The Buro 24/7 Middle East Digest

Fashion month continued to dominate our pages last week, as London Fashion Week drew to a stylish close and the fashion industry flocked to Milan. Scotland said no to independence, and the recently married Mr and Mrs. Pitt gave us a first look at their new film By The Sea. Constantly dogged by rumours, a nice one appeared this week, after it was reported that Beyoncé and hubby Jay Z are set to start work on a collaborative album. 

It's Sunday. Put your feet up. Grab a cup of coffee and brush up on the top stories of the past week right here...

FASHION

London Fashion Week came and went in rather a snappy 4 days. Tom Ford, Burberry Prorsum, Christopher Kane and Anya Hindmarch were amongst the highlights. Not forgetting the street style on show at the UK capital. Shorty afterwards, Milan Fashion Week kicked started with a bang, showcasing the latest SS15 collections from big names including Gucci, Armani, Fendi, Prada, Moschino and Giambattista Valli's new diffusion line – Giamba. Anna Dello Russo, Carine Roitfeld and Buro 24/7's own Mira Duma all put a smile on our faces with their MFW street style choices. 

Jean Paul Gaultier announced that he would cease production for his ready-to-wear collections to focus on other departments in the fashion and beauty industry. Read the full story here.

It was revealed that Condé Nast would debut its 'International Luxury Conference', hosted by none other than the legendary Suzy Menkes. Read the full story here.

The White House confirmed that Michelle Obama would be hosting a 'Fashion Education Workshop' next month. Read the full story here.

Prada and Versace announced that they will support the restoration of Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Read the full story here.

CULTURE 

Harland Miller – who is famous for his beautiful Penguin book cover paintings – was chosen as the latest curator for Louis Vuitton's art shelf project. Read the full story here.

 

The first look at a new documentary by Claire Lewins, which explores Muhammed Ali's career, personal life and struggle with Parkinson's disease debuted via an official trailer. Read the full story here.

The first stills from By The Sea, a film starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, were released. Read the full story here.

The Abraaj Group Art Prize announced the winning artist and guest curator for the prize's seventh edition, as well as the three shortlisted artists participating in The Abraaj Group Art Prize exhibition at Art Dubai next year. Read the full story here.

After wrapping up their 'On the Run' tour, Jay Z and Beyoncé unveiled part one of their short film titled Bang Bang, directed by Dikayl Rimmasch. Read the full story here.

A full-length trailer for the forthcoming Hunger Games sequel, Mockingjay: Part 1 was released, giving audiences a clear look at what's in store for Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence. Read the full story here.

Australian sketch artist CJ Hendry made quite the impact on Instagram, and further afield. Buro 24/7 exclusively interviewed the creative talent who caught the eye of Kanye West. Read the full story here.

MEDIA

The results of the Scottish Referendum were revealed on Friday morning – with Scotland voting to stay in the United Kingdom after rejecting independence. Read the full story here.

 

Many inspiring women hailing from the UAE beat other regions and topped the list in two categories for this year's Forbes Middle East '200 Most Powerful Arab Women'. Read the full story here.

The organisers of the third 'GCC Government Social Media Summit' announced that '#MyDubai' will be used as a case study during the event – demonstrating how social media can inspire advocacy in residents and tourism. Read the full story here.

Saint Laurent, Burberry and Christian Dior refuted claims that they had been sourcing rabbit fur from farms accused of animal cruelty. Read the full story here.

BEAUTY

Buro 24/7 was the first to report that Donald Drawberston has partnered with cosmetics company Smashbox and France's iconic Colette for a unique collaboration. Read the full story here. 

We shone the spotlight on Burberry Prorsum's Spring/Summer 15 make up, which was created backstage by artist consultant Wendy Rowe for London Fashion Week. Read the full story here.

Drama was the key aspect of this season's beauty look for Tom Ford, smoky eyes and disheveled hairstyles all featured in his Spring/Summer 15 lineup. Buro 24/7 took a closer look backstage before the show. Read the full story here.

Nars Cosmetics announced its latest collaboration with fashion designer Christopher Kane, following their longstanding show relationship since 2012. Read the full story here.

The legendary former fashion editor of Harper's Bazaar and editor-in-chief of Vogue, Diana Vreeland, lived on via new range of perfumes, which launched under her name this week. Read the full story here.

For the first time in the history of the house, Gucci forwent a 'known' cosmetics brand and used its own line to create natural make-up looks – with a slight emphasis on golden eyes for its Spring/Summer 15 show... Buro 24/7 investigated. Read the full story here.

We interviewed Blair Patterson – Estée Lauder's director of make-up artistry – on his recent visit to Dubai, to discuss a new line of lipsticks, social media, designer collaborations and the future of the heritage beauty house. Read the full story here.

LIFESTYLE

Buro 24/7 heard from a secret source that Dubai is about to get a whole lot cooler – yes the winter is coming, but so is something rather icy and fantastic... Maybe. Read the full story here.

The Middle East's first online real estate auction site – eZayed – launched last week. Read the full story here.

The Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) and Louis Vuitton announced its plans to develop a 168,000 square metre luxury mall on Saadiyat Island – connecting to Abu Dhabi's three planned museums. Read the full story here.

Last week, Wallpaper* magazine debuted a new Middle Eastern themed exhibition in partnership with D3 Dubai Design District at Dray Walk Gallery, Brick Lane in London showcasing Buro 24/7 columnist and design talent Khalid Shafar. Read the full story here.

Milan's famous Armani/Nobu reopened last week having had a complete redesign. Read the full story here.

The Olympic Council of Asia announced that both Doha and Dubai are capable of hosting the Middle East's first Olympic Games in the near future, if they keep one clear point in mind. Read the full story here.

As the world watched Tim Cook unveil Apple's newest gadgets earlier this month, Buro 24/7 Middle East shared insight on why upgrading to the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus is a must. Read the full story here.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, praised a series of promising projects underway by Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) over the next three years. Read the full story here.

The experts at Fodor's Travel revealed the top 100 hotels in the world; recognising properties that provide travellers with remarkable experiences all over the globe. Read the full story here.

Heston Blumenthal revealed that he is preparing to open his infamous Fat Duck restaurant in Australia early next year. Read the full story here.

EVENTS

In the presence of Tiffany and Co's design director Francesca Amifitheatrof, the iconic brand unveiled its stunning new T collection in Dubai. Read the full story here.

London Fashion Week came to a stylish close as American ambassador Matthew Barzun hosted a reception to celebrate the ending of a busy week in the British capital with many famous faces. Read the full story here.

The Business of Fashion's editor-in-chief Imran Amed hosted a designer fete at Ian Schrager's London Edition Hotel. Read the full story here.

Co-hosted by Livia Firth, Natalie Massenet, Stella McCartney and Anna Wintour, last week saw the debut of Stella McCartney's Green Carpet collection at the Royal Institution of Great Britain in Mayfair. Read the full story here.

Late to the party, Rick Owens added his inimitable personality to a weekend of celebration in his name last week, thanks to London institution, Selfridges who hosted a party in his honour. Read the full story here.