of mundane miracles—and that art can register those meetings with care. Hayaty Diaries’ nomadic model keeps the conversation porous: audiences bring their own geographies, the work answers, and a new skin forms in between.

Featured artists include Amina Yahia, Fa Razavi, Tiyana Mitchell, Leily Moghtader Mojdehi, Elias Loudiyi and Yasmina Hilal.

Where & when

Title: secondskin
Dates: October 16–26
Address: 10 Greatorex Street, London E1 5NF
Presented by: Hayaty Diaries (nomadic gallery & art collective)

For context on the collective and its past shows, revisit our profile of Hayaty Diaries , click here

Photography by Jacob Sirkin

October 21, 2025

The Women Shaping Our Fall: 6 Regional Jewelry Designers on JDEED’s Radar

There’s a particular kind of sparkle we chase at JDEED—the quiet, confident kind you notice at coffee, in a taxi window, under night-market lights.

This fall, it belongs to women designing from the region with tenderness and edge; pieces that sit close to the skin and even closer to a story. Here are the names we’re wearing, gifting, and whispering to friends about.

Kayaa Jewels (Dubai) — lab-grown, grown-up.

‍
Founder Aashna Sanghvi is a fifth-generation diamantaire who chose a new path: 18k gold with lab-grown diamonds as the default, not the compromise. Kayaa’s name nods to hikaya—story—and the brand keeps that promise with edit-friendly staples meant to be lived in, not saved. Think: conscious sparkle that doesn’t kill the mood (or the budget), the ring you forget to take off because it simply belongs.

More on KayaaJewels.com

Twig Fine Jewelry (UAE) — nature, refined.

‍
Founded by Hessa Al Abdulla, Twig distills organic forms into polished 18k gold and diamond lines—quietly sculptural, never stiff. There’s an honesty to the way she translates bark, petal, ripple; you feel it in how pieces stack without fighting each other. For fall, pair a twig-slender band with your chunkiest knit and let the contrast do the talking.

More on TwigFineJewelry.com

Yuniu Jewels (Dubai) — the memory keepers.

‍
The new Wevva collection began with a vintage spark and turned into a modern heirloom idea: profiles that hold on to a feeling and carry it forward. Founder Dalia Kombarji speaks of connection and collectability; the jewels are refined but huggable—made to layer now and pass on later. We love them for the small moments: school run, gallery opening, dusk walks—always appropriate, never predictable.

More on YuniuJewels.com

Nejla Bint Asem (Amman) — color with a pulse

‍
Nejla designs like someone who remembers the exact smell of childhood summers. Gemstones aren’t just stones here; they’re little archives—playful, symbolic, intensely emotional—crafted to become the kind of heirlooms that feel alive on a Tuesday. If you’re craving joy with your jewelry (same), this is a great place to start.

More on NejlaBintAsem.com

Lana Al Kamal Jewelry (Dubai) — architect’s hand, woman’s gaze.

‍
Former architect Lana Al Kamal brings measured curves, pristine balance, and enamel brights to 18k gold and diamonds, landing in that rare zone: delicate and strong. Her pieces travel well—from ceremony to errands—without changing tone. Think modern femininity, edited and assured; think enamel the color of good lipstick under winter light.

More on LanaAlKamalJewelry.com

**Samra's Thaman (Dubai) — geometry with a heartbeat.**

‍Samra’s Thaman reads like jewellery engineered for clarity and worn for courage—angles softened into fluid planes of gold, diamonds placed with intent so the light feels orchestrated rather than loud. It’s heritage distilled (think Arabian symmetry, calligraphic rhythm) but cut for the modern day: armour that’s delicate, day-to-night without trying. We love a single Thaman cuff with a white shirt and messy bun—the confidence does the styling.

More on Thamanbysamra.com

Baguette Design (Dubai) — “from sentence to stone.”

‍Emirati designer Fatma Al Bannai starts every jewel as a line in a notebook before it becomes a clean, architectural silhouette—daily luxury written like a diary entry. It’s minimalism that still feels warm; pieces that read personal before they read precious. If you’re building a uniform for fall (knit + trench + one decisive shine), her language of clarity hits just right.

More on Baguettedesign.com

Usfuur’s “Les Petits Plaisirs”: small joys, softly worn

We’ve had a soft spot for Usfuur since our very first JDEED pop-up in Dubai—when their tiny bird mark and easy, poetic pieces drew people in without trying. The brand speaks in a low voice; you lean closer, and that’s where the love story starts.

This season, Usfuur turns that instinct inward with Les Petits Plaisirs—a tender meditation on everyday beauty rendered in satin-touched gold vermeil, soft silhouettes, and candy-hued stones. The collection is exactly what the name promises: small pleasures, held close. Think joyful charms, rings that echo the softness of confections, and bracelets sprinkled with color—wearable mementos of the moments we almost miss: the first sip of coffee, the hush of afternoon light, a strawberry in summer.

Designer Yara Tlass frames it as a return to presence: “This collection was born from a desire to reconnect with the little things… a reminder that happiness often hides in the ordinary.” It’s an ethos you can feel in the hand—pieces that don’t shout, but stay.

What makes the capsule sing is its edit. La Crème de Fleur—a whimsical cupcake-leaning ring crowned with a carved pink dome and a halo of pavé pink sapphires—reads like a wink you keep to yourself. Pastille Hoops and Glacé Bands bring soft-serve color and texture (sorbet enamels, tiny stones) for stacking that never feels over-styled. And the Golden Charms—a curled-up cat, a lipstick trace, a coffee cup, a ripe strawberry—are intimate icons you can mix like diary entries in gold. Layer one on a chain, or let a cluster tell its own quiet story.

Materials carry the mood. Gold vermeil and luminous enamel give warmth without weight; the candy-tone gems deliver brightness with restraint. Designed to be layered, gifted, or treasured alone, each piece keeps close to the skin and closer to memory—proof that “special” doesn’t need to be loud to last.

For us at JDEED, this is Usfuur at its most “Usfuur”: poetic, precise, and human—exactly the energy they brought to our first Dubai pop-up, and the reason people lingered at their table a little longer.

Les Petits Plaisirs is available online now and will travel through select pop-ups across Europe and the Middle East this fall. If you pick just one piece, make it the charm that feels like you. If you pick two, make them a conversation.

Photography ideas for layout: flat-lay of charms over a coffee saucer; La Crème de Fleur on a pastry napkin; Pastille stacks against a window’s late-day light.

More on Usfuur.com

Riyadh Fashion Week 2025: A City-Sized Conversation in Couture

Riyadh Fashion Week returned for its third edition with an opening to remember (to say the least).

Across Bedrock’s monumental quarry-meets-catwalk, the hushed arches of The Palm Grove, and culture hubs around the city, the week set out its thesis: Saudi fashion is operating at the scale of a capital—artistically, commercially, and culturally.

RFW began quietly, deliberately, with an intimate Vivienne Westwood panel at FCR, a conversation pitched between design history and activism. It framed the evening’s couture with the house’s signatures—fearless construction, environmental conscience, and an insistence on craft as a form of dissent—before the spotlights rose at Bedrock.

There, the runway opened with a clarion trio of Saudi vision: Tima Abid’s grandeur, Adnan Akbar’s time-tempered elegance, and Atelier Hekayat’s narrative flourishes. Seen together against Bedrock’s carved drama, they read as chapters of the same book—meticulous embellishment, modern silhouettes, and a sure hand with heritage.

Nightfall carried the audience to The Palm Grove for a defining moment: Vivienne Westwood’s debut at RFW. Presented among palms—a national symbol of life and resilience—the house fused British heritage with Saudi craftsmanship in a capsule of embroidered couture gowns made with Art of Heritage, staged alongside Spring/Summer 2026 and archival looks. It was dialogue, not display: heritage meeting subversion, ornament meeting argument. After, a starry gala pulled designers, editors, buyers, and cultural figures into conversation—names like Win Metawin, Faye Peraya, Yara Alnamlah, Tamara Kalinic, Deema Al Asadi, Lina Malaika, Jessica Kahawaty, and Alanoud Badr among those circulating through the opening night.

“Each year, Riyadh Fashion Week continues to grow in scale, creativity, and global relevance,” said Burak Çakmak, CEO of the Fashion Commission. “From established maisons like Tima Abid to international houses such as Vivienne Westwood, our opening day celebrates couture, craftsmanship, and the power of cultural dialogue. Riyadh Fashion Week is not only a platform for creativity; it is a statement of confidence in the Kingdom’s role as an emerging global fashion capital.”

By day two, Bedrock again took center stage, this time for a contemporary read on Saudi style: Leem, Rebirth, AMN, Waad Al Oqaili, Ashwaq Almarshad, and Abadia delivered clean, intentional collections that sat at ease within the venue’s vastness—softness set against stone, modernity without noise. Day three shifted mood and scale. Morning presentations at Mandarin Oriental, Al Faisaliah gave intimacy to tailoring and detail—Derza, Aleena, Arwa Albanawi—before the city lights wrapped the evening runway at The Roof – Al Mamlaka. Femi9, Aram, Razan Alazzouni, Mona Alshebil, Reem Alkanhal, and SV by Saudia matched the skyline’s energy, culminating in a cinematic gesture: the show beamed live across Mamlaka Tower, turning Riyadh’s architecture into part of the spectacle. Georgina Rodríguez, dressed in Mona Alshebil, joined Leonie Hanne and an international front row that tracked the week’s momentum from couture to citywide canvas.

