• Palina Asavets, a synchronised swimmer, performs as part of Mermaids of Arabia at Dubai Mall. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Palina Asavets, a synchronised swimmer, performs as part of Mermaids of Arabia at Dubai Mall. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Mermaids of Arabia first opened in 2017 as a mermaid boutique at Kite Beach in Dubai
    Mermaids of Arabia first opened in 2017 as a mermaid boutique at Kite Beach in Dubai
  • Asavets puts on her mermaid tail
    Asavets puts on her mermaid tail
  • Asavets is an experienced synchronised swimmer
    Asavets is an experienced synchronised swimmer
  • Mermaids of Arabia runs seven days a week
    Mermaids of Arabia runs seven days a week
  • The attraction is on the ground level of Dubai Aquarium, in Dubai Mall
    The attraction is on the ground level of Dubai Aquarium, in Dubai Mall
  • Asavets performs for the children
    Asavets performs for the children
  • Asavets returns to the surface after a performance
    Asavets returns to the surface after a performance
  • Asavets receiving air from the safety diver
    Asavets receiving air from the safety diver
  • Luna, four, gets made over to look like a mermaid
    Luna, four, gets made over to look like a mermaid
  • Yuha, seven, has gems applied to complete her makeover
    Yuha, seven, has gems applied to complete her makeover
  • Girls get their hair braided like a mermaid
    Girls get their hair braided like a mermaid
  • Myra, five, has a tiara fitted
    Myra, five, has a tiara fitted
  • Luna, four, and Yuha, seven, pose for photos after their mermaid makeovers
    Luna, four, and Yuha, seven, pose for photos after their mermaid makeovers
  • The siblings in their mermaid costumes gaze into the depths of the aquarium
    The siblings in their mermaid costumes gaze into the depths of the aquarium
  • 'The sheer magic and potential of the concept drew me in. There's something universally enchanting about mermaids and the world they represent,' says founder Josephine Adams
    'The sheer magic and potential of the concept drew me in. There's something universally enchanting about mermaids and the world they represent,' says founder Josephine Adams

Weekend

Photo essay: The enchanting world of Dubai's Mermaids of Arabia

Young girls and boys can be made over as mermaids or pirates in this immersive experience

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau

October 20, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

At Dubai Mall, children are getting a chance to experience mermaid magic – even if only for a few hours.

Mermaids of Arabia offers a “mermaid transformation” during which young girls have their faces painted, hair braided and are given a mermaid costume to wear for the dress-up session in which they get turned into majestic mermaids.

They also have a session for boys in which they can be made over as pirates. In addition to the dressing up, there are meet-and-greets as well as photo opportunities.

“Primarily tailored for kids, we provide an immersive experience allowing them to step into the shoes – or rather, tails – of mermaids and pirates,” says Josephine Adams, the founder and chief executive of Mermaids of Arabia.

“But it's not just about dress-up, it's a holistic journey. From complete makeovers to being paraded around in their splendid outfits, to professional photo sessions and the finale – a breathtaking mermaid show in the aquarium. And while it's a children's haven, adults too find an escape, reconnecting with their own fantasies and childhood wonders.”

Mermaids of Arabia began in 2017 as a mermaid boutique in Kite Beach. These days, they can be found on the ground level of Dubai Aquarium, in Dubai Mall. There are different packages available – ranging from sea prince/princess at Dh299 to the premium fantasy prince/princess at Dh1,199 – which includes a mermaid show.

"Mermaids of Arabia pulsates to its very own musical heartbeat," Adams says. "We've composed original music exclusively for our world, further elevating the experience. Every note, every melody, is designed to transport our visitors deeper into our magical realm."

Adams left behind a decade of working in retail and event management to fully commit to Mermaids of Arabia because she believed so strongly in it.

“The sheer magic and potential of the concept drew me in. There's something universally enchanting about mermaids and the world they represent,” she says. “I saw Mermaids of Arabia as a portal to a realm of imagination, and I wanted to be a part of creating that magic, not just for kids but for anyone with a heart young enough to dream.”

SPECS

Nissan 370z Nismo

Engine: 3.7-litre V6

Transmission: seven-speed automatic

Power: 363hp

Torque: 560Nm

Price: Dh184,500

While you're here
HIV on the rise in the region

A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.

New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.

Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.

Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.  

Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

While you're here
Updated: October 20, 2023, 6:01 PM
WeekendDubaiFamily