The Week According to YUNG

Cartier expands the legacy of its iconic LOVE bracelet with the launch of LOVE Unlimited, a capsule that pushes the boundaries of design, innovation, and intimacy. First introduced in New York in 1969, the original LOVE bracelet, with its oval shape, screws, and clasp, became a symbol of radical devotion. Today, LOVE Unlimited carries this spirit forward in a fully flexible, second-skin bracelet that connects infinitely with others, embodying the limitless nature of love.

Developed over hundreds of trials and prototypes, the bracelet is crafted from gadrooned gold links punctuated with Cartier’s signature screws, each link engineered for proportion and harmony. An invisible clasp fuses seamlessly with the design and allowing the bracelets to be paired, split, or multiplied. Available in white, yellow, and rose gold, and mirrored in a ring version, LOVE Unlimited captures Cartier’s daring vision: jewellery as both innovation and manifesto.

Maison Rami Kadi presents Blooming Universe, the designer’s second art collection following his acclaimed debut, Highway to Heaven. On view at Diana Ghandour Studio in Gemmayze, Beirut, in collaboration with Belvedere Art Space, the exhibition will run through October. Exploring cosmic themes, Kadi transforms fabric and threads into galaxies of colour, light, and texture. The 22 works feature Haute Couture techniques, including Swarovski crystals, French knots, raffia threads, and glass beads. Highlights include The Four Seasons of Light, tracing the cycle of illumination, Cosmic Waterfall, where beads cascade from canvas to floor, and Chromium, a nine-panel constellation of shifting chromatic fields. At the centre is The Cosmic Console, a collaborative functional artwork with Diana Ghandour, featuring a sculptural, colour-changing surface. The opening night welcomed celebrities, collectors, and art enthusiasts, including Cyrine Abdelnour, with catering inspired by the collection’s intricate beadwork. Blooming Universe is open until the end of October, with works available on Artsy.

The world’s leading design fair, Salone del Mobile.Milano, makes its Middle East debut with Red in Progress, a three-day event taking place from 26 to 28 November at Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District. Presented in partnership with the Architecture and Design Commission under Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, the initiative marks a major milestone for the Kingdom’s growing creative economy under Vision 2030.

Bringing together over 35 Italian brands and Saudi designers, the launch serves as a preview of a full-scale edition planned for 2026. Designed by Giò Forma, the scenographic installation transforms the construction site aesthetic into a cultural platform, symbolized by the colour red and themes of energy, progress, and connection.

Alongside masterclasses, B2B exchanges, and curated lifestyle spaces, Red in Progress aims to strengthen cultural and commercial bridges between Italy and Saudi Arabia, showcasing how design can unite craftsmanship, innovation, and urban transformation.

During the Louis Vuitton Women’s Spring-Summer 2026 fashion show, the LV I historical timepiece made a striking return to the spotlight. Presented exclusively on the runway, the watch was reimagined as a statement accessory, worn elegantly on a chain belt, blending heritage with modern expression.

Held at the Musée du Louvre, within the former summer apartments of Anne of Austria, the show embodied the art of living, a celebration of intimacy, elegance, and the quiet freedom of the private sphere. First created in 1988 by renowned Italian designer Gae Aulenti, the LV I was among the first timepieces to mark Louis Vuitton’s entry into watchmaking, alongside its sibling, the LV II. Its return on the SS26 runway pays tribute to the House’s enduring craftsmanship and timeless vision, reuniting heritage with contemporary artistry in a uniquely personal way.

Christian Louboutin Beauty introduces Fétiche Le Santal, the newest chapter in its Fétiche collection. The eau de parfum explores a sensual duality, pairing the creamy depth of sandalwood with the luminous freshness of fig. Opening with vibrant top notes of orange blossom, pink pepper, and milky fig, the fragrance evolves into a heart of incense, vetiver, and musk before settling into a smooth sandalwood base.

