People relax at the Marina Walk in Dubai. The 15th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival is expected to make a turnover of USD 2.67 billion, according to the organisers.

The Dubai Shopping Festival to be held from January 28 will attract a decent number of Indian customers, as gold, discounts and promotional offers are expected to be the main attractions at the month long fair.

Going by the past events, “We find that Indian customers are interested in buying gold, availing of discounts and promotional offers,” Marketing Head of Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment Mohammad Kamali told reporters here.

“India and GCC are the main markets for us and this year we expect a 10 per cent uptake in Indian visitors,” he said.

Out of the 6,000 retailers showcasing their products, 60 per cent are jewellery retailers, he said. “Indians prefer buying gold because of the new designs and also since many of the gold retailers were connected with some promotional offers or discounts, they could avail of it,” he said.

The 15th edition of the festival is expected to make a turnover of USD 2.67 billion, he said adding that the slump had no impact on the festival.

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Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the inaugural session of ‘The Dubai Forum,’ a regular platform for focused discussions on sustainable development, will kick off on January 5, 2010 at the Address Hotel in Dubai.

Mona Al Marri, Chief Executive Officer, Brand Dubai.

More than 40 top architects, media critics, architectural historians and developers from 15 countries will speak at the day-long session on the theme of ‘Architecture for Sustainable Societies.’

Brand Dubai is organizing the seminar in cooperation with the one of the world’s oldest and most distinguished schools of architecture, The Cooper Union for The Advancement of Science and Art, New York.

Mona Al Marri, Chief Executive Officer, Brand Dubai, said that the seminar would have five main sessions, in addition to inaugural and valedictory addresses. Among the topics that the panels will deal with are: Architecture and sustainable communities; citizenship and migration; technology and innovation; current research areas; engineering and natural forces in the context of climate change; energy depletion and population explosion; architecture and rapid urbanization; growth of architecture as art and engineering in the Middle East; and cultural identity and architectural development in poor societies.

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Dubai Shopping Festival posted impressive visitor and spending figures for its 2009 edition. Around 3.35 million visitors spent approximately AED 9.8 billion during 32 days in DSF 2009. Released by the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE), formerly known as the Dubai Shopping Festival Office,  the figures mean a 4.6 per cent increase in visitor numbers and a 2 per cent decrease in spending as compared to DSF 2008. The results were revealed as residents and visitors await a landmark 15th edition that will be held from January 28 to February 28, 2010.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Chairman of the Dubai Shopping Festival Supreme Committee Stated that the results of DSF 2009 were notably consistent, considering the volatile global economic climate prevalent across the world at the time of the festival. “It just goes to prove the unshakable popularity of DSF, and that Dubai will always be an attractive shopping and tourism destination for tourists.”

“We can attribute these impressive results to the solid collaboration between the public and private sectors in Dubai towards ensuring the success of the event, a key factor that has always been pivotal in the success story of DSF along the years, in addition to the state-of-the-art infrastructure that Dubai offers, making it much easier to organize an event of such magnitude in the cosmopolitan city, and it is what we optimistically rely on when planning for the future editions of this unique event. The results of DSF 2009 is a testimony that DSF can motivate the retail and tourism sectors in Dubai against all odds.”

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A design firm in Dubai is launching the world's first line of sunglasses specially designed for women in the Persian Gulf countries.

Want to observe Islamic dress code while staying trendy in Dubai and Saudi Arabia’s scorching desert heat?

Put on a pair of gold encrusted BQ shades —  the world’s first sunglasses especially tailored for piously dressed women in the Persian Gulf.

The brand’s name BQ comes  from the word burqa —  a face-covering harness worn by women in the Persian Gulf region in nomadic times. BQ’s debut collection features modern replicas of the traditional accessory in the form of large, dark aviator-style sunglasses.

Behind the line is London-based design firm Fitch branch in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It hopes BQ will become a hit among young fashionable women in the region by mixing trends with tradition.

The designs are drawn from the traditional burqa. Credit: BQ website

BQ pitches the proposition that burqas were traditionally a type of protection from the sun as well as a religious face veil.

If BQ becomes successful, makers of designer sunglasses may well find themselves facing a new rival in the Persian Gulf market. Large,  extravagant shades from high-end brands are  common among women in the shopping malls of Saudi Arabia and Dubai these days.

