The Week According to YUNG

Solitaire, Riyadh’s new luxury lifestyle destination, has joined forces with the Saudi Heritage Commission in support of the Ministry of Culture’s 2025 Year of the Handicrafts. The collaboration sees three immersive installations unveiled within Solitaire, spotlighting the talents of Saudi artisans and preserving centuries-old traditions through a modern, artistic lens. Now on view until the end of July, the installation series anchors Solitaire’s cultural programming, reinforcing its role as a dynamic platform for local creativity.

Each work celebrates Saudi Arabia’s intangible heritage: A Cascade of Sadu honours the iconic Bedouin weaving technique; Palm Frond Hats brings traditional palm weaving to life in a floating spectacle; while Al Qatt Al Asiri reimagines a vibrant domestic scene through bold, geometric motifs rooted in southern Saudi female artistry. To engage the community further, Solitaire kicked off the initiative with interactive embroidery and palm-weaving workshops, with more to come throughout the summer. The initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s cultural goals—elevating local craftsmanship, inspiring new audiences, and creating accessible encounters with Saudi identity. As Riyadh continues to define itself as a global capital of culture and design, Solitaire positions itself at the heart of the movement—where heritage, art, and community converge.

Fashion took centre stage in Beirut as two of Lebanon’s top design schools—ALBA and LAU—held their graduation shows, turning student vision into vivid reality. Each show brought with it not just garments, but attitude, storytelling, and a strong pulse of resistance and imagination.

At ALBA, the energy was electric. Second-year students stunned with collections that were strange, spellbinding, and wildly bold—earning them unofficial top billing. Meanwhile, seniors presented polished, wearable collections, a testament to their technical evolution. The show’s secret weapon? Mark Achkouty, who transformed the runway into a narrative-driven performance, elevating the fashion experience into something more visceral and alive.

Across town at LAU, the “In Sight” theme reflected an inward journey. With mentorship from Elie Saab and a nod to fashion’s power to heal, 11 designers showcased deeply personal, socially aware collections. From Greco-Roman drapes to anti-elitist silhouettes made of curtains and tarps, these designers navigated identity, inclusivity, and sustainability with striking maturity. Awards went to Caren Talhouk, Dima Jbara, and Dana Saad for their craftsmanship, concept, and vision.

In two very different shows, one message was clear: Lebanon’s young designers are not just making clothes—they’re making statements. And the world should be paying attention.

Jaeger-LeCoultre elevates its Polaris collection with the launch of a new Polaris Chronograph, featuring a captivating Ocean Grey lacquer dial. First introduced in 2018, the Polaris line was designed for everyday adventures, blending sportiness with refined elegance. This 2025 edition captures that spirit, balancing vintage inspiration with modern sophistication. The 42mm steel case showcases the brand’s signature design codes—taut lines, a thin bezel, and brushed-polished contrasts—while its large crown and robust pushers echo the Maison’s 1960s diving watches. But it’s the dial that steals the show: built in three layers with sunray-brushed and gloss finishes, it features a graduated grey tone accented with vibrant orange markers for legibility and flair.

Inside, the automatic Calibre 761 powers the chronograph with a 65-hour reserve, visible through a sapphire crystal caseback. A column-wheel mechanism and open-worked rotor highlight Jaeger-LeCoultre’s dedication to fine horology.

Offered with interchangeable blue-grey canvas and textured black rubber straps, the Polaris Chronograph adapts seamlessly from city to sea. Sporty yet sophisticated, it’s a fresh expression of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s craftsmanship and versatility—proving that elegance and performance are not mutually exclusive, but can be beautifully intertwined.

Bottega Veneta continues its exploration of quiet luxury with the launch of its new eyewear campaign, featuring sunglasses and optical frames that marry discreet design with refined embellishment. Each model reflects the Italian house’s signature commitment to craftsmanship, evolving familiar forms into bold, tactile statements.

The collection introduces acetate frames enhanced with bevelled surfaces and varying thicknesses, offering dimension and modernity without compromising simplicity. Flat Ribbon details—a recognizable Bottega Veneta motif—appear throughout, adding sculptural intrigue to minimalist silhouettes. The result is a series of frames that feel both wearable and elevated, embodying the House’s aesthetic of effortless sophistication.

Overall, these frames speak to Bottega Veneta’s broader creative direction: functional objects rendered with artful precision. Each design carries an architectural sensibility—balancing form and comfort while reflecting the brand’s forward-thinking approach to timeless essentials. With this latest campaign, the maison redefines what eyewear can be: not just a functional necessity, but a curated extension of personal style. The frames may whisper rather than shout, but their craftsmanship speaks volumes. In true Bottega Veneta fashion, the luxury is in the detail.

SKIMS teams up with Roberto Cavalli to unveil a sizzling limited-edition swimwear collection, just in time for peak Euro Summer. Dropping tomorrow, the Roberto Cavalli x SKIMS capsule fuses Cavalli’s audacious archival prints with SKIMS’ body-sculpting swim silhouettes—redefining beach glamour through an unapologetically bold lens. The campaign, captured by Nadia Lee Cohen, places Kim Kardashian in a cheeky, surreal dreamscape, flaunting statement pieces like the Scoop Neck One Piece in Tiger Face print. It’s a hyper-stylized fantasy starring Kim and a surprise cameo by Kris Jenner, reflecting a playful collision of retro glam and pop culture power.

The collection spans SKIMS’ iconic swimwear and breezy chiffon cover-ups, presented in three archival Cavalli prints: Fagianella, Light Zebra, and Tiger Face. Designed to flatter all body types, it’s available in sizes XXS to 4X. “This is swimwear that demands to be seen,” said Kim Kardashian. Roberto Cavalli’s Creative Director, Fausto Puglisi, echoed the sentiment: “Kim is a modern Marilyn. Our collaboration channels that spirit into something iconic and wearable.” Available at SKIMS.com, select Roberto Cavalli boutiques, and top global retailers, this collection promises to own every beach and yacht deck this summer.