Described as “scent like a second skin,” Le Santal captures the tension between rough and smooth, unexpected yet inviting. It joins the broader Fétiche collection, now comprising eight fragrances including Rose Fétiche and Lavande Fétiche, each designed for layering and personal expression.

Carolina Herrera introduces True Oud, the latest addition to its Herrera Confidential Eastern Treasures collection. Inspired by the profound cultural role of Oud in Middle Eastern rituals, the woody-floral Eau de Parfum explores the ingredient’s symbolic ties to identity, hospitality, and belonging. Creative director Herrera drew from personal experiences in the Gulf, where she immersed herself in the traditions of burning Oud at family gatherings, rituals that transform scent into memory.

Developed with perfumer Jordi Fernández, the formula highlights natural Thai Oud, balancing its depth with floral and woody accents. Osmanthus, saffron, and freesia open the fragrance with luminous vibrancy, while jasmine and myrrh enrich the heart. A base of sandalwood, patchouli, Akigalawood, musk, and Ambrofix anchors the composition with warmth and persistence. Designed for layering, True Oud intermingles with other Herrera Confidential fragrances, embodying a couture spirit of personalization while celebrating the timeless resonance of Arab perfumery.

Ferragamo introduces its Autumn-Winter 2025 eyewear collection, where refined craftsmanship meets forward-looking design. Blending artisanal precision with technical innovation, the line offers lightweight, fluid constructions that merge tradition with contemporary sensibility. Central to the collection is a reinterpretation of the house’s Gancini motif, reimagined as a prismatic plaque inspired by Ferragamo’s iconic bag closures. Extending seamlessly from the front to the temples, this detail is hand-milled, engraved with the logo, and enriched with linear grooves, an architectural flourish that bridges structure and ornament. Both sunglasses and optical frames carry this distinctive signature, with transparent iterations revealing the inner metal core for added depth. A considered palette expands from timeless shades of black and tortoiseshell to modern translucent hues, underscoring a sense of versatility and sophistication.

Calvin Klein spotlights English footballer Trent Alexander-Arnold in its Fall 2025 campaign, capturing the duality of athletic intensity and relaxed ease. Directed and shot by Gordon von Steiner, the visuals position Alexander-Arnold in Calvin Klein’s latest underwear, denim, and fall layers, reflecting his confident presence both on and off the pitch. The campaign, filmed in Madrid, resonates personally with the athlete, who described the experience as “powerful” and “unforgettable”.

The collection reimagines Calvin Klein’s core codes with modern functionality. Updated underwear styles, including Icon Cotton Stretch, Intense Power, and Microfiber Stretch, introduce seamless technology and the stitch-free Infinity Bond waistband, enhancing comfort and movement. Denim takes on new life with refreshed washes of the 90s Straight Jean, paired with layered essentials such as the Relaxed Denim Jacket, Wool Blend Overcoat, and Padded Harrington Jacket. Together, the campaign and collection underscore Calvin Klein’s ongoing evolution of timeless staples.

Versace steps boldly into the world of sneaker culture with its first-ever footwear collaboration, teaming up with Japanese icon Onitsuka Tiger for the Spring-Summer 2026 season under the creative direction of Dario Vitale.

The partnership reinterprets the legendary TAI-CHI sneaker, infusing it with Versace’s signature flair. Classic Tiger stripes are reimagined alongside the Medusa emblem, while a vintage-treated upper bridges Italian opulence with Japanese precision. The collection also introduces a collaborative leather loafer, offering a refined yet contemporary twist on timeless menswear.

Blurring the boundaries between streetwear and luxury, this collaboration celebrates craft, culture, and cross-border creativity, redefining what it means to step into style. A standout of the SS26 season, it marks a new era where athletic heritage meets high fashion attitude.

British heritage brand Paul Smith has expanded its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first store in the United Arab Emirates, located on the 1st floor of Palm Jumeirah Mall. The store’s striking façade features Paul Smith’s signature red-gloss fluted tiles, contrasted by limestone flooring adorned with the Shadow Stripe motif, a softer reinterpretation of the iconic Signature Stripe.

