Black Book: Celine unveils scent of the summer and Bvlgari revisits watch classic

Plus, Dolce & Gabbana lines up laid-back bags for the season

Un Ete Francais parfum by Celine. Photo Celine

From new fragrances to summer-chic bags, The National's Luxury magazine team rounds up the most interesting and noteworthy arrivals in the world of fashion, interiors, fragrance and jewellery.

Un Été Français parfum by Celine

Celine’s new Un Eté Français (A French Summer) fragrance, created by former creative director Hedi Slimane, draws inspiration from long, languid summers in a beach house in Ramatuelle on the French Mediterranean.

The latest addition to the brand’s Haute Parfumerie collection opens with spicy bergamot and earthy petit-grain, softening into zesty neroli and gorse – a wild coastal flower with a citrus-coconut scent. A warm vanilla base evokes the essence of a French holiday in a bottle.

Un Été Français perfume, Dh1,200 for 100ml

Rafiafiori by Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana pre-fall 2025. Photo: Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana nods to a cooler, more laid-back style for summer for 2025. Ditching corsetry and black lace, the Italian masters of Sicilian vamp embrace skinny knit stripes and easy raffia accessories.

A pompom raffia tote, hand-cut raffia necklace and cat-eye sunglasses wrapped in Madagascan palm leaf complete the nature-led look with breezy, effortless cool.

Raffia tote bag, Dh5,200, Dolce & Gabbana

Grain de Café y Cartier

Grain de cafe bracelet, in gold and white diamonds. Photo: Cartier

A reimagining of Jeanne Toussaint’s 1938 motif, Cartier’s Grain de Cafe – literally coffee bean – continues to charm. The latest bold, sculptural pieces echo the 1930s origin story while nodding to the glamour of 1950s cocktail jewellery.

A standout limited-edition bracelet is crafted around a platinum and diamond spine, with 14 variegated gold beans on either side, each tipped with a white diamond. Meticulously made, each bracelet takes 54 hours to complete.

Limited-edition Grain de Café bracelet, price upon request

Maison Dioriviera by Dior

Diorivera side table by Dior Maison. Photo: Dior

The Dior universe has expanded to include new homeware pieces inspired by the brand’s former womenswear head Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Dioriviera collection.

Rooted in travel and reinvention, the storied motifs have been translated into elegant interiors by Dior Maison. The Toile de Jouy Palms print, already seen on bags and ready-to-wear, now adorns a rounded vase crafted by enamelling specialists, Manufacture des Emaux de Longwy.

Meanwhile, the signature cannage weave steps off handbags and on to a sleek side table, set in Perspex, and a beach mat ready for stylish escapes.

Bvlgari Bvlgari watch turns 50

Bvlgari Bvlgari 50th anniversary watches, with marble dials and in two sizes, 26mm and 38mm. Photo: Bvlgari

To mark the 50th anniversary of perhaps its best-known watch, the Bvlgari Bvlgari, the Italian house has unveiled four new variations.

Launched in 1975 and reimagined by master watch designer Gérald Genta in 1977, the design remains true to its Roman roots, featuring a signature engraved bezel and minimalist dial. Offered in two sizes – 26mm and 38mm – each features a unique marble dial. The smaller version houses a Solotempo automatic movement, while the larger is powered by the calibre BVL 191.