Olivier Auroy, head of Fitch in Dubai, hopes that the young trendsetters will drop their designer shades for BQ.

“Instead of wearing Chanel or Gucci, I want them to wear BQ,” he told The Times over the phone from Dubai.

Analysts suggest there might be a lucrative market for BQ, considering the cultural significance of the burqa in the gulf countries.

Khulood Al-Atiyat of the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding says that though contemporary women often choose the sunglasses before the burqa, she believes the garment still holds traditional value in her culture.

“The reason why ladies don’t wear the burqas as much today is because of globalization. They’d rather wear sunglasses because it makes more sense. And it’s also to show their sense of style. But the burqa, I guess, will always be part of heritage and tradition and what we are proud of. It’s something I hope we won’t lose in the future,” she said in a video presentation of the BQ project.

It is also BQ’s aim to tear down stereotypical views of the burqa as a tool of oppression  and instead market it as a “symbol of culture.”

“I want people to think twice and see that this is a pure cultural thing,” said Auroy.

BQ exists only in virtual form at the moment but eager buyers can pre-order a pair of shades on the BQ website. There, shoppers  can virtually try on the BQs: The shopper uploads a close-up photo of her face and clicks on a button that positions a pair of BQs on the photo, which can be shared with friends and family over the Internet.

– Alexandra Sandels in Beirut

Top photos: A design firm in Dubai is launching the world’s first line of sunglasses specially designed for women in the Persian Gulf countries. Second photo: The designs are drawn from the traditional burqa. Credit: BQ website

November 2009
Choose your medium! The ever more extravagant Dubai can offer sand dunes for skiing in the heat, or real snow slopes at sub zero. Escape the desert and enter a winter wonderland known as Ski Dubai within seconds with 5 different ski slopes to choose from.

Dubailand

Disney has created a magical seven day entertainment programme ‘Disney Princess Celebration’ brought to you by “Eid in Dubai”. This programme will bring the world of fantasy, hopes and dreams to life at Dubai Festival City. Launching on 27 November – 3 December, guests are invited to enjoy a sparkling stage show suitable for all the family and exciting activities perfect for little Princesses.

‘Disney Princess Celebration’, is an enchanting stage show performance of a fairytale story featuring some of the world’s favourite Disney Princesses. Once upon a time, kind and beautiful Disney Princesses danced and sang, dreamed and wished. And on 27 November, once upon a time comes to Dubai Festival City with a magical musical journey featuring, beloved classic Disney songs. Cinderella, Aurora, Aladdin and Jasmine, Snow White and her seven miniature friends, as well as Belle and The Beast join the one and only Mickey Mouse, accompanied by his Princess, Minnie Mouse for a celebration to remember.

Daily stage shows will be held at 16:00, 18:00 and 20:00 in Festival Square.

Disney Princess event area will be open from 12:00noon – 22:00 with activities including:
o Disney Princess parlour
o Colourful creations arts and crafts
o Interactive games
o Sneak peek storyboard experience, introducing Guests to the new Disney movie fairytale ‘The Princess And the Frog’ releasing nationwide on 24 December 2009

A dazzling range of Disney Princess merchandise, interactive games, home entertainment and music will also be available for purchase.

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Youth have potential to exceed current achievements, Shaikh Mohammad says

General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan: The UAE's strategy dwells on making optimal use of this distinctive forum and building bridges of cooperation with all nations.Image Credit: Gulf News archive

Dubai: General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said the successes achieved by the Dubai Air Show, year after year, has entrenched the world’s confidence in the ability and efficiency of UAE nationals in the organisation of such unique global events.

In a statement given to the Nation Shield (Dira Al-Watan) magazine published by the UAE Armed Forces on the occasion of the Dubai Air Show and Dubai International Aerospace Exhibition 2009, Shaikh Mohammad said: “If our national cadre had acquired over the past years substantial experience in the organisation of specialised exhibitions, and if we possess the leadership competencies in technical, administrative, scientific areas as well as the human resources that possess the skills and abilities to innovate, our conviction will remain firm that the UAE youth have enough potential to achieve more and more in this area and in all other areas in the service of the nation. This will enable us to achieve the goals of progress and advancement, prosperity for the future generations.”

Following is the statement:

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