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. 

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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.