Black Book: Dolce & Gabbana in Diriyah, L'Afshar x Samsung, a Missoni beach club and Garrard's Dubai pop-up

This week's guide to the finer things in life also includes the new IWC Schaffhausen Ingenieur Automatic 40 watch

Dolce & Gabbana's new store and cafe in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Dolce & Gabbana

Every week, The National's Luxury magazine team puts together Black Book, a cheat sheet of the most interesting and noteworthy arrivals in fashion, watches, jewellery and cars.

L'Afshar collaborates with Samsung on the FlipSide collection

L'Afshar's collaboration with Samsung is designed to hold the Galaxy Z Flip6. Photo: L'Afshar

Dubai company L’Afshar (whose boxy Ida bag found a fan in Beyonce) has collaborated with Samsung to create the FlipSide collection – two bags perfectly sized to hold the Galaxy Z Flip6 phone. Aimed at Gen Z, the Mini Leora comes in signature clear perspex and the Lyna is an opaque option in white, blue, lemon yellow and green.

Mini Leora bag Dh2,950, and Lyna bag Dh3,100

British jewellery house Garrard in Dubai

A necklace from the spring 2025 Lotus collection by Garrard. Photo: Garrard

British jewellery house Garrard is hosting its first UAE pop-up until 20 January at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira hotel in Dubai. Garrard, which was founded in 1735 and appointed jeweller to the British royal family in 1843, will showcase its long history with pieces from its Wings, Fanfare and 1735 collections. It also offers a sneak peek at next year's major launch, the Lotus collection, which will go on sale in the spring.

Prices on request

IWC Schaffhausen builds on its Ingenieur collection

IWC Schaffhausen launches a new Ingenieur Automatic 40 with blue dial. Photo: IWC Schaffhausen

IWC Schaffhausen is building on its Ingenieur collection with the arrival of a new Automatic 40 with a blue dial. Inspired by the styling of Gerald Genta’s 1970s redesign of the 1955 original, the newest iteration has five bezel screws, and a 40mm stainless steel case and bracelet. The striking blue dial is achieved with a PVD coating on the familiar grid pattern. Self-winding, with a five-day power reserve, the 32111 calibre can convert the wearer's movement into energy for the mainspring, thanks to a double-pawl winding system. The soft iron inner case protects the movement from magnetic fields that can slow the watch's efficient timekeeping.

IWC Schaffhausen new Ingenieur Automatic 40, Dh43,600

Dolce & Gabbana’s new store in Diriyah

The new Dolce & Gabbana boutique and cafe in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana has opened a boutique and cafe in Diriyah, the historic region in Saudi Arabia. The 1,500-square metre space at Bujairi Terrace is one of Dolce & Gabbana’s largest worldwide. It offers ready-to-wear, bags, accessories, fine jewellery and homeware, as well as a new cafe area that serves branded coffee and food. It is open every day from 10am to 10pm.

Missoni Resort Club at Drift Dubai

Missoni has opened a winter beach club at Drift Beach at the One & Only Royal Mirage hotel in Dubai. Photo: Missoni

In a continuation of the trend for collaborations between luxury brands and beach clubs, Missoni has thrown open the doors of its winter club at the One & Only Royal Mirage hotel in Dubai. This seasonal new space at Drift Dubai has the beach and poolside areas decked out in Missoni's famous stripes – on towels, pillows, sun loungers, umbrellas and the cabanas.

Sun loungers, Dh150 per person.