Top designers, florists and jewellers showed off their latest brands and ideas over the weekend at Bride Dubai, the apparel and accessories show at Dubai World Trade Centre. Rebecca McLaughlin-Duane presents her pick of the best items on display.
Juri Fashion
Emirati designer Arwa Bait-El Mal is the creative force behind this brand, which showcased its range of fashion-forward abayas at Bride Dubai. Juri is targeting this year’s wedding season with an edgy and elegant range of decorative traditional wear featuring striking prints, gold brocade and lace.
• Call 04 294 7860 or visit www.jurifashion.com
Ritu Kumar
Delhi-based couturier-to-the-stars, Ritu Kumar will cater to your sartorial needs — whether you’re planning a traditional Indian wedding or not. Perfect for any glamorous occasion, her elaborately embroidered lehengas and statement-making saris have been worn by celebrities including the late Princess Diana.
• Find the latest collections at www.labelritukumar.com
Ezra Santos
Romantic, Cinderella-like outfits are what Filipino master couturier Ezra Santos is known and loved for. He has created red-carpet gowns for celebrities — including Lady Gaga and Molly Sims — and will be happy to design your dream wedding dress, too.
• For an appointment at his Dubai atelier, call 04 395 5385 or visit www.ezrafashiondesign.com
All that glitters
Amwaj Jewellery
For statement jewellery, check out the cascading diamond colliers and chandelier earrings that brides de jour are commissioning at Amwaj, alongside art deco-inspired multistrand pendants. Regal and Arabic in style, sapphires, emeralds and rubies are also some of the most popular necklace, earrings and cocktail-ring bridal sets this season.
• Prices upon application, call 02 631 5600 or visit www.amwaj-jewellery.com
Beauty secrets
The Nail Spa
Ladies looking for a one-stop-shop for their hair, make-up and spa needs ahead of the big day should check out the Bride-to-be Package at TNS in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. For Dh2,216 customers will receive treatments every week for a month until their wedding date. Services include hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, waxing, mani-pedis, facials, massages and lots more. An additional trending treatment is couture nails, which incorporates gemstones and the initials of the couple.
• For appointments, visit www.thenailspa.com or call 600 544 001
Accessorise right
Crystal House
If a sparkling tiara is what you desire to complete your look, then the Crystal House in Dubai has a showroom of crowns fit for a queen. Using clear and coloured Swarovski crystals, the unique pieces are lightweight and comfortable to wear all day. Veils, shoes and bags can also be accented with stones, jewels and sparkling self-adhesive elements from the store.
• For consultations and prices, call 04 398 9380 or visit www.crystalhouseuae.com
Ash Amaira
There are bespoke clutches for brides, bridesmaids and even the mother-of-the-bride, courtesy of designer Ash Amaira this season. Individual, handcrafted pieces in gold, cream and white are embellished with Swarovski crystals, pearls and semi- precious stones. Prices start from about Dh500.
• Free express delivery from the atelier in India. Email colourkraft@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/ashamaira
On the table
Parfait Patisserie (pictured)
Whether you’re a traditionalist or crave something themed and avant-garde, Parfait Patisserie in Dubai are masters of custom-made cakes. Choose from modest, refined confections with minimal icing and sugar roses, or go for the show-stopping 12-foot cakes that double as centrepieces, with integrated sculptures, chandeliers and crystals.
• Call 04 330 7171 or visit www.facebook.com/Parfait-Patisserie-553800918058548
Papabubble
Fashionable favours for your wedding guests this month can be found at Papabubble in Dubai. The caramel artisans can create sweets of any flavour, that bear the name of the bride and groom in English and Arabic. If you prefer confectionery shaped into hearts, roses or even pouting lips — they will be happy to oblige.
• Prices vary, visit www.papabubble.com
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The specs
Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre
Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh189,700
On sale: now
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
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THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
Company%20Profile
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ETFs explained
Exhchange traded funds are bought and sold like shares, but operate as index-tracking funds, passively following their chosen indices, such as the S&P 500, FTSE 100 and the FTSE All World, plus a vast range of smaller exchanges and commodities, such as gold, silver, copper sugar, coffee and oil.
ETFs have zero upfront fees and annual charges as low as 0.07 per cent a year, which means you get to keep more of your returns, as actively managed funds can charge as much as 1.5 per cent a year.
There are thousands to choose from, with the five biggest providers BlackRock’s iShares range, Vanguard, State Street Global Advisors SPDR ETFs, Deutsche Bank AWM X-trackers and Invesco PowerShares.
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