Left to right: Georgina Rodriguez, Mina Alshebil, Leonie Hanne

Across six days—30+ runway shows, presentations, and activations—RFW balances global resonance with a distinctly Saudi point of view. The program places innovation and craftsmanship on equal footing and keeps conversation flowing between couture, ready-to-wear, and streetwear. Alongside Saudi trailblazers like Tima Abid, the calendar welcomes Stella McCartney and regional houses including Femi9, Mihyar, Eleven, Leem, Derza, Manel, Nabila Nazer, Realself, and Sulitude, amplifying the dialogue between heritage and modernity that has defined the Kingdom’s fashion rise.

The ecosystem around the runway is growing just as strategically. Saudia and Westfield Riyadh | Cenomi lead as official partners; Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF) and Genesis Motor join as strategic partners; and a supporting cohort—including Eyewa, Rotana Signs, Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, and Al Khozama Investment Company—signals how culture and commerce are increasingly braided into the city’s fashion infrastructure.

Mid-week, the tone is clear. Riyadh Fashion Week is a platform with its own vocabulary, sites as strong as the clothes, audiences as international as the line-ups, and a willingness to turn the city itself into a runway when the narrative calls for it. As the final days promise new venues and fresh showcases, the through-line holds: Saudi creativity, in real time, is defining a capital where heritage drives innovation—and where the world is paying attention.

Cover photo: Atelier Hekayat Atmosphere

More info on RiyadhFashionWeek.com

LC Turns Six: A High-Shine Birthday Capsule for Studio-to-Street

LC is blowing out six candles this October—and celebrating with a limited-edition birthday drop that leans into everything the brand does best: sleek lines, smart utility, and pieces that move as well as they photograph.

Landed October 2, the capsule splits into two precise worlds: sculpting Flexluxe for low-impact workouts and everyday layering, and an edgy Ripstop set that borrows from parachute gear and tidies it up for the city.

The Flexluxe story is the glossy one—literally. Cut from LC’s four-way stretch performance knit with a refined sheen, the fabric smooths and supports without heaviness, making it a true studio-to-street player for medium to low-impact days. Think of it as a second skin with polish: breathable, lightweight, and purpose-built for modern movement. The palette is tight and wearable—Black, Cornflower, Dark Cocoa—so the shine reads sophisticated.

Silhouettes hit the sweet spot between minimal and considered. The Triangle Shine Bra keeps the profile clean (adjustable straps, removable cups), while the Strappy Cami Bra goes longline with an internal shelf for discreet hold. Down the line, the Shine Legging is engineered without a center front seam for that ultra-smooth finish (choose 7/8 or full length), and a 4-inch Shine Short rounds out the rotation for warmer runs and layered looks. Each piece carries subtle reflective branding—functional in motion, understated at rest.

If Flexluxe is the polish, Ripstop is the attitude. LC’s woven lifestyle set takes a page from utility wear and cleans it up with sculpted proportions. The Sleeveless Bomber is boxy and cropped with a fixed gathered hem, utility flap pockets, and a metal zipper that feels more jewellery than hardware; style it over a cami and leggings or throw it on with denim and a heel. In step, the Parachute Pant sits relaxed with an elastic waistband, external drawcord, and adjustable hems that cinch to transform the silhouette from drape to taper. Both come in Stone and Black—the kind of neutrals that make a capsule feel bigger than it is.

Consider this drop LC’s snapshot at six: confident, a little glossy, pragmatically glamorous. It’s an edit that understands how we actually move through a day—sweat, sunlight, streetlight—and makes the handoff between each look easy. We will prob see you at a class of F45 or Synkro wearing ou LC very soon .

More on LCOfficial.com

Insider Guide: What to See at We Design Beirut This October

For five days, Beirut writes itself in light, stone and thread, and We Design Beirut becomes the stage on which continuity is rehearsed in public.

The brief is unabashedly civic:empowerment, preservation, sustainability- You move between a mosaic house in Sursock, the exposed Roman Baths downtown, the haunted vertical of Burj el-Murr, a 1950s modernist building in Sanayeh mid-renovation, and the vast textile halls of Abroyan in Bourj Hammoud. Each site holds a chapter of the city’s memory; each exhibition asks what it means to keep that memory active.

At Villa Audi, Totems of the Present & the Absent reads like a salon of confidences. Designers answer a tender brief—to make for the Beirut we inhabit and the Beirut we miss—so objects arrive with the intimacy of letters. You catch the wit of Bokja, the quiet resolve of Nada Zeineh, the sculptural warmth of Georges Mohasseb, a flash of Jacopo Foggini’s alchemy; then the room takes over and the names dissolve back into a single conversation about dignity and becoming.

Down at the Roman Baths, Of Water & Stone lets marble do the speaking. Ritual becomes material, and repair is staged at civic scale. The sensibility ranges from Studio Nada Debs’ studied tactility to Carl Gerges’ sonic poise; there’s a disciplined elegance in Dori Hitti’s lines, a contemporary tenderness in Ahmad Abou Zanat’s gestures. The place imposes a hush—you don’t rush it; you let the stone slow your pulse.

Burj el-Murr is the week’s exposed nerve. Design “In” Conflict, organized with Archifeed, treats conflict less as event than as weather—a condition you design within. On those raw floors, students from across the country pin up prototypes and spatial essays with the urgency of a studio crit. Nothing here asks for polish. It asks for clarity, for the courage to answer “what now?”

At Immeuble de l’Union, architecture becomes its own narrator. Union: A Journey of Light, led by Karim Nader Studio with Atelier33, reads the modernist shell like an x-ray—light as sentence, space as archive. In parallel, Rising with Purpose gathers a generation under thirty that cares for beauty but refuses adornment without meaning. You meet a few anchors—Karel Kargodorian, Miriam Abi Tarabay, Marc-Antoine Frahi—then the group coheres into a single thesis: relevance is a design brief, not a press line. Arrive at dusk; the façade wears the evening like punctuation.

The Abroyan Factory is all heartbeat. In Métiers d’Art, designer–artisan pairings prove continuity needs neither pastiche nor purity—think Tessa Sakhi in dialogue with glassblowers like Nesrine Khalife, or Nada Debs re-threading marqueterie with Nabil Haswany. Threads of Life is a love letter to textiles—Bokja, Inaash, Sarah’s Bag, Salim Azzam—reminding you that fabric is a story you can touch. And Skin of a City by Patrick Baz and Anthony Saroufim turns bodies into a ledger of intimacy and dissent. Bourj Hammoud has always been an engine of making; here, the engine hums again.

Around the rooms, the conversation keeps pace. Talks circle craftswomanship and the economies it seeds, the ways conflict structures space, and how myth and memory slip into objects without turning them into props. The Educational Hub at ALBA runs in parallel—screenings, workshops, roundtables under the banner of “Lebanon’s Revival”—so you can move from seeing to naming and back again. Across town, showrooms extend the circuit: Fablab by Naggiar (catch Karen Chekerdjian among others), Iwan Maktabi with Shaha Raphael’s “Sediments” and a nod to David/Nicolas, Nalbandian threading heritage with contemporary designers like Selim Mouzannar and Samer Alameen. It’s a citywide footnote that reads like a chorus.

Two excursions stretch the frame. One maps Beirut’s modernist fabric by bus—street-level proof that ambition never left; the other heads to Tripoli, where Oscar Niemeyer’s Rachid Karami International Fair sits like a sentence that deserves to be finished. Both remind you that architecture here is public imagination as much as program.

Do it the JDEED way: start with stone, end with light. Morning at the Baths or Villa Audi; after lunch, let Abroyan’s workshops pull you into their rhythm; blue hour at Immeuble de l’Union. Fold a talk or an ALBA session into the middle so ideas keep pace with images. And leave room for detours—a coffee, a fabric shop, a façade you finally decide to notice. Beirut rewards digressions; they’re part of the exhibition anyway.

What feels different this year is the refusal of nostalgia. Traces aren’t erased; they’re activated. Craft is protected without being pickled, memory handled like live current. The city shows you where it hurts and where it heals—often in the same room—and design becomes the medium that can hold both truths without smoothing them over. If continuity is the promise, these five days make it tangible: not as a monument to the past, but as a practice for the future.

