April 2010 – Dubai, UAE:  To kick off a busy month of activities, Soirée will be hosting a tribute to its signature designer and Pakistani style icon, Umar Sayeed. The VIP event – a 20-year retrospective of Umar Sayeed’s career in fashion – will take place on Tuesday April 13th at the Opera Gallery, DIFC from 7.30pm, with a fashion show commencing at 8.30pm.

Umar Sayeed, who will attend the event in person says, “I feel greatly humbled at this junction when Soirée, and my dear friend Mariya Kassam, are celebrating my 20 years in fashion. These past two decades feel like 20 milestones I have covered in life. When I started out, the thought never crossed my mind as I never had the luxury to count months and years; I just always concentrated on my work and how to improve my work. Today, when I look back, it was an uphill task to get here, but it’s all a part of a journey. I have many more milestones to cover, many more territories to explore. The past 20 years feel like it’s just the tip of the iceberg, just the nearest planet in the solar system…Life is way too short and there are galaxies awaiting to be explored, stars to be found glowing, oceans of creativity to be sailed on, peaks of refinement to be scaled.”

The fashion icon has been on Pakistan’s fashion radar for the last 20 years and has managed to enrich the fashion scene through years of extraordinary passion for style. Umar has long been a leading name in haute couture in Pakistan and has dressed prominent women all over

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2/April at Soiree

the world. His romantic, crystal-encrusted evening and bridal gowns has also attracted brides-to-be from various countries. His heavy formal creations herald the same feminine aesthetic as his bridal ensemble, with brightly-colored chiffons, silks and pearl beading, the end result - classically regal, yet unmistakably sexy. Silhouette, embellishments, palette, motifs, all seem to bow in front of Umar Sayeed – perhaps that is why he is the only one who knows the secret to creating an ever-lasting spell of beauty.

Following the fashion show, Soirée is delighted to announce the arrival of several new collections from the catwalks of Dubai and Karachi Fashion Weeks to the boutique on April 14th.  The new collections being welcomed fresh from the catwalk are by Umar Sayeed, Deepak Perwani, Nida Azwer, Shamaeel, Chamak, Sobia Nazir, Hajra Hayat, Unbeatable, Maheen Karim, and many exciting other designers.

To round up the exciting month, on April 30th, Soirée is hosting a lunch, by invite only, at the Capital Club to launch ‘Soirée Arabesque’ – an exclusive range for the Soirée Arabic clientele.  A fashion show will be held during lunch to showcase the beautiful collections by Le Trousseau, Glamonyou, Moji, Mahra, Wafa Saifi and Fahad Hussayn.

Fashion, beauty and wellbeing extravaganza back and bigger than ever

Dubai, UAE, 18th March, 2010:  As any fiancé knows, the minute she says ‘I Do’, the check list to create her dream wedding seems never-ending and the planning involved in organising a wedding can be overwhelming.

But ask any savvy fashionista or beauty aficionado and they will point you in the direction of the Middle East’s largest bridal, fashion and wellbeing event which takes place right on your doorstep.  The Bride Show Dubai is back and 2010 is set to be the most exciting event yet.

Taking place from 7 to 10 April at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, The Bride Show Dubai will sit alongside a new exhibition, Women’s World Live. 

While The Bride Show Dubai will offer future brides the latest haute couture dresses and abayas designed by regional and international fashion designers, every kind of make-up product imaginable and enough diamonds to keep any Hollywood star happy, Women’s World Live will be the ultimate girls’ day out with beauty make-overs, healthcare and wellbeing providers and fun fitness classes.

The Bride Show Dubai offers the emirate’s most fashion conscious women a front row seat at an abundance of runway shows with professional models showcasing fabulous wedding dresses, inspiring and creative abayas and exquisite evening wear.

While a team of hair and make up professionals from l’Oréal Professionnel and MAC Cosmetics work tirelessly backstage to create the latest bridal looks on the catwalk models, l’Oréal Professionnel stylists will be on the exhibition floor, alongside Kérastase running a new hair blow dry bar for all visitors.

