From Swarovski pendants to Nadine Kanso’s new Bil Arabi jewellery range, we pick Eid gifts for him and her that will really make a statement.
Bag it
The Albondoqiya handbag by the UAE luxury maison Feathers is inspired by the city of Venice and one of Italy’s most celebrated polymaths. This Eid, there is a new, smaller version of the popular bag available in black, brown, green, grey and peach. The piece was based on drawings of a handbag by Leonardo da Vinci in 1497, and features leaf motifs, elaborate swirls and creeping, vine-like patterns. Costs Dh3,250, available at Feathers boutiques.
• Visit www.feathers-fashion.com or call 02 550 7556
Starry style
Dubai-based designer and artist Nadine Kanso’s new Bil Arabi jewellery range is now available at S*uce. The Shine Collection, inspired by the night sky, includes standouts such as star motif rings and gold stud earrings. Another design likely to prove popular is a pair of drop earrings, themed around constellations and dotted with stars that are linked together with Arabic calligraphy. Available at Bloomingdales at The Dubai Mall, Harvey Nichols and S*uce boutiques across the UAE. Prices available upon request.
• Visit www.shopatsauce.com
Crystal clear
Our favourite pieces from Swarovski’s new collection include large, penny-shaped pendants adorned with sapphire- and emerald-coloured crystals. There are also earrings frosted with diamond-like stones and gleaming pearls. And if you’re looking for something decorative for your wrist there’s plenty to choose from, not least a chocolate-brown watch with glinting mocha dial, or a matching gold version with a face of white crystals.
• Visit www.swarovski.com
Abaya chic
Emirati abaya designer Fawzeya Al Rumaithi has launched a new collection inspired by UAE culture, landscape and fashion through the ages. Her label, Black Secret Abayas, boasts signature dark colours and richly accented embroidery with panels in pink, green, gold and silver. Fabrics used include silk, chiffon and crepe, with varied threads in traditional Arabic styles detailing collars, cuffs and hemlines. Black Secret Abayas is in Abu Dhabi’s Al Nahyan Camp. Prices available upon request.
• Call 02 650 6555
Dressed to kill
Celebs, from Gisele Bündchen and Rebel Wilson to Kathie Lee Gifford, have stepped out in show-stopping pieces by designer Adrianna Papell. To get your hands on one, head to the boutique at Abu Dhabi Mall, which is well stocked with wispy, floor-sweeping gowns from about Dh1,175. Heavily beaded and available in sleeveless, strapless or blouson silhouettes, these pieces are sure guaranteed to span the seasons. Alternatively, pick up silver peep-toe pumps with an ankle strap for Dh435.
• Visit www.adriannapapell.com
rduane@thenational.ae
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The specs
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School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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