‍

Cheat Sheet

Dates: Wed–Sun, Oct 22–26. Core exhibitions run daily; see hours below

Exhibitions by venue

Abroyan Factory (Burj Hammoud) — Threads of Life, Métiers d’Art, Skin of a City: 11:00–21:00 daily
Villa Audi (Charles Malek Ave) — Totems of the Present & the Absent: 11:00–21:00 daily.
Roman Baths (Downtown/Solidere) — Of Water & Stone: 11:00–21:00 daily
Burj el Murr — Design “In” Conflict: 11:00–21:00 daily
Immeuble de l’Union (Spears) — Union—A Journey of Light & Rising with Purpose: 17:00–23:00 daily

Panel talks

Thu Oct 23 — Conflict as a Spatial Condition (Burj El Murr): 11:00–12:00. Design Myths & Memories (Villa Audi): 15:00–16:00
Sat Oct 25 — Craftswomanship (Maison de l’Artisan): 16:00–17:00. For a New Golden Age (Immeuble de l’Union): 18:00–19:00

Tours & excursions

Sat Oct 25 — Modern Architecture bus tours (Beirut): 14:00 & 16:00 (meet Martyr Square)
Sun Oct 26 — Tripoli Rachid Karami International Fair guided tour: 11:00 (meet Martyr Square). Beirut Modern Architecture bus tours: 11:00 & 14:30 (meet Martyr Square)

Party

Sat Oct 25 — Official We Design Beirut party at AHM, 22:00 (ticketed)

Educational Hub

ALBA hosts the Educational Hub Oct 22–26 (screenings, talks, workshops).

We Design Beirut runs 22–26 October 2025 across multiple city venues. Exhibitions are free and open to the public; select talks, tours and workshops require RSVP. Follow @wedesignbeirut for the live grid.

October 16, 2025

Zeyne’s “AWDA”: A Sonic Homecoming Rooted in Resistance and Rebirth

October 15, 2025

Think Pink: Why Breast Health Starts with Awareness, Action, and Self-Love

Every October, the world turns pink — and for good reason. Breast Cancer Awareness Month isn’t just about ribbons and campaigns; it’s about empowerment, education, and survival.

Across the GCC, breast cancer remains the most diagnosed cancer among women — accounting for over one-third of all cases in the UAE alone. But behind these numbers are stories of resilience, strength, and a growing movement toward proactive self-care.

Meet Dr. Erika King, a St. George’s University (SGU) graduate and Breast Surgical Oncologist, who shares five fundamental reminders that every woman should keep in mind. Her message? Knowledge and early detection are the most powerful forms of self-love.

Erika King, MD ’19, St. George’s University (SGU) graduate, a Breast Surgical Oncologist

Know Your Normal

Your body speaks — the key is learning its language. Performing monthly self-exams and staying alert to any changes in texture, size, or sensitivity can make all the difference. As Dr. King says, “Early detection begins with self-awareness.”

Prioritize Screenings

For women over 40, regular mammograms are not a luxury — they’re life-saving tools. Screenings can detect cancer before symptoms surface, drastically improving outcomes. Think of it as an annual promise to your future self.

Family History Isn’t Fate

If cancer runs in your family, you’re not powerless. Genetic testing and earlier screenings can offer clarity and control. It’s not about fear — it’s about being informed, proactive, and ready.

Health is a Habit

Movement, mindful eating, and moderation matter. Whether it’s swapping processed snacks for greens or scheduling that morning walk, small changes in daily habits add up. Prevention is cumulative — not instant.

Listen and Act

Breast pain, dimpling, or subtle swelling might seem minor, but intuition is everything. Trust yourself enough to get it checked — it’s not overreacting, it’s being in tune.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, JDEED celebrates women taking charge of their health journeys. From local awareness walks to medical breakthroughs, the message remains: early detection saves lives. Beyond the pink ribbons, it’s about prioritizing your body, your future, and your peace of mind.

October 14, 2025

The Glow Edit: Beauty’s Most Wanted This Week

This week in beauty feels like stepping into beauty wonderland: we see sculpted brows, poetic perfumes, and skincare that borders on magic.

From the labs of Augustinus Bader to the artistry of Anastasia Beverly Hills, these are the drops you’ll want on your radar (and vanity).

**L’Occitane’s Flora Orchestra: A Symphony for the Senses**

L’Occitane en Provence takes us on a fragrant escape with Flora Orchestra — a 13-piece perfume collection inspired by color, nature, and freedom. Each scent, from Fleurs de Cerisier to Cédrat, plays like a musical note, meant to be layered and remixed into your personal olfactory song. Provence, remastered.

More on Loccitane.com

Anastasia Beverly Hills Unveils the MicroStroke Brow Pen

If there’s one brow product redefining precision right now, it’s Anastasia Beverly Hills’ MicroStroke Brow Pen. With an ultra-thin 0.1 mm brush tip and balanced ink flow, it creates hyper-realistic, hair-like strokes that mimic the look of natural brows — no filter required. Dual-ended with a custom spoolie, the pen glides feather-light across sparse areas, lasting up to 24 hours. Available in nine shades, it’s waterproof, clean, cruelty-free, and basically a call to ditch your microblading appointment.

More on AnastasiaBeverlyHills.com

Augustinus Bader’s Vitamin C Serum: Science Meets Radiance

Augustinus Bader’s cult following just found its next obsession: the Vitamin C Serum powered by TFC8®. Think dewy, resilient, camera-ready skin — but make it scientific. A potent fusion of Vitamin C and ergothioneine brightens, firms, and protects, all while feeling like silk on the skin. It’s minimalist luxury at its finest.

More on AugustinusBader.com

KAYALI.COM: The New Playground for Perfume Lovers

Mona Kattan has officially launched KAYALI.COM, a digital fragrance universe that feels equal parts community and couture. The platform brings back the much-loved Musk | 12 and offers new scent-pairing experiences — turning your fragrance routine into a ritual.

More on Kayali.com

**Valentino Beauty’s Amour Sans Détour: Sensual and Fearless**

Valentino Beauty extends its Anatomy of Dreams series with Amour Sans Détour, a fragrance that’s as poetic as it is provocative. Crafted by Yann Vasnier, it fuses violet and Italian leather for a scent that feels like love rewritten — bold, tender, and unapologetically Valentino.

More on Valentino.com

**Diptyque’s Lazulio: Blue Velvet in a Bottle**

A peacock’s plume meets lapis lazuli in Diptyque’s Lazulio, a scent from the Les Essences collection that smells like liquid opulence. Notes of rose, rhubarb, and benzoin layer over amber woods, housed in a sculpted, refillable flacon that’s practically collectible art.

More on Diptyque.com

**L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Les Merveilles: A French Fantasy**

We love L’Artisan Parfumeur and that ever since we were Madonna fans and she said she was wearing "Mure and Musk".

Flash forward a few year, the brand celebrates its heritage with Les Merveilles, a gilded fragrance collection inspired by wonder and artistry. Each scent feels crafted for a Parisian dreamer — raspberry and saffron weaving into notes of suede and smoke. It’s perfume as poetry.

More on ArtisanParfumeur.com

Asteri’s Xpert Makeup Brushes: The Beauty Tool Upgrade

If blending is an art, Asteri’s new Xpert Brushes are the masterpiece. Engineered for seamless application and durability, these sleek, eco-conscious tools are redefining what “pro finish” really means — turning your morning routine into a little ritual of precision and pleasure.

More on AsteriBeauty.com

Laura Mercier’s Bath & Body: A Return to Ritual

Laura Mercier’s Bath & Body line is the modern antidote to burnout — indulgent textures, sensual scents, and the kind of self-care that whispers “you have five minutes, make them count.” Highlights include Ambre Vanille and Néroli du Sud, both timeless and deeply soothing.

More on LauraMercier.com

October 14, 2025

Feeding Futures: How Dubai’s Taste of Giving Turns Every Meal Into Hope

There’s something deeply moving about the simple act of sharing a meal. It connects us, nourishes us, and — in the hands of Dubai Cares — it’s also changing lives.

Back this October for another edition, Taste of Giving is not your average culinary campaign. Running from October 16 (World Food Day) to November 16, 2025, the UAE-born initiative transforms dining out into a force for global good. Each bite, each dish, each coffee savored at participating venues contributes directly to school feeding programs for children in need — ensuring that thousands of students around the world can learn on a full stomach.

“No child should have to choose between food and an education,” shares Amal Al Redha, Director of Partnerships at Dubai Cares. “A school meal is more than just nourishment — it’s the promise of focus, dignity, and a chance to thrive.”

A Table Where Everyone Has a Seat

This year, Taste of Giving brings together some of the UAE’s favorite dining spots — from Al Beiruti to The Maine, Tashas Group, Burro Blanco, and Risen Café & Artisanal Bakery, among many others. Each has pledged to give back, whether through a signature dish, a percentage of sales, or dedicated menu items. Every dirham collected funds one school meal — a tangible connection between a Dubai diner and a child halfway across the world who gets to learn, dream, and grow.

At its core, Taste of Giving is about community. It’s about realizing that the small choices we make — where we have lunch, which café we stop by, what we order — can ripple outward to create real change.

More Than a Campaign

In 2024, nearly 50 brands joined the cause. This year, even more are stepping in, turning dining tables across the UAE into spaces of impact and empathy. For Rita Nassar, Head of Corporate Communications & CSR at Americana Foods, it’s a reminder that “access to food is a basic right and a shared responsibility.”

