Riyadh’s high jewellery landscape continues to sharpen with the opening The Geneva-based Maison has formally entered the Saudi market with a dedicated boutique in the capital’s emerging luxury corridor. The opening was led by co-founders Arto and Saro Artinian, whose presence signals direct investment rather than delegated expansion. Sartoro is not a heritage house founded in the 19th century. Established in 2001, it operates as a family-led atelier rooted in Geneva’s gemstone trade. Three generations remain involved in sourcing, cutting, and crafting stones through in-house artisans. That vertical integration shapes its positioning. Control over stone selection allows the Maison to prioritise colour intensity and proportion rather than volume. The Solitaire boutique introduces this approach into a Riyadh market that has become increasingly discerning in fine and high jewellery. A Controlled Retail Environment The boutique has been designed to reflect Sartoro’s emphasis on gemstone clarity and cut. Rather than overwhelming with inventory density, the layout privileges spacing and light control. High jewellery demands viewing conditions that reveal internal fire and precision. The environment supports that. Solitaire has quickly established a reputation as a calibrated luxury address in Riyadh. Sartoro’s placement within the complex signals confidence in the capital’s appetite for specialised high jewellery beyond legacy maisons. The Saudi client base for high jewellery has matured. Purchases are increasingly informed by stone origin, certification, and cut architecture. Transparency, a stated pillar of Sartoro’s model, aligns with this shift. The Opening The inauguration gathered regional media and personalities. Lebanese singer Abeer Nehme attended wearing Sartoro pieces, linking the evening to a broader cultural dimension. Nehme’s presence introduced a specific resonance. Known for interpreting classical Arabic compositions with technical discipline, her artistic profile mirrors the Maison’s emphasis on precision rather than ornamentation. The alignment was measured. The evening focused on the jewellery itself. Positioning Within Riyadh Riyadh’s high jewellery sector has expanded rapidly over the past five years. Established European houses sit alongside regional ateliers and specialised gemstone brands. The market is no longer driven solely by name recognition. It is driven by discernment. Sartoro’s entry reflects this environment. Its collections are defined by vivid gemstones and controlled settings designed to frame rather than overpower the stone. The emphasis is on proportion and internal brilliance. Family-led maisons carry particular appeal in Saudi Arabia. The continuity of ownership suggests consistency in sourcing standards and client relationships. Sartoro’s founders remain directly engaged in operations, reinforcing this positioning. The Geneva Connection Geneva remains synonymous with gemstone trading and precision craft. Sartoro’s base there situates it within that ecosystem while operating independently from conglomerate structures. The Maison’s in-house sourcing and cutting process allows control at every stage. For a Riyadh client accustomed to understanding diamond grading reports and gemstone provenance, this control matters. High jewellery purchases in Saudi Arabia often carry generational intent. Pieces are acquired with longevity in mind. Provenance, construction integrity, and after-sales care weigh heavily in decision-making. Sartoro enters the market at a time when the Saudi luxury client expects fluency in these areas. A Strategic Expansion The decision to open at Solitaire rather than through wholesale distribution indicates long-term intent. A standalone boutique allows Sartoro to build direct relationships and tailor its offering to the Riyadh market. Saudi Arabia’s capital has moved beyond being a secondary stop within Middle Eastern expansion strategies. It now functions as a primary luxury destination with sustained domestic purchasing power. Sartoro’s arrival reflects that recalibration. The opening does not represent a spectacle-driven launch. It represents a structural addition to Riyadh’s fine jewellery landscape, one defined by gemstone expertise, family continuity, and controlled execution. For a market that increasingly values knowledge alongside acquisition, that positioning is precise.

