Magzoid Magazine - Luxury Magazine in the Creative Space | August 2025 |

August 2025

Honoring Tradition with

Futuristic Design

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Honoring Tradition with

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Step into the August 2025 edition of Magzoid Magazine, where tradition and

innovation dance in harmony. Titled “Legacy and Innovation: Honoring Tradition

with Futuristic Design,” this issue delves into the dynamic intersections of heritage,

craft, and technological foresight that are redefining luxury across architecture,

art, fashion, and design. In a world accelerating towards the future, we spotlight

the creators and institutions preserving cultural memory while boldly shaping tomorrow.

At the heart of this edition lies the Zayed National Museum, an architectural marvel

by Foster + Partners that rises over Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District like falcon

wings in flight. This national treasure, opening in December 2025, embodies the UAE’s

commitment to storytelling through space, where passive cooling systems rooted in Arabic

design meet cutting-edge sustainable engineering. From archaeological treasures

to immersive biodiversity exhibits, it is a monument to both the past and future of Emirati

identity.

We journey further into the world of artistic reinvention with the Sharjah Biennial 16, a

curatorial tour de force titled “To Carry,” where Global South artists and curators reimagine

collective memory and resistance. The exhibition spans over 17 venues and 650

artworks, proving that the Gulf is not only a cultural bridge but a powerhouse of creative

redefinition. Meanwhile, Aston Martin’s N°001 Minami Aoyama residence in Tokyo and

BMW’s dual Skytop and Speedtop concepts reflect how legacy automotive brands are

steering the future of luxury living and lifestyle design.

In every feature, from horological wonders like Vacheron Constantin’s Métiers d’Art to

Zara Home x Collagerie’s tactile, vibrant collection, we see the powerful truth that legacy

is not about the past, it is about continuity through change. This issue of Magzoid invites

you to witness how memory and modernity coexist, shaping a design language that is

both timeless and forward-thinking.

Editor in Chief

Saleha Khanam

WHAT’S

14

ART

Aston Martin’s N°001 Minami

Aoyama: Where Automotive

Legacy Meets Future Living

08

CULTURE

Saadiyat Cultural District: The

World’s New Cultural Capital by

2025

34

DESIGN DEBRIEF

BMW Skytop vs Speedtop:

A Design Debrief — When

Legacy Meets Innovation

28

ARCHITECTURE

The Falcon’s Flight: Foster

+ Partners’ Zayed National

Museum Opens December

2025

74

66

DESIGN

Pax New Yorkea: Massimiliano

Malagò’s Throne of Modern

Paradox

THREADS

Legacy in Motion: Dior x Lewis

Hamilton Fall 2025—Where

Afrofuturism Drives the Future of

Luxury

70

HOROLOGICAL WONDERS

horological Wonders: Vacheron

Constantin’s Métiers d’Art

Tribute to the Celestial —

Legacy and Innovation in

Perfect Harmony

76

68

INTERIOR

A Common Thread: Zara Home

x Collagerie Weave Legacy

and Innovation in S/S 2025

Collection

BLING BOW

The Elegance of Geometry:

Diorigami—Where Legacy

Inspires Futuristic Jewels

INSIDE

CULTURE

SAADIYAT CULTURAL

DISTRICT

THE WORLD’S NEW CULTURAL CAPITAL BY 2025

By 2025, Saadiyat Cultural District will stand not just as a landmark on Abu Dhabi’s coastline, but as

the world’s most ambitious cultural undertaking. Housing global institutions such as the Guggenheim

Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, teamLab Phenomena, and

the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the district is redefining what it means to be a cultural capital in the 21st century.

This $30-billion vision by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and the Department of Culture and

Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is a statement of soft power, educational mission, and creative

economy ambition—all within one square kilometre of the capital’s shores.

8 August 2025 www.magzoid.com

At the symbolic centre of the district,

the Zayed National Museum is

slated to open in December 2025.

Designed by Foster + Partners, its

five falcon wing-inspired towers will host

galleries exploring Emirati history, Sheikh

Zayed’s legacy, and the UAE’s development.

Highlights include the Abu Dhabi Pearl, the

Blue Qur’an, and immersive displays on the

region’s biodiversity and Bedouin culture.

Critically, the museum’s focus isn’t retrospective.

It is envisioned as an educational

platform that connects past legacies with future

leadership. According to DCT Abu Dhabi,

it will offer “a space for knowledge-sharing,

sustainability, and nation-building.” The

museum’s sustainable design aligns with

Abu Dhabi’s broader goals of environmental

responsibility in urban cultural planning.

The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi: Global Contemporary

Art in a Gulf Context

The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, designed by

Frank Gehry, is poised to become the largest

Guggenheim in the world. Scheduled for

completion in 2025, this 42,000-square-metre

museum will house postwar and contemporary

art from around the globe, with a

unique focus on West Asia, North Africa, and

South Asia.

Unlike its New York or Bilbao counterparts,

the Abu Dhabi iteration is envisioned

as a “decolonised” Guggenheim, one that

challenges Euro-American narratives and

gives a platform to underrepresented geographies.

It will also support artist residencies

and site-specific commissions, turning the

district into both an exhibition space and an

incubator for artistic innovation.

www.magzoid.com August 2025

9

CULTURE

Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi: A Science

and Storytelling Frontier

Set to open in late 2025, the Natural History

Museum Abu Dhabi will bring 13.8 billion

years of natural history to life, including a

67-million-year-old T. rex fossil, and the Murchison

meteorite, one of Earth’s oldest space

objects. Developed with help from the Natural

History Museum London, it aims to inspire

future generations of scientists, researchers,

and thinkers.

Beyond fossils and dioramas, the museum

is designed to host research centres,

AI-driven biodiversity exhibits, and climate

labs, marking a significant leap in the UAE’s

investment in STEM education and public

science literacy. It signals that cultural infrastructure

can also double as scientific and

ecological infrastructure.


teamLab Phenomena: The Immersive

Edge of Art and Technology

The most avant-garde element of Saadiyat’s

cultural mix is teamLab Phenomena Abu

Dhabi, the Japanese collective’s largest and

most experimental immersive experience.

The structure will house ever-evolving digital

environments based on real-time ecological

inputs, like weather, water, and visitor movement.

The goal, according to teamLab, is to

“blur the boundary between body, art, and

nature.”

This project complements the UAE’s vision

for tech-driven creativity, with strong

implications for tourism, gaming, and virtual

arts education. It’s a gesture toward the future

of museums—not as static repositories,

but as fluid, participatory environments that

evolve with each interaction.

Louvre Abu Dhabi: The Pioneer That

Opened the Gateway

Opened in 2017, the Louvre Abu Dhabi laid

the groundwork for Saadiyat’s rise. With its

iconic dome designed by Jean Nouvel and

a collection that spans civilisations from ancient

Egypt to contemporary Saudi Arabia, it

has already welcomed over 4.5 million visitors.

Its global partnerships with French institutions

and traveling exhibitions like “Bollywood

Superstars” or “Impressionism: Pathways

to Modernity” have transformed Abu

Dhabi into a cultural diplomacy hub. The

museum’s success affirmed that world-class

content—if locally resonant and globally accessible,

can shift tourism, investment, and

soft power flows toward the Global South.


11

CULTURE

Cultural Tourism and Economic Transformation

The vision for Saadiyat is more than symbolic. Cultural tourism is central to Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification

goals. In 2024, the emirate’s cultural sector contributed an estimated AED 8.5 billion to GDP, with projections reaching

AED 12 billion by 2030.. Events like Abu Dhabi Art, Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, and global conferences hosted

at Saadiyat institutions anchor year-round programming for tourists and scholars alike.

Luxury resorts like Saadiyat Rotana, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island, and The St. Regis now offer bespoke cultural

itineraries including museum tours, craft workshops, and curated performances. According to Vogue Business,

Abu Dhabi is emerging as “the Middle East’s next luxury power player” by fusing high culture with premium experiences.


Strategic Infrastructure and Government

Leadership

The coordinated rollout of Saadiyat Cultural

District has been made possible by the Abu

Dhabi Executive Council and DCT Abu Dhabi,

which manages cultural affairs, museum

development, and international partnerships.

As of mid-2024, the district’s overall

construction was 76% complete, with Zayed

National Museum and teamLab Phenomena

nearing 83% completion.

This aligns with the UAE Ministry of Culture’s

broader strategy to embed creative industries

into national economic planning. By

integrating culture with education, technology,

and tourism, the ministry is ensuring that

heritage is not merely protected, but also

monetised, globalised, and future-proofed.

A Cultural Blueprint for the Future

Saadiyat Cultural District is more than a skyline

of museums; it is a living model for how

cities can reimagine themselves through

culture. In an age where global institutions

are reckoning with their pasts, Abu Dhabi is

building anew, with intention, inclusion, and

investment.

The district brings together a natural

history museum with a space meteorite, a

postcolonial Guggenheim, a teamLab installation

that breathes, and a national museum

shaped like a falcon’s wings. Together, they

craft a narrative that is as architectural as

it is philosophical: the UAE’s future will be

built on culture, creativity, and knowledge

exchange.

By 2025, as doors open across Saadiyat,

the UAE will not just join—but lead—the

conversation on what a 21st-century cultural

capital can be. As nations look to redefine

their global identity, Saadiyat offers a clear

blueprint: build institutions that respect

memory, embrace innovation, and invite the

world in.


