If you need to know the price ... you can’t afford it

A Sotheby's employee displays the 10.03-carat 'Mediterranean Blue' diamond ring during a preview ahead of a public exhibition in Abu Dhabi on April 8, 2025. (AFP)
A Sotheby's employee displays the 10.03-carat 'Mediterranean Blue' diamond ring during a preview ahead of a public exhibition in Abu Dhabi on April 8, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 09 April 2025
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If you need to know the price ... you can’t afford it

If you need to know the price ... you can’t afford it
  • Rare blue diamond valued at $20m goes on display in Abu Dhabi before auction next month
  • The blue diamond will also be showcased in Taipei, Hong Kong and New York before its exhibition and sale in Geneva in mid-May

ABU DHABI: A rare blue diamond valued at $20 million went on pre-auction display on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi.
The 10-carat Mediterranean Blue, which will go on sale in Geneva next month, is the showpiece of a collection estimated at $100 million.
“Included in the group are the largest flawless diamond in the world ... the second-largest red diamond known to exist and several diamonds over 100 carats,” Sotheby’s auction house said.




The 102.60-carat round white diamond (R) is displayed alongside the 40.29-carat radiant-cut fancy light pink diamond ring during a preview before a public exhibition in Abu Dhabi on April 8, 2025. (AFP)

The polished stones were on display in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island cultural district on Tuesday next to lavish jewelry, including a white-diamond encrusted necklace featuring a 100.26-carat pear-shaped brown diamond pendant.
The blue diamond will also be showcased in Taipei, Hong Kong and New York before its exhibition and sale in Geneva in mid-May.
“At the top of the rarity pyramid are blue diamonds,” said Quig Bruning, head of jewels for Sotheby’s in North America, Europe and the Middle East.
“Diamonds of exceptional color and size are by definition wonders of nature that seldom occur, so their presence at auctions can only be infrequent.
“Such diamonds were rarer than usual on the market in the past year or so, which makes the sale of the Mediterranean Blue an even more exciting event.”

 


Amal Clooney stuns in black at Cannes Film Festival

Amal Clooney stuns in black at Cannes Film Festival
Updated 17 May 2025
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Amal Clooney stuns in black at Cannes Film Festival

Amal Clooney stuns in black at Cannes Film Festival

DUBAI: Lebanese British human rights lawyer Amal Clooney made a head-turning appearance at the 78th Cannes Film Festival this week, wearing a black gown by British designer John Galliano.

Clooney attended the premiere of “Bono: Stories of Surrender” in a sleek, off-the-shoulder dress featuring a fitted bodice with subtle draping and a floor-length skirt with a gentle train. She completed the look with a black clutch and Cartier statement earrings, styling her hair in soft, voluminous waves.

On the red carpet, Clooney was joined by U2 guitarist the Edge and frontman Bono, the subject of “Bono: Stories of Surrender.”

Amal Clooney made a head-turning appearance at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. (Getty Images)

The black-and-white film, directed by Andrew Dominik, adapts Bono’s 2022 memoir “Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story” and his one-man stage show of the same name.

Set to some of U2’s most iconic tracks, Bono opens up about the tragedy that marked his childhood, with his mother Iris collapsing and dying at her own father’s funeral when the singer was 14.

His father, Brendan “Bob” Hewson, already a man of few words, retreated into shock, anger and depression.

Clooney was joined by U2 guitarist the Edge (L) and frontman Bono (R) on the red carpet. (Getty Images)

The film is also a love letter to the singer’s wife, Ali Hewson, who he met when they were both 15, the same fateful day U2 was formed in a Dublin school. The film streams on Apple TV+ from May 30.

Bono, who has spent decades fighting for more aid to Africa and to lift the debt burden from poor countries, told the audience at the premiere that the world is again being threatened by fascism as it was when the festival was set up in 1939.

“Mussolini and the little man with a moustache, and his mate Goebbels had taken over the Venice Film Festival, so this festival was set up to fight fascism,” the singer said.

“It took it until 1946 (for the festival to get going) but it stands for that freedom now.”

He said that Hollywood star Sean Penn — a vocal advocate for Ukraine — had “brought us some friends from the actual trenches, from the front line in Ukraine, and they’re here tonight.

“I just want to thank you because you’re keeping us free,” Bono added to loud cheers.


Princess Reema chooses Honayda design for Trump’s departure from Riyadh

Princess Reema chooses Honayda design for Trump’s departure from Riyadh
Updated 15 May 2025
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Princess Reema chooses Honayda design for Trump’s departure from Riyadh

Princess Reema chooses Honayda design for Trump’s departure from Riyadh

DUBAI: As US President Donald Trump concluded his visit to Saudi Arabia and departed for Qatar, Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, again wore a creation by Saudi designer Honayda Serafi.