Inside, the design pays homage to Sir Paul Smith’s roots, with a central 3x3m area marked by hanging fabric screens, reflecting the size of the original Nottingham shop. Furnishings combine vintage and custom pieces, including 1930s Dutch oak tables and fixtures inspired by Carlo Scarpa and Donald Judd. Eclectic art walls showcase a curated selection of original paintings, prints, and photographs, from Ellsworth Kelly to Giacometti, continuing Paul Smith’s tradition of blending retail and gallery experiences. The Palm Jumeirah store carries menswear, womenswear, and accessories.

Boucheron introduces the Quatre Sand Cuff, a bold reinterpretation of its iconic Quatre line, blending graphic design with cutting-edge 3D sand-printing technology. Creative Director Claire Choisne pairs black sand with yellow gold across a set of seven bracelets and bangles, designed to be worn stacked or individually. The collection balances maximalist aesthetics with technical mastery, showcasing the Maison’s ongoing experimentation with unusual materials in High Jewelry.

The process draws from automotive and aeronautics 3D-printing techniques, layering polymer-bound sand to create durable, precise forms that retain the material’s textured character. Each piece combines 3D-printed black sand elements with gold components, polished and brushed to enhance contrast and interplay of light. Special coatings seal the sand’s colour, while invisible clasps preserve design purity.

Fragmenta, a new design initiative by Nour Najem and Guilaine Elias curated by Gregory Gatserelia, transforms discarded stone fragments into one-of-a-kind artistic and functional objects. Partnering with Najem Group & Co., Lebanon’s leading marble manufacturer, the project celebrates the enduring beauty of stone while championing circularity and sustainable practices. Designers, including Ahmad Bazazo, Karen Chekerdjian, Hannibal Srouji, and Andrea Mancuso, reinterpret broken slabs, offcuts, and forgotten samples, preserving the material’s character while exploring innovative forms.

The inaugural edition which took place at the Najem Group factory in Beirut, is expected in Abu Dhabi soon. Each piece combines 70% marble with collaborative craftsmanship from engineers and artisans, blending heritage techniques with contemporary creativity. Fragmenta underscores the cultural, material, and social value of stone, turning fragments into storytelling mediums that honour memory, identity, and resilience. The initiative exemplifies how sustainable design can bridge history and innovation, redefining waste as a source of beauty and inspiration.

Swiss sportswear brand On and Zendaya continue their creative partnership with the second chapter of Be Every You, a campaign that explores duality, identity, and the freedom of movement. Following the debut of the Cloudzone Moon in August, Drop 2 introduces the Cloudtilt Moon, a co-created sneaker designed for recovery, comfort, and everyday wear.

Crafted with a sock-like knit upper and On’s innovative CloudTec Phase sole, the Cloudtilt Moon blends plush cushioning with a sculpted, fashion-forward silhouette. Its softer design language reflects the campaign’s core contrasts, power and softness, chaos and calm, mirroring Zendaya’s complex identity. Styled by Law Roach and brought to life in a cinematic film directed by Bardia Zeinali, Zendaya appears as both muse and creative force, embodying the campaign’s message of embracing every version of oneself. With Drop 2, On and Zendaya reaffirm sportswear as an intimate dialogue between performance, self-expression, and style.

Dries Van Noten reimagines beauty through a lens of artistry and self-expression with his striking lipstick collection, an extension of his avant-garde runway aesthetic. The line features 32 shades in satin, matte, and sheer finishes, complemented by a hydrating clear balm. Each hue is inspired by luxurious fabrics like silk and velvet, balancing bold creativity with refined elegance. Signature tones include Plastic Pink, Graphic Ochre, Abstract Red, and Latin Carmin.

Encased in refillable, collectible “objets d’art”, the lipsticks blend industrial precision with traditional craftsmanship, transforming every application into a tactile ritual. Sustainability sits at the heart of the collection, from vegan, cruelty-free formulas enriched with rosehip oil to recyclable Zamak cases and eco-conscious packaging.

