Extra Extra: A Secret Royal Wedding and a Baby Bump Reveal

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were set to say “I do” on May 29, 2020, but their highly-anticipated royal wedding was called off due to COVID-19. However, instead of the original big ceremony planned at Chapel Royal in St. James’s Palace, the couple chose to have a secret, low-key affair with only close friends and family present at Royal Chapel of All Saints at Windsor.

While most royal brides choose elaborate gowns for their weddings, Princess Beatrice chose a more nostalgic – but no less beautiful – option. She borrowed her wedding gown from her grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, which was designed by Norman Hartnell and covered in diamanté embellishment. Given how gorgeous the dress was and the fact that it was a smart sustainable choice, we’re hoping more high-profile weddings take a page from Princess Beatrice’s book. Congratulations to the happy couple. 

In previous Instagram Live sessions, Gigi Hadid’s followers marveled that the supermodel didn’t look pregnant, although she very much is. Last week, she revealed her baby bump for the first time, laughing, and saying “There’s my belly y’all.” Hadid explained how in previous images she looks different from the front than from the side (don’t we all). 

With “Baby Zigi” on the way, Hadid and her partner Zayn Malik have been private about their journey. She addressed that topic in her Instagram Live session as well, saying, “That’s a reason that I felt that it’s not really something that I need to share apart from with my family and friends. Obviously a lot of people have lost lives due to [the] coronavirus that was in the beginning of quarantine and still happening. And then we moved obviously into the reemergence of the BLM movement, and I thought that our presence on social media should be used for that.” We stan a socially responsible queen.

The launch of IWC Schaffhausen’s new ‘Portugieser’ collection prompted a three-way collaboration unlike any we’ve seen before. Instead of launching the handsome new timepieces with a traditional campaign, IWC partnered with Solaris Yachts and British swim trunks experts Orlebar Brown to create an entire nautical universe. Combining the sailoring expertise of Solaris Yacht Clubs and the impeccable tailoring of an Orlebar Brown nine-piece capsule collection of resortwear, the IWC ‘Portugieser’ rounds out a unique triptych, depicting an idyllic seafaring lifestyle. Discover more about this elegant watch collection and thrilling collaboration at IWC.com.

In response to the pandemic, Carolina Herrera has launched a new charitable initiative called ‘Heart for Hope’. In order to raise money for the Red Cross and Red Crescent globally – as well as other philanthropic organizations locally – Carolina Herrera is donating 10% of all handbag and other accessory sales from now until December 31, 2020. 

Specific to the Middle East, the Carolina Herrera ‘Heart for Hope’ initiative will benefit Emirates Red Crescent, Bahrain Red Crescent Society, Jordanian Red Crescent Society, and Egyptian Red Crescent Society, as well as the National Home Health Care Foundation (NHHCF) in KSA. The next time you buy Carolina Herrera products, you’ll be helping support the vulnerable communities in the region receive much-needed care. This is fashion with a purpose.

Maison Alaïa recently announced the opening of Petite Boutique in Paris, but this is no ordinary boutique. Following a nontraditional path toward historical documentation and discourse, the boutique will showcase past collections and pieces donated from private collections, guided by Anouschka, a fashion historian and close friend of the late designer Azzedine Alaïa. These specially curated pieces are revealed through a historical lens, bringing to light their value as more than just stylish clothes but something part of the greater fashion lexicon. “Visitors will be able to find rare gems and rediscover signature ‘Azzedine’ pieces: a unique style complete with its own vocabulary and punctuation, telling the story of his work,” Anouschka shared. 

All of the profits from the sale of the items will be donated to Imagine, a research institute for genetic diseases, with whom Alaïa worked with from inception and supported for nearly a decade before his death.

Just in time for Eid Al-Adha, Salvatore Ferragamo has dropped exclusive new shoe styles for the UAE market. Modern but timeless slippers straddle the worlds of Italy and the Middle East, with versions in both gold and silver. Featuring a metal buckle covered in crystals are both functional and fashion-forward and look great paired with everything from an abaya to relaxed workwear suit. These new, exclusive slippers are now available at Salvatore Ferragamo stores in Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, Tryano in Yas Mall, and Level Shoes in Dubai Mall.

Armenian designer Talar Bilemjian founded her label Talar Nina in Dubai after graduating from ESMOD in 2014. Since then, her brand has become known for its relaxed tailoring, intuitive colorways, and intricate embellishment details. Inspired by a summer trip Bilemjian took in 2019, and the colors she spotted along the way, Talar Nina has just launched its new ‘Edit 8’ collection. Featuring luxe pastel short suits, and Swarovski-adorned ‘Arina’ blazers, the brand was able to shoot the lookbook on location in Dubai during lockdown, with the help of five of the designer’s Palestinian friends. The results effortlessly fuse comfort and function with style, making for a wardrobe that’s easy to live in for life at any pace.

The creative team behind Dubai’s annual streetwear festival, Sole DXB, has launched a new digital platform called sole.digital. Working to connect communities around the world, the platform will provide representation of a diverse group of men and women, bringing them together on topics like music, fashion, rsports, race, sustainability, and more.  There is a lot to explore on sole.digital, including essays, interviews, films, and photography, and a lot more slated for the future. 

Audiences will find exclusive festival content from previous Sole DXB editions, like workshops, talks, and performances, as well as the new podcast series Homeroom hosted by Bunyamin Aydin, the founder and creative director of Istanbul-based lifestyle platform Les Benjamins. Head over to sole.digital to discover what’s in store.