And for restaurateurs like Natasha Sideris, Founder and CEO of Tashas Group, it’s about purpose: “Dining out can be both a delightful experience and a force for good.”

That’s the beauty of Taste of Giving. It doesn’t ask for grand gestures — just an open heart and an appetite. Whether it’s a coffee catch-up, a date night, or a solo dinner, every meal becomes an act of kindness.

So, this October, when you’re choosing where to eat, remember — the best dining experiences are the ones that feed more than just you.

Visit: www.dubaicares.ae/supports-us/tasteofgivingWhen: October 16 – November 16, 2025
Where: Participating venues across the UAE

October 13, 2025

Cartier’s Panthère C Bucket Bag: Where Power Meets Poise

October 13, 2025

Women-Led & Wonderfully Bold: UAE Businesses We Love This October

From redefining beauty rituals to creating spaces of movement, mindfulness, and creativity — women across the UAE are shaping the way we live, care, and connect.

This month, we celebrate the visionaries behind some of our favorite homegrown names — each grounded in authenticity, purpose, and style.

‍The Wave Lounge — Where Self-Care Finds Its Flow

Founded in 2021, The Wave Lounge has quietly become Abu Dhabi’s most beloved beauty and wellness destination. What started as a premium home service has blossomed into a multi-format sanctuary: a flagship salon in Al Bateen, a serene retreat in Hidd Al Saadiyat, and their signature home service experience — each offering the same polished calm that defines the brand.

Beyond its reputation for flawless nails and glowing skin, The Wave Lounge is about connection — a space where women gather, recharge, and find community over matcha at Café Peach or in one of its private rooms. Using trusted global brands like Margaret Dabbs, Voesh, and Miriam Quevedo, the salon has earned a 5-star rating from The Good Beauty Guide, a testament to its elevated yet approachable ethos.

More on TheWaveLounge.Ae

‍FORM Studio — Redefining Strength in Abu Dhabi

Founded by Emirati sisters Salama and Aysha, FORM Studio is Abu Dhabi’s first dedicated Lagree fitness studio — a concept merging intensity with mindfulness. What makes FORM stand out? Its Microformer outdoor activations that transform the city’s iconic backdrops — from the St. Regis helipad to SeaWorld Yas Island — into immersive wellness experiences.

At its Saadiyat Island flagship, FORM Studio blends precision, community, and movement with an understated elegance that feels deeply Emirati and globally relevant. It’s not just a workout; it’s a lifestyle rooted in resilience and design — two things the UAE knows better than most.

More on FormStudio.Ae

Âme Studio — Where Art Meets Soul

An Emirati creative house where florals meet fine art, Âme Studio turns everyday beauty into a curated ritual. Founded on the idea that artistry should feel soulful, the studio designs bespoke events, floral arrangements, curated gifts, and creative workshops that redefine the art of celebration.

Each creation — from a private charm-making class to a modern bridal setup — carries Âme’s signature aesthetic: minimal, refined, and emotionally resonant. Inspired by Europe, perfected in Dubai, and rooted in Emirati sensibility, Âme has become a quiet symbol of modern elegance with meaning.

More info on AmeStudioUae.com

OLAH Haircare — Heritage Reimagined

Founded by Emirati entrepreneur Alia Almarzooqi, OLAH Haircare was born from her grandmother’s timeless haircare recipes. Today, that legacy thrives in a line of natural, science-backed products — from heritage-inspired oils to luxurious hair perfumes — that celebrate both tradition and innovation.

With its chic minimal identity and empowering message, OLAH has quickly become a regional beauty favorite. It’s more than a brand; it’s a movement built around confidence, authenticity, and the idea that self-care starts at the roots.

More on their Instagram @Olah.Haircare

Tilahn — Couture for Childhood

Paris-born and Dubai-nurtured, Tilahn redefines ceremonial childrenswear with a poetic touch. Its debut couture collection, Gio, captures the innocence and individuality of childhood through silks, velvets, pearls, and feathers — crafted with the same precision and emotion as haute couture.

Designed for meaningful moments, Tilahn celebrates beginnings — family, joy, and the quiet grace of growing up. Each piece feels like a keepsake, blending heritage craftsmanship with modern tenderness.

More on Tilahn.com

Balanced Not Boring — Wellness with a Real-World Twist

Founded by Judy Daghestani and Tamara Khoury, both entrepreneurs and mothers, Balanced Not Boring is the podcast we didn’t know we needed. Honest, relatable, and refreshingly real, it explores wellness without the pressure — diving into food, skincare, motherhood, and identity through unfiltered conversation.

With their combined experience — Judy as founder of Laurus Organics and Tamara as the powerhouse behind Teal Bakehouse — the duo brings both science and soul to the mic. Their message? Wellness isn’t about perfection; it’s about finding balance and embracing the beautiful mess of life.

Listen on Apple Podcast, here

A New Generation of Emirati-Led Inspiration

Whether it’s through beauty, wellness, design, or storytelling, these women are shaping a UAE where entrepreneurship meets artistry. Their ventures are more than businesses — they’re reflections of what the region’s creative spirit looks like today: grounded in heritage, driven by innovation, and glowing with feminine energy.

October 10, 2025

Zeyne & TUL8TE: The Sound of a Region Rising

When Saudi Arabia’s MDLBEAST Records announced that two of its artists — Zeyne and TUL8TE — were up for Grammy consideration, it didn’t just mark a milestone for the label. It marked a moment for the Arab world. A pulse. A signal that the region’s sound — bold, experimental, unapologetically hybrid — is no longer emerging. It’s here.

Both artists couldn’t be more different, yet they share a common thread: the courage to push culture forward while staying rooted in it.

Zeyne: Soundtracking Identity

For Zeyne, whose work blurs the lines between Arab nostalgia and global pop, this recognition feels like a full-circle moment. Nominated across multiple categories — including Best Global Music Performance and Best Music Video for Asli Ana and Hilwa — Zeyne’s storytelling is intimate and cinematic. With over 46 million streams, a debut on COLORS, and collaborations with Bottega Veneta, her sound feels at once deeply personal and universally relatable.

“When I made Asli Ana and Hilwa, my intention was to showcase who we are as a people and how beautiful our identity and culture are through an audio-visual experience,” Zeyne says. “To know that it’s been recognized on this level feels surreal. It’s about more than music — it’s about representation.”

Recently named the first and only Arab artist to join YouTube’s Foundry Program 2025, Zeyne now stands alongside alumni like Rosalia and Dua Lipa — artists who have reshaped how the world listens. For her, this is just the beginning.

TUL8TE: The Masked Visionary

Then there’s TUL8TE, Egypt’s masked pop provocateur, redefining Arabic pop through mystery, emotion, and sound. Submitted for Best Global Music Performance, Best Global Music Album, and Best Music Video, his work feels like a love letter to both chaos and clarity. His album Narein hit 100 million streams in just eight weeks, and his tracks Habibi Leh and Matigi A’adi Aleyki exploded onto the Spotify Viral 50 Global chart, crossing language barriers through pure emotion.

With over 350 million global streams, TUL8TE’s success isn’t just digital — it’s cultural. His masked identity, genre fluidity, and visual experimentation are reshaping what Arabic pop can sound and look like on a global stage.

A New Chapter for Regional Music

MDLBEAST Records’ COO Talal Albahiti put it best:

“This recognition isn’t just a huge moment for our artists — it’s proof of Saudi Arabia’s growing presence and commitment to global music culture. It’s inspiring to see talent from our region making waves on the world’s biggest stage.”

From Riyadh to Cairo, from underground stages to the Recording Academy, the rise of Zeyne and TUL8TE signals something far bigger than a nomination — it’s a rewriting of narrative. It’s proof that the Arab world’s creative voice is no longer asking for a seat at the table. It’s building its own.

October 10, 2025

Dining With Purpose: When Food Becomes a Gesture of Hope

October 9, 2025

LIMÉ Introduces “Modest Silhouettes” , A New Chapter in Contemporary Modesty

Modest fashion is evolving, and LIMÉ has stepped forward with a capsule that feels both directional and deeply refined.

The brand unveils “Modest Silhouettes”, a new collection that merges full-coverage design with high-fashion confidence, crafted for the modern woman who demands elegance without compromising expression.

Designed with architectural fluidity and couture-like detailing, the pieces explore volume, texture, and movement in a way that feels fresh and elevated. The capsule presents delicate floral embroidery, ornamental motifs, subtle crystal embellishments, and luxurious fabrications, resulting in silhouettes that read as timeless yet creatively forward.

Among the standout designs are pieces such as a flowing silk-lyocell cape woven with metallic thread, an ankle-length blouse featuring dual front slits, an embroidered kimono set, an asymmetric draped top, crystal-accented denim, a tailored blouson blazer and a sculptural voluminous midi skirt, each demonstrating LIMÉ’s ability to balance subtle drama with effortless wearability.

