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 culture, celebrities, and fashion.
Ryan Reynolds Can Have His Pie and Eat It Too
We love it when Hollywood’s cutest celebrity couple, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, troll each other on their social media accounts. We imagine it’s their sense of humor and constant jabsthat keep their marriage strong and healthy. And birthdays seem to be their specialty. This past week, Reynolds turned 44 years old and apparently asked for a birthday pie in lieu of a cake. His ever-doting wife did not miss the opportunity to take a dig at his choice of sweets, nor did she leave off ribbing him for his ‘animal’ instincts when digging in. However, as the birthday pie in question did look homemade, we are pretty certain every ounce of it (and her joking) was done with pure love.
Dubai Now Holds the Record for Largest Fountain in the World
A mere three days ago, Dubai broke yet another Guinness Book of World Records when Nakheel Malls opened The Palm Fountain at The Pointe on The Palm, taking the crown away from Banpo Moonlight Rainbow Fountain in South Korea. Measured at 7,327 meters squared, The Palm Fountain boasts a show exploding with color, light, and water jets that propel sea water 105 meters into the air. Under the strictest health and safety guidelines, The Palm Fountain saw residents and tourists watch as Dubai smashed yet another world record.
“This fountain is an example of another milestone in Dubai’s architectural achievements,” said Shaddy Gaad, Senior Marketing Manager – MENA at Guinness World Records, “and we are excited to declare it Officially Amazing.”
Alec Baldwin's Trump and Jim Carrey's Biden Are SNL Comedy Gold
Last night, Saturday Night Live did a parody of the last US presidential debate before the election, complete with muted mics. Alec Baldwin, reprising his role as President Trump, went head-to-head with Jim Carrey, who brought back his nuanced portrayal of Joe Biden, while Maya Rudolph – who won an Emmy for her portrayal of Biden’s running mate Sen. Kamala Harris earlier this year – stepped into the role of moderator, Kristen Welker.
Hilarity ensued with great back-and-forth between the three comedians, like when Carrey talked about his toilet seat cover and Baldwin spoke about his bout with COVID-19 by saying, “In just a couple of weeks, if you vote for me, the vaccine will be here and will be distributed by the military. The Army will come and shoot it with a cannon into your face. I had it, it was very mean to me, but I beat it and now the doctors say I can never die. And the virus said, ‘Sir, sir, I have to leave your body.’ And the virus was crying. Very sad.” We can almost hear him saying it.
Hilary Duff Is in 'Pregnantville' for the Third Time
Congratulations are in order for Hilary Duff, mom of two already, who announced via Instagram that she is expecting her second child with husband Matthew Koma. She comically quipped, “We’re growing!!! Mostly me…” and posted an adorable picture of her baby bump. Koma also took to his social media to share the news with a bit of humor by saying, “Lol. Quarantine was fun. Baby #3 — 2021” and followed with the hashtag #pregnantville.
Meet the Man Who Styled Both Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy's Hair
A new biography by Giuseppe Longo has been released, chronicling the life of Kenneth Battelle — the most prominent hairdresser in New York of the 20th Century. Battelle, more usually known as Mr. Kenneth, is famously known for styling celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy, Joan Rivers, Judy Garland, Gloria Vanderbilt, Lucille Ball, and many, many more. He was trusted by his clients, and never divulged the secrets that were shared with confidence while in his chair throughout all of his years working for the stars.
He was also the man responsible for doing away with hats and creating the signature styles of the times, thanks to his A-list clientele. He styled both JFK‘s wife and mistress’ hair the night of his birthday – that one when Monroe famously sang “Happy Birthday Mr. President” – as well as both the President and First Lady before their infamous trip to Dallas where JFK was assassinated.
Although Battelle passed away in 2013, Longo was able to go through his archives and never-before-seen photographs, and had the chance to speak with various clients to craft a biography of one of the most enigmatic and secretive hairdressers of all time. The book, Kenneth: Shear Elegance, details never-before-told stories from behind the scenes of Hollywood and American royalty.
Louis Vuitton Introduces Dedicated Jewelry Store in KSA
Louis Vuitton has extended its existing store in the Centria Mall in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to include a dedicated jewelry store. The space will be solely for the House’s jewelry collection and will showcase the high jewelry collection during the opening. Visitors will be able to find the ‘B.Blossom’ and ‘LV Volt’ collections, as well as watches such as the ‘Tambour Moon Dual Time’, ‘Tambour Curve,’ and ‘Escale Spin Time Meteorite’, amongst others.
