Fashion Fair to Unveil Spring Collection of 29 Prominent Designers from Pakistan

Brands Just Pret, Pakistan’s newest multi-designer fashion house, is organizing Fashionville, a fashion trade event in Dubai showcasing the spring collection of 29 prominent designers from Pakistan, on 16th February 2012 (Thursday), at Modula Conceptio on Jumeirah Beach Road in Dubai from 11AM to 7PM. Fashion  aficionados from all over the UAE are expected to visit the one-day fair, which will display a wide range of high-end, luxurious but affordable prêt wear, jewelry and bags.

Shoppers visiting Fashionville will be assisted by a number of designers and professional stylist who will recommend trends and style related advice, free of charge, to help customers determine what is suitable for their body shape, budget, size and complexion.

Mr Hadi Anwar, CEO of Brands Just Pret said:  “Brands Just Pret is launching Fashionville in Dubai to create a suitable platform for Pakistani designers to showcase their collection and to accommodate the needs of our growing clientele from the UAE who have preference for independent multi-brand boutiques which carry small quantities and carefully chosen pieces.  We are delighted to have onboard an excellent line-up of designers who are known for producing high-end merchandise, complimenting the look and feel of Brands Just Pret.”

“Brands Just Pret will be opening a branch in the UAE before the end of the year and will also be launching a fully functional web store where clients from all over the world can shop,” added Mr Anwar.

The backbone of Brands Just Pret is its two Managing Directors, Ms Hasaah Hadi and Ms Somaya Adnan.  Ms Hadi has extensive background in Marketing, Human Resource and Finance which provides the required business foundation and strength to Brands Just Pret while actively planning Brands Just Pret’s fashion universe and expanse.

Meanwhile,  Ms Adnan  is known for being one half of the renowned ‘Ayesha – Somaya’ brand,  is a dynamic and versatile businesswoman who has managed to build her own retail trademark into an easily recognizable brand, bringing  this understanding of fashion retail to running Brands Just Pret.   She said, “Being a designer has helped me greatly in developing Brands Just Pret’s business model with Hadi and Hasaah. I myself have experienced the hurdles and nuisances when stocking at other places and this is why we have tried our best to tailor made Brands Just Pret into a model which is designer and customer friendly.”

Brands Just Pret’s impressive list of designers includes:

•Sara Shahid,  the designer behind Sublime and one of the pioneers of prêt in Pakistan
•Ayesha Khurram,  newcomer in the industry whose pop art embroidery motifs have become a fashion rage all over Pakistan
•Faiza Samee, the ‘brains’ behind Slate, one of the most recognizable and popular upcoming prêt brands
Other prominent names showcasing their fashion wares at Fashionville include Wardha, Bailin, Najma Zubair, Seema Jaffar, Usman Dittu, Nazrah Lodhi, Ayesha – Somaya, Zainab Sajid, Limited Editions, Hina Khan, Nazish Hussain, SNL, Zarmina, Farida Qureshi, Nida Ali, Naaj, Hejab Zafar, Flitz X, Amrah Khan and many more. 

Besides clothes, Brands Just Pret also stocks accessories and jewelry.   Naaj, a diamond jewelry brand, has designed an entire range of diamond jewelry solely for Brands Just Pret.  The store also has an exclusive line-up of shoes by Flitz X and bags and clutches by Limited Editions.

Shoppers who cannot attend Fashionville in Dubai can have another opportunity to see the luxurious merchandise when they organize the second edition of Fashionville in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, 25th February 2012. For more details on the event, please send an email to info@brandsjustpret.com

Brands Just Pret recently opened its first store at Dolmen City Mall, Clifton in Karachi, Pakistan which is just one of a series of retail outlets which will be opened in the next few years.  

Accor, one of the leading hotel operators in the Middle East, is expanding its Mercure brand in the region with the opening of Mercure Gold Hotel Al Mina Road Dubai, on 1st of January 2012, under a franchise agreement.

