The Week According to YUNG

CHANEL expands its most precious skincare line with SUBLIMAGE L’Extrait Huile Lèvres, a new lip oil that brings the regenerative power of the night to one of the face’s most delicate features. Rooted in the brand’s century-long conviction that beauty is a source of strength, the formula draws on CHANEL Research’s understanding of the key parameters of youth to restore smoothness, fullness, and radiance. At its heart is polyfractioned Vanilla Planifolia, the botanical treasure of SUBLIMAGE, paired with Swertia from Bhutan and a strengthening peptide. Together, they work overnight to reinforce the lips’ structural matrix and revive their natural vitality by morning. With a velvety, 97% natural-origin texture and a golden sculpting applicator, the treatment feels luxurious. Encased in a black leather sheath lined with gold-lamé tweed by Maison Lesage, this new addition completes the SUBLIMAGE ritual, sublime beauty, now down to the last detail.

Egyptian label Gozoour has always been less about dressing the main character and more about redefining who gets to be one. Founded by designer and stylist Mazen Zaki, the brand is built on an unapologetically Egyptian perspective that rejects pharaonic clichés and tourist-friendly tropes. Instead, it turns its lens toward the lived realities of underrepresented communities across the country. With every collection, Zaki pushes back against a flat, oversimplified image of Egypt, replacing it with a layered map of people, rituals, textures, and subcultures.

The newest collection extends that map southward to Aswan, drawing from the visual and cultural identity of Nubian communities whose heritage is rich, resilient, and often overlooked. Their wedding traditions, ceremonial textiles, henna rituals, and layered silhouettes serve as the foundation for the pieces. Rich colour palettes echo the region’s landscapes, while handcrafted details mimic the rhythm of Nubian craftsmanship. More than aesthetic references, these elements form the core narrative, focusing on the people who are usually treated as the background and positioning them as the true icons of contemporary Egyptian culture.

Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection is a study of women’s work, its weight, its value, and its often-unseen impact. Miuccia Prada turns the spotlight onto the labour that shapes women’s lives, reframing it as a source of dignity, independence, and emotional expression. At the heart of the collection is the apron, elevated from a utilitarian garment into a symbol of care, resilience, and agency. Through shifts in material and form, it moves fluidly across cultural contexts: domestic, clinical, industrial, nurturing, and manual.

Inspired by the documentary photography of Dorothea Lange and Helga Paris, the collection grounds itself in reality, with fabrics such as drill, leather, cotton poplin, silk cloqué, lace, and embroidered canvas. Robust shoes and accessories echo an industrial beauty, while delicate ruffles introduce a tension between toughness and femininity. At the Palais d’Iéna, a landscape of Formica tables transforms the space into an abstracted, everyday workplace, ordinary, yet profoundly meaningful.

Aesop unveils its first store in Jeddah, marking a significant step in the brand’s continued expansion across the Middle East. Located in the Red Sea Mall, the new space draws from the city’s distinct relationship with land and sea, translating Jeddah’s natural dualities into a calm, contemporary retail environment.

True to Aesop’s philosophy, no two stores are alike. The Jeddah location mirrors the city’s dialogue between desert stillness and coastal movement through contrasting architectural gestures. Linear, geometric planes are set against soft, fluid curves, while olive-tinted micro-cement meets handcrafted Trencadis mosaics, an interplay of precision and organic craft.

The interior unfolds through two interconnected volumes: one defined by clear structure and geometry, the other shaped by curved forms and shifting alignments. Together, they create a spatial rhythm that reflects Jeddah’s layered identity, offering visitors a sensory experience rooted in balance, texture, and place.

Lebanese multidisciplinary architect and ceramic artist Zein Daouk presents The Woven Path (2025), a sculptural work that examines strength, symbiosis, and the beauty of the intertwined. Crafted in ceramic and stoneware, the piece reinterprets the iconic Intrecciato weave through Daouk’s ongoing research into the “Third Kingdom,” a realm where woven fungal networks form an invisible architecture of connection. The biomorphic contours of the sculpture evoke expressionist forms, while every engraved detail highlights the intimacy of the handmade, imperfect, enduring, and deeply human.