A three-million-square-foot coastal retreat positions The Red Sea as the next centre of global integrative wellbeing When a brand spends three decades refining a philosophy in one market, its first expansion beyond that geography carries weight. Miraval’s arrival on Shura Island marks the brand’s first destination outside the United States, positioning Saudi Arabia not simply as host, but as testing ground for the next phase of global destination. Opening in early 2026, Miraval The Red Sea occupies three million square feet along the Red Sea coastline, set within mangroves, lagoons, and protected coastal terrain. The scale alone signals ambition. The location signals alignment. Shura Island is the centrepiece of The Red Sea development, a project defined by regenerative tourism and environmental restraint rather than density. Miraval enters that landscape with a defined identity. Architecture in Dialogue with the Coast Designed by Foster + Partners with interiors by Rockwell Group Miraval The Red Sea Set to Open…, the property avoids ornamental excess. The architecture references coral formations, desert planes, and mangrove ecosystems without literal interpretation. Rammed-earth walls, natural textures, and daylight-driven interiors shape the built environment. Water is used structurally, not decoratively. Pools and reflective surfaces introduce cooling and sound control within an exposed coastal setting. The Miraval Labyrinth, embedded within the landscape, provides a formalised walking meditation path rather than an aesthetic feature. The positioning is deliberate. Wellness here is spatial before it is programmatic. The surrounding mangrove forest anchors the property within a protected ecological system. Farm-to-table sourcing, biodiversity preservation initiatives, and energy-efficient operations align with broader sustainability frameworks. Within the context of The Red Sea’s 100 percent renewable energy commitment, these measures are expected rather than exceptional. Saudi Arabia’s coastal developments are increasingly defined by environmental accountability. Miraval’s integration into that framework reinforces a shift in how luxury hospitality is executed in the Kingdom. Adults-Only, All-Inclusive, and Structured Miraval The Red Sea operates as adults-only and all-inclusive. This positioning places it within a specific segment of high-end destination wellness rather than general luxury resort. The resort offers 180 guestrooms, suites, and villas. Interiors follow a controlled palette. Muted tones, natural materials, and floor-to-ceiling glazing establish visual continuity with the coastline. Terraces and decks extend living space outward. Wellness objects are integrated subtly: meditation cushions, Himalayan singing bowls, layered bedding. These details avoid theatrical presentation and instead support extended stays. Every booking includes a daily resort credit of SAR 700 to allocate toward spa or specialist sessions. This model shifts engagement from passive consumption to structured participation. Miraval’s legacy in the United States has centred on itineraries tailored to the individual. The Red Sea iteration continues that framework through curated daily schedules guided by Miraval Specialists. Programming Beyond the Spa Wellness programming is distributed across multiple centres. The Serenity Centre focuses on meditation and yoga. The Body Mindfulness Centre prioritises movement, including Pilates and functional training. The Aquatic Centre integrates kayaking and paddle boarding, using the Red Sea’s coastal environment as primary asset. The Miraval Challenge Course introduces structured confidence-building exercises designed around communication and resilience. This is consistent with Miraval’s broader brand philosophy, which positions wellness as behavioural rather than aesthetic. The scale of the Life in Balance Spa reinforces this positioning. At 3,000 square metres with 39 treatment rooms, it will be the largest spa facility on Shura Island. Facilities include vitality pools, hammams, salt rooms, sensory showers, and private wellness suites such as the Solace Aquatic Suites and Seaside Sanctuary. A Majlis Spa Suite draws from regional gathering traditions, offering a shared format within a wellness context. The incorporation of regional references without overstatement reflects a more mature integration of local culture into international hospitality frameworks. Culinary Direction Culinary programming is led by Executive Chef Hamdy Hassan, whose background includes Michelin-starred training and formal nutrition study at Imperial College London. Dining venues range from all-day dining at Rosemary to sunset-facing tapas at Coral Cove, immersive workshops in the Life in Balance Culinary Kitchen, and bespoke farm-to-flame experiences under Just Cook for Me. This structure mirrors global shifts in luxury wellness hospitality, where food is positioned as core therapeutic pillar rather than secondary offering. In the Saudi context, this approach aligns with growing domestic demand for performance-led nutrition integrated within luxury settings. Saudi Arabia’s Expanding Wellness Portfolio Miraval’s arrival in The Red Sea development reflects a broader trend. Saudi Arabia’s west coast is rapidly becoming a testing ground for high-concept hospitality. Shura Island is expected to host 11 resorts, alongside a marina, golf course, and retail infrastructure, reaching full operation in 2026. The broader Red Sea development will include 50 resorts and more than 8,000 hotel keys by 2030, with strict visitor caps and renewable energy commitments. Miraval’s integration into this ecosystem signals confidence from an established international brand. As part of the Hyatt portfolio, its expansion into Saudi Arabia reflects a recalibration of where destination wellness is geographically centred. The Gulf is no longer peripheral within this sector. A Structural Shift in Luxury Travel Destination wellness has traditionally been anchored in Arizona deserts, European thermal towns, or Southeast Asian island retreats. Miraval’s first international outpost on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast repositions the geography of that category. The decision carries symbolic weight, but its implications are operational. It affirms that the Kingdom’s hospitality infrastructure has reached a threshold capable of supporting high-touch, program-driven wellness models. It confirms that environmental commitments embedded within The Red Sea development align with international brand expectations. It acknowledges the Gulf’s rising domestic demand for extended-stay wellness experiences. Miraval The Red Sea is not a conventional beachfront resort. It is a structured environment built around programming, architecture, and ecological integration. Its success will not be measured solely in occupancy. It will be measured in how effectively it integrates into the evolving narrative of Saudi Arabia’s west coast, a narrative increasingly defined by control, regeneration, and calibrated scale.

