On the evening of November 18, Riyadh saw a spectacular celebration, where Vogue Arabia and French luxury maison Guerlain hosted an evening that celebrated craftsmanship, heritage, and beauty in the Kingdom.
Manuel Arnaut, HRH Princess Nourah Alfaisal, Gabrielle Saint-Genis, Thierry Wasser. Photo: Direct Group
Together, Vogue Arabia and Guerlain curated an intimate gallery experience and High Perfumery dinner, which gave a selection of handpicked personalities a first look at Guerlain’s world renowned Exceptional Creations in the Middle East. Welcomed by editor-in-chief Manuel Arnaut and Master Perfumer Thierry Wasser, guests discovered some of the iconic French brand’s most coveted bottles — from the Bee Bottle, to beautifully crafted versions by Nadine Kanso, Shourouk Rhaiems and Baqué Molinié —and also saw the pieces displayed alongside matching ensembles by Art of Heritage, creating a seamless blend of fashion and craftsmanship. In the words of Manuel Arnaut, the evening was “a celebration of cultural understanding, highlighting the important values that unite Guerlain, Vogue, France, and Saudi Arabia.” Addressing the guests of the evening, he added, “I hope this experience allows you to realize that we have more in common than we might initially think. Even if we are from far ends of the world, we are all united through the values of craftsmanship, heritage, and beauty.”
There to celebrate these fine pairings was the evening’s Guest of Honor, Art of Heritage CEO, HRH Princess Nourah Alfaisal. “It’s lovely to be here, to see all the families coming together,” the royal told Vogue Arabia as she observed the exhibit with Guerlain CEO Gabrielle Saint-Genis Rodriguez. “[Tonight] really is a celebration of heritage, the brand’s importance for heritage, and a dialogue between the past, the future and the present.”
Photo: Direct Group
HRH Princess Nourah Alfaisal, Nadine Kanso. Photo: Direct Group
Among the many noteworthy names in attendance were General Manager of Guerlain MEA, India & Africa Jenny Dumoulin-Amiach, Director of Digital Marketing & Communications, MEIA (Middle East India & Africa) Nicola Lavelle Siddique, designers Nadine Kanso, Arwa Alammari and Mohammed Khoja, fashion bloggers Nathalie Fanj and Nada Baeshen, Saudi musician Mishaal Tamer, racer and interior designer Aseel Al-Hamad, entrepreneur and former Vogue Arabia cover star Yara Alnamlah, beauty influencer Abeer Sinder, dentist, and part-time influencer Dr Hassan Ghoneim, and stylists Hala Alharithy and Nouf Al Namlah.
Hosted at Naila Art Gallery, the meaningful message behind the High Perfumery dinner was further amplified by a series of vibrant artworks that dotted the space, created by the likes of Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Hammas, Iman AlMashharawi and Muneerah AlAgla, along with Saudi-based Kuwaiti artist Marwa AlNajjar, and Belgian artist Eva Claessens. Along with the art, Guerlain bottles, and Art of Heritage dresses, guests also got a chance to closely observe traditional Saudi weaving techniques, as artisans from Art of Heritage worked on their next set of ensembles for the organization.
Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
As guests made their way up to the dinner spread, they were greeted by more fashion-meets-fragrance pairings that spotlighted some of Guerlain’s most dazzling Exceptional bottles, along with a picturesque tablescape doused in fresh cherry red blooms, soft candle light, the dreamy fragrance of Patchouli Paris — one of Guerlain’s most-loved scents — and the soothing sound of traditional Saudi music playing live in the backdrop. Upon taking their seats, the second half of the evening began with a welcome speech by Manuel Arnaut, followed by a heart-warming address by Gabrielle Saint-Genis. “It’s an honor for me to be here in Saudi Arabia. This is the third time I’ve been here but I can tell you that I already have a very deep respect for your country and its artistic traditions for centuries,” she said. “Within three years, Guerlain is going to celebrate its 200th anniversary. It’s really a phenomena in the history of beauty. But being 200 years old doesn’t mean you’re like an old lady, very rigid. It means, on the contrary, you’ve been able to question yourself, to reinvent yourself through ages. It means that you are able to adapt yourself constantly to be in tune with the times. It means you can care for people. To me, I see [this as] the direct connection to the Art of Heritage. You have so many treasures that we admire, you have so many treasures that we need to protect. You’ve also managed to reinterpret them through the ages, so I really see the connection. We are so excited to develop the house in KSA. We feed our inspiration through our travels and encounters, like tonight.”
Gabrielle Saint-Genis and HRH Princess Nourah Alfaisal. Photo: Direct Group
Thierry Wasser. Photo: Direct Group
As a token of appreciation, Saint-Genis gifted HRH Princess Nourah Alfaisal a special Guerlain fragrance bottle. And to end the evening on a high note, Thierry Wasser took the stage to share a few words. “Scents have a deep resonance with people in the Middle East. So I’m very humbled every time to witness, to learn about the art of fragrance making — either for the home with bukhoor, or with rose water, or oud. So for me, [coming to the Middle East] is like going back to the source, and I will never ever be happy enough to come and visit you in your different countries. Saudi Arabia is an engine in the region for the fragrance design and fragrance business. We opened a store recently in Riyadh, which in nine months has become the number one machine at Guerlain. We love you, and we’ll see you later, Inshallah!” After a hearty meal comprising a thoughtfully curated Saudi-French menu that celebrated the fusion of both cultures, guests were bid adieu with personalized Guerlain bottles in handmade Art of Heritage pouches.
Below, a closer look at some of the best moments from the one-of-a-kind evening.
Nathalie Fanj. Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Nada Baeshen. Photo: Direct Group
Yara Alnamlah. Photo: Direct Group
Mishaal Tamer. Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Hassan Ghoneim. Photo: Direct Group
Arwa Alammari. Photo: Direct Group
Aseel Al Hamad. Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Farah Tajeddin, Claudia Dinis, Mohammed Khoja. Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Abeer Sinder. Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Bashar Hakeem, Nadine Kanso. Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Jenny Dumoulin-Amiach, Manuel Arnaut, HRH Princess Nourah Alfaisal, Gabrielle Saint-Genis, Thierry Wasser, Nicola Lavelle Siddique, Rana Hatem. Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Rana Hatem and Niki Lavelle Siddique. Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
HRH Princess Nourah Alfaisal. Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
Photo: Direct Group
