Trend: Fringes and flats

From bedazzled skater-inspired shoes from Christian Louboutin to Vince Camuto latest drop of jewellery, here are the latest products on the market.

Take flight

Luxury leather goods label Aspinal of London has collaborated with artist Emma J Shipley with a limited-edition capsule collection. Handbags and scarves are stamped with ethereal Pegasus illustrations in midnight blue and gold-tone colourways. While the Marylebone tote is a personal favourite, ideal for the office and for travelling, the Mini Trunk clutch is sure to be a best-seller.

• Available at Aspinal of London at The Galleria Mall, Abu Dhabi; from Dh650

Beauty elixir

Caviar is said to have a powerful enriching and restorative effect on the skin, and caviar water is the special ingredient of the Skin Caviar Essence-in-Lotion formula by La Prairie. Massage two to three drops into your face in the morning and evening after cleansing, and witness an improvement in your skin’s hydration, elasticity and smoothness.

• Available at Paris Gallery stores across the UAE; Dh1,055

Flat frenzy

Ditch the high heels in favour of a more comfortable flat, but don’t sacrifice the glamour factor. Seek out footwear that flaunts snazzy embellishments or embroidery, such as these bedazzled skater-inspired shoes from Christian Louboutin’s autumn/winter 2016 collection.

• Available at Christian Louboutin boutiques across the UAE; Dh5,090

Pretty powerful

The festive season is fast approaching and ValleyDez has a handful of new dresses in store for the occasion. The latest shipment from Lebanese couturier Saiid Kobeisy includes some great retro-inspired gowns. The structured dresses feature metallic patterns, glossy sheens, strapless necklines and asymmetrical hemlines.

• Available at ValleyDez at Galleria Mall, Dubai; from Dh7,995

Bohemian charm

Vince Camuto may be known best for its fashionable footwear, but the brand’s latest drop of jewellery is equally noteworthy. Featuring chains that are layered, or manipulated to portray tassel and fringed details, these necklaces incorporate earthy stones and gold and rose-gold hues.

• Available at Vince Camuto stores across the UAE; from Dh250

The language of diplomacy in 1853

Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)


We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.

Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale

Company profile

Name:+Thndr

Started:+October 2020

Founders:+Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: FinTech

Initial investment: pre-seed of+$800,000

Funding stage: series A;+$20 million

Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital