Dubai a Porter

Top brands for less in online sales

2012-01-13T19:53:00.001+04:00

In 2011, the most popular online retailer Amazon has launched a new, not yet so known dedicated to an online sales website, called MYHABIT.

This new private fashion sale site offers up to 60% off hand-picked, high-end products from designer & boutique brands, featuring apparel, shoes, jewelry and accessories for men, women and children.

New online sales start every day at 9 am and typically run for 72 hours only. But the product inventory is limited and is available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Shoppers must act quick!

Customers who sign up to the site to become members will discover products and be able to make purchases fast, because signing up is free and easy. If you are registered Amazon shopper, it is possible to use your Amazon.com credentials to sign in.

The private fashion online sales site, MYHABIT, offers fast free shipping, with even a free return option available in the U.S. Dubai and UAE based customers can shop via Aramex and have the items delivered to their doorstep in the emirates.

An interesting feature of MyHabit.com is the 360-degree video of the clothing on live models, which helps shoppers to visualise the clothes they like.

The brands on offer are mostly high-end, well known labels, with guaranteed high quality. Hundreds of popular and designer brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, TUMI, Rebecca Minkoff, Juicy Couture, Just Cavalli, Moschino, Belle Epoque and more are flashing unbeatable discounts to the lucky ones.

If you are already a registered shopper at Amazon.com, your account information such as payment options and shipping addresses will be automatically imported into new members’ accounts for your convenience. Shop until your drop with the click of a mouse!

Endless.com is another website for fashionable accessories operated by Amazon.

Kids Fashion Week dedicated to growing market of kid’s fashion

2011-07-08T18:51:00.000+04:00

Kids Fashion Week, a signature event of Dubai Summer Surprises 2011, is dedicated to the growing market of kid’s fashion. The event showcases the latest spring/summer fashion offered by the best retailers in the city. First conceptualized in 2003, the event is now in its 9th year and has established itself as one of the main events in the Dubai Summer Surprises yearly calendar. As glitzy and glam as the grown up versions, this mini fashion week features shows by the local catwalk stars of tomorrow, and global brands.

General Information:

Date: 28th to 31st July 2011
Location: Deira City Centre
Time: 2:00 pm and 6:30 pm (2 shows a day)

This year, Kids Fashion Week is back, looking for more aspiring young models. It is one- of –a- kind opportunity to launch your child’s fashion career on a grand platform.

Registration is open for boys & girls from ages 5-12.

Registration/Audition details:

Date: 4th July to 12th July 2011
Time: 12pm to 9pm
Location: Deira City Centre (Registration booth is located at 2nd Level- West Court, across Banana Republic)

In addition, you can also join us at the Kids Fashion Week Creative Workshop at Deira City Centre and create a fashion item with the accessories available. The creation should be a joint effort between the parent and child. The best creation in each category stands to win great prizes.

Creative Workshop:

Date: 18th to 31st July 2011
Location: Deira City Centre
Time: 3pm to 10pm

Incredible promotion: Shop in Dubai and stay for FREE

2011-07-07T20:59:00.000+04:00

Emirates Airline has teamed up with leading hotels in Dubai - The Armani Hotel, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, The Address Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel - to offer first class and business class passengers, flying to and via Dubai, complimentary hotel stays and 96-hour transfer visas.

First class passengers receive a complimentary two-night stay, including breakfast, at either The Armani Hotel, located in the Burj Khalifa, or the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, located on the Palm Jumeirah Island. Business class passengers obtain a one-night stay with breakfast at either The Address Dubai Marina or the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel.

With the offer, passengers staying at The Armani Hotel or The Address Dubai Marina also get the chance to experience being on top of the world with priority tickets to the ‘At the Top,’ Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. While passengers who choose the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray or Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel can splash the day away with free entrance to the Wild Wadi Water Park.

“We are always looking for ways to enhance and add value to our offerings for our premium customers. With this offer, not only do our passengers experience Emirates’ award-winning first and business class products, but they also stay in style and comfort,” said Russell Sheldon, Senior Vice President, Network Sales & Development. “What could be more stylish than staying in one of the four of the most iconic hotels today - The Armani Hotel Dubai, the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, The Address Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel? This excellent offer further extends the outstanding service our premium passengers know and expect when they fly with Emirates.”

Eligible passengers must complete their journey entirely in either Emirates First or Emirates Business class, between 1 August and 30 September, 2011 and book before 31 July 2011. The offer cannot be combined with any inclusive tour packages. More information can be found on www.emirates.com.

MYHABIT is a new private sales site that offers up to 60% on top brands

2011-07-02T23:01:00.000+04:00

Amazon has launched MYHABIT. The new private fashion sale site offers up to 60% off hand-picked styles from designer & boutique brands, featuring apparel, shoes, jewelry and accessories for men, women and children.

New sale events start every day and typically run for 72 hours; product inventory is limited and is available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Customers who sign up to the site to become members will discover products and be able to make purchases – signing up is free and easy. If you are registered Amazon shopper, it is possible to use your Amazon.com credentials to sign in.

MYHABIT features:

FAST, FREE SHIPPING and FREE RETURN SHIPPING in the US
360-degree video of the clothing on live models
Hundreds of popular and designer brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, TUMI, Rebecca Minkoff, Juicy Couture
Amazon.com account information such as payment options and shipping addresses automatically imported into new members’ accounts.

Endless.com is another website for fashionable accessories operated by Amazon.

Summer Deals for Smart Shoppers

2011-07-02T16:16:00.000+04:00

Retailers from department store giants to discount outlets to furniture showrooms are unloading extra inventory during the summer months as they make room for the important back to school season. Moreover, the ongoing Dubai Summer Surprises is the most popular shopping festival in the Middle East with visitors from all GCC countries flocking to the city's shopping venues.

Retail operators burdened with merchandise that didn't sell as consumers hesitated in spending on non compulsory goods, particularly apparel, amid high food prices and an overall dull economy are price cutting in a big way.

Clearance inventory aka Summer Sales just began across the Dubai malls on 22nd of June, with a number of retailers promoting additional offerings on already reduced merchandise. New collections full-price racks continue to be largely unnoticed with the majority of mall traffic huddled in the back of stores searching for the yet-again-unavoidable clearance offerings.

This is just a repetition of every holiday season when merchandise is marked down 50% to 80%.

Window displays at the shopping malls are covered with large red screens announcing even larger SALES. Literary every single shop offers some kind of a discount, including Laura Ashley, Roberto Cavalli, Marks & Spenser, Okaidi, Oasis and all the rest. Apparel and household items are marked down up to 80%, in many cases offered at bellow the cost value.

Why you should get an advantage on the opportunity to stock on apparel and consumer goods now? Here are few good reasons:

1. In Dubai summer collection is always ON, as the climate is hot and sunny all year long.

2. Clothes will not be so cheap next season, neither household items and furniture. The inflation is rising and so is cost of transportation and wages.

3. With the outside temperatures well over 40 Celsius, there is no much option for outdoor pastime. Combining practical shopping with long mall walks could be a pleasurable way of spending time in the air conditioned, luxurious and clean surroundings. The large variety of cafes and eateries in the shopping centres can help keeping the most passionate shoppers for a whole day in.

4. Think about all the casual items you buy anyway and all the time, such as T-shirts, socks, pajamas, towels, etc. Wouldn't be great to get all of these at Gallery Lafayette or Debenhams at The Dubai Mall with 70% discount?

Juicy Couture Apparel & Handbags, Versace Watches and more are all on sale today

2010-11-05T10:18:00.000+04:00

Colorful and classic handbag styles, fashion-forward designs from the luxury Versace line and tens of other brands are right now on SALE at HauteLook.com. Today's Premium Brands at 50% - 75% off at HauteLook.com! Free to Join

About HauteLook

Adam Bernhard, former executive of an international business and and founder of an inventory clearance company, launched in Los Angeles HauteLook.com back in 2007. His selling point is "casual sensibility". Currently the website has 2.7 million registered members and it is "Free to Join". The concept proved a fortune. Several sales start daily and last about 48 hours. Products include women's, men's and children's apparel, home and beauty products, food and wine at discounts up to 75%. Online shoppers can grab deals such as Skinny jeans by 7 For All Mankind for $99, while the retail price is $218. The choice of brands includes Harve Leger, Bulgari, Taschen, BCBG and more.

Laundry by Shelli Segal SALE hosted by Hautelook

2010-10-13T10:47:00.000+04:00

Sophisticated and contemporary designs

SALE ends Thursday 10/14
at 8:00 AM PT

Join HauteLook Today!

Lifestyle Know-How Online Boutique launching soon in Dubai

2010-10-13T10:07:00.000+04:00

Beginning in November, image conscious, home and comfort loving consumers will be able to purchase elegant, fine quality collections online at reasonable prices. Barcarol.com will be an online boutique targeted to worldly and sophisticated consumers in the region. It will offer large variety of branded and high quality lifestyle products and will host sale events occasionally.

A company owned by Barcarol LLC, Barcarol.com will launch in the region to cover an elegant niche for the online shopping community. Members of the website will receive pre-launch reviews and invitations to limited time sales. Shoppers can gain access by logging onto the website at www.barcarol.com and filling in a simple form.

With a heavy focus on quality classic lifestyle products, Barcarol.com will provide its exclusive customers access to a wide range of items from premium luxury brands at favourable prices.

Apart from the reasonable prices and the guaranteed quality, consumers will be exposed both to established brands and also to those relatively new to the marketplace. The management believe that the website will eventually become a reference point for those shoppers who want to be up to date with current trends and to keep an eye on new entrants to the Lifestyle Know-How.

The website will offers a range of easy payment options and home delivery service, which will be free for a limited period or above limited amount. In short, Barcarol.com will provide an excellent way for consumers to access premier quality items and unique, rare objects online from the comfort of their own homes.

For designers and brand owners Barcarol.com represents an opportunity to reach new target markets while at the same time attracting consumers from all walks of life. For brand owners and distributors who hold stock, this is an additional sales channel and another way to add yield on their investment.

Related Articles:

The Hottest Online Sale coming Soon!

2010-09-29T10:30:00.001+04:00

Join HauteLook Today!

Why? To get advantage on the hottest online sales of designers' items around the globe. Coming soon, but ending in 36 or 48 hours is the InCharacter Kid's Costumes SALE!

InCharacter Costumes is dedicated to providing quality, fashion-forward infant, toddler, kids, tween, and adult costumes for the sophisticated customer. They combine exquisite designs with superior fabrics, premium finishing, and the best graphics in the industry.

HauteLook.com is the most popular online sales website, created back in 2007. Currently the website has 2.7 million registered members and it is "Free to Join". Several sales start daily and last about 48 hours. Products include women's, men's and children's apparel, home and beauty products, food and wine at discounts up to 75%. Online shoppers can grab deals such as Skinny jeans by 7 For All Mankind for $99, while the retail price is $218. The choice of brands includes Harve Leger, Bulgari, Taschen, BCBG and more.

Check also:

The Address Hotels + Resort’s annual wedding fair showcases decor, design and venues at The Address Dubai Mall

2010-09-27T14:33:00.000+04:00

Much awaited by wedding planners, designers and the public, the second annual wedding fair, organised and hosted by The Address Hotels + Resorts, will be held at The Address Dubai Mall from October 1 to 2, 2010.

The hotel, located in Downtown Dubai and linked to The Dubai Mall, will showcase an array of choices that will assist potential brides, grooms, families and friends ease the preparations for a dream wedding.

Among the highlights of the fair are special pavilions showcasing products and designs from world leading stylists and designers such as J J Valaya and Elisabeth Di Naya.

The event will also host wedding planners, photographers, hair and make-up artists, fitness companies and airline partners providing information on the most sought after honeymoon destinations thus offering the groom and bride to-be a complete wedding solution. Additionally, guests will be provided with information on the stunning venues within The Address Hotels + Resorts portfolio for their dream wedding.

Mr. Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Hospitality Group and Emaar Hotels & Resorts said: “The annual wedding fair by The Address Hotels + Resorts is a value addition as it serves as a one-stop-shop for all brides and grooms to make informed decisions about their big day. Every aspect of conducting weddings – from venues to styling and cuisine options – are addressed at the showcase.”