Christophe Landais, Managing Director, Accor Middle East said, “We are delighted to add the franchised Mercure Gold Hotel Al Mina Road Dubai to our network of 19 Mercure properties in the Middle East which is also our first Accor hotel to open in 2012.”

The stylish and modern 4-star hotel, Mercure Gold Hotel Al Mina Road Dubai, with its 184 rooms, is situated close to Sheikh Zayed Road and Jumeirah Beach road. Right in the heart of Al Mina road’s bustling district, the new hotel provides easy access to business centers and is ideal for both business and leisure travelers.

A daily free shuttle service takes guests from the hotel to the beach and shopping malls such as Burjuman Shopping mall, Mercato mall, Deira City Centre and the Dubai mall; with Dubai International Airport a 20-minute drive away. It is also in close proximity to the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre and Port Rashid.

Mercure Gold Hotel Al Mina Road Dubai offers a warm atmosphere featuring contemporary rooms and a classic style that embraces the local culture and reflects the brand’s personality. This 4-star hotel has 1 meeting room and a business center as well as some food and beverage outlets which include the all-day dining outlet Senses and The Kebab Connection, serving kebabs Indian and Middle Eastern style. The Liquid Lounge is ideal for a relaxing drink after work. It also features a rooftop swimming pool and terrace where guests can chill out and unwind. Aromatherapy sessions can be booked at the Spa operated by Thai Elite Spa, a hair salon caters to guests looking for the perfect haircut, with a gym to keep guests in good shape. In-house guest parking is also available.

Accor’s recent addition to the Mercure network reflects the brand’s strong identity traits offering travelers a warm, personalised, friendly welcome. Each one is unique, whether located in city centres, at the seaside or in the mountains. The Mercure network is the third largest midscale hotel chain worldwide, outside North America, with a network of 700 hotels in 49 countries. Mercure is forging a strong presence in emerging countries both under management and franchise agreements.

Key facts

Mercure is the third worldwide midscale hotel brand on European and BRIC midscale market and one of the leaders on the following four major markets: France, Germany, Brazil and Australia. Its 719 hotels represent a total of 89 822 rooms. Mercure’s 25 800 employees operate in 50 countries and welcome 70, 000 clients each day.

In the Middle East, Mercure is very successful and now operates 18 properties with 3,187 rooms in Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and UAE.

The new clinic will cater to the growing residents in the Al Nahda area in Dubai

The facility, which will offer its services across medical departments, has an attached ASTER Pharmacy to facilitate easy access to medicines

Dubai January 29, 2012: ASTER, a leading healthcare chain in the region, part of DM Healthcare, has opened at Al Nahda 1, Dubai. Located in Amman Street, the new ASTER clinic is part of DM Healthcare’s ongoing mission to expand its reach further in the UAE to offer quality healthcare to all.

The new facility was inaugurated jointly by Engr. Essa Al Haj Al Maidoor, Asst. Director for Engineering & Planning, Dubai Municipality and Dr. (Mrs.) Hanan Obeid, Head of Community Health Services Programme Session, Dubai Health Authority (DHA), offering their support towards DM Healthcare’s ongoing commitment to provide quality medical services.

The Aster Medical Centre in Al Nahda 1 will offer medical services in the field of General Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, ENT, Dentistry, Radiology, and Laboratory to offer specialized care at an affordable cost. The facility also has an attached ASTER Pharmacy to facilitate easy access to medicines.

Commenting on the occasion, Padma Shree Dr. Azad Moopen, Chairman of DM Healthcare, said, “We are happy to expand our reach and open a new Aster Clinic in Al Nahda area. As a medical service provider it is our aim to provide our customers with convenience at all times. Our clinics are designed to reflect our social commitment that is care for the customers. The opening of the new centre is another step towards delivering specialized quality care at affordable prices”.

Speaking about the new venture, Mr. TJ Wilson, Group Director, DM Healthcare said, “We are excited to open the new Aster Clinic in Al Nahda.  We are committed to have our family of practitioners from different ethnicities and countries, to maintain our promise to offer quality care to our customers as part of its aim to provide the best available medical service to the community.”

