Balmain’s latest men’s collection is both chic and decidedly sexy, a kind of hip-hop street culture meets high-society sophistication. And, it pulls it all off. With its thoughtful masculine look, it mixes up different styles without losing any of the brand’s signature refinement or attitude. It’s a man’s world at…
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Emerging from the sparkle and chaos of Beirut is a new generation of prodigious creative design talents, and Nicolas Moussallem and David Raffoul are two striking examples. As the founding partners of a popular retro-futuristic furniture brand, their star is rising. The Lebanese design duo, Nicolas Moussallem and David Raffoul,…
When it comes to Arab titans of business, we’re all familiar with the Ghosns, Slims and Hayeks of this world. I would assume you’re also aware of others like Lubna Olayan and Nemir Kirdar. You may even know that Steve Jobs is among our greats given that he was the…
Master of Colour: 65-year-old Nabil Nahas is Arguably the Middle East’s Most Seminal Abstract Artist
In 2010, painter Nabil Nahas showcased 40 years of creativity in a retrospective at the Beirut Exhibition Centre (BEC). Although known as one of Lebanon’s most prolific and successful artists, the show was Nahas’ first on his home turf. And considering that he hadn’t set foot in the country for…
Not everyone is fortunate enough to gain access to the inner sanctum of the Patek Philippe world. For those who do, it becomes ever so clear how this prestigious brand has attained its eminent status. Standing in front of the Patek Philippe Manufacture at Plan-les-Ouates in Geneva, I admire the…
Collaborating with such designers as Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, The Rug Company, spearheaded by Suzanne and Christopher Sharp, do not make modern rugs per se. Rather, they make beautifully handmade traditional ones that embrace a contemporary aesthetic. It isn’t every day that I get to interview a…
His work may divide opinion but there’s no disputing that Richard Rogers is one of the most influential architects of our time. Still, at 81 he admits he “can see an end coming” and has changed the name of his firm from Richard Rogers Partnership to Rogers Stirk Harbour+Partners so…
One of the big stories of China may be how international luxury brands are successfully luring China’s new rich to spend on their status symbols but we’re far more interested in another scoop, namely how Hermès has thrown its weight behind Jiang Qiong Er as she pioneers an original Chinese…
Considering it’s only fifteen years younger than Cartier, it’s amazing that the Lebanese, family-owned jewellery house of Tabbah is not more widely recognised. Of course, this has much to do with the nature of their business – quietly creating one-off haute joaillerie, often for international royalty. If you were a…
Chopard is a family-run business in the midst of a generational handover. Despite this evolutionary yet also potentially disruptive transition, things are much the same with a steadfast commitment to a long-term vision rather than short-term gains. And with sales hitting an all-time high, it goes to show how slow…