Retail Therapy: The Season's Chicest Pick-Me-Ups, From Pretty Pumps To Ultra-Luxe Pyjamas
Find The Perfect Flats
Carry the right kind of baggage
Feel like the cat's pyjamas
Sweeten the deal – one lump or two?
Indulge in some sparkle
Tap into your animal instincts
Buy into shell girl summer
Enroll yourself in charm school
Lead Image from top: Top, Dhs695, John Smedley. Ophidia Pochette Bag, Dhs5,330; Panda-shaped Bag Charm, Dhs1,200; Owl-shaped Bag Charm, Dhs1,650, all Gucci. Hamster Bag, Dhs6,950, Loewe. Hector Shoulder Bag, Dhs7,850, Thom Browne. Penguin Beaded Bag, POA, Jamin Puech. Skirt, POA, Auralee. Gloves, Stylist's own
Photography by Masaki Ogawa. Styled by Shizuka Yoshida. Model: Yuki Mine at Number Eight Models. Manicurist: Tomoko Kamiya at Nadine Nails
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
No Trespassing: Dubai exhibition challenges contradiction between gallery and street art
When curator Priyanka Mehra invited Fathima Mohiuddin to create works for a summer exhibition at the Ishara Art Foundation, she sensed a certain hesitation – a diffidence that suggested the street artist was out of her element. Mohiuddin, who goes by the moniker Fatspatrol, is known for her sprawling bold murals. She has covered the facades of buildings in the UAE and Canada with her work. A famous local example is For the Love of Birds, where she decked seven buildings on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi with images of birds found in the UAE. But the Mohiuddin in the gallery space was not the same artist that Mehra had become familiar with over the years. 'She produced some designs on what she was planning to do in the space,' Mehra says. 'But in my head I thought 'this isn't the Fatspatrol I know'. She's a strong player with scale, but that wasn't coming out.' Mohiuddin's timidity was understandable. After all, a street artist in a gallery setting is a bit of an oxymoron. Street art, by definition, is inextricable from the urban environment. It responds to the architecture, the social fabric, the noise, grime and politics of public space. By contrast, galleries are curated and controlled, even relatively sterile. If anything, galleries can be antithetical to the core ethos that drives street artists. When street art enters a gallery setting, the immediacy that gives it its edge is blunted. It becomes sapped of its subversive spirit. But the new exhibition at Ishara Art Foundation challenges (or even embraces) this inherent contradiction between the gallery and street art. No Trespassing is the first summer exhibition to be held at the foundation. Running until August 30, it brings six artists into the gallery – not to simply pin their works in the white space, but to treat it with the same way they would an open urban environment. 'I told Fatspatrol to think of the space as a playground, not a white cube space,' Mehra says. A week later, just before work on the exhibition was due to start, Mohiuddin returned from a trip to India with a 'radical idea' of painting the space using a broom similar to those used by street sweepers. The result was a moving, even awe-inspiring gestural trail, with bold, fervent strokes from which emerge forms, like birds, faces and stop signs. It is a thought-provoking work, particularly with the use of a broom – a tool used to sweep and clean – to imprint marks in the gallery. The work, dubbed The World Out There, also incorporated several scavenged objects, from discarded street signs and license plates to posters and scraps of wood. 'She could have gone very abstract with it, because it's easier to just make marks with the brooms. But then she has this beautiful, expressive quality,' Mehra says. Mohiuddin's work can be seen as the curatorial nucleus of No Trespassing. It is at the very centre of the exhibition, and is one of the few that is not in direct dialogue with adjacent works. But each work in the exhibition responds similarly to the gallery space. Some leave marks and even stage protests, whereas others speak out by removing elements. Take the works in the opening space as examples. Kiran Maharjan, a street artist from Nepal who goes by H11235, presents two pieces that face one another. On the right is a collage that has many of the hallmarks of his oeuvre – blending photorealism with the digital while drawing parallels between architectural elements in the UAE and Nepal. The work is the concept Maharjan had initially planned to paint in the space. However, as the artist wasn't able to travel to the UAE due to visa issues, Maharjan as well as the Ishara team improvised, taking the initial design and abstracting it further. 