The Ones To Watch: What To Do, Shop and See This May 2022
An art attack, the rise of Ayurvedic beauty, new ways to style the silk scarf and the Arab designer who dresses Lady Gaga – just a few of the things that are on our radar this month
Abstract Art
Art director and artist, Mary Claire Kirwan, who moved to Dubai only six months ago, brings her bold abstract work to the region – and our walls. The Irish-born creative, who has been painting on-and-off throughout her life, picked up her brushes once again during the first Covid lockdown, employing joyful neon hues and strong geometric shapes to lift her mood. “I hope when a viewer sees, touches or explores my work, they will be struck by momentary joy”. Now that’s what we call art therapy.
Holistic Haircare
Ancient Ayurvedic beauty is having a moment with mega brands such as Estée Lauder investing in the holistic Indian therapy. Siblings Nikita and Akash Mehta are drawing on their Indian roots for their new haircare brand Fable & Mane, a clean and conscious range of shampoos, scalp scrubs (sold out already), conditioners and nourishing oils made from medicinal Ayurvedic extracts that aim to bring new life to our follicles.
Bodycon Beauties
Five collections in, and Lebanese fashion designer Lama Jouni is sticking to the recipe that works for her namesake brand: chic, understated and sexy. Essential Collection, Series 5 is as rich in colour, silhouettes and sustainable fabrics as her previous work. Now available to buy at Printemps, Paris and with Lady Gaga wearing her pieces, the only way is up for this Arab designer.
Sustainable soles
Chloé’s creative director and pioneer of sustainable fashion, Gabriela Hearst, has been determined to bring her ethical expertise to the luxury French fashion house since joining in December 2020. In her collections so far, we’ve seen her scrap almost all synthetic fabrics, include plenty of up-cycling and offer a heightened visibility of Chloé’s supply chain. Now there’s also a collaboration with Ocean Sole, a social enterprise that promotes Marine Conservation by recycling flip flops found in the ocean.
Long Live the Silk Scarf
New Zealand-born Maggie Marilyn Hewitt got resourceful with her Resort 22 line and styled silk scarfs – in zesty orange, sky blue and azure stripes – in different ways to create a mini-skirt, halter-neck top, and tunic tops, styled with crisp shirts and the perfect white trousers for summer. Her objective? To bring longevity to our closets, an idea that we welcome with open arms.
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/@maryclairekirwan
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s May 2022 issue.