Vacheron Constantin Introduces "One of Not Many" Mentorship Programs in Middle East
Vacheron Constantin has partnered with Zayed University and Hala Al Gergawi, founder and CEO of the local luxury consultancy Tea Before Noon, to bring about a unique opportunity designed to empower and inspire young Emirati women.
The “One of Not Many Mentorship Program” will pair six deserving, senior undergraduates with six successful Emirati women in a one-on-one mentorship program aimed at encouraging women to follow their dreams and achieve their goals.
“The ‘One of Not Many Mentorship Program’ is an illustration of the dedication of Emirati women towards the development of their country. For a country to see substantial impact in any industry, the UAE has rooted itself in empowering its women through countless approaches — we are firm believers that women are a core pillar of our society. The program is a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity for our students to work closely with brilliant female leaders in the UAE. I’m certain that this experience will be an extraordinary one for them, as they will get to learn directly from the source and they will be able at the end of the program to be more empowered to make decisions, identify goals, and establish a sense of direction for their own careers and ambitions,” Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, President of Zayed University tells Savoir Flair.
Exclusive Boucheron 'Legacies' Campaign Celebrates the Women Who Shape Us
In an exclusive campaign for the Middle East, Boucheron‘s ‘Legacies’ celebrates the women who have shaped us and those we are molding in turn. By highlighting three icons of the Maison – Nour Arida, Jessica Kahawaty, and Saira Arshad – who share mutual values with the house such as generosity and empathy, Boucheron continues to place women at the heart of their creations. Each woman is photographed with their friends and families who have passed on the values that have shaped their uniqueness and to whom they endeavor to do the same.
Okhtein Opens New Flagship in Cairo
On October 19th, Okhtein opened its newest flagship store in Capital Promenade in Cairo. The new space was designed by Beirut-based company WZ Architects and led by Walid Zeidan to create an environment that spoke of the brand’s look, identity, and values. Using a minimalistic aesthetic, directional lines, and abstract interiors, Zeidan was able to create a contemporary setting that amplified the products and what the company stands for.
Additionally, Okhtein created a special edition Flucca clutch in which the Lebanese flag is made up of individually placed Swarovski crystals. The bag is up for auction at the Gouna Film Festival going on until October 31st, and all proceeds will be donated to UNHCR to aid in explosion relief efforts in Beirut.
The 'Manchette' Gets a Feminine Face Lift
Patek Philippe is giving women a reason to keep time by stepping up its ‘Twenty~4‘ collection with a fresh face for the ‘manchette.’ Designed with Arabic numerals and white-gold trapeze-shaped hour markers, the new watch is hailed as being “born to accompany every moment of the modern woman’s life”. The elegant timepiece is at once feminine and timeless, and is the perfect match for an active woman’s lifestyle.
Hermès Launches First Digital Flagship in UAE and KSA
Hermès has finally launched its first flagship digital store in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Hermes.com means the very first retail outlet for the French Maison in Saudi Arabia, and extends the omni-channel network of three stores in the UAE. Regional content, cultural experiences, as well as editorial content – film, photographs, and articles – are all available on the platform to offer visitors a deeper insight into the Hermès world, and enrich their shopping experience as they go from page to page.
Rene Caovilla's Capsule Collection Is For Every Woman
Inspired by luxurious Arabian nights, the new capsule collection by Rene Caovilla celebrates the modern Arab woman as she moves effortlessly through every moment of her day, from day to night, in a playful and irreverent manner. The modern Arab woman is constantly multi-tasking and playing various roles while being involved in diverse aspects of life, so the ‘Ginger mule’ was reinterpreted to capture all of the shoes a woman is required to wear in a day. With six unique and perfect looks that fit a wide range of moods and occasions, it is impossible not to find the look you are going for at any given moment.
Chloé Drops UAE Exclusives
In honor of the new flagship boutique in the Fashion Avenue extension of the Dubai Mall, Chloé has unveiled a new three-piece capsule collection solely for the UAE. Inspired by traditional Asian womenswear, an embroidered ‘Tess’ bag (one of the Maison‘s key lines) has been revealed, as well as ‘The Lauren’ sneaker, presented in an exclusive color combination. Rounding out the collection is a brass eyewear chain with natural freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals.
Loro Piana Drops Exclusive Products in KSA
To commemorate the launch of Loro Piana‘s new e-commerce site in Saudi Arabia, two products have been created exclusively for the Saudi region and are only available on the e-commerce platform. “The Harvey Coat”, a long, powder-blue, wrap-over coat, with a belt that ties elegantly at the waist and features a wide hood, is completely reversible, seamless, and made with Soft Shearling Glacé, a textile so soft to the touch that it exudes warmth and sophistication. To pair with the Harvey Coat is a petite, versatile pouch of the same color crafted from Nappa leather.