Tag: luxury fashion

Fit & Fabulous

Saudi Arabia Unveils the ‘Dubai Dress’: World’s Heaviest 24-Carat Gold Dress Worth ₹9.65 Crore

Tanisha Cardozo

Saudi Arabia has redefined the limits of luxury and artistry with the unveiling of the Dubai Dress — a magnificent 24-carat gold creation worth ₹9.65 crore. Designed and crafted by Al Romaizan, one of the Kingdom’s leading gold and jewellery brands, the masterpiece has officially earned the Guinness World Record for being the heaviest gold dress in the world.

Weighing over 10 kilograms (around 22 pounds), the Dubai Dress is a stunning fusion of craftsmanship, heritage, and innovation. Adorned with radiant precious stones and paired with a full suite of gold accessories — including a crown, earrings, necklace, and the traditional waist ornament known as Hiyar — the ensemble exemplifies grandeur in its purest form. The necklace alone weighs nearly 9 kilograms, adding to the extraordinary craftsmanship that defines this creation.

Drawing inspiration from traditional Emirati culture, the intricate design features fine carvings and patterns that pay homage to the UAE’s artistic legacy. The elaborate crown and extended gold bracelet highlight the precision and attention to detail that went into crafting this record-breaking piece.

The Dubai Dress made its dazzling debut at the 56th Middle East Watch and Jewellery Show in Sharjah — the region’s largest jewellery exhibition — featuring over 500 exhibitors and nearly 1,800 artisans from around the world. The event marked a defining moment for both Saudi Arabia and the UAE in showcasing their growing influence in the global jewellery industry.

“This masterpiece represents the UAE’s vision to lead globally and showcases Dubai as a premier destination for gold and jewellery enthusiasts, while celebrating the distinctive creativity of Emirati artisans,” said Mohsen Al Dhaibani, Deputy Manager at Al Romaizan Gold.

He added, “By setting this record, we are sending a message to the world: the UAE can seamlessly blend tradition with innovation, securing its place at the forefront of the global gold and jewellery industry.”

With the Dubai Dress, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have not only captured global attention but also reaffirmed their commitment to preserving cultural identity through modern expression — setting a new gold standard in fashion and craftsmanship.

International

Michael Rider Revives Celine with Playful Edge in Paris Debut

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

Paris, July 2025 – All eyes were on Celine this Sunday as the French luxury fashion house unveiled the debut collection of newly appointed creative director Michael Rider, who took the reins following Hedi Slimane’s departure last October. Hosted at Celine’s intimate atelier near the Tuileries Garden, the runway show redefined expectations—and set a bold new tone for the storied brand.

The show was attended by A-listers including Naomi Watts and Kim Taehyung (V of BTS), whose appearance marked one of his first public outings since completing military service. But the real star of the evening was Rider’s daring take on the Celine legacy.

Having worked under Phoebe Philo during her reign at Celine, Rider was expected by many to usher in a return to her minimalist, intellectual style. Instead, he flipped expectations on their head with tight skinny jeans, super-slim trousers, and sharp silhouettes—signatures more aligned with Hedi Slimane, the man who doubled Celine’s revenue to €2.5 billion before stepping down.

But this wasn’t just Slimane redux. Rider layered in his own eclectic touches: bright V-neck sweaters, Oxford shirts, and striped school ties, all styled with a confident, almost collegiate ease. Eveningwear was sharp and restrained—black, tailored, and clean.

If one thing made a definitive statement, it was the accessories. From chunky bangles and oversized chain necklaces to stacked rings and quirky keyrings shaped like dice and Eiffel Towers, Rider proved he’s not afraid of fun.

“I would never want to be perceived as cynical,” Rider told reporters after the show. “Having a sense of humour in the luxury space is a beautiful thing.”

Celine’s legacy bags also got the Rider remix: massive woven totes, sleek logo pouches, and subtle plays on the Celine logo—something Rider seems especially fascinated by.

“Logos are fascinating to me,” he said. “They can move from something really tasteful to something quite the opposite. They carry energy. They can mean many things.”

While Rider has clearly borrowed some of Slimane’s commercial instincts, he has done so with a wink. This wasn’t a return to old Celine, nor was it a full continuation of Slimane’s slick edge. Instead, Rider introduced something fresh: structured rebellion with an underlying sense of play.

Fashion critics are already calling it a clever fusion of refinement and irreverence, setting up Rider as a creative force to watch not just at Celine, but in luxury fashion at large.

International

Dior Faces Backlash for Not Crediting India’s Mukaish Embroidery in $200,000 Coat

allycaralgoa

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

In the wake of Prada’s controversy over Kolhapuri chappals, another global fashion giant, Dior, is now facing heat for failing to credit India for a traditional embroidery technique featured in one of its newest couture pieces.