13

ART

ASTON MARTIN’S

N°001 MINAMI AOYAMA

WHERE AUTOMOTIVE LEGACY MEETS FU-

TURE LIVING

The British marque’s first Asian residence signals a new chapter in luxury automotive

brand diversification

Aston Martin’s completion of N°001 Minami Aoyama in Tokyo represents a paradigm

shift in luxury automotive brand extensions, transcending traditional boundaries

between automotive excellence and architectural sophistication. This four-story,

724-square-meter residence in Tokyo’s prestigious Omotesandō district exemplifies

how British automotive heritage can successfully bridge Eastern and Western design

philosophies, creating unprecedented opportunities for luxury brand diversification

in the Middle East and global markets.

14 August 2025

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The Architectural Marvel: Design

Philosophy Meets Function

Located in Tokyo’s exclusive Minami

Aoyama district, N°001 Minami

Aoyama stands as Aston Martin’s first private

residential project in Asia, developed in

partnership with luxury real estate specialist

VIBROA Inc. The residence spans three

stories above a substantial basement, maximizing

the sloping site with sophisticated

spatial planning that includes a gym, wine

cellar, golf simulator system, and private spa

alongside three en-suite bedrooms.

Signature Design Elements

The automotive gallery emerges as the residence’s

crown jewel, a ground-floor showcase

space featuring adaptive lighting and

wave-texture metal ceiling that presents two

vehicles as sculptural works of art. This gallery

connects seamlessly to the lounge and

meeting room through special glass vision

panels, allowing residents to appreciate

their automotive collection from within the

living space.

The building’s exterior features vertically

aligned metal louvers that create a shifting

presence throughout the day as light plays

on reflective surfaces, providing both animation

and privacy. These chamfered metal

fins offer measured glimpses of interior details,

including rippled mirrored ceilings and

commissioned planting on the first-floor spa

terrace.

The VIBROA Partnership: Japanese Luxury

Meets British Craftsmanship

VIBROA Inc., led by CEO Toshiyuki Yoshida,

represents Japan’s premier luxury real

estate developer, providing comprehensive

lifestyle services including property maintenance,

private banking, family education

support, and curatorial services. This partnership

exemplifies the growing trend of

luxury automotive brands collaborating with

regional specialists to create culturally resonant

residential experiences.

The collaboration mirrors similar successful

partnerships in the UAE, where luxury

automotive brands like Mercedes-Benz

have partnered with local developers such

as Binghatti Properties to create branded

residences that respect local architectural

traditions while incorporating global luxury

standards.


15

ART


Material Innovation and

Craftsmanship

The residence showcases unprecedented attention to material detail, with Aston

Martin’s design team specifying fixtures and finishes throughout the property.

Key features include:

• Bespoke Italian furnishings by Molteni&C, including custom wardrobes

and kitchen cabinets

• Natural Hinoki timber cladding in spa facilities with specially designed

audio systems

• Black lava stone kitchen surfaces with grey oak cabinetry and nebula

steel accents

• Fully integrated Bowers & Wilkins Audio System throughout the residence

• Origami-inspired sculptural staircase formed from folded steel, connecting

the basement to the ground floor


17

ART

Global Context: Automotive Brands Reshaping

Luxury Real Estate

The N°001 Minami Aoyama project represents

part of a broader automotive brand

diversification strategy that has seen luxury

car manufacturers expand into residential

real estate globally. This trend has been

particularly pronounced in the Middle East,

where automotive-branded residences have

become significant players in the luxury real

estate market.

18 August 2025

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Middle East Parallels

In the UAE, luxury automotive brands have

established a strong presence in the branded

residence sector:

• Aston Martin’s The Astera on Al Marjan

Island in Ras Al Khaimah, developed

by Dar Global, marks the brand’s first

Middle Eastern real estate collaboration

• Mercedes-Benz Places by Binghatti in

Dubai, featuring a 65-story residential

tower designed with the brand’s “Sensual

Purity” philosophy

• Bugatti Residences by Binghatti in

Dubai, introducing the first residential

building bearing the renowned car

manufacturer’s name


19

ART

20 August 2025

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Design Philosophy: Marek Reichman’s

Vision

Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Executive

Vice President and Chief Creative Officer,

articulates the brand’s design philosophy

as transcending automotive inspiration: “I

see fashion, architectural, and even culinary

references being considered by our team

when developing their work”. This holistic

approach to design has enabled Aston Martin

to translate its automotive DNA into architectural

excellence successfully.

Reichman’s design philosophy emphasizes

the emotional connection with consumers:

“You don’t need an Aston Martin. You desire

one. It’s about creating something that

will make the hairs on the back of your neck

stand up”. This same principle drives the

residential projects, creating spaces that

evoke the same visceral response as the

brand’s automotive offerings.

Cultural Bridge: East-West Design Integration

The N°001 Minami Aoyama project exemplifies

how luxury brands can serve as cultural

bridges between East and West. Reichman

notes that “Tokyo culture, with its amazing

history and style, holds an important creative

space within our design studio”. This cultural

integration approach has proven successful

in the Middle East, where international luxury

brands have created residences that honor

local architectural traditions while incorporating

global design standards.

The residence’s spatial progression from

dark to light materials mirrors the journey

toward enlightenment, reflecting Japanese

design philosophy while maintaining Aston

Martin’s signature aesthetic. This synthesis

creates a unique living environment that respects

both British craftsmanship traditions

and Japanese spatial concepts.


21

ART

Technology Integration and Future Living

The residence incorporates cutting-edge technology seamlessly integrated

into the design:

• Advanced home automation systems

• Climate-controlled automotive gallery

• Fully integrated audio-visual systems

• Smart lighting that adapts to daily rhythms

• Sophisticated security systems


This technology integration reflects the growing trend in luxury residential

development where smart home features become essential

elements of the living experience, particularly appealing to high-networth

individuals in the Middle East who value both tradition and

innovation.


23

ART

24 August 2025

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Market Implications for the Middle East

The success of N°001 Minami Aoyama has

significant implications for the Middle East

luxury real estate market:

Economic Impact

The project demonstrates how automotive-branded

residences can command premium

pricing while attracting international

buyers. In Dubai, branded residences typically

command premiums of 40-70% over

comparable non-branded properties. This

pricing model has proven sustainable due to

the exclusivity and brand association these

properties provide.

Investment Opportunities

The UAE’s position as a cultural bridge between

East and West makes it an ideal location

for similar automotive-branded residential

projects. The success of existing

projects like The Astera in Ras Al Khaimah

demonstrates strong market demand for

luxury automotive brand extensions in the

region.

Design Innovation

The project showcases how international

luxury brands can successfully integrate

local cultural elements into their design philosophy,

creating unique value propositions

that appeal to both local and international

buyers.

Future Trajectory: Expanding the Automotive

Lifestyle Ecosystem

The N°001 Minami Aoyama project represents

more than a singular residential development;

it signals Aston Martin’s evolution

into a comprehensive luxury lifestyle brand.

This transformation parallels similar movements

by other luxury automotive brands

seeking to create immersive brand experiences

that extend beyond vehicle ownership.

Global Expansion Strategy

Aston Martin’s residential portfolio now includes:

• Aston Martin Residences Miami:

66-story waterfront tower with 391

residences, 99% sold

• The Astera in Ras Al Khaimah: First

Middle Eastern project with Dar

Global

• N°001 Minami Aoyama: First Asian

private residence

This global expansion strategy positions

Aston Martin to capture the growing demand

for ultra-luxury branded living experiences

among high-net-worth individuals worldwide.


25

ART

Legacy and Innovation:

The Magzoid Perspective

For Magzoid Magazine’s audience of UAE and GCC luxury

enthusiasts, the N°001 Minami Aoyama project exemplifies

the “Legacy and Innovation” theme that defines

contemporary luxury living. The residence demonstrates

how established automotive heritage can be successfully

translated into architectural excellence while embracing

futuristic design concepts.

Design Leadership

The project showcases how British automotive design

excellence can successfully integrate with Japanese architectural

traditions, creating a blueprint for similar collaborations

in the Middle East, where cultural synthesis

drives innovation.

Luxury Market Evolution

The success of automotive-branded residences indicates

a fundamental shift in luxury consumption patterns, where

high-net-worth individuals seek comprehensive lifestyle

experiences rather than individual luxury products.


The Future of Luxury Living

N°001 Minami Aoyama represents a watershed moment

in luxury brand extension, demonstrating how

automotive heritage can successfully transcend traditional

boundaries to create exceptional living experiences.

The project’s success validates the growing

market demand for branded residences that offer

both exclusivity and cultural sophistication.

For the Middle East luxury market, this project

provides a compelling template for future developments

that honor local traditions while incorporating

global design excellence. As the region continues to

position itself as a bridge between East and West,

automotive-branded residences offer unique opportunities

to create distinctive luxury living experiences

that appeal to increasingly sophisticated international

buyers.

The residence stands as a testament to the power

of visionary design leadership and cross-cultural

collaboration, setting new standards for luxury living

that will undoubtedly influence future developments

throughout the GCC and beyond. In an era where

legacy and innovation must coexist, N°001 Minami

Aoyama charts a course toward a future where automotive

excellence and architectural sophistication

create unprecedented opportunities for luxury lifestyle

expression.


27

ARCHITECTURE

THE FALCON’S FLIGHT

FOSTER + PARTNERS’ ZAYED NATIONAL

MUSEUM OPENS DECEMBER 2025

As the sun sets over Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District, five gleaming steel towers

rise from the desert landscape like falcon wings frozen in flight. The Zayed National

Museum, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster

of Foster + Partners, stands ready to open its doors in December 2025, marking a

pivotal moment in the UAE’s cultural evolution.

