There’s just a lot happening right now in the GCC, and in the very near future. Ramadan is upon us, and whether or not you celebrate it, you’re unavoidably immersed in it, should you be living in the Middle East. A number of A-list concerts have just been announced, and the cloud seeding appears to have ceased, at least for the time being. So, to help you prepare for the impending muggy, blistering heat, a.k.a. spring/summer, we’ve done some of the heavy lifting for you. So what does all this entail? A new wardrobe, sunglasses, scents, some presents/flowers for the most important woman in your life (Mom), or how about a classy Iftar somewhere authentic and unique around the city? Don’t worry. From snazzy threads to mouthwatering eats, we’ve got you covered.
DBS OLY Santoni sneakers
These shoes look like something Brad Pitt wears at Wimbledon right as an announcement blares over the megaphone, “Please do not uncork champagne during the serve. It can be very distracting for the tennis players.” Psssht, by my guess, they’d be more distracted by these sweet ass kicks on our feet.
Priced at AED 2,800, they’re available worldwide in Santoni boutiques and online.
Lenny Kravitz x Ray Ban collection
Are you kidding me? There is no public person in the spotlight more continuously spotted in sunglasses than Lenny Kravitz, so his collaboration with, arguably, the most famous sunglass makers of all time seems quite inevitable. And to top if off, they’re the new ‘Reverse’ style, which means the lenses are inside out. And we want them.
Priced at AED 965, they can be bought here.
Perseus by Parfums de Marly
Aptly named after the greatest monster slayer in all of Greek mythology, Perseus, the new fragrance from Parfums de Marly, may not have to slay any monsters in Athens, but it’ll definitely turn some heads with its grapefruit-y texture as you’re waiting in line to get into a beach club.
Priced at AED 1,360 it can be bought here.
Heron Preston x H&M Jean Jacket
To quote the film Miss Congeniality, when asked about the perfect date, Heather Burns replies, “April 25th because it’s not too hot, not too cold. All you need is a light jacket.” Well guess what, dude? This is that light jacket. Jean jackets are worn by everyone from Hell’s Angels to break dancers, and this one from the new (sustainable) H2 collection has all that extra fashionista oomph woven into it that the regulars just can’t match.
Priced at AED 330, it can be bought here.
‘Smpl Skin’ Essentials Range
Nice clothes are great, but really, it’s about the manikin they’re on, and if said manikin doesn’t have the radiant glow to match the threads in which it is wrapped…well, good luck securing that phone number at the bar. Homegrown in the UAE, Smpl Skin offers a natural solution for healthier, more radiant skin (with SPF included, because we don’t want you looking like Hellboy after the beach club).
The varied range is available online, and use code KEEPITSMPL for a 25% discount.
Celine Wireless Headphones
If Alexander Graham Bell and Elon Musk collaborated on a pair of headphones and then sprinkled a little ‘fashion’ on it, this would probably be the final result. Presented in multiple colours with noise cancellation, they’re equipped with Bluetooth 5.2 and boast up to the 30 hours of battery life.
Priced at AED 3,450 they can be bought here.
Qasimi Silk Blue Resort Shirt
London based with Middle Eastern heritage, Qasimi is the perfect blend of ‘call my agent’ fashion week vibes, fused with off-the-map royalty, drinking Karak on a rooftop in Marrakesh somewhere.
Priced at AED 2,067 it can be bought here.
Zegna’s Triple Stitch Sneakers
Yes, yes, maybe we’re bias, but how could we not be? It’d be like working at The Ritz Carlton and then not suggesting it as the best hotel around when someone asks. Zegna’s triple stitch sneakers are the most Darwinian sneakers on the market, meaning that they’re flashy enough to be worn on the red carpet, but subtle enough to be paired with jeans and a t-shirt. And much like a top notch leather jacket, they mold to your feet over time.
Priced at AED 5,100 they can be bought at any Zegna store, and online.
Escape to Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island
Can you ever have too many ‘I just want to get away from it all’ staycations? We think not, and this picturesque desert haven is just what the doctor ordered, especially during Eid which is rapidly approaching.
Prices vary, and rooms can be booked here.
Prada Sunglasses
You can never have too many sunglasses, especially when that golden orb in the sky is as invasively blinding as it is here in The Middle East, and these ones reminded us of that pair worn by Brad Pitt in Ocean’s Eleven.
Priced at AED 1,715 they can be bought here.
Iftar at Marriott Al Jaddaf
You didn’t think we forgot about Ramadan, did you? The spectacular Zabeel Iftar tent at Marriott Hotel, Al Jaddaf, provides a sunset buffet like no other, and is the perfect spot to rejoice, recoil and relax with loved ones in a culturally enriched setting.
Lasting throughout the holy month of Ramadan, prices vary, but bookings can be organised via email here: [email protected]
Aesop Aromatique Room Spray (or anything else from Aesop)
Mom’s are the reason we’re all here, and she spent years picking up your smelly laundry from around the house, so make it up to her with this aromatic room spray from guaranteed-home-run, Aesop.
Priced at AED 445, it can be bought here
Ice Bath at Azure Beach
If there’s one thing for certain across the internet, what separates the boys from the men is one thing: ice baths. And what better place to do it than Azure beach club, Dubai? While every other dude is ten Bahama-Mama’s deep, unsuccessfully asking the girl at the pool-bar what her star sign is, subtly telling her what car he drives, you’ll be deep in an ice bath, brother, forging your inner steel that’ll win the battles of tomorrow. Go on, make David Goggins proud.
Prices start at AED 200, and can be booked at the Instagram link below.
Mr Porter’s exclusive Ramadan Collection
Mr Porter delivers with every collection it releases, but its exclusive Ramadan collection boasts a variety of chill, lounge-y shirts, sunglasses, shirts, pants and accessories that are equally culturally intact as they are globally versatile. And they’re available everywhere in the Middle East.
Prices vary but can be purchased here.
Montblanc Ramadan Collection
Every item from Montblanc’s instantly iconic Ramadan collection transports you to a world where men rode horses and sent handwritten love letters as they battled sharks and wiped seawater from their eyes under a moonlit sky. This pen, among the other items, will make you realise just how uninspiring sending a text really is. Write her that damn love letter. Tell her that sleep has become your new favourite activity because it gets you one morning closer to seeing her again.
You’re welcome.
This pen goes for AED 3,890 and the entire Ramadan collection can be found here.
Flowers from Flowwow
“I just wish he didn’t buy me so many flowers,” is a sentence never once said in the history of humanity. And Flowwow not only boasts a varied collection of flowers (accessories, makeup, food, other fun things), but they deliver within 25 minutes in over 950 cities around the world. Insane right? So if you forgot about a birthday, holiday, anniversary, mother’s day, you need less than 30 minutes to make up for it.
Prices vary but everything can be found here.
