British actor Benedict Cumberbatch stars in the first episode of a Prada film series about the brand's Re-Nylon collection. Photo: Prada
British actor Benedict Cumberbatch stars in the first episode of a Prada film series about the brand's Re-Nylon collection. Photo: Prada
British actor Benedict Cumberbatch stars in the first episode of a Prada film series about the brand's Re-Nylon collection. Photo: Prada
British actor Benedict Cumberbatch stars in the first episode of a Prada film series about the brand's Re-Nylon collection. Photo: Prada

Black Book: Benedict Cumberbatch in Norway with Prada, Dior's Chiffre Rouge, and Celine's Camille bag


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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.

Prada Re-Nylon

The latest Sea Beyond collection introduces a line of bags and accessories crafted from recycled waster material. Photo: Prada
The latest Sea Beyond collection introduces a line of bags and accessories crafted from recycled waster material. Photo: Prada

Prada continues its sustainability journey with a new chapter in its Re-Nylon campaign, unveiling a series of films that explore the collection’s impact on communities and ecosystems around the world.

The first episode, starring British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, takes viewers to Norway’s breathtaking Lofoten Archipelago within the Arctic Circle, shedding light on the plastic pollution.

The film highlights how Prada Re-Nylon repurposes ocean plastics into luxury fashion, showcasing the industry’s potential to drive environmental change.

The latest Sea Beyond collection introduces a line of bags and accessories crafted from Prada Re-Nylon, a fabric made by recycling and purifying plastic collected from oceans, fishing nets, landfills and textile fibre waste.

Standout pieces from the collection include men’s backpacks, a handbag and a bucket hat, all designed in this sustainable material.

Price on request

Dior Chiffre Rouge

Each watch embodies Dior’s distinctive aesthetic and in a nod to the house’s founder, the number 8 – Christian Dior’s favourite number – is highlighted in red. Photo: Dior
Each watch embodies Dior’s distinctive aesthetic and in a nod to the house’s founder, the number 8 – Christian Dior’s favourite number – is highlighted in red. Photo: Dior

Dior expands its Chiffre Rouge collection with three new timepieces that pay homage to the house’s haute couture heritage. With an elegant, eye-catching black design, the watch is accentuated by bold scarlet-red details and white highlights, as well as the brand’s cannage motif which appears across the dial and strap.

Each watch embodies Dior’s distinctive aesthetic and in a nod to the house’s founder, the number 8 – Christian Dior’s favourite number – is highlighted in red.

This limited-edition release includes three models: a 38mm dial model, available with or without diamonds, and a 41mm chronograph. Designed for both men and women, only 100 pieces of each watch will be produced, making it a collector’s must-have.

Price on request

Celine

This hobo-style bag, featuring a curved silhouette and a versatile shoulder strap, offers practicality and elegance. Photo: Celine
This hobo-style bag, featuring a curved silhouette and a versatile shoulder strap, offers practicality and elegance. Photo: Celine

Celine introduces the Camille, a new addition to its 16 Soft Line. This hobo-style bag, featuring a curved silhouette and a versatile shoulder strap, offers practicality combined with Parisian elegance.

The rounded shape of the Camille 16 Soft is crafted in soft leather and finished with the house’s gold lock closure. Available in two sizes and a timeless palette of tan, black and sand hues, the bag also features a multifunctional strap.

AED10,500 for the small version and AED12,000 for the medium bag.

Louis Vuitton High jewellery

The Awakened Hands collection combines precious metals with the beauty of diamonds and coloured gemstones. Photo: Louis Vuitton
The Awakened Hands collection combines precious metals with the beauty of diamonds and coloured gemstones. Photo: Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton has unveiled the second chapter in its Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds high jewellery collection, showcasing the house’s savoir-faire through a series of bracelets, rings, watches and necklaces.

Designed by Francesca Amfitheatrof, the collection combines precious metals combined with diamonds and coloured gemstones.

Drawing inspiration from 19th-century France and its revolutionary design era, the pieces feature the LV Monogram Star Cut Diamond, which debuted in chapter one, as well as a limited men’s high jewellery collection – a first for the brand.

Price on request

Sebago X Weekend Max Mara

Weekend Max Mara has partnered with Sebago, the American footwear brand, to create a fresh take on the preppy Dan Penny Loafer. Photo: Max Mara
Weekend Max Mara has partnered with Sebago, the American footwear brand, to create a fresh take on the preppy Dan Penny Loafer. Photo: Max Mara

Weekend Max Mara has partnered with Sebago, the American footwear brand, known for its preppy Dan Penny Loafer. The loafers were popular amongst American college students in the 1950s.

For the collaboration with the Italian fashion brand, the two have reinvented the Dan Penny Loafer in smooth brushed leather, featuring hand-sewn details, micro studs and a detachable tassel. Available in brown, burgundy and black editions.

AED1,587

THE SPECS

Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre

Transmission: Seven-speed auto

Power: 165hp

Torque: 241Nm

Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000

On sale: now

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

Company profile

Name: Infinite8

Based: Dubai

Launch year: 2017

Number of employees: 90

Sector: Online gaming industry

Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor

The biog

Name: Fareed Lafta

Age: 40

From: Baghdad, Iraq

Mission: Promote world peace

Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi

Role models: His parents 

Fight card

1. Featherweight 66kg: Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)

2. Lightweight 70kg: Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)

3. Welterweight 77kg:Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)

4. Lightweight 70kg: Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)

5. Featherweight 66kg: Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)

6. Catchweight 85kg: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)

7. Featherweight 66kg: Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)

8. Catchweight 73kg: Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Ahmed Abdelraouf of Egypt (EGY)

9.  Featherweight 66kg: Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)

10. Catchweight 90kg: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)

You Were Never Really Here

Director: Lynne Ramsay

Starring: Joaquim Phoenix, Ekaterina Samsonov

Four stars

Tips to keep your car cool
  • Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
  • Park in shaded or covered areas
  • Add tint to windows
  • Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
  • Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
  • Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Updated: February 07, 2025, 8:00 AM