We get it. We can barely keep up with the onslaught of information ourselves. That being said, it’s our mission to keep readers in the know, which is why we’ve combed through it all, distilled it to its essence, and dispensed it into easily digestible tidbits. Want to be the most knowledgeable culture savant in your group of friends? Then check back every Sunday for what you’ve missed in the world of celebrities and fashion.
Michelle Wolf Causes Media Frenzy After White House Performance
Comedian Michelle Wolf, who was hired to roast the Donald Trump administration at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, did just that – and was met with enormous backlash. Although White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has routinely appeared in front of the media, defending some of President Trump’s harsher statements as “jokes”, she proved that she couldn’t take one when she was the target.
Wolf’s most controversial moment was when she said, “I actually really like Sarah. I think she’s really resourceful. Like she burns facts and then she uses that ash to create a perfect smoky eye. Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s lies. It’s probably lies.” Furor ignited over some people’s perception that Wolf had attacked Sanders’ looks, which is patently absurd given the context of the comment.
Ashley Graham's New Swimsuit Campaign Launches Without Retouching
Ashley Graham has once again partnered with inclusive swimwear line Swimsuits for All for a new summer collection. This time around, the curvy model insisted that she and her fellow models starring in the campaign not be digitally retouched or enhanced. This effort to not only embrace but also highlight their flaws is a beautiful aspect of the body-positivity movement.
Gigi Hadid Addresses Magazine Cover Controversy
When critics accused Gigi Hadid of appearing in “blackface” on a controversial magazine cover, the supermodel took to Instagram to set the record straight (and let it be said that her hair and skin tone were darkened on the cover, but were by no means anywhere near blackface). In her post to Instagram Stories, the model defended herself, saying, “Please understand that my control of a shoot 1. is non-existent in terms of creative direction. 2. ends completely when I leave set, and anything done to a photo in post is out of my control fully.” Blaming Hadid for how the cover turned out is like blaming a canvas for what the artist paints on it.
Farfetch Launches in the Middle East
Here’s some good news for fans of pioneering luxury retail platform Farfetch: it has just launched in the Middle East, complete with an Arabic language site, Ramadan edits, and editorial content geared towards the women of our region. To celebrate the launch, Farfetch partnered with French-Tunisian artist eL Seed to create three pieces of original art. These “calligraffiti’ style sculptures are dedicated to Farfetch customers across the region and will be exhibited throughout Dubai – in d3, City Walk, and The Beach JBR – from April 30th to June 30th. Shop the new Farfetch Middle East site here.
Net-a-Porter and Fendi Launch Capsule Collection
In partnership with Net-a-Porter, beloved Italian luxury brand Fendi is dropping a new, exclusive ‘FF’ capsule collection. With its heritage monogram appearing everywhere on social media influencers this season, now is the perfect time for Fendi to revisit the power of its iconic initials. The new release focuses on ready-to-wear pieces and accessories covered in monochrome ‘FF’ logos. We’re expecting this one to fly off the shelves, so have your finger on the purchase button on May 14th when it’s released online and in stores.
Natalia Shustova Launches Grey Space
For three and a half years, Natalia Shustova was her own best product. As a regional influencer, tastemaker, and fashion consultant, she built a large online following and partnered with many luxury brands. Now, with the help of her longtime partner Nadine Kabbara, Shustova is launching Grey Space, a sales and distribution fashion agency and consultancy business that focuses on unique pop-up experiences.
Its series of pop-ups will focus on exciting fashion talents who focus on the “grey space” of the design process i.e. those who think outside the box. Today, the inaugural Grey Space pop-up event will take place between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Central Park Towers in DIFC and feature shoppable selections by 17 highly curated international designers like Arwa Al Banawi and Dina J.
The Burberry Conservatory Opens in Dubai
The Burberry Conservatory brings the classic British greenhouse to Dubai by way of the Farjam Foundation. The conservatory, which hosts key pieces from Burberry’s new collection, like the elegant and versatile ‘Belt’ bag, employs an explosion of lush foliage as the backdrop for the display. In order to launch this one-of-a-kind shopping experience, Burberry hosted a party at the foundation on Saturday evening, with influencers like Karen Wazen, Mahmoud Al Sidani, and Ali Shehabi in attendance.
You can visit the Burberry Conservatory at The Farjam Foundation, DIFC, Gate Village 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until May 10. Admission is free and open to the public.