A unique dialogue is the first of its kind in the capital Abu Dhabi in the coming period, where the biggest brands in the world of fashion and luxury, such as Dior, Chanel, Hermes, Van Cleef and Louis Vuitton overlap with the traditional UAE crafts such as Saddo, Tele and wicker together to form a rare result of artifacts and pieces that confirm that Art is a language capable of crossing all barriers and distances, creating spaces for convergence between peoples and cultures.
The dialogue, which will take place from November 12 to December 14, comes through the hosting of a delegation from the Colbert Commission, which represents 84 brands of luxury brands and luxury products and 16 French cultural institutions, in a series of initiatives under the title «Flannery Colbert Abu Dhabi» And «French luxury in the 21st century», in cooperation with the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi. These initiatives, as revealed at the press conference held yesterday at the Artisans' House in Al Hosn in the heart of Abu Dhabi, include a series of events planned to be held in various locations across the emirate, to allow the public to explore the concepts and secrets of French luxury in the 21st century. French Culture and its continuous and thriving dialogue with the UAE culture, in conjunction with the exhibition «10,000 years of luxury» hosted by «Louvre Abu Dhabi» from 30 this month to 15 February 2020, in cooperation with «Museum of Decorative Arts» French, a member of « Colbert Commission ». The Chairman and CEO of the Colbert Committee, Elizabeth Ponsol de Porte, said that the initiatives included in the event are distributed to «House of Artisans» at the site of the fort and «Galleria on Al Maryah Island» and «Art Abu Dhabi» and «Louvre Abu Dhabi», pointing out that «Flannery Colbert Abu Dhabi »includes a program of public displays of craft skills, workshops and dialogues from November 12 to 28 at Artisans' House, as well as open activities throughout the Galleria Mall on Al Maryah Island showcasing the shared creativity of a range of French luxury and luxury brands from 12 November to December 14. On 20 and 23 November, the Abu Dhabi Art Exhibition will feature debates on luxury and modern French art with the participation of speakers from leading French well-being and cultural institutions.
Luxury in Heritage Hospitality
De Porte reviewed more details about the program of events, which witnesses the participation of French and Emirati craftsmen in dialogues about their skills in Sadu, wicker and tali and dagger industry from the UAE side, embroidery and gastronomy and silver and leather crafts from the French side. Christian Dior reveals the secrets of making the famous Dior handbag, and in an interview with one of the following experts, women from Guerlain talk about the art of filling and sealing perfume bottles. Silver and compare it with the style of Emirati craftsmen in the manufacture of traditional silver dagger. In other dialogues with Emirati craftsmen, Hermes focuses on leather arts and saddle-making skills, Bristol on chocolate, Louis Vuitton on painting techniques, and Van Cleef & Arpels on her mystery collection. The event also includes a series of hands-on performances and educational sessions with two embroidery artists from Lesage (Chanel) and Sadu textile experts. These events are supported by a series of film screenings and dialogues from French luxury brands. The Artisans' House will also host dialogues on French skill and quality. Speaking on November 13th, Vincent Cochit, Senior Coordinator at Fontainebleau Palace, and Amal Chaabi, Director of Restoration at the Historical Environment Department at the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, will discuss the restoration of the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Theater. Nahyan and Hubert Barrerie, coach of Lesage (Chanel) will lead a dialogue on knowledge and creativity on November 14th. Valerie Sandoz, Secretary-General of the Colbert Commission, discusses the transfer of skills, expertise and craftsmanship as one of the treasures of French luxury, in an interview on November 16, and Alexander Bokel, CEO of Fairmont (Christian Dior), embroidery, the concept of craftsmanship and skill in the role of fashion Luxury on November 19. Helen Herritt, Director of Communications at Bernardo, Porcelain, presents the concept of craftsmanship symbolism on November 21, and Catherine Begard, president of the Domaine de Versailles Palace and Museum, discusses craftsmanship and craftsmanship on November 22. Finally, Thierry Sarmant, chief coordinator of Mobilier Nationale Joplin, talks about the technical prowess of the historic royal furniture companies on 24 November.
The events at the Galleria Mall consist of 26 brands of luxury products from the Colbert Committee that showcase special works, designs and events in the show windows inside their stores, inspired by the themes of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Intercultural dialogue
Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, said that Flanerie Colbert Abu Dhabi has a great momentum, being the first ever collaboration between this prestigious group of French institutions and brands in an initiative of this magnitude, making it a cultural achievement. Itself to the Emirate and the region. He pointed out that building bridges of communication and cultural dialogue is one of the main focuses of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, reflecting the values of diversity and openness in the UAE society, which welcomes embracing other cultures and sharing Emirati culture with the world.
Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, said during the press conference that this artistic and cultural initiative is a pioneer and unique as it has never been before to offer such a program open to the public anywhere in the world.
"I am pleased to sponsor Flanerie Colbert Abu Dhabi, which celebrates the close ties between France and the UAE," said French Culture Minister Frank Rister. “While the French welfare sector combines intangible heritage with creativity, I am confident that the cultural dialogue that the Colbert Commission has developed through these initiatives on skills of excellence and contemporary art will certainly contribute to strengthening the bonds between our two countries.”
10,000 years of luxury
The '10,000 Years of Luxury' exhibition, which opens on 30th December at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, is the first event in the Middle East to explore the history of luxury and luxury through 350 exceptional pieces of fashion, jewelry, art, furniture and design, exploring the diverse styles used by cultures. Different to express luxury throughout history, from precious offerings in religious rituals, royal furniture made of pure gold, to couture and jewelery pieces created by high-end brands such as Christian Dior, Chanel, Cartier and Hermes. The exhibition discusses the meaning of well-being in different cultures and the impact of this extravagance on the development of society.
The biggest brands in the fashion world converge with sadu, tele and wicker, forming a rare product of artefacts.