Daouk’s broader practice investigates alternate ways of seeing, often merging nature, narrative, and craft. Through her series The Third Kingdom, she explores synergy within the fungal world, imagining new species of functional objects that reflect forgotten forms of shared humanity. The Woven Path continues this inquiry, inviting viewers into a silent yet sentient landscape where interconnectedness becomes both structure and story.

YOUMI BEAUTY, the Middle Eastern luxury brand known for its high-performance haircare, expands into a new category with the launch of its first body care collection this December. The debut line introduces three essentials crafted with botanical extracts and advanced skincare ingredients: the Body Wash – La Tulipe, Spray Body Lotion – La Tulipe, and the Body & Face Exfoliating Scrub. Each formula has been designed to elevate daily rituals with smooth textures, refined finishes, and ingredients that brighten and nourish the skin. The Body Wash blends ceramides with lavender, rosemary, thyme, and jasmine for a fresh, balanced cleanse, while the lightweight Spray Body Lotion offers fast-absorbing hydration enriched with centella asiatica and panthenol. Completing the trio, the gentle exfoliating scrub reveals a luminous, even surface using moringa seed and argan oils. With this launch, YOUMI BEAUTY extends its head-to-toe approach to luxury self-care across the region.

This December marks a cultural milestone with the release of El Sett, Marwan Hamed’s highly awaited film celebrating Umm Kulthum fifty years after her passing. Azza Fahmy Jewellery plays a central role in bringing the icon’s world to life, creating bespoke pieces and faithful replicas of her signature designs. Working closely with the filmmakers, the brand ensured each jewel reflected the authenticity, elegance, and artistic integrity synonymous with El Sett’s era. Alongside the film’s debut, Azza Fahmy unveils a dedicated capsule collection honouring Umm Kulthum’s enduring influence. The Suma Chandelier Earrings reinterpret her iconic silhouettes with elongated lines crafted in 18k gold and sterling silver, while the Suma Bracelet pays tribute to a piece she often wore, adorned with calligraphy. Through craftsmanship and cultural storytelling, the house celebrates an artist whose voice, presence, and poetry continue to shape generations across the Arab world.

Ray-Ban celebrates the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend with the launch of the Abu Dhabi – Special Edition frames, created in partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP. Revealed at the brand’s Yas Mall store, the exclusive collector’s piece drew regional media, sports personalities, and fashion insiders, alongside a surprise appearance by Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. The limited-edition sunglasses reinterpret Ray-Ban’s pilot silhouette through a racing lens, featuring a two-tone metal frame, a dynamic double bridge, and the Scuderia Ferrari HP logo on the temple tips. Crafted exclusively in solid 18K gold and paired with crystal chromance blue lenses, each pair comes in premium packaging with a dedicated sleeve and certificate of authenticity. Designed to mirror the glamour of the UAE’s capital, the frames blend timeless style with high-performance engineering. The Abu Dhabi – Special Edition is now available at Ray-Ban stores across Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Following its groundbreaking debut in Saudi Arabia, Rally A’Shira Richard Mille returns with a new route across Morocco. The 2025 edition gathered 40 women from the Middle East, Asia, and Europe for a five-day, 1,400-kilometre journey from Marrakech to Tamuda Bay, passing through Casablanca, Ifrane, and Rabat. Named after A’Shira, the South Star guiding travellers, the rally celebrates endurance, precision, and female camaraderie. Championed by Amanda Mille and Tilly Harrison, it remains the first all-female-led regularity rally in the MENA region. Unlike speed-based racing, participants focus on consistency and timing, embracing the technical discipline of regularity driving. This year’s Moroccan landscape introduced rich cultural encounters and diverse terrains, reinforcing the rally’s spirit of exploration. As the event continues to evolve, Rally A’Shira aims to push boundaries further, revealing new routes that challenge both skill and resilience while empowering women through shared adventure.