This architectural masterpiece embodies the perfect marriage of “Legacy and Innovation,”

honoring the profound heritage of the UAE’s founding father while embracing

cutting-edge sustainable design principles that will inspire generations to come.

28 August 2025

www.magzoid.com

The museum’s design transcends

mere aesthetics, serving as a powerful

metaphor for the UAE’s identity.

The five lightweight steel towers,

ranging from 83 to 123 meters in height, are

sculpted aerodynamically to mirror the feathers

of a falcon’s wing – a deliberate homage

to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s deep

love for falconry.

“It has been a great privilege to work on

the Zayed National Museum, to carry forward

Sheikh Zayed’s vision and to communicate

the dynamic character of a contemporary

United Arab Emirates,” Norman Foster

tells SceneHome. This sentiment captures

the essence of the project: a building that

serves as both a memorial and a manifesto,

honoring the past while boldly embracing

the future.

The falcon imagery is particularly resonant

in Emirati culture, where the bird represents

strength, courage, and resilience,

values central to the national ethos. The

practice of falconry has been recognized by

UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage

of Humanity, underscoring its profound cultural

significance.

Sustainability Soars: Innovation in Desert

Architecture

Beyond its symbolic power, the museum’s

design showcases groundbreaking sustainable

architecture perfectly suited to the desert

environment. The falcon-inspired towers

function as sophisticated thermal chimneys,

utilizing the thermal stack effect to naturally

ventilate the museum spaces.

Fresh air is captured at low levels and

drawn through buried ground-cooling pipes

before being released into the museum’s

lobby. As the towers heat up during the day,

they draw hot air upward and out through

strategically placed vents, creating a constant

flow of cooled air throughout the galleries.

This innovative passive cooling system reduces

reliance on mechanical air conditioning

while maintaining comfortable temperatures

for visitors and precious artifacts alike.

The design demonstrates how traditional Arabic

architectural principles, particularly the

careful manipulation of light, shadow, and

airflow, can be reimagined through contemporary

engineering.


29

ARCHITECTURE

A Journey Through 300,000 Years

The museum’s curatorial vision is as ambitious as its architecture.

Visitors will explore six permanent galleries across

two floors, embarking on a comprehensive journey through

300,000 years of human history in the region. Dr. Peter Magee,

the museum’s director, explains: “The narrative within the

museum is guided by the enduring values of the UAE’s founding

father, Sheikh Zayed. We look at those values and then,

how they reflect social values which exist within the UAE both

in the past and the present, and in the future”.

The galleries span archaeology, biodiversity, urban development,

and Emirati traditions, connecting local heritage with

global narratives. Highlights include the 8,000-year-old Abu

Dhabi Pearl, one of the world’s oldest natural pearls, and five

folios from the Blue Qur’an, dating from the 9th century.

Perhaps most remarkably, the museum will display a fullscale

recreation of an ancient Magan Boat, constructed using

traditional materials and techniques from 4,000 years ago.

This 18-meter vessel, built in collaboration with Zayed University

and New York University Abu Dhabi, successfully sailed

50 nautical miles in the Arabian Gulf during 2024 sea trials.

The Saadiyat Cultural Constellation

The Zayed National Museum anchors what Mohamed Khalifa

Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism,

Abu Dhabi, calls a “cultural constellation” on Saadiyat

Island. The museum joins the Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab

Phenomena, and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and

Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi in creating one of the

world’s most ambitious cultural districts.

“The Saadiyat Cultural District truly represents Abu Dhabi’s

values. Today, you live in a place that has over 180 nationalities,

so this is in our DNA,” Al Mubarak explains. This multicultural

vision reflects Sheikh Zayed’s own values of tolerance

and international cooperation.

30 August 2025

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Research and Education: Building Knowledge

for the Future

The museum’s commitment to scholarship extends

far beyond its exhibitions. The Zayed National

Museum Research Fund, with an annual

budget of AED 1 million, supports projects that

explore the history, culture, and heritage of the

UAE and wider region. Since its launch in 2023,

the fund has supported 18 projects from countries

including China, Egypt, India, Italy, France,

Oman, Poland, the UAE, the UK, and the USA.

Dr. Magee emphasizes the museum’s role as

a research powerhouse: “While research being

generated from within the institution is extremely

important, the museum has a fundamental role

in furthering a research ecosystem within the

country”. This commitment to advancing knowledge

ensures that the museum will continue to

deepen understanding of the region’s rich cultural

tapestry.

A Design Vision for the Future

The museum’s architecture represents more

than individual achievement; it embodies a

broader movement in Middle Eastern design

that balances cultural authenticity with

technological innovation. As demonstrated

at recent international forums like Expo 2025

Osaka, where the UAE Pavilion showcased

similar principles of sustainable design rooted

in traditional materials and techniques,

the region is establishing itself as a global

leader in culturally-conscious architecture.

The success of the Zayed National Museum’s

design philosophy can be seen in

its influence on other regional projects. The

use of traditional forms reimagined through

contemporary materials and sustainable

technologies is becoming a hallmark of

Gulf architecture, from Santiago Calatrava’s

falcon-inspired UAE Pavilion at Expo 2020

Dubai to numerous residential and commercial

projects across the region.


31

ARCHITECTURE

Opening to the World

As the museum prepares for its December 2025 opening, it stands as a testament

to the UAE’s cultural ambitions and its commitment to preserving heritage while embracing

innovation. The building will offer an inclusive and accessible experience,

with dedicated programming for youth, senior citizens, and People of Determination.

The timing of the opening aligns perfectly with Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy

2030, which aims to welcome 39 million visitors annually by 2030. The museum is

expected to become a cornerstone of this vision, attracting visitors from around the

world to experience the UAE’s unique blend of ancient wisdom and contemporary

innovation.

Legacy in Flight

The Zayed National Museum represents more than a repository of artifacts; it embodies

a living philosophy of cultural preservation and innovation. As Foster + Partners’

design demonstrates, the most powerful architecture emerges when form

follows not just function, but meaning. The Falcon Towers that will soon dominate

Saadiyat Island’s skyline serve as a reminder that the UAE’s greatest achievements

arise when honoring tradition becomes the foundation for imagining the future.

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In the words of Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak: “This museum is more than a place

of preservation; it is a promise to future generations, a beacon of our identity, and a

space where our story is told not just through objects, but through emotion, memory,

and vision”. When the Zayed National Museum opens its doors in December 2025,

it will invite the world to witness how the falcon’s flight continues to inspire a nation’s

soaring aspirations.


33

DESIGN DEBRIEF

BMW SKYTOP VS SPEEDTOP

A DESIGN DEBRIEF — WHEN LEGACY

MEETS INNOVATION

BMW’s dual reveal of the Skytop and Speedtop concepts marks a pivotal moment

where traditional craftsmanship meets futuristic luxury—the Skytop channels the

pure roadster DNA of the Z8 and 507, while the Speedtop redefines the shooting

brake for the modern collector, both powered by the same 625hp V8 yet expressing

radically different philosophies of BMW’s design evolution.

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BMW’s approach to these ultra-exclusive models reflects

what Adrian van Hooydonk calls “skipping an entire vehicle

generation”. Both concepts emerge from the brand’s

commitment to circularity, digitalization, and electrification

while honoring its storied past. “A true BMW exudes dynamism

and elegance even when it’s standing still,” van Hooydonk

explains, describing the Speedtop’s unique profile as “very

unique in the automotive industry”.

The design philosophy centers on what BMW terms “shy tech”—

advanced technology that remains unobtrusive, allowing traditional

craftsmanship to take center stage. This approach resonates

particularly in the GCC market, where luxury consumers

value both cutting-edge innovation and timeless elegance.


35

DESIGN DEBRIEF

LANGUAGE: HERITAGE REIMAGINED

EXTE-

RIOR

DE-

SIGN

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37

DESIGN DEBRIEF

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SKYTOP: THE ROAD-

STER’S RENAISSANCE

The Skytop pays direct homage to BMW’s

most celebrated roadsters, particularly the

Z8 and 507. Its arrow-shaped bonnet and

shark-nose design create what van Hooydonk

describes as “a truly unique and exotic

design”. The vehicle’s most striking feature is

its pronounced spline that extends from the

bonnet through the interior to an aluminum

trim on the tailgate, emphasizing the car’s

dynamic flow.

The Floating Sundown Silver exterior paint

finish employs a chrome shadow effect applied

by master painters at BMW’s Dingolfing

facility. This reddish-brown gradient that

flows from the removable roof panels into the

body creates visual continuity, whether the

roof is open or closed.


39

DESIGN DEBRIEF

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SPEEDTOP: SHOOTING

BRAKE SOPHISTICATION

The Speedtop transforms the Skytop’s aesthetic into what van Hooydonk

calls “an exclamation mark for our entire lineup of vehicles, especially for the

Touring models”. The V-shaped front end maintains the shark-nose heritage

while extending into a shooting brake silhouette that’s become increasingly

rare in luxury automotive design.

The central spline continues from bonnet to rear spoiler, but here it’s complemented

by a color gradient moving from “Floating Sunstone Maroon” to

“Floating Sundown Silver”. This two-tone approach not only accentuates the

car’s elongated proportions but also creates a visual bridge between BMW’s

traditional color palette and contemporary luxury trends.