Awards alone do not build a city’s culinary standing. Continuity does. The latest edition of MENA's 50 Best Restaurants confirms what industry insiders have observed for years. The majority of ranked restaurants are located in Dubai. The statistic carries weight not because of novelty, but because of repetition. Dubai’s presence on the list is no longer sporadic. It is structural. Density, Not Chance To dominate a regional ranking requires more than one or two headline venues. It requires depth across concepts, cuisines, price points, and dining formats. Dubai offers that density. Tasting menu destinations operate alongside high energy contemporary concepts. Chef driven counters sit within international hotel groups. Homegrown brands hold space beside imported global names. The result is a dining landscape that absorbs experimentation without destabilising itself. Recognition follows infrastructure. Dubai has invested in hospitality at scale. International talent relocates here not as a temporary posting but as a long term base. Supply chains are reliable. Front of house standards are codified. Design budgets match ambition. The ecosystem supports ambition rather than constraining it. A City Built for Service Culinary status is shaped as much by execution as by flavour. In Dubai, service culture has matured into a discipline. Teams are trained to international standards. Reservation systems operate with efficiency. Wine programs are considered rather than decorative. Dining rooms are designed with proportion and acoustics in mind. This consistency builds confidence among voters, critics, and travelling diners. A single strong meal can be luck. Sustained excellence across dozens of venues signals structure. Global, Yet Localised Dubai’s culinary identity does not rely on a single narrative. Japanese omakase counters sit comfortably beside Levantine fine dining. Progressive Indian kitchens operate within luxury resorts. European techniques intersect with Gulf ingredients. The city functions as a crossroads without dissolving into confusion. The presence of multiple Dubai restaurants on the MENA’s 50 Best list reinforces this hybridity. It demonstrates that international technique and regional context can coexist within the same urban framework. Market Power and Momentum Rankings respond to momentum. Dubai’s restaurant openings are paced throughout the year, keeping the market dynamic without oversaturation. Investment flows steadily into hospitality. Developers understand that dining is central to real estate value, tourism appeal, and cultural perception. This alignment between private capital and culinary ambition creates durability. Restaurants are conceived with longevity in mind rather than short term visibility. The Regional Implication Other Gulf cities are advancing rapidly. Riyadh’s dining scene is expanding with conviction. Abu Dhabi continues to refine its hospitality portfolio. Doha invests with intention. Dubai’s dominance on the current list does not diminish these movements. It reflects chronology. Dubai began earlier and scaled faster. The concentration of ranked venues reinforces its role as the region’s dining capital. The title is earned through accumulation. Beyond the List Awards are markers, not conclusions. The majority presence of Dubai restaurants within MENA’s 50 Best formalises a reality already understood by global chefs and travelling diners. The city operates with culinary credibility that extends beyond regional boundaries. Its restaurants attract international attention, secure global partnerships, and draw talent that might once have defaulted to London or New York. Dubai’s position within the culinary world is no longer aspirational. It is operational. The rankings confirm what the dining rooms have been demonstrating for years. Consistency. Scale. Authority.

A Ramadan silhouette in metallic ayers from Gianvito Rossi  For Ramadan 2026, Gianvito Rossi introduces an exclusive interpretation of the Malé Mule, designed for evenings defined by light, gathering, and considered elegance. The silhouette is direct. A knotted multi strip upper, a rounded toe, and a surface rendered in soft high shine Ayers leather. The metallic finish carries depth rather than glare, allowing the texture of the precious skin to remain visible beneath the light. The result feels refined, aligned with the house’s measured approach to glamour. At the centre of the design is the new Sofia heel, developed through a creative dialogue between Gianvito Rossi and his daughter, after whom it is named. Slender in height, its geometry is calibrated to reduce visual scale, creating balance between lift and lightness. The reference is subtle, drawing from rétro proportion while maintaining a contemporary line. The Malé Mule’s strength lies in its restraint of form and precision of execution. It complements festive dressing without competing for attention, grounding embellished kaftans, silk tailoring, or monochrome eveningwear with clarity. The exclusive Ramadan edition is now available across the Middle East at Gianvito Rossi boutiques in Riyadh at Al Faisaliah, Dubai Mall, and Kuwait’s Avenues. A study in proportion, surface, and quiet radiance, the Malé Mule reflects a season where elegance is expressed through detail rather than display.