Sole DXB 2025 welcomes La Hacienda, a vibrant cultural stage spotlighting the region’s next wave of creative talent. Presented by PATRÓN and Sole DXB, the space is designed as a house “built by the greats, for the greats,” merging fashion, music, and contemporary culture. Across the festival weekend, La Hacienda hosts 15 artists who reflect the region’s evolving sonic identity, from Bahraini electronic edits and African-inspired club beats to disco, deep house, and avant-garde selectors. DJs such as Mister Levier, Diamond Setter, Parvané Barret, DIJOK, Hameed, and Omar Fayyad shape the soundscape with sets that blend modern rhythm and cultural depth. Designed with warm tones, sculptural arches, and piña-inspired silhouettes, the space includes a terrace garden, courtyard bar, and glow-up stations. A limited-edition merch collaboration with UAE brand Badibanga further extends the experience, blending Chicano influences with Dubai’s multicultural energy.

Montblanc introduces a serene new chapter to its legendary writing instrument with the launch of the Meisterstück White collection. Since 1924, the Meisterstück has stood as a symbol of writing culture and craftsmanship. This latest iteration re-imagines the icon in luminous white precious resin, paired with platinum-coated fittings for a refined, modern aesthetic. Available as a fountain pen, rollerball, and ballpoint, the collection stays true to Montblanc’s design codes, with the emblem in black and white precious resin crowning the metal cap top. At the heart of the fountain pen lies a handcrafted Au 585/14K rhodium-coated gold nib engraved with the trademark Meisterstück motif. Meticulously polished and assembled in Montblanc’s Hamburg manufacture, each piece reflects the Maison’s enduring dedication to precision and artistry. Launching globally in December 2025, the Meisterstück White celebrates the timeless value of the written word through purity, craftsmanship, and quiet sophistication.

Balenciaga pushes the boundaries of functional fashion with the FW25 Ski Mask, a dramatic reinvention of traditional ski goggles. The silhouette features an exaggerated monolens that fully obscures the eyes while maintaining the aerodynamic utility associated with high-performance winter gear. A bold, high-contrast logo band frames the oversized visor, merging streetwear cool with alpine functionality. The piece reflects Balenciaga’s continued exploration of distortion, futurism, and amplified proportions, key signatures of its eyewear direction. Designed for both the slopes and the city, the FW25 Ski Mask embraces a sculptural aesthetic that blurs the line between accessory and statement piece.

Birkenstock launches its latest campaign, Bet on Your Step, a tribute to Emirati heritage, community, and everyday rituals. Shot across UAE neighbourhoods, the campaign features an all-Emirati cast whose stories reflect tradition, family bonds, and individual journeys. Each vignette portrays how Birkenstock integrates into daily life: from Ahmad the skateboarder gliding through his neighbourhood, to a grandmother and granddaughter preparing bzar spices, to Rahma the fisherman and Maryam the aspiring florist pursuing their dreams. A powerful Emirati poem narrates these scenes, anchoring the campaign in shared values Birkenstock resilience, connection, and cultural pride. Rooted in more than 250 years of German craftsmanship, Birkenstock highlights how its timeless footwear supports natural movement while honouring local identity. The campaign also spotlights home-grown businesses Aqua Fishing Academy and WUD Flowers, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to celebrating regional entrepreneurs and the spirit of the UAE.

Sephora Middle East unveils the 2025 chapter of its annual campaign, We Belong to Something Beautiful, spotlighting confidence as a collective, lived experience. This year’s story is told through the Al Nassr Women’s Football Team, whom Sephora sponsors as part of its long-standing commitment to supporting women who lead, perform, and inspire across Saudi Arabia.

Grounded in the rhythm of training sessions, match days, and shared ambition, the campaign reframes confidence as something built through discipline, teamwork, and resilience. As pioneers shaping the future of women’s football in the Kingdom, the Al Nassr athletes embody the campaign’s core values: strength, unity, and authenticity, on and off the field.

By rooting the narrative in sport, Sephora highlights spaces where confidence is visible and earned, drawing a powerful connection between beauty, self-expression, and identity. The campaign reinforces Sephora’s belief that empowerment is not performative, but practiced daily through community, purpose, and self-belief.

Roja London marks a major milestone with the opening of its first boutique in Saudi Arabia, located at Solitaire Mall in Riyadh. Inspired by the brilliance of a cut diamond, the space reflects the British house’s dedication to craftsmanship and rare raw materials through rich marble, brushed brass, and violet crystal accents.

