Daniel Lee, creative director of Italian fashion house Bottega Veneta, has unveiled his pre-fall 2021 collection.
Simply called Wardrobe 02, the collection is anything but, with this serving of wardrobe essentials covered in an excess of feathers, crystals, velvet and even rhinestones.
Managing to flip convention on its head yet again, Lee offers up impeccable – almost austere – tailoring, with a twist. A boardroom-ready suit is now offered in dark teal velvet, while a coat dress with boxy shoulders is cinched at the waist with a bright green extra-wide belt that coils around the body like a snake.
Elsewhere, a pair of everyday jeans is completely covered in blue ostrich feathers, and a buttery soft leather jumpsuit is teamed with Wellington boots. An elegant column dress comes with a low scooped neck, exposing a daring flash of colour. There is even a plush coat in pink or green, bringing joy enough to cheer even the most dreary of days.
Yet, for all the playfulness, the clean lines of the collection's power shoulders and nipped-in waists are crafted by a purposeful hand. Nothing is by chance, and amid the feathery joy, there are plenty of classics left untouched.
Nodding to Bottega’s elegant history, there are still canvas coats polished to a sheen, suits in tweed and herringbone overcoats, except now the fabrics are technical and stretchy.
Keeping with the off-kilter theme, even the look book is unexpected. There are roller skates modelled by Instagram sensation and skater girl Oumi Janta; Barcelona-based singer Arca crops up wearing a halter neck sequinned dress in bright green; and grime artist Skepta looks dapper in a double-breasted suit.
British rapper Slowthai wears a matching leather shirt, trousers and coat, and the Swedish singer Neneh Cherry brings some serious attitude in a herringbone tweed suit.
Even record producer and rapper Tricky makes an appearance, in an oversized black and green leather tracksuit.
The artist Kesewa Aboah (sister to model Adwoa Aboah) appears in gathered velvet the colour of sunshine, and model-turned-photographer Venetia Scott pops up in a black dress trimmed with yellow.
Filled with purposeful whimsy, Wardrobe 02, which hits stores shortly, is noisy and colourful at first glance, but under Lee's careful guidance, it is filled with pieces that seem destined to join his ever growing list of "must-haves".
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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