Elegance today is measured differently Elegance today is no longer tied to rigidity or display. It is defined by ease, by the ability to move through the day without adjustment. A man who feels at home in his clothes moves differently in the world. Berluti builds its latest collection around that idea. Founded in Paris in 1895 and shaped by four generations of shoemakers, the Maison has always treated craft as structure rather than ornament. This season, that structure expands. Footwear, tailoring, leather goods. Each category reflects the same principle. Precision aligned with movement. Shoes Designed to Walk For Berluti, footwear begins with motion. The Rombo boot anchors the season. Crafted in Venezia calfskin, its mid calf height and subtle biker references give business tailoring a firmer base. Goodyear welt construction ensures durability, while a discreet rubber insert under the sole improves stability on city pavement. The proportions feel considered. Balanced enough for a suit, grounded enough for denim. The reinterpreted Alessio introduces an ankle boot variation with elasticated side panels and a lightweight EVA outsole. EVA, flexible and resilient, reduces weight without altering line. The result carries the visual clarity of a Chelsea boot with the practicality required for constant movement. The Capri boot maintains its clean, functional silhouette, moving easily from day engagements to evening commitments. Alongside it, a Derby in Venezia leather extends the offering for off duty weekends, while a seasonal water repellent suede version introduces texture suited to colder months. Open lacing ensures comfort without compromising profile. Across the range, the language remains consistent. Craft that supports pace. Tailoring with Ease Built In Berluti’s winter collection approaches tailoring from the inside out. Structure exists, yet it does not constrict. The Forestière jacket appears in Anthracite stretch cashmere, lined with silk bearing the Polka crest motif. Paired with Alessandro trousers and the Scritto embroidered belt, it reads composed and contemporary. A Vintage Pink cashmere version, worn with burgundy and brown trousers, shifts the tone toward winter warmth without excess. For the first time, the Forestière jacket can be paired with matching trousers. The coordinated silhouette offers clarity for those who prefer a complete line. Leather plays a defining role this season. The Un Jour jacket introduces the new Fiamma patina, a technique that melts three colours into layered depth. The finish carries flame like undertones without appearing overt. A shearling variation cocoons with soft interior sheepskin while maintaining a streamlined exterior profile. The Fly line extends further. A reversible jacket in supple lambskin adapts easily between formal and relaxed settings. New colourways in the B ways series strengthen its urban identity. Throughout, contrast remains central. Monochrome foundations are interrupted by texture. Cashmere meets silk. Leather meets wool. The dialogue gives the wardrobe dimension. Leather Goods for a Continuous Day Modern life resists compartments. Berluti responds with bags designed to transition without interruption. The 1 Jour de Plus revisits the briefcase through a more architectural lens. Rectangular in form with lateral construction that provides structure without stiffness, it is crafted from grained Seta leather. Hand carry handles are discreetly sewn into side pockets, allowing the bag to shift onto the shoulder when required. Two additional compartments flank the central zipped structure, adjustable via side buckles. The functionality feels integrated rather than added. The F088, one of the Maison’s established designs, returns with slimmer hardware and sharper lines inspired by the 2 Jours. New leathers introduce variation. Suede offers a softer drape. Double sided suede invites touch, responding visibly to each gesture. The Fly line translates the weightlessness of the Fly jacket into leather goods. Piuma calfskin carries a subtle sheen and soft hand, lined with ripstop nylon originally developed for parachutes. The bags hug the body, freeing the hands. An oversized Scritto motif, moulded in engineered rubber through the leather, reinforces durability without visual weight. The Fly 48h adapts to daily use or short escapes. The Fly 72h expands capacity while maintaining proportion suitable for cabin travel. The Through Line Across footwear, tailoring, and leather goods, Berluti maintains continuity. Each piece supports motion. Each construction decision reflects long practice. The vocabulary is recognisable. Venezia leather. Scritto motifs. Patinas layered by hand. Techniques refined over more than a century. The collection proposes a version of masculine elegance shaped by fluidity rather than rigidity. A wardrobe that adjusts to the body, not the other way around. In a season defined by movement, Berluti offers structure that travels with you.

Where Cultural Infrastructure Meets Market Gravity When a name like Art Basel enters a city, it does not arrive quietly. The launch of Art Basel Qatar signals more than the addition of another fair to the international circuit. It marks a structural shift in how the Gulf participates in the global art economy. Doha has long invested in museums, collections, and institutional architecture. A Basel platform introduces a different instrument. Market visibility. For the region, that distinction carries weight. The Framework Art Basel’s format is disciplined. Galleries are selected through a rigorous committee process. Booths are tightly edited. Conversations extend beyond sales into programming, talks, and institutional dialogue. The brand has built credibility through continuity in Basel, Miami Beach, and Hong Kong. Its expansion into Qatar inserts the Gulf directly into that lineage. Doha is not building from absence. It operates within an ecosystem shaped by sustained cultural investment. Institutions, private collections, and public commissions have positioned the city as a serious participant in contemporary art. Art Basel Qatar formalizes that position within the commercial sphere. The Setting Qatar’s cultural infrastructure is deliberate. The skyline is punctuated by institutions that anchor long term ambition rather than temporary spectacle. The fair enters this landscape with scale and clarity. Expect galleries representing established and emerging artists from across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East. Expect regional representation to sit alongside global blue chip names, not in isolation but within shared sightlines. That adjacency alters perception. The Gulf collector is no longer viewed as peripheral. The presence of Basel in Doha affirms purchasing power, intellectual engagement, and long term commitment to the field. What It Means for the Region For artists across the Gulf, proximity matters. When international galleries exhibit in Doha under the Basel framework, regional artists enter conversations at eye level. The fair compresses distance between local practice and global exposure. For institutions, it strengthens cross border dialogue. Museum directors, curators, advisors, and collectors converge within the same architecture. Relationships move from private salons into visible platforms. For the broader public, it recalibrates expectation. Access to international contemporary art no longer requires travel to Switzerland or Florida. The work arrives here, contextualized within the region’s own cultural narrative. The Market Signal Art Basel’s entry into Qatar reflects confidence in the Gulf art economy. The region’s collectors have shaped auctions, commissioned large scale works, and supported major institutions. The fair consolidates those activities within a structured marketplace. Commercial gravity follows cultural infrastructure. Doha now holds both. The Broader Context Across the Gulf, cultural calendars are becoming denser and more interconnected. Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Doha each operate with distinct identities yet overlapping audiences. Art Basel Qatar introduces a new point of convergence within that network. The result is not competition alone. It is accumulation. The Gulf is no longer observed from the outside as an emerging art scene. It functions as a multi city cultural corridor with global consequence. The Takeaway Art Basel Qatar does not represent a beginning. It represents confirmation. Doha’s position within contemporary art has been built over years of institutional investment and collector engagement. Basel’s presence formalizes that status within the most visible commercial framework in the industry. The art world’s map is adjusting. The Gulf now occupies a central coordinate.