'We had to change the approach, because none of us can do this and paint like he does,' Mehra says. Instead of rendering the hands and buildings with the photorealistic touch Maharjan is known for, the team replaced the design with materials, like corrugated steel and wood, blending them with acrylic panels. Thus, the project became at once a juxtaposition between what-is and what-could-have-been, while simultaneously testing the definition of authorship. While Maharjan's work is a vivid display of how an artist can leave a mark – even through their absence – Rami Farook does so by pulling elements out. The Emirati artist has removed a significant portion of one of the gallery's walls, baring its metal framing and insulating wool. The gypsum board that was removed leans against the perpendicular wall – the dust from the removal process still left on the floor. The work is a thought-provoking example of intervening through erasure. 'It is a very conceptual piece,' Mehra says. 'It is talking about extraction, and this is the only work that is an extraction, as compared to putting something on the surface, which also brings us down to ownership.' The rest of the works in No Trespassing spotlight other public and personal interactions with urban landscapes. In For a Better Modern Something, Emirati artist Sarah Alahbabi presents cement blocks printed with maps and superimposed by LED strips that run the surface of the wall and floor. The work draws from Abu Dhabi's urban fabric and came as a result of Alahbabi's experiences as a pedestrian in the city. The final space of the exhibition features two complimentary works. In Heritage Legacy Authentic, Palestinian-Filipino artist Khaled Esguerra reflects on the urban transformation of historic neighbourhoods. Sheets of ordinary copier paper are plastered on the floor, forming a surface that actively invites interaction. Viewers are encouraged to stomp, tear, or even skid over the sheets. As the top layers strip away, words like Quality, Indulge and Fresh emerge, bringing to mind the sanitised rhetoric of billboards and commercial advertisements. These fragments of marketing-speak crowd the floor over the course of the exhibition, alluding to the takeover of gentrification. The surrounding walls, meanwhile, are the work of Palestinian artist Salma Dib. Her layered, fragmented, and faded messages evoke the raw immediacy of graffiti – recalling how walls, in contested spaces, often become platforms of resistance for the voiceless. The work is inspired by the walls of Palestine, Jordan and Syria. The work, Mehra says, is rooted in Dib's own experiences while visiting refugee camps, 'waking up to something and by the night it isn't there any more'. The work, Mehra says, took the longest time to produce in the exhibition. 'Because she first spray painted the words, then sands it, and then she puts posters up and spray paints a bit more,' Mehra says. 'It took three weeks to make.' Collectively, the works in No Trespassing prompt a reconsideration of the everyday aesthetic of the streets. By bringing elements like copier paper, construction materials or faded wall markings into the gallery, the exhibition shows how torn flyers and weathered signs are not just happenstance noise in urban life, rather carriers of memory and resistance.
Gulf Today
3 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Hala Badri, Dubai Culture DG, speaks at London Art Biennale on art scene
Dubai's creative spirit took the spotlight at the London Art Biennale (LAB, July 16-20) as Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), delivered a keynote address reflecting on the city's transformation into a global centre for the arts. She spoke about Dubai's innovative approach to cultural policy, noting how public art, a vibrant programme of exhibitions and supportive frameworks, is helping shape a dynamic ecosystem for emerging talent. Hosted at the historic Chelsea Old Town Hall, this year's Biennale brought together 350 artists from 60 countries for a museum-quality showcase of contemporary artwork. The event provided a space for artistic dialogue, attracting practitioners, collectors, and visitors from around the world. With UAE-based contributors among the participants, it strengthened the nation's cultural ties worldwide and encouraged meaningful exchange between the Gulf and the wider global creative community. The Gagliardi Gallery, London. In her address, Hala Badri highlighted the momentum behind Dubai's growing arts scene, underlining Dubai Culture's strong support for both homegrown talent and international collaboration. 'We aspire to make creativity part of the everyday experience — to transform the entire city into a living canvas where expression and imagination are not confined to galleries, but encountered everywhere,' she said. She also pointed to recent milestones, such as the introduction of the Dubai Cultural Grant and the long-term cultural visa, as well as the UAE's emergence as a sought-after venue for major international events. During the Biennale, she toured the exhibition with Aarien Areti, Deputy Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, and Peter Gagliardi, Director at Gagliardi Gallery and a member of the Biennale's curatorial team. While also in London, she joined a guided tour of the Victoria and Albert Museum Storehouse, led by Isabella Valentini, City & Partnerships Officer at the