Michael Cinco presents colourful ode to Rio de Janeiro in new menswear collection

With the rhythmic beat of jungle drums reverberating across the catwalk and images of Brazil’s world-famous Christ the Redeemer statue acting as a dramatic backdrop, Filipino designer Michael Cinco unveiled his spring/summer 2023 men’s collection in Dubai Design District on Wednesday.

As one of the most anticipated shows of this season’s Arab Fashion Week, which ends on Thursday, Cinco’s presentation brought his trademark glamour, traditionally reserved for red carpet dresses, to menswear.

Lavish outfits acted as a canvas for a vibrant palette, which shifted from fiery shades of orange to gentle shades of dandelion and mustard yellow.

Models carried oversized basket bags filled with flowers. Photo: Michael Cinco

The collection was inspired by Cinco’s recent travels to South America, he told The National. “The latest menswear collection is called The Impalpable Dream of Rio De Janeiro. I was inspired by my latest trip to Rio," he says. "I was in awe of the sunset at Ipanema Beach and vibe in the area. I love samba music and the festival spirit of Rio.

“I saw men wearing a lot of shorts and bombacha pants. I used a lot of flowy fabrics like organza in gradient sunset colours. I imagine men wearing shorts, flowing robes, kaftans and ponchos during cold nights on Copacabana Beach.”

On the runway, graphic geometric prints appeared on tunic tops and floor-sweeping kanduras, while blazers and cropped jackets were covered in painterly swirls and trompe l’oeil patterns. Capes and long flowing robes paid tribute to UAE culture.

Models also wore shorts and zip-up jackets decorated with sequins to create elevated athleisure.

The shimmering fabrics caught the light in multifaceted way as models made their way down the runway, some clutching oversized basket bags filled with multicoloured flowers. Shorts were paired with trainers and preppy-looking knee-length socks, while embroidered fabrics were dyed in ombre tones and then cut into loosely flowing kanduras and ponchos.

All the Michael Cinco dresses at Cannes over the years — in pictures

RESULTS

5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m

Winner Thabet Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)

5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Blue Diamond, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6pm Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6.30pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Shoja’A Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m

Winner Heros De Lagarde, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m

Winner Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

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COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Blah

Started: 2018

Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri

Based: Dubai

Industry: Technology and talent management

Initial investment: Dh20,000

Investors: Self-funded

Total customers: 40

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Director: Siva

Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley

Rating: 2/5

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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