The Week According to YUNG – Culture, fashion, and future thinking: Jane Birkin’s legendary Hermès bag breaks global records, Amina Muaddi opens her Paris flagship, and Demna bids an emotional farewell to Balenciaga. From Cairo sneaker drops to couture hearts that beat in real time, here’s everything worth knowing, talking about, and sharing.
Welcome to The Week According to YUNG—your insider digest on the moments shaping the now.
In a historic fashion moment, Jane Birkin’s original Hermès Birkin bag sold today at Sotheby’s Paris for a staggering £8.6 million ($10.1 million), becoming the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction. The sale also set new records: it is now the most valuable fashion item ever auctioned in Europe and the most valuable luxury object sold at Sotheby’s Paris. Bidding began dramatically at €1 million, instantly shattering the previous world record of $513,040 set in 2021.
What followed was a tense, 10-minute bidding war involving nine collectors from around the world. The winning bid came via phone from a private collector in Japan, represented by Maiko Ichikawa of Sotheby’s Japan.
Publicly exhibited in Paris, Hong Kong, and New York, the Birkin drew thousands of admirers ahead of today’s Fashion Icons auction. With over 270 participants from 38 countries, the event was among Sotheby’s most globally followed fashion sales to date. More than just a handbag, the Birkin represents the genesis of an icon. As Sotheby’s Morgane Halimi noted, “It is a celebration of the enduring spirit and appeal of its muse, Jane Birkin.”
Amina Muaddi has officially opened her first-ever standalone boutique, and she chose none other than Avenue Montaigne, the epicentre of Parisian luxury, to mark this career-defining milestone. The launch, held during Paris Couture Week, cements the footwear designer’s position among the elite names in global fashion. Located at 6 Avenue Montaigne, the boutique embodies Muaddi’s signature fusion of glamour, edge, and craftsmanship. Designed by Art Recherche Industrie, the space features undulating aluminium walls, shoebox-shaped cabinets, and sculptural lighting in the brand’s iconic caramel pink hue. A round velvet sofa anchors the room, echoing the feminine-meets-futurist aesthetic that defines Muaddi’s universe.
“This is more than just a store, it’s a home,” Muaddi said. “It allows our community to experience the brand physically, emotionally, and visually.” The Paris flagship follows her April debut at Le Bon Marché and adds to her growing retail presence at Harrods and Level Shoes. More than just a physical space, the boutique signals the beginning of Amina Muaddi’s next chapter in global luxury retail.
Demna Gvasalia closed a defining chapter at Balenciaga with his Fall 2025 couture show in Paris, a farewell collection rooted in legacy, personal reflection, and uncompromising craftsmanship. After a decade marked by disruption and innovation, the designer took his final bow with a collection that honoured Cristóbal Balenciaga’s relentless pursuit of perfection while rewriting its codes for a new era.
“This collection is the perfect way for me to finish my decade at Balenciaga,” Demna stated. Minimalist at first glance but intricate on closer inspection, the collection fused sculptural elegance with Demna’s experimental edge: corsetry that sculpted without constriction, trompe-l’œil corduroy crafted from 300 kilometres of tufted embroidery, and reworked bourgeois silhouettes with tulip lapels and Medici collars. Demna’s muse was Old Hollywood glam refracted through modern eyes – Kim Kardashian appeared in a feathered “mink” coat with Elizabeth Taylor’s earrings, while a black sequined gown nodded to Monroe. At once nostalgic and forward-looking, the show also included brooches made from discarded tissue, underscoring Demna’s emotional, tactile design language. A decade after he began, Demna’s final couture offering reminds us that at Balenciaga, shape, story, and soul are inseparable.
PUMA has officially landed in Egypt with the bold debut of its iconic SPEEDCAT sneaker, kicking off a new chapter for the brand in the region. The launch, held at Townhall by Kamelizer in District 5, brought together Cairo’s creative scene — from athletes to artists — for a culture-driven celebration of movement and identity. The buzz began earlier this month with a viral CGI teaser showing a feline-like figure prowling Cairo, transforming into PUMA’s logo and setting social media on fire. The IRL reveal event mirrored that energy with immersive visuals and a high-impact atmosphere rooted in performance and street style. Originally crafted for Formula 1 drivers, the SPEEDCAT’s low-profile, aerodynamic silhouette now hits Cairo streets with a fresh cultural twist. Backed by Intertex, PUMA’s exclusive distributor in Egypt, this launch cements the brand’s growing presence in North Africa.