The luxury fashion house unveiled a $200,000 gold and ivory houndstooth coat at Paris Fashion Week as part of designer Jonathan Anderson’s debut collection for Dior. The event, attended by high-profile celebrities like Rihanna, Daniel Craig, and Robert Pattinson, was celebrated for its craftsmanship — but has since drawn criticism for cultural insensitivity.

The issue? The embroidery technique used in the opulent coat is believed to be Mukaish, an intricate hand embroidery style from Lucknow, India, known for using metallic threads to create shimmering motifs. Despite the garment reportedly taking 34 days to complete, no mention of “Mukaish” or its Indian roots was made in Dior’s promotional material or runway notes.

The oversight was highlighted by fashion analyst Hanan Besnovic, who runs the popular Instagram page @ideaservecouture. In a now-viral post, he broke down the craftsmanship behind the coat and stated:

“This is a traditional Indian hand embroidery technique… yet nowhere has Dior acknowledged its origin. This is about credit. This is about cultural respect.”

The backlash has reignited debates around cultural appropriation in fashion, where Western labels often incorporate traditional or indigenous art forms without proper acknowledgment or benefit to the original creators.

Fashion lovers, designers, and Indian artisans alike have taken to social media to express frustration, noting that such oversight erases cultural history and overlooks the skilled craftspeople keeping these traditions alive.

Critics argue that Dior missed an opportunity to spotlight India’s rich embroidery heritage — particularly Mukaish, which dates back centuries and has been passed down through generations of artisans in Uttar Pradesh.

The incident comes at a time when global conversations around ethical fashion, sustainability, and cultural sensitivity are louder than ever. As Indian textiles and techniques continue to inspire luxury fashion globally, many are calling for transparency, collaboration, and fair credit.

Whether Dior responds to the controversy remains to be seen, but the message from critics is loud and clear: Acknowledgement matters.

Entertainment

PIL Filed Against Prada Over Kolhapuri-Inspired Footwear: Petitioners Demand Apology & Compensation

allycaralgoa

New Delhi, July 3, 2025 — Luxury fashion label Prada has landed in legal hot water in India after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Delhi High Court accusing the brand of cultural appropriation. The controversy erupted after the Italian fashion house launched a sandal design bearing a striking resemblance to India’s iconic Kolhapuri chappals.

The PIL, filed by a collective of craft advocacy groups and legal activists, calls for:

  • A formal public apology from Prada
  • Compensation for affected artisan communities in Maharashtra
  • An immediate halt to further sales and marketing of the product

🧵 What Sparked the Backlash?

Prada’s recently released footwear — marketed as a “heritage leather sandal” — bears multiple design elements traditionally found in Kolhapuri chappals, including:

  • The distinctive T-strap and toe-ring design
  • Handcrafted leatherwork resembling patterns from Maharashtra’s Kolhapur region
  • A minimalist, open-toe construction

Despite this, the product made no mention of its Indian origins or the artisans who have preserved and passed down the Kolhapuri style for generations.

“This is not just about a shoe,” said one of the petitioners. “It’s about erasure of heritage and denial of rightful credit and benefits to indigenous craftsmen.”

👣 Kolhapuri Chappals: A Cultural Symbol

The Kolhapuri chappal, handcrafted by artisans from the Kolhapur district in Maharashtra, is protected under India’s Geographical Indication (GI) tag and is regarded as a symbol of traditional Indian craftsmanship.

Artisan networks and local cooperatives across Maharashtra and Karnataka have worked tirelessly to revive and sustain this form of heritage footwear in domestic and international markets.

“It is deeply disrespectful for a global luxury brand to lift our design without acknowledgment,” said a spokesperson from the Kolhapuri Artisan Federation.

⚖️ Legal and Ethical Questions

The PIL raises broader questions about intellectual property, ethical design, and fair trade, especially when it comes to global brands capitalizing on traditional knowledge without giving due credit.

The petitioners have urged the court to direct Prada to:

  • Include proper labelling and attribution in future collections
  • Create a royalty-based model for Indian artisans if such designs are reproduced commercially
  • Fund community-based artisan development programs

🗨️ What’s Next?

The Delhi High Court has sought responses from Prada’s legal representatives and scheduled the next hearing for later this month. Legal experts say this could set a precedent in cultural appropriation and GI protection law in India.

Meanwhile, the controversy has gone viral on social media, with hashtags like #KolhapuriNotPrada and #RespectHandmade trending as users rally behind Indian artisans.

🧵 Conclusion

As the case unfolds, it reignites the conversation around ethical fashion and the importance of recognizing traditional craftsmanship in the global design ecosystem. Whether Prada responds with reform or resistance remains to be seen — but for now, all eyes are on the courtroom and the cobbler’s bench.