Beirut-based designer Sandra Mansour is producing a diffusion collection with Swedish high-street powerhouse H&M, making her the first Arab designer ever to do so.
In the past two decades, H&M have produced lines with Stella McCartney, Lanvin, Sonia Rykiel, Erdem, Versace, Alexander Wang and more. But it has never worked with one of the many prominent Arab designers that are regulars on international runways, until now.
Masour's range will be in selected stores from Thursday, August 6 (it will also be available at ae.hm.com).
The range traverses a strictly muted palette of mushroom greys, ivory and black. Expect dresses enhanced with ruffles and layers, blouses and skirts, as well as a tailored blazer and a printed T-shirt and hoodie.
Mansour named the collection Fleur du Soleil after she became fascinated with the way a sunflower follows the sun from day into night. That inspiration can be seen in dot, floral and sunflower motifs throughout the designs.
"Poetry and painters inspired the selection of fabric – the dark laces, jacquards, and embroidered organza," Mansour adds of her inspiration. "With the Fleur du Soleil collection, I want to talk to women around the world by sending a message of hope, something we really need right now."
A design from Sandra Mansour's main label (not the H&M collaboration):
Female artists such as Toyen, Dorothea Tanning, Lena Leclercq and Bibi Zogbé are said to have been of particular inspiration to her for the collection. Zogbé is a Lebanese artist known for her paintings of florals.
Mansour started her eponymous label in 2010 (having worked with Elie Saab in the past). And while the designs are available internationally from Farfetch to Harrods, every piece from her high-end collection is made in her atelier in Beirut.
She is incredibly inspired by painters (that was her original career goal), and is known for her hand and thread embroidery. This craftsmanship is particularly apparent in her bridal line, which produces both collections and custom pieces. Princess Ekaterina of Hanover wore one of her bespoke dresses at her wedding in 2017.
The gown took 10 months to create, and honed in on Ekaterina's Russian heritage:
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
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1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
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10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
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