The Aster Medical Centre at Al Nahda will be open from 9am to 1pm and 4:30pm to 9:30pm throughout the week.

Aster, a healthcare chain in the region, part of DM Healthcare, has opened at Al Nahda 1, Dubai. Located in Amman Street, the new Aster clinic is part of DM Healthcare’s ongoing mission to expand its reach further in the UAE to offer quality healthcare to all.

The new facility was inaugurated jointly by Engr. Essa Al Haj Al Maidoor, Asst. Director for Engineering & Planning, Dubai Municipality and Dr. (Mrs.) Hanan Obeid, Head of Community Health Services Programme Session, Dubai Health Authority (DHA), offering their support towards DM Healthcare’s ongoing commitment to provide quality medical services.

The Aster Medical Centre in Al Nahda 1 will offer medical services in the field of General Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, ENT, Dentistry, Radiology, and Laboratory to offer specialized care at an affordable cost. The facility also has an attached Aster Pharmacy to facilitate easy access to medicines.

Commenting on the occasion, Padma Shree Dr. Azad Moopen, Chairman of DM Healthcare, said, “We are happy to expand our reach and open a new Aster Clinic in Al Nahda area. As a medical service provider it is our aim to provide our customers with convenience at all times. Our clinics are designed to reflect our social commitment that is care for the customers. The opening of the new centre is another step towards delivering specialized quality care at affordable prices.”

Speaking about the new venture, Mr. TJ Wilson, Group Director, DM Healthcare, said, “We are excited to open the new Aster Clinic in Al Nahda. We are committed to have our family of practitioners from different ethnicities and countries, to maintain our promise to offer quality care to our customers as part of its aim to provide the best available medical service to the community.”

The Aster Medical Centre at Al Nahda will be open from 9am to 1pm and 4:30pm to 9:30pm throughout the week.

Aster medical Centre at Al Nahda, Dubai is being inaugurated by Engr. Essa Al Haj Al Maidoor, Asst. Director for Engineering & Planning, Dubai Municipality and Dr. (Mrs.) Hanan Obeid, Head of Community Health Services Programme Session, Dubai Health Authority (DHA), in presence of Dr. Azad Moopen, Chairman, DM Healthcare, Mr. Shamsudheen Bin Mohyudheen and other Senior Officials of DM Healthcare.

Dubai, January 24, 2012: Emirates Post Group recently organised a two-day Blood Donation campaign in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as part of its corporate social responsibility activities.

The Abu Dhabi campaign was held at Abu Dhabi Central Post Office  in association with Abu Dhabi Blood Bank, while the Dubai campaign was held at Central Post Office in association with Latifa Hospital.

A large number of employees from different departments as well as customers took part in the campaign by donating blood.

Fahad Al Hosani, Acting President of Emirates Post Group, commented: “We are pleased to contribute to the humanitarian mission of Abu Dhabi Blood Bank and Latifa Hospital. Our employees support this noble cause, so that we can render assistance to sick patients and other people in need of blood. We remind our employees that it is healthy to donate blood and brings many benefits to the donors.”

Emirates Post Group’s Mass Communications Department works with blood banks and hospitals across the UAE to organise such campaigns, with the aim of encouraging people and employees to donate blood and help patients who are in need of blood.

• Pioneers of textile trade in the Emirates eyes 15 per cent growth in 2012 for its luxury menswear subsidiary
• “Sustained growth of the brand indicates continuing success of Dubai’s traditional trading economy, not withstanding global economic fluctuations,” says Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of DMCC

Dubai - January 21, 2012: Bespoke menswear specialists Royal Fashion today announced its expansion with the launch of its sixth outlet in the Jumeirah Lake Towers community.

A subsidiary of Royal Traders, one of Dubai’s pioneers in textile trade, Royal Fashion’s foray into New Dubai area outlines its strategy to reach out to the growing retail trade in the area, providing easy access for its target clientele to its bespoke tailoring services for upscale menswear.