The fair will be held in the spacious and elegant Diamond Ballroom of The Address Dubai Mall, which can accommodate up to 650 guests. Services offered include wedding photographers, videographers, sound & light systems and Emirates honeymoon destinations offered by Emirates Airline thus giving brides and grooms the complete package.

Wedding planners and event organisers will put together visitor’s choices to enable every element to fall seamlessly into place. From decorations and stylists to cuisine and music, every aspect of the wedding will be catered to.

The Address Hotels + Resorts is owned and managed by Emaar Hospitality Group and has five hotels in its Dubai portfolio – The Address Downtown Dubai, The Address Dubai Mall, The Address Dubai Marina, The Address Montgomerie Dubai and The Palace – The Old Town.

In addition to these potential wedding locations, the Dubai Marina Yacht Club and Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club - also part of Emaar Hospitality – have attractive venues for the ideal wedding.

bebe Summer 2010 Catalog Shoot

2010-09-25T19:59:00.002+04:00

The Finest Egyptian Cotton on SALE right now!

2010-09-25T19:16:00.005+04:00

L'erba

Towel and sheet sets in luxe Egyptian cotton

Ends Tuesday, 9/28

at 6:00 AM PT

Join HauteLook Today!

$99.00 $200.00

Fashion Trends for Fall Winter 2010

2010-09-25T16:40:00.000+04:00

The Bag Guide

2010-09-25T16:19:00.000+04:00

Bendon Mid Season Sale up to 40% off started

2010-09-25T13:43:00.000+04:00

Bendon Mid Season Sale up to 40% off starting today. Visit Bendon Stores at Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Festival City, Dubai Mall, Arabian Centre, Mirdiff City Centre.

iPhone officially in Dubai

2010-09-25T13:40:00.000+04:00

iPhone 4 is available now in du shops! You can head to the nearest one to buy yours :)

Membership-only, sample-sale websites offering as much as 80% off

2010-09-24T23:25:00.000+04:00

It is no secret that during the past three years, the retail industry has tanked, and no part of it more so than luxury. But during this time frame, a new breed of entrepreneurs has sprung up and sized the opportunity: they took the glut of luxury goods and created membership-only, sample-sale websites that bring the excitement of a door-buster sale online, with prices as much as 80% off. To say that these websites have become the hottest area in retail is understatement. While second-quarter sales of luxury retailers and department stores increased in the range of 5 to 10 percent over the year before, some of the online sales websites zoomed 200 or 300 percent. The online private sample-sale category generated $ 1 billion on revenue last year, and some say it could grow to $8 billion in the next five years.

All of the websites attract shoppers who crave what the can't afford and love luxury brands and exclusivity. The sales are launched daily and usually run just 36 to 48 hours, which turn shopping into an event, and they train customers to check their mail in-boxes every morning for fresh, new merchandise and to buy things they didn't even know they wanted. While actual elbows may not be flying, at 9 every morning, hundreds of thousands of shoppers are being whipped into frenzy over discounted Carolina Herrera dresses or Bulgari sunglasses.

As in the heyday of department stores, when it was Harvey Nichols via Gallery Lafayette, every private sale website has a distinct identity.

The concept proved a fortune. Several sales start daily and last about 48 hours. Products include women's, men's and children's apparel, home and beauty products, food and wine at discounts up to 75%. Online shoppers can grab deals such as Skinny jeans by 7 For All Mankind for $99, while the retail price is $218. The choice of brands includes Harve Leger, Bulgari, Taschen, BCBG and more.

Bendon Mid Season SALE

2010-09-24T18:14:00.000+04:00

Bendon Mid Season Sale up to 40% off starting today. Visit Bendon Stores at Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Festival City, Dubai Mall, Arabian Centre, Mirdiff City Centre.

You can also check online the lingerie section of HauteLook.com

APART - the newest, absolutely irresistible fashion brand

2010-09-23T23:50:00.003+04:00

Introducing the newest, absolutely irresistible fashion brand to hit at first North America, APART. Customers associate APART with always being the sleek, fashion-forward yet classic name they can trust. APART provides looks for real life and styles for personal runway: whether that includes making a stiletto sprint to the office or that trip to the farmer’s market. APART'S customer is the woman juggling being cool and collected, smart but fun, and tough yet feminine, all with that knowing smile. Don’t stress about outfit each morning, APART got it all covered!

The Looks—the most coveted and current pieces—save the APART woman’s in-demand time from tedious outfit planning and allow fashionistas with the click of-the-mouse to continue on their always stylish days. APART knows that leather studded hot pants might not be everyone’s look and works to integrate key trends into each collection to ensure that you’re on-point with your fellow fashion savant

French fashion king Yves Saint Laurent dies

2008-06-02T12:04:00.001+04:00

French fashion king Yves Saint Laurent has died at the age of 71, hailed as a 20th century cultural icon who revolutionized the way women dressed.

The reclusive Saint Laurent's couture creations won global fine art status and he was widely considered to be one of an elite club of designers including Christian Dior and Coco Chanel who made Paris the fashion capital of the world.

From Princess Grace of Monaco to the actress Catherine Deneuve, Saint Laurent's creations adorned many famous women but he was also the first designer to make luxury labels accessible to a wider audience through innovative read-to-wear collections.

He exploded on to the world stage at just 21 and built up a clothes, perfumes and accessories empire that resulted in a 1989 stock market flotation -- the first by a fashion house.

But Saint Laurent, whose death on Sunday was announced without any details of the cause, was plagued by health problems -- he suffered from severe depression and underwent treatment for alcohol abuse.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy praised Saint Laurent as a creative genius. "He was convinced that beauty was a luxury that every man and woman needed," Sarkozy said in a statement.

"(Coco) Chanel gave women freedom. Yves Saint Laurent gave them power," Saint Laurent's long-time friend and business partner Pierre Berge told France Info radio.

"(But) he was someone who was very shy and introverted, who had only very few friends and hid himself from the world." Continue to the full story.

Urban Male Lounge

2008-05-24T15:25:00.002+04:00

Gentlemen of the modern day are beginning to follow the example set by the stylish Italians and pay increasing attention to the way that they look. Not simply for reasons of vanity but because the importance of personal presentation in the business setting is becoming more and more recognized. And this means attention to even the most precise detail. Much as we may resent it, first impressions count. Social psychologists have estimated that it takes around thirty seconds for someone meeting you to evaluate your character and abilities, including your educational level, competence, sophistication, trustworthiness and social heritage. In such a short space of time, this means that those impressions are formed almost entirely on how you look. Personal presentation counts.

This is increasingly evident in the Western world, notably from the sale of male grooming products. In 2006, men worldwide are reported to have spent US$16bn on cosmetics and associated products and this is projected to rise to US$19.5bn by 2008. In addition to cosmetic sales, grooming salons are cropping up in cities worldwide.

The observation that these establishments are city-based is a significant one. It is important for the modern professional in the urban environment to present himself with panache and this means attention to the most precise detail.

In place of the specialist facials, color manicures, pedicures and aromatherapy massages offered by beauty salons are hot shaves, sports massages and deep conditioning hair treatments. More and more are also coming around to the idea of facials, manicures and pedicures in an effort to set themselves apart from the crowd in the chic stakes.

Not only does the indulgence make the recipient look sharp, it is a bona fide stress buster as well. Though massage is an undeniable tension reliever, time spent idly looking after one’s appearance is an opportunity for the gentlemen to switch off the overworked mind for a short time, making it an ideal lunchtime treat or as a break if work commitments continue into the night.

The Middle East is no stranger to the trend either; the Urban Male Lounge (UML) has recently been opened in the Dubai International Finance Centre and is a stylish take on the male grooming concept, answering the demand that now exists here too. Clients have a number of treatments available from an extensive menu.

Muslim designers to create Islamic fashion hubs

2008-04-07T07:08:00.005+04:00

Muslim designers are not only keen on showcasing the latest trends and designs in Islamic-inspired apparels, but they also want to help establish Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta and Islamic fashion capitals.

“I think it’s time especially for Muslim women who take pride in the way she dress to dictate the direction of Islamic fashion,” Raja Rezza Shah, the founder of the Islamic Fashion Festival.

“We don’t have to take the signal from the West anymore.”
Designers and fashion labels gathered in Dubai on March 30 at the IFF’s fourth edition opening. Past editions of the fashion festival were held in the Malaysian and Indonesian capitals Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

Muslim designers hope to turn the three cities to capitals of the industry that reconciles the Muslim faith with the dictates of fashion, just as London, Paris and New York are to Western labels.

“The demand has never been more present than now,” Rezza says on the IFF official website. “A gap exists at the moment as Islamic fashion capitals and trend setters don’t have a commonplace to serve this demand to a greater market. The Festival aims to bridge this gap.”
The annual festival brings the latest trends in Islamic fashion to an international audience.

The Bride Show ddraws in the most exclusive names in the industry

2008-03-24T21:34:00.004+04:00

The Bride Show Dubai is drawing in scores of exclusive exhibitors from around the world who will touch down in the Emirate to showcase their collections to the public in April.

Among them, photographers of the rich and fabulous, Ronicka Kandhari and Vickrant Mahajan have chosen The Bride Show Dubai to offer their talents to UAE residents for the very first time. The famous husband and wife team, known for their work at weddings for Bollywood stars, industrialists and officials, will attend the four day exhibition to launch their service, a thorough photographic and artistic wedding portrayal.

The photographs they capture throughout the wedding experience are compiled into a custom-made handcrafted album, embellished with Swarovski crystals; to produce an ornate jewelled book of memories.

“We work with very exclusive, very discerning clients, and only undertake 12 to 15 weddings a year,” said Vickrant Mahajan, who recently returned from a 10-day wedding of a chief minister’s son. “The Bride Show fits our profile to a tee because of its exclusivity and the calibre of exhibitors we will be joining. We feel that it is an ideal venue to meet potential clients in the UAE for the very first time.”

The Delhi-based couple are joined by other international names who flock to Dubai for the largest bridal exhibition in the region. Mantra Living, a specialised couture fusion fashion that combines eastern embroidery and western silhouettes, will fly in from Singapore to meet brides-to-be and women with a taste for luxury fashion.

Hong Kong brand Fine n’ Rhine will offer evening and day bags, dripping in Swarovski crystals, as well as cashmere scarves and embroidered tops, while Bina Enterprises from India will exhibit their modern saris, Salwar Kammeez & Kurtas.

Many exhibitors will use The Bride Show Dubai as their only selling opportunity to customers in the UAE as they do not operate retail spaces outside of their native countries.

European services and products will also be available, including high end skin care products from NUXE, and the über chic floral arrangements of Space & Flowers, both of which originate from Paris, France. Gianni Piazza, an esteemed Italian jeweller, President of Belle Arti, will display ‘Dolce Vita’ inspired classic contemporary necklaces, earrings and rings, all with the signature flair of Italian colour and fantasy with his brand BELLAGIOIA, while German and Ukrainian bridal dressmakers, Cecile and Junist respectively, will display their collections.
“The Bride Show Dubai has grown so much over the years and we are excited that such exclusive international names have joined us,” said Daphne Cota, Exhibition Manager of The Bride Show. “We now feature 400 companies from 13 countries, showcasing everything from wedding gowns and international haute couture fashion to jewellers, florists, and photographers.”

The Bride Show Dubai will host 20 fashion shows from local and international designers demonstrating their eagerly anticipated collections as well as the creations devised by the finalists of the prestigious Swarovski Young Designer Award.

Exclusive discounts and daily competitions will be taking place and one lucky visitor will win the grand prize of a luxury honeymoon package.

The Arabian Home Show and Women’s Healthcare will run alongside The Bride Show Dubai at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from 23- 26 April.

The Bride Show Dubai is open daily from 2.30pm – 10.30pm. Entry fee is 10dhs per person per day. To request an invitation to attend The Bride Show Dubai or to join the mailing list for regular Bride Show Dubai updates visit www.thebrideshow.com. Source

Abu Dhabi Fashion Week kicked off on Sathurday

2008-03-16T07:11:00.003+04:00

Against the stunning backdrop of the Emirates Palace Hotel and in an arena purpose-built to reflect the Arab World's distinctive architecture, the stage is truly set for the opening night of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Fashion Week.