The “Watchmaker of Watchmakers”, hosted an immersive experience into the brand’s legacy of technical mastery Jaeger-LeCoultre, the renowned Swiss Maison known as the “Watchmaker of Watchmakers”, hosted an exclusive media preview of “The Precision Pioneer” Collection at its Solitaire Mall Boutique in Riyadh, offering an immersive experience into the brand’s legacy of technical mastery, heritage, and haute horology excellence. Held at the Jaeger-LeCoultre Boutique in Solitaire Mall, the private preview welcomed selected media and guests to explore a curated collection celebrating the Maison’s relentless pursuit of precision, a core philosophy that has defined Jaeger-LeCoultre since its founding in 1833. The experience highlighted four key pillars of watchmaking excellence: Precision of Production, Precision of Chronometry, Precision of Regulating Organs, and Precision of Complications. Through refined storytelling, archival elements, and iconic timepieces, guests were immersed in the scientific and artistic world that has positioned Jaeger-LeCoultre as one of the most respected names in fine watchmaking. In line with the Maison’s ongoing dialogue between watchmaking and artistic expression, guests were also invited to participate in an exclusive Olfactive Masterclass, exploring the connection between precision and the art of scent. The immersive session reflected Jaeger-LeCoultre’s annual creative approach of collaborating with a distinct art form, this year, focusing on perfumery, drawing parallels between the meticulous craftsmanship of fine watchmaking and the layered composition of fragrance. This sensory experience offered a new dimension to the collection, reinforcing how precision transcends disciplines, from mechanical movements to olfactory creation. The boutique itself reflected a Swiss-inspired design language, combining minimalist luxury with warm architectural details, creating an intimate atmosphere for guests to discover the brand’s craftsmanship up close. Key collections on display included the legendary Reverso, known for its signature reversible case, alongside high-complication and limited-edition models that showcase the Maison’s in-house manufacturing expertise. With over 1,400 calibres and 430 patents, Jaeger-LeCoultre remains one of the few true Manufactures in the world to design, develop, decorate, and produce all of its timepieces under one roof, across more than 180 watchmaking skills. “The Precision Pioneer” Collection at Solitaire Mall not only celebrates Swiss craftsmanship and innovation, but also reinforces Riyadh’s growing position as a regional luxury and cultural hub — attracting global maisons and high-end experiences to the Kingdom. Senior representatives and brand management were present during the preview, offering media exclusive insight into the brand’s heritage, technical philosophy, and future vision. About Jaeger-LeCoultre Founded in 1833 in Switzerland, Jaeger-LeCoultre is widely regarded as the “Watchmaker of Watchmakers.” The Maison is a true Manufacture, bringing together more than 180 watchmaking skills under one roof to create some of the world’s most complex and refined timepieces. With over 190 years of innovation, Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to shape the future of haute horology through technical excellence, timeless design, and in-house mastery. For more information, follow: @JaegerLeCoultre www.jaeger-lecoultre.com

Alberta Ferretti Sets the Tone in Dubai Dubai Fashion Week opened this evening at Dubai Design District with a house that understands longevity. Alberta Ferretti presented her Autumn Winter 2026 27 collection as Guest Designer, marking the brand’s first runway show in the Middle East. Opening the week with Ferretti placed Dubai firmly within the established rhythm of the international fashion calendar. Co presented by Dubai Design District and the Arab Fashion Council, the platform has evolved into a structured industry week with measurable commercial weight. The audience reflected that maturity. Buyers, editors, regional designers, and international guests filled the space with professional focus. The Collection, As Shown Tonight Autumn Winter 2026 27 unfolded as a study in fluid structure. The opening looks introduced elongated tailoring in charcoal and midnight blue. Jackets traced the waist before falling into softened lines, trousers lengthened the silhouette without excess volume. The palette remained disciplined. Ink, graphite, bronze, muted silver. Chiffon gowns followed in layered tonal gradients, pleated with precision or draped into wider folds that shifted with each step. Transparency appeared throughout, supported by opaque underlayers that gave the garments architectural clarity. Eveningwear leaned into movement. Floor length silhouettes in smoked gold and burnished copper absorbed the runway light rather than reflecting it sharply. Embellishment traced seams and edges, integrated into construction rather than applied as surface decoration. Lace appeared in inset panels within tailoring, introducing contrast through geometry. Outerwear grounded the collection. Long wool coats in deep neutrals provided structure over lighter dresses. A series of caped silhouettes introduced volume from the shoulder, creating motion without theatricality. The closing sequence returned to black. Sheer fabric layered over satin, matte wool set against gloss finishes. Depth replaced drama. The through line remained consistent. Silhouettes built for longevity. Fabric handled with discipline. A collection designed to endure beyond