Memos From The Middle East: Huda Beauty Launches Travel-Sized Minis, Assouline Releases A Chic Tome On Iconic Bags, And Saint Levant Releases Love Letters Deluxe
Every week Bazaar brings you the latest news in fashion and beauty, luxury and lifestyle, straight from our desks to yours — from across the region and beyond..
Fashion
Carrying Craft Forward
Valextra’s The Journey of Craftsmanship reaffirms the Milanese maison’s enduring commitment to excellence, spotlighting the delicate balance between preservation and innovation in design. The project invites artists, artisans, and studios from around the world to reinterpret Valextra’s leather icons through their own cultural codes, resulting in handbags that feel less like accessories and more like collectible works of art, each infused with singular vision, identity, and savoir-faire. Riku Matsuzaki transforms the Iside Indigo with Taishō-era indigo dyeing and beeswax polka-dot motifs, symbols of Japanese craft and nature, while Qian Lihuai’s Iside Bamboo fuses bamboo marquetry with architectural echoes of Milan’s Duomo and the waterways of Wuzhen, bridging continents in its geometry. They’re one-of-a-kind wonders for your accessories wardrobe.
Brioni Lands In Dubai
Brioni has officially opened its doors at Dubai Mall, bringing Italian heritage to one of the world’s most prestigious luxury destinations. The boutique is a masterclass in understated elegance: travertine floors, gunmetal finishes, and a warm neutral palette set the tone, while curated vintage furniture – from Sanluca armchairs (1960) to Paolo Buffa tables (1940) and Maralunga sofas (1970s) – lends a touch of timeless design history deserving of its collections. Within, Brioni’s full world unfolds: ready-to-wear, accessories, shoes, fragrances, and its storied Bespoke service, offering Dubai’s modern gentleman sartorial excellence with a distinctly Italian soul.
Cedric Haddad Teaches How To Style Confidently
This September, celebrity stylist Cedric Haddad launches his very first online styling class exclusively on Maharat, the Arab world’s homegrown edutainment platform. With his signature warmth and precision, Cedric guides learners through the art of everyday dressing—breaking down cuts, textures, and proportions while offering practical tips for every body type. From nailing the essentials (the white shirt, the little black dress) to shopping smarter, Cedric’s approach is about building confidence, not just outfits. As he puts it: “Styling isn’t about size – it’s about discovering your most powerful self.”
Beauty
Huda Beauty – Mini Essentials for On-the-Go Glam
Huda Beauty has launched its iconic favourites in a smaller, sleeker format — travel-friendly, easy to carry, and perfect for maintaining all-day glam wherever you go. Same formulas, same performance, now ready for your bag, vacation, or quick touch-ups. The Mini Easy Routine delivers an airbrushed, ultra-blurred complexion in three simple steps. Start by priming with the Easy Blur Primer in Bronze Fudge, a lightweight, jelly-like formula that blurs pores, smooths texture, and provides a subtle luminous glow. Next, apply Easy Blur Foundation with the Huda Beauty Base Brush for medium-to-buildable coverage and a seamless 16-hour wear, enriched with 1.5% niacinamide and pore-blurring silica. Finish by setting with Baby Bake Powder for a perfected, long-lasting finish.
Interiors
Mohamed Kahhal – Redefining Heritage Design
At just 30, Mohamed Kahhal is guiding Kahhal 1871, Egypt’s oldest luxury rug house, into an exhilarating new era. With his latest campaign, 150 Years Still Rolling, he reimagines what heritage means for today’s generation, blending traditional craftsmanship with a bold, contemporary sensibility. The campaign celebrates the intersection of legacy and innovation, shining a light on the new wave of Arab design voices making a global impact. Through this fusion of history and modernity, Kahhal demonstrates how timeless traditions can be reshaped for a dynamic, forward-thinking audience.
Culture
Assouline’s September Must-Have: Fashionphile
September is shaping up to be chicer than ever with Assouline’s latest release: Fashionphile: The Book of Iconic Bags (out September 16). Chronicled by the e-commerce platform Fashionphile, this book is a glossy compendium of 25 handbag heroes, ranging from Hermès Birkins, Dior Saddles, and even Carrie Bradshaw’s Fendi Baguette. It celebrates craftsmanship, cultural relevance, and the enduring power of the perfect bag. Whether you’re a collector, a dreamer, or just handbag-obsessed, this one’s destined for your coffee table.
Music
Saint Levant Releases Love Letters Deluxe
Arabic pop’s leading artist, Saint Levant, is set to release the deluxe version of his critically acclaimed album, Love Letters. The original album, performed fully in Arabic, broke records with the track Kalamnatina, which hit No. 2 on the Billboard Arabic Hot 100 and has remained on the chart for over twenty-five weeks to date. The deluxe version is now set to add four new tracks: “Aychek” ft. Nordo, “Do You Love Me” ft. Fares Sokar, “Nari Nari Nari,” and “Ya Samra,” ft. Babylone, offering fans a deeper look into the emotional and artistic trajectory of the artist. Alongside the deluxe, Saint Levant is also set to release a music video for “Do You Love Me,” with visuals showcasing Levant and his long-time muse singer-songwriter Naika.
Junior
Back-To-School Fun At Super Duper Studio
Heading back to school just got a serious style upgrade. Super Duper Studio is hosting a free Charms Day tomorrow (10 AM–4 PM), where kids can design and customise their own funky clip-on charms for backpacks, bottles, or pencil pouches. For an extra dose of creativity, the studio is also teaming up with Clever Carton for a Glow Up Your School Gear workshop. Think vision boards, decorated pencil boxes, and self-designed badges: perfect for little ones (5+) to end summer on a high note and kick off the new term with flair.
Images Supplied