For the first time in the Middle East, the runway shows, featuring the collections of top international and regional designers are set to take place simultaneously on two catwalks in the main arena and in a ladies only section. The Arabian architecture of 100,000 square foot arena has been designed to reflect the distinctive character of the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week, setting it apart from other international fashion events with a unique setting and line-up of shows.

Vittorio Missoni, CEO of renowned fashion house Missoni, arrived last Friday to lead the opening night on Saturday with a collection of his well-loved signature designs. The next few days will see the best of Arabian and international fashion from established international Masters through to exciting new Arabian Designers. For the first time ever in the region, pioneers of modern day fashion like Missoni and Emilio Pucci along with celebrated young designer Albino D’Amato will show their collections along with top Arab designers like Rabih Kayrouz from Lebanon, the UAE’s Aisha Desmal and Saudi designer Amina Al Jassim.

Abu Dhabi Fashion Week

2008-03-13T08:42:00.001+04:00

Abu Dhabi Fashion Week, scheduled from 15 to 18 March 2008, has been created by Maven Corporate Ltd as part of the initiatives underway to develop in the United Arab Emirates a new centre for the fashion industry in the region. In this process, Maven has formed an alliance with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (the organizers of Milan Fashion Week) to develop the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week into a glamorous, business driven international event.

In a unique step for the region, the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week will form part of the international fashion calendar alongside the fashion weeks in New York, London, Milano and Paris. It will showcase the 'next wave' of designers from the SAMENA region hoping to make their mark in the international industry. Abu Dhabi Fashion week will be a professional platform for buyers to truly do business with designers from the region. It will be held at the world-renowned Emirates Palace Hotel at a custom-built venue on the shores of the Arabian Gulf.

Abu Dhabi Fashion Week will be held twice each year in Abu Dhabi, but will also offer the opportunity to Regional Designers to participate in other international Fashion Weeks (e.g. Milano Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, etc.).

Dubai Fashion Week hits town from March 19-22

2008-03-13T08:38:00.001+04:00

Dubai Fashion Week hits town from March 19-22. With 31 designers and 16 shows it’s a major event that will highlight the budding talents of Middle East-based designers. There’s just one catch – it’s a trade show that is off-limits to the general public.

NikeWomen 2008 collection launched

2008-01-02T19:54:00.000+04:00

Sports retailer Sun and Sand Sports has launched the NikeWomen Spring 08 collection of apparel, shoes and accessories.
The collection offers a redesigned approach to the apparel and now has more variation in fit across the collection, the company said in a statement.

The NikeWomen Spring 2008 collection now boasts five different leg lengths and five different width variations for body wear to ensure a faultless fit relevant to the activity. The Spring 2008 line features apparel and accessories for cardio, dance fitness, running, swimming and yoga disciplines as well as a vintage inspired “sport culture” line, with the entire collection accentuating style and functionality between the body and the environment.

“Nike has gone to great lengths to understand the needs of the various disciplines and realise that performance and enjoyment of any activity whether it be running or dance should not be hampered by clothes that make you feel uncomfortable. Nike has developed apparel that works with the athlete to enhance their performance,” said Salman Basheer, marketing manager for Sun and Sand Sports in Dubai.

Sun and Sand Sports offers the new NikeWomen Spring 2008 collection throughout its outlets across the UAE. – TradeArabia News Service

Aspiring Amateur Fashion Designers

2007-12-16T09:47:00.000+04:00

Swarovski Young Designer Awards Encourages Undiscovered Talent

Your chance to have your name and creativity flashed before thousands of people in the UAE is back. The Swarovski Young Designer Awards are providing a professional platform for aspiring fashion designers in the UAE to achieve national recognition and win a fashion internship.

The Awards, part of The Bride Show Dubai, are open to students and amateur designers and aim to throw the spotlight on undiscovered talent looking for their break into the notoriously tough fashion industry.
Ten finalists from both the Student and the Amateur design categories will be given the opportunity to bring their ideas to life and see their wedding dresses displayed on the catwalk by professional models as part of The Swarovski Young Designer Award Fashion Show on the last day of The Bride Show Dubai 2008.
The overall winner of the Innovation Award will win an internship at Swarovski or a dedicated fashion house. Furthermore, winners of each category will receive a Swarovski trophy and luxury gift hamper.
As is tradition for the Awards, a theme has been set for entrants to take inspiration. This year, the designers will be asked to reflect ‘the art of being intimate’ in their design for what is arguably the most important dress a woman will wear in her life.
Applicants to the Awards will submit a selection of mood boards, outlining their creative influences, their concepts and overall designs. A panel of judges, formed by eminent personalities and industry figures, will select top ten designs in each category which will then be designed and modeled. All participants will have access to invaluable workshops and mentoring, designed to develop their skills, from the Awards sponsor, Swarovski.
Swarovski, the world’s leading crystal company, is an integral partner with The Bride Show. Usually associated with global leaders of the fashion industry, Swarovski recognises the importance of nurturing young talent and developing new ideas and fresh creativity. The Young Designer Awards creates the perfect platform to reach promising future designers and help them break into the fashion industry.
“The response we have received in the last few years of the Swarovski Young Designer Awards has been overwhelming,” said Werner Baumgartner, Managing Director of Swarovski Middle East. “We believe this is an important competition, which helps both students who have embarked on a path to a career in fashion as well as amateurs who believe they have an eye for creativity and flair. I am very much looking forward to seeing how this year’s participants will develop the theme, ‘the art of being intimate’ into a beautiful wedding dress.”
The Bride Show Dubai is the largest and most prestigious bridal exhibition in the Middle East, making it the perfect arena for budding fashion stars to showcase their unique wedding dress creations to prospective brides and their families, Arab women and expatriates.
“Now in its 9th year, we are thrilled to build further on the success of the Swarovski Young Designer Awards at The Bride Show Dubai,” said Daphne Cota, Exhibitions Manager for The Bride Show. “Seeing the finalists’ hard work pay off on the last day of the event is always very inspiring and we know our visitors love to see local creative talent in the spotlight and on the catwalk. The Awards continue to raise awareness and standards for young talent in the Middle East fashion industry.”
Budding fashion designers who are interested in taking part should download an application form from www.thebrideshow.com. The deadline for submissions is 14 February 2008.

Villa Moda to develop lifestyle boulevard at DIFC in Dubai

2007-12-09T15:06:00.000+04:00

Villa Moda this week announced an ambitious new development in collaboration with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), combining retail, art and fine dining, to create a culturally rich luxury boulevard at the DIFC which will be launched in March 2008.
The Villa Moda retail development, based on the original 'glass box' Villa Moda in Kuwait, will place emphasis on light, transparency and movement. With spaces divided into “glass aquariums”, consumers will be offered a new concept in the retail “experience”. With high-end luxury retailers, world-class eateries and the best in international contemporary art, the project will support the development of a vibrant cultural life in the region.

Curated and art directed by the Villa Moda creative team, the development is a first for Sheikh Majed Al-Sabah, the founder of Villa Moda, and the creative force behind the ground-breaking Middle Eastern fashion emporium.
Sheikh Majed said: “Combining retail, art and fine dining, our vision is to create a unique environment where consumers can enjoy a new concept in retail therapy. With individually designed stand-alone retail spaces housing luxury retailers, and contemporary art installations showcasing the works of the world’s leading artists, the development will offer a unique experience for our fashion savvy clientele. It is with great excitement that we announce this project in collaboration with the DIFC.”
HE Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the DIFC, said: “The Villa Moda retail development marks the beginning of a larger retail venture that the DIFC will announce in the near future. It promises a unique, avant-garde shopping experience. As art has always been a significant component of the DIFC’s strategy, Villa Moda will contribute to the development of this important sector, and act as an exciting cultural magnet for the city.”
Villa Moda will offer distinctly exclusive retail spaces to many leading European luxury brands. Confirmed brands include Prada, Marni, Miu Miu, Viktor & Rolf, Jil Sander, Martin Margiela, Nina Ricci, Dries Van Noten, Issey Miyake, Vivienne Westwood and Tsumori Chisato, as well as Villa Moda’s own multi brand stores for men’s and womenswear.
The development will also boast the first Ladurèe patisserie in the Middle East. In addition, an essential element of the project will be its contemporary art gallery, which will host frequent exhibitions and bring the world’s leading artists to Dubai. The art gallery and the general art direction of the project will be designed by PFCArchitects, the studio of Italian architect Pierfrancesco Cravel, who created the original ‘glass box’ Villa Moda in the Shuwaikh district of Kuwait. Source

Dubai International Fashion Week (DIFW)

2007-10-16T15:41:00.000+04:00

The Dubai International Fashion Week (DIFW), the leading fashion trade event held in Dubai bi annually, has partnered with PRESTIGE 2007, to cooperate in promoting the two brands and create synergies for the success of both events. This partnership will benefit the regional fashion industry, as each event will bring in unsurpassed expertise and knowledge of their respective business activities. With one visit to Dubai, fashion buyers from across the world will have the opportunity to build relationships with leading designers as well as negotiate business opportunities with many international exhibitors.
DIFW will be held from October 22-25, 2007 at One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel under the patronage of Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry. PRESTIGE 2007, also held under the aegis of DCCI is scheduled from October 23-25, 2007 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

"Dubai Chamber's continuous support to its business community is clearly reflected by the establishment of various business groups, including the textile traders group, that serve many sectors of interest. To convene DIFW in this emirate does not only reflects Dubai's position as a regional and international business hub, but also as a main venue and destination for tourism, entertainment and fashion industries." said Nuha Safar, Director of Marketing & Communication at Dubai Chamber.
PRESTIGE is the Middle East's only international trade fair for brands fashion, lingerie, kidswear & shoes&accessories . Launched in 2004 and held in Dubai every year, the event is associated with the European Fashion and and Textile Export Council (EFTEC). The last edition of the exhibition hosted 130 upper-medium-to-high-end fashion and footwear brands of selected exhibitors from Europe, North America, South America, Australia as well as HongKong and Thailand.
"DIFW is a unique fashion trade platform. We are pleased to be associated with an event of this magnitude. We have been associated with the luxury segment for over many years and have an extensive network not just in the region but globally as well. DIFW offers a perfect platform to partner in our endeavour to further contribute to the regional fashion business." commented Michael Mueller, managing director of Planerfair, organiser of PRESTIGE.
"DIFW's decision to partner with PRESTIGE is a strategic one, which reflects our interest in this high growth industry. Fashion is and will continue to play a pivotal role today and in the future. We would like to cement our presence in the field and foresee the PRESTIGE partnership as enabling us to move in that direction. This move will open a new avenue of growth and opportunity for the participants of DIFW and PRESTIGE", said Nayla Yared, project manager of DIFW.
DIFW is supported by fashion and lifestyle media including Fashion TV Arabia, Persian Media Channel (PMC), OK Middle East, Al Jamila, Dubai Diary, Beauty & Wellness and Stylekandy.com. Source

Abu Dhabi fashion week to bring international Industry experts

2007-10-16T15:36:00.000+04:00

It was announced that a major new fashion week was being created to serve the Arab World – Abu Dhabi Fashion Week. Abu Dhabi Fashion Week has been created by Maven Corporate Ltd as part of the initiatives underway to develop in the United Arab Emirates a new centre for the fashion industry in the region. In this process, Maven has formed an alliance with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (the organizers of Milan Fashion Week) to develop the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week into a glamorous, business driven international event.
In a unique step for the region, the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week will form part of the international fashion calendar alongside the fashion weeks in New York, London, Milano and Paris.The Launch of the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week will bring together regional and international businessmen along with top international designers, models and VIP’s, for a week long extravaganza of fashion.

