Fashion label Qasimi, under the new direction of Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, has released its spring / summer 2021 collection, with the addition of womenswear for the first time.
Sheikha Hoor is the sister of the late Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the brand's founder.
With its clear but relaxed aesthetic, Qasimi is already well known for its referencing of architecture and its military flourishes, so it's no great surprise that for its spring / summer 2021 range, it looks to the Bedouins and their traditional tent-making and weaving techniques.
Known as Al Sadu, the distinctive geometric woven patterns of the Bedouin lend themselves well to menswear, and Sheikha Hoor has scattered them skilfully across collared bomber jackets, straight-cut trousers and even bucket hats, in a muted, weighty jacquard fabric.
To counter this heaviness, stripes lifted from the walls of Bedouin tents appear in shades of ochre, tobacco and metal grey, and are cut into roomy shirts and used as trouser edging. They appear echoed in subtle cable knits for him, and as Nehru collared, knee-length tunics and floor-length dresses for her.
Rather than straying too far from the Qasimi look, the familiar fluid silhouette has been transposed into womenswear, as oversized and drop-shouldered looks. The only real concession comes from carved dress hems that flatter the shape underneath, without compromising the upscale streetwear feel.
More tent inspiration crops up in curving seams that dissect bias-cut dresses and gathered elements that bring to mind traditional nomadic lifestyles, but also something fresher, and more modern, as if the wearer were heading to Burning Man.
With a palette that reflects the labels' desert origins, the collection moves through creamy limestone, desert rose and lilac ash, and then Persian plum and cumin, and into military khakis, but seen through a new prism. Sun-faded and muted, the colours are soft and intensely beautiful, offering a sense of calm in these troubled times.
Also woven through the collection is the work of Jamaican-born American artist Nari Ward, who challenges ideas of race and identity. Sheikha Hoor has taken the title of his 2018 work, We the People, and run it across bomber jackets, hoodies and shirts, the shoe laces that the original artwork is made from now echoed in the brand's long, trailing threads of embroidery.
Assured, considered and utterly wearable, this move into womenswear will allow females to embrace the Qasimi codes without having to steal their partners' clothes, as surely has been the case until now.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
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Dubai World Cup draw
1. Gunnevera
2. Capezzano
3. North America
4. Audible
5. Seeking The Soul
6. Pavel
7. Gronkowski
8. Axelrod
9. New Trails
10. Yoshida
11. K T Brave
12. Thunder Snow
13. Dolkong
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