“Our move into Jumeirah Lake Towers community is the first in a series of expansion we are looking at in 2012. The launch of the new shop is also in line with the changing landscape of Dubai’s residential and commercial hubs with New Dubai flanking Sheikh Zayed Road a bustling centre of activity,” said Ashok Sawlani, partner, Royal Traders, parent company of Royal Fashion

Mr. Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), was the guest of honour during the opening ceremonies.

Royal Fashion, renowned for its bespoke menswear creations, has for nearly two decades been successfully serving upscale expatriates and nationals alike ever since the opening of its first outlet in 1992 in Bur Dubai.

“What makes us stand apart as a trusted brand is our commitment to quality, timely delivery and elegance of our work created from the best of clothing materials sourced from across the globe. We have not faced any slack in the pace of our growth despite the financial crunch and we do anticipate a revenue growth of 15 per cent in 2012 compared to 10 per cent in 2011,” Mr. Sawlani said.

Quoting a 2011 last quarter study by Bain & Company on worldwide luxury goods market, Sawlani said  market conditions in the luxury retail sector will help sustain its growth, as sales of luxury goods in the Middle East was projected to increase by 12 per cent at the end of last year, two per cent better than the expected sales growth globally. The study likewise showed that apparel will be a key driver of this growth at 8%, with sales of menswear outpacing women’s wear. 

Congratulating the company on its expansion, Mr. Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of DMCC, said the sustained growth of Royal Fashion over the years was testimony to the strength of Dubai’s traditional trading economy. “The growth of Royal Fashion demonstrates that Dubai continues to be a major hub with growth opportunity for businesses across categories. JLT will benefit from the addition of this well known retailer.” Mr. Bin Sulayem added.

According to Sawlani, one of the strongest points of Royal Fashion is its ability to deliver tailor-made menswear to its clientele in the shortest possible time Royal Fashion is also associated with an array of luxurious fabrics from renowned brands such as Dormeuil, Charles Clayton, Clissold, and Holland & Sherry from the UK, in addition to various Italian brands.  In addition, Royal Fashion also maintains a portfolio of high-end fabrics for shirts, such as Stotz, Cotonificio Albini, Getzner, Thomas Mason, and David & John Anderson, which can be custom-made for both business and leisure wear

While its main clientele are male senior executives, it hopes to tap into the youth market, beginning with upwardly mobile young professionals eager to make an impression in their young careers.

“We have a strong base of regular clients, with our bespoke service for suits and tuxedos. And we have found that the younger demographic would be willing to have their suits made instead of buying even branded luxury suits because they want their individual tastes and designs imprinted into their suits,” added Mr. Sawlani.

For more than two decades, Royal Fashion has been the luxury bespoke tailors of choice for men of distinction – including members of Royal Families, diplomats, bankers and dealmakers as well as prominent UAE nationals and expatriates. In addition to its original store in Bur Dubai, it has outlets in Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Souk Madinat, The Dubai Mall, and on Jumeirah Beach Road.

Dubai office to serve as regional hub and gateway to Indian Sub-Continent and Africa

DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 21, 2012  – CareFusion, a leading global medical technology company, announces today the opening of its Middle East regional office in Dubai, UAE.

Ian Milburn, Regional Director Middle East and Indian Sub-Continent at CareFusion said: “As healthcare expenditures in the Middle East and North Africa are expected to reach USD 125 billion in 2015 , the region and the GCC in particular are strategic growth markets for our International business”.

The 3,000sq feet CareFusion regional office, located in Dubai’s JLT area, will be dedicated to clinical and technical support of customers across the Middle East region. It will also provide state-of-the-art training facilities for CareFusion customers, distributors and health professionals in the region.

Ian Milburn added: “This is a demonstration of our commitment to the region. Dubai is the perfect hub to serve CareFusion’s numerous customers in the region and our gateway to the Indian Sub-Continent and Africa”.

CareFusion’s family of products is present in several key hospitals across the region, in particular with Alaris® infusion products, ventilation products and through well-recognized brands such as Pyxis® automated dispensing systems, Rowa™ automation solutions and ChloraPrep®* preoperative skin preparation products, all of them helping hospitals improve patient safety and reduce costs.