Commenting on this event Maven announced: “The fashion industry in the Arab World and the surrounding markets represents an enormously exciting market: fresh, innovative, diverse and demanding! The Abu Dhabi Fashion Week will help to create a forum to release this creativity and potential. We think this event will mark the beginning of a new era in the fashion industry in the region”.
Audiences for the event will include Buyers, Brand Representatives, Distributors, Retailers, Celebrities and Royalty alongside international TV and Media and other Dedicated Followers of Fashion.The Abu Dhabi Fashion Week will be launched in Abu Dhabi at the Emirates Palace Hotel from the 15-18th of November, 2007. Announced sponsors for the event include Emirates Palace Hotel and ALDAR Properties.
It was also revealed that the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week represents the first step in a major new initiative to create a hub for the fashion industry within the fast growing and dynamic economy of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the twin pillars of the National economy, already enjoy the position of being the key business, finance and leisure hubs of the broader Middle East and South Asian region. Within this broader region, the fashion industry is of global significance as both a Supply and as a Retail market. As the Capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi will lead the way in this initiative, and the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week will complement the dynamic new developments within the City’s business and cultural communities. Source

Dubai growing as International Fashion Hub

2007-09-24T21:55:00.000+04:00

Planetfair Dubai, part of Planetfair Hamburg, Germany, has announced the fifth edition of its renowned international trade fair for fashion, footwear brands and lingerie, PRESTIGE 2007.
The continued success of the fair is seen as evidence of Dubai’s role as an international fashion hub, and the main driver of booming trade between Europe and the UAE.
Held in partnership with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Dubai World Trade Centre, the exhibition is aimed at the high-end fashion market and runs at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from 23-25 October 2007. The event will cover more than 4,000 square metres and accommodate over 160 international fashion brands from 16 participating countries.

The three-day exhibition is aimed at showcasing the latest trends in women’s wear, men’s apparel, lingerie, swimwear, footwear, leathergoods, sport’s wear, children’s wear and accessories from participating brands’ 2008 Spring/Summer collections. The show will also provide a platform for buyers, retailers, distributors and sales mediators from around the Gulf to meet with leading international fashion houses and designers.
”PRESTIGE has proved to be an excellent venue for fashion houses across Europe, the US and Asia to exhibit their brands and further understand GCC markets,” said Michael Mueller, Managing Director, Planetfair Dubai.
”With the number of shopping malls increasing at a dramatic pace and Dubai now established as an international business hub, it is vital for these brands to gain a foothold here and play a part in the region’s rapidly growing fashion industry.”
PRESTIGE 2007 arrives during a period of substantial gains in the regional fashion industry. According to Reinhard Doepfer, Managing Director of the Brussels-based European Fashion and Textile Export Council (EFTEC), officially registered exports of textile fashion from member states of the European Union to the GCC countries increased from US$945 million in 2005 to US$1,023 billion in 2006, or 8.3%.
The United Arab Emirates is considered to be the most important export market for clothing in the Gulf region in 2006. The best performing exporter of textile fashion to the UAE was Italy, Doepfer said, followed by the UK, France and Spain.
The 2007 fashion fair will see France’s official debut at the fair with a national pavilion of 20 leading brands, organised by UBI France - the French Agency for international business development - as well as expanded offerings from Italy. Germany will be taking part for the fifth consecutive year with a national pavilion sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi). Other exhibiting countries include Australia, Canada, Greece, Latvia, Lebanon, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, the UAE, the UK and the US.
EFTEC – the initiator and sponsor of PRESTIGE – is representing various European fashion associations. ITMM (International Textile and Fashion Marketing and Management), a renowned fashion consultancy based in Stuttgart, Germany, oversees the quality standards of all collections on display.
“As Dubai is turning into an international business hub of this region, the Emirate has also set itself up as a cosmopolitan city of fashion and design," Nuha Safar, Director of the Marketing and Communication Department at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
"PRESTIGE 2007 is a significant fashion fair that Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports as it brings together many international leading fashion houses to Dubai where our members working in textiles and garments have the opportunity to interact with the exhibitors and get deeply involved in the development of the fashion industry in Dubai,” said Safar.
PRESTIGE 2007 has partnered with Dubai International Fashion Week, held at The One & Only Royal Mirage from 22-25 October. The collaboration of the two will create synergies for the success of both events. Fashion buyers will have the opportunity to build relationships with leading designers as well as negotiate business opportunities with exhibitors. Source

Tattered Dreams in Denims

2007-08-28T00:00:00.000+04:00

The denims look tattered and frayed, but shoppers in Europe and the United States are prepared to pay good money for “distressed” jeans and Sri Lanka is cashing in. In the industrial town of Avissawella east of the capital Colombo, it takes workers around 13 minutes to cut and sew basic five-pocket denims.
They then spend another four days torturing the pants by dying, bleaching, and sandpapering them to get a “distressed” look. “Each garment is dyed or dipped around 16 and sometimes as many as 30 times to achieve the proper torn, tattered look,” explains Indrajith Kumarasiri, chief executive of Sri Lanka’s Brandix Denim.
“We earn more money by making denims look dirty and torn, the classic clean look doesn’t bring us much,” Kumarasiri said during a visit to the $10 million plant, which can make over three million pairs of jeans a year.
Basic denim jeans cost around $6 to make, but the shabbier “premium” ones cost twice as much. “In many ways, premium denims are replacing the little black dress as the wear-anywhere fashion staple,” he said. Overseas buyers such as Levis, Gap and Pierre Cardin are now regular buyers of premium jeans from Sri Lanka where they can be made for as little as $12 a pair, and often sell for over $100.
Buyers have been gradually shifting production out of Europe to low-cost countries such as Sri Lanka, explains Ajith Dias, chairman of the Sri Lanka Joint Apparel Association Forum.
“Retaining the business and growing the order book is tough with India and China competing with us on price and quicker lead times,” Dias said. Sri Lanka’s $3 billion dollar garment industry accounts for more than half its annual $7 billion of export earnings, and it provides jobs for nearly one million people. Nearly all the garments are shipped to the United States and the European Union.
But Dias said casual wear, including jeans, are the key to Sri Lanka’s success in the price-sensitive global apparel market, and now account for 16 per cent of total garment export earnings. “We have invested millions to install high-tech plants, develop a sound raw material base and design garments, to ensure we remain competitive, by doing everything from fabric to retail hangers,” Dias said.
Brandix, Sri Lanka’s biggest exporter with annual sales in excess of $320 million, and MAS Holdings, are also expanding overseas. In an attempt to get an advantage over the competition, Sri Lanka is trying to position itself as an ethical manufacturer in the hope of getting greater access to the US and Europe at lower duty rates.
“We have high labour standards. We don’t employ child labour, we provide rural employment and we empower women. There are no anti-dumping cases against us on trading practices,” said Suresh Mirchandani, chief executive of Favourite Garments.
While eco-friendly and ethically-made clothes are becoming increasingly fashionable, their manufacture provides challenges for Sri Lanka.
Big-name brands are now adding organic-cotton clothes to their collection. “The joke is that one day we’ll have a shirt we can eat,” said Prasanna Hettiarachchi, general manager of MAS Holdings.
He said Levis recently launched eco-jeans using organic cotton, natural dyes, a coconut shell button on the waist band and a price tag made of recycled paper printed with environmentally friendly soy ink. The price tag is a cool $250.
“We are also working on an eco garment,” said Brandix Denim’s Kumarasiri. And when asked what made a perfect pair of jeans, he had a quick answer. “Same as always. It comes down to how your behind looks when you wear them,” Kumarasiri grins. “No matter how good the wash, the detail or the label, if it doesn’t look good on your behind, it won’t sell.” Source

DIFW announces emerging talent hunt competition

2007-07-22T20:30:00.000+04:00

The Dubai International Fashion Week, (DIFW), has announced the emerging talent hunt competition to be held from 22nd July. The one month long hunt marks the commitment of DIFW to offer an unmatched platform to the regional talent to bring their work face to face with local, regional and international players in the fashion industry. The last day for sending in the entries is August 15th.
A rigorous selection procedure will identify three winners from amongst the several entrants based on a set of judging criteria. The panel comprising the members of the advisory board shall look at concept and design, choice of fabric and commercial viability of the collection, while deciding the chosen ones. The winners will then gain an opportunity to unveil their designs for the summer of 2008 in front of an audience drawn from amongst the best of fashion connoisseurs; fashion followers, commentators and buyers.
Mandatory for participation is a presence of less than two years in the business with at least one collection to their credit. The collection entered should showcase women’s ready-to-wear. The short listed candidates will then be put through a rigorous interview with the panel which will evaluate their understanding of the concepts developed and advice towards the final collections.
“The first edition of DIFW saw participation from both established and emerging talent from the region and outside,” said Nayla Yared, project manager of DIFW. “Building on the tremendous goodwill generated after the first event, the October edition will continue to focus on designers from the Middle East while simultaneously reaching out to more international buyers in a sustained bid to take the regional fashion industry to the centre stage of global trends,” she concluded.
About DIFW

Dubai International Fashion Week (DIFW) is a trade event aimed at bringing together major advocates of the fashion industry by providing them a single platform. Overseen by an advisory board, DIFW enables local and regional designers and fashion houses to present their collection to global and regional buyers, celebrities, media, fashionistas and the general public.
DIFW has been conceived and produced by Concept Events, a member of Concept Group, and a full service event management company with wide expertise and experience of managing corporate events, seminars and exhibitions, as well as live entertainment, award ceremonies and trade shows. Source

Beauty Regimens Reach for the Gold Standard (Great Article for Beauty Addicts)

2007-07-01T21:50:00.000+04:00

Ginger Grace Every other day: hair blown out, 45 minutes, $65 Twice a week: personal trainer, one hour, $80 Twice a week: eyebrow waxing, five minutes, $30 Twice a week: thigh treatment, 45 minutes, $125 Weekly: hiking with trainer, two hours, $150 Weekly: Zone Diet food delivery, $250 Twice a month: pedicure (with manicure), one hour, $40 Twice a month: facial, one hour, $160 Twice a month: massage, one hour, $125 Several times a month: makeup and eyelash application, $145 Monthly: photo facial, 15 minutes, $500 Every six weeks: hair color, two hours, $450 Every three months: hair cut, 45 minutes, $140 Twice a year: Botox and Restylane, one hour, $1,000

By NATASHA SINGER
Published: June 28, 2007
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.

Beauty Regimens Reach for the Gold Standard

2007-07-01T21:38:00.000+04:00

Paris, Milan, London, Miami, Tokyo, New York and Dubai.

The emirate has finally made it onto the most coveted list of all: The "who's who" of luxury brands and global fashion capitals.

There is no doubt that the development of leading luxury houses depends on brand longevity, with the choice of market destination a crucial one. And with more traditional markets such as Europe, the UK and the US facing increasing taxation, lease costs as well as serious competition and even saturation, it comes as no surprise that many luxury brands are now investing in building a commercial presence in emerging markets.

"Luxury houses, and in particular designer fashion brands, have been investing in their future by building commercial and brand presence in the emerging markets of Asia, Russia, and particularly the UAE," research analysts AC Nielson found in a recent report entitled Giorgio Armani and Gucci - considered as the world's most coveted fashion brands.

Today, the Middle East and in particular the UAE, represent an extremely promising market for a plethora of luxury labels, whatever their area of expertise. Be it watches or jewellery, cars or mobile technology, hotels or fashion brands, an increasing number of these iconic names are now here to stay in Dubai.

A Synovate Pax survey in late 2006 found that more than 70% of men and women in the UAE enjoy shopping as a pastime. And money does not seem to be an issue with 59,000 millionaires in the UAE alone in 2005. The UAE is experiencing a rising affluent customer base, whether nationals or expatriates, contributing to an ideal environment for luxury brands that are planning to expand their global footprint. When selecting a market retailers follow certain criteria points including market wealth, level of brand consciousness and awareness, and who is already there and how. But perhaps the most important factor that helped the world of luxury make a giant leap into the UAE was the commitment of local representatives and franchisees or existing retailers. Several groups have made huge progress in the field of establishing luxury brands in the UAE and they continue to provide the Emirates marketplace with access to some of the world's most coveted and respectable consumer brand names.

