Bvlgari Cuore Collection
The Italian phrase "del mio cuore" or "of my heart" is the inspiration behind Bvlgari's new Cuore collection, which seeks to capture the romance and passion of Rome - the eternal city of love and the birthplace of Bvlgari. The Cuore collection celebrates that most intimate of symbols - the heart - with a fresh and modern design interpretation. Accordingly, it features two pink-gold pendants, a dramatic sautoir with a mother-of-pearl pendant and a "flip" ring (pictured). The heart of the pendant comes in four versions: full pavé, with a hint of pavé, with or without the logo, or as a simple pink-gold structure. The double-sided mother-of-pearl hearts on the sautoir are suspended within three rows of pink-gold chains in different lengths, while the ring holds a heart that can flip to display either the diamonds or the logo. Gorgeous, any way you look at it.
IWC Year of the Portugieser
The Swiss luxury watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen has had an eventful history since its launch in 1868, with the Portugieser, created in 1940, largely recognised as the first big wristwatch. In 2015, IWC celebrates the timepiece's 75th year with a collection that boasts technological and design modifications in two new and six improved Portugieser references. The highlight of the IWC Year of the Portugieser is the newly designed in-house 52000 calibre, available in four models. The Annual Calendar (pictured), IWC's first for this year, was unveiled at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2015 last month. The month, date and day are shown in separate semicircular windows at 12 o'clock, while the date-switching mechanism is able to take the differing lengths of individual months into account. Marking an important design change, the sporty Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph has a smaller case diameter and slimmer, more elegant strap - perfect for everyday use. Connoisseurs of precision watchmaking will delight in the collection's Portugieser Minute Repeater, with its sophisticated complications, and the Portugieser Tourbillon Hand-Wound, with its filigree whirlwind. The 2015 version of the limited-edition Portugieser Grande Complication - with a perpetual calendar, perpetual moon phase display and minute repeater - now comes with a clearer, more composed dial, with the engraving on the back of the case taking the form of a compass rose. Five models in the latest collection feature an arched-edge sapphire glass, while the luxurious alligator leather straps are made by the Italian shoe manufacturer Santoni.
Chance by Chanel
Chanel revisits one of its most popular floral fragrances, Chance, to create three travel-format editions. The 35ml bottles come in yellow, green and pink versions, each created to match varying moods. Chance Eau de Parfum is more intense than the original jasmine-inspired Chance Eau de Toilette - with accompanying notes of spicy pink pepper and warm amber patchouli. The green Chance Eau Fraîche combines citron and teak for a sense of spicy woodiness and refreshing lemon, while the pink Chance Eau Tendre (pictured) is more fruity, with white musk and grapefruit-quince. Also available in 50ml, 100ml and 150ml sprays, the trio retains a jasmine base, a soothing aroma that also extends to Chanel's new Chance Hair Mist and Moisturising Body Cream.
Rodarte for The Rug Company
For 10 years, the two sisters behind Rodarte, Kate and Laura Mulleavy, have created head-turning ready-to-wear collections for the runway, as well as custom-made pieces for stars such as Natalie Portman. But the California-born sisters haven't stopped there. Over the past several years they have embarked on a number of side projects, including a short-film collaboration, and their latest endeavour is a collection of rugs for The Rug Company. Drawing on their experience of the west coast of the United States, the collection is in part influenced by northern California and Arizona's Death Valley. The Cobalt Motif rug - one of our favourites - is hand-knitted and made of Tibetan wool and silk.
Bil Arabi men's jewellery
When Nadine Kanso, the Dubai-based Lebanese-born photographer, artist and jewellery designer, launched Bil Arabi in 2006, she sought to combine her love for her mother tongue and its eye-pleasing fonts with her penchant for jewellery design. The brand has grown from her first handcrafted typography-inspired ring to include earrings, bangles and pendants - each creation imbibing the lyricism of calligraphy. This year, Kanso joined forces with the Lebanese designer Samer Al Ameen to launch Bil Arabi's first collection for men - a jewellery line in silver and stainless steel that consists of necklaces, bracelets, cufflinks and rings. The letters in each pattern take on a more linear and structured aesthetic, rendering them at once more modern and masculine. The pieces are innovative in their use of the Arabic alphabet and the contemporary shapes ensure they are wearable with western or national dress.
With input from Ashley Lane
pmunyal@thenational.ae
