The English soul singer, television presenter, actress and author Mica Paris doesn't do things by halves. From shooting to fame in 1988 at the age of 19 with the release of her debut album So Good, she later went on to have 10 hit singles and albums worldwide before eventually moving into television. In 2007 she took over from Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine as a co-presenter on the BBC makeover reality show What Not To Wear; she scrutinised people's looks as a judge on Gok Wan's Channel 4's pageant-style show Miss Naked Beauty, and she has been spun around the dance floor for the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. Paris is now recording a long-awaited new album of original material featuring legendary guest singers and musicians and to be released later this year. She is headlining at the Abu Dhabi Chequered Flag Ball on November 11. She talks to Jemma Nicholls about her creative life and passions.
HAVE A BALL
Tickets to the Abu Dhabi Chequered Ball at the St Regis hotel on Saadiyat Island on Friday cost Dh2,000 each, Dh20,000 for a table of 10 or Dh25,000 for a VIP table of 10. Go to www.chequeredflagball.com
MICA'S WORLD
BEING STYLISH MEANS... having your own look and style. I'm 5ft 11 and size 14. I'm a voluptuous woman so my clothing has to be tailored and structured.
MY SUPER POWER WOULD BE... the power to make people open their minds and stop being so dogmatic in their beliefs.
THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN... my grandparents always used to say, never take yourself seriously, laugh at yourself and don't get wound up so much that you don't enjoy life.
THE AMBITIONS I STILL HAVE... I would love to write another book - it's been three years since the last one. I would also love my own music TV show.
I AM DRIVEN BY... my children and doing thing things for others. I've achieved many great things in my life so I think I've got to the stage where I can take a back seat in constantly chasing the dream.
FIVE WORDS TO DESCRIBE ME ARE... sensitive, strong, stubborn, sympathetic, steadfast.
What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
If you go...
Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, with fares starting from Dh2,807 return. Frequent high speed trains between Zurich and Vienna make stops at St. Anton.
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Astroworld
Travis Scott
Grand Hustle/Epic/Cactus Jack
More from Neighbourhood Watch
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
Playing records of the top 10 in 2017
How many games the top 10 have undertaken in the 2017 ATP season
1. Rafael Nadal 58 (49-9)
2. Andy Murray 35 (25-10)
3. Roger Federer 38 (35-3)
4. Stan Wawrinka 37 (26-11)
5. Novak Djokovic 40 (32-8)
6. Alexander Zverev 60 (46-14)
7. Marin Cilic 43 (29-14)
8. Dominic Thiem 60 (41-19)
9. Grigor Dimitrov 48 (34-14)
10. Kei Nishikori 43 (30-13)
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Manchester United v Club America
When: Thursday, 9pm Arizona time (Friday UAE, 8am)
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
MATCH INFO
Iceland 0 England 1 (Sterling pen 90 1)
Man of the match Kari Arnason (Iceland)
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