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New to the event this year, the Bridal Lounge will offer visitors an interactive experience with professional advisors giving tips, styling techniques and ideas when it comes to hair, make up and floral arranging.  One of the highlights of the Bridal Lounge will be the daily make up sessions by MAC Cosmetic artists who will be showing audiences how to recreate the latest bridal beauty styles.

This year The Bride Show Dubai will celebrate a decade of the popular Young Designers Awards, the competition which has helped propel emerging talented designers in the region into the spotlight.  Sitting alongside a photography exhibition of some of the dresses which have been created during the competition will be a live designer workshop for local fashion students.  Visitors will have the opportunity to see how much time, talent and skill goes into creating intricately embellished works of art.

With more than 300 wedding industry experts and suppliers from around the world, there are products and services to meet every budget, whether you’re a newly confirmed ‘recessionista’ in these globally uncertain economic times, or if the only credit you’re crunching is on your platinum visa card.

Visitors to the show will be eligible to enter prize draws to win a holiday to Seoul courtesy of Visit Korea, to include flights and five-star accommodation, a bride-to-be package from Silkor Laser Center worth AED1,500, and a Bridal Pampering Kit worth AED4,000 from Citruss TV.

The Bride Show Dubai runs from Wednesday 7 April to Saturday 10 April, open from 2:30pm until 10:30pm.  Children under 12 are not permitted.  Entry is 10dhs per person.  For more information, visit www.thebrideshow.com. 

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The Bride Show Dubai Fashion Show Schedule

Dubai, UAE – March 16, 2010 – W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, recently celebrated the official unveiling of W Barcelona which opened its doors on October 1, 2009. Over the course of a three day launch, W Barcelona highlighted the W brand’s passion points of fashion, design, architecture, music and “B&F” (beverage & food) through a new event series called “W Premiere.” Global jetsetters and local tastemakers alike were immersed into a unique event that provided them with an insider perspective to the city curated by the following W ambassadors: W’s recently announced Global Fashion Director, Amanda Ross; W’s Global Music Director, Michaelangelo L’Acqua; Michelin star Chef, Carles Abellan, who recently debuted his upscale Spanish restaurant Bravo24 at W Barcelona; Matt Hermer, Founder of The Ignite Group (and creative mind behind London’s Boujis nightclub and Barcelona’s Eclipse Bar on the 26th floor of the hotel); and the hotel’s world-famed star architect Ricardo Bofill.

“The Premiere Event of W Barcelona was not just a traditional opening of a new hotel, but rather the unique activation of the W brand’s passion points, brand partnerships and design concept. In its first six months, W Barcelona has already established itself as an architectural icon and an international lifestyle destination”, said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien.  “This event was a showcase of the W brand promise to provide insider experiences in an authentic way.”

The W Premiere Event was a three-day Happening where guests experienced memorable moments including an acoustic performance by Bossa Nova legend Bebel Gilberto, a performance by the award-winning Spanish band We Are Standard, photography installations by legendary music photographer Mick Rock and the fashion-inspired work of Marcel Van Der Vlugt, design excursions led by Ricardo Bofill, a culinary immersion by avant-garde Chef Abellan, and cocktail indulgences led by Ignite Group.

“W Barcelona joins W Istanbul and W Doha Hotel & Residences as the third W Hotel in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East and plays a critical role in the continued launch of the W brand with upcoming openings in London, Paris, and St. Petersburg”, said Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa, Middle East. “This opening event for W’s European flagship was a showcase of our focus on innovation and strengthening our leadership position in some of the region’s most sought after destinations.”

Appointment is First of Its Kind for Hospitality Industry

10 March, 2010 – W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, announced an industry first with the appointment of international stylist and fashion authority Amanda Ross as the brand’s first ever Global Fashion Director.  For more than 10 years, W has continually broken new ground through innovative and first-of-its-kind fashion initiatives and programs.  As W Hotels continues to grow globally, on track to increase its footprint to more than 50 hotels by 2011, Ross will serve as a strategic fashion advisor to the brand, providing global insight and guidance for an integrated, cutting-edge approach to fashion.  A respected industry veteran, Ross will provide an authentic point of view for W, fostering industry relationships and identifying partnerships and collaborations that will make W Hotels a credible player within the fashion industry.  She will also work closely with W Hotels The Store, W’s twist on the traditional hotel gift shop, including Global Glam, a newly launched fashion
and accessories collection created exclusively for W by established and emerging designers inspired by the design of W’s latest hotels. 