a single season. The Setting Dubai Design District provided a precise architectural frame. Concrete spans, calibrated lighting, and a clean runway allowed the fabrics and construction to register clearly from every angle. The front row signalled the city’s position within the industry. Regional tastemakers sat alongside European buyers and international press. Designers from the Gulf shared space with global retail decision makers. The alignment reflected the scale of the market and its growing relevance. Why This Opening Matters A house such as Alberta Ferretti appearing on opening night signals the strength of the region’s fashion infrastructure. Retail presence, audience depth, and purchasing power now support collections of this calibre at launch. For emerging designers on the week’s schedule, proximity to an established European maison shifts perception. Collections are viewed within the same professional framework, under the same scrutiny, in front of the same buyers. Dubai’s fashion economy operates with its own gravity. The calendar placement ahead of New York reinforces that weight within the global sequence. The Takeaway Dubai Fashion Week began with craftsmanship at its centre. Alberta Ferretti’s Autumn Winter 2026 27 collection delivered fluid tailoring, layered transparency, and eveningwear shaped by movement and construction. The tone was measured. The execution precise. The week opened with clarity, scale, and confidence.

The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026 is not an exhibition but a cultural statement for Saudi Arabia Diriyah does not lack symbolism. It carries the weight of origin stories, of architecture preserved and retold. What is new is how confidently it now hosts the contemporary. The third Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale opened on 30 January 2026 and runs through 2 May 2026. Titled “في الحِلّ والترحال” / In Interludes and Transitions”, it unfolds across JAX District, the industrial quarter turned cultural hub, minutes from At-Turaif. This edition is led by Co-Artistic Directors Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed. Their framework is deliberate. The Biennale considers the world as procession, as movement shaped by trade, exile, wind, song, and migration. The title borrows from a phrase associated with cycles of encampment and journey in the Arabian Peninsula. It is a reference that feels geographically specific, not decorative. The scale The 2026 edition presents the work of 68 artists from more than 37 nations, with over 25 new commissions. The number matters less than the breadth. Established names sit beside emerging voices. Saudi artists are not positioned as a footnote. They are central. The exhibition occupies 12,900 square meters of halls, courtyards, and terraces. The scenography, conceived by Formafantasma, reworks the industrial shell of JAX into a sequence of curved passages and planes that guide visitors through a continuous flow. It is measured rather than theatrical. The architecture does not compete with the work. It frames it. What defines this edition Sound is a quiet protagonist. The curatorial premise foregrounds musicality and oral transmission as vehicles of memory across the Arab region and beyond. This emphasis is most visibly embodied in Folding the Tents (2026)  by Saudi artist Mohammed Alhamdan, known as 7amdan. The commissioned procession moves through Wadi Hanifah and into JAX, concluding with a performance by Miniawy Trio. The gesture is simple. A procession. Yet within it sits a broader proposition about continuity between ancient gathering and contemporary practice. “In Interludes and Transitions” resists the idea of fixed origin. It speaks instead of overlapping routes and relations. The argument is not delivered loudly. It is built across rooms. Why it matters now The Diriyah Biennale Foundation was established to stage recurring world-class biennales and to cultivate sustained engagement with contemporary and Islamic art. In five years, it has already delivered five biennales. That continuity is significant. Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the Foundation, describes the current edition as documenting a breadth of artistic practices while platforming artists and investing in community. The statement is pragmatic. The ambition is visible. For Saudi Arabia, the Biennale is not simply a cultural event. It is infrastructure. It creates expectation. It positions Diriyah as a site where international discourse takes place, not somewhere it passes through. The essentials Dates: 30 January 2026 to 2 May 2026 Location: Diriyah, at JAX District Tickets: General admission is free, but you still need to book a timed ticket through the Biennale site. If you want a deeper read of the works and the curatorial through line, there are guided group tours (listed as paid) Opening hours Regular hours, Saturday to Friday Galleries: 3:00pm to 11:00pmVenue: 3:00pm to 12:00am The “venue” hours matter if you are planning to linger, meet friends, or build your visit around the Biennale’s wider rhythm. Ramadan hours Galleries: 8:00pm to 1:00amVenue: 8:00pm to 2:00am This shift changes the entire texture of the visit. You are not doing an afternoon wander, you are arriving into night, into conversation, into the city’s Ramadan pace. Getting there, parking, arrival If you are driving, the Biennale lists the address as King Faisal Road, Ad Diriyah, Riyadh 13711, and notes complimentary public parking nearby, plus valet for a fee. Plan to arrive with a little buffer. JAX District is an active cultural