The palette remains intentionally serene — white, pearl, coffee, pale blue and warm gold — hues inspired by desert light, softness, and architectural calm, while stylists from the brand suggest anchoring looks with sculptural jewellery, from bold floral accents to minimalist metallic studs for a contemporary finish.

Outerwear holds a dominant presence in the capsule, featuring three statement coats that reinterpret modest layering through modern tailoring: one slim-cut and timeless, one in jacquard weave with subtle florals, and another linen-blend embroidered coat, a piece that softly bridges tradition with forward fashion.

“Modest Silhouettes” is now available across UAE stores and online in the UAE, KSA and Qatar via limestore.com, signalling a growing regional appetite for modestwear that does not shy away from detail, craftsmanship, or individuality.

About LIMÉ

LIMÉ is a fashion brand offering clothing, footwear and accessories, with a philosophy rooted in quality materials, comfortable cuts, and trend-driven everyday wear, with new arrivals released weekly.

October 9, 2025

Social critique, creative direction shake-ups and reinvention shaped Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026.

As the most extended Fashion Week in the international circuit, PFW lit up the timeline with buzzworthy moments on and off the runway.

But past the celebrity fanfare prompting headlines—this season, more than ever, front rows dominated conversations—the event marked a turning point for an industry that aims to reinvent itself amid a luxury slowdown and changing consumer preferences.

Here’s what to retain from the nine-day event.

By Mayra Peralta

Loewe: sportswear, chromatic contrast and craftsmanship

Clean lines, chromatic intensity and deceptive minimalism were at the core of Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez’s debut at Loewe. Translating their New York sensibilities to the Parisian front rows, the designer duo favored sleek, pared-down cuts. The first looks on the runway, which tapped into stiff leather work, were reminiscent of Jonathan Anderson’s surrealism-soaked visuals—think of the famous “Polly Pocket” set.

However, McCollough and Hernandez distanced themselves from Anderson’s Loewe by upping the wearability factor. Their looks thrived on the simplicity of straightforward silhouettes without neglecting craftsmanship, attention to detail, and the sort of art and architectural influences that set Loewe apart. Sportswear inspiration, bright color blocking and reinvention of signature items like the Amazona 180 sealed a smart and promising debut runway.

More on Loewe.com

Celine: a step closer to its roots

Building up on his inaugural runway for the brand, Michael Rider steered Celine closer to its roots and the legacy set by creative directors Michael Kors and Phoebe Philo. In an open space in the outskirts of Paris, Parc de Saint-Cloud more precisely, and in the presence of a star-studded front row featuring Nour Arida, BTS' V and Uma Thurman, the brand celebrated “good times, lightness, and summer heat.”

Discretion with a youthful spin was the theme of the runway. Contemporary tailoring, equestrian codes and bold pops of color shaped the narrative for Celine’s Spring/Summer 2026. “We were thinking about [...] the tension between discretion and showing skin. About things that last, and things that are just a moment. And about how clothes, shoes, and all of it become a part of the memories we make wearing them,” read the show notes. And the collection delivered what was promised: wearable, everyday clothes that ingrain themselves into the wearer's life and memory.

More on Celine.com

Rabanne: swimwear inspirations go couture

Long gone are the days Rabanne was solely recognized for metal dresses, sequins, gold and silver. With designer Julien Dossena at the helm, Rabanne has brought its metalwork and avant-garde legacy to the next level. For Spring/Summer 2026, Dossena delved deeply into his upbringing on the coast of Brittany, taking showgoers on a journey through sun-drenched landscapes and summer getaways.

Swimwear served as the departing point, reinvented and reworked with couture-like techniques. Bold cutouts, rich embellishments and nods to nature shaped the collection. Everything was intentional. Metallic details on bustiers and hems were reminiscent of marine wildlife, while shoes featured palm-shaped metalwork accents. The silhouettes evolved as the runway progressed, sensual resortwear transformed into provocative and vanguardist dresses, oversized accessories and lush botanical prints. The capstone was the balance between color, form and material. Despite bordering on excess, each look was tasteful, meticulously crafted and packed a punch.

More on Rabanne.com

Dior: very Anderson, but Dior enough

Following his menswear debut in June, freshly installed Dior creative director Jonathan Anderson treated the industry with a continuation of his vision for the storied Maison. Though he opened the show with images from Dior’s past, Anderson departed from traditional house codes and aesthetics, only looking back on them “in bits and traces,” as he explained in the show notes.

The outcome was equal parts quirky, novel and artful. Origami-infused folds, relaxed denim, plissé dresses and bar jackets like we’ve never seen before (cutout, cartoonish or adorned with bows) populated the runway. The 74 looks spanned the wardrobe of a modern-day woman who balances spontaneity with playful elegance. There was so much Anderson and enough Dior to make this one of the best debuts in a season packed with creative shake-ups.

More on Dior.com

Chanel: an otherworldly debut

Stars aligned at Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel debut, literally and figuratively. A set of multicolored planets glowing against a starry night transformed the Grand Palais. The otherworldly set welcomed high-octane names such as Egyptian actress Tara Emad, Hollywood stars Pedro Pascal and Margot Robbie, and internet-loved brand ambassadors Lily-Rose Depp, Jennie and Becky Armstrong. The assembly of supertars supported Blazy’s highly awaited debut from the front row.

Magic unfolded on the runway as one by one models presented the new creative vision for the French Maison. Blazy’s direction was intrinsically modern, focused on craftsmanship and still rich in House codes. The notes described it as the creative dialogue between Blazy and brand founder Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel.

Reflecting the exploration of the brand’s universe and Blazy’s recognizable aesthetic, each look was a glimpse at the past and future of Chanel. Take, for example, Blazy’s homage to the Chanel suit—relaxed tailoring paired with asymmetric, flowy skirts— or his work reimagining best-selling items like the 2.55 bag into lived-in, but treasured heirlooms. The idea was clear. The new Chanel is all about bridging legacy and innovation with the same radical spirit that identified brand founder Mademoiselle Chanel and change makers like Karl Lagerfeld.

More on Chanel.com

Miu Miu: the ode to women’s work

Kitchen chic, a tribute to women’s work or a critique of their role in increasingly conservative times? Knowing Miuccia Prada, probably all. The Italian designer found muse in the apron, a piece of fabric peacked with history and significance, for Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 2026 showing. Part theatre, part homage to domestic and industrial work, the runway at Palais d’Iéna reintroduced workwear as an armor for women — a badge of honor, nearly.

Utilitarian clothes took center stage as juxtaposition reinforced the narrative of women moving between industrial work, caregiving and domestic labor. But in no way, Prada stigmatize or fetishize workwear. Quite the opposite, she celebrates the independence and agency it provides to women. “The apron is my favorite piece of clothing,” the designer shared in a press statement. “It is about protection and care—for me, it is a symbol of the effort and hardship of women.”

More on Miumiu.com

Chloé: Couture, Reimagined for the Real World

There’s a quiet kind of rebellion in what Chloé just did. Showing inside a UNESCO conference room — all concrete, glass, and 1960s optimism — the house turned introspection into an art form. The collection asked a simple but radical question: what would couture look like if it were free?

Instead of silks and corsetry, we saw cotton poplins and soft drapes. Florals redrawn from the archives of the 1950s and 60s floated across fabric like old memories reawakening. Shapes were studied but spontaneous — pleated, knotted, wrapped — moving with the body rather than against it.

It felt personal, almost emotional. A kind of couture that doesn’t belong behind glass, but in motion — on the street, in conversation, under real sunlight. Chloé’s SS26 wasn’t about fantasy; it was about liberation. About coming full circle to what Gaby Aghion always wanted: beauty made for living.

More on Chloe.com

October 7, 2025

Between What Was and What’s Becoming: Aidha Badr’s “I’m Never Coming Back” at Firetti Contemporary

There’s something magnetic about honesty — especially when it’s uncomfortable. In I’m Never Coming Back, her new solo exhibition at Firetti Contemporary in collaboration with Hunna Art Gallery, Aidha Badr doesn’t perform emotion; she lets it sit, quietly, in the room.

Self portrait with rose 2025. oil on canvas. 168x107

Opened on September 19 in Dubai, the show feels like walking into someone’s private archive — fragments of thought, gestures of tenderness, and moments of reckoning stitched together in paint.

Brooklyn-born and Dubai-based, Badr has always explored intimacy — the messy kind, the one that lives between memory and self-discovery. But this time, the story hits closer to home. The artist turns her gaze inward, tracing her own evolution from daughter to mother, from observer to subject. The result is a collection of works that blur autobiography and mythology — as if she’s rewriting the language of womanhood in real time.

Nothing Less Nothing More 2025. oil on canvas. 120x100

In this body of work, the artist’s tone has shifted. Her earlier pieces examined the mother figure from the outside — curious, questioning, sometimes rebellious. Now, as a mother herself, Badr turns the gaze inward. Her self-portraits — tight crops of the face, the shoulder, the hand — are both shield and revelation. She becomes a modern Madonna: serene, protective, and hauntingly distant.

