The Black Book for September 2014

What we're loving this month: Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum for men; Faberge's charms; Charlotte Olympia shoes and clutches; and Bloomingdale's exclusive Gucci bag.

Bleu de Chnael Eau de Parfum for men. Courtesy: Chanel

Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum

A new addition to Chanel's Bleu fragrance range, which first launched in 2010 as an Eau de Toilette, 2014's Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum for men strays slightly but significantly from that classic, instantly recognisable scent. While the basic notes of Sicilian mandarin, citrus and Haitian vetiver grass remain, Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum has a more woody vibration, dominated by warm amber vapours. Derived from the Arabic word ambar, the musky amber is now a favoured ingredient with international men's perfume houses. Hints of cedar and sandalwood, with Venezuelan tonka bean, render the fragrance at once more intense. Packaged in the same magnetised, navy-blue-bordering-on-black bottle – Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's favoured colour code – and available in 50ml and 100ml bottles, the sensual Eau de Parfum is available in the UAE from September 1. www.chanel.com

Bloomingdale’s Gucci exclusive

Gucci has created an exclusive version of its Lady Lock bag for Bloomingdale's at The Dubai Mall. The bag, which retails at a cool Dh98,350, boasts a Bordeaux shade of crocodile skin, a bamboo handle and palladium hardware, a compound known for its complex casting techniques and durability. The Lady Lock takes its name from the signature closure in the front – a detail drawn from Gucci's rich archives. This version is the only one in the world with these specifications, with a plate inside that reads: "Bloomingdale's-Dubai Exclusive 1/1". With Gucci's creative director Frida Giannini's ever-growing prominence in fashion, a one-of-a-kind Gucci is well worth the investment. www.gucci.com

Charlotte Olympia opens in the UAE

The sought-after British shoes and accessories designer Charlotte Olympia will mark the opening of her first stand-alone store in the UAE this month. Renowned for her quirky, sky-high heels, and animal-inspired ballet pumps and clutch bags, Olympia trained at London's Cordwainers college for footwear and accessories before launching her eponymous label in 2008. The vintage-Hollywood-inspired collections garnered an instant following, with fashion heavyweights such as Anna Dello Russo and Diane Kruger spotted in her pieces. Olympia's autumn/winter collection, which will be available in the Mall of the Emirates store, was influenced by the Far East. From lucky dragon and panda courts to oversized tassels, fan clutches and even Chinese takeout box bags, this collection is as kitschy as it gets. www.charlotteolympia.com

Fabergé’s charms

October will see the launch of the Fabergé Charms collection. The jewellery house plays on the Russian tradition of gifting bejewelled egg pendants with its latest series of precious charms. However, Fabergé's charms fall far from the standard variety – boasting intricately carved gold eggs set with diamonds and a kaleidoscope of gemstones. The label's jewellers have reinterpreted the house's classical techniques by incorporating a contemporary approach for the Treillage, Spiral, Cadeau and Emotion collections – miniature versions of Fabergé's popular egg pendants. www.faberge.com

(With input from Panna Munyal)