Dubai-based label 1309 Studios returns with its latest seasonal offering, Where the Wild Roses Grow—a deeply poetic and quietly powerful collection that explores feminine strength through softness, emotion, and movement. Now available online and at the 1309 Showroom, the summer capsule is less trend-driven and more soul-reflective.

Draped in sun-washed hues and fluid silhouettes, the collection reveals its power not through volume but through grace. Designer Ghizlan Guenez invites wearers into a meditative space—where breath, memory, and presence shape the garments as much as fabric and stitch. There’s a dreamlike quality to these pieces: flowing gowns that feel like ripples on water, tailored forms that bloom softly, and details that whisper rather than shout. Each design expresses a quiet resilience—perfect for women who carry depth beneath their calm exterior.

“Where the Wild Roses Grow isn’t about loud fashion moments,” says Guenez. “It’s about what lingers, what transforms you from within.” 1309’s signature commitment to emotional storytelling and sustainable elegance is present throughout, with natural fabrics and mindful production. This collection is not just worn—it’s experienced.

Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts has announced a landmark project in partnership with Eagle Hills: Bvlgari Resort & Mansions Abu Dhabi, set to open in 2030. Designed as a modern oasis on a private, horseshoe-shaped island, the resort will offer panoramic views of the open sea, Qasr Al Watan, and the Abu Dhabi skyline.

The development includes 60 guest rooms, 30 private villas, and 90 exclusive beachfront mansions, combining Italian elegance with Arabian tradition. Each element—from the glass-and-gold architectural concept by ACPV ARCHITECTS to the culturally inspired landscape design by LAND SRL—is curated to offer a seamless blend of nature, heritage, and luxury. Amenities include a 2,000 sqm Bvlgari Spa, fine dining by Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito, a members-only Yacht Club with a 40-berth marina, and curated boutiques like Il Caffè and Bvlgari Dolci. Residential mansions will range from 1,650 to 2,500 sqm, with private docks, coves, and bespoke interiors.

“This is haute hospitality on a new level,” said Bvlgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin. Mohamed Alabbar, Founder of Eagle Hills, added, “We’re placing Abu Dhabi at the epicentre of global luxury living.” This project promises to redefine urban beachfront elegance in the Middle East.

Audemars Piguet continues its legacy of haute horlogerie with a shimmering new addition to its Code 11.59 collection: a 38mm Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon in 18-carat sand gold. The release marks the brand’s first use of the ultra-thin Calibre 2968 movement in this diameter, bringing precision mechanics into a more refined and wearable case size. Encased in a sleek silhouette and adorned with brilliant-cut diamonds, the watch merges technical mastery with elegant design. The flying tourbillon, a hallmark of watchmaking art, is visible on the dial and rotates every 60 seconds to counteract gravity’s effect on timekeeping. Its skeletonized cage, driven peripherally, lightens the structure while enhancing energy efficiency and precision. The sand gold case—exclusive to Audemars Piguet—offers a unique hue that shifts between soft rose and glowing champagne tones, giving the watch a subtle yet opulent finish. The minimalist dial lets the craftsmanship speak: timeless, bold, and exquisitely engineered. A celebration of 150 years of innovation, this new Code 11.59 piece is more than a watch—it’s a wearable tribute to finesse, complexity, and enduring elegance. A timepiece that speaks to collectors and connoisseurs alike, it redefines what compact luxury truly looks like.

Demna’s era-defining tenure at Balenciaga culminates with a landmark retrospective staged at Kering’s historic Laennec headquarters in Paris. Titled simply “Balenciaga by Demna”, the exhibition opens today and runs through July 9, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into a creative decade that reshaped fashion’s edge and attitude. Curated by Demna himself, the exhibition is anchored by “Exactitudes,” the Spring 2026 collection and his final ready-to-wear offering for the House.

More than a farewell, it is a living archive: one that reasserts the codes, silhouettes, and provocations that have defined Demna’s Balenciaga since 2015. Expect oversized tailoring, dystopian glamour, streetwear-meets-couture aesthetics, and the fearless cultural commentary that made his work so polarizing—and so impactful. It’s an immersive look at how a Georgian designer with an anti-fashion ethos became one of the most talked-about figures in fashion history. Staged inside the storied 40 rue de Sèvres address, the space itself becomes part of the narrative—a collision of legacy and disruption, form and anti-form. Entry is free but by registration only via exposition.balenciaga.com.

Ray-Ban and A$AP Rocky just dropped the hottest eyewear of the season with the launch of the Wayfarer Puffer—a bold reinterpretation of the iconic frame, infused with Rocky’s unmistakable Harlem-rooted flair and high-fashion instincts. Unveiled globally on June 20, the Wayfarer Puffer campaign, shot by Rocky in Harlem, is all about storytelling. Featuring local talent from his neighbourhood, the visuals feel raw yet aspirational, blending street culture with elevated artistry.

The Puffer’s first appearance was at the 2025 Met Gala, where Rocky stunned in a bespoke version featuring 18kt gold details, gemstones, and diamond-set rivets. From there, the frame made waves at Cannes, worn by fashion insiders during his exclusive yacht party. Now available in striking colours like red, white, yellow, and pink, the Wayfarer Puffer is a collector’s dream—both wearable and symbolic. Inflated in shape and spirit, it reinvents the classic Wayfarer through an imaginative lens. This launch marks a new era for Ray-Ban—one where icons are reinterpreted, and cultural visionaries like A$AP Rocky lead the way.

And that was The Week According to YUNG.

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