Swiss luxury watchmaker Vacheron Constantin launches Hekaya 1755 brand exhibition in Diriyah

Swiss luxury watchmaker Vacheron Constantin launches Hekaya 1755 brand exhibition in Diriyah
Guests can hold and closely examine the watches at the brand discovery experience. (Huda Bashatah/AN)
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Updated 06 March 2023

Swiss luxury watchmaker Vacheron Constantin launches Hekaya 1755 brand exhibition in Diriyah

Swiss luxury watchmaker Vacheron Constantin launches Hekaya 1755 brand exhibition in Diriyah

 RIYADH: Luxury Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin is hosting Hekaya 1755, an immersive brand discovery taking place in Diriyah, Riyadh, until March 8. 

The watchmaking maison, with nearly 270 years of expertise and continuous history, launched the private event to pay tribute to Saudi Arabia, combining haute watchmaking with Saudi heritage.




Guests can closely examine the watches at the brand discovery experience. (Huda Bashatah/AN)

The interactive journey invites guests to take a closer look at the leabl’s heritage and craftsmanship through various sections. 

“Hekaya” is an Arabic word meaning “tales,” which ties into Vacheron Constantin’s history of crafting luxury timepieces since 1755. 

According to organizers, this name encapsulates the purpose of the exhibition as it celebrates the maison’s long-standing relationship with the Kingdom also known as the land of stories due to its rich cultural heritage.

Christophe Ramel, regional director of Vacheron Constantin Middle East, said, “Hekaya 1755 celebrates fine watchmaking and the heritage shared between Vacheron Constantin and Saudi Arabia. Further strengthening the ties with the Kingdom, it provides guests with a deeper understanding of the Maison’s heritage, craftsmanship and technical excellence.”




The exhibit is divided into four areas which tell a story of the maison from different perspectives. (Huda Bashatah/AN)

The exhibit is divided into four areas which tell a story of the maison from different perspectives. 

The first room — “What do you see?” — is designed as an art exhibition where technical mastery meets craftsmanship and guests can hold and closely examine the watches alongside Saudi artist Saad Al-Howede’s art pieces.

The artwork reflects a journey of rediscovery of the homeland, from the Bedouin tents and mud houses to the modern urban renaissance and the traditional handcrafted Saudi outwear for men — the bisht with Zari seams.

This room also exhibits a caliber — a manual-winding mechanism — created by Vacheron Constantin at three hundred times its real size. This artwork gives guests the opportunity to visually understand the level of detail and complexity that is applied inside a timepiece. 

The second room, “Look Back,” offers a glimpse at the maison’s private museum from 1755 till 2005. It provides an opportunity for guests to discover some of the first timepieces created by the label and some exceptional timepieces produced for Middle Eastern clients. 

Some of these pieces include a replica of the first-ever pocket watch by the watch house’s founder Jean-Marc Vacheron in 1755.




A replica of the first-ever pocket watch by the maison founder Jean-Marc Vacheron in 1755. (Huda Bashatah/AN)

Other watches featured belong to the Vacheron Constantin Middle East Heritage collection, such as that made for the king of Saudi Arabia in 1957. Another is a special order made for King Hussein of Jordan in 1990.




A watch made for King Saud of Saudi Arabia in 1957. (Huda Bashatah/AN)

The “Look Closer” room provides guests with the opportunity to step into a watchmaker’s world and discover the intricate process of watchmaking.

Master watchermaker Gregory Arnould, who guided the watchmaking process, told Arab News that the process to assemble a watch takes an engineering team of watchmakers. 

“Everybody working on a watch have their own specialty. Throughout the process, it takes one watchmaker to make every single movement. From assembly to finishing, and decoration,” he added. 

Arnould added that for complicated timepieces, it can take about three months to assemble. 

Guests end the tour with a sunset gathering around the bonfire at Diriyah, the heart of Riyadh, with mocktails and canapes to pair. 


Emirati singer Balqees Fathi named a Maison Valentino ‘Di.Va.’ 

Emirati singer Balqees Fathi named a Maison Valentino ‘Di.Va.’ 
Updated 5 sec ago

Emirati singer Balqees Fathi named a Maison Valentino ‘Di.Va.’ 

Emirati singer Balqees Fathi named a Maison Valentino ‘Di.Va.’ 

DUBAI: Emirati singer Balqees Fathi has been given the title of Di.Va. by Italian luxury label Maison Valentino.  

Akin to a brand ambassador, creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli’s chosen Di.Vas personify the labels’ “different values.” 

“The contemporary need to identify, to belong yet feel different, to risk and to feel strength. The modern DI.VA is a complex character of codes, upheld by inner values,” the brand previously explained on Instagram. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Balqees (@balqeesfathi)

Fathi took to Instagram to share the news with her 14.9 million followers. “I am proud to announce that I am a @maisonvalentino Di.Va. for the Middle East,” she wrote. “To me, it means being part of a community that shares my same values, and with every Valentino piece I wear, I feel liberated and in unconditional love with myself.” 

Before working with the label, the “Ya Hawa” singer was one of the brand’s loyal clients.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Valentino (@maisonvalentino)

In July, she tuned heads at the brand’s Fall-Winter Haute Couture show in Rome that was held on the steps of the historic Piazza di Spagna. 

She wore a pink creation from Valentino’s Pink PP Collection by Pierpaolo Piccioli to the show titled “Valentino The Beginning.” 