8th January 2012 Dubai, UAE - AFSANA, a collection of exquisite and luxurious handmade shawls, launches across several high-end boutiques in Dubai, following its recent unveiling in the European fashion capital, Paris. Exclusively and intricately designed to the highest standards and quality with exceptional skills inherited over the generations, this luxury shawl collection is designed and hand embroidered by women for women. The brand launches 5 unique lines: Aquarelle, Naturelle, Jaquard, Elegance, and its Limited Edition collection and strives to bring to light the thousand-year old expertise in shawl-making. Using fine pashm , the AFSANA signature motif , which is a recreation of what used to be worn during imperial ceremonies in the 19th and early 20th century, takes approximately two months to produce. AFSANA luxury range of scarves are already available at Laurel – Bur Juman; O’ Concept -Jumeirah Beach Road; Carlotta – Madinat Jumeirah; Betina’s closet – Palm Strip; Valley Dez – Wafi & Sunset Mall.

AFSANA, which means “true story”, narrates the stories and struggles of women in war-torn provinces and it is aimed to build an equitable and sustainable work environment for them.  True to its promise, AFSANA brings authentic practices and materials in each of its shawl, making sure each one is handcrafted from the purest and highest quality of Pashm.

AFSANA is a fusion of modernity with elegance and a symbol of endurance, determination as well as perseverance. AFSANA Collection presents a new venture into the world of fashion and is dedicated to raising awareness of social causes that effect women.

AFSANA is distributed in Paris, Dubai, New York. In Dubai it is available in the following stores:

Laurel – Bur Juman; Carlotta – Madinat Jumeirah; O’ Concept – Jumeirah Beach Road, Betina’s  closet– Palm Strip; Valley Dez – Wafi & Sunset Mall; O’ Concept – Jumeirah Beach Road;

Dubai, UAE; 26 December 2011: flydubai’s position as the world’s fastest growing start up airline has been underscored after its 10th aircraft of 2011 and 21st since beginning operations in June 2009 arrived in Dubai.

Joining one of the youngest fleets in the industry, the latest Boeing 737-800 NG also marks the 7000th 737 to be delivered from Boeing’s production line.

Commenting on the arrival, flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said: “We are proud to be the recipient of the 7000th Boeing 737, officially the most commercially successful model ever designed. It is an aircraft that has been the focus of years of design and refinement to increase efficiency and range and reduce operating costs, which is why it is an ideal aircraft for flydubai. We promise our customers we will make every effort to reduce costs and offer them the lowest fares possible and the 737-800 helps us to achieve that while at the same time maintaining the highest levels of safety and comfort.”

Beverly Wyse, Boeing’s vice president and general manager of the 737 program, said: “It is exhilarating to deliver our 7000th 737 to flydubai, and we thank them for being among the hundreds of airlines, operators and leasing companies who have made the 737 the world’s most popular jet airliner. Thousands of employees have supported the many 737 variations Boeing has introduced, including today’s Next-Generation 737 family which is used in private, government and commercial service.”

The new aircraft arrived following its journey from the manufacturer’s base at Payne Field, Seattle, USA. It is the first of flydubai’s fleet to be fitted with a new Zonal Drying™ System, developed by CTT Systems, which reduces condensation accumulated during flights. The new system will eliminate almost 200kg of condensation per year from each aircraft, significantly reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, as well as reducing the risks to the aircraft of structural corrosion. Earlier this year, flydubai placed an order for 31 Zonal Drying™ Systems which will be installed on flydubai’s aircraft due to be delivered between the end of 2011 and 2016.

“We are happy to be part of flydubai’s vision to provide the very best in efficient, cost-effective and comfortable short-haul travel in the Gulf region. The airline has one of the youngest and most hard-working fleets in the industry and incorporating the Zonal Drying™ System is the next step in increasing the structural and operational efficiency of its fleet,” stated CTT’s VP Sales and Marketing, Peter Landquist.

