Sotheby’s Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week achieves $133 million

The auctions took place at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. (Supplied)
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Updated 06 December 2025
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Sotheby’s Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week achieves $133 million

DUBAI: Auction house Sotheby’s Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week, which wrapped up on Friday night, achieved $133 million in sales, according to the auction house.

The series of auctions included jewelry, rare timepieces, collectors’ cars and real estate from RM Sotheby’s, and Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions, alongside a museum-quality exhibition of international fine art.




A waterfront estate in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat was sold for $20.1 million. (Supplied)

Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions opened the final evening, with a waterfront estate in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat achieving $20.1 million. The sale of Jane Birkin’s Le Voyageur, a one-of-a-kind black Hermes Birkin owned by the actress, soared to $2.9 million (est. $240,000-$440,000) after a bidding battle lasting more than 10 minutes. It is now the second most valuable handbag sold at auction, surpassed by the original Hermes Birkin created for Birkin in 1985, which achieved a record-breaking $10.1 million earlier this year.




Jane Birkin with her Le Voyageur bag. (Supplied)

Leading the sale of jewellery and watches was the first complete set of the Patek Philippe Star Caliber 2000, which achieved $11.9 million, becoming the second most valuable watch sold at Sotheby’s. Meanwhile, The Desert Rose, the largest Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink diamond in the world, climbed to $8.8 million (est. $5-$7 million) following an almost 20-minute bidding battle among five collectors.




The Desert Rose is the largest Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink diamond in the world. (Supplied)

Participants hailed from 35 countries, with nearly a quarter of buyers from the UAE, according to Sotheby’s.


Saudi label KML unveils new collection in Paris

Updated 21 January 2026
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Saudi label KML unveils new collection in Paris

DUBAI: Siblings Razan and Ahmed Hassan presented their Fall/Winter 2026–2027 collection at Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday, continuing the rapid rise of their KML label.

The duo has gained international recognition since launching the brand in 2022, most recently being named semifinalists for the LVMH Prize — a prestigious annual award for emerging designers.

Creative director Ahmed’s minimalist designs and sharp tailoring mean KML — owned by his sister, Razan — has built its identity around reimagining traditional Saudi garments through a contemporary lens. Jackets are paired with shawl-like elements, large leather belts recall those historically worn by Bedouin men, and skirts nod to silhouettes once worn by men in the Eastern Province, Jazan and the Hijaz.

The collection leans on wrap constructions, asymmetry and elongated proportions. (Getty Images)

The approach is reflected in the new collection, which features a restrained palette of black, white and muted earth tones, leaning on wrap constructions, asymmetry and elongated proportions.

Flowing skirts, structured wrap tops and robe-like coats dominate the lineup, with some looks referencing classical draping while others lean toward utilitarian dressing, defined by sharp shoulders, cinched waists and clean, architectural lines.

In a previous interview with Arab News, Ahmed said their grandmother was a huge influence on their lives as he and his sister grew up in Riyadh. He fondly recalled both her progressive nature and inimitable style. As a young boy, Ahmed would often accompany her to fabric shops so she could get her designs stitched by a local tailor. The experience left an impression, though fashion was not an obvious initial career path.

Ahmed studied architecture and became an intern at Zaha Hadid Architects, where he developed an appreciation for structure and form. Razan, meanwhile, pursued law at Prince Sultan University and she went on to practice full-time.

“One summer, we both realized we weren’t doing what we truly wanted to do, so I decided to go to the UK to study creative writing, and Ahmed went to Central Saint Martins (in London) for a few courses,” Razan explained.

That was the catalyst for KML. In August 2023, they launched their debut capsule collection and towards the end of that year they applied to the Saudi 100 Brands program. The Fashion Commission recognized their potential, helping KML launch collections at fashion weeks in Paris, Riyadh and Milan.