Un Ete Francais parfum by Celine. Photo Celine
Un Ete Francais parfum by Celine. Photo Celine
Un Ete Francais parfum by Celine. Photo Celine
Un Ete Francais parfum by Celine. Photo Celine

Black Book: Celine unveils scent of the summer and Bvlgari revisits watch classic


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From new fragrances to summer-chic bags, The National's Luxury magazine team rounds up the most interesting and noteworthy arrivals in the world of fashion, interiors, fragrance and jewellery.

Un Été Français parfum by Celine

Celine’s new Un Eté Français (A French Summer) fragrance, created by former creative director Hedi Slimane, draws inspiration from long, languid summers in a beach house in Ramatuelle on the French Mediterranean.

The latest addition to the brand’s Haute Parfumerie collection opens with spicy bergamot and earthy petit-grain, softening into zesty neroli and gorse – a wild coastal flower with a citrus-coconut scent. A warm vanilla base evokes the essence of a French holiday in a bottle.

Un Été Français perfume, Dh1,200 for 100ml

Rafiafiori by Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana pre-fall 2025. Photo: Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana pre-fall 2025. Photo: Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana nods to a cooler, more laid-back style for summer for 2025. Ditching corsetry and black lace, the Italian masters of Sicilian vamp embrace skinny knit stripes and easy raffia accessories.

A pompom raffia tote, hand-cut raffia necklace and cat-eye sunglasses wrapped in Madagascan palm leaf complete the nature-led look with breezy, effortless cool.

Raffia tote bag, Dh5,200, Dolce & Gabbana

Grain de Café y Cartier

Grain de cafe bracelet, in gold and white diamonds. Photo: Cartier
Grain de cafe bracelet, in gold and white diamonds. Photo: Cartier

A reimagining of Jeanne Toussaint’s 1938 motif, Cartier’s Grain de Cafe – literally coffee bean – continues to charm. The latest bold, sculptural pieces echo the 1930s origin story while nodding to the glamour of 1950s cocktail jewellery.

A standout limited-edition bracelet is crafted around a platinum and diamond spine, with 14 variegated gold beans on either side, each tipped with a white diamond. Meticulously made, each bracelet takes 54 hours to complete.

Limited-edition Grain de Café bracelet, price upon request

Maison Dioriviera by Dior

Diorivera side table by Dior Maison. Photo: Dior
Diorivera side table by Dior Maison. Photo: Dior

The Dior universe has expanded to include new homeware pieces inspired by the brand’s former womenswear head Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Dioriviera collection.

Rooted in travel and reinvention, the storied motifs have been translated into elegant interiors by Dior Maison. The Toile de Jouy Palms print, already seen on bags and ready-to-wear, now adorns a rounded vase crafted by enamelling specialists, Manufacture des Emaux de Longwy.

Meanwhile, the signature cannage weave steps off handbags and on to a sleek side table, set in Perspex, and a beach mat ready for stylish escapes.

Bvlgari Bvlgari watch turns 50

Bvlgari Bvlgari 50th anniversary watches, with marble dials and in two sizes, 26mm and 38mm. Photo: Bvlgari
Bvlgari Bvlgari 50th anniversary watches, with marble dials and in two sizes, 26mm and 38mm. Photo: Bvlgari

To mark the 50th anniversary of perhaps its best-known watch, the Bvlgari Bvlgari, the Italian house has unveiled four new variations.

Launched in 1975 and reimagined by master watch designer Gérald Genta in 1977, the design remains true to its Roman roots, featuring a signature engraved bezel and minimalist dial. Offered in two sizes – 26mm and 38mm – each features a unique marble dial. The smaller version houses a Solotempo automatic movement, while the larger is powered by the calibre BVL 191.

NBA FINALS SO FAR

(Toronto lead 3-2 in best-of-seven series)

Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109

Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109

Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123

Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105

Game 5 Raptors 105 Warriors 106

Game 6 Thursday, at Oakland

Game 7 Sunday, at Toronto (if needed)

While you're here
Five famous companies founded by teens

There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:

  1. Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate. 
  2. Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc. 
  3. Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway. 
  4. Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
  5. Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Updated: June 23, 2025, 6:48 AM`