Resurging sentiment in the economies of the Middle East and continuing growth in demand for consumer goods and services are expected to boost interest from the region in the upcoming spring trade shows being organised by Messe Frankfurt in Germany.

Senior officials from the world-leading Frankfurt-based trade fair and conference organiser during a recent visit to Dubai, expressed optimism at the increasing demand from suppliers, distributors and buyers from the region, who are making their presence felt on the international market.

Messe Frankfurt officials were in Dubai to promote their upcoming shows - Heimtextil, Christmasworld, Paperworld, Creativeworld and Ambiente – which are to be held in January and February 2012 at the Messe Frankfurt exhibitions grounds in Germany. All the events are leaders in their respective sectors and attract widespread international participation, including increasing numbers from the Middle East both in terms of exhibitors and trade visitors.

Mr. Stephan Kurzawski, Extended Board of Management, Messe Frankfurt, said: “This region is a very important area for us strategically, both in terms of our German shows and also for the shows our Dubai subsidiary hosts here. Paperworld Middle East, for example, has evolved from our mother fair, Paperworld in Frankfurt and we are delighted to see it having taken off in the Middle East region, opening up a new marketplace for us.”

Mr. Ahmed Pauwels, Chief Executive Officer of Epoc Messe Frankfurt – Messe Frankfurt’s Middle East subsidiary, said: “Demand from the region for the very latest product lines, styles and trends is increasing as consumers become more discerning. We have received a large number of inquiries about visiting and participating at the upcoming trade shows from buyers in the region. The spring shows – Heimtextil, Christmasworld, Paperworld, Creativeworld and Ambiente – not only reflect the latest trends and products but are also considered important indicators of the future direction of their respective industries,” Pauwels added.

For each of the shows the contract business is rapidly developing with a large amount of exhibitors specializing in this area. For furnishing specialists, interior architects, boat builders, restaurateurs and superior hotel operators, this is a major benefit as they can source larger quantities of high-quality products for their businesses. For the many trade visitors from the Middle East operating in the high end luxury business sector this is a great added convenience.

Considered the trendsetter and bell weather trade show for the home, household and contract textile industry, Heimtextil, being held from January 11-14, 2012, will feature a wide range of textiles for bed, bath and table to product ranges for windows, upholstery, floor, wall and sun protection. The event has a major focus on sustainability driven by an approximate 10% growth rate for sustainable textiles in the bed and bathroom segments in Europe and North America.

The world’s biggest trade fair for home and contract textiles will be accompanied by a host of special shows, specialist lectures, award ceremonies and industry events. Last year the event attracted 1,171 trade visitors from the Middle East, with the largest numbers coming from the UAE, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

Already fully booked up, Ambiente, considered to be the world’s most important consumer goods fair will be held from February 10th to 14th, 2012. This event will feature 4,500 exhibitors spread out over 330,000 square metres. Ambiente covers the complete range of consumer goods for the table, kitchen, housewares, dining, giving, interior design and furnishing sectors. The 2011 edition attracted 1,694 Middle Eastern trade visitors, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon leading the way.

Representing the world of paper, office supplies and stationery, Paperworld is the parent show of the recently-launched Dubai event. The upcoming Frankfurt show, taking place from 28th to 31st January, 2012 is further streamlined with an optimized hall concept to enable a more efficient visitor experience. An interesting variety of complementary events and campaigns are on the cards for visitors and exhibitors alike, including a series of lectures at the Paperworld Forum on topical issues including the ‘green’ debate. Last year’s edition of Paperworld saw 879 trade buyers and visitors from the Middle East.

Running alongside Paperworld are Creativeworld and Christmasworld. Creativeworld (January 28th to 31st, 2012) is the world’s largest trade fair for the creative sector and is a highlight for the hobby, crafts and artists’ requisites segments. Christmasworld (January 27th to 31st, 2012) deals with event decoration and is the world’s leading trade fair for all types of event decorations, presenting the trends and innovations for each and every festival conceivable.  

The synergies generated by the three international trade fairs in Frankfurt offer unparalleled benefits for visitors. Nowhere else in the world can trade visitors find such a multi-faceted spectrum of products and get the opportunity to expand their horizons.

Achieve a contoured body and healthy skin with Marie France Bodyline’s ‘March Offers’

February 2011, Dubai, UAE:  Spring is the season of renewal and to celebrate Marie France Bodyline, the world’s slimming professionals, is offering two special packages from 1 to 31 March 2011 for renewed freshness and overall beauty.

