< PreviousWORDS: T ABITHA JANE GLA YSHER. IMAGES: MAZEN ABUSROUR COUR TESY OF DIOR DESERT ROSE Soft yet angular, avant-garde while still traditional – Dior’s latest capsule collection of apparel and accessories pays ultimate homage to the Middle Eastern woman This season, Dior has turned its attention to the Middle East, bringing together the maison’s heritage, Maria Grazia Chiuri’s deft, female-driven touch, and a colour palette that will have you looking at the pretty-in- pink products through rose-tinted spectacles. The results of the dedicated capsule collection are struck through with a feminine tenacity that runs from the ready-to-wear to the accessories, leaving a dazzling trail of iridescent textiles in its wake. Iconic pieces such as the 30 Montaigne bag and iconic Dior Book tote are given a kiss of shimmering rose-gold, elevating the timeless collectables to dreamy, fabulous new heights. The clothes are no less glorious – with mannish, double-breasted tailoring crafted from pink and silver lamé proving just as celestial as the maison’s signature tulle creations. In keeping with the Middle Eastern homage, the collection’s campaign was shot right here on the sandy shores of the United Arab Emirates with an Arab model, and lensed by friend of Bazaar and regional photography maverick, Mazen Abusrour. The results? Enchanting. “Every woman should have something pink in her wardrobe,” Christian Dior wrote in his Little Dictionary of Fashion. “It’s the colour of happiness and femininity,” he said of both his favourite and the “softest of colours.” With the resulting collection having tickled us so very pink too, we would be more than likely inclined to agree with him. Dior’s Middle Eastern capsule collection is available to buy now. ■ The NEWS TH E EXCL U S IV E S The iconic Dior Book Tote is reimagined with dreamy iridescent threads 30 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 HBZ_147_030to031_NEWSDior_11269947.indd 3003/05/2020 12:59:30 PMCREDIT HERE The campaign was shot here in the UAE with regional photographer, Mazen Abusrour 31 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 HBZ_147_030to031_NEWSDior_11269947.indd 3103/05/2020 12:59:44 PMGUCCI ILLUSTRA TIONS BY A YA MOBA YDEEN. WORDS: T ABITHA JANE GLA YSHER The NEWS BOUGUESS-A-PORTER THE L O C AL HERO Local brand and Harper’s Bazaar Arabia favourite, Bouguessa is now stocked on luxury e-commerce site Net-a-Porter. Designed by a woman as stylish as her creations, Dubai-based Faiza Bouguessa’s pieces fuse fl attering feminine touches with architectural tailoring, resulting in collections that are modest, modern and resolutely sophisticated. Both Faiza’s attention to detail and dedication to sourcing beautiful fabrics have caught Net- a-Porter’s impeccable eye, proving to its fastidious buying team what we’ve known for years – that the Middle East’s fashion talent is world class. ■ ar w te e eer aa’’s thth iinn nnd d aa’s tto o ett- itts wnn onn Coat, Dhs3,880Blazer, Dhs2,215Trousers, Dhs1,710 IT’ S ALL GUCC I Under the eclectic eye of design maverick Alessandro Michele, Italian fashion hero, Gucci has created exclusive, limited-edition pieces for the region this Ramadan. The key to the collection? The house’s iconic horsebit. The trademark motif isn’t just an ornamental fi nish – it comes with some weighty historical brand signifi cance, too. First earmarked as a symbol of luxury by founder Guccio Gucci, the introduction of the equestrian hardware refl ected the British aristocracy’s love of horse racing and polo. Now the interlinking metal fi nish has become so synonymous with the brand, it would be hard to imagine investing in a timeless piece of Gucci without one. Enter: these exclusives. From the sky-blue beauty of the 1955 dome handbag to the gold accent of the slide sandals, all Middle Eastern exclusives bear an oversized Gucci horsebit, making them guaranteed head- turners. Our favourite is the double-faced GG jacquard bow, which we recommend styling atop a Bardot-esque ponytail. But the other glorious thing about this collection? These wonderful illustrations by Jordanian artist, Aya Mobaydeen, full of the wit and whimsy of the brand itself. ■ 32 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 T H E E XC L U S IV E HBZ_147_032_News_Gucci_Bouguessa2_11282160.indd 3203/05/2020 01:01:25 PMNaomi Campbell posing defi antly backstage at Saint Laurent’s S/S20 show was certainly not that long ago – just September, in fact. It’s the same impeccable collection of louche, Le Smoking suiting and rock’n’roll fl avour that is available right now in the malls that have just reopened their doors, albeit cautiously. But this kind of clockwork spring- summer/autumn-winter seasonality could all become a distant memory soon, as on the 29th of April, Saint Laurent announced its decision to shun the traditional bi-annual fashion schedule and “take ownership of its calendar and launch its collections following a plan conceived with an up-to-date perspective, driven by creativity.” The announcement, which was instigated by both creative director, Anthony Vaccarello and CEO, Francesca Bellettini, is not the fi rst radical effect brought on by Covid-19’s distruption of the fashion industry’s diary (London Fashion Week announced it will be both digital and gender- neutral for at least the next 12 months), but it may well be the most poignant. Joining the rigidly timed showcases for womenswear, couture and menswear was a snowballing number of exuberant resort shows and jet-setting, overseas brand immersions – an intense itinerary that was beginning to feel both dated and environmentally irresponsible. Could it be possible that Saint Laurent’s bold move lights the touchpaper that sets this excess on fi re? The maison’s strategy, which it describes as “fi rmly in place”, will focus on leading its own rhythm, “legitimating the value of time and connecting with people globally,” but could such a personal, prudent approach have happened had it not been for a global pandemic? The havoc coronavirus has wreaked across industries cannot be overstated, but if there’s one take-away we must acknowledge, it’s the mandatory slow-down and forcible stock-taking of the fashion machine’s output – both creatively and environmentally. This may be the end of the runway as we know it, but perhaps from the ashes will rise a more conscientious fashion system; a change that is so sorely needed. ■ STOP THE RUNWAY Saint Laurent is taking fi rm, considered charge of its fashion-week future – but will the rest of the industry follow? THE RE VO LU TIO N The NEWS 33 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 WORDS: T ABITHA JANE GLA YSHER. IMAGE: COUR TESY OF SAINT LAURENT HBZ_147_033_NEWS_ysl_11282139.indd 3303/05/2020 01:02:52 PM The STYLE STYLING: ISHKA ST .HILAIRE-MORLEY . PHOTOGRAPHY : AASIY A JAGADEESH. HAIR AND MAKE-UP: LALOGE A VERY MODERN ROLE MODEL Entrepreneur and celebrity style insider CARLA DIBELLO on why we’re living through an age of rebirth – and how it could be the best thing we never knew we needed At our pace, it’s easy for us to ignore alarms that blend into the never- ending chatter all around us. It is easy to rush past the people in need who seemingly have nothing to do with our own lives. It takes little effort to write off the earth’s festering wounds as a casualty of progress. Or to look blindly, naively even, past all the red fl ags in a world fi lled with so much useless distraction. As a collective species, I think we’ve known for quite some time that we wouldn’t be able to go on forever as we have been. We’re at the stage where simple calculations can be confi dently used to predict the extinction of species that have been on the earth longer than humans. But just the simple fact of knowing that we are pressing up on the brink of something dangerous has never been enough incentive for us to stop in the past. And it wasn’t enough for us this time, either. It took a direct message from Mother Nature, in the form of a virus-turned- pandemic, to make us stop in our tracks. Because if the earth is telling us one thing right now, it is to stop: to drop all our self-importance, our self-imposed busy-ness, and above all, the notion that we are more important than the other billions of lives inhabiting this planet with us. We have reached breaking point. Mother Nature needs to heal. And we need to heal, too. I’ve always believed that our planet communicates to us through energy, signs, and symbols. We just have to be quiet enough to hear her messages. So while yes, it does seem like darkness and fear are omnipresent and weighing down upon us in this unsteady time, there’s also a message of optimism woven throughout the clouds - one of hope and, above all, of rebirth. Evolution, and by extension life, is a series of changes. It pushes forward regardless, transforming that which no longer works into new states of being. This is what we are doing now. We are evolving. But we need to let go of that which does not serve us before we can fully metamorphose into what we are truly meant to be. While corona has a few defi nitions in the English language, one of them stands out to me as a relevant symbol. In astronomy, the word corona is defi ned as: ‘the rarefi ed gaseous envelope of the sun and other stars. The sun›s corona is normally visible only during a total solar eclipse, when it is seen as an irregularly shaped pearly glow surrounding the darkened disk of the moon.’ To me, the metaphor of the sun’s corona being visible during a total solar eclipse is rich with meaning. It is a crown of light that peeks out from around complete darkness. We are all in the dark, but we are all in the dark together. And because of this, we are surrounded by light. While it’s true that this virus has been shown to affect countries and demographics differently, the mere fact that any one of us, regardless of race, class, gender, etc. could contract it is bizarrely unifying. It is as though collectively, we are being forced by Mother Nature to reconnect with the fundamentals of our basic constitution. She is insisting that we get back to basics; that we care for ourselves and for one another. She is reminding us that we cannot ignore those who seemingly have nothing to do with our own lives any longer, because we all breathe the same air. We are all connected. And more than anything, she is telling us to look for the light amidst the darkness. To fi nd the silver lining in all of this, and to honour it. Whether we like it or not, this has been a time of pause. So how do we use it? The answer is any way that serves us and those around us. If you feel as though you are able to use the time to be productive or to work on yourself, that’s great. But if all you can do is sit on the couch in sweats, then do that. Be gentle with yourself. We all process things differently. Be gentle with others and lift up your neighbour. That is how we will get through. And after this is all over, may we be better for it. ■ “W E H AV E RE A C H E D BR E A K I N G P O I N T . M O TH ER N A T U R E NEED S T O H E A L . A N D W E N E E D TO HE A L , TO O ” Car la Di Be llo 34 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 HBZ_147_034_CARLA_11271736.indd 3403/05/2020 01:03:52 PM35 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 PETA L POWER From bold power prints to dainty micro motifs, here’s how to make fl orals fresh THE LOOK Skirt, Dhs1,595, Luisa Spagnoli. Shoes, Dhs1,508, Tory Burch Edited by NOUR BOU EZZ Photography by AMIE MILNE HBZ_147_035to038_LOOK_11280513.indd 3503/05/2020 01:05:18 PM The LOOK AND TO FINISH... Add girlish charm with accessories in the softest shades GET TH E LO O K Shirt, Dhs2,905, Sportmax. Trousers, Dhs1,873, Emporio Armani 1. Begüm Khan x Aquazzura Earrings, Dhs5,910 2. Ganni at Shopbop Shirt, Dhs624 3. Bouguessa Skirt, Dhs1,800 4. Elisabetta Franchi Cuff, Dhs995 The PAINTERLY PRINT A fl oaty fl oral blouse in pastel shades offers an ultra-feminine fi nish 36 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 Turban, Dhs250, Cult Gaia at Shopbop Sunglasses, Dhs1,490, Balenciaga Bag, Dhs4,470, ValentinoWatch, Dhs147,000, CartierShoes, Dhs2,350, Roger Vivier s, gs, 2 3 4 1 HBZ_147_035to038_LOOK_11280513.indd 3603/05/2020 01:05:29 PM37 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 The WALLPAPER PRINT Dress, Dhs3,470, Tory Burch 1. Elisabetta Franchi Earrings, Dhs1,100 2. The Vampire’s Wife Dress, Dhs3,590 3. Dolce & Gabbana Ring, Dhs15,000 4. Eliurpi at Farfetch Hat, Dhs1,700 Opt for a colourful, vintage-inspired piece that captures the ’70s – by way of the ’30s AND TO FINISH... Look back for inspiration with retro-tinged finds Brooch, Dhs3,400, Saint Laurent Sunglasses, Dhs910, Bottega Veneta Clutch, POA, Elie SaabBag, POA, Burberry Shoes, POA, Carolina Herrera GET THE LO O K 1 2 3 4 HBZ_147_035to038_LOOK_11280513.indd 3703/05/2020 01:05:44 PM The LOOK The LOOK The CHINTZY PRINT 38 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 Watch, Dhs27,500, Dolce & Gabbana Glasses, Dhs733, Kyme Belt, Dhs820, Sandro Bag, Dhs4,190, Rosantica at Farfetch Shoes, Dhs4,698, Alexander McQueen AND TO FINISH... Offset the twee flavour of a delicate print with striking extras 3 GET THE LO O K 1 Blazer, Dhs1,575; Trousers, Dhs1090, both Claudie Pierlot. Shirt, Dhs1,803, Carolina Herrera. Ring (left), Dhs252, Pandora. Ring (right), Dhs5,478, Bucherer Fine Jewellery 1. Lele Sadoughi at Farefetch Earrings, Dhs1,296 2. Poca & Poca Blaz er, Dhs1,520 3. Ted Baker Shirt, Dhs575 4. Poca & Poca Trousers, Dhs1,090 FASHION EDITOR: FLORRIE THOMAS. MODEL: GWEN PIQUÉ A T PREMIER MODEL MANAGEMENT . HAIR: YOSHIT AKA MIY AZAKI USING ORIBE. MAKE-UP & MANICURE: MAR TINA LA TT ANZI USING TOM FORD BEAUTY . STYLIST ASSIST ANT : SOPHIE CHAPMAN Embrace the joy of summer romance with whimsical, country-garden fl orals 4 2 HBZ_147_035to038_LOOK_11280513.indd 3803/05/2020 01:06:00 PMP H OTO G R A P H B Y P A U L Z A K . S T Y L E D B Y R O S IE A R K E L L- P A L M E R Michael Kors Collection Bag, Dhs6,515 Giovanni Raspini Bracelet, Dhs1,262 Victoria Beckham Beauty Lid Lustre Eyeshadow in Mink, Dhs130 Bella Freud 1970 Eau de Parfum, Dhs390 Giovanni Raspini Earrings, Dhs620 Prada Sunglasses, Dhs238 Bottega Veneta Wallet, Dhs2,730 From a selection Jaeger- LeCoultre Fendi Purse, Dhs2,248 Victoria Beckham Beauty Smoky Eye Brick Palette, Dhs220 GOLD STANDARD Adorn a neutral business wardrobe with gilded elements for 24-carat elegance Chloé at Matches Fashion Card holder, Dhs1,192 AT WORK 39 HarpersBazaarArabia.com May 2020 HBZ_147_039_WomenAtWorkOpener_11268187.indd 3903/05/2020 01:07:49 PMNext >