The Dubai Mall

After launching online earlier this year, Valentino Beauty will now be available in the Middle East for the first time, with the opening of the brand’s new beauty pop-up boutique today. Located in The Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue, the limited boutique boasts a state-of-the-art immersive experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the couture-styled world of Valentino Beauty. In addition to being able to explore the new collection of lips, eyes, and complexion products with hands-on tutorials, visitors can celebrate the new opening with interactive games and prizes, and supersized Valentino Beauty photo opportunities. A speciality gift-wrapping station makes it simple to pick up beauty-inspired holiday gifts, wrapped in an environmentally conscious, reusable tote bag.Appearing at today’s launch is makeup artist Raoúl Alejandre, Valentino Beauty’s first Global Makeup Artist. In an exclusive interview with Vogue Arabia ahead of the pop-up’s launch, he shares his thoughts on how the brand will fit into the Arab beauty market.

“For me, I couldn’t categorize Valentino Beauty as being for any particular kind of person, as it’s as unique as we are. It’s been evolving since the launch and represent the different kinds of beauty in the world. The products have different technical approaches to them, so it doesn’t matter if you’re a professional makeup artist or someone trying out something new.
That said, as a makeup artist myself, it’s really important to me to have products which are multi-use, as when I was starting out in the industry, I sometimes felt restricted by products when they only had one functional end or direct usage. Our brow product, for example, has three components, which makes it the only thing you need for a complete brow look. You only need to buy one thing that works for you.”
Valentino Beauty Eye2Cheek“This is my favorite, it’s inspired by the couture shows, where we did this beautiful blush draping, and be used to contour and as eyeshadow too.”

Valentino Beauty Brow Trio“This has everything you need to create a full brow look, from start to finish.”
Valentino Beauty Go Clutch“The case is stunning, and perfect for red carpet touch-ups. There’s the finishing powder which blurs, and a Valentino red lipstick.”
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Cartier’s new flagship boutique. Photo: Courtesy of Cartier
Cartier has opened the doors to its newly renovated flagship boutique at The Dubai Mall. Allowing visitors to be immersed in a world of opulence, the boutique’s new design celebrates the culture and landscape of the region by drawing its inspiration from an oasis at the center of the desert, while never steering away from the maison‘s luxurious heritage. The design essentially pays homage to the extravagance derived from the arts and heritage of the Arab world. To mark the reopening, the boutique currently houses 30 iconic Cartier heritage pieces that will be exhibited to the public for the first time in the Middle East.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new Cartier boutique.
Scroll tiara, 1910. Photo: Courtesy of Cartier
1. One of the historic pieces featured in this boutique is a Scroll Tiara (1910) worn by Elisabeth Queen of Belgians. Another piece stemming from royalty is a Panthere clip brooch created in 1949 and sold to the Duke of Windsor. The ever so extravagant Crocodile Necklace from 1975, specially ordered and worn by Mexican actress Maria Felix will also be out for display at the boutique.
Crocodile necklace. Photo: Courtesy of Cartier
2. The Dubai Mall Grand Atrium boutique will be home to the first Cartier cafe in the region, offering visitors a glimpse into the maison‘s hospitality.
3. If you wish to customize and personalize your creations, there will be a client service bar adhering to your needs.
4. The deluxe interior of the boutique designed by French architect Laura Gonazalez weaves in nuances of the maison‘s DNA with precious metals and patterns across the flooring and a mosaic floor made of three colors of glass tiles inspired by a Cartier bracelet.
5. The boutique is home to an area dedicated to bridal shopping. With blush-toned walls and seats to match, the wedding salon ensures brides-to-be can peruse jewelry in utmost comfort.
The bridal salon. Photo: Courtesy of Cartier
The exhibition will be open to the public from March 21 until April 5. If you wish to visit, register here: cartier-events.com
Read Next: Yasmine Sabri Ventures into the Blue with Cartier Confidence

Image courtesy of Hyku D Photography

“I’m sorry, I get emotional about it, I do, but you have been really supportive of diversity since you started. I noticed that,” said Naomi Campbell speaking to Vogue Arabia editor-in-chief Manuel Arnaut. The supermodel opened up to Arnaut while on stage at the launch of Vogue Loves Fashion Avenue event in 2018, celebrating The Dubai Mall’s 10-year anniversary.
The former Vogue Arabia cover star hinted that her talk would be authentic and straightforward, a mirror of herself. However, when the subject of Azzedine Alaïa was broached, Campbell revealed a vulnerable side, and the grief of a daughter mourning the loss of her father. “Yes, this is my papa that died one year ago on Sunday and this is the man that raised me when I was 15 years old and up until last year…” the supermodel said, looking up at a picture of the late Tunisian couturier. Voice breaking, she continued, “I have so much respect for him. For me, he was the most unique designer in the world. He was very non-judgemental. He was a perfectionist and he did his own shows on his own time.”

Discovered at 14 years old while at theater school, Campbell is one of the most powerful voices in fashion. Her charity work is unparalleled in the industry. During her talk with Arnaut she discussed her initiative Fashion for Relief, her work with Save the Children, which involved visiting refugee camps in Jordan, and her 25-plus years at amFAR, along with funding various orphanages through Africa.
See the full live stream below.

Read Next: Azzedine Alaïa: A Last Interview with the Greatest Designer of the Arab World