41

DESIGN DEBRIEF

CRAFTSMANSHIP MEETS TECHNOLOGY

INTE-

RIOR

DE-

SIGN

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43

DESIGN DEBRIEF

SKYTOP: PURE

ROADSTER LUXURY

Inside the Skytop, monochromatic brown leather with broguestyle

perforations creates what BMW calls “cosseting luxury

and singular elegance”. The interior features crystal applications

embedded into the cockpit and a soft-close door function—details

that speak to the GCC market’s appreciation for

bespoke luxury.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes a full-color

Head-Up Display, while the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround

Sound System provides acoustic excellence. The leather-covered

rollover bar and retractable rear window maintain

the pure roadster aesthetic while offering practical weather

protection.



45

DESIGN DEBRIEF


SPEEDTOP: PRACTI-

CAL ELEGANCE

The Speedtop’s interior employs a two-tone color concept

that creates visual connections between exterior and interior

spaces. The “Sundown Maroon” leather harmonizes with

“Moonstone White” seats, while the two-tone leather upholstery

divides dynamic and functional areas.

A standout feature is the collaboration with Schedoni, the

Italian leather manufacturer known for bespoke automotive

goods. Custom-designed bags fit perfectly into storage areas

behind the seats, while a matching weekend bag accommodates

the trunk—a detail that elevates the shooting brake

concept beyond mere transportation.


47

DESIGN DEBRIEF

PERFORMANCE

ARCHITEC-

TURE: THE S63

FOUNDATION


Both concepts share the BMW S63 4.4-liter

twin-turbocharged V8 producing 625 horsepower

and 750 Nm of torque. This powerplant,

sourced from the M8 Competition,

enables 0-100 km/h acceleration in approximately

3.3 seconds. The 8-speed Steptronic

Sport transmission and BMW xDrive

intelligent all-wheel-drive system provide the

performance foundation for both luxury expressions.

The engine choice reflects BMW’s commitment

to traditional powertrains in its most exclusive

models, even as the brand transitions

toward electrification in mainstream vehicles.

This approach particularly appeals to GCC

collectors who value naturally aspirated or

high-performance turbocharged engines as

mechanical art forms.


49

DESIGN DEBRIEF

DE-

SIGN

INNO-

VA-

MATERIAL

AND MANU-

FACTURING

EXCELLENCE

TION

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51

DESIGN DEBRIEF

PAINT AND FINISH

TECHNOLOGY

Both concepts showcase BMW’s advanced paint technology

through their gradient finish systems. The hand-applied color

transitions by experienced master painters at Dingolfing represent

manufacturing artistry rarely seen in contemporary automotive

production. These finishes require weeks of preparation

and multiple application layers to achieve the desired

chrome shadow effects.

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LIGHTING ARCHITEC-

TURE

The custom-developed LED headlights feature the slimmest

profile currently available for automotive applications. Positioned

on milled aluminum carriers, these units consolidate

all lighting functions into a single installation space. The illuminated

kidney grille provides both aesthetic appeal and

functional light distribution.


53

DESIGN DEBRIEF

MAR-

KET

POSI-

TION-

ING

LUXURY REDEFINED

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55

DESIGN DEBRIEF

PRODUCTION EXCLU-

SIVITY

The Skytop’s 50-unit production run versus the Speedtop’s 70

units reflects deliberate scarcity marketing. Both models sold

out within days of the announcement, demonstrating demand

for ultra-exclusive BMW products among global collectors.

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PRICING

STRATEGY

Both concepts showcase BMW’s advanced paint technology

through their gradient finish systems. The hand-applied color

transitions by experienced master painters at Dingolfing represent

manufacturing artistry rarely seen in contemporary automotive

production. These finishes require weeks of preparation

and multiple application layers to achieve the desired

chrome shadow effects.


57

DESIGN DEBRIEF

CONTEMPORARY

LUXURY EVOLUTION

Post-Opulence Design

Both concepts embody what van Hooydonk terms the

“post-opulence era” of luxury design. Rather than ostentatious

display, they emphasize material quality, craftsmanship,

precision, and technological sophistication. This approach

particularly resonates in the GCC market, where discerning

luxury consumers increasingly value substance over flash.

Sustainable Luxury Elements

Despite their traditional powertrains, both concepts incorporate

recycled materials and sustainable production processes

where possible. The mono-material construction and

detachable connections facilitate eventual recycling, aligning

with BMW’s circular design principles.


FUTURE BMW DE-

SIGN DIRECTION

Neue Klasse Influence

While maintaining traditional proportions, both concepts hint

at BMW’s future Neue Klasse design language. The clean,

reduced surfaces and precise detail execution preview the

brand’s evolution toward minimalist luxury that will characterize

future electric models.

Heritage Integration

The concepts demonstrate BMW’s ability to honor legacy

while embracing innovation. References to the Z8, 507, and

classic touring cars provide emotional connection, while advanced

manufacturing and materials represent technological

progress.

GCC Market Implications

For the UAE and broader GCC luxury market, these concepts

represent BMW’s understanding of regional preferences for

exclusive, handcrafted luxury goods. The combination of traditional

craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology appeals

to collectors who appreciate both heritage and innovation.

The shooting brake format of the Speedtop particularly

suits the GCC lifestyle, offering grand touring capability for

regional road trips while maintaining the sporting character

that defines BMW’s luxury positioning. The bespoke luggage

solutions and practical luxury elements address the specific

needs of affluent Middle Eastern consumers.

Legacy and Innovation Synthesis

BMW’s Skytop and Speedtop concepts ultimately represent

the successful synthesis of legacy and innovation that defines

contemporary luxury automotive design. By honoring

the Z8’s roadster purity and reimagining the shooting brake

genre, BMW demonstrates that traditional automotive values

can coexist with modern manufacturing excellence and technological

sophistication.

As van Hooydonk concludes, “The BMW Skytop is a truly

exotic design and offers a combination of driving dynamics

and elegance at the highest level”. The Speedtop extends

this philosophy into practical luxury territory, creating what

may be the ultimate expression of BMW’s design evolution,

where timeless proportions meet contemporary craftsmanship,

and where driving pleasure remains paramount even as

the automotive industry transforms around it.

In the BMW universe, to carry tradition forward requires not

just reverence for the past, but the courage to reinterpret it for

tomorrow’s collectors.


59

ART

NEW ARTISTIC DIALOGUES

UNFOLD AT LOUVRE ABU

DHABI WITH THE ARRIVAL OF

NEW MASTERPIECES

THE NEW ARTWORKS INCLUDE UNIQUE ACQUISI-

TIONS AND INTERNATIONAL LOANS THAT INVITE

VISITORS TO EXPLORE UNIVERSAL STORIES OF

CREATIVITY AND CULTURAL CONNECTION

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Abu Dhabi, UAE – 9 July 2025 – There is always something new to discover at Louvre

Abu Dhabi. Whether it is a first visit or a return for further exploration, the museum’s

ever-evolving galleries promise hours of inspiration and wonder. This year, a

new display brings together remarkable acquisitions and prestigious international

loans. From a 1st-century imperial cameo and a 3rd-century Christian sarcophagus

to an outstanding selection of paintings and modern works by Kandinsky, Giacometti

and Tàpies, the artworks now on display span centuries, cultures and artistic

movements. Together, they invite visitors to experience the museum’s universal

narrative through the lens of creativity, connection and the enduring power of art.


61

ART

By continuously enriching Louvre Abu Dhabi’s collection

through carefully curated acquisitions, we ensure that

the museum remains a dynamic space that resonates

with art enthusiasts, families and curious minds alike,”

said Dr. Guilhem André, Director of Scientific, Curatorial and

Collections Management at Louvre Abu Dhabi. “We are also

thrilled to bring to our visitors loaned masterworks that are considered

priceless treasures in their respective museums, and

we are grateful for the generosity of our partners. This ongoing

renewal strengthens Louvre Abu Dhabi’s role not only as a

cultural anchor in the Saadiyat Cultural District, but also as a

place where diverse stories and shared human experiences

come together.”

The curatorial team at Louvre Abu Dhabi, particularly Amna

Al Zaabi, Fakhera Alkindi, Aisha Al Ahmadi, Mariam Al Dhaheri,

and Rawdha AlAbdouli, played a key role in developing

the new displays, working closely with partner institutions on

everything from research to securing loans and acquisitions.

Their contributions reflect the museum’s commitment to empowering

local talent and fostering cross-cultural exchange on

a global scale.


New Acquisitions: Enriching the Museum’s Permanent

Collection

Louvre Abu Dhabi continues to expand its world-class collection

through the addition of exceptional artworks that reflect

the museum’s universal narrative. The new acquisitions

include significant paintings, sculptures and finely crafted

objects that are now on display in the museum’s permanent

galleries.

• A Kota Reliquary Figure from Gabon (end of 19th or beginning

of 20th century) attributed to the Sébé River Master of

the Skull Head resonates with global traditions of ancestor

veneration and spiritual guardianship.

• A Roman Cameo possibly depicting Agrippa Postumus (c.

37-41 CE) is displayed alongside other masterpieces of precious

gold jewelry from the museum’s collection.

• A limestone Head of an Ephebe (5th century BCE), from

Cyprus is shown alongside other busts representing diverse

cultures and civilisations.

• A Casket from the Kingdom of Kotte, Ceylon (ca. 1543)

showcases hybrid aesthetics and reflects the global reach

of South Asian courtly art.

• A collection of outstanding paintings including The Rialto

Bridge from the South (c. 1720) by Giovanni Antonio Canal,

capturing a serene, precise Venetian cityscape; The Farewell

of Telemachus and Eucharis (1800), a rare Neoclassical

painting by Charles Meynier exploring themes of duty, love

and moral virtue; and a Portrait of Kosa Pan (1686) by Antoine

Benoist, portraying the first ambassador from Siam to

the French court of Louis XIV.