For the occasion, Princess Reema chose a light pink ensemble consisting of a long, flowing dress paired with a structured overcoat. The overcoat featured a soft floral pattern, with delicate embroidery scattered across its surface. The look was completed with a matching light pink headscarf. 

The outfit followed her look from the day before, when she wore a bespoke royal blue abaya by Serafi during Trump’s official welcome in Riyadh. 

The floor-length abaya featured detailed gold embroidery. The symmetrical patterns extended across the bodice and sleeves, while smaller gold motifs were scattered throughout the lower part of the garment. The look was completed with a matching blue headscarf.

Honayda Serafi, founder of Honayda, posted a statement about Princess Reema’s appearance on Instagram, saying: “I am so pleased and deeply proud to see HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar, our remarkable Saudi Ambassador to the United States, standing as a symbol of strength, progress and leadership, as one of the first women to break barriers and champion women’s empowerment. 

“It is a special moment to see her shine as she welcomes President Trump on his historic visit to Riyadh, wearing a bespoke piece by Honayda for this significant occasion. I look forward to sharing more about the inspiration behind this design,” she added. 

Serafi is known for dressing prominent figures in the Middle East and the rest of the world. Celebrities who have worn her designs include Priyanka Chopra, Lupita Nyong’o and Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein of Jordan.  

She is a favorite of Saudi-born Princess Rajwa and dressed the royal for her henna night festivities in 2023 and for Jordanian King Abdullah II’s silver jubilee celebrations in Amman in 2024.

After leaving Riyadh, Trump is visiting Doha, Qatar, for meetings with Qatari leadership. After this stop, he is scheduled to travel to the UAE, where discussions will continue on economic cooperation, defense partnerships and regional security.


Arab stars, designers shine at the Cannes Film Fest

Arab stars, designers shine at the Cannes Film Fest
Updated 14 May 2025
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Arab stars, designers shine at the Cannes Film Fest

Arab stars, designers shine at the Cannes Film Fest
  • Bella Hadid, Shanina Shaik among top models
  • Dresses by designers Zuhair Murad, Elie Saab

DUBAI: Arab stars and designers made a strong appearance at the 78th Cannes Film Festival this week, with supermodels Bella Hadid and Shanina Shaik in black gowns and Heidi Klum wearing a voluminous dress by Elie Saab.

Guests arrived at the festival’s opening in a variety of statement designs.

Hadid appeared with a new blonde hair color. (Getty Images)

Hadid, who is American, Dutch and Palestinian, appeared with a new blonde hair color. She wore a black floor-length gown with a draped asymmetrical neckline, fitted silhouette, high slit and low back.

She accessorized with statement earrings from Chopard, set with green gemstones, along with a matching ring.

Shanina Shaik wore a black strapless gown featuring a structured bodice. (Getty Images)

Shaik, the Australia-born model of Saudi, Pakistani and Lithuanian descent, wore a black strapless gown featuring a structured bodice made of smooth, matte fabric.

The dress included a wide, embellished peplum detail at the hips, covered in crystals and beads. The skirt was made of sheer, glittering fabric decorated with teardrop-shaped embellishments and extended into a small train.

Klum chose a pink gown from Saab’s collection “The 1001 Season of Elie Saab,” that was presented in Riyadh.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Heidi Klum (@heidiklum)

The strapless dress was designed with layered pink fabric shaped like large petals. It featured a high front slit and a long train, with the petal-like layers covering the entire gown from bodice to floor.

Lebanese couturier Zuhair Murad also had a presence on the red carpet.

Brazilian supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio wore a strapless gown in metallic green fabric by Murad. The dress had a sweetheart neckline, draped detailing gathered at the waist and a thigh-high slit. She paired it with matching green textured sleeves.

Arab stars attending the event included Egyptian actress Amina Khalil, Lebanese actress Nadine Nassib Njeim, Lebanese reality TV personality Alice Abdel Aziz and presenter Raya Abirached.

Khalil wore a light pink gown by Lebanese designer Rami Kadi, featuring a fitted bodice with a halter-style neckline. The dress included a tiered skirt decorated with multiple layers of feathered trims.

Njeim opted for a light pink gown by Tamara Ralph. (Getty Images)

Njeim also opted for a light pink gown by Tamara Ralph. The strapless dress featured a draped neckline and a fitted, corset-style bodice. The waist was accented with a decorative embellishment shaped like a flower.

She completed the look with jewelry from MARLI New York’s high jewelry collection, specifically the CLEO Sculpt pieces.