It was not the first time Fathi was spotted in Valentino. She wore an elegant all-white ensemble from the designer’s Rendez-Vouz collection back in March 2022 — a white silk shirt paired with a blazer and pants set that was an instant hit among fashion lovers on social media.  


Iraqi artist Rand Abdul Jabbar awarded Richard Mille Art Prize at Louvre Abu Dhabi

Iraqi artist Rand Abdul Jabbar awarded Richard Mille Art Prize at Louvre Abu Dhabi
Updated 2 min 57 sec ago

Iraqi artist Rand Abdul Jabbar awarded Richard Mille Art Prize at Louvre Abu Dhabi

Iraqi artist Rand Abdul Jabbar awarded Richard Mille Art Prize at Louvre Abu Dhabi

DUBAI: Iraqi artist Rand Abdul Jabbar has been awarded this year’s $60,000 Richard Mille Art Prize in a ceremony held at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

The award, held jointly by the museum with Swiss watchmaking brand Richard Mille, was given to the multidisciplinary artist who lives in Abu Dhabi.

The artist won for “Earthly Wonders, Celestial Beings” (2019–ongoing),  which was put on show during the Art Here 2022 exhibition in October.

 “I am grateful to be recognized amongst a group of peers for whom I have deep respect and admiration. The Richard Mille Art Prize represents a significant investment in the growth and development of an artist’s practice, instilling both the capacity and drive to forge ahead in their pursuit. I would like to thank Louvre Abu Dhabi and Richard Mille for their generous support, and acknowledge the esteemed jury for their trust,” Jabbar said in a released statement.

To date, the artist has had her work exhibited at Shubbak Festival (UK), SAVVY Contemporary (Germany), Rabat Biennale (Morocco), Biennale d’Architecture d’Orléans (France), Abu Dhabi Art, Jameel Arts Centre, NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, and Warehouse 421 (UAE).

The museum also revealed the theme for the upcoming third edition of the Richard Mille Art Prize as “Transparency.” Curated by Maya El Khalil, the open call for the upcoming edition will begin on March 30.


Sharon Stone shows off gown by Saudi designer Yousef Akbar at Beverly Hills gala event 

Sharon Stone shows off gown by Saudi designer Yousef Akbar at Beverly Hills gala event 
Updated 21 March 2023

Sharon Stone shows off gown by Saudi designer Yousef Akbar at Beverly Hills gala event 

Sharon Stone shows off gown by Saudi designer Yousef Akbar at Beverly Hills gala event 

DUBAI: Saudi designer Yousef Akbar has added another Hollywood star to his client list —Sharon Stone.  

The Oscar-winning US actress wore an embellished green dress designed by Akbar to the 2023 Women’s Cancer Research Fund Gala this week.  

Her dress, which was clinched at the waist, featured half-satin and half-sparkling fabric with built-in gloves. Stone accessorized her look with a metallic gold clutch.  

The star received the 2023 Courage Award for her support of breast cancer research and dedication to raising awareness for the cause.  

Upon taking the stage, Stone said: “So often things that start with women get overlooked completely, and I am so grateful to stand for something that doesn’t.” 

The event, which took place in the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Beverly Hills, raised over $2 million to benefit the Women’s Cancer Research Fund, a program of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation that is dedicated to ending disease by advancing research across the globe.


‘It will blow your mind,’ US actor Rob Lowe says of Egypt trip

‘It will blow your mind,’ US actor Rob Lowe says of Egypt trip
Updated 21 March 2023

‘It will blow your mind,’ US actor Rob Lowe says of Egypt trip

‘It will blow your mind,’ US actor Rob Lowe says of Egypt trip

DUBAI: US actor Rob Lowe is the latest Hollywood celebrity to visit Egypt.  

The filmmaker and podcast host shared pictures from his trip to the country this week. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rob Lowe (@roblowe)

“Spent some quality time in this tomb today with the boy king himself! Tutankhamen’s body was only unwrapped last year,” Lowe wrote to his 1.9 million followers, sharing a picture of himself inside the tomb.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rob Lowe (@roblowe)

He also posed for pictures in front of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids of Giza.  

“Nothing can prepare you for Egypt. No matter how many photos you’ve seen or books you’ve read, it will blow your mind. And the people were amazing,” the actor wrote on Instagram.  

Lowe is not the only celebrity to visit Egypt in recent years. He is joined by John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, Kourtney Kardashian, Will Smith, Jason Derulo and more.


Bella Hadid champions up-and-coming Egyptian designer in Las Vegas 

Bella Hadid champions up-and-coming Egyptian designer in Las Vegas 
Updated 21 March 2023

Bella Hadid champions up-and-coming Egyptian designer in Las Vegas 

Bella Hadid champions up-and-coming Egyptian designer in Las Vegas 

DUBAI: US Dutch Palestinian supermodel Bella Hadid this week stepped out in a hot red dress by emerging Egyptian designer Amy Shehab as she attended the grand opening of Stanton Social Prime restaurant at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.  

The “Buckle” dress is form-fitting, with a flowy skirt, and has a belt tied around the waist with a square metal buckle. It is off-the-shoulder and features asymmetric draped sleeves.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Bella (@bellahadid)

The designer, who is also followed by Argentinian model Georgina Rodriguez on social media, took to Instagram to share pictures and videos of Hadid at the event.  

The supermodel wore black stiletto heels and kept her brunette hair curly.  

At the opening, Hadid promoted Kin Euphorics, the non-alcoholic drinks and spirits brand she co-founded with Jen Batchelor.