Hatem Alakeel
Following eight years designing menswear, Saudi designer Hatem Alakeel is ready to expand his House to include womenswear with the launch of “Toby Femme,” set to debut exclusively on Style.com/Arabia this week. Ahead of the launch, we caught up with Alakeel in Dubai, and the Saudi designer shared his curated list of hot spots and revealed his number one destination for rest and relaxation. “My jardin d’hiver at my family home in Jeddah is my space for creation and relaxation,” mused Alakeel. “As they say, ‘Home is where the heart is.’ We have a garden in the middle of the house so everywhere you look it’s green, which is great for the soul.” As for his greatest luxury, Alakeel divulged, “To be surrounded by my family and loved ones.” But when the designer does travel abroad, he can be found at these favorite haunts.
Cavotagoo Hotel, Mykonos cavotagoomykonos / Instagram
“CAVOTAGOO HOTEL DIAMOND VILLAS IN MYKONOS (GREECE) are a small piece of heaven that bring me back to normalcy.”
The exclusive hotel is actually carved inside a rock and overlooks stunning views of the Aegean Sea. A short 4-kilometer drive from the Mykonos airport, the hotel offers a luxurious reprieve from the hustle of the summer hot spot.
Colette concept store, Paris leretonaute / Instagram
“COLETTE offers me shopping inspiration to remind and encourage me about the retail landscape opportunities.”
Colette, the concept store located on rue Saint-Honoré in the heart of Paris, is known for launching brands and featuring exclusive in-store happenings with fashion VIPs that get people lining up down the street. What’s upcoming? June 25th The Sartorialist’s Scott Schuman for Sutor Mantellassi will do a meet and greet while you peruse his shoe collection collaboration.
Meyer & Mortimer, London meyerandmortimer / Instagram
“SAVILE ROW continues to educate me and bring me down to earth on quality tailoring and is a reminder that there is always room for improvement in construction and tailoring.”
For lovers of the art of tailoring, head to a Style.com/Arabia favorite, Meyer & Mortimer (traditional tailors since 1790), on Savile Row in London for bespoke clothing. A founding member of the Savile Row Bespoke Association, Meyer & Mortimer creates business suits, white tie outfits, trousers, and more—and all with a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Inside Hôtel Costes, Paris duduvasconcelos3/ Instagram
“HOTEL COSTES is a timeless reminder that a classic never dies and that nostalgia combined with standards is a golden formula.”
Down the street from Colette, Hôtel Costes is a must-stop for industry contemporaries during Fashion Week. Just remember, once inside the Jacques Garcia “den of opulence,” you aren’t going there for the food, but rather to experience the inimitable atmosphere.