Threaded through these works is a recurring symbol — the horse. At first glance, it’s a toy, fragile and dissected; later, it grows into something fully formed, proud, and self-assured. In I Am Not the Same and I Am Never Coming Back, a majestic horse towers over its toy counterpart — a poetic confrontation between the past self and the present one. The image feels like a reckoning, a reconciliation, a gentle reminder that change is not loss but evolution.

“It’s not about running or escaping anymore,” Badr says. “It’s about being present with whatever’s shifted, and finding a kind of freedom in that.”

There’s a silence that lingers through the exhibition — the quiet weight of becoming. “I’m Never Coming Back” is less about departure and more about arrival: into womanhood, into motherhood, into a self that no longer seeks to fit a shape but to expand beyond it.

In Dubai’s growing art scene, where identity and transformation are recurring themes, Aidha Badr’s work stands out for its restraint — its refusal to dramatize emotion. Instead, she paints the small ruptures of daily life, the inner dialogues we rarely articulate, and the delicate power of accepting change.

Exhibition Details

Title: I’m Never Coming Back
Artist: Aidha Badr
Venue: Firetti Contemporary, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai
Public Dates: September 19 – November 7, 2025
Opening Reception: September 18, 7:00–9:00 PM
In collaboration with: Hunna Art Gallery

For more information, visit @firetticontemporary and @hunna.art.

Cover: Self portrait with rose 2025. oil on canvas. 168x107

October 6, 2025

RIMOWA Gets in the Groove

RIMOWA has always been about movement — the art of traveling well, with precision, and a little attitude.

Now, the Maison is taking that energy off the runway (or rather, off the airport carousel) and into everyday life with the launch of The Groove Collection: a sleek line of premium leather bags inspired by its legendary luggage.

It’s an expansion that feels inevitable but no less exciting. Designed in Germany and crafted in Italy, the Groove Collection translates RIMOWA’s signature grooves into a new tactile language. The lines are still there — horizontal and vertical, bold and structured — but now softened by supple Italian leather that bends and breathes with the body.

The range features four styles: the Groove Shopping Bag, the Sliding Hobo Bag, and the Cross-Body Bags in Large and Small. Each piece feels distinctly RIMOWA — minimal, intelligent, quietly powerful. The kind of accessory that fits as easily into an airport lounge as it does a city street.

The Groove Shopping Bag nails effortless sophistication with shoulder-to-hand versatility, while the Sliding Hobo brings a more fluid, off-duty vibe — complete with detachable pouches and subtle hardware detailing. Then there’s the Cross-Body, RIMOWA’s boldest statement piece, echoing the architecture of their iconic suitcases with a flash of palladium hardware and a play on matte-and-shine contrast.

Color-wise, the lineup stays classic but with seasonal nods to RIMOWA’s past. Think Black, Silver (a direct homage to the brand’s aluminum roots), and pops of Pink, Burgundy, and Green — each bag grounded in functionality but styled for flair.

“We’re proud to usher in a new era for RIMOWA,” says CEO Hugues Bonnet-Masimbert. “The Groove Collection introduces a new pattern inspired by our design codes — developed in Germany, crafted in Italy, and deeply rooted in the Maison's heritage and creative vision.”

The collection isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about what RIMOWA does best — blending precision and soul. It’s luggage DNA reimagined for the everyday.

Starting September 22, 2025, the Groove Collection will be available in RIMOWA stores and online at RIMOWA.com, with prices starting at €950 for the small cross-body and going up to €1,700 for the large shopping bag.

Because let’s be honest: mobility never looked this good.

More on Rimowa.com

October 1, 2025

SAND in the City: Dubai’s First Resortwear Trade Show

Dubai has always loved the sun. Now, it’s about to get its very own stage to celebrate the style that comes with it.

This October, the city will host the debut of SAND, the Middle East’s first B2B trade show fully dedicated to swimwear, resortwear, activewear, loungewear, and accessories.

From October 11–13, 2025, The Agenda at Dubai Media City will be transformed into a global hub of breezy silhouettes, statement bikinis, and the kind of accessories you want to pack for a never-ending summer. With over 80 premium brands flying in from all corners of the world, SAND isn’t just a fashion showcase — it’s an industry moment.

Expect an eclectic mix: bohemian tailoring from Hemant and Nandita, vegan silk luxury from niLuu, Mediterranean lace by Charo Ruiz Ibiza, the sultry edge of Shell Belle Couture, and the timeless charm of SIYU. Add to that sustainable voices like Honest The Label from Bali, playful bursts from Las Sureñas, Italian-crafted eco-swimwear by Mariella B, and jewelry from Van Den Abeele Paris — and you’ve got a line-up that spans heritage, innovation, and global flair.

Of course, this is Dubai, so it’s not just about racks and runways. Immersive activations, panel talks, and networking events will spotlight the future of resort fashion: think sustainability, digital influence, and the region’s appetite for lifestyle-driven luxury. Buyers from across the Middle East and Asia — from big-name retailers to boutique hotels and e-commerce platforms — are already confirmed.

“Dubai offers the perfect setting — a city that lives and breathes beach culture and year-round style,” says co-founder Iyad Grahne. His partner, Karim Hatab, adds: “With SAND, we’re giving this region its first dedicated platform where international brands can connect with the right partners, and where local talent can step onto the world stage.”

In a city where brunches, beach clubs, and style are already a way of life, SAND is about to become the annual diary date for resortwear insiders. Consider it your backstage pass to the wardrobes that define endless summers.

Cover/Charo Ruiz Ibiza

📅 When: October 11–13, 2025
📍 Where: The Agenda, Dubai Media City
🌐 More info: sandtradeshow.com | @sandtradeshow

September 30, 2025

Boucheron Turns Sand Into Gold

September 30, 2025

Dubai Dining: October’s Hottest Tables & The News We'Ve Been Waiting For

Dubai never takes a break when it comes to food — and this month is serving some seriously exciting news for anyone who lives to brunch, lunch, or linger over truffle pasta.

From anniversaries to grand openings, here’s where you’ll want to book a table.

Carbone Dubai at Atlantis The Royal

Finally, the news everyone’s been waiting for: Carbone, the New York-Italian institution, has landed in Dubai. Officially opening its doors on October 6, Carbone brings old-school glamour to Atlantis The Royal, complete with jewel-toned banquettes, a show-stopping jellyfish tank, and chandeliers that feel straight out of a Sinatra movie.

On the menu? All the hits — the cult Spicy Rigatoni Vodka, veal parm, and tableside theatrics that make dining at Carbone as much performance as it is meal. With Atlantis’ already competitive dining portfolio, this is set to be one of the city’s toughest reservations.

📍 Address: Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
📲 Bookings: atlantis.com

‍

ROKA Turns Five (Business Bay)

Since opening in 2020, ROKA has been one of the city’s go-to spots for contemporary Japanese robatayaki dining. This month, the Business Bay outpost celebrates its fifth anniversary with limited-edition dishes — like braised beef short rib with pickled daikon — and signature cocktails including the Umami Highball.

The highlight? A one-night-only Sake Dinner on October 1, pairing exclusive sakes with a bespoke tasting menu. Five years on, ROKA remains one of the buzziest addresses for sleek dining and an energy-filled atmosphere.

📍 Address: The Opus by Omniyat, Business Bay, Dubai
📲 Bookings: rokarestaurant.com

Armani/Amal Weekend Ritual (Burj Khalifa)

Perched in the Armani Hotel inside the Burj Khalifa, Armani/Amal has always been synonymous with elevated Indian cuisine. Their new Weekend Lunch Ritual (Friday–Sunday, 1:00pm–4:00pm) is designed for long afternoons spent sharing family-style dishes.

For AED 260 per person, diners enjoy a spread that includes raj kachori, lamb chops, fish stew, creamy butter chicken, and desserts like saffron rasmalai. With panoramic views of Downtown Dubai and the world’s tallest building just outside the window, it’s as much about the setting as it is about the food.

📍 Address: Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai
📲 Bookings: armanihoteldubai.com‍
📲 Bookings: Opening soon via bigmamma.group

Jun’s Goes Business Class (Downtown Dubai)

Forget the sad desk lunch. Jun’s on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard is redefining the weekday meal. Their Business Lunch runs from Monday to Friday, 12:00pm–3:30pm, priced at AED 125 for two courses or AED 145 for three. Expect starters like Wagyu beef potstickers, mains inspired by a global mix of flavors, and desserts such as the inventive coconut ube pie. With vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options, Jun’s hits the sweet spot between efficiency and indulgence.
📍 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai
📲 junsdubai.com

Gerbou Brings Emirati Flair to Lunch (Nad Al Sheba)

Adding a local twist to the weekday routine, Gerbou in Nad Al Sheba offers a Business Lunch rooted in Emirati-inspired flavors. Available Monday to Friday, 12:00pm–3:00pm, the set menu is AED 140 per person (starter + main + water). Guests can finish with dessert for AED 20. Think authentic notes, contemporary comfort, and a sense of place.
📍 Nad Al Sheba 1, Dubai
📲 gerboudubai.com

Bussola’s Brunchissimo Relaunch (Jumeirah Golf Estates)

Spritz in hand, music in the air, and sunshine on the terrace — Brunchissimo at Bussola is back. Inspired by the Amalfi Coast, this Saturday ritual (1:00pm–4:00pm) is all about la dolce vita: Burratina prepared at the table, Vitello Tonnato, wood-fired pizza, risotto of the day, jumbo prawns, lamb cutlets, and more.

