A week is a long time in fashion, but the past seven days have been seismic.
As London Fashion Week wrapped and the industry decamped to Milan, expectations were already at fever pitch. A string of high-profile debuts were on the cards, and the week delivered more than its fair share of drama.
Gucci
The ever-disruptive Demna caused chaos before Milan had even begun, dropping his debut Gucci collection the day before Fashion Week opened and stole Burberry’s thunder. The London show had been intended as the closing highlight of that schedule, but instead all eyes were on Demna.
He announced his arrival via a surprise social media release, followed by a film screening starring Demi Moore in a fictional family drama. The collection then landed straight into select stores, prompting another online frenzy as clients posted themselves trying on the pieces.
Emporio Armani
At Emporio Armani, emotions ran high as the house staged its first show since the passing of Mr Armani himself. Called Ritorni (Returns), the collection evoked the post-holiday moment when we are home again, but still mentally abroad.
The clothes captured that mood perfectly – languid, roomy trousers, soft metallic knits and floaty dresses – but the atmosphere was tinged with poignancy. As one of the last collections Giorgio Armani would have worked on, it left more than a few teary eyes in the audience. His final collection for Giorgio Armani was set to close Milan Fashion Week in its traditional Sunday evening slot.
Prada
Raf Simons and Miuccia Prada offered a radical antidote to a content-saturated world, with a collection that was both stripped back and quietly dazzling. Skirts dangled from braces or came spliced from contrasting fabrics. Bubble skirts in olive and tangerine were paired with slouchy tops in tomato red or dove grey. Satin dresses were squashed under leather jackets, deconstructed bras sat over prim pencil skirts, and long, colourful gloves appeared with everything.
It was ladylike and rebellious all at once – in other words, quintessentially Prada.
Dolce & Gabbana
The coming Devil Wears Prada sequel is not even out yet, but Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci channelled their on-screen alter-egos Miranda Priestly and Nigel Kipling from the front row at Dolce & Gabbana for a surprise film shoot.
In a surreal twist, Streep sat opposite real-life inspiration Anna Wintour as the collection unfurled between them. The focus was pyjamas – though in true D&G style, these were anything but ordinary. Silky, floral-embroidered layers were paired with lace slip skirts, corsetry and sharp tailoring. Comfort, but make it glamorous. Miranda would approve.
Bottega Veneta
Louise Trotter made her long-awaited debut at Bottega Veneta, offering a fresh female perspective. Oversized silhouettes and playful textures dominated, from a crumpled black leather dress to rounded taffeta trousers that slipped off the shoulder when paired with strappy tops.
Surface detail was everywhere – a puritanical white gown in fluffy fabric, a feathered coat, slubby linen fringed into kaftans, suede cut into jeans and shirts. Even the house’s famed intrecciato leather was reimagined as bomber jacket collars, trousers in bitter chocolate and a sublime dove-grey trench. Laid-back yet irreverent, it was a confident new vision.
Versace
At Versace, another first: Dario Vitale became the house’s inaugural non-family creative lead. Far from tentative, he dived headlong into Gianni Versace’s 1980s archive and retooled it for today.
Pedal pushers layered with T-shirts and bomber jackets opened the show, setting the tone for a riot of colour and nostalgia – lilac jackets over blue trousers, yellow jeans clashed with sleeveless tops and denim printed with faces. Even when things shifted into ruched dresses and tailored suits, the mood stayed playful, with little in the way of traditional eveningwear.
It was bold, sassy and fun – and a clear signal that Versace is ready to enjoy itself again.
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
MATCH INFO
Hoffenheim v Liverpool
Uefa Champions League play-off, first leg
Location: Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim
Kick-off: Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
4/5
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
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'Nope'
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SPECS
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
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