Whether you are seeking a contoured body or glowing, younger looking skin, you can guarantee long lasting results with Marie France’s Meso BiActive System, designed to enhance your body tone, and the OxyGlow Velocity System, a facial to refresh and rejuvenate your skin.

Meso BiActive System (MBST)

The Meso BiActive System combines the perfect synergy of Vacuum Suction and Mesoporation therapy to create one of the most successful and cost effective, non-invasive slimming technologies on the market. 

The treatment starts by using Vacuum Suction therapy to improve lymphatic flow to the treated areas by breaking down any blockages.

Mesoporation involves emitting pulses safely and effectively, to allow the BiActive slimming product to penetrate deep into the fat cells and cellulite areas, liquidizing them for easy lymphatic dispersal. Although Mesoporation works with the same proven technique of needle injection known as mesotherapy, it is a non-invasive and painless treatment with no side effects.

With the Meso BiActive System, inch-loss, tighter skin texture and visible cellulite reduction can be noticed after just one treatment.

Duration of 1 session: 50 minutes

OxyGlow Velocity System (OVS)

OxyGlow Velocity System is an anti-ageing facial treatment that results in skin rejuvenation and pigment reducing. It uses a natural source – OXYGEN – to push nourishing and hydrating ingredients into the skin.

Like all living things, your skin needs oxygen to survive, reproduce and regenerate. Oxygen is normally transported to the deepest layers of the skin by the blood vessels, but as we age, this process becomes less effective. As a result cellular turnover slows down, collagen and elastin production is reduced and fine lines, discoloration of skin tone and wrinkles begin to appear.

This treatment, designed to treat a variety of skin conditions creates a supersonic 2-phase jet system consisting of micro-droplets of saline solution and oxygen: the peeling phase and the infusion phase.

The OxyGlow Velocity System moisturises and helps maintain the health of skin cells. Leaving your skin looking younger, healthier and fresher.

Marie France Bodyline’s OxyGlow Velocity System  and Meso BiActive System is priced at only 350 AED  for 1 session each for the month of March. Normal price: 700 AED

Duration of 1 session: 1 hr 30 minutes

To book an appointment, please contact Marie France Bodyline, (T) +971 4 344 8760

375 B, Al Wasl Road, Dubai, UAE

www.mariefrance.ae

Jeddah’s premier hotel values families and invites them to enjoy memorable moments

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 4th April 2010: As flowers flourish, gardens become colourful, and families appreciate quality time outdoors before the Middle Eastern summer heat kicks in, Rosewood Corniche invites guests to enjoy a sumptuous spring break at the Red Sea for a fraction of the price.

With clear blue skies, ideal temperatures and green scenery for a few more precious weeks, spring is a favourite time among the Kingdom’s residents.  Whether for Jeddah’s outdoor activities, shopping or simply gathering around a meal, it is also perceived as especially valued family time.

Families will be in honour at Rosewood Corniche, Jeddah’s premier hotel and will enjoy great discounts on rooms and suites from the beginning of April until the end of June 2010.

“We have always valued the importance of family gatherings and spending quality time with loved ones,” said Hans-Peter Leitzke, Managing Director at Rosewood Corniche. “We commit to provide our guests everything they need and make the Rosewood Corniche experience a relaxing and memorable time.”

Starting at SAR1,025, the spring promotion includes complimentary buffet breakfast with breathtaking views on the Red Sea at Habsburg restaurant, in-room check in, VIP amenities and personalised butler service, complimentary garment pressing for two pieces of clothing and free unlimited internet access. 

Spring at Rosewood Corniche | 2

Children below six years joining their parents will stay free of charge.  Price is exclusive of 15 per cent service charge.

Designed for both business and leisure travellers, Rosewood Corniche is ideally positioned on Jeddah’s Corniche, one of the city’s most impressive districts.  The celebrated Jeddah Corniche runs parallel to the Red Sea for over 20 miles and provides convenient access to the city’s business and leisure areas. 

As the premier hotel in Jeddah, the stunning Rosewood Corniche redefines modern elegance and offers unparalleled personal service and world-class amenities, including 24-hour butler service for each of the 127 guest rooms and suites.

What do British 1980s groups Madness and the Cure have in common with current teen heartthrob actor Robert Pattinson, Pope John Paul II and the Dalai Lama?