Merging innovation, design, and responsibility, Dries Van Noten invites wearers to embrace beauty as an act of artistic expression. Now available in boutiques and at driesvannoten.com.

For Spring-Summer 2026, MAX&Co. unveils its latest &Co.llaboration, partnering with Los Angeles–based designer Sami Miró for a capsule titled Becoming Undone. Inspired by the multifaceted spirit of the modern woman, entrepreneurial, poised, and endlessly curious, the collection blends Italian craftsmanship with Miró’s deconstructed design language.

Miró explores beauty through imperfection, showcasing raw edges, exposed seams, and exaggerated silhouettes that balance utility and femininity. Classic wardrobe staples like blazers, denim, and tees are reimagined with expressive details, encouraging freedom of styling, whether mixed, matched, or worn monochromatically.

Rooted in a shared vision of individuality and reinvention, the collaboration celebrates strength and self-expression. Miró spoke of how working with MAX&Co. allowed her to merge her boundary-pushing creativity with the brand’s heritage of precision and elegance. Together, they craft a capsule that embodies the renaissance woman of today, bold, complex, and unapologetically herself.

London’s cultural landscape enters a new era with the opening of V&A East Storehouse on 31 May 2025. Designed by architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the Storehouse is part of East Bank, the capital’s newest cultural quarter in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The 16,000m² space is home to over 250,000 objects, 350,000 books and 1,000 archives, offering visitors a backstage pass to the V&A’s vast collection. Highlights include the world’s largest Picasso work, the Ballets Russes Le Train Bleu stage cloth, Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office, and a 15th-century Spanish ceiling. At the heart of the experience is the Order an Object service, which allows the public to request and view items from the collection for free.

Adding to the opening’s significance, the V&A has welcomed works by Lebanese designer Najla el Zein into its collection. Seduction, Pair 03, sculpted in silver travertine, explores intimacy through the gradual closeness of two bodies, while Distortion, 12, from her concrete bench series, reflects on transformation and femininity.

Marc Jacobs and A.P.C. unveiled a 26-piece capsule that reimagines their 1980s roots through collegiate-inspired style. Paris and New York meet in layered fabrics, sharp details and playful archival touches.

The collaboration, born from Marc Jacobs’ friendship with A.P.C. founder Jean Touitou, unites two design “universities.” Crests, embroidery and embossing appear across the collection, from a wool-and-cowhide varsity jacket to dual-branded jerseys. Wardrobe staples include THE JEAN, THE SKIRT, and a striped SHIRT, alongside Jacobs’ cult Tote Bag and A.P.C.’s collector’s Demi-Lune.

Orange accents nod to Jacobs’ Paris transit pass and Touitou’s Sorbonne ID, while Roman-style buttons stamped with their profiles bring a witty heritage twist to denim and loafers. Shot by Nick Newbold and styled by Alastair McKimm, the campaign celebrates precision, friendship and cultural storytelling.

Bottega Veneta unveils its new Mezzanotte fragrance collection, an olfactory ode to Italian elegance and global craftsmanship. Comprising three perfumes, the collection builds on the house’s inaugural fragrance line, weaving together rare essences into a sensory Intrecciato. The name, meaning “midnight” in Italian, captures the depth and intensity of each scent.

Hinoki offers a serene blend of fir balsam, hinoki wood, and patchouli, evoking a meditative walk through a tranquil forest. Goodmorning Midnight radiates joy and celebration, fusing Thai oud, rose, and wild strawberry in a luminous, playful composition. Almost Dawn pairs chestnut, truffle, and vanilla, symbolizing new beginnings with warmth and optimism.

Presented in organically shaped glass bottles with wooden caps and Black Marquina marble bases, each design pays homage to Venice’s rich heritage of Murano glassblowing and architectural beauty. The collection launches at Bottega Veneta stores and Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

And that was The Week According to YUNG.

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