zone, and on busy nights the flow in and out can be part of the experience. How to experience it, without doing too much The most rewarding way to approach the Biennale is to treat it like a city, not a checklist. Start with one gallery, not the whole map Give yourself permission to spend real time with fewer works. Contemporary art does not reward speed. It rewards attention, and mood, and the willingness to sit with something before you decide what it is. Build a rhythm A strong first visit is often: one focused loop through the main galleries a pause, a reset, a drink, a second wind then a return for one or two sections you want to see again That second pass is where meaning tends to settle. Go once for impact, go again for understanding The Biennale’s scale is designed for return visits. Your first night is for visual memory. Your second is for pattern recognition, what is being asked, what is being echoed, what feels distinctly of this moment. A simple first timer itinerary If you have 90 minutes Do one full gallery loop, pick five works to stay with, end with a slow walk through the space to absorb the atmosphere. If you have 2.5 to 3 hours Do two gallery loops with a break in between, the second loop is for revisiting what stayed in your mind. If you are visiting in Ramadan Arrive after 9:00pm, keep the pace unhurried, and let it be an evening, not an assignment. The later venue hours make it easy to stay without rushing.

Beefbar Riyadh does fine dining without stiffness At Beefbar Riyadh, the mood is Monte Carlo glamour translated for Riyadh, glossy, Art Deco, and quietly theatrical. The room leans into curved mirrors and gold toned warmth, with a sense of occasion that works for both a dressed up lunch and a late dinner that turns social. What makes Beefbar land, beyond the visuals, is its signature point of view. This is not a classic steakhouse that starts and ends with cuts. The menu is built around premium beef, yes, but the energy is street food meets fine execution, comfort forms upgraded with high quality sourcing and playful precision. What we ordered, and what to repeat Quesadillas This is where Beefbar tells you who they are in one bite. Braised Wagyu, Oaxaca and Manchego, black truffle, pressed into something familiar, then pushed into indulgent territory. It is rich without being heavy, and it sets the tone for ordering the menu like a greatest hits album. Watermelon salad The smartest kind of refresh. Watermelon with crumbled Greek feta, datterino tomatoes, smoked almonds, mint sorbet. Cold, bright, a little smoky, and genuinely composed, not an afterthought “healthy” plate. It resets your palate and makes the next bite feel even better. Gyoza A Beefbar signature in spirit, familiar format, elevated filling, and a sauce that keeps it awake. The Riyadh menu lists gyozas built with Wagyu and Angus, Chinese cabbage, and a vinegary jalapeño sauce, which gives the plate its tension and lift. Rock Corn, the best dish we ate This is the one you order even if you think you will not care. Tempura popcorn with spicy mayonnaise sounds like a bar snack, then it arrives as a perfectly calibrated, addictive opener. Crunchy, light, a little heat, impossible to stop. If you order one thing, make it this. Beef pie A comfort detour that belongs here, crisp pastry, savory depth, and that warm, buttery satisfaction you want between brighter starters and richer mains. It is the kind of dish that turns a dinner into a proper feast, especially when shared. Wagyu frites If you are doing Beefbar properly, you lean into their filet frites sensibility. The menu’s Wagyu filet frites comes with a black truffled butter sauce that references the famous Relais de Paris “original sauce” style, which tells you exactly where the decadence is headed. Dessert, and the order that makes sense Marble Chocolate, the showstopper This is “everything we love in a chocolate bar,” scaled up into a shareable dessert, built with chocolate, crispy biscuit, and melting caramel. It is designed for the table, not for a polite last bite. If you want a finale that feels like a moment, this is it. Brioche french toast Toasted brioche with sea salt caramel, fruits, and light cream. It is softer, brighter, and more brunch adjacent than the Marble Chocolate, and a lovely option if you prefer your dessert to feel airy, not intense. The detail Beefbar gets right Beefbar’s best trick is how it makes luxury feel playful rather than performative. Even the restaurant leans into collectible design details, including custom collaborations and tableware created specifically for the Riyadh outpost.  The result is a place that feels photogenic without feeling like it was built only for photos. And then there is the sauce culture. Beefbar highlights its own signature “Sauce Beefbar,” a thick, buttery, black truffle accented sauce served warm, designed to pair with their sandwiches and filet frites. It is the kind of detail that creates regulars, because people return for specific cravings. What to order if you only want the hits If you want a tight, high impact meal, do this: Rock Corn, watermelon salad, quesadillas, Wagyu filet frites, Marble Chocolate. If you want a longer table, add the gyoza and the beef pie, then decide between french toast and chocolate based on mood. The verdict Beefbar Riyadh is a high gloss dining room with real substance behind the styling. It delivers the exact kind of night you want when you are craving big flavor, confident execution, and a menu that understands fun. Start with the Rock Corn, and trust the kitchen from there.