Chalhoub Group - a pioneer since 1955, Al Tayer Group, Sifico Fashion and Bin Hendi are some of the country's biggest names, not often known by the general public but that work hard behind the scenes for the luxury brands they promote. Each one can claim an astonishing repertoire of international labels, presented either in department stores or in stand-alone boutiques. Just stroll through the malls of Dubai or Abu Dhabi: Their stores are beside each other, just like on the Avenue Montaigne in Paris or Fifth Avenue in New York - both neighbours but also tough competitors.The real winners are the customers. With an increasing number of brands providing luxury shopping and service experiences, the latest exclusive products and stunning boutiques. But does this constitute excess, and does this still maintain the fundamental guiding principles of luxury? For centuries luxury was typically defined as ultra-indulgent services and products that combine creativity, high-quality materials, craftsmanship, rarity and a premium price. Much of their value had to do with their exclusivity. Luxury was about levels of quality and service that only the privileged few could afford. Even in the modern era, most of the well-known luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Rolls Royce, or Boucheron - were, a few decades ago, off-limits to everyone but the most affluent. This appears, however, to have rapidly changed. Janine Eccles, chief business development officer at the Chalhoub Group, argues that a luxury brand possesses a "magical appeal"."It is something that has a special quality to which a customer aspires and with which there is an affinity and a connection," she says. "A luxury brand is one that gives off an aura of rarity and distinction."Whatever luxury is becoming, it remains, without a doubt, a one-to-one dialogue between the brand and its customer.

Luxury brands across the world - and the UAE is no exception - have always been quick to react to the changing demands of their customers, and are very often the trendsetters guiding others on how to produce, market and sell consumer products and services. For luxury brands not only are their customers paying a premium for the product or service offered to them, they are also people accustomed to getting what they want. In many ways, personal pampering - in-store or by direct marketing - has become standard practice.This is extended not only to the most active purchasers, but also to all of the brand's customers - as how a client is treated is integral to selling high-end goods.Preferential treatment for customers tops the list of ways in which luxury brands distinguish themselves, yet the UAE has faced criticism over its levels of customer service. Often when shopping in certain high-end stores, customer assistants will not seem to know the finer details of the product, what the brand represents or what they could do to make your shopping experience more memorable. And this needs to change in order to meet the expectations of luxury brand customers. Multilingual, immaculate with impeccable manners, warm, knowledgeable and unobtrusive are the minimum prerequisites for any luxury salesperson. With so many stores, the hunt for well-qualified staff is well and truly on, and once again, in terms of service, luxury brands have the edge.

So, who are luxury customers? Emirati nationals are, without a doubt, the luxury consumers with the most disposable income, followed by expatriates from Western Europe and the US. "UAE nationals have acquired an unparalleled level of sophistication. A recent study showed that the usage of luxury products in the UAE is two to three times higher than the global average", says Eccles.

Tourists from the neighboring GCC countries and India, are also big luxury customers as they often find in Dubai or Abu Dhabi what is not yet available in Doha, Riyadh or Mumbai. There are also wealthy tourists from Europe or the Far East who are already used to buying luxury brands wherever they travel, alongside the latest herds of luxury-hungry Russian tourists. Source

Tom Ford's plans to go global

2007-06-10T23:29:00.000+04:00

Fashion super giant, Tom Ford, has announced that he will be taking over the world one continent at a time. After opening his uber chic store on Madison Avenue this year, the one-time creative designer of Gucci, is set to open almost 100 retail stores all over the world over a 10 year period.
From Dubai to Sao Paolo, dainty boutiques will sell his garments and a wide range of refined products. With a hard-to-accomplish objective in mind - becoming the true luxury label of the 21st century - Tom Ford and his friend and partner, Domenico DeSole, aim to become one of menswear heavy-hitters. Asia will become a Ford hot-spot; including a store in several countries. In addition, they aim to create a much tighter distribution than their competitors, and so become a high-end label in every aspect available. In the US, Tom Ford has already signed exclusive shop-in-shops agreements with, renowned department stores, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.
Both Tom and Domenico are confident that they will succeed on this hazardous quest of theirs. My style and market perception tells me that they will become with no doubt what so ever an iconic label in menswear fashion and that they will sell by the hundreds of millions, but I'm yet not convinced by their plans of becoming a fashion house highly above the others. Source

Sheikha Lubna Launches Her Own Fragrance

2007-06-05T23:02:00.000+04:00

Economy Minister Sheikha Lubna Al-Qassemi, the first woman minister in the United Arab Emirates, has launched her own perfume with part of the proceeds going to charity, the Khaleej Times newspaper reported today.Sheikha Lubna unveiled the fragrance - "Mukhalat Sheikha Lubna" - at the Dubai branch of the luxury Saks Fifth Avenue store.The event was held recently with several VIP guests present, including Shaikha Lubna and her associates, Saks Clients and members of the media. 20 per cent of sales made on Mukhalat Shaikha Lubna will be donated to the Friends of Cancer Patients, a charitable organisation based in Sharjah.“Fragrance is known to stir positive emotions in a woman’s heart — the new mukhalat will stir even more emotion as 20 per cent of the sales will be donated to the Friends of Cancer Patients," said Shaikha Lubna.Shaikha Lubna’s patronage comes as a form of support to young national women entrepreneurs. 'Mukhalat Shaikha Lubna' is the creation of Al Tanhat Company that is specialized in producing and mixing Arabian perfumes.

The scent of a strong woman (Khaleej Times Online)

Posh Spice will be a fashion judge

2007-05-25T18:05:00.000+04:00

Washington, May 25: She's been setting fashion trends, and now Victoria Beckham aka Posh Spice will soon be judging a British fashion competition.
Posh will judge creations by hopeful designers at Graduate Fashion Week in London next month. In keeping with her duties, Posh will interview fashion students and judge their designs. Terry Mansfield, Graduate Fashion Week chairman, said that he had been ecstatic when Posh had told him that she would be very interested in playing a part."I had the idea of asking Victoria to be on of the judges earlier this year and when we met she was very interested in it," Contactmusic quoted him, as saying."She has been involved in designing already and she is seen as a global fashion icon. There's no questions that her presence will also help the students get more attention globally and if I have helped to get a couple of students a few more jobs then I haven't done such a bad thing," he added.Other judges include Harper's Bazaar's U.S. editor Glenda Bailey, Lanvin creative director Alber Elbaz and British fashion chain River Island's managing director Richard Bradbury.

Cotton Pajamas you can wear proudly

2007-05-21T21:31:00.000+04:00

There's something incredibly satisfying about sitting around on a Friday morning drinking coffee and reading the paper in your pajamas. But it's not as fun if you don't have a cute pair of PJs. In some similar adorable ensembles you'll never want to leave the house.

It's not hard to find it: La Senza, Marks&Spencer and Nayomi have frequently new collections at reasonable prices. But best of all is to find cute PJs factory outlet from where you can always get the lates in styles for lower price than the retailer. My secret PJs shop is called Mira and is located in Sharja at the old souq, behind Sara market.

I am sure if you mention that you have read about it at Dubai Chronicle Fashion & Style section, your chances for great discount will be better.

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2006 / VSFS 2006 - Part 1

2007-05-05T00:05:00.000+04:00

The show was filmed on Nov. 16 and was broadcasted by CBS on Dec. 5, featuring:

Alessandra Ambrosio, Adriana Lima, Gisele Bundchen, Karolina Kurkova, Selita Ebanks, Izabel Goulart, Ana Beatriz Barros, Oluchi Onweagba, Jeisa Chiminazzo, Jessica Stam, Heather Marks, Katja Shchekina, Miranda Kerr, Natasha Poly, Caroline Winberg, Caroline Trentini, Andi Muise, Flavia de Oliveira, Ajuma Nasenyana, Hana Soukupova, Angela Lindvall, Raquel Zimmerman, Elise Crombez, Julia Stegner, Doutzen Kroes, Morgane Dubled.

Gisele and Victoria's Secret Part Ways

2007-05-04T23:29:00.000+04:00

We're no longer going to see those long, tan Brazilian limbs of Gisele strutting down the Victoria's Secret runway. It was recently said the supermodel has decided to cease her relationship with the lingerie giant because it wouldn't increase her $5 million-a-year salary (do we sense a diva-ish attitude here?!). Apparently, Victoria's Secret doesn't see Gisele's quitting as a loss because they have five new hotter and younger girls debuting next year. If I were Gisele, I'd say: "Bring it on!"

What should I wear? Spring 2007

2007-04-28T14:08:00.000+04:00

"What should I wear?" is every girl's dilemma. Another hot item, apart from the dresses for ever occasion are the shorts.

Shorts rule for warm weather, and they even take on casual work places when worn with matching jackets. Longer length shorts - a.k.a bermudas. walking shorts and skimmers look best in a slim cut (beware cuffs: they add weight). Anything too full and knee-length will add lots of heft around the hips, where most women can least afford it. Make sure you don't ruin the casual-dress vibe of shorts with a shoe that's too danty or dressy: a chunky platform, ballerina flat or simple thong sandal works better than a stiletto.

Walking in high heels

2007-04-28T11:15:00.000+04:00

The 5 do's:

Start with a pedicure! Do not even think of wearing high heels without perfectly manicured toes, or you can not consider yourself a lady!

They hurt less the more you wear them, so persevere and practice!

Don't ever set eyes on a pair of shoes and "love" buy them! You need to walk around in the shop for around 10 minutes to know if they fit your arch.Try them on a hard surface as carpet is deceiving.

Start off with a low heel of one or two inches and build your self up to four inches. Your ankle and foot will need to get used to the arch of the shoe at each height.

When walking keep the gap in between your legs as narrow as possible, your legs straight and keep the toes facing forward. This will make walking more ladylike and less like Popeye!

Follow those 5 rules and you are in for the catwalks!

What should I wear? Spring 2007

2007-04-27T17:46:00.000+04:00

Dresses for every occasion

You already know dresses are key for special events and after-five, but this season you will want to turn to dresses for everything from work to weekend wear. Leading the dress pack is the shirt dress, an easy look for most offices and universally flattering (the collar and button-front draw attention to your face, the belted waist gives you shape, and the full skirt hides a heavy lower body). The shirt dress had a strong presence on the catwalks during the Milan Fashion Week.

Kate Bosworth looks very natural in a shirt dress on the picture. The dress is adorable! It is so simple–it can be left alone for a casual look on a day out, or dressed up with flashy jewelery and a pair of cute heels.

Jersey knit dresses are another great look for spring and summer. The beautiful drape of jersey allows dresses to caress your body without being skintight. With jersey, you will need to eliminate seams and panty lines because bumps and lumps do show; try a one-piece body slimmer or seamless lingerie.

The Chanel Spring Look

2007-04-05T23:26:00.000+04:00

GLIMMER TWIN There was a lot of talk this season about a pale face as the futuristic pallor, but it’s spring, after all, and the virtues of a tan are not easily surrendered. Chanel showed tawny, matte skin with liquid metallic eyes, which the makeup artist Tracy Murphy calls a ‘‘lovely contrast of textures.’’ Murphy suggests dusting the face with translucent face powder like Cover FX Mineral FX to create a smooth, shinefree base before applying a sheer bronzer (try Benefit Hoola) on those spots where the sun naturally hits. Metallic eye makeup should be purposefully imperfect: a silver or gold shadow like Chanel Lumière D’Artifices brushed on the upper and lower lash line with a damp brush for extra intensity. A few strokes of a dense mascara — Dior Diorshow Unlimited — and a sheer lip gloss — Cargo Lip Gloss Duo in Okeechobee — and you’re ready for your close-up.

Dubai Fashion Week

2007-04-05T08:57:00.000+04:00

Following the Milan, Paris and New York, Dubai enjoyed its own Fashion Week from 1st until the 4th of April. The catwalk shows were running at the One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel, while the exhibition was hosted the Arabian Court.

The UAE has taken a giant leap towards placing itself on the style map by hosting the first Dubai International Fashion Week. Al those it wasn't exactly International event as most of the designers and the public were from Asia and the Middle East, the event was absolutely glamorous.
The exhibition was featuring handful of designers, who displayed collection of luxurious evening gowns in a mixture between Indian and Middle Eastern flair. Swarovski crystals were sparkling every where in the hall. The organisation and the catering were superb. Every single detail was worked out to perfection. We enjoyed the event and only wish that the models could smile a bit next time.

Who is more famous: Louis Vuitton or Scarlett Johansson?

2007-04-04T15:41:00.000+04:00

Scarlett Johansson has recently appeared in these advertisements for the Louis Vuitton print and billboard campaign for the second time. Back in 2004 she made an appearance in a different series of ads for the company. The ad campaign is slated for release this season - Spring 2007.
In this photo shoots, Johansson appeared on a pink background with a very 1960s theme and clothing choice - very seductive, but don't consider it semi-nude. She looks truly beautiful in the adverts and the super model is also going to appear in other advertisement campaigns later in the year.