The show continues with a roaming tiramisu trolley, cannelloni prepared live, and bowls of fresh fruit. Drinks lean Italian, too: Aperol spritz, Limoncello, sgroppino whipped tableside. At AED 570 per person (sparkling beverages included), it’s a decadent afternoon meant to linger.
📍 Bussola, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai
📲 jgebookings@bussola.ae | +971 4 586 7760 | dubaigolf.com/jge/brunchissimo

‍

THE OPENING WE CAN'T WAIT FOR

Gloria by Big Mamma (Ritz Carlton DIFC)

If you’ve dined at Pink Mamma or Ober Mamma in Paris, you know the hype. The Italian dining collective Big Mamma Group is finally bringing its velvet-soaked, truffle-heavy magic to Dubai with the opening of Gloria Osteria at the Ritz Carlton DIFC this December.

Expect Milan-in-the-’70s glamour, oversized chandeliers, and dishes that lean toward indulgence: lobster-stuffed casoncelli, wagyu saltimbocca, and mafaldine pasta drowning in fresh truffle. Judging by Big Mamma’s European outposts, reservations will be a battle once booking lines open — so get ready.

📍 Address: Ritz Carlton DIFC, Gate Village, Dubai International Financial Centre

‍

September 29, 2025

Milan Fashion Week: Our Recap

Big debuts, brand overhauls and Italian craftsmanship set the tone for the latest edition of Milan Fashion Week.

For Spring/Summer 2026, brands envisioned streamlined silhouettes that shook traditional minimalism and reimagined modern luxury. Designers forwent the classic runway, revisiting how brands showcase their work. And, as it happens in every major fashion capital, the city teemed with buzz as celebrities and industry leaders touched down to discover the very best from the seven-day event.

By Mayra Peralta

Diesel staged an egg hunt in the streets of Milan

With Glenn Martens at the helm, Diesel has built a reputation for bridging fashion and art through spectacle and innovation. Building upon a portfolio of unconventional shows, this season, Diesel set up an egg hunt across Milan. Large transparent egg-shaped capsules, installed in various spots in the city, displayed models dressed in distressed styles, raglan sleeve coats and Diesel’s signature denim.

The idea invites people to rethink how public spaces can contribute to the democratization of art and fashion. “This is Diesel for the people, a collection discovered by the public at the same time as everyone else,” said Martens in a press statement. “Fashion is a game, everyone gets to be on the front row.”

Fendi goes playful

Texture juxtaposition, intense color and floral motifs that for once carried a sense of novelty defined Silvia Venturini Fendi’s vision for Fendi Spring/Summer 2026. The designer’s latest collection unveiling invited showgoers to a vibrant and playful setup dreamed of by industrial designer Marc Newson. Dressed in brightly-colored ensembles and vacation-ready sets, models strutted down a color block runway flanked by A-listers of all fields and generations. To name a few, American actress Hilary Duff, Syrian actor Moatasem Al Nahar, Lebanese actress Daniella Rahme and K-pop star Bang Chan sat front row for the occasion.

On the runway, the Fendi woman embraced sportswear-infused details as she sojourned in cosmopolitan cities, stepped out for business meetings and indulged in summer leisure.

She was chic and playful, but retained the brand’s refinement, as she explored the fluidity between everyday luxury and craftsmanship.

More on Fendi.com

Bottega Veneta welcomes Louise Trotter

British designer Louise Trotter looked back on Bottega Veneta’s history for her creative director debut. Her retrospective journey spanned the brand’s cofounder Renzo Zengiaro’s fascination with the Intrecciato pattern, a symbol of the Maison, as well as first female creative director Laura Braggion’s creative codes. At the core of Trotter’s inaugural collection, however, was the craftsmanship and attention to detail that Bottega Veneta is so celebrated for.

Trotter sent chic officewear, voluminous pieces made of recycled fiberglass and leather staples down the runway. Movement and reinvention—Trotter revamped classic leather goods for the runway—merged for an exploration of duality, where the Intrecciato becomes a metaphor for joining forces and embracing collaborative efforts. “Collaboration and connectivity run throughout this house and its history, from its beginnings to what it is now,” said Trotter. “It’s about different places, different people, male and female – individual parts and stories intertwined to make a stronger whole.”

More on BottegaVeneta.com

Demna kicked off his Gucci tenure with a short film

For his first collection at the helm of Gucci, Georgian designer Demna Gvasalia skipped traditional runways and opted for a visual format. The short film, titled The Tiger, showcased Demna’s vision for the Italian giant, presenting a collection of characters grouped as the Gucci famiglia. Demi Moore, Edward Norton, Ed Harris, Elliot Page and Keke Palmer, among others, starred in the feature, which premiered on September 25 at Palazzo Mezzanotte.

Echoing the film, the red carpet event saw friends and ambassadors, from Indian actress Alia Bhatt to film star Demi Moore, arrive in looks taken straight from Demna’s new collection. Sculptural forms, maximalist fashion and rich textures, from animal print to sequined dresses, painted a bold and irreverent image of the new Gucci—one that is audacious, modern and sexy in the best possible way.

More on Gucci.com

Versace steps into a new era

Stepping into a new chapter as part of Prada Group, Versace welcomed Dario Vitale as creative lead. A private event at Pinacoteca Ambrosiana marked the occasion. The presentation was a trip down memory lane, unearthing the design elements and aesthetics that identified Versace under Gianni Versace’s creative direction.

The idea translated into '80s-leaning silhouettes, color blocking, and unrestrained layering. Sharp shoulders, draping and skin-baring details, as well as Versace’s signature patterns, adorned models as they walked down the runway, sexy, unbothered and effortlessly cool. After all, as the brand shared through a statement, that’s the foundation of the Versace brand and what has shaped its identity.

More on Versace.com

Prada responds to the “overload of contemporary culture”

Loyal to their conceptual runways and modernist inspirations, Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons questioned the state of fashion with their Spring/Summer 2026 collection. Prompting women to rethink constraints in dressing, the runway explored juxtaposition and liberation. Prada reimagined femininity with uniforms resembling protective overalls, asymmetrical skirts, tailored essentials and contrasting lingerie-inspired sets.

Irreverent, smart and unconventional, the Prada woman dresses in response to “the overload of contemporary culture.” The color palette is all-embracing, ranging from muted hues and pastels to bold yellows, fuchsia and neon green. The silhouettes oscillate between appealing and unorthodox, unflattering even. Ultimately, that’s where the creative dialogue between Simons and Prada lies at, in the contrasts, fluctuations and ability to respond and adapt to the moment.

More on Prada.com

September 25, 2025

Prada Fine Jewelry: Couleur Vivante and the Art of Color

September 25, 2025

From Sneakers to Soundtracks: Sole DXB Returns And The Headline is Mad Cool

December in Dubai doesn’t just mean cooler nights — it means SOLE DXB taking over the city. From December 12 to 14, Dubai Design District (d3) will once again transform into the region’s loudest, boldest block party, where sneakers, sound, art and attitude collide.

Sole isn’t your average festival — it’s where street culture gets center stage. Think basketball tournaments unfolding next to sneaker drops, talks on creativity just a few steps away from live art installations, and a music lineup that refuses to play background noise. This year, the roster is heavy: Kaytranada on Friday, Tyla bringing Saturday heat, and Miguel closing it down on Sunday night. That’s just the main stage — smaller sets, DJs, and surprise collabs are practically guaranteed.

Sure, Sole is about music, but let’s not lie: it’s also the runway for sneakers and fits you won’t catch anywhere else. Vintage stalls, pop-ups from global heavyweights, and drops you’ll regret missing — the festival has become a ritual for sneakerheads and streetwear devotees who treat d3 like their personal playground.

What keeps Sole from being just another festival? Its curation. The team doesn’t just throw famous names on a flyer — they build a weekend where community, creativity, and commerce blur. You’ll meet local voices next to international legends, and conversations about culture hit as hard as the bass lines.

What You Need to Know

When: December 12–14, 2025
Where: Dubai Design District (d3)
Tickets: Starting around AED 350 (weekend and VIP passes available)
Vibe: Think less “festival” and more “movement” — come ready for 3 days of sneakers, beats, art, and heat.

The JDEED Take

SOLE DXB has always been about more than flexing kicks - we've alwas made our way to show up for culture. This edition feels bigger, sharper, and more in sync with a generation that wants depth and chaos in equal measure. Whether you’re there for the headliners, the drops, or the activities (or to come say hi, we'll be there!) Sole is where it’s all happening.