COS approaches Ramadan with structure, softness, and clarity of design COS approaches Ramadan with the same discipline that has long defined the brand. The limited edition collection for Ramadan and the curated edit for Eid Al Fitr do not attempt to reinterpret tradition. Instead, they refine it through proportion, fabrication, and restraint. The London based house positions fluidity at the centre of the collection. Enveloping pleats move with intention rather than decoration, creating silhouettes that respond to gesture and occasion. Blush tones and grounded neutrals establish a palette that feels aligned with the month’s pace, considered and calm without becoming subdued. The emphasis remains on shape. Louche tailoring with cinched waists introduces structure, offering layering possibilities that feel deliberate rather than styled. Matching sets wrap fluidly around the body, balancing ease with presence. Dresses are cut with batwing sleeves that shift the line of the shoulder and create quiet drama through proportion. Hand painted anemones appear across a full length skirt set and coordinating scarf, introducing an artisanal note that sits comfortably within COS’s modern vocabulary. The effect is subtle. Nothing is overstated. The craftsmanship carries the narrative. For Eid Al Fitr, the edit sharpens. A pleated floor length linen dress anchors the offering, confident in its simplicity. A structured double breasted set reinforces COS’s tailoring codes, while a reimagined trench coat introduces cuffed sleeves, fluid draping, and considered panel construction. These are pieces designed to move between settings, reflective of how celebration now intersects with everyday life across the region. What distinguishes this release is its understanding of context. Ramadan collections across the market often rely on surface cues. COS remains committed to its core principles of longevity and design integrity. The silhouettes acknowledge occasion without becoming ceremonial. The materials speak to seasonality without excess. The result is a collection that aligns with contemporary wardrobes in the Gulf while maintaining the brand’s global design language. In a period where fashion houses increasingly look to the region with strategic focus, COS offers a study in measured engagement. The collection does not seek spectacle. It offers continuity, shaped by modern tailoring and thoughtful construction, grounded in the belief that relevance comes from design, not embellishment.

A Paris season that chose precision, proportion, and perspective over spectacle Dior Couture Week 2026 Show Paris Couture Week this season asserted itself not through noise but through refinement, resolve, and a renewed sense of purpose. Amid a moment when couture’s role in contemporary fashion was under quiet reassessment, the spring-summer presentations in the French capital offered something both unexpected and necessary: work that marries rigor with an ease of wear, anchored in craft yet attentive to the present moment. At Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode events running January 26 to 29, the traditional arc of houses both established and emergent reaffirmed couture’s creative vitality.  In this context, the season’s most compelling gestures came from the houses that balanced heritage with a clear editorial point of view rather than spectacle. Dior Couture Week 2026 Show At Christian Dior, Jonathan Anderson’s first couture collection set a tone of cultivated optimism. Presented within the Musée Rodin, the collection drew on floral motifs and architectural form, a measured language that referenced Dior’s archive without literalism. The work was thoughtful rather than didactic, allowing craft to drive meaning. At Chanel, Matthieu Blazy’s highly anticipated couture debut spoke to a similar sensibility. Organza suits and feather-light constructions suggested a couture that is not precious for its own sake but responsive to gesture and proportion. The work felt less like display and more like an argument about the role of couture in everyday life. Chanel Couture Week 2026 Show The work of Georges Hobeika offered a distinct counterpoint. Rooted in a philosophy of fluidity and emotion rather than fleeting trend, Hobeika’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection explored sculptural volumes through innovative fabric work and layered forms that felt both theatrical and fundamentally wearable. Here, couture did not signal aloofness but presence. Emerging voices also contributed to the sense of creative air. Ashi Studio presented work that negotiated the terrain between historical codes and a new sensibility of form. Drawing on reference points as varied as Victorian corsetry and contemporary construction, the pieces felt deliberately modern, eschewing pastiche in favour of a quietly unsettling modernity. Georges Hobeika Couture Week 2026 Show The arc of the week suggested a broader shift. Couture this season was not preoccupied with baroque excess but with gesture and structure, with the way garments occupy space and time. There was a clarity to the work, a refusal to confuse ornament with meaning. In a moment where fashion is often measured by its visibility, the decision to focus on craft and proportion felt like a deliberate recalibration. Seen together, these collections point to couture’s evolving position: not as an isolated ritual of indulgence but as a mode of work that can respond to context without dilution. Paris Couture Week this season was less about singular moments and more about coherence and quiet insistence. That alone marks it as a fresh chapter.