Sting

On March 4th Sting is scheduled to perform at the Meydan, Dubai's newest, awesomest, fanciest horse race track. (You can't bet on the ponies here, though. Gambling is prohibited.)

Of course, Sting hasn't looked like that in ages.
Actually, he looks like this now:


Few years back i was lucky enough to hear and see him singing live in Dallas. While not one of the most energetic performers - don't expect Beyonce-like dance routine or acrobatics - he's still got it big time.

If you're in Dubai on March 4th, go buy tix so you can yell "Roxanne" with the man himself.

Bloomin' in Dubai

It only took them 2 years since the announcement by parent company, but Bloomingdale's has finally opened in Dubai. It's one and only Bloomy outside of the USA, and, personally, i think they choose the best location for their overpriced Juicy sweatpants.
Bagged for you with thanks in oversized brown lunch bags.

The store is humongous and most of the time completely empty. I read some comments in the local newspaper that the shoppers were shocked to find they had to pay close to $1000 USD for a pair of jeans that can be bought in US or online for about $200. But, hey, don't quote me on it - it's just hearsay :)

Just like many things in Dubai, Bloomy is more of a destination than functional spot. On the other hand, i wonder if it's not the case for their New York outpost.


Image above is a T-shirt design by Christopher Lee Sauve (yeah, i don't know either) for items to be sold in Bloomy Dubai

Beena Soni

Beena Soni is a very well known jalabiya/galabiya designer in the region.
She was born in India, but moved to Dubai to be a make-up artist.

From there on, her story gets pretty interesting - while working as a make-up pro and earning a little over $150 a month, she also was giving some informal advice to her clients as to what to wear with their newly painted faces.
Word got spread, and she found herself styling more and more clients, until, finally, she was asked (or so she tells on her website www.beenas.com) to create a complete pret-a-porte for one of them.
Thus, Beena Soni The Designer was born.

Now she is an extremely successfull business person, who has opened 2 boutiqies in some of the most plush Dubai hotels.

Oh, and also her pieces "are popular with members of royalty"!
Ca-Ching! A penny goes into my piggy bank!

Anyway, enjoy her beautiful galabiyas (Arabic housedress) below.
They are hella expensive.

Pix are from www.beenas.ae

Sheikha Maitha

I must declare, that Sheikh Mohammed must be a very proud poppa to such a gorgeous offspring!

Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum is one of the younger (b. 1980) daughters of Sheikh Mo, and she is an absolute betty (if you don't know what "betty" is - then go watch "Clueless")!

Not only she is beautiful, tall (5.9 ft), has loads of moolah and blue blood, but she is also an accomplished Olympian.
Let me ask you how many of the world's hot royals can boast such a claim? Prince Harry? Princes Beatrice? Various Monaco Princesses?

Yeah, i didn't think so either.

Sheikha Maitha participated in 2008 Beijing Olympics in martial arts competition and also was a flag bearer for the Dubai Team.
I don't think she won anything though.

Anyway, she is seriously into karate and actually won 4 gold medals in Gulf championships.
Additionally, Sheikha Maitha is involved with "Dubai Cares" charity, which works for providing decent children's education for impoverished nations.

Ramadan Pendants from Damas

Middle Eastern Jewelry powerhouse Damas just introduced a new pendant.
It's called Ramadan Pendant and is suppose to commemorate holy for muslims month of Ramadan, which this year falls on Aug through Sept.

It's made with gold and diamonds and all kinds of bling.

Damas also has another, less opulent, Ramadan pendant. This one is made with diamonds, gulf pearls and gold.

And some say Christmas is commercialised!

Pix VIA www.damasjewel.com

Reem and Hindi Ali Beljafla

Ali Beljafla sisters are Emirati designers.
They are young and fabulous - one is owner of a design agency, another one is also some kind of a businesswoman.
Both of them attended design institution of sorts in London (don't know which).

They do rock-n-roll abayas, which remind me a bit of good old Gucci cuts from Tom Ford days.












Pix are from www.dascollection.com

Kylie and Danni Minogue in Dubai

Kylie and Danni (or however she spells it) arrived in Dubai yesterday.
The younger one is a guest judge on X-Factor (American Idol-type show)and the older one is tagging along.

They are staying in Atlantis on Palm Jumeira.

www.arabianbusiness.com wrote and article about:

...in the background will be Dubai: sun shining, azure waters glinting, skyscrapers towering, everybody smiling.
The subliminal message will be priceless to the city.

There will be no labour camps, no fraudsters, no building sites, no road works, just serene, warm, safe and sunny bliss.

The pic is from visit to Atlantis opening last year.
P.S. That dress is fugly.