Memos From The Middle East: The New Dioriviera Collection, Charlotte Tilbury Launches A New Contour System & Cloud 22 Moonlight Sessions Are Back
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
Dior launches the Dioriviera collection
Dior has unveiled its latest Dioriviera collection, a vibrant ode to Christian Dior's enduring love for travel, reimagined by Maria Grazia Chiuri with joyful energy and modern flair. This season, the iconic Toile de Jouy Sauvage motif is reinterpreted in dreamy hues of turquoise and pink, alongside the lush new Toile de Jouy Palms design. These prints grace flowing silk dresses, skirts, blouses, sarongs, and accessories, while signature pieces like the Lady D-Lite and Dior Book Tote carry the motif with effortless elegance. The collection launches this April at exclusive resorts and pop-up boutiques worldwide, from Venice to Bali.
Manolo Blahnik opens boutique in Abu Dhabi
Manolo Blahnik celebrates the reopening of its Abu Dhabi boutique located in the Galleria Al Maryah Island, the capital's premier luxury shopping destination. Inspired by regional natural caves and intricate architectural details like muqarnas, the boutique features a dramatic interior of vertical prisms, mirrored cupboards, and marble-effect flooring to evoke shimmering water. Designed as an intimate yet immersive environment, the store showcases a curated selection of Manolo Blahnik's iconic styles—including the beloved Hangisi pumps—alongside seasonal statement pieces and accessories.
Ray-Ban Meta glasses launch in the UAE
Ray-Ban and Meta have officially launched the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in the UAE with an exclusive event at Gitano Beach Club on May 7. Guests including Joelle Mardinian, Omar Farooq, and Yusra Mardini explored the glasses' standout features—think high quality hands-free photo and video capture, immersive audio with open-ear speakers, livestreaming capabilities, and integrated Meta AI. The AI enables real-time assistance, from translation and landmark recognition to playlist recommendations, all triggered by the voice command 'Hey Meta.' Designed for creators and everyday users alike, the glasses come in iconic Wayfarer styles and the new inclusive Skyler frame, with a variety of lenses including prescription and Transitions. A month-long takeover at Gitano, running until June 5, celebrates the launch with Ray-Ban red accents throughout the beach club, embodying the brand's bold yet timeless spirit.
For more information, visit ray-ban.com
Beauty
Charlotte Tilbury launches her new Super Nudes sculpting system
Charlotte Tilbury has unveiled her latest beauty innovation: the Super Nudes Contour System, a collection designed to deliver her signature sculpting secrets to everyone, everywhere. Inspired by the iconic supermodel era of the '90s, the system offers universally flattering formulas that define, lift, and enhance the face, eyes, and lips with ease. At its core are three new beauty innovations — the Lip Cheat Contour Duo, Big Lip Plumpgasm in Nudegasm Diamonds, and the Super Nudes Shapewear™ Brush — all created to make contoured plump lips simple and seamless. Alongside these newcomers, the launch reintroduces fan-favourites like the Glowgasm Face Palette in Nudegasm and expands the cult-status Hollywood Contour Wand to seven shades.
For more information, visit @charlottetilburyarabia
Augustinus Bader collaborates with Sofia Coppola on a covetable capsule collection
Augustinus Bader expands its collaboration with award-winning filmmaker Sofia Coppola with the launch of The Lip Balm Duo—a luxurious pairing of the brand's cult-favorite The Lip Balm and the co-created Tinted Balm in Shade 1, a sheer, buildable deep pink. Formulated with shea butter, vitamin E, and candelilla wax, both balms deliver deep hydration, protection from environmental stressors, and a naturally radiant finish. 'The Bader lip balm is one of my favourites, so I was excited when the brand agreed to collaborate on a tinted version,' Coppola shared. We're buying one for every beach bag.