Believe it or not, Dr Martens boots and shoes.

And as the footwear firm turns 50, it is looking back on a remarkable transformation from a tiny German company making orthopaedic boots to British fashion icon, whose shoes are worn by trendy artists and world leaders alike.

The key turning point came in 1959, when two German medics sought to market a shoe with an air-cushion sole, developed by one of them – Klaus Maertens – to help him convalesce after a skiing accident.

“The magic moment happened when, through an advert in a British professional magazine, the Griggs family – working boots makers – met the German doctors Maertens and Funck,” said Martin Roach, who has written a history of the firm.

“At that time it was an orthopaedic boot sold 80 per cent to German women over the age of 40. They felt there was a bigger market but they needed a partner, hence the ad,” said Roach, author of Dr Martens, the story of an icon.

On April 1, 1960, the first pair of Dr Martens – the name was anglicised, for ease of pronunciation – was produced by the Griggs factory in the village of Wollaston in central England.

Eight eyelets, ox blood red with distinctive yellow stitching, the new design was dubbed “1460″ after the date of its creation.

And rather than hobbling middle-aged Germans, the target market for the new boot was aimed squarely at working-class Britons seeking a more comfortable and cheaper alternative to other footwear firms’ rigid-soled leather offerings.

“My grandfather was the first one to sell Dr Martens in the world. We’ve sold the brand for the longest,” said Nick Romona, owner of the British Boot Company in the trendy north London borough of Camden.

“It was a good, strong, comfortable, affordable work wear for the average working men in Britain… for a lot of those that picked up on them, like the punks and the skinheads, they were a good pair of solid, decent boots.”

Within a few years the “1460″ became an essential accessory for musicians wanting to play up their working-class links, including The Who’s Pete Townshend, who was followed by dozens of other stars.

“Usually when a new subculture appears, it gets rid of the symbols of the previous subculture. But not the Doc Martens. It stayed with the skinheads, the punks, the mods, the grunges and so on,” said Roach.

Their status as a style icon remains to this day, he said: “The Doc Martens’ DNA is the same as youth fashion, so it will never go away.”

Romona added: “They appeal to everybody – whether a postman, a schoolboy, a nurse or a judge.”

Michael is a doctor, buying his first pair.

“I do a lot of walking in my work and I often wear through shoes, probably about every year. I just wanted a pair that wouldn’t wear out on me and that would last a very long time, and the DMs do,” he said.

German 40-something Sabina Muller said: “I had my first Doc Martens when I was 16-year-old and they are still all right… I love them.”

More than 100 million pairs of Dr Martens shoes and boots have been sold since that first pair was unveiled 50 years ago – although there are now some 250 different models, from golden to fuscia, flowered to custom patterned.

But, in a sign of the times, almost all of them have been made in Asia since 2002: only about 50 leave the factory in Wollaston every day, including the

vintage 1460 model, made by 10 or so workers on old machines. The shop in Camden has also become an icon for the Doc Martens’ faithful internationally.

“It’s a very famous destination, we get customers from all over the world,” said Romona.

“They want to come here to see where it all started. They come from father to son… especially from Europe. Their fathers would have bought their first DM boots in this store in the ’70s and ’80s.

“I am personally very proud to be the grandson of the guy who first sold them.”

Dubai, UAE, March 9, 2010 – Stand out from the crowd this spring with Giordano’s bright and vibrant polos; this season focuses on Polo Tees in a medley of colours and stripes to catch the essence of spring.

“The polo is a timeless fashion essential that suits everyone and any occasion. Giordano’s spring collection brings to the table a range polos available in bold, diverse colours, such as Barcelona Blue and Ribbon Red,  and revamped designs; ideal for the upcoming season,” said Ishwar Chugani, Executive Director, Giordano ME

The men’s and women’s collection this spring focuses on a range of polos that were enhanced from an ordinary outfit into a more versatile addition to anyone’s wardrobe. The polo tees range from bold stripes on vibrant backgrounds, subtle stripes on collars and sleeves and plain polos in striking colours. Any of these polos can easily be paired up with basic denims or khakis that generate a bright and bold spring look.

“Spring is the season to bloom, bursting with new and innovative thinking, and it is this essence that we captured in our spring collection. This inspired the use of simple concepts such as stripes and colour that when combined, creates a vibrant new look to the start of a new season,” concluded Chugani.