The boutique invites guests into the full ROJA universe, from the iconic Elysium Collection to its celebrated Aoud creations, complemented by personalized consultations and the brand’s signature Art of Layering rituals led by expert Fragrance Specialists.

To commemorate the opening, Roja London introduces Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, an exclusive Amber fragrance blending Red Apple, Rose, Suede, and Oud. Available only at the Solitaire boutique, the scent pays tribute to the Kingdom’s depth and richness. The opening signals Roja London’s growing presence in the Middle East, bringing haute perfumery to a new audience.

CHANEL has reopened its Fragrance and Beauty boutique at Dubai Mall, unveiling the largest CHANEL Fragrance & Beauty space worldwide on a single level. Spanning 400 sqm, the boutique offers an immersive journey through fragrance, makeup, and skincare, guided by CHANEL experts.

The interior reinterprets CHANEL’s iconic codes with bold architectural lines, black, white, and gold finishes, and a striking Fer Forgé gate inspired by Haussmannian design. Guests are welcomed by playful yet elegant features including the Magic Powder display and the Cabochon area dedicated to N°5.

The space includes private skincare cabins offering LA FASCIA DE CHANEL treatments, a VIP lounge, and advanced consultations enhanced by the CHANEL Vitality Scanner. With fragrance discovery, one-to-one makeup sessions, and curated eyewear selections, the boutique sets a new benchmark for luxury beauty retail in the region.

MAX&Co. celebrated the launch of its “1-800 Gift Alert” capsule collection with Italian artist Pietro Terzini at its Dubai Mall store. Marking their third collaboration, the collection brings Terzini’s signature witty word art into dialogue with MAX&Co.’s playful, mix-and-match aesthetic.

The event gathered creatives, media, and the local fashion community in a festive setting that echoed the capsule’s joyful spirit. Music by DJ Karrouhat amplified the celebratory mood, reinforcing the brand’s belief in fashion as a form of self-expression and fun.

Rooted in Italian heritage yet globally resonant, MAX&Co.’s collaboration reflects a rebellious “Enfant Terrible” energy—bold, optimistic, and boundary-pushing. In Dubai, where fashion, art, and music naturally intersect, the launch strengthened the brand’s connection to the city’s creative landscape, signalling a confident new chapter grounded in its founding values.

Dubai Mall invites visitors to experience the magic of winter with a seasonal transformation inspired by the serenity of a winter forest. Across atriums and walkways, glowing light installations, frosted details, and sculptural elements create an immersive festive atmosphere that blends luxury with warmth.

Fashion Avenue welcomes guests with crystal-lined trees and columns adorned with thousands of glass crystal components, while the standout installation Air Castles by artist Dimitri Shabalin transforms recycled children’s toys into a whimsical, hand-painted landscape accented with crystals.

At the Fashion Dome, a central chandelier installation surrounded by suspended snowflakes forms a striking focal point. Throughout the mall, more than 200 chandeliers and over 100 kilometres of illumination create a flowing canopy of light. The result is a refined yet enchanting setting, making Dubai Mall a standout destination this festive season.

Royal Salute brought a standout cultural moment to Dubai with the debut of The Time Chamber by British sculptor Conrad Shawcross, unveiled during Dubai Watch Week. The immersive installation explores time as a sculptural force, uniting contemporary art, horology and the heritage of long-aged whisky. At its centre sits a rare 53-year-old Royal Salute blend, created as a tribute to the brand’s 1953 origins and symbolising decades of patience and craft. Alongside the installation, Royal Salute previewed the new 62 Gun Salute Peated Edition, the third release in its prestigious collection, crafted from over 50 exceptional whiskies including precious malts from the lost Caperdonich distillery. Presented in collaboration with Bonhams, the showcase creates a dialogue between artistic expression, ceremonial legacy and horological mastery. Together, they form a refined encounter with time, culture and craftsmanship, underscoring Dubai’s growing role as a global destination for luxury, design and collectible excellence.

And that was The Week According to YUNG.

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