CHANEL Football

2007-04-01T11:03:00.000+04:00

CHANEL, CHANEL, CHANEL...Everybody who's anybody knows that last year's Chanel skis were mind-blowing fabulous as Victoria Beckham was spotted on every slope sporting full on Chanel gear. But has Karl and his crew taken it a step too far? Are the masses ready for this fusion of high fashion and sports? Feast your eyes on this $195 Chanel football. Undeniably breathtaking, but just how many fashionistas can you picture gasping over this pigskin? Available at select Chanel boutiques like Jeffrey in NYC and Maxfield, Los Angeles.

The CHANEL boutique in Dubai is at Wafi Mall and soon this hot creation will be available there for all the local fans.

P.S.: Is it just me or does this design have to be the result of Tom Brady and Gisele's romance? FOOTBALL VS FASHION????

Gisele for Vogue Eyewear

2007-03-31T20:18:00.000+04:00

On the purlple carpet in Miami last night is no body else, but Gisele promoting the Spring collection of Vogue. Her newest boyfriend Tom Brady was not with her, but she is having a blast this days. She is allover the news, selling her wares and others. She looks stunning as ever, all those this shade of brown is not exactly the one best suitable for her complexion and the cut of the dress is sort of the last season. The Spring collection of Vogue was out staged.

Dubai International Fashion Week

2007-03-31T10:47:00.000+04:00

The Dubai International Fashion Week will kick off tomorrow April 1st at the One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel. The designers who have already committed their participation represent an international mix of talent, including JJ Valaya from India, Autandil Tsruitinidze from Georgia, Assanova Balnur from India, Autandil Tsruitinidze from Georgia, Assanova Balnur from Kazkhstan, Hassan Shahyar Yasin from Pakistan, Keneyoshi Kondo from Japan, UAE-based Mille Rostock and Meher Michandani and Lebanese born international designer Walid Atallah, who has been operating in Dubai since 1996.

Apart from presenting the already established designers, the organisers of the Dubai International Fashion Week conducted a talent search to encourage promising designers by providing them a cost-free boots to the international fashion ramps. The DIFW advisory board chose six young designers, to showcase their new collections of high-end pret-a-porter garments.

The catwalk fashion shows are by invitation only at the Palace Ballroom of the One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel.

The exhibition is open to the public at the Arabian Court, Palegrine Ballroom of the One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel.

Faberge's presented in Dubai by Damas

2007-03-27T11:11:00.000+04:00

Faberge timeless pieces have gained popularity because of their outstanding design and craftsmanship that transcend time.

The watches from the latest collection presented by Damas Group recently in Al Mooroj Rotana have the unmistakable Fabergé look. They have fire-enameled and hand-glitched dials that identify each watch as a precious object.
The production of each Faberge timepiece is guided by the same rigorous process applied during the era of the Russian Tsars. There is a growing appreciation for hand-crafted objects worldwide and Faberge watches epitomise the finest craftsmanship following this vanishing tradition. In many parts of the world where Faberge is present, there is always an exclusive segment that prefers timeless beauty over passing trends, the romance of hand-made over the mass produced.
Damas, the international jewelery and watch retailer is the exclusive seller of Faberge precious watch collection in the UAE market.
Two collections for men are presented - Agathon and Carrée, each composed of unique pieces that are perfect objects of rare beauty.
AGATHON pays homage to Carl Peter Fabergé's little-known younger brother who was a brilliant designer. The application of the best of traditional and modern watch making technologies makes these timepieces ideal for the gentleman with a taste.
The Carrée Collection represents the Old Master's pre-Revolutionary concept of time. To complete the classic look, the characteristic rectangular case harks back to Fabergé's early designs for wristwatches.
Anastasia is one of the ladies collection. The oval case encloses sapphire glass.
Agathon Medium Lady Series, another line for ladies is expected to be a big hit among customers once it's launched in the market. This collection is eagerly awaited by many women as a statement of self-confidence and acknowledgment of their own femininity.
The Faberge Watch Collections are available at Damas Boutiques in Mall of the Emirates, SAKS 5th Avenue and Emirates Towers.

Emilio Pucci Spring-Summer 2007

2007-03-25T16:11:00.000+04:00

The ready to wear Spring-Summer 2007 collection of Emilio Pucci is expected to arrive to Dubai in the beginning of April. The Emilio Pucci boutique is located at the Shopping Boulevard in The Emirates Towers. Harvey Nihcols is carrying the line as well.
Few items from the Pre-Collection Spring-Summer 2007 are already on the shelves. Just enough to provoke the imagination. Think of classic jet-set glamor, whether it is sailing on the Dubai Creek, playing a tennis match at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, or enjoying a desert safari trip. The collection is for the young sophisticated women, with a contemporary spirit. The catalog of the complete collection is already in store and fans can check it and pre-sellect models and accessories. For more details please call 04 3300660.

Catwalk queen Campbell puts away toilet brush

2007-03-24T22:27:00.000+04:00

Super-tempered supermodel Naomi Campbell yesterday finished five days of community service with Manhattan's Department of Sanitation by sauntering out in a catwalk dress and heels, before stepping into her Rolls Royce and speeding away.
The British model finished work at a garbage truck garage after completing the service for assaulting her maid. Residents came running to catch a glimpse of her, laughing and cheering a woman the media has often painted as a hothead.
"From what I understand, she was pleasant the entire time," her boss for the week, sanitation department Deputy Chief Albert Durrell said. Her duties included sweeping garage floors, mopping and sweeping hallways, and scrubbing toilets, Durrell said. He said Campbell arrived on time each day, at 8am, and worked till 4pm.
Campbell wore a striking outfit most days, turning up one day in a short fur coat and boots, prompting speculation she had struck a deal with a fashion magazine.
The supermodel, 36, had pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault for throwing the phone at her maid about a year ago in her Park Ave apartment. The maid, Ana Scolavino, required four stitches to her head.
She could have been jailed for a year but, in a deal with prosecutors was ordered to do community service, take anger management classes and pay US$363.32 ($509) restitution to Scolavino, as well as her hospital bills. Source

Dubai International Fashion Week

2007-03-21T13:23:00.000+04:00

Under the patronage of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the 1st Dubai International Fashion Week will take place from April 1 - 4, 2007 at One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel.
Over 20 Designers from the region, including both known and new talent, will unveil their fall/winter 2007/2008 collection, to an international audience of media and buyers.
In addition to the trade event, there will be an exhibition and a series of seminars open to the public.

A sneak peek at Madonna's new H&M collection

2007-03-21T11:33:00.000+04:00

What will be in the H&M stores from tomorrow onwards?

We were lucky and got the inside scoop, as we told you before. The black is there, but the whites have even stronger presence. If you trace Madonna's style, when she makes red carpet appearances and press tours, she has a rather classic look these days. Whit this collection she shows more sophisticated approach to clothes as beautifully draped dresses and classic pieces like trenches and feminine separates. A little metallic touches are combined with a sporty styling.

Inside scoop on Madonna's new collection

2007-03-19T15:49:00.000+04:00

We have heard the news and seen the ads, but none have seen much of the clothes until now.

Hold your breath folks : Madonna's new collection for H&M will be in stores from March 22 - in three days. But we have got the chance to sneak behind the doors and snap few photos. Here are some of my favorites and more are yet to come.

So, watch this place!

Antonella Barba - the new Spring bare face look

2007-03-13T23:01:00.000+04:00

It is not actually a new look, but is refreshing to see Antonella Barba's beautiful face with almost no make-up.

Madonna's Designs Coming Soon to an H&M in Dubai

2007-03-09T12:53:00.000+04:00

Madonna is kicking her M by Madonna fashion line into high gear. The clothes will be available this weekend in Hong Kong and eventually in two weeks in Dubai. Until then we will see the billboards that are popping up all over the world with commercials. There is something very familiar about this futuristic Devil Wears Prada - meets - Cinderella motif, but I have to say that I like it! As usual we can see Madonna taking control and sitting in the driver's seat where she belongs. I will rush tomorrow to the new store at the Deira City Centre for more info.

Motexha 2007 to welcome more Pakistani participants

2007-03-06T20:00:00.000+04:00

Dubai International Exhibition Center (DIEC) is hosting Motexha 2007 from March 19, 2007 to March 21, 2007. This year’s expo is witnessing the largest number of Pakistani participants till today.Motexha is the biggest annual textile, apparel, leather and fashion accessories event in Middle East region. Pakistani exhibitors will occupy 200 percent additional area than 70 square meters in 2006, which is a record for any trade event in UAE.Many women entrepreneurs from Pakistan will take part in the event under leadership of international designer Nadya Mistry and support from their Government in form of financial subsidy.Pakistani exporters are interested in further participation at Motexha 2007 owing to factors such as upswing in per capita income, fashion conscious consumers and developing Dubai Textile City (DTC). Another favourable fact is that distance between Dubai and main port of Karachi is just 737 miles.More than 220 exhibitors from 25 nations are supposed to participate at Motexha 2007, which is 35 percent up from last year. Women’s wear and fashion accessories are major attractions at the expo.

Dior at the Paris Fashion Week

2007-03-04T20:05:00.000+04:00

The Paris fashion shows from the Paris Fashion Week can be described from primitive to refined, with a cave girl theme at Vivienne Westwood and a celebration of 1940s elegance at Christian Dior. But don't expect to find the outfits in the clothing stores in Dubai as the timing is wrong (a bit late) and most of the retailers already have ordered the coming seasons collections.
The runway was always about ideas, it's always about a conception of how somebody is thinking for the season.z
Nowhere has this been more true than at Dior, famed for featuring outfits that verge on the unwearable. Criticism of its over-the-top approach recently prompted the label to tone down the theatricals, but without losing any of its luster.
Dior's blockbuster show celebrated two milestones - the house's 60th anniversary and British designer John Galliano's 10th year at the helm of the brand.
Models swept down a grand double staircase in ladylike ensembles including cinched coats with over sized fur collars and sleeves, multilayered cocktail dresses in shimmering silk gazar and sinuous evening gowns fit for a Hollywood siren.

Aldo's pick

2007-03-02T20:25:00.000+04:00

It is not for every one, but who ever likes it can find it at Aldo. This photo is taken from the outlet at UpTown Mirdif shopping arcade.

Harper's Bazaar in Dubai

2007-03-01T19:45:00.000+04:00

ITP Consumer Publishing will launch Harper's BAZAAR Dubai today with an initial print run of 15,000 copies.The English-language magazine will be on sale throughout the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, and will have its circulation audited by the BPA International.
At 176 pages, the premiere issue of Harper's BAZAAR Dubai is one of the largest launch issues the Middle East has witnessed. Advertisers in the March issue include Burberry, Chanel Couture, Christian Dior, Clinique, D&G Eyewear, Estée Lauder, Longines, Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue, Eli Tahari, Versace, Louis Vuitton, and YSL Beauty.

The March issue of Harper's BAZAAR Dubai features international recording artist Shakira on its cover, photographed by Robert Erdmann. Shakira, who is of Middle Eastern origin, gives an interview to BAZAAR prior to her first concert in the region in three years. The issue also include features on designers such as John Galliano and BIBA's Bella Freud; a couture report from the Paris fashion shows; coverage of the UAE's burgeoning art scene; tips for luxury living; design interiors; and beauty must-haves.

First published in New York in 1867, Harper's BAZAAR has been the magazine of choice for fashion-obsessed women every since. The title doesn't just dominate in its native United States; but it is also guiding women's taste in 21 other countries around the world including the UK, Australia, Singapore and Russia. The UAE is BAZAAR's 22nd global edition.

One Shoulder Gowns - The New Oscars Trend ?

2007-02-27T13:23:00.000+04:00

Cate, Kate, Maggie and Beyonce each chose very different variations of this style. The one shoulder dress seems to be a red carpet trend this season not only at the Oscars, but at the Golden Globes and the Grammy Awards as well.
It is not a new trend. No, last year Salma Hayek scored the best dressed award with a one shoulder gown. The conclusion is that the trend is going stronger than ever. And due to the favorable Dubai climate will be even hotter for spring and summer.

On the list of worse dressed

2007-02-26T21:58:00.001+04:00

Did Anne Hathaway or Meryl Streep learn anything of the set of The Devil Wears Prada that they could have applied to their styles for the Oscars Awards?