• Wassily Kandinsky’s White Oval (1921), a vibrant composition

of colours and forms reflecting the artist’s strong belief in

the power of colour, form and composition to evoke emotion,

rhythm and unity.


63

ART

New Loans: Masterpieces from International Partners

In addition to the newly unveiled acquisitions, unique masterpieces

on loan from Musée du Louvre, Centre Pompidou

and the National Museum of the Philippines bring fresh

depth and global perspective to Louvre Abu Dhabi’s galleries.

Highlights include:

• Sarcophagus of Livia Primitiva (c. 250 CE), a sculpture

on loan from the Musée du Louvre, and one of the earliest

known examples of Christian funerary art.

• Portrait of the Artist (1825) by French painter Antoinette

Cécile Hortense Haudebourt-Lescot, on loan from the

Musée du Louvre. In this painting, Haudebourt-Lescot presents

herself firmly as a professional artist and emphasises

her identity as a portraitist.

• Una Bulaqueña (1895), painted by Juan Luna, one of the

most celebrated Filipino artists, is on loan from the National

Museum of the Philippines. Leaving its home country for

the first time, this painting was declared a National Cultural

Treasure in 2008. It is celebrated not only for its technical

excellence, but also for the sense of cultural pride it embodies,

representing an idealised Filipina woman that radiates

strength and dignity.

• Two bronze figures, introducing the theme of reimagining

the human figure, are on loan from Centre Pompidou:

Femme de Venise V (Woman of Venice V, 1956) by Alberto

Giacometti is an elongated, fragile figure that captures the

paradox of presence and vulnerability; and L’Orage (The

Storm, 1947 – 1948) by Germaine Richier portrays a monumental

male figure embodying resilience in the face of elemental

forces.

• Grand blanc horizontal (1962), a monumental mixed-media

work by Antoni Tàpies, is on loan from Centre Pompidou.

The work adds a contemporary dimension to the museum’s

narrative of material experimentation and abstraction.


Each new display at Louvre Abu Dhabi is

curated to foster dialogue between civilisations,

across time and through universal stories.

Through thematic juxtapositions and cross-cultural

comparisons, the museum continues to offer

a dynamic and inclusive space for discovery

for both first-time and returning visitors.

For more information about the galleries and

to book tickets, please visit www.louvreabudhabi.ae

or call Louvre Abu Dhabi at +971 600 56

55 66.


65

DESIGN

PAX NEW YORKEA

MASSIMILIANO MALAGÒ’S THRONE OF

MODERN PARADOX

Amid New York’s unyielding skyline, where ambition meets exhaustion and history

is written in the language of reinvention, designer Massimiliano Malagò has crafted

an object that both venerates and critiques the city’s legacy.

The newly unveiled Pax New Yorkea chair, shaped with the gravity of a throne and

the resonance of a manifesto, stands as a beacon of the August theme: Legacy

and Innovation, where tradition collides with the future and the line between luxury

and lived experience is sharply, elegantly drawn.


Constructed on a wooden base and

encased in intricately laser-etched

acrylic panels washed with gold

paint, the Pax New Yorkea is more

than seating, it is an essay embodied in object.

Every surface is dense with Malagò’s

own writings and illustrations, cascading

over the chair’s three faces, each side dedicated

to a pillar of New York life: labour, love,

and leisure. This exhaustive engraving blurs

into what the designer calls “a sea of information”,

a homage to the city’s endless digital

and sensory overload.

Honoring and Upending Tradition

The chair’s throne-like shape is deeply intentional,

evoking classical grandeur but

layered with typographic textures that speak

to contemporary anxieties. Malagò, “completely

Italian” but raised in London and now

rooted in New York after visa tribulations,

leverages personal narrative to scrutinize

the compulsion for productivity that marks

modern metropolitan life. The raised sides

envelop the sitter, offering both physical and

psychological shelter, a nod to the enduring

need for protection amidst the relentless demands

of urban existence.

Symbols of New York, from omnipresent

flowers to the tarot spread Malagò once received,

engrave the chair with the stories,

both collective and personal, that form the

city’s ongoing legacy.

Luxury Meanings, Mundane Truths

Despite its opulent presence, Pax New

Yorkea is a study in contrasts. As Malagò

notes, it is “incredibly luxurious, incredibly

grand,” yet preoccupied with the often invisible

struggles, “the hardships that people go

through to stay in the city.” Here, luxury does

not mean escapism; rather, it magnifies the

everyday resilience that defines and propels

the city’s pulse.

Legacy Forward

Malagò’s chair is not simply an object for

admiration; it is an invitation for dialogue between

user and city, past and future, tradition

and innovation. In an era where design is

too often reduced to surface spectacle, Pax

New Yorkea insists on conversation, critique,

and a celebration of the contradictions that

make New York, and design itself, perpetually

new.

Photography by Helene Helleu


67

INTERIOR

A COMMON THREAD

ZARA HOME X COLLAGERIE WEAVE LEGACY AND IN-

NOVATION IN S/S 2025 COLLECTION

In an era where the evolution of design is equal parts reverence for tradition and pursuit of the

avant-garde, the Spring/Summer 2025 collaboration between Zara Home and Collagerie—aptly

titled “A Common Thread”—stands as a marker of how legacy and innovation intertwine to craft

the future of interior aesthetics.

This second partnership between Zara Home and Collagerie, co-founded by Lucinda Chambers

and Serena Hood—formidable alumnae of British Vogue—represents a renewed commitment

to artistry, craft, and sensory storytelling. Honoring the principle that connection is at

the heart of lasting design, the collection unfurls a visual dialogue where Collagerie’s vibrant,

craft-forward philosophy collides gracefully with Zara Home’s signature minimalism.

68 August 2025

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A

Common Thread manifests its

theme both literally and metaphorically,

from the coiled vases that

echo skeins of wool to oversized

platters and painterly textiles, every object

is a tactile exploration of what ties together

the handmade and the modern. Multidisciplinary

artist Kavel Rafferty, known for dynamic

floral compositions and bravura color,

lends her talent to a blanket and a triptych

of technicolor wall hangings, infusing the

collection with emotional resonance and historic

echoes.

Palette of the Future, Anchored in Nature

Striking a departure from the neutral tones

synonymous with Zara Home, the collection

explodes with earthy shades punctuated by

moments of vivid color—a celebration of the

Mediterranean sun and natural patterns. Textiles,

dinnerware, and sculptural tableware

are all imbued with painterly brushstrokes,

fluid silhouettes, and “imperfect edges” that

serve as a reminder of the beauty of human

touch in the age of automation.

Flexible Design, Democratic Appeal

Spanning over 50 pieces across lighting,

furniture, and accessories—with prices

ranging from $13 to $699—the curation is as

inclusive as it is aspirational. Each piece is

conceived as a stand-alone artwork, but together

they coalesce into a vision that invites

professionals and personal collectors alike

to blend, mismatch, or anchor a space with

a singular statement. According to Chambers,

“everything speaks for itself and adds

a punctuation mark in your home, inside and

out.”

Honoring Legacy, Shaping Tomorrow

For design enthusiasts and professionals,

“A Common Thread” is more than a collection:

it’s an invitation to celebrate the enduring

legacy of artisanal craft, reinterpreted

through a futuristic lens. The collaboration

is now available via Zara Home and Collagerie’s

platforms—destined, if history is any

indicator, to become a staple in homes that

value both timelessness and creative progression.

As the boundaries between art, craft, and

function continue to blur, Zara Home x Collagerie

has crafted a collection that not only

pays homage to tradition but boldly stitches

new threads into the fabric of contemporary

design.


69

HOROLOGICAL WONDERS

Horological

Wonders

VACHERON CONSTANTIN’S MÉTIERS D’ART

TRIBUTE TO THE CELESTIAL — LEGACY AND IN-

NOVATION IN PERFECT HARMONY

In the realm where tradition meets futurism, Vacheron Constantin’s latest Métiers d’Art Tribute to the

Celestial collection stands as a sublime exemplar of legacy and innovation. Unveiled as a limited

series of 12 watches, each dedicated to a Western zodiac sign, this collection transcends mere timekeeping

to offer a poetic dialogue between celestial heritage and avant-garde craftsmanship, aligning

seamlessly with the August edition’s theme of honoring tradition with futuristic design.

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71

HOROLOGICAL WONDERS

At the heart of each timepiece beats the ultra-thin, self-winding Calibre 2160

tourbillon movement — a mechanical marvel measuring just 5.65mm thick,

embodying both precision engineering and aesthetic finesse. This 188-part

movement, with an 80-hour power reserve and operating at 18,000 vibrations

per hour, features a polished tourbillon cage shaped in the signature Maltese Cross,

hand-bevelled bridges, and exquisite Geneva stripes (Côtes de Genève), underscoring

Vacheron Constantin’s relentless pursuit of horological excellence.

Yet, it is the celestial artistry that truly sets this collection apart. Each dial—crafted

from 18K white gold—is drenched in a profound celestial blue, elaborated through an

intricate eight-step process that culminates in a figurative hand-guilloché engraving

of a zodiac constellation. Unlike traditional guilloché patterns, these geometric engravings

transform repetitive mechanical techniques into expressive forms, requiring

approximately 16 hours per dial. Brilliant-cut diamonds punctuate the constellations

like sparkling stars, while select zodiac signs representing human figures—Gemini,

Virgo, Sagittarius, and Aquarius—feature delicate opaline accents, enhancing their

three-dimensional depth.

