Memos From The Middle East: Zendaya Designs Her First Sneaker, Tiffany&Co. Hides Bumble Bees In Its High Jewellery, And Burj Al Arab Enters A New Era
Every week Bazaar brings you the latest news in fashion and beauty, luxury and lifestyle, straight from our desks to yours
Runway To Real Life
Valextra Celebrates 15 Years Of The Iside
Valextra marks the 15th anniversary of the Iside handbag with a new addition to the family: the Iside Editor, an effortless silhouette embodying contemporary style and modern attitude. Available in Millepunte Soft, Senso nubuck and Sublime leathers, the elongated design accommodates magazines, A4 documents and small laptops with while remaining lightweight, versatile, and utterly chic. To mark the launch, the house has collaborated with Paris-based photographer Jean Marques and Milan-based director Emanuele Cantò to create a campaign centred on colour, movement and effortless portability. Pick one up, and you will feel immediately Devil Wears Prada.
For more information, visit www.valextra.com.
Gucci Revives Ten Iconic Archival Scarves Personally Picked By Demna
Gucci has revisited its ‘The Art of Silk’ activation, with a new collection of ten archival scarves selected by Demna from the Gucci Archive in Florence. The new edit features cult designs including Your Majesty, Double Trouble, Morso D’Oro, Giardino di Seta, Lungomare, Hard-Wear, Salon Privé, Il Gattino and two exclusive Flora scarves created for LACMA’s new David Geffen Galleries. Crafted from Calabrian silk through a collaboration with Nido di Seta and Ongetta, the two Flora scarves go one step further than simply being stylish – supporting local silk artisanry. To celebrate the launch, students from Accademia delle Belle Arti di Firenze have created paintings of the scarf designs, which are now on display at Gucci Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, while the LACMA Flora scarves are available exclusively at the LACMA Store and Gucci Beverly Hills.
For more information, visit www.gucci.com.
Malone Souliers Launches Its First Permanent Bridal Collection
Malone Souliers has launched its first permanent collection of wedding-ready styles. Founder Mary Alice Malone has taken six of the house’s signatures, Maureen, Noah, Marion, Keaton, Bettina and Norah, and reworked them in bridal-inspired fabrics to enchanting effect – the Maureen mule and Noah pump come in translucent lace and matte Nappa leather, while the Keaton platform and Bettina pump arrive in dusky blue silk for brides after their ‘something blue.’ The Marion slingback and the Norah – with practical block heel – offer options for those planning to hit the dancefloor, but expect the maison’s signature elegance in spades.
Available now at MaloneSouliers.com.
Zendaya And On Unveil the Cloudnova Moon Sneaker
Zendaya and On have released the latest chapter of their co-created collection, with the Cloudnova Moon sneaker at the fore. Developed with her long-time stylist and friend Law Roach, the collection spans ribbed tank tops, sporty anoraks, coach jackets, drawstring midi skirts, and parachute pants, along with the ballet-core cult sneaker design. To launch the collection, Spike Jonze directed the campaign film Shape of Dreams, set inside Zendaya’s imagined design world ‘The Dream Lab’, with still imagery by Sean Thomas. If your athleisure needs a refresh, start here.
The collection is available on on.ae, on-mena.com, in On stores and at select retailers worldwide.
Beauty Briefing
Guerlain Reinvents KissKiss With The First Kissproof Honey Lipstick
Guerlain has reformulated its iconic KissKiss lipstick into the first kissproof honey lipstick offering 24-hour wear. The formula blends honey for hydration, beeswax for glide, royal jelly to plump and propolis to smooth, bound by dual-polymer technology for lasting hold and minimal transfer. The finish is matte, lightweight and feels weightless on the lips. Delphine Jelk, Director of Perfume Creation, developed a new scent of honey, orange blossom and vanilla for the launch, infused into twenty shades span nudes, reds, pinks, plums and oranges, led by hero hues 510 Petal Red and 391 Vibrant Rose. The slimmed golden case features a new honeycomb motif, embossed bee and engraved bullet, with personalisation available in boutiques. Now refillable, one tube can house all 20 shades.
For more information visit www.guerlain.com.
Dior Unveils The Dioriviera Summer 2026 Collection
Peter Philips has turned to Provence as his summer muse, drawing inspiration from La Colle Noire, Christian Dior’s beloved château, to translate blue skies and golden southern light into azure hues, vivid corals and luminous bronzes. Romantic daisies bloom across limited-edition compacts with a playful ladybug, nodding to Monsieur Dior’s lucky charms. The collection delivers sun-kissed skin through Dior Forever Nude Bronze Glow, a new Sun-Kissed Luminiser and the house’s first bronzing stick enriched with vitamins C and E. Five limited-edition Lip Maximizers and two Dior Vernis shades in Azur and Sunset complete the range – add to your summer go-bag from April 2026.
For more information visit www.dior.com.
All That Glitters
Tiffany & Co. Unveils Its Blue Book 2026: Hidden Garden
Tiffany & Co. has unveiled its Blue Book 2026: Hidden Garden, a high jewellery collection designed by Chief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille and the Tiffany Design Studio. The spring chapter reimagines Jean Schlumberger’s butterflies, bees, birds and florals across 11 stories, rendered in sculptural platinum, hand-formed 18 karat gold and glittering gemstones from Sri Lanka, Zambia and Brazil. A Bee ring centres on a ten carat D Flawless oval diamond framed by charming bumble bees; while parrot brooches feature paillonné enamel in Tiffany Blue and transformable designs echo the season’s theme of renewal.
For more information visit www.tiffany.com.