Or maybe we should take our hat off to them. Streep, nominated for best actress, proudly proclaimed she was a size 14 on the red carpet. Swathed in black, Streep turned her nose up at bling in favour for ethnic beads.

In contrast, Hathaway said because it was her first Oscars, she had piled the diamonds on. As many as she could, as well as pearl earrings. Her dress, designed by Valentino, was a sheath of white lace contrasted by a gigantic black velvet bow.

The Oscar Ladies

2007-02-26T13:48:00.000+04:00

Last night the ladies brightened up the red carpet with an array of different colored dresses. Unlike Kelly Preston most have chosen a single color.
Cameron went for a plain white dress that nicely showed off her Hawaiian tan. Nicole definitely stood out in her long red Balenciaga dress. Gwyneth looked good in her perfectly structured gown. Naomi wore something loose to feel comfortable as she is pregnant. Isla Fisher looked gorgeous in Emerald green while Resse stunned every one in fabulous purple Nina Ricci gown. Biel went bra-less and bright pink, while pretty Penelope went for a much more mellow shade of pink. A huge trend of the night was the color blue.

Sephora in Dubai

2007-02-25T21:37:00.000+04:00

A number of the cosmetics industry's major players have made moves to enter the Middle East market or expand their presence in the region.

LVMH's Sephora is partnering with key Middle East distributor and retailer, Chalhoub Group, to open four outlets in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain by the end of the year.

The Chalhoub Group, key distributor and retailer in the Middle East with the distribution of brands such as Coty, Dior, Puig and Givenchy and operator of over 60 Faces perfumeries, has joined forces with French luxury giant LVMH to introduce the perfumery chain Sephora in the region.
Four Sephora - in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain will be open by the end of the year. The concept is going to be the same as in France with a nice presence for skincare and all the services Sephora has. The Middle East stores will offer the same range of beauty treatments and services as Sephora France, such as skin diagnostics, a nail bar, brow bar, makeup lessons, express face peeling sessions and gift vouchers.

Note: Sephora defies the traditional selling methodology of most retail shops, setting out to give customers what they want: freedom, beauty and pleasure. Inter brand designed the original complete retail environment for Sephora with spatial designs, colour codes and customised concepts based on national markets.
Sephora’s retail spaces are characterised by large space, discreet sales help, alphabetical organisation and display of numerous brands and smart usage of colour: black for perfume, white for cosmetics and the red carpet to symbolise the treatment of the customer as royalty. The formula proved to be very successful and lead to a vast increase in brand recognition. The original chain of 40 stores grew to 500 stores around the world and was sold to LVMH in 1997. The first Dubai branch is supposed to open on 1st of March at The Festival City.

French Fashion University celebrates ‘Chandeleur’

2007-02-22T18:56:00.000+04:00

French Fashion University Esmod International (FFUEI), the Dubai campus of the French fashion institution, has celebrated the French ‘Chandeleur' festival by hosting an exclusive fashion show, held on February 19, 2007, at the University's Academic City Campus.
The invitation-only event, organised by FFUEI in association with Dubai's French Association, attracted a sizeable portion of Dubai's French community who viewed fashion creations with a ‘Chandeleur' theme by students of the University. The Chandeleur festival, historically a fête held in February, has been celebrated by the French for hundreds of years by feasting on crepes.

In October 2006, Esmod opened its Dubai-based French Fashion University, directed at tapping into the region's booming fashion industry and the growing demand by Middle Eastern consumers for haute couture. Founded in Paris in 1841 by Frenchman Alexis Lavigne, Esmod has since opened schools in 20 countries and trained generations of professionals who have worked for stylists such as Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Kenzo, Paco Rabanne, Gaultier and Givenchy.The University has recently started taking admissions for public courses, offering master-classes in trend forecasting and fashion media communication, in addition to a six month fashion workshop. The courses will explore pertinent issues in fashion education through flexible afternoon or evening classes lasting eight weeks.FFUEI also offers a range of creative, technical and marketing programs for students wishing to become actors of the growing fashion industry in the region. Various courses are taught by the French-trained instructors, including a three-year full time bachelor's course, a two-year part time diploma and a short certificate
course.

London Fashion Week

2007-02-20T10:05:00.001+04:00

During the London Fashion Week the British designers seemed desperate to please. Everywhere at the London shows people looked pleased, drinking the free drinks from the liquor sponsors, loading up on the goodie bags.

In the last six or seven years, since McQueen and Hussein Chalayan moved their shows abroad, London fashion has lost ground to New York and Paris. Meanwhile, British institutions like Burberry and the trendy Topshop have prospered. Design schools like Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art attract students from around the world, as well as supplying talent to the major fashion houses. British art directors and photographers produce some of the most up-to-date magazines, which meticulously document the latest band and microniche club look.

Yet despite the media thunder around British Fashion Week, which ended on Friday evening with a show by Marc Jacobs, no single first-rate talent has emerged. Perhaps perversely, one of the best shows of the week was by Topman, which included great knits and coats by Topshop’s men’s division as well as fresh-looking ponchos and thick cabled sweaters by Siv Stoldal. Many of the looks in the Topman show won’t cost much more than $150.

Too often, though, the runways seemed less about a new point of view than a sequel. Plenty of designers have shown that you don’t need the crutch of a club or a book to design original clothes, among them Mr. Alaïa, Karl Lagerfeld and Raf Simons.

British fashion has insufficiently acknowledged that London is awash in cash, from the equity markets as well as from wealthy foreigners. At the same time designers are not as unrestrained in their imagination as they once were. The upshot is that their endeavors seem small.

Only Marc by Marc Jacobs show looked very glamorous. In the front row were Sofia Coppola, the actress Selma Blair and Naomi Campbell, who came with a Brunei prince.

Marc Jacob to open a boutique in Dubai

2007-02-19T23:35:00.001+04:00

Marc Jacobs celebrated the opening of his latest London boutique with a runway show at Claridges Hotel and an illustrious party at The Connaught where the entire ground floor housed a dance floor, restaurant, and four bars. The Marc by Marc Jacobs show included male and female models, dressed in his latest designs of carpet bags, chunky tartan short coats, herring bone pants, cardigans with deep pockets and scarves, according to Fashion Wire Daily.

Jacobs' desire is to design beautiful clothes. His designs for 2007 mimic fashions from the early 60s and 70s, tailored clothes with sharp collars, knee length or ankle length pleated skirts, and slim belts worn over unadorned cashmere sweaters. He pairs white and grey with neutral colors, topping off the ensemble with a silver metallic hat and handbags made of crocodile skin.

Marc Jacobs Boutiques will be expanding to Beirut, Moscow, and Dubai, increasing his numbers to 60 boutiques.

The Gulf Style

2007-02-19T22:58:00.000+04:00

For some will be surprising to learn that most of the Middle Eastern women are very fashionable. Under the abaya they usually wear the latest fashion trends. On the surface their tastes are discretely presented only by the sunglasses, the handbags, the shoes, the jewelry and the scents of exotic perfumes.

Models are a great barometer of trends

2007-02-19T11:12:00.000+04:00

Fashion is kick-started by the young, who freely adapt the looks being worn by their favorite models. Inspired by Kate Moss, who is credited with sparking any number of trends, many fashionistas embraced the drainpipe jeans, Ugg boots and Balenciaga bags the last few seasons.
What's next some one may ask?

The 60s retrospective - the A-shape line, which Jacky Kennedy made a classic style. Taking pointers from Yves Saint Laurent's January 1958 Trapeze collection for Dior, designers are turning out swingly, geometric dresses and skirts this season. They are paired with bare legs and platform sandals.

Even Kate Moss wears it this season.
Along with the style of Hollywood stars, that of models is sedulously documented on fashion Web sites and in fashion glossies, making their clothes cool by association.
Thankfully retailers are more detached and methodical, studying the style of models as a guide to looks that will resonate with shoppers and find their way onto the streets. Layered knits, skinny jeans, long beefy cardigans, flat shoes, miniskirts and tunics worn as dresses are a handful of the trends said to have been spawned backstage in the heat of recent fashion weeks in New York and Milano.

New York Fashion Week - Spring 2007

2007-02-19T10:07:00.000+04:00

Fashion Week has become as solid a fixture in the New York social calendar and the International Fashion World. There were thousands of superbly dressed women attending the designer collections who are constantly on the search for the new trend.

The Grammys Red Carpet: Best Dressed

2007-02-12T10:06:00.000+04:00

The 49th Grammy Awards were broad casted late last night.

Was it worth it to stay late until the end??

Definitely YES!
The nominees for Grammy's red carpet Best Dressed vary, except they were all missing one thing: the color! Here are: Christina glamorous in Ungaro, Fergie in gunmetal metallic mini dress, and Mary J. Blige's luxurious Michael Kors gown. Quite a mix, but all following the current fashion trends.

Fashion Week in Milan, Spring 2007 Collections

2007-02-09T20:24:00.000+04:00

Cutting-Edge International Eyewear Fashion Heads for Dubai

2007-02-09T09:58:00.000+04:00

The latest trends in designer frames, lenses and accessories will be on-show in Dubai this March, at the Vision-X Dubai trade exhibition.
To be held from 6 - 8 March 2007 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), the organiser, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is well poised to deliver one of the most spectacular exhibitions of its kind in the Middle East, as the market for fashionable eyewear continues to grow.
“Eyewear and optical products are now highly sought after in the Middle East and the market continues to offer significant potential for growth and development. Designed to meet the needs of the industry, Vision-X Dubai provides significant opportunities for international firms looking to enter this fast-developing market, as well as for regional groups looking to build their global profile,” commented Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre.
The region’s lucrative and aspirational eyewear market has grown rapidly in recent years, with sunglasses in particular seen as “must-have” fashion accessories and important signatures of personal style. In the Middle East, the market for high-end ophthalmic products and branded optical aids is now worth over USD 2 billion.
Continue to the full story from Source.

Who wear's it best?

2007-02-04T08:50:00.000+04:00

By now is no secret that golden and silver lames are hot, very hot in this seasons collection. But they were hot as long as I can remember. Aren't they?
Full golden or silver dress could be a way too much for some, but it depends who you are and where you will wear it. Here are the right girls at the right occasions.

Call them the Golden Girls!
Sharon Stone glowed in gold on Jan. 31 at the AmfAR New York City Gala in New York City, and her dress resembled something Vanessa Minnillo wore on New Year's Eve and something Jessica Simpson wore in 2004.

The question is: Who wears it best? Click COMMENTS below to weigh in.
Source

Trend Alert: Wide Legged Jeans!

2007-02-03T19:07:00.000+04:00

The skinny jeans backlash has begun and wide legged jeans are on the rise. The cut is verry flattering for tall girls. It makes the legs looks super long. But for non-tall ones, it creates a long, lean look. So it's good news for all.

With New York Fashion Week officially under way, I wonder how many wide legs we are going to see on the runways for Fall 2007.

Here is Mandy Moore from this week's Life & Style (Link) wearing some fab flares.

What's Hot Exotic Spring 2007

2007-02-02T15:55:00.000+04:00

This season, find your look between sea, sand and sky - super natural. The new spring collection of Estee Lauder (Link) has all that you may need.
New Tender Blush Sheer Stick and Brilliant Shimmer All-Over Powder give a soft wash of radiance. Eyes reflect the hypnotic Jade sea and shimmering bronze dunes - a perfect combination for Dubai. Lips are softly stained in coral and cherry, topped with a glaze of gloss thanks to New Double Wear Stay-in -Place Lip Stain Duo. A little glitter is a must to add in typical Dubai style.
Tom Ford who joined Estee Lauder after quiting Gucci, launched the Nude Amber (Link) collection, that includes 13 cosmetic products in the soft bronze palettes.
Estee Lauder collections are available at Paris Gallery (Link), Jashanmal (Link) and Areej at the shopping malls of Dubai (Link).