More info on SOLEDXB.COM

September 25, 2025

Le Gray Beirut: The Legendary Hotel Is Coming Back

September 24, 2025

MAX&Co. x Pietro Terzini: Here We Go Again

When MAX&Co. asked Pietro Terzini back for a second round of collaboration, it wasn’t just because the first one worked.

It was because his universe — ironic, raw, word-driven — resonates with a generation that’s as fluent in memes as it is in fashion. The new capsule, HERE WE GO AGAIN, is Terzini’s love letter to his teenage obsessions, filtered through the eye of someone who knows how to turn nostalgia into now. JDEED spoke to Terzini to know more.

“I went back to when I was 16 or 17,” he tells JDEED. “That was hip-hop, streetwear, films I couldn’t stop watching, the codes of Americana. I grew up with that. But then I reinterpreted it through my lens today.” For him, it wasn’t about replicating youth culture, but about remixing it with irony and wit. The result: denim, bombers, flannels, sharp tailoring, but all stamped with Terzini’s bold slogans — fashion as commentary.

Words as Weapons

The slogans are unmistakably Pietro. “GOOD VIBES / OR GOOD BYES.” “I DIDN’T STUDY AT OXFORD.” “I HOPE YOUR EMAIL WON’T FIND ME.” He laughs when we ask where they come from. “It’s about accessibility. Fashion can be intimidating, elitist even. Adding humor — a wink — brings people closer. It connects. You read a line and you think, yeah, that’s me.”

It’s this mix of irony and intimacy that makes the capsule feel personal. A hoodie that declares I’D RATHER STAY HOME isn’t just a joke — it’s the mood of an entire generation. The pinstripe suit inspired by Scarface and The Godfather is reimagined with boxy proportions and lines that read like text messages. “Cinema influenced me a lot,” he says. “Those gangster films — they had an attitude. I wanted to capture that but make it wearable, funny, almost like you’re in on the joke.”

Style as Playlist

For Terzini, the capsule is less a collection than a playlist. He even had a soundtrack in mind: Travis Scott’s Butterfly Effect. “That song is exactly the energy of this collab,” he explains. “It’s nostalgic but modern, it makes you move, it feels free. That’s what I wanted the clothes to do.”

And freedom is at the core. The pieces are genderless, built for mixing, layering, living. Oversized flannels with playful puns (I’LL CHECK AND LET YOU KNOW), sweaters with double-sided messages (GOOD VIBES / OR GOOD BYES), accessories that don’t just fill a look but tell their own story — socks, hats, even an umbrella insisting I PREFER SUNNY DAYS.

It’s about freedom. Fashion should make you feel like yourself. It should make you smile.”

‍

The Balance with MAX&Co.

When we ask how it feels to collide his world with MAX&Co.’s, Pietro is thoughtful. “The key was finding balance. MAX&Co. has its DNA — colorful, playful, irreverent. My job was to bring my codes — words, irony, street culture — and merge them. But both of us want to speak to contemporary culture. Both of us care about accessibility. It’s not about being elitist, it’s about reflecting what’s happening in society.”

That balance is why HERE WE GO AGAIN doesn’t feel like a stunt collab, but like an authentic mash-up. It’s Terzini’s voice amplified by a house that thrives on collaboration, one that has previously tapped names like Richard Quinn, Duro Olowu, and Anna Dello Russo. “The second time felt even more special,” Pietro says. “I could really bring my world and my references to the collection. MAX&Co. encouraged that.”

JDEED Take

HERE WE GO AGAIN is Pietro at his most unfiltered: a Milanese artist raised on hip-hop and Hollywood gangster films, turning irony into wardrobe staples. But it’s also MAX&Co. at its best: vibrant, fearless, irreverent. Together, they’ve built something that feels like wearing a punchline, or blasting your favorite track — witty, nostalgic, but completely of the moment.

As Pietro says: “It’s about freedom. Fashion should make you feel like yourself. It should make you smile.”

And this capsule? It does exactly that.

More on Maxandco.com

September 23, 2025

Persol Lands in Abu Dhabi: Heritage Meets a New Horizon

Abu Dhabi’s Galleria Al Maryah Island just got a new cultural landmark. On September 16th, Persol — the storied Italian eyewear house — opened its first Middle Eastern boutique, and only its fourth standalone store in the world.

For the occasion, JDEED sat down with Riccardo Pozzoli, Persol’s Creative Director, to talk about why Abu Dhabi felt like the right stage, how Persol’s heritage translates across cultures, and what it means to bring one of Italy’s most iconic exports to the Gulf.

Pozzoli is quick to ground Persol in its legacy: “When you buy a Persol, you’re holding something that has passed through more than thirty handmade steps. Generations of fathers and sons have transmitted this passion for materials. It’s something unique, and when you have it in your hand, you know it’s for life” he tells JDEED.

That artisanal dimension, he explains, is precisely why the brand resonates across continents — it’s not about trends, it’s about touch, weight, and details that feel timeless. The sunglasses are still made in the same factory in Turin since 110 years, by hand, preserving the crafts and impeccable techniques that rose the brand to fame.

For Abu Dhabi, the move is less about retail geography and more about cultural fit. “Everybody told me Abu Dhabi is growing faster than Dubai now,” Pozzoli reflects. “It’s a place where people understand heritage and quality — where they want something that lasts.”

In a city that has positioned itself as a capital of arts and culture, Persol’s arrival feels like a natural extension of that narrative.

Walking into the boutique, the design tells its own story: Italian marbles, warm woods, and immersive displays that highlight Persol’s technical signatures — the flexible Meflecto temples, the Supreme Arrow. “We want people here to live the experience,” Pozzoli says. “When you touch our acetate, you feel the difference. Every frame is slightly different — you need to see it on your face, to feel it.”

Cinema, too, remains at the heart of the brand. Persol frames have graced the faces of Marcello Mastroianni and Steve McQueen, and Pozzoli insists that this connection isn’t the result of strategy, but of authenticity: “We don’t push it. The actors, the directors — they choose Persol because they’re passionate about beautiful products.”

That same spirit of effortless cool feels poised to resonate with Abu Dhabi’s growing community of creatives and tastemakers.

At JDEED, we asked Pozzoli about the future — whether Persol could see itself engaging with local artists or crafting limited-edition releases for the region. While he kept the brand’s immediate focus on opening its doors and connecting with clients face-to-face, the possibility feels alive. Abu Dhabi, after all, is a city that thrives on dialogue between heritage and modernity — exactly the balance Persol has embodied for more than a century.

Discover more on Persol.com

September 22, 2025

Digest This: Cymbiotika's Cool Girl’s Guide to Gut Health

September 22, 2025

Devialet Phantom Ultimate: When Sound Becomes a Physical Experience

Ten years ago, Devialet’s Phantom speaker shook the audio world. A decade, 250 patents, and countless design tweaks later, the Parisian house of acoustic engineering returns with its boldest statement yet: the Phantom Ultimate.

This isn’t just a speaker; it’s an object that turns sound into something you feel in your bones — pure emotion sculpted in waves.

A New Icon, Born in Paris

Designed and crafted in Paris, the Phantom Ultimate carries the same sculptural silhouette that made its predecessor a cult object, now honed into an even sleeker, more seamless form. Each edition feels like a work of art: Deep Forest for earthy minimalists, Light Pearl for those who want elegance distilled into light, and the Opéra de Paris model, hand-finished with 22-carat gold, for those who like their sound gilded. It’s as much about presence in the room as performance in the ear.

Beneath the futuristic shell lies Devialet’s most advanced sound arsenal yet. Infra-bass that plunges to 14 Hz. Frequencies that soar to 35 kHz. Power that peaks at 1,100 watts yet remains free of distortion, saturation, or background noise. The experience is almost disorienting — bass that hits like a heartbeat, treble that cuts like glass, mids that feel startlingly alive. This is sound engineered to be physical, a sensation as much as an audition.

The Phantom Ultimate isn’t about numbers on a spec sheet. It’s about living inside the music, being dropped into the middle of a performance, or carried into the depth of a film. In stereo, it creates the intimacy of a live concert; in Cinema Mode, it transforms into a cinematic engine that fills the room with surround-like clarity. Through the redesigned Devialet App, listeners can sculpt their sound experience with precision, from a six-band equalizer to new modes that tailor every track, podcast, or film into something personal.

Price of Perfection

Of course, perfection has its price. The Phantom Ultimate comes in two levels: the 108 dB edition (€3,200, or €3,800 for the Opéra de Paris) and the 98 dB edition (€1,500, or €1,800 for the Opéra de Paris). Both will be available starting September 17, 2025, in Devialet stores, at selected retailers, and online at devialet.com.

JDEED Take

In an era where speakers are expected to fade into interiors, the Phantom Ultimate does the opposite — it insists on being seen, heard, and felt. It is a piece of Parisian design history, a fetish object for audiophiles, and above all a reminder that sound isn’t something passive. With Devialet, sound becomes a life force.

More info on Devialet.com