In addition to optimising its operational efficiency, the airline has also taken steps to improve the passenger experience by incorporating innovative systems such as the Boeing Sky Interior and Fiber-To-The-Screen® In-Flight Entertainment system by Lumexis. This latest aircraft is the 14th in flydubai’s fleet to be fitted with the new interior and IFE, which means that two thirds of flydubai’s fleet now has these customer pleasing innovations.

flydubai’s aircraft also boast some of the aviation industry’s most sophisticated seating, engineered to provide more comfort and extra space. flydubai’s seats are comfortable on any length of journey and are manufactured by Recaro Aircraft Seating, one of the world’s leading specialised seating manufacturers. The brand also makes seats for sports and racing cars. Clever innovations to the seat design ensure passengers can enjoy an extra two inches of leg room, through moving the magazine pockets higher up the seat back, thus improving passenger comfort.

“Our seating system for flydubai is incredibly advanced and has been designed to support the airline’s priorities of comfort, cost and convenience. We have maximised personal space by repositioning the rear seat pocket to a higher level; promoted easy upkeep and hygiene with a new pocket design and have reduced load by using light-weight material instead of traditional fabric. In addition, the ergonomic design allows flydubai to add 9 extra seats to the aircraft, allowing them to sell more seats and reduce overall fares for passengers,” stated Axel Kahsnitz, CEO of Recaro Aircraft Seating.

Al Ghaith added: “flydubai’s aircraft have an unbeatable proven track record, a range of innovative measures to increase passenger comfort and reduce operating costs and the very highest levels of safety. Passengers travelling with flydubai know they are buying travel on brand new, innovative, comfortable and safe aircraft. flydubai may be low cost, but we certainly aren’t low quality.”

flydubai is dedicated to making travel more accessible and affordable, taking every step to lower costs and pass savings on to customers. All fares are one way and inclusive of taxes, including one piece of hand baggage weighing up to 7kg and a small handbag or laptop bag. Customers then pay for the optional extras they wish to receive, such as checked baggage, which starts at AED50 for 20kgs or a seat with extra legroom for AED100.

Dubai, UAE– Treat your family and friends to a festive gathering at Ramada Downtown Dubai, located in Dubai’s most prestigious and vibrant district, where an array of exclusive offers await you for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

The well-decorated lobby adorned with poinsettia flowers, a gingerbread house and a Christmas tree decorated in white will bring the festive mood as soon as guests and visitors step into the property. Christmas carols will fill the air and the holiday season will brighten more with the rich selection of delicious home-made Christmas goodies.

On Christmas Day, gather the family and savour a traditional Christmas brunch with all of the classic accompaniments, in a chic festive atmosphere for AED120/- per person. Select from a variety of Arabic and international dishes such as Turkey with Cranberry Sauce, Grilled Fillet Salmon with Dill Sauce, Roast Beef with Pink Pepper Sauce and more. There is a live station for shawarma, shish tawok, shish kebab and kebab shami and a Mongolian station and not to forget are the mouthwatering and tempting desserts such Cream Christmas Cake, Dundee Cake, Christmas Budding, Vanilla Star, Yule Log Chocolate Cake and more await you at the dessert station. Kids below six of age are free of charge while kids below 12 years will get 50% discount.

Wael EL Behi, Executive Assistant Manager, Ramada Downtown Dubai, said: “We would like to invite everyone at Orchid Restaurant to celebrate Christmas and New Year where we prepared mouthwatering dishes that you will definitely enjoy with your family and loved ones. This offer is a very tempting and a wonderful way to celebrate the season in style with us and a wonderful opportunity not to be missed!”

Welcome the New Year with great excitement and enthusiasm with a spectacular dinner buffet that includes non alcoholic sparkling wine. After dinner, join the rest of the country as it makes the countdown to welcome the year 2012 with enormous fireworks displays.

For bookings and reservations, please call +971 4 330 7 330 or visit www.ramadadowntowndubai.com