World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF), exploring East Bank with Tamsin Ace, Director of East Bank, where she visited Sadler's Wells East, followed a public art trail, and attended student showcases by the London College of Fashion (LCF). The London College of Fashion. LAB is a museum level award exhibition curated by the International Confederation of Art Critics (ICAC), the Chianciano Art Museum and Gagliardi Gallery. The show is not theme based; so all artistic movements and styles are presented. The focus is on painting, works on paper, sculpture, applied arts and digital art, professionally curated to give viewers and collectors an exciting yet coherent experience, brought together in the iconic Chelsea Old Town Hall. Galleries, critics and clients are able to view and appreciate artworks from all over the world, from the UK to the USA, China to South Africa, and from Norway to Italy, with different cultures, styles, ideas and artistic expressions on view that represent the art world in its global entirety. London galleries are regularly invited to see the Biennale. It is LAB's tradition to give help to people in need. Over the years, tens of thousands of pounds have been raised and donated to Rotary International's 'End Polio Now' Charity, London's Air Ambulance and Age UK, among others. ICAC is an organisation that brings together professionals with expertise in art history, curatorial studies, and related fields. It aims to promote art criticism, ensure ethical and professional standards for art critics, facilitate international communication and exchange, and contribute to the understanding of diverse cultures within the art world. It offers services such as curatorial support, graphic design and catalogue realisation, for art events and publications. Victoria and Albert Museum, main entrance. The Chianciano Art Museum houses a series of collections ranging from Asian art to contemporary art. Approximately a thousand works of art are on display. The museum houses works by artists like Salvador Dalí, Mario Schifano, Frances Turner, Brian Willsher, Tom Nash, Damien Hirst, and Albert Louden; drawings from Guercino to Tiepolo, Munch, Magritte, and Guttuso; historic works from royal collections and etchings and engravings by great masters like Dürer and Rembrandt. Since its inception, the Gagliardi Gallery has been promoting innovation and tradition in the contemporary art scene. It has been involved in organising significant exhibitions not just locally, but internationally, partnering with institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum. The collaborations have helped bring diverse artistic expressions to a broader audience, enhancing the cultural landscape of London and beyond. Hala Badri speaks at London Art Biennale. Founded by Roberto Gagliardi, the Gagliardi Gallery grew from the shared dreams of Roberto, hailing from Italy, and Marie, originally from Sweden; the couple found a common passion in the world of art, which led them to establish the Gagliardi Gallery in the heart of London's prestigious Chelsea district. The gallery extends its influence beyond conventional gallery bounds, by orchestrating major art events like the London Art Biennale and the Chianciano Art Biennale. The prestigious events, held in collaboration with the Chianciano Art Museum in Tuscany, Italy, gather talent from around the globe, offering artists a platform to showcase their work and engage with the international art community. The Gagliardi Family created the Chianciano Art Museum to house their collections. Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) enables and develops the cultural and creative sectors in the emirate as the custodian entity, helping the emirate to define it in both local and global contexts. It manages five of the city's notable heritage monuments, six museums, and eight branches of Dubai Public Libraries.
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
4 hours ago
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Memos From The Middle East: Dior Lady Art Returns For It's 10th Anniversary, Gohan Launches Merch And Aura Skypool Launches Its Ice Bath Experience
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 Gucci Lido Launches The Sunglasses To Be Seen In Gucci has dropped a sunshine-soaked eyewear collection just in time for summer escapes. Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, the campaign whisks us away to the Italian coast, where spontaneity and sunlight set the tone. Shot by Jim Goldberg and styled by Virginie Benarroch, the imagery captures that golden-hour magic – effortless, windswept, and wildly chic. This season's hero? The narrow cat-eye sunglasses, crafted from translucent acetate in juicy summer hues and embossed with the iconic GG monogram. Whether you're jetting off to the Amalfi or lounging poolside in Dubai, these are the statement shades you'll want in every photo. Now available in-store and online. Giorgio Armani Turns 50 – And Milan's Art Scene Joins the Party Giorgio Armani is marking a magnificent 50 years in fashion with a celebration worthy of its legacy. Launching the Armani/Archivio project – an immersive digital platform archiving decades of design – the house is bridging past and future like never before. The festivities kick off at the iconic Pinacoteca di Brera during Milan Fashion Week, where 150 archival Armani looks will be showcased in a never-before-seen dialogue with Italian masterpieces. And as a grand finale? A spectacular runway show in the historic Courtyard of Honour at Palazzo Brera, presenting the Spring/Summer 2026 women's collection and standout menswear pieces. Milan, Armani, and a golden milestone – it doesn't get more iconic than this. Dior Lady Art Returns for It's 10th Anniversary The Lady Dior, a timeless icon of elegance, takes on a bold new spirit in celebration of it's 10th anniversary under the Dior Lady Art project – and this year, Kuwait's very own Alymamah Rashed joins the visionary line-up. Known for her richly expressive works rooted in identity and symbolism, Alymamah transforms the sculptural handbag into a poetic masterpiece – adorned with vivid florals, textured embroidery, and an unmistakable sense of storytelling. Her design is one of the ten reinterpretations unveiled by Dior this season, joining a global cast of artists from Korea, Brazil, China, France, and beyond. Ray-Ban Lands in Qatar with a Stylish Debut at Place Vendôme Qatar's accessories scene just got a major upgrade: Ray-Ban has opened its first-ever standalone store in the luxe halls of Place Vendôme, Doha. Known for its timeless designs and now AI-powered innovations, the brand brings its coolest collections to a 108 sqm store alongside global favourites. Whether you're a classic Clubmaster fan or ready to explore the latest smart eyewear, this new flagship is your go-to for style and substance. #GohanOrGoHome: The Tee That Says It All Gohan is now serving looks with the launch of its first-ever branded merch drop, titled #GohanOrGoHome. Channelling the restaurant's signature neon-lit ambiance, this exclusive collection of graphic tees nods to Japanese pop culture, retro manga, and fan-favourite moments like Maki & Margi Mondays. But there's a catch: these pieces aren't available online. You'll need to head to GOHAN at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, whisper #GohanOrGoHome to the team, and unlock access to the drop. Noora Al Shamsi Launches The Nooriana Collection Emirati designer and creative strategist Noora Al Shamsi has unveiled Noor, the radiant first capsule from her newly-launched brand, Nooriana. Revealed at an immersive evening in Dubai Design District, the collection offers a poetic reimagining of the kaftan. Handcrafted in collaboration with famed Indian atelier Chanakya, known for crafting couture embroidery for Dior and Fendi, each piece is an artisanal work of art. Noor, who honed her craft consulting for global maisons, draws deeply from her Emirati roots. 'Each garment is a vessel of story, illuminated by its own light,' she shares. Discover the collection at Simone Bellotti Channels Hamburg's Soul for Jil Sander's Debut EP Jil Sander's new creative chapter under Simone Bellotti has kicked off not with a runway – but a rhythm. 'Wanderlust', a music video and EP created with electronic maestro Bochum Welt, captures the emotional duality of the house through a moody blend of cityscapes, raw beauty, and cinematic sound. Shot in Hamburg, the birthplace of the brand, the visuals blend drama and calm, light and shadow – mirroring the brand's iconic purity-meets-edge aesthetic. The vinyl drops in August, and it's already a collector's dream. Jewellery Vivid, Daring, Divine: Bvlgari's Latest Jewelry is a Love Letter to Color Bvlgari turns up the colour this season with two stunning new launches that celebrate the beauty of bolf gemstones in the boldest way. First up is the grand finale of its Color Journeys series – a special high jewellery collection starring tourmalines in every shade you can imagine, from ocean blues to pretty pinks and forest greens, all crafted into one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Alongside, Bvlgari Color brings a playful, modern energy to boutiques worldwide through six vibrant pieces that reflect the Maison's signature flair for unexpected harmony – think luminous cabochon rings, Tubogas necklaces accented with topaz and amethyst, and Allegra sets that sparkle with movement and joy. By Pariah Lands in Dubai with Quietly Bold Jewels Jewellery lovers, rejoice! British fine jewellery brand By Pariah has officially touched down in Dubai, setting up its very first physical presence at That Concept Store – 1456 and it's as effortlessly elegant as you'd expect. Known for its sculptural designs and love of raw, natural stones, the brand has become a go-to for tastemakers like Hailey Bieber, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Florence Pugh, and even the Princess of Wales (yes, she wore the Sabine Hoops to Wimbledon). Each piece is a quiet showstopper, made from