Spanish fashion label Loewe has launched its first collection that's exclusive to the Middle East.
The versatile range features ready-to-wear, bags and accessories made from luxurious silks and leathers.
There are eight items of clothing, including tunic dresses and pyjama sets crafted from silk, satin and nappa leather. A sparkly lurex knitted cardigan and vest are covered in geometric patterns.
Also exclusive to the region are two new versions of the Puzzle Edge bag, rendered in key colours from the brand’s spring/summer 2023 runway collection, which featured a palette of lilacs, butter yellows and vanilla whites. Available in both small and mini sizes, the special edition Puzzle Edge bag is crafted in calfskin leather. Miniature decorative accessories include a detachable metal doughnut chain, two dice, a falcon and an Arabian oryx.
The launch coincides with the opening of the brand’s new flagship boutique in The Dubai Mall, Casa Loewe. Ahead of the launch, the brand also teamed up with regional talents for a campaign video highlighting how to correctly pronounce its name.
The brand put together the playful video as a way of introducing itself to a whole new audience, enlisting the help of Lebanese singer Dana Hourani, entrepreneur and sunglasses designer Karen Wazen, Saudi beauty influencer Yara Alnamlah, as well as Emirati brothers Mohammed and Humaid Hadban, better known as the Hadban Twins.
Dressed in looks from the Loewe spring/summer 2023 collection, the influencers spell it out letter by letter, write it in the air and even translate it into Arabic, scrawling it in red on Perspex. In between is imagery of the Puzzle Edge bag and metal dice from the new Middle East exclusive collection.
As the video highlights, Loewe is not pronounced "low", but Lo-weh-vay, in three distinct syllables.
The brand has had a busy start to the year, having unveiled its third — and final — collaboration with Studio Ghibli in February. Called Loewe x Howl’s Moving Castle, the collaboration drew inspiration from the Oscar-nominated animated film from 2004, Howl’s Moving Castle, by Japanese animator, director and manga artist Hayao Miyazaki.
Characters from the film, which include Sophie, Howl and the fire demon Calcifer, as well as Markl, Heen, Turnip Head and the Witch of the Waste, were scattered across bags, small leather accessories and clothing, including hoodies, jumpers, cardigans, T-shirts, jackets, jeans, silk shirts, skirts, capes and shoes.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
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
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The biog
Name: Marie Byrne
Nationality: Irish
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption
Book: Seagull by Jonathan Livingston
Life lesson: A person is not old until regret takes the place of their dreams
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Spain drain
CONVICTED
Lionel Messi Found guilty in 2016 of of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying €4.1m in taxes on income earned from image rights. Sentenced to 21 months in jail and fined more than €2m. But prison sentence has since been replaced by another fine of €252,000.
Javier Mascherano Accepted one-year suspended sentence in January 2016 for tax fraud after found guilty of failing to pay €1.5m in taxes for 2011 and 2012. Unlike Messi he avoided trial by admitting to tax evasion.
Angel di Maria Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Angel di Maria was fined and given a 16-month prison sentence for tax fraud during his time at Real Madrid. But he is unlikely to go to prison as is normal in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying sentence of less than two years.
SUSPECTED
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's star striker, accused of evading €14.7m in taxes, appears in court on Monday. Portuguese star faces four charges of fraud through offshore companies.
Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager accused of evading €3.3m in tax in 2011 and 2012, during time in charge at Real Madrid. But Gestifute, which represents him, says he has already settled matter with Spanish tax authorities.
Samuel Eto'o In November 2016, Spanish prosecutors sought jail sentence of 10 years and fines totalling €18m for Cameroonian, accused of failing to pay €3.9m in taxes during time at Barcelona from 2004 to 2009.
Radamel Falcao Colombian striker Falcao suspected of failing to correctly declare €7.4m of income earned from image rights between 2012 and 2013 while at Atletico Madrid. He has since paid €8.2m to Spanish tax authorities, a sum that includes interest on the original amount.
Jorge Mendes Portuguese super-agent put under official investigation last month by Spanish court investigating alleged tax evasion by Falcao, a client of his. He defended himself, telling closed-door hearing he "never" advised players in tax matters.
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
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The past winners
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2010 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2011 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2012 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2013 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2015 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2017 - Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
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Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228