Princess Reema bint Bandar wears Honayda design to welcome President Trump to Saudi Arabia

Princess Reema bint Bandar wears Honayda design to welcome President Trump to Saudi Arabia
Updated 14 May 2025
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Princess Reema bint Bandar wears Honayda design to welcome President Trump to Saudi Arabia

Princess Reema bint Bandar wears Honayda design to welcome President Trump to Saudi Arabia

DUBAI: Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US, wore a bespoke creation by Saudi designer Honayda Serafi during President Donald Trump’s visit to Riyadh.

The ensemble consisted of a royal blue floor-length abaya with detailed gold embroidery. The symmetrical patterns extended across the bodice and sleeves, while smaller gold motifs were scattered throughout the lower part of the garment. The dignitary’s look was completed with a matching blue headscarf.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by HONAYDA (@honaydaofficial)

Honayda Serafi, founder of Honayda, shared a statement on Princess Reema’s appearance on Instagram, saying: “I am so pleased and deeply proud to see HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar, our remarkable Saudi Ambassador to the United States, standing as a symbol of strength, progress and leadership, as one of the first women to break barriers and champion women’s empowerment. 

“It is a special moment to see her shine as she welcomes President Trump on his historic visit to Riyadh, wearing a bespoke piece by Honayda for this significant occasion. I look forward to sharing more about the inspiration behind this design,” she added. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Reema B Al-Saud (@rbsalsaud)

Serafi is known for dressing prominent figures across the Middle East and the rest of the world. Celebrities who have worn her designs include Priyanka Chopra, Lupita Nyong’o and Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein of Jordan.  

She is a favorite of Saudi-born Princess Rajwa and dressed the royal for her henna night festivities in in 2023 and for Jordanian King Abdullah II’s silver jubilee celebrations in Amman in 2024.

The ensemble consisted of a royal blue floor-length abaya with detailed gold embroidery. (Instagram)

Meanwhile, Princess Reema’s participation in Trump’s visit highlighted the long-standing partnership between Saudi Arabia and the US. Writing in The Washington Times this week, she described the visit as “a moment pivotal for global peace, security and prosperity.

“Today, as the world navigates new challenges and conflicts, that partnership is more critical than ever,” she said.

Princess Reema, who presented her credentials to Trump in 2019 when assuming her role as ambassador, said the two nations’ alliance was “not just history; it is a reimagined future.”


Jessica Kahawaty launches jewelry label with her father 

Jessica Kahawaty launches jewelry label with her father 
Updated 13 May 2025
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Jessica Kahawaty launches jewelry label with her father 

Jessica Kahawaty launches jewelry label with her father 

DUBAI: Lebanese Australian model and entrepreneur Jessica Kahawaty this week launched her own fine jewelry brand, Kahawaty Jewels, alongside her father, master jeweler Ghassan Kahawaty. 

Based in Dubai, the brand is a continuation of their family’s long-standing tradition in jewelry craftsmanship.

Kahawaty Jewels debuted with the Octagon collection, a design inspired by the number eight, which holds deep family significance, Jessica said. (Supplied)

“I grew up watching my father in his jewelry trade. I saw how happy he made people when he created these beautiful pieces,” Jessica told Arab News. “I’ve always wanted to continue my father’s legacy and my grandfather’s trade. I felt like this is the perfect time to launch Kahawaty Jewels in Dubai, which is a city I’ve been in for over 13 years.”

For Jessica, building the brand with her father has been a meaningful journey. “He’s the only man I trust when it comes to diamonds and jewelry. He has an impeccable eye for detail and quality,” she added. “He has the most incredible craftsmanship. So, I learned so much from him, and launching this with my father feels like a true partnership.”

Kahawaty Jewels debuted with the Octagon collection, a design inspired by the number eight, which holds deep family significance, Jessica said. Jessica was born and her father took over the family business in 1988. The eight-sided motif also symbolizes infinity, Jessica added. 

Jessica describes the brand’s aesthetic as “incredibly timeless, yet modern and wearable.” She added: “It is for the woman who loves craftsmanship and loves to feel like she’s wearing jewelry that stands out yet, you know, she can kind of keep it for many years to come.”

Based in Dubai, the brand is a continuation of their family’s long-standing tradition in jewelry craftsmanship. (Supplied)

Beyond the Octagon collection, Kahawaty Jewels features additional lines such as Art Deco, Floral and Classic collections, offering a variety of engagement rings, glitzy necklaces and tennis bracelets. Each piece is crafted with GIA-certified natural diamonds sourced globally and produced in ateliers across Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai.

 The approach focuses on offering detailed consultations and explaining the craftsmanship behind each piece, reflecting the brand’s family-run nature, Jessica said.