Memos From The Middle East: Ancient Calligraphy at the National Museum in Riyadh and Shumm Candles to Indulge your Senses
Bazaar brings you this month’s memos from the Middle East…
1. A ‘Gem’ of a Podcast
If you’re craving some easy listening on fashion, art and business whilst driving around Riyadh, we’ve got the podcast for you. Designer and Esquire Saudi Contributing Editor, Hatem Alakeel’s multifaceted, ‘Gems of Arabia,’ unearth plenty of treasures. Tune in on his Instagram @hatemalakeel. We insist.
2. Explore Ancient Calligraphy
Explore the ‘Scripts and Calligraphy: A Timeless Journey’ exhibition at the National Museum in Riyadh. Organized by the Ministry of Culture, the inky journey begins from the inception of writing nearly 1,700 years ago on the Arabian Peninsula. The collection even contains one of the oldest pages of the Holy Qur’an, dating back to the 2nd century AH (8th century AD).
3. Invest
…in fine jewellery from Mi Concept. Located in the heart of Riyadh, the boutique’s ethos revolves around offering exclusive collaborations with established names in jewellery–resulting in limited-edition creations overflowing with contemporary flair.
4. Indulge
…your senses with nostalgic local scents, as created by Shumm Candles. Hand-poured with 100% natural soy wax and finished with a cotton wick, these memory-evoking buys include Arabic coffee, chai karak, oud wood, jasmine, and our favourite–Teta’s house rose musk. Putting a match to the flame is both a comfort and joy.
5. Try
…the very best of French-Mediterranean and Niçoise-inspired cuisine at the newly opened LPM Restaurant in Riyadh, led by Chef Patron, Raphael Duntoye. Sit inside, surrounded by LPM’s legendary art collection, and order the marinated tiger prawns, burrata and homemade gnocchi, or enjoy a refreshing drink on the open-air terrace.
6. Visit Aseer for a Luxurious Sight
Between the cool, breezy weather and the breathtaking views, the rich culture of Aseer is worthy of your post-pandemic summer.
7. Discover Cartier’s Heirloom Jewels
Cartier’s brand-new pop-up exhibition space in Jeddah’s Al Khayyat Center has allowed the maison to present its most iconic and timeless watch and jewellery designs all together for the very first time in the city. The heirloom watches on display include the Tank, first designed in 1917 by Louis Cartier and the Santos de Cartier, created in 1904. Alongside some of the brand’s most-recognisable jewellery pieces is the forever mystifying Panthère de Cartier.
8. Streetwear Meets with Middle Eastern Flair
Blending streetwear with Khaleeji heritage, adidas Originals has released its new Forum Lo Sneaker in collaboration with Saudi designer (and cousin of our cover star, Fatima), Arwa Al Banawi. Personal touches to the iconic silhouette pay homage to her Gulf roots, whilst reimagining them in a new context.
Aseer photos are from @visitsaudi on instagram. Scripts and Calligraphy gallery photo is from @MocSadui
From Harper’s Bazaar Saudi Summer Issue 2021