The SPEEDCAT is now available across Egypt, with the event setting a new standard for sneaker drops in the region, merging legacy, local pride, and next-gen energy.
JW Anderson is entering a new chapter. Hot on the heels of his Dior debut, Jonathan Anderson has transformed his namesake brand with a fresh vision centred on personal curation, artisanal objects, and timeless staples. The Spring Resort 2026 collection debuts a refined new logo, updated packaging, and a concept Anderson describes as “things I like and I would like to have around me.” Moving away from traditional seasonal fashion, the new JW Anderson universe blends fashion, interiors, and everyday design.
The launch pairs signature twisted classics with curated pieces like ceramics by Akiko Hirai, Murano glassware, vintage tools, and even coffee-flavoured tea. Presented via a minimalist lookbook starring close friends like Joe Alwyn and Bella Freud, the collection blurs the line between fashion and lifestyle. Anderson’s approach celebrates design as narrative, objects as storytelling tools. As the brand steps away from traditional runways, it shifts toward a slower, more personal retail rhythm, with new store openings in New York, Paris, Belgravia, and Pimlico.
Fashion Trust Arabia returns for its 7th edition, set to take place in November 2025 in Doha. The region’s leading fashion prize will once again spotlight design excellence across the MENA region, with India joining as the Guest Country in partnership with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre. Designers will compete across seven categories including Eveningwear, Accessories, Jewellery, and the Franca Sozzani Debut Talent Award. Winners will receive grants of $50,000 to $200,000, retail partnerships with Harrods and Ounass, and year-long mentorship from global fashion leaders.
The newly announced 2025 Advisory Board includes powerhouse names such as Nina Garcia, Mary Katrantzou, Ana Khouri, Sofia Guellaty, and Clare Waight Keller. They will shortlist 21 finalists, whose work will be evaluated in Doha during the ceremony. As FTA strengthens its position globally, this year’s edition promises deeper cross-cultural exchange and continued investment in Arab talent.
Marc Jacobs has joined forces with rising Nigerian-British designer Mowalola Ogunlesi on a futuristic, NYC-inspired capsule collection. The collab merges Jacobs’ grunge roots with Mowalola’s radical take on Black identity, subculture, and self-expression. The collection includes bold graphics, video game-inspired prints, and standout accessories like a re-imagined Sack Bag and studded circular handbags. Available now on MarcJacobs.com, the drop showcases both designers’ shared love for avant-garde silhouettes and cultural commentary. The pieces blend techwear aesthetics with early 2000s attitude, futuristic, but firmly grounded in city energy. With this collaboration, Jacobs continues to align with a new generation of rule-breakers, and Mowalola cements her status as one of fashion’s most subversive voices.
Schiaparelli stunned Paris Couture Week with a showstopping look: A 3D-printed, Swarovski-crystal-studded human heart necklace that beats in real time. Inspired by Salvadore Dali, the piece was crafted with 1,458 red Swarovski crystals and engineered to pulse at 60 beats per minute, the “Beating Heart” accessory instantly captivated viewers. The heart’s mechanical rhythm is powered by a rechargeable system compatible with iPhone chargers, blending science, tech, and fashion into a visceral experience. Worn with a trompe-l’oeil satin dress and slingbacks featuring hand-shaped heels, the ensemble turned heads on the runway and dominated social media within hours of its debut. This high-concept couture moment underscores Margiela’s commitment to pushing boundaries between body, technology, and art.
Maison Margiela has launched its first official e-commerce platform for the United Arab Emirates: www.maisonmargiela.ae. This marks a major step in the brand’s digital expansion across the Middle East. The new site offers full access to the Maison’s collections, ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, fragrances, and iconic items like the Replica sneakers and Tabi shoes. Designed with Margiela’s minimalist aesthetic in mind, the platform delivers an elevated, user-friendly shopping experience with same-day delivery in Dubai and next-day shipping across the UAE. Buy-now-pay-later options and immersive storytelling features are also integrated into the new site. Timed with the Fall 2025 rollout, the platform sets the tone for the Maison’s broader regional growth plans, which include expansion into neighbouring GCC countries.