“Fashion is an extension of design, one of the key differentiators for W Hotels,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. “As fashion is ever-changing and evolving on a seasonal basis, it appeals to our guests who are always seeking the latest, newest, hippest, and Amanda, with her extensive industry experience, will guide us in further integrating fashion into our hotels in credible ways that positively affect the guest experience.”

Ross began her multi-faceted career more than 20 years ago at Condé Nast under the guidance of renowned Art Director Alexander Liberman and went on to serve as Market Director for Harper’s Bazaar, where she worked with the world’s foremost fashion designers and helped to identify and nurture emerging talent. Today, she combines extensive editorial work (Harper’s Bazaar, Russian L’Officiel, Town & Country) with international style consulting for film, television and retail interiors. Her film and television credits include Lipstick Jungle (Brooke Shields, Kim Raver, Lindsay Price) and It’s Complicated (Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin).  Ross also styles personal clients, including celebrities such as Mariska Hargitay, Julianna Margulies, Vera Farmiga, Kim Raver, and Lindsay Price. Over the years, she has consulted for fashion houses, including Dennis Basso, Elie Tahari, Ashleigh Verrier and Allegra Hicks as well as advertising campaigns for Maybelline, NBC and Volkswagen.

“I am so honored and excited to have been chosen for this first-of-its-kind position,” said Ross. “I share in W’s passion for fashion and look forward to using my years of editorial, styling and consulting experience to help W further connect the dots between fashion and hotels.” 

The announcement of Ross comes on the heels of W’s appointment last September of Michaelangelo L’Acqua as the brand’s Global Music Director.  Both passions of W, these two newly created roles will work closely together to provide an integrated global point of view on fashion and music, further establishing W as an authority in both industries.

Ross was introduced as W Hotels’ Global Fashion Director during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which kicked off Thursday 11th February in New York where the brand was hosting the 13th season of its Backstage VIP Lounge at Bryant Park.  The W Hotels Arrivals Lounge designed by Slade Architecture and inspired by the experience of arriving to a new destination, is a contemporary cool interpretation on an airport baggage claim that brings to life W’s next destinations, including hotels and retreats in Bali, London, Paris, Koh Samui and St. Petersburg.  The Arrivals Lounge will provide an escape for celebrities, designers, and fashion’s elite from the hustle and bustle of backstage, offering cocktails and small bites while high-profile DJs, selected by L’Acqua, spin the hottest tracks from around the world. When she isn’t sitting runway-side, the Arrivals Lounge will serve as Ross’s home base during Fashion Week, where she will meet and greet fashion insiders from across the globe.

W Hotels has long been engaged in the world of fashion and was the first to link hotels with fashion when it launched the Backstage VIP Lounge at Bryant Park 12 seasons ago.  In 2009, W for the first time had a presence at Paris Fashion Week in anticipation of the soon to open W Paris – Opera in early 2011.  Over the years, W has collaborated with some of fashion’s most elite, including Michael Kors, Diane von Furstenberg, and Gwen Stefani. Last fall, W formed an exclusive partnership with renowned department store Barneys New York and its creative director Simon Doonan to create an exclusive window display at W New York – Union Square. W has also redefined traditional hotel retailing with the creation of W Hotels The Store, a trendsetting collection of boutique stores that sell designer apparel, jewelry, accessories, home and design items in W Hotels around the world and online. Recently, W Hotels The Store unveiled Global Glam, another industry first, that is inspired by the design of W’s newest hotels and
retreats. The first Global Glam collection (Fall/Winter 2010) featured exclusive designs for W by Alex and Ani, Foley + Corrina, and Lauren Merkin, while the second Global Glam collection, debuting in stores April 2010, will feature pieces from Rebecca Minkoff, DANNIJO, Dolce Vita and Yumi Kim, among others.

