Zurich, one of the world’s insurance groups, announced that it will sponsor Christie’s sales in Dubai to support collectors of art in the Middle East. Under the three-year agreement, Zurich will sponsor Christie’s bi-annual auctions in Dubai, with Zurich clients also receiving a range of additional benefits to help them protect their valuable assets.

Christie’s sales in Dubai are held twice a year, with auctions of Modern & Contemporary Arab, Iranian and Turkish Art in April and October. As part of the agreement, selected Zurich clients will be able to attend an exclusive presentation from Christie’s explaining how to buy and sell at auction, as well as attending a private preview of the pre-sale exhibition.

The alliance follows Zurich’s recent launch of bespoke insurance products created specifically for high net worth individuals, including a policy designed to cover art and valuables collections of this niche customer segment.

During its work with clients in the region, Zurich has observed that many underestimate the value of their collections. Accordingly, as part of the partnership with the auction house, Zurich clients will receive a 50% discount on Christie’s valuation service.

“Zurich shares Christie’s enthusiasm for fine art and collectables, and we are proud to help collectors across the region to protect their most valuable assets,” said Maroun Mourad, CEO of Zurich’s General Insurance business in the Middle East.

“Our three-year alliance with Christie’s is part of Zurich’s wider commitment to play an active role in the development of the art market in the Middle East.”

Michael Jeha, Managing Director of Christie’s Middle East, said: “Our Dubai auctions continue to act as a major catalyst in the development of the art market in the Middle East. Zurich has demonstrated a real understanding of the needs of collectors, and this partnership will further our efforts to grow the market here in the region.”

Zurich’s art and valuables insurance includes a number of impressive features, such as complimentary cataloguing by the company’s in-house experts and, taking market appreciation into account, coverage for up to 150% of the value of an artwork. Zurich clients also benefit from a range of additional services such as advice on storage and security arrangements, and provision of access to leading art valuation and restoration experts.

Jeremy Baggott, Head of Zurich Private Clients in the Middle East, said: “Zurich’s specialist team recognises that no two collectors in this region are the same. A common trait among many collectors, however, is a lack of awareness of the risks posed to their possessions by accidental damage. By working with organisations such as Christie’s, Zurich hopes to raise awareness among individuals to ensure their valuable assets are fully protected.”

Christie’s sale of Modern and Contemporary Arab, Iranian and Turkish Art will take place at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 17 and 18, 2012.

ESMOD Dubai, the French fashion school in the region, has revealed that students in the region who are enrolling in ESMOD’s three-year fashion course are increasingly showing great potential. The fashion school further noted that the trend demonstrates that fashion is emerging as a popular career prospect among students in the Middle East.

“We are very happy to see that incoming students of our fashion courses are showing greater potential. ESMOD Dubai provides a unique avenue for students to study fashion and someday launch their own collection. With this trend, Dubai is certainly on track to produce a new breed of world-class and talented fashion designers. We are pleased to welcome new students in ESMOD Dubai’s three-year program, which will serve as a gateway for young talents to pursue exciting career prospects in the fashion world,” said Tamara Hostal, Director and Founder of ESMOD Dubai.

The fashion school has revealed that its three-year fashion course has attracted students from different countries across the region. ESMOD Dubai further stated that enrollment is still ongoing until September 25, 2011.

Meanwhile, aspiring designers young and old were inspired by the 20-plus themes presented by over 110 models to an audience of more than 1,000 during a public fashion show featuring works from ESMOD Dubai students last June. The graduation fashion show affirmed the huge success of the school’s three-year program, the latest term of which will commence in a few weeks’ time.  The program’s First Year teaches freshmen basic techniques and prepares them for higher-level design; the Second Year exposes sophomores to various products and collections and hones their creativity; while the Third Year guides juniors through their chosen specialization such as Ready to Wear, Haute Couture and New Couture, and helps them build their own personal collection.

“Dubai has the potential to be on par with the likes of Paris, New York and London as a leading fashion destination, and the emirate will certainly play a key role in establishing the UAE as the Middle East’s fashion hub. It is thus important to keep the spirit of fashion alive by constantly showcasing the creations of local talents and encouraging the youth to pursue fashion design as a profession. There is exceptional interest in the world of fashion nowadays and we hope to sustain this momentum through ESMOD Dubai’s fashion courses and the various fashion shows that we regularly organize, which we hope will help preserve the UAE’s unique position in the global fashion scene,” said Hostal.

ESMOD Dubai is the only French fashion institution fully dedicated to professional fashion training in the Middle East. It is the Dubai campus of ESMOD International, which was established in Paris in 1841 by the French tailor, inventor, and innovator Alexis Lavigne. ESMOD is recognized as the first institution to codify couture by inventing tools still being used by today’s designers, such as the bust mannequin and the soft metric ribbon.

“ESMOD Dubai is always proud to teach professional values and techniques in fashion. We believe that Dubai must have better international exposure, but we must achieve this in a professional way, which is critical towards achieving success,” concluded Hostal.