Adidas just unveiled the latest chapter in its “Superstar, The Original” campaign—narrated by Samuel L. Jackson and starring icons like Missy Elliott, Jennie, Anthony Edwards, and GloRilla. The cinematic black-and-white films explore the Superstar’s lasting cultural influence across music, sport, and fashion. Directed by Thibaut Grevet, the campaign features two chapters: “Pyramids,” a powerful teaser comparing cultural monuments to timeless icons, and “Clocks,” the full hero film uniting seven trailblazers. First launched for basketball, the Superstar has long transcended sport, embraced by subcultures worldwide. It returns in classic colourways with enhanced comfort, alongside the legendary Firebird Tracksuit. This campaign cements Adidas’ message: Originals don’t follow trends, they define them.
Riyadh Fashion Week (RFW) is calling on designers to apply for its third edition, scheduled for later this year. Organized by the Saudi Fashion Commission, the event will showcase local and global talent across ready-to-wear, couture, menswear, and streetwear. Designers have until July 15 to submit proposals. In addition to runway shows, RFW’s 2025 edition will offer immersive brand activations, retail pop-ups, creative takeovers, and private events. RFW continues to build Saudi Arabia’s fashion identity on the global stage—merging innovation with cultural storytelling and opening doors for emerging creatives.
Louvre Abu Dhabi has unveiled its newest cultural innovation: the Quantum Dome Project, a 25-minute immersive VR experience that lets up to 10 visitors at once explore historic civilizations in a shared digital world. Housed in the museum’s Lower Forum, the experience recreates the architectural majesty of Imperial Rome, intellectual Baghdad, and Mughal India, all through motion-tracked virtual reality. Guided by a cinematic narrative, visitors journey through history alongside one another, interacting with digital landscapes grounded in real artefacts. Running for 12 months and developed with Small Creative Studio, the project marks a major step in the museum’s tech-driven storytelling mission.
The MDLBEAST Foundation has officially announced the return of Sound Futures, its flagship initiative empowering the next generation of music entrepreneurs, creators, and tech pioneers. Back for its 2025 edition, the program connects bold music and music-tech startups with top regional and global investors, and this year, it’s bigger than ever. Launched to foster innovation, job creation, and a sustainable music economy in the region, Sound Futures will culminate in a live pitch event during the XP Music Futures Conference, taking place December 4–6 in Riyadh. Inspired by the “Shark Tank” format, the event offers high-potential founders a platform to showcase ideas that could shape the future of how music is created, shared, and monetized. Applications are now open to students, early-stage entrepreneurs, and scaling startups alike. Participants benefit from tailored boot camps, mentorship, business readiness training, and exclusive networking with global music industry leaders. Finalists will undergo an intensive pre-accelerator program starting October. Sound Futures aligns with MDLBEAST Foundation’s vision of building a diverse, inclusive, and future-ready music ecosystem across the Middle East, and beyond.
Art Basel has officially announced details of its highly anticipated debut in the Gulf with Art Basel Qatar, taking place from February 5 to 7, 2026, with Preview Days on February 3 and 4. Set within M7 and the Doha Design District, the fair introduces a groundbreaking open-format model—a departure from traditional booths—designed to centre artistic vision, narrative, and depth.
Appointed as Artistic Director for the inaugural edition is renowned Egyptian artist Wael Shawky, whose multidisciplinary approach and regional insight will help shape the fair’s curatorial identity. Shawky, working alongside Art Basel’s Chief Artistic Officer Vincenzo de Bellis and a prestigious Selection Committee, will guide the fair’s thematic direction and gallery curation.
The central theme, “Becoming,” will explore transformation, personal, cultural, and systemic, within the context of the Gulf and beyond. Art Basel Qatar will feature solo presentations across M7, Msheireb, and public sites in Doha, highlighting artists from MENA, South Asia, and global markets. The initiative marks a bold new chapter in how art fairs are conceived, prioritizing experimentation, dialogue, and cultural storytelling.
And that was The Week According to YUNG.
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