Named after the famous quarter of Paris that is synonymous worldwide with elegance, luxury and prestige, SAINT HONORE continues to assert its influence in the world of fashion and jewellery with the launch of the new Coloseo. The new watch combines Swiss-made precision and accuracy with Parisian chic and style.

Beautiful and sleek, this watch is in harmony with the latest fashion trends, and blends a classical round shape with fine ingredients such as lacquer, mother-of-pearl, diamonds and onyx.

Saint Honore watches are luxurious and immediately catch the eye with their feminine lines mixing luxury with affordability. This will probably be the new trend as the economy continues to take jabs at the luxury industry.

The mixture of elements such as diamonds and lacquer give the watch a strong identity from the small trapezoid partitioned off areas of enameling spread across the bezel. The white lacquer illuminates the bezel with its finest reflections.

The mother-of-pearl dial magnifies the refined design of the dial, with an “open” date aperture providing an elegant contrast. Located at 3 o’clock, the diamonds form an original off-centre pavé that emphasizes the unexpected design of the crown protector. Like icing on a cake, the crown is topped with black onyx for a perfect finish.

SAINT HONORE is a French company specializing in elegant and prestigious timepieces. The company established a signature watchmaking firm in 1885.

Different models of COLOSEO are available: deep black or white mother-of-pearl dial, with or without inset diamonds, all on a leather or metal strap.

Coloseo has a stainless steel case, a white lacquered bezel with crown protector set with 21 diamonds (0.12 carat). The crown is topped with a black onyx. A quartz movement is incorporated in the design. In addition it has a white mother of pearl dial set with 12 diamonds (0.07 ct) Coloseo is water resistant to 30 m with a white leather strap on deploying buckle. To top it all up, it is Swiss Made.

Faithful to its tradition of innovation, the stunning new SAINT HONORE watch would be the perfect choice for the most discerning of customers.

Dubai, UAE; February 15, 2009: Products from the world leader in professional nail care, OPI, are now available at Merle Norman.

OPI is globally renowned for its nail lacquers – a brilliant, chip-resistant, professional formula in fashion-forward colours with clever shade names. A favourite of salon specialists and nail artists, OPI is available in most high end salons in the UAE through Nazih Group, the brand’s exclusive distributor in the country. For the first time OPI nail colours will be retailed in the UAE through an exclusive arrangement between Nazih Group and Merle Norman.

“There is a growing trend among women these days to purchase polishes for at-home use rather than spend money on salon manicures,” explains Mamta Thakkar, General Manager, Merle Norman. “Our agreement with Nazih Group will now allow customers to purchase the season’s must have OPI Nail Lacquers at Merle Norman Studio.”

Top-selling shades of OPI Nail Lacquer in addition to OPI Natural Base Coat, OPI Top Coat and OPI Expert Touch Polish Remover are available at Merle Norman Studio.

According to Mr. Ali Hachem from Nazih Group: “Our partnership with Merle Norman will make OPI nail polish more accessible to quality conscious customers who enjoy doing their own nails. Nail polish is an integral part of a perfectly groomed look and chipped nails is a problem for most women but with OPI’s long lasting nail colours that last for up to two weeks, this will not be a cause for concern.”

OPI’s palette of stunning reds, browns, pinks and other colours are perfect for any wardrobe or occasion. They suit natural and acrylic nails.

The products are currently available at Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio in Sharjah Mega Mall, Level 2. Four additional Merle Norman studios are due to open in UAE later this year and all of the outlets will stock OPI products.

Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services.

The business of jewellery, including fashion jewellery, pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, precious metals and imitation jewellery accounted for 26.5 per cent (or $56.98 billion) of the UAE non-oil foreign trade in 2008. Read the full story

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Fashion designer jobs are expected to increase 5 per cent through 2016 as consumers continue to seek innovative apparel concepts, according to the French Fashion University Esmod (FFUE) in Dubai. Read the full story

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