Courtesy of Bottega Veneta
Courtesy of Bottega Veneta
Courtesy of Azzaro
Courtesy of Azzaro
Courtesy of The Nail Spa
Courtesy of The Nail Spa
Courtesy of S*uce Rocks
Courtesy of S*uce Rocks
Courtesy of Ban.Do
Courtesy of Ban.Do

Trends: Lots of loveable gifts

Hafsa Lodi

February 08, 2017

  • English
  • Arabic

Channel your inner romantic with this gorgeous list of Valentine’s Day gifts.

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Unbox this

From Hermès

We can’t decide what we love more – the iconic orange Hermès box in a heart-shape, or this glorious, limited-edition silk scarf from the French label. Far from your average pink-hued Valentine’s Day offering, this Brides de Gala Love Scarf is decorated with orange and blue hearts – and with its covetable packaging, is sure to win the heart of whoever opens it.

• Available at Hermès boutiques across the UAE; Dh1,680

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Classic update

If your loved one has a taste for timeless luxury, and an eye for Bottega Veneta, treat her to a piece produced exclusively for Valentine’s Day. Find the brand’s signature intrecciato woven leather in shades of China red or Barolo, embossed with hearts on a range of wallets, pouches and key chains.

• Available at select Bottega Veneta stores across the UAE; price on request

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Perfume, please?

Channel your inner Parisian romantic with an all-new aroma: the Mademoiselle Azzaro l’Eau Tres Belle. The cute 30ml perfume bottle releases a spritz of fragrance reminiscent of jasmine flowers and sweet berries. Plus, its adorable packaging makes the new scent an ideal vanity table-topper.

• Available at leading beauty retailers across the UAE; Dh180

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Nail game

If you’re not one to wear cheesy Valentine’s Day-themed outfits on February 14, consider a special manicure for the occasion instead. The Nail Spa has a wide range of pink, red and classic white nail art designs on offer, from angel French manicures to polka dots, linear stripes and metallic tips.

• Available at The Nail Spa locations across the UAE; from Dh15 per nail

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Run the jewels

What’s Valentine’s without glamorous fine jewellery? For the special occasion, S*uce Rocks is stocking designs that fittingly flaunt hearts and romantic verses, including the latest designs by Dubai-based fine jewellery label Glow Diamonds, with ruby-emblazoned 18-carat gold pendants and bracelets that set a beautiful benchmark for gifting.

• S*uce Rocks, Galleria Mall, Dubai; from Dh4,050

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Quirk alert

For kitschy, unconventional Valentine’s Day gifts that don’t break the bank, Ban.Do is your go-to brand. The Los Angeles-based design house has incorporated roses and ruffles in its latest collection of products, which include everything from tech accessories and stationery to pool floaties.

• Available at Virgin Megastores across the UAE; from Dh59

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War 2

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

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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.”

While you're here
Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Plastic tipping points
Results

6pm: Dubai Trophy – Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m 

Winner: Silent Speech, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby
(trainer) 

6.35pm: Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m 

Winner: Island Falcon, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor 

7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Dirt)
1,400m 

Winner: Rawy, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer 

7.45pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m 

Winner: Desert Fire, Hector Crouch, Saeed bin Suroor 

8.20pm: Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m 

Winner: Naval Crown, William Buick, Charlie Appleby 

8.55pm: Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m 

Winner: Al Tariq, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watsons 

9.30pm: Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m 

Winner: Dubai Icon, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor  

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