A Pedicure for My Princess

2007-02-01T23:31:00.000+04:00

More and more, little girls are participating in activities that their own mothers might not have experienced until they were adults. It is not unusual to walk into a salon and be seated next to a girl whose twiggy legs barely reach the pedicure tub or to be dining at a fancy restaurant near a second grader or to encounter a 6-year-old in the gym locker room.
Places once considered adult domains — spas, gyms, restaurants and nail and hair salons — are increasingly becoming destinations for little girls and their mothers.
A friend said she has noticed more little girls coming in with their mothers to her nail salon, picking out a color and sitting back for the pampering.
“My friend has a niece who is 7, and she was telling me that every Saturday they get manicures. She has a design on her index finger.”
The trend is driven in part by a lack of time. Hectic scheduling for parents and children alike makes it challenging for mothers to carve out time for bonding activities.
“Between her activities, my work, you end up trying to fit it all in,” said Amal, as she and her daughter Mona sat in the spa’s cafe. “We’re all so busy. Here you’re out of the house so you really can focus on each other. You’re spending time together.”
The trend is also the result of what psychologists say is an emphasis on precociousness.
Today’s teens are mature teens, who are interested in some of those very grown-up activities.
But to bond at these places requires disposable income as some of the nail bars are quite costly. Still, it is possible to get an AED 40 manicure at a local salon.
But is it healthy for young girls to be dipping a toe into traditionally adult activities? What rites of passage will they have left to look forward to?
Mothers seeking girly time with their daughters at the spa, salon or gym say they have concluded that the benefits — intimate conversations, shared relaxation, lessons about hygiene, escape from school and family woes — outweigh the potential pitfalls.
Besides, they say, those activities are not the only time they spend with their daughters. There are sleepovers and museum trips and hours playing with the family pet, too.
Psychologists say the assimilation of young girls into adult realms is not a cut-and-dried issue, especially when the activity involves beauty.

Kate Moss Continues to Stand by her Guy

2007-02-01T10:40:00.000+04:00

I despise Pete, but it seams he has stolen Kate Moss's heart. She had to take him back to rehab yesterday as some very disturbing new video and images (Link)were published recently. They show that Pete is doing drugs again. I wish him to get better. Hopefully his latest entry to rehab is a sign he is working on getting the help he desperately needs. For some reasons Kate Moss continues to stand by him and hopefully her support will help Pete through this difficult time an stay clean.
On the side: Kate looks gorgeous in her leopard coath, seasons trend (Link) for some one going trough all this craziness. She could have got a better guy.

Elle Macpherson in Dubai

2007-01-27T10:58:00.000+04:00

The Australian model Elle Macpherson (Link) is currently in Dubai to promote a new revolutionary skin care product. She can be seen at Faces at The Mall of The Emirates (Link) and Park Hyatt Hotel.
Australia's fastest growing cult beauty brand, ModelCo has entered into a multi-year contract with Elle Macpherson to globally represent the brand's new revolutionary cosmetic product, ERASE THOSE FINE LINES (Link), designed for 30+ women.
ERASE THOSE FINE LINES is the most advanced skin-care serum in the world & offers surgery results without the syringe. This revolutionary direct repair system instantly firms and tightens the skin while visibly reducing the appearance of wrinkles around the eye area, leaving skin looking firm and flawless within minutes. ERASE's active ingredients deliver instant results comparable to BOTOX ® without needles or the risk of damage to the skin or facial muscles. The serum provides a significant decrease in both the length & depth of lines and wrinkles. The unique QuSome delivery system ensures the active ingredients penetrate deep into the lower layers of the skin reducing the depth of lines. No other cosmetic product has this potent, age-defying combination. ERASE THOSE FINE LINES offers an integrated approach to reducing wrinkles; working instantly to minimise the look of lines (see results within 2 mins) and cumulative results offer a 27% reduction in the appearance of wrinkles after 30 days.
It will go first on sale in Australia on 18th September.

Motexha 2007 Drives US$ 12 Billion Regional Textiles Industry

2007-01-27T08:57:00.000+04:00

Motexha 2007, the largest annual garments, textiles, leather and fashion accessories event in the Middle East, continues to drive the region’s textiles industry, currently estimated to be worth over US$ 12 billion. Established more than 28 years ago, Motexha 2007 will once again serve as an interactive platform for industry professionals with ladies’ wear and fashion accessories showing prominently during the three-day event to be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) on 19 – 21 March 2007.
The full story from Source (Link).

Boots brings UK’s leading cosmetics and skincare brand to Dubai

2007-01-23T16:03:00.000+04:00

Boots (Link), the UK’s leading health and beauty store now in the Gulf, today announced its flagship cosmetics and skincare brand, No7, is now available in Dubai.
Drawing on 70 years of experience, the No7 range comprises hypo-allergenic skincare and cosmetic products that have been tested on the most sensitive skins.

Read the full story from Source (Link).

Boots has four stores in the UAE currently on Al Diyafah Road in Satwa, The Village Mall on Jumeriah Beach Road, Ibn Battuta Mall and the Mall of the Emirates (Link) and is set to open shortly at Al Safa Park in Jumeirah and Al Wasl Maternity Hospital.

We highly recommend the Botanics brand!

Designer Fashion

2007-01-22T19:38:00.000+04:00

How do fashion designers end up with a runway full of stunning clothes during fashion week? The process is actually quite a long one and each design goes through many steps before it is ready to be worn.
Fashion houses group clothing into collections. Typically these are based around a particular season. For instance, a designer might present their “Autumn Collection.” Collections are not just groups of items, but rather are carefully planned pieces which are meant to complement each other. They all will fall under the broad design element that the designer is wanting to showcase and they will fit the style that the rest of the designer’s work is known for.
Fashion designers are often credited with creating trends. Sometimes this is the case, but often they are simply paying attention to what is going on in the fashion world and trying to predict what will be popular next. Some designers do not care very much for trends, and instead try to create completely original and groundbreaking work. They might base their designs around a theme which they consider their inspiration. For instance, they might visit a foreign country and be enthralled by the bright colors that women use in their clothing. They will then use that as the theme of their collection, and incorporate these same colors into their designs.
Once they have their general ideas, they need to start creating the individual pieces. How this is done varies greatly depending on the designer. They might use a computer program, draw pictures, change existing designs from a previous collection or even just work with fabric and a dress form until they see something they like. Once they’ve got their design, they will have a toile made for them. A toile is a sample version of the design made out of plain calico. Once this is created, they will have it modeled or put it on a dress form to view. If they like the way it fits, they will send it to a pattern maker. The pattern maker has to then very accurately create a pattern for the garment based on the toile. Once the pattern is created, a sample garment will be made out of the actual material it was intended to be made in.
The process can be quite tedious, but it ensures that the garments created are of a high quality and are exactly what the designer envisioned.

Leopards, watch out!

2007-01-18T00:28:00.000+04:00

It seams I am not the only one noticing. The trend is returning every few years.
Fashion’s fascination with spotted cats has a new canvas this winter, the handbag. In exotic patterns, some unknown in nature, most are printed or stenciled on fabric or calfskin and, thankfully, the real thing is as rare as a snow leopard. A few women are spotted from hat to shoes, and the occasional dog wears cat’s clothing, too.
Tip: Restrict your self to the accessories only if you like to be fashionable on the safe side!

Anorexic Models

2007-01-17T21:51:00.000+04:00

Last month, the organizers of Milan's Fashion Week announced a new rule barring the hiring of any model who is under the age of 16 or has a BMI of less than 18, as a response to a number of anorexia-induced deaths of runway models in recent months. Since then, everyone in the fashion world has anxiously awaited the response of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and last week they finally issued their recommendations: "that models with eating disorders seek treatment, young models work limited hours, healthy food be supplied backstage and smoking and alcohol be banned."Ahhh...Do they seriously believe that "encouraging" treatment, making food more available and telling models they can't smoke or do drugs is going to change anything? These are not humans, they're MODELS, for goodness sake. They have the money and the connections to eat anywhere and anything they want, but they choose (Link) to subsist on cigarettes and cocaine (cough, Kate Moss, cough). I don't believe the fashion industry alone is the cause of unhealthy body image issues in young women, but they certainly continue to promote stick-thin bodies as the ideal.
And there are the replicated Hollywood actresses (think Kate Bosworth and Nicole Richie) who see their careers explode once they lose enough weight to wear couture clothes, prompting fashion magazines to feature them in pictorials, which helps them establish a reputation as a taste maker, which leads to bigger movie roles and the adoration of millions of young women. And then, even when they're drastically underweight, they're put on the covers of gossip rags, where all publicity is good publicity.
It's a sick cycle, and I do think that it all begins on the runways.A lot of designers and defenders of the status quo like to say that "clothes simply hang better on thin women." I think that there is some truth to that, but there's a difference between "thin" (such as a tall woman who's a size 4 or 6, and still has breasts and hips) and "skinny" (size 0 or 00, not an ounce of fat on her frame).

Hopefully the rounded figures of the fifties and sixties will come back to fashion and many young models will be safe from dying from starvation.

From the Red Carpet

2007-01-17T09:28:00.000+04:00

The 64th Golden Gobe Awards (Link) were anounced the other night.
The pictures here are showing some of the most elegant ladies.
Which one is the winning colour?

Christain & Ungaro unveil latest trends at Dubai Fashion 2007

2007-01-13T16:20:00.000+04:00

The Dubai Fashion 2007 organised by BurJuman (Link) and Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) was dazzled with Christian Lacroix and Emanuel Ungaro showcasing their latest spring-summer 2007 line.
The Christian Lacroix (Link) ready-to-wear new Spring/Summer 2007 collection was a very urban yet earthy collection featuring small coats, box jackets, above the knee umbrella skirts, cocktail and evening dresses.
The fabrics used in the collection were light wool, silk, cotton and lace all in the colours of spring and summer like black and white, navy and red and sulfur yellow, saffron, peach and mint respectively.
Further the Emanuel Ungaro (Link) Spring/Summer 2007 collection also showing all about the vision of freedom and individuality, while the collection is a symphony of colored prints mixed in random patterns inspired by butterfly wings.
The fabrics used in his collection are light, airy and shimmering in vibrant colors like fuchsia, turquoise, blue, orange, yellow, green, platinum and touches of white and black to add a graphic element.
Dubai Fashion 2007 will be followed by another spectacular fashion event, Creations 2007, which showcases daily fashion shows by designers from the region and will be held from January 18 until February 1 at BurJuman.

When Crocs Attack

2007-01-12T17:03:00.000+04:00

Hurry!

During the DSF the so popular Crocs (Link) are only AED 125 at Ibn Baitutta Mall. The original price was AED 150.

By now, you have probably heard the story of Crocs – not the rugged skinned reptiles but the equally strange – looking shoes that have become a global phenomenon. It’s quite late: Three good friends form Boulder, Colorado, go sailing in the Caribbean, where a foam clog one had bought in Canada inspires them to build a business around it. Despite a lack of funding and the derision of foot fashionistas, the multicolored Crocs – with their Swiss-cheese perforations, cushy orthotic beds, and over- preventing material – become a global smash. Celebrities adopt them. Young people adore them. The company goes from $ 1 million in revenue in 2003 to a projected $ 322 in 2006. Crocks Inc.’s IPO in February was the richest in footwear history, and the company has a market cap of more than $1 billion. But there is more than luck to Crock’s astonishing success. Read more here (Link):

There is an additional story that is equally interesting. It's about the invention of the accessories to the Crocs. Read here (Link) how a stay-it-home mom invented something that made her $ 10 million richer in less than a year.

H and M

2007-01-12T15:51:00.000+04:00

And following the news that Madonna will design for H and M, I must tell you all that now the 50% SALE is going on at The Mall of The Emirates (Link).

Madonna to design Fashion Line

2006-12-19T18:28:00.000+04:00

First she graced the ads for the design brand and now she is designing. Madonna has signed a deal to design fo the high street fashion house Hennes & Mauritz (H & M)which will hit shops in March (07). The pop diva has already designed a tracksuit for the Swedish firm, which provided an off-stage wardrobe for Madonna, her band and dancers during her recent Confessions tour.An H&M spokesperson says, "The 'M by Madonna' fashion line will reflect Madonna's timeless, unique and always glamorous style. "Madonna has an impressive feel for fashion and trends. She was extraordinarily style conscious, passionate and was involved in even the smallest details of every design."
An H&M spokesperson says, "The 'M by Madonna' fashion line will reflect Madonna's timeless, unique and always glamorous style. Madonna has an impressive feel for fashion and trends. She was extraordinarily style conscious, passionate and was involved in even the smallest details of every design."
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