News To Know: Our Monthly Roundup
From fashion celebrations to artistic transformations, Bazaar Arabia presents this months highlights…
THE COLLABORATION
Stars Celebrate Dolce & Gabbana And Mytheresa On The Italian Riviera
If you’d glanced at your Instagram feed, you might wonder why so many of the world’s bright young things – from Sandra Shehab and Ola Farahat to Poppy Delevingne and Alice Pagani, plus White Lotus lead Beatrice Granno were soaking in the sun on glamorous Capri on the same weekend. You’d immediately notice they were all clad in distinctive, joyous prints – unmistakably carrying the stamp of Italian duo Dolce&Gabbana. But this collection wasn’t one that was carried in their boutiques – it was the eighth drop of a unique partnership with luxury e-tailer Mytheresa.
As the sun set on the island, the party shifted to Da Paolino – arguably the most iconic restaurant in this exclusive enclave – where the lemon trees are decked out in twinkling fairy lights, and even the most ardent carb-free fashionista caves into a plate of their signature citrus ravioli. Notoriously difficult to privatise for the night? Of course. But who was going to say no to this chicly-clad clan who happily tucked into strawberry fagioli dessert and joined an impromptu conga line?
The dress code for the night? Pieces from the capsule collection, of course. And although pieces were fresh, they had a slight retro monochrome flourish, and a Dolce&Gabbana stamp. Think Palazzo pants, crop tops, dresses and blouses, decorated with scenes from the surroundings – prints of plazas and the surrounding cliffs – accessorised with scarves that kept wind-blown hair at bay and are sure to be a hit in the region.
But the night wasn’t over yet. The revelry continued at the Anema E Core taverna where dancing on tables to traditional music is par for the course, and after parties always last till the sun starts peeking out again. Exclusive to mytheresa.com
THE DESTINATION
Play Pool
Le Sirenuse’s magical terrace with majestic Mediterranean views makes it a favourite of the Amalfi Coast. The iconic hotel has a longstanding Artists at Le Sirenuse programme where a creative in residence conjures up a piece for the property. This year Nicolas Party has transformed the iconic terrace pool by creating blue-green wave shapes on its floor and walls, transforming it into a glistening aquascape.
THE ROUNDUP
Let The Games Begin
The Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games will not only be showcasing athletic prowess, but also some serious fashion moments. Dior has a band of 15 talented ambassadors – including fencer Rossella Fiamingo, boxer Estelle Mossely and gymnast Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos – all wearing pieces from a specially designed capsule, taking athleisure to another level. A series of portraits of the chosen athletes will also be on display at Le Café Dior at the Maison’s flagship boutique.
Double Take
After reconnecting at a garden party, JJ Martin of La DoubleJ fame and Orlebar Brown’s Adam Brown have come together and created a 34-piece Raise Your Vacation Vibration summer capsule collection. “This collection is really a true founder-to-founder brainchild,” JJ says about the collaboration. The American, known for her use of bold patterns added, “OB was looking to add a little pizazz to their prints while we at LDJ were looking to absorb some of that off-duty elegance that they’re so well-known for. Although they might seem traditionally like men’s and women’s collections forged into one, all the pieces are really genderless, meant to be borrowed from your partner or your BFF’s closet while on holiday together. This is a true marriage of energies and aesthetics.”
Saddle Up
Two of our favourite Hermès things, the iconic silk scarf and bag have been merged to create summery carry-all that will make beach days much brighter. With its luxurious leather handle, the silk hobo is surprisingly spacious and available in a kaleidoscope of bold colours.
Bag A Bird
If you missed out the first time around, JW Anderson has brought back its feathered friend. First spotted as part of the AW22 men’s show, the popular piece is back but only for a short time.
THE CREATIVE
Desert Roses
For Saudi Arabian artist Manal Aldowayan, transformations have been a lifelong fascination. She bares sensitive yet critical witness to the cultural changes happening within the Kingdom. “There has always been a creative community within Saudi Arabia, bubbling under the surface,” she tells Bazaar Arabia. Representing Saudi Arabia at the Venice Biennale’s 60th edition, she notes, “We’re having a moment of transformation, as a people and as a country. Change is hard, and art is an excellent way to help reconcile and process that change.”
For the Biennale, Manal created ‘Shifting Sands: A Battle Song’. She conducted participatory sessions in Al Khobar, Jeddah, and Riyadh, where women responded to articles about Saudi women. “I gathered their drawings and statements, and asked them to read them out loud,” she explains. These recordings, combined with natural desert sounds, form an immersive installation. “You hear the sound of women. You don’t see them – they’re invisible – but their presence is confirmed through that act.” Her sculptures, inspired by the desert rose, symbolize resilience. “I felt this was a much more appropriate representation of Arab women,” Manal says.
THE TEMPTING TREAT
Sweet Spot
Indulge in Fendi’s tutti-frutti bag. The perfect accessory to pick‘n’mix with any outfit.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s July/August 2024 issue