The Italian house of Gucci has brought its glittering high jewellery pieces to the UAE for the first time, transforming a villa on Palm Jumeirah into a garden for the occasion.
In rooms filled with foliage, the jewellery — all designed by Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele — has been created around many of the Gucci house codes, such as the bee, the lion's head and the Greek god of Dionysus.
Now created in delicate white gold, white diamonds and sapphires in many hues, tiny lions carry clasp stones between their teeth, snakes coil elegantly around wrists as bracelets and bees dance on bracelets and rings in gold. Such is the skill of the Gucci atelier, the wings of the bees are even articulated and come finished with diamonds.
Elsewhere, other pieces have been made with movement in mind, such as necklaces with detachable waterfall pendants. Made from strands of diamonds tipped with sapphires, these move with the wearer, to dance and sparkle with the light.
Among the necklaces, rings and bracelets, Michele has also created double rings that span two fingers, placing a gemstone between the two.
As befitting high jewellery creations, many of the pieces are unique, or can be changed to suit the wearer's mood. Thanks to clever links, necklaces can be shortened into a bracelet or choker, while large earrings can be simplified by removing the pendant. There is even a high jewellery nose ring that can be worn either as a classic ring, or as a drop earring that hangs almost to the lips.
All the jewellery in this collection is an extension of Michele's unique vision. Known for his magpie-like love of collecting, he is never seen without several vintage rings on his fingers that have now been translated into high jewellery signet rings. Made in gold and pave set with baguette white diamonds, each is topped with a cushion-cut gemstone. Having designed for others, he now wears a heart-shaped ring created especially for him.
First launched in 2019, this is only the second collection of high jewellery by Gucci. As the highest level of craftsmanship and quality, high jewellery is a demanding and technically complex undertaking.
To date, only two Gucci high jewellery boutiques exist — one in Paris and the other in Kuwait — and in bringing this collection to the UAE, the brand is showing how important this region is to the house.
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
Company%20profile
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MATCH INFO
Everton v Tottenham, Sunday, 8.30pm (UAE)
Match is live on BeIN Sports
RESULT
Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2
Arsenal: Aubameyang (13')
Chelsea: Jorginho (83'), Abraham (87')
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