For more information, visit @augustinusbaderme
Dining
Savour the month of May with new seasonal menus at Armani Hotel's restaurants
Step into May at Armani Hotel Dubai, where its trio of award-winning restaurants have curated seasonal menus that promise an immersive culinary journey. At Armani/Ristorante, savour a six-course Sardinian Degustation Menu showcasing rustic island flavours—from roasted sheep ricotta and fregola pasta with clams to grilled eel and slow-cooked lamb. Over at Armani/Hashi, the newly introduced Hashi Sushi Oma-kase Menu offers an elevated five-course Japanese dining experience led by the chef's expert selection of ten premium sushi varieties, theatrically prepared and served alongside gourmet starters and mochi ice cream. Meanwhile, Armani/Deli celebrates the flavours of the Mediterranean with a vibrant Sicilian five-course set menu, featuring classics like grilled octopus, Busiate alla Norma, and Sicilian Cassata. Each menu is available throughout May from 6:30–11:30pm, with prices starting at AED 375 per person.
For reservation, visit armanihotels.com or call +971 4 888 3010
TATEL Dubai's iconic saturday brunch moves indoors
This season, TATEL Dubai's iconic Saturday brunch 'Entre Amigos' moves indoors, offering a chic escape from the heat without compromising on its signature high-energy Spanish flair. From 2 PM to 6 PM every Saturday, guests can indulge in a vibrant, sharing-style menu crafted by Head Chef Alejandro Maestro, featuring tapas like Andalusian-style crispy squid, sea bass ceviche, and rich creamy seafood rice—paired with live music, dynamic performances, and beats by the resident DJ. Set within a stylish space where antique charm meets modern design, TATEL's brunch promises an unforgettable afternoon of culinary excellence and lively social vibes in the heart of Downtown Dubai. Packages range from AED 355 to AED 725.
Book your table through [email protected] or call +971 4 215 2121.
Akabeko, Dubai's first tabletop Japanese Yakiniku restaurant offers a unique dining concept
Akabeko, Dubai's first tabletop Japanese Yakiniku restaurant, introduces a one-of-a-kind culinary experience with its Wagyu Jenga—an interactive dish inspired by the classic game, where wooden blocks are replaced with premium Japanese A5 Kuroge Wagyu beef, expertly cut and stacked for grilling right at your table. Designed to be both playful and indulgent, this exclusive dish is perfect for groups of 2–4 looking to elevate their dining game with a fun twist on luxury. Priced at AED 950 and available throughout 2025 by reservation only, we suggest you book first and then get practising.
For reservation, visit SevenRooms, or call +971 50 561 8288
Leisure
The Lammah Al Bahr Festival begins
The Lammah Al Bahr Festival at Al Mugheirah Beach in Al Dhafra is making waves this May with an energising line-up of community-driven sports and activities. In partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the festival's highlight is the XPulse Series (May 9–11), a free-to-join set of family-friendly events including a scenic coastal bike ride, timed runs, and swimming challenges for all ages and abilities. Wrapping up the month on a high note is the Glow Run on May 23, a neon-lit 6km night-time race complete with LED gear, UV face paint, live DJs and an electric beach party vibe. The festival continues through June, celebrating Al Dhafra's coastal spirit with sport, heritage, food and fun by the sea.
For registration, visit premieronline.com
Cloud 22 Moonlight Sessions are back in time for the summer season
Cloud 22 at Atlantis The Royal is bringing back its popular Moonlight Sessions just in time for the summer season. Starting Thursday, May 1, Moonlight Sessions will take place every Thursday to Saturday from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Guests can enjoy the iconic sky pool with a minimum spend of AED 300 per person for a spot at the Lotus Bar (excluding pool access), or opt for a single sun lounger priced at AED 300, which includes pool access. For a touch of luxury, the Lotus Floating Bed is available at AED 850 per couple, while the Duplex Pool Villa, the pinnacle of poolside luxury, is available for AED 3,000 for up to 10 guests—we suggest you splash out.
For more information, visit atlantis.com
The Pulse comes to Dubai Opera
Dubai Opera is set to light up this May with the Dubai premiere of The Pulse, an internationally acclaimed performance by Australia's Gravity & Other Myths. Running from May 9 to 11, this award-winning spectacle blends mind-blowing acrobatics, live choral music, and immersive lighting to create a delight for the senses. Featuring 18 acrobats and 25 choir members, The Pulse explores themes of unity, strength, and human connection through a powerful fusion of movement and sound. With accolades including Outstanding Production, Choreography, and Design from the International Circus Awards, the show has already mesmerised audiences across Australia and Europe.
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