recycled gold and perfectly polished stones – proof that conscious luxury can be both cool and collectible. L'Atelier Nawbar's Sun-Drenched Pop-Up is a Must-Visit This Summer L'Atelier Newbar is making waves this season with a radiant summer pop-up at Saifi Beirut, capturing the heart of Lebanese artistry through bold collaborations. Whether you're drawn to the playful embroidery of its summer hats or the handwoven charm of beach bags by Beirut Bloomers, the boutique is a sun-soaked celebration of local creativity. From skincare essentials with Baseline to statement cover-ups with FxxK and a Bead Bar sensory experience with Dali Cosmetics, every piece is crafted to elevate your summer story in style. Beauty A Scented Tribute to the Red Sea – Amouage Opens in Jeddah Amouage, the Omani house of high perfumery, has made its debut in KSA with the opening of its first standalone boutique in Jeddah's Red Sea Mall. Drawing inspiration from the city's coastal essence and the grandeur of the Red Sea, sculptural interiors echo ancient coral formations, wrapped in a palette of sand, shell, and stone – delivering a calm yet captivating space to explore its signature scents. With cult icons like Interlude Man and Honour Woman on display, alongside newbies like Guidance and Outlands, the boutique captures Amouage's timeless devotion to storytelling through fragrance and unparalleled luxury. Dining Fiesta in the Sky: Celebrate Peruvian National Day at Sushisamba Dubai From July 28 to August 3, Sushisamba Dubai turns into a high-altitude haven of Peruvian flavor. In honor of Peru's National Day, the Sambakase menu brings a riot of colour, culture, and spice to your plate – think punchy ceviche, soulful sauces, and cocktails kissed with pisco. Set 51 floors above The Palm, it's a sensory journey you won't forget. Reserve now and samba your way through dinner. For bookings contact [email protected]. Dubai's Ultimate Peruvian Brunch Collab is Here On July 26, the culinary stars align as La Mar by Gastón Acurio teams up with Fusion Ceviche for a one-off brunch explosion at Atlantis The Royal. Expect 12 dishes showcasing authentic Peruvian flair, plus live music and skyline views to match. With three price tiers and a soundtrack that will get you swaying between bites, this is one summer Saturday you'll want to savour. Health & Wellness AURA X Bioniq: This Ice Bath Series Is Worth Waking Up For Every Saturday morning, Aura Skypool offers more than just a view – thanks to its latest wellness collaboration with Bioniq. Dive into an energising workshop of breathwork, ice baths, and gentle movement, followed by a nourishing breakfast infused with Bioniq's premium supplements. Guests even receive a free 30-day pouch of Bioniq Creatine to continue the glow-up at home. If wellness is your vibe, this is your new ritual in the sky. Transformational Healing Awaits This Fall at Kintsugi Space Kintsugi Space in Abu Dhabi introduces the golden feeling wellness gatherings – an intimate series of autumnal retreats that honour the feminine spirit through breathwork, fascia therapy, Japanese beauty rituals, and more. With renowned guests like Anastasia Achilleos and sessions tailored around resilience and restoration, this is a journey inwards worth taking. Registration opens August 7 – book soon as there are limited spots available. Leisure Art Jameel Brings Contemporary Voices to London's V&A This summer, Art Jameel invites you to experience the V&A's Jameel Gallery in a whole new light. As part of the London Design Festival, Palestinian artist Jumana Emil Abboud leads poetic storytelling workshops exploring water's presence in architecture and memory, culminating in two evocative performances on September 19. Meanwhile, a moving tribute marks five years since the Beirut port explosion, featuring works by Ramzi Mallat and design collective 200grs. The gallery also expands its narrative with Tatreez: Palestinian Embroidery – a special display runninguntil May 2026 that weaves together historic V&A dresses and bold new commissions by artists Aya Haidar and Zeid Hijazi. Apple's Next Big Move in the Middle East: Launching Online in KSA Apple is bringing its inimitable retail experience to Saudi Arabia with the launch of the Apple Store online and app – fully supported in Arabic. Shoppers can now enjoy localised personalisation, buy-now-pay-later via Tamara, and custom engravings in Arabic and English. From AirPods to the new iPhone 16, tech lovers in KSA now have a direct line to Apple innovation, service, and support – with a flagship store set to arrive in Diriyah by 2026. Junior Labubu Takes Over Loco Bear Loco Bear is about to turn your weekend into a whimsical quest – on July 26, the indoor adventure park is teaming up with beloved collectible Labubu characters for an interactive challenge across five high-energy zones – from ninja courses to laser tag and climbing walls. The first ten winners bag official Labubu dolls, while others score vouchers and prizes. For more information visit All Imagery Supplied