Marli New York Introduces Motion And Measure: An Evolution Into Timepieces
Marli New York expands into watchmaking with MARLI Timepieces, a collection guided by the philosophy of Motion and Measure, where New York’s energy meets Swiss precision. Designed in New York and crafted in Switzerland, each piece features the brand’s iconic pyramid dial in natural mother-of-pearl. The collection spans three sizes: L23 and L30 in 18k rose gold, white gold or stainless steel, and the bold L35 in rose gold and titanium with a self-winding Swiss automatic movement. Full diamond versions set with up to 400 brilliant-cut stones complete the range, alongside blockchain-powered Digital Certification for authenticity and ownership transfer. “Entering watchmaking was an act of ambition,” says Founder Maral Artinian. “True creativity must stand on discipline.” Available May 2026.
For more information visit marlinewyork.com.
Leisure, Luxe, Repeat
Al Maha Launches April Wellness Experiences in Dubai Desert
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, offers a slower, more grounded escape this April, set within the protected landscape of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. The experience focuses on wellbeing and quiet connection, with spa-led rituals, desert horseback rides and curated stays designed to restore balance. Highlights include the Detoxifying Body Wrap paired with a three-course lunch, and the Desert Hack experience, available during the cooler hours of the day. For longer stays, the Timeless Desert Serenity package includes full-board dining, two daily desert activities and Dhs200 spa credit, with rates starting from Dhs2,400 per night until 31 May.
For more information, visit al-maha.com
Priyanka Chopra Jonas Joins Bentley As Global Brand Ambassador
Bentley Motors has enlisted Priyanka Chopra Jonas as its newest global brand ambassador. The campaign, shot by Co-Creative Director Greg Williams at Sony Studios in Los Angeles, strips back the expected gloss in favour of something more personal – a documentary style film capturing Priyanka speaking openly about creativity, craft and the energy of being on set. She joins Greg Williams and Mai Ikuzawa on the behemoth British brand’s ambassador roster, and we can expect a full film to follow in the coming weeks.
For more information visit www.bentleymotors.com.
Qasr Al Sarab Introduces A Desert Workcation Retreat
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara presents its Desert Workcation Retreat, offering a more considered approach to remote working within the vast landscape of the Empty Quarter. Designed for longer stays, the experience includes in-room or in-villa work setups, seamless connectivity, unlimited coffee and access to meeting facilities when needed. Beyond work, guests can explore desert experiences such as dune drives and camel trekking – an ultra-luxe take on work-life balance. Available for UAE and GCC residents until 30 September 2026 with a minimum three-night stay, rates start from Dhs1,080 per night.
For more information, visit anantara.com.
Burj Al Arab Begins Phased Restoration to Preserve Its Legacy
Jumeirah has announced a phased restoration programme for the Burj Al Arab, marking a new chapter for one of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks. Led by interior architect Tristan Auer, the 18-month project will focus on preserving the hotel’s signature interiors and craftsmanship while introducing subtle enhancements, ensuring its legacy continues for future generations to come.
For more information, visit jumeirah.com.
Artful Announcements
Art Dubai Announces Its 2026 Special Edition With Free Entry For All
Art Dubai returns to Madinat Jumeirah from 15 to 17 May with a special edition marking the fair’s 20th year. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, this edition will feature over 75 presentations from galleries and institutional partners, with around 60% drawn from the region. Programme highlights include Made Forward from the Dubai Collection, the 20th Global Art Forum commissioned by Shumon Basar, modern Arab art from Barjeel Art Foundation and a performance programme with Sharjah Art Foundation. Large-scale installations by Khalid Al Banna, Hashel Al Lamki, Rami Farook and Sudarshan Shetty will be integrated across the site. Entry is free, with a VIP preview taking place on 14 May.
For more information visit www.artdubai.ae.
DIFC Art Nights Returns for Its 21st Edition in Dubai
Art lovers assemble – Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) will present the 21st edition of DIFC Art Nights from 23 to 26 April 2026 at Gate Village, bringing together regional and international artists with a flurry of exhibitions, film screenings, live performances, panel discussions and interactive workshops. Supported by Dubai Culture, Opera Gallery and Dubai International Art Centre, this year’s edition highlights Emirati artists alongside global creatives, transforming DIFC into a multi-disciplinary cultural space.
For more information, contact Tiffany Dickinson (+971 525827029) or Nivine William (+971 504951900).
Emirati Designer Omar Al Gurg Presents His Kilimanjaro Photo Book
Omar Al Gurg, founder of MODU Method, continues to shape a multidisciplinary design practice that blends functionality with storytelling, spanning modular furniture and photography. With a background at Zaha Hadid Architects and collaborations with Gucci, BMW and Vacheron Constantin, his Dubai-based studio focuses on adaptable, design-led pieces rooted in everyday living and Arab heritage. Alongside this, his upcoming Rizzoli-published book documents his six-day Kilimanjaro climb, capturing a more personal exploration of landscape, stillness and perspective.
For more information, visit www.rizzoliusa.com.
Petit Bazaar
Versace Launches A Colourful Watch Collection for Young Adventurers
Versace Timepieces introduces V-Pop Kids, a playful collection designed for childhood adventures. Each watch features a 3D Medusa at the centre of the dial, and the collection comes in five colours to match every personality: blue for the sea-lover, pink for the dreamer, red for the bold adventurer, green for the nature seeker and yellow for those who carry sunshine everywhere. Soft silicone straps ensure comfort from playground to family outing. Each piece arrives in a round silicone case with embossed Medusa and gold carabiner clip. Perfect for maximalists in the making.
Versace V-Pop Kids is available at selected Versace boutiques, Hour Choice stores, Maison Luxe Dubai and Versace.com.
Lead Image Supplied