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The cases echo this exquisite theme with 96 baguette-cut blue sapphires — totaling

nearly four carats — channel-set on the bezel, lugs, and crown, their icy blue fire

evoking the mystique of the night sky. Complementing the watch are dark blue alligator

leather straps with matching white gold folding clasps, themselves adorned with

sapphires, perfectly uniting tradition and innovation in design.

This collection does more than honor millennia-old astrological symbolism; it reinterprets

these cosmic motifs into a modern, wearable form of art. Vacheron Constantin’s

Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Celestial embodies the brand’s heritage dating back to

1755 while embracing contemporary craftsmanship techniques and visionary design

sensibilities. It is a testament to the enduring narrative that timekeeping is not just

science but a poetic reflection of the universe itself.

For designers and enthusiasts alike, the Tribute to the Celestial series offers a rare

synthesis of engineering brilliance and artisanal mastery—an inspiring beacon in the

horology world that embodies how legacy can innovatively coexist with the future.

This Métiers d’Art collection, available exclusively at Vacheron Constantin boutiques,

invites connoisseurs to wear not just time, but a timeless story of cosmic wonder

and craftsmanship mastery.


73

THREADS

LEGACY IN

MOTION

DIOR X LEWIS HAMIL-

TON FALL 2025—WHERE

AFROFUTURISM DRIVES

THE FUTURE OF LUXURY

In the ever-evolving kingdom of haute

couture, few collaborations so deftly

capture the present’s pulse and the

future’s promise as the Fall 2025 capsule

from Dior and Lewis Hamilton.

Premiering just as luxury’s vanguard

leans into its “Legacy and Innovation”

mantra, this collection is not just a nod to

the past or a leap into the unknown—it’s

a kinetic dialogue between tradition and

the radical imagination of Afrofuturism.


At the heart of this collection lies a

fusion: Dior’s storied French craftsmanship

entwined with Hamilton’s

personal journey through the rich

diasporic worlds of Afrofuturism. Hamilton,

a seven-time Formula 1 world champion

and now guest designer, channels the

philosophies and aesthetics gleaned from

his travels across Africa, reworking classic

silhouettes with modern vitality. The result?

Garments that feel at once ceremonial and

unfussy—reversible hooded bombers, tailored

jackets punctuated by futuristic textiles,

and Oblique cardigan-jackets that

evolve the house’s 1968 Miss Dior legacy

for the now.

The Language of Afrofuturism

For design enthusiasts, the capsule becomes

a case study in cultural storytelling

through materiality. Fabrics speak in futuristic

accents—reflective tech tracksuits, mesh

overlays on the signature tweed (this season,

reimagined in a bold, leopard motif),

and garments finished with iridescent metallics.

Traditional craftsmanship techniques

like laser-cutting and innovative 3D textures

meet Afrocentric prints and intricate embroideries,

animating each piece with layers of

narrative and homage.

Icons in the Making: The B44 Blade

Central to the collection’s sportswear allure

is the new B44 Blade sneaker—a dynamic

offering with voluminous 2000s-inspired

curves and technical mesh, etched with

bold Dior branding and an emblematic

“44” referencing Hamilton’s racing number.

Melding athleticism with sophistication, the

B44 Blade not only punctuates the look with

a futuristic flourish but speaks to fashion’s

collective shift toward form that also honors

function—a principle as relevant to the atelier

as it is to the racetrack.

Accessories for a New Era

The capsule extends its legacy-meets-innovation

ethos to accessories: heritage derbies

and rugged boots retooled for today,

alongside the “Dior Hit the Road” bags crafted

from certified sustainable materials—a

nod to freedom of movement and responsible

luxury. Each piece feels designed for

the plural, dynamic lives of a global creative

class.

Honoring the Past, Accelerating Toward

Tomorrow

In sum, the Dior x Lewis Hamilton Fall 2025

collaboration is a testament to the possibilities

that surface when legacy houses embrace

transformative narratives and new

cultural leaders. By threading Afrofuturism

into the warp and weft of Parisian tradition,

Hamilton and Dior answer the August theme

not with nostalgia, but with synthesis—a history

in motion, speeding toward the future of

luxury, design, and self-expression.


75

BLING BOW

THE

ELEGANCE

OF

GEOMETRY

DIORIGAMI—WHERE LEGACY INSPIRES

FUTURISTIC JEWELS

Steeped in tradition yet propelled by innovation, Dior’s Diorigami high jewelry collection stands

as a testament to the Maison’s ability to reimagine heritage through the lens of artistic ingenuity.

For the “Hourological Wonders” section, we explore how artistic director Victoire de Castellane

transforms ancient craftsmanship and couture legacies into spellbinding, modern treasures—

honoring the synergy of legacy and innovation.


Diorigami marks the second, more abstract chapter in

the Diorama & Diorigami high jewelry opus. While the

pioneering Diorama series found inspiration in Monsieur

Dior’s cherished Milly-la-Forêt garden and the

textured Toile de Jouy pattern, Diorigami takes a bolder leap,

infusing the geometric rhythms of Japanese origami with the

haute couture technique of pleating—an echo from the iconic

Bar jacket and its sculptural skirt. This conceptual fusion is at

once a nod to tradition and a forward stride toward contemporary

design.


77

BLING BOW

Transcending Materials: From Atelier to Art

Every Diorigami piece is a miniature marvel—a synthesis of rose or

white gold, diamonds, and an exuberant medley of colored stones

such as pink sapphires, rubies, malachite, turquoise, and tsavorite

garnet. Lacquer, a storied Dior signature, is judiciously applied

for additional chromatic vibrancy and a tactile sense of depth. The

craftsmanship is nothing short of virtuosic: each gem is meticulously

set by master artisans, while hand-engraved gold mimics the delicate

folds and pleats of hand-folded paper.

Intricately sculpted flowers and creatures—rabbits, ladybirds,

and more—are both a whimsical homage to nature and an embodiment

of the playful, imaginative spirit of origami. The results? Earrings

and necklaces that don’t just adorn, but tell a story of transformation

and renewal.


Legacy, Reimagined

Victoire de Castellane’s vision bridges eras. She combines glyptic

(stone-carving), advanced goldwork, and radiant lacquer to create

jewels that pulse with life, yet clearly honor Dior’s archival codes.

This dialogue between past and present culminates in pieces that

feel born from a time-honored atelier—yet are acutely attuned to the

desires of today’s connoisseur-collectors.

A Call to Creatives and Connoisseurs

For luxury professionals, tastemakers, and designers, Diorigami’s

launch is a masterclass in how storied brands can continually innovate.

The collection is not just precious ornamentation, but a tactile

translation of Dior’s house values: savoir-faire, poetic fantasy, and

the rare ability to balance the memory of tradition with the momentum

of the future.

In the constellation of high jewelry, Diorigami is a stellar phenomenon—a

radiant tribute to the enduring power of creative legacy and

the infinite possibilities of inventive design.


79

GET THE BAG

DIOR

GRAVITY

THE ART OF LEGACY EMBOSSED IN THE FUTURE

In an industry where reverence for the past and a pursuit of innovation go hand-inhand,

Dior’s newest marvel—Dior Gravity—stands tall as a beacon of both tradition

and creative daring. Launched for the Fall 2024 and Fall 2025 seasons under the

visionary direction of Kim Jones, Dior Gravity is more than a material innovation;

it is a poetic synergy between heritage craftsmanship and technical invention,

perfectly aligned with this August’s “Legacy and Innovation” theme.



81

GET THE BAG


At first glance, Dior Gravity seduces

with its grainy texture and supple,

almost mesmerizing feel. Yet the

magic lies deeper, in the breakthrough

embossing technique that marks

a new era for leatherwork. Eschewing conventional

methods, Dior employs the natural

force of gravity itself—paired with the

intuitive weight of the artisan’s tool—to delicately

imprint the leather with the iconic Dior

Oblique motif. This nuanced process results

in the Grain Oblique unfolding in two distinct

dimensions: a classic scale for small leather

goods, and a bold, maxi version for bags,

creating a harmonious play of proportions

and textures.

The palette, meticulously hand-sprayed

to achieve Monsieur Dior’s beloved grays

alongside shades of beige, black, and khaki,

recalls the House’s refined taste while

speaking to a contemporary urban sensibility.

Each piece—be it the Weekender, Messenger

bags, card holders, belts, or the celebrated

B27 and B33 sneakers—serves as

a platform for Dior’s enduring aesthetic, yet

with a futuristic twist. The artisans’ painstaking

care is evident: every element is cut, assembled,

and sewn by hand, underscoring

the Maison’s devotion to excellence and the

poetic beauty of the creative gesture.

For designers and industry insiders, the

implications are significant. Dior Gravity

shatters the binary of classic versus modern,

presenting a compelling case for material

innovation rooted in heritage. This collection

does not merely reinterpret an archive; it sets

a precedent, showing that the future of luxury

lies in honoring traditions by pushing the

boundaries of what is possible.

With Gravity, Dior offers not just products,

but an evolution in design philosophy—a

tactile dialogue between origin and innovation

that will resonate with connoisseurs

and creators alike. As the gravitational pull

of legacy meets the momentum of tomorrow,

Dior Gravity ensures that the House remains

at the epicenter of luxury’s most captivating

narrative.


83

RETRO REIMAGINGED

TOP

5SUMMER 2025

WATCH RE-

LEASES


A COLLECTOR’S EDIT

Summer 2025 has unveiled a compelling lineup of luxury timepieces that blend

innovation, regional flair, and refined design. From Rolex’s platinum dive masterpiece

to Hublot’s bold ceramic experiments and Seiko’s nostalgic regional editions,

this season’s watches cater to both seasoned collectors and emerging enthusiasts.

