Every week, The National's Luxury magazine team will compile Black Book, a cheat sheet of the most interesting and noteworthy arrivals in fashion, watches and jewellery.
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton's famous Damier checkerboard pattern has undergone another transformation at the hands of Francesca Amfitheatrof, Vuitton’s Artistic Director for Watches and Jewellery. Just as menswear director Pharrell Willams expanded the Damier pattern for his debut show, creating "damouflage", so Amfitheatrof has scaled it down to the size of rings, bracelets and earrings, in gold and diamonds. “It is a diamond collection that is not just about the stones but the pattern that they create,” explains Amfitheatrof. Available as rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces, in white and yellow gold, the collection is designed to be genderless.
Rimowa
German suitcase specialist Rimowa is bringing its expertise into a new arena with a handbag-sized arrival called The Original Bag. Made with the same ridged aluminium construction as its famous suitcases, the new day bag is unisex, and can be carried with a top handle or worn crossbody via a strap. Fully lined in Italian leather, it is designed with functionality in mind, and has a zipped pocket and slots for credit cards. To showcase the new design, Rimowa enlisted the help of luminaries including model-turned-photographer Larissa Hofmann, as well as Ib Kamara, who was a stylist, editor-in-chief of Dazed magazine and is now the creative director of Off-White.
Hermes
Hermes has released a new scent for women – Barenia. Named after the delicate calf skin leather used to create its saddles, handbags and accessories, this new fragrance pairs powdery iris with the sweetness of miracle berry and the fruit of butterfly lily to create a liquid that evolves on the skin. These florals are grounded with the warmth of oak wood and an intense patchouli that continues to develop as it is worn. Housed in a bottle inspired by the maison’s Collier de chien (dog collar) bracelet, it comes with the same metallic studs, with two on the 60ml size and four on the 100ml size on hardware that follows the curve of the bottle.
Dior x Lewis Hamilton
The latest addition to Dior’s capsule with Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton is here, in the very retro 2000s-inspired shape of the B44 Blade. The shoes feature microfibre and canvas inserts along with the Dior logo, as well as a Dior and Lewis Hamilton charm hanging from an eyelet. The model gets its name from the blade that cuts along the sole. It’s an indicator that these aren’t just fashion shoes, they can be used for some (unlikely) running. The pair is equipped with an NFC chip, placed under the sole of the right foot, which gives wearers access to a certificate of authenticity. The exclusive series is limited to 1947 numbered pairs.
Giuseppe Zanotti
Italian shoe maker Giuseppe Zanotti is doubling down on individual style by offering customers the chance to customise some of its footwear in Dubai boutiques. The program, called My GZ, enables clients to add their own touch to styles from the autumn-winter 2024 collection, such as the GZ Mule, the Brendha sabot slingback, and the Janiee knee-high boots. Clients can choose from an array of additions, including adding initials to their heels, or a heart to create a unique pair. This service is available only at flagship locations such as Dubai, Paris, Milan and Shanghai, while those living elsewhere can access a similar service online. The shoes will then be customized in the Zanotti workshops in Italy, and shipped to the customer.
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Results
2.30pm: Park Avenue – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Rb Seqondtonone, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
3.05pm: Al Furjan – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bosphorus, Dane O’Neill, Bhupat Seemar
3.40pm: Mina – Rated Condition (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Royal Mews, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Aliyah – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,900m; Winner: Ursa Minor, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash
4.50pm: Riviera Beach – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Woodditton, Saif Al Balushi, Ahmad bin Harmash
5.25pm: Riviera – Handicap (TB) Dh2,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Al Madhar, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Creek Views – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Al Salt, Dane O’Neill, Erwan Charpy
SPECS
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Inside%20Out%202
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Salah in numbers
€39 million: Liverpool agreed a fee, including add-ons, in the region of €39m (nearly Dh176m) to sign Salah from Roma last year. The exchange rate at the time meant that cost the Reds £34.3m - a bargain given his performances since.
13: The 25-year-old player was not a complete stranger to the Premier League when he arrived at Liverpool this summer. However, during his previous stint at Chelsea, he made just 13 Premier League appearances, seven of which were off the bench, and scored only twice.
57: It was in the 57th minute of his Liverpool bow when Salah opened his account for the Reds in the 3-3 draw with Watford back in August. The Egyptian prodded the ball over the line from close range after latching onto Roberto Firmino's attempted lob.
7: Salah's best scoring streak of the season occurred between an FA Cup tie against West Brom on January 27 and a Premier League win over Newcastle on March 3. He scored for seven games running in all competitions and struck twice against Tottenham.
3: This season Salah became the first player in Premier League history to win the player of the month award three times during a term. He was voted as the division's best player in November, February and March.
40: Salah joined Roger Hunt and Ian Rush as the only players in Liverpool's history to have scored 40 times in a single season when he headed home against Bournemouth at Anfield earlier this month.
30: The goal against Bournemouth ensured the Egyptian achieved another milestone in becoming the first African player to score 30 times across one Premier League campaign.
8: As well as his fine form in England, Salah has also scored eight times in the tournament phase of this season's Champions League. Only Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, with 15 to his credit, has found the net more often in the group stages and knockout rounds of Europe's premier club competition.
Sweet%20Tooth
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final:
First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2
Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
TV: BeIN Sports, 10.45pm (UAE)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
SWEET%20TOOTH
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
