Master Of Light, 30 Years of Georges Hobeika: Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Presents A Landmark Retrospective At Studio 152
Studio 152 proudly opens its doors on Marsa Boulevard on October 30, with a never-seen-before retrospective exhibition honouring Georges Hobeika’s legacy of sparkle and splendour
This week marks a defining moment for Harper’s Bazaar Arabia – and, more importantly, for regional talent that shines on the world stage. Proudly presenting its first-ever exhibition, Harper’s Bazaar Arabia unveils Master of Light: 30 Years of Georges Hobeika, a unique retrospective celebrating the maison’s three-decade journey to international acclaim.
“Georges Hobeika stands as the ultimate testament to regional talent and taste resonating on the world’s most illustrious stage,” says Olivia Phillips, Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. “To collaborate with a maison of such profound significance, and to celebrate its artistry through the Harper’s Bazaar Arabia lens, is an honour. It embodies our ongoing commitment to championing the extraordinary creativity of this region.”
“In just three decades, Georges Hobeika has become a legacy brand in its own right, and to have achieved such enduring relevance – particularly at a time when the very definition of luxury is constantly being reimagined and re-evaluated – is remarkable,” continues Olivia. “To have witnessed its evolution and continued excellence has been nothing short of inspiring; the maison makes the region immensely proud.”
The collaboration feels nothing short of serendipitous – an organic partnership that was, in many ways, destined to be. “Under the impeccable co-creative direction of Georges and Jad Hobeika, the maison’s mastery of detail is unparalleled,” says Olivia. “There is no truer expression of luxury than a relentless devotion to the tiniest nuances of craftsmanship. I can’t think of a more fitting maison to collaborate with for Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s inaugural exhibition – it’s an extraordinary milestone for us, and a significant moment for the region as a whole.”
The retrospective is presented in the newly-opened Studio 152, a unique space concepted and delivered by ITP Media’s editorial and events teams. The exhibition is the inaugural activation of this creative hub, a purpose-built venue at Marsa Boulevard, designed to connect Dubai’s growing network of artists, designers, and cultural tastemakers. The event also heralds the start of Marsa Boulevard’s much-anticipated new season, adding a dedicated creative dimension to the destination’s mix of dining, fashion, and community-led experiences.
“Having this incredible space at Studio 152 – purpose-built to unite the fashion and creative communities of the UAE – feels deeply special,” says Olivia. “The debut of Studio 152 on Marsa Boulevard makes it a double celebration. The space itself was conceived around the theme of light, which so beautifully mirrors the very DNA of the Georges Hobeika brand. It’s a luminous maison that radiates pure, unapologetic glamour; owning that realm completely, yet always with an air of grace and finesse.”
The exhibition’s thirty dresses for thirty years encompass myriad moods and moments. Fashion addicts and archivists will remember a breathtaking highlight from the Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2023 Small Talks collection; a glittering gown bestowed with a sumptuous, supersized bow crafted to evoke angel wings. The bodice gleams with metallic fringe, which required 14,000 Schiefler paillettes crafted in three different sizes to give its extraordinary illusion of iridescent feathers.
Another highlight is a gown from the Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2020 Mediterranea collection, a triumph in tulle, feathers, crystals, sequins and glass beads. Its asymmetric bodice cascades into waves of jubilant pink froth; the maison’s signature theatrical glamour personified. Earlier pieces hark back to design codes of the early 2000s, and together, these pieces trace a timeline of the maison’s evolution, a living love letter to its ultimate ambition over the last three decades: to mirror the light of every woman back to the world.
Master of Light, 30 Years of Georges Hobeika will be open to the public from October 31 to November 3, 2025 (4 PM onwards) for visitors to see the studio, exhibition, and explore Marsa Boulevard – now open for its most scintillating season yet.
Imagery
Creative Direction: Tamim Mortaza. Photography: Andrés Jimenez. Styling: Charlotte Marsh-Williams & Imogene Legrand. Models: Kate Xavier, MMG Models, Margo Shangina. Make Up Artist: Kalina Kocemba, MMG Artists. Hair Stylist: Aida Glow. Senior Producer: Steff Hawker. Multimedia Director: Ahmed Hossam. Editor: Sarah Jaliel. Photographer’s Assistant: Pablo Suarez. Styling Assistants: Thalia Laeticia, Sandra Krishna, Nicole Tyler
Videography
Creative Director: Tamim Mortaza. Multimedia Director: Ahmed Hossam. Editor: Sarah Jaliel. Styling: Charlotte Marsh-Williams & Imogene Legrand. Models: Kate Xavier, MMG Models, Margo Shangina. Make Up Artist: Kalina Kocemba, MMG Artists. Hair Stylist: Aida Glow. Senior Producer: Steff Hawker. Styling Assistants: Thalia Laeticia, Sandra Krishna, Nicole Tyler