These five standout models reflect a growing appetite for exclusivity, craftsmanship,

and cultural relevance in the GCC market. With limited availability and

signature features, each release makes a distinct statement in style and horology.

Here’s a closer look at the top 5 watches making waves this season across Dubai

and beyond.


85

RETRO REIMAGINGED

ROLEX

LAND-DWELLER 40

MM PLATINUM

Rolex’s latest innovation, the Land-Dweller 40 mm Platinum, takes their

professional dive watch heritage to new heights of refinement. Crafted

in solid platinum, this model introduces the new high-frequency Calibre

7135, offering improved precision and shock resistance. The standout

feature is its shimmering ice-blue honeycomb dial—a nod to the

brand’s exclusive platinum colourway—adding depth and texture rarely

seen in dive watches. Limited to VIP clientele via the Rolex Dubai Mall

boutique, the model is currently offered on a wait-list basis. Combining

technical mastery and material luxury, it targets elite collectors seeking

rarity with substance. While its hefty USD 64,200 price tag positions it

as a grail-level acquisition, it represents one of the most discreet yet

opulent releases of the season. For those who appreciate subtle complexity

in haute horology, this timepiece is a defining statement.

HUBLOT BIG BANG

UNICO SUMMER

2025

Boldly engineered for summer 2025, the Hublot Big Bang Unico is back

in a vibrant two-tone ceramic case measuring 42 mm. With alternating

shades of deep azure and crisp white, the case structure evokes

Mediterranean coastlines and modern yacht aesthetics. Inside, the

HUB1280 flyback chronograph movement offers crisp functionality

with extended autonomy. Retailing at AED 96,000, this special edition

has been unveiled at a pop-up boutique in the Mall of the Emirates—a

nod to Hublot’s growing Middle Eastern clientele. The piece delivers

Hublot’s signature fusion ethos: progressive materials, modular construction,

and colour-forward design. With its limited distribution and

seasonally themed finish, the Summer 2025 edition sits at the intersection

of casual luxury and horological collectibility. Whether worn poolside

or paired with resort wear, it delivers a statement unlike any other

chrono in its class.


HUBLOT BIG

BANG MINT

GREEN CE-

RAMIC

Fresh and unapologetically unconventional,

the Hublot Big Bang Mint Green Ceramic

makes a compelling case for colour in fine

watchmaking. Introduced during Dubai

Watch Week and retailing for AED 88,000,

this pastel-hued 42 mm chronograph embraces

soft power aesthetics with technical

finesse. The UNICO movement ensures 72

hours of power reserve and offers a skeletonised

dial design that reveals its inner

workings beneath sapphire crystal. Mint

green ceramic—hard to manufacture and

even harder to perfect—brings a playful

yet premium touch. Available exclusively

through Ahmed Seddiqi and during Hublot’s

regional events, it appeals to collectors with

a taste for rare colourways and boutique-only

editions. Hublot continues to push boundaries,

and this timepiece proves that even

in a landscape of hyper-masculine chronos,

pastel can be powerful.

LUMINOX

ARABIA

LIMITED

EDITION

X2.2410.

UAE.N

The Luminox Arabia LE (X2.2410.UAE.N)

fuses tactical functionality with cultural

homage. Designed specifically for the Gulf

market, this 43 mm diver features Arabic

numerals, Tritium gas-tube illumination, and

a rugged carbon-reinforced case. It’s built

to endure the harshest environments while

honouring local identity. With a price of AED

2,300, it offers an accessible yet premium-feel

alternative for adventurers and military

enthusiasts alike. The Arabic dial layout

is a highlight, catering to regional preferences

while standing out globally. The watch is

distributed through Sharaf DG and Noon.

com, making it widely available across the

UAE. Perfect for collectors who value cultural

editions or wearers seeking a tool watch

with local flavour, this Luminox proves that

function and heritage can go hand-in-hand.

Limited in quantity and made for everyday

use, it’s a rugged essential for life in the

fast-moving urban or desert terrains.

SEIKO 1968

RECREATION

SRPK75J1

The Seiko 1968 Recreation SRPK75J1

blends heritage design with practical modernity

in a package tailored for regional

collectors. Featuring a retro diver silhouette

with a brushed stainless steel case, it channels

the spirit of the original 1968 Japanese

diver’s watch. What sets this model apart is

the Arabic day-wheel—an homage to Middle

Eastern watch enthusiasts—and the creamy

vintage lume markers. Priced attractively at

AED 1,660, it’s one of the most affordable

entries in this summer’s luxury segment.

Available via The Watch House and Seiko

Boutique DXB, the SRPK75J1 is accessible

yet meaningful. It offers authenticity, regional

relevance, and mechanical reliability in one

smart package. For new collectors or seasoned

Seiko fans, it’s a nostalgic timepiece

that bridges cultures while maintaining

Seiko’s dedication to functional precision.


87

ART

SHARJAH BIENNIAL 16

“TO CARRY” — THE GLOBAL SOUTH’S

CREATIVE MANIFESTO

Sharjah Biennial 16 represents a watershed moment in contemporary art, presenting

the most expansive Global South exhibition in the Gulf region’s history. Under the

theme “To Carry,” five visionary curators from across the Global South have orchestrated

an unprecedented cultural dialogue that positions the UAE as the definitive

bridge between East and West, while redefining how legacy and innovation intersect

in the modern creative economy.


The Curatorial Revolution: Five Voices,

One Vision

The 16th edition of Sharjah Biennial

marks a historic first with its all-female

curatorial team comprising Alia Swastika

(Yogyakarta), Amal Khalaf (London/Doha),

Megan Tamati-Quennell (Aotearoa New Zealand),

Natasha Ginwala (Colombo/Berlin),

and Zeynep Öz (Istanbul/New York)1. This

quintet has crafted what critics are calling

a “polyphonic exhibition methodology” that

challenges traditional Western-centric biennial

formats.

The curatorial framework centers on the

concept of “collective wayfinding”, a methodology

that asks fundamental questions

about what we carry when we migrate,

survive, or remain. As the curators explain

in their statement, “to carry” encompasses

everything from ancestral memory to political

formations, from wounds to resistance,

creating a bridge between “multiple temporalities

of embodied pasts and imagined

futures”.

Alia Swastika focuses on the interplay of

power, poetics, and politics while centering

women’s knowledge as foundational to

speculative futures through technological

intervention. Amal Khalaf proposes storytelling,

song, and divination as rituals for

collective learning and resistance during

times of crisis. Megan Tamati-Quennell

brings Indigenous Māori perspectives to

explore concepts of land, impermanence,

and reciprocity. Natasha Ginwala centers

littoral sites and water wells as reservoirs of

ancestral memory and sonic remembrance.

Zeynep Öz examines societal and economic

systems responding to accelerated technological

change.

Unprecedented Scale and Scope

Sharjah Biennial 16 represents the largest

edition in the exhibition’s 30-year history,

featuring over 650 artworks by nearly 200

artists, including more than 200 new commissions.

The exhibition spans 17 venues

across the emirate, extending from Sharjah

City to Al Hamriyah, Al Dhaid, Kalba, and Al

Madam, creating a coast-to-coast cultural

activation that transforms the entire emirate

into a living gallery.

The venues themselves embody the

UAE’s commitment to adaptive reuse and

heritage preservation. The Heart of Sharjah

heritage district, a $35 million restoration

project, serves as a primary exhibition space

alongside the brutalist Flying Saucer building

and the repurposed Kalba Ice Factory.

This strategic use of heritage sites demonstrates

how the biennial functions as both an

artistic platform and a cultural preservation

initiative.


89

ART

Stephanie Comilang (Philippines/Canada)

presents Search for Life II (2025), a

genre-defying exploration of pearl diving

economies that connects historical UAE

pearl trade with contemporary TikTok markets.

The work features a unique screen

constructed from thousands of pearls, embodying

the intersection of traditional craft

and digital innovation.

Aziz Hazara (Afghanistan) contributes I

Love Bagram (2025), a drone-shot elegy to

displaced homelands set in the Al Madam

desert village, where sand dunes engulf

abandoned buildings. The work powerfully

addresses themes of migration and loss that

resonate across the Global South.

Hugh Hayden (USA) presents Brier Patch

(2024), an installation of wooden school

desks from which tree branches grow, positioned

in the “ghost village” of Al Madam.

The work interrogates American educational

failures while suggesting possibilities for

growth in overlooked environments.

Michael Parekōwhai (New Zealand) contributes

He Kōrero Pūrākau mo Te Awanui o Te

Motu: Story of a New Zealand river (2011),

an elaborately carved playable Steinway

piano that invites musical communities to

perform, creating a living dialogue between

Indigenous craftsmanship and Western musical

traditions.

Chandralekha (India) is represented

through archival presentations of her revolutionary

choreography, with video documentation

shown for the first time. Her work,

which drew on Bharatanatyam, yoga, and

martial arts, positioned the body as a medium

for radical feminist inquiry.


Hoor Al Qasimi: The Visionary Behind the

Movement

At the center of this cultural transformation

stands Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, who has led

the Sharjah Biennial since 2003 and founded

the Sharjah Art Foundation in 2009. Under

her leadership, the biennial has evolved from

a regional exhibition to one of the world’s

most significant contemporary art platforms.

Al Qasimi’s approach emphasizes longterm

institution building over spectacle.

Rather than constructing new buildings, she

focuses on adaptive reuse of heritage structures,

creating a network of cultural venues

that preserve Sharjah’s architectural legacy

while serving contemporary artistic needs.

This methodology aligns perfectly with Magzoid’s

theme of “Legacy and Innovation,”

demonstrating how traditional forms can be

reimagined for contemporary purposes.

Her recent appointment as Artistic Director

of the 2026 Biennale of Sydney and the

2025 Aichi Triennale further solidifies her

position as a global cultural leader. In April

2025, she received France’s Order of Arts

and Letters, recognizing her contribution to

strengthening cultural ties between France

and the UAE.

The Creative Economy Infrastructure

Sharjah Biennial 16 occurs within a broader

UAE cultural economy strategy that targets

5% of national GDP by 2031. The recently

announced Sharjah Creative Quarter exemplifies

this commitment, featuring a dedicated

hub for fashion, jewelry, product design,

and handicrafts adjacent to the House of

Wisdom and American University of Sharjah.

The Creative Quarter, designed by Mexican

architectural firm Taller de Arquitectura,

will include the Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed

Al Qasimi Collection museum, Qasimi

Archives honoring the late Sheikh Khalid

Al Qasimi’s fashion legacy, and the Sharjah

Fashion Lab for emerging designers. This

infrastructure demonstrates how the biennial

functions as a catalyst for broader creative

economy development.

Dubai’s parallel success in attracting creative

industries investment reinforces the

UAE’s position as a Global South cultural

hub. In 2024, Dubai attracted 971 FDI projects

in cultural and creative industries, totaling

AED 18.86 billion and creating 23,517

new jobs. This achievement surpassed major

cities like London and Singapore, positioning

Dubai as the world’s leading destination

for creative industry investment.


91

ART

Global South Artistic Market Dynamics

The biennial’s focus on Global South artists

reflects broader shifts in the international art

market. Research indicates that artists from

the Global South have gained substantial

attention in auction markets, with emerging

artists showing unprecedented sales results

between 2020 and 2022. This diversification

has disrupted traditional Western power

structures, creating new possibilities for artists

from marginalized regions.

The Middle Eastern art market specifically

has experienced remarkable growth,

with auction turnover reaching $17.2 million

between March 2024 and March 2025, representing

a 67% year-on-year increase. Institutional

investments in galleries, museums,

and biennials have played a central role in

legitimizing the regional art scene.

Critical Reception and Cultural Impact

Critical reception of Sharjah Biennial 16 has

been overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers

praising its coherent curatorial vision

and meaningful engagement with global political

realities. The Art Newspaper noted that

the exhibition “regains its edge” through its

focus on non-Western communities and its

ability to create connections across cultural

boundaries.

The biennial’s emphasis on Indigenous

voices and marginalized communities has

been particularly celebrated. Critics have

noted the exhibition’s success in avoiding

the “spectacle” trap of many contemporary

biennials, instead focusing on sustained attention

to cultural contexts and ethical commitments.

Loophole magazine praised the exhibition’s

“slow, collective cartography of global

solidarities,” noting how it resisted Western

blockbuster models in favor of kinship, memory,

and resistance. The review highlighted

the biennial’s function as a “threshold space”

that serves as both vigil and laboratory for

artistic experimentation.


Heritage and Contemporary Design Integration

The biennial’s impact extends beyond fine

art into luxury design and cultural tourism.

The UAE’s designation as a UNESCO Creative

City of Crafts and Folk Art provides a

foundation for integrating traditional craftsmanship

with contemporary design practices.

The annual Sharjah Heritage Days festival

demonstrates how traditional weaving,

metalwork, and other crafts can be reimagined

for modern applications.

This integration is evident in the luxury

design sector, where regional studios are

translating biennial motifs, particularly pearl

geometries and falaj irrigation patterns, into

high-end residential and hospitality projects.

The connection between cultural heritage

and contemporary luxury reflects the UAE’s

broader strategy of positioning itself as a

bridge between tradition and innovation.

Technological Innovation and Cultural Dialogue

The biennial incorporates cutting-edge technology

to enhance visitor engagement while

preserving cultural authenticity. The Sharjah

Art Foundation’s new AR application overlays

exhibition maps onto the urban fabric,

allowing visitors to carry digital guides while

exploring historic neighborhoods. This technology

exemplifies how digital innovation

can support rather than replace traditional

cultural experiences.

The integration of technology with traditional

crafts is evident in works like those

by Hauptmeier | Recker (Germany), whose

Palms of Speculative Memories (2025)

uses sound poles to resurrect falaj irrigation

acoustics. This work demonstrates how contemporary

art can bridge hydrological heritage

with ecological futures.


93

ART

Educational and Community Engagement

The biennial’s educational programming

exemplifies its commitment to community

engagement and knowledge sharing. The

March Meeting (March 7-9, 2025) takes

place during Ramadan, featuring evening

conversations, performances, and communal

meals that explore the biennial’s themes.

This programming demonstrates cultural

sensitivity while maintaining international accessibility.

The inaugural April Acts (April 18-20,

2025) introduces a new weekend program

featuring panel discussions, artist talks,

workshops, film screenings, and live music

performances. These initiatives ensure that

the biennial’s impact extends beyond the art

world into broader community engagement.

Fashion and Design Intersections

The biennial’s influence on fashion and design

is particularly evident in the Sharjah Art

Foundation’s educational programming. The

workshop “Combine Fashion Design with

Sharjah History” invites young participants

to incorporate the emirate’s trading history

into contemporary fashion designs. This

program demonstrates how cultural heritage

can inform contemporary design practices.

The broader UAE fashion ecosystem reflects

this integration of tradition and innovation.

The Dubai Creative Economy Strategy

aims to double the creative industries’ GDP

contribution from 2.6% to 5% by 2025, with

fashion representing a key sector. This strategy

includes doubling the number of creative

companies from 8,300 to 15,000 and

creative workers from 70,000 to 140,000.


Regional Cultural Tourism Impact

The biennial’s impact on cultural tourism reflects

broader regional trends. The Middle

East and Africa generated over $3 billion in

art-linked tourism in 2024, with projections

indicating $3.6 billion by 2030. The UAE’s

investment of $5.3 billion in arts and culture

infrastructure positions it at the forefront of

this growth.

Art Dubai 2025, featuring over 120 galleries

and attracting 30,000 attendees, demonstrates

the region’s growing significance in

the global art market. The fair’s focus on

Global South artists and its strong sales

performance indicate sustainable growth in

regional cultural tourism.

Interior Design and Luxury Market Integration

The biennial’s aesthetic influence extends

into the luxury interior design market, where

collectors and designers are incorporating

works by participating artists into high-end

residential and commercial projects. This

integration demonstrates how contemporary

art can enhance living spaces while supporting

artist careers.

The UAE’s position as a luxury destination

creates opportunities for artists to engage

with collectors and interior designers seeking

culturally significant works. Legacy Art

Dubai and similar galleries facilitate these

connections, helping translate biennial discoveries

into luxury market success.


95

ART

Sustainable Development and Cultural

Heritage

The biennial’s commitment to sustainable

development is evident in its adaptive reuse

strategies and environmental consciousness.

The Heart of Sharjah restoration project,

targeting UNESCO World Heritage status,

exemplifies how cultural development

can preserve architectural heritage while

creating contemporary cultural spaces.

The use of sustainable materials in the

Sharjah Creative Quarter design, including

rammed earth construction, demonstrates a

commitment to environmental responsibility

while maintaining cultural authenticity. This

approach aligns with global sustainability

trends while respecting local building traditions.

Future Implications and Legacy

Sharjah Biennial 16 establishes a new paradigm

for international exhibitions, demonstrating

how Global South perspectives can

reshape contemporary art discourse. The

biennial’s success in attracting international

attention while maintaining cultural authenticity

provides a model for other regional

institutions.

The exhibition’s impact extends beyond

its four-month duration through ongoing

programming, educational initiatives, and

cultural tourism development. The Sharjah

Art Foundation’s announcement of new

photography galleries and the Al Majarrah

Park project indicates continued institutional

growth.

The biennial’s influence on regional cultural

policy is evident in the UAE’s National

Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries,

which positions creativity as central to economic

diversification. This strategy demonstrates

how successful cultural events can

catalyze broader policy development.


A New Cultural Paradigm

Sharjah Biennial 16 represents more than

an art exhibition; it embodies a fundamental

shift in how cultural institutions can bridge

tradition and innovation while challenging

Western-centric art world hierarchies. Under

the visionary leadership of Hoor Al Qasimi

and the creative direction of five Global

South curators, the biennial has created a

new model for international cultural dialogue.

The exhibition’s success in presenting

650+ artworks by 200 artists across 17

venues demonstrates that ambitious cultural

programming can coexist with heritage

preservation and community engagement.

The biennial’s emphasis on adaptive reuse,

technological integration, and educational

outreach provides a blueprint for sustainable

cultural development.

As the UAE continues its transformation

into a global cultural hub, Sharjah Biennial

16 stands as a testament to the power of

visionary leadership, strategic investment,

and authentic cultural dialogue. The exhibition’s

impact on fashion, design, tourism, and

cultural policy demonstrates how contemporary

art can serve as a catalyst for broader

economic and social transformation.

The biennial’s legacy extends far beyond

its June 2025 conclusion, establishing new

networks of cultural exchange, artistic collaboration,

and educational engagement

that will influence regional and global cultural

development for years to come. In demonstrating

how to “carry” cultural heritage into

contemporary contexts, the exhibition provides

a powerful model for how tradition and

innovation can coexist in the modern creative

economy.


97

9 – 11 September 2025

Riyadh Front Exhibition &

Conference Center

THE DEFINITIVE

SHOWCASE

FOR INTERIOR

DESIGN IN

SAUDI ARABIA

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