Armani/Dubai Caffe

I was chatting today with my absolutely fabulous friend Jamala, and she gave me an idea about this post.

So, Jamala, this post is dedicated to you!

See, when gorgeous people of Dubai want to have a bite to eat, or just have some juice, or, perhaps a piece of cake, they don't go to any old Libby's, or Shonney's, or God forbid, IHOP (I personally miss all of these places).

They go to Emporio Armani Caffe.

Did you know that Giorgio Armani not only sells suits, but also soups and sandwiches?
Now you know.

There are 2 Armani Caffes in Dubai - one in Dubai Mall, another in Mall of Emirates.

Armani Caffes are furnished from toothpick to couch with Armani/Casa merchandise, which i think is very streamlined and sleek.

They serve everything you would expect to see on the menu in any self-respecting Italian osteria - gazpacho, pizza, pasta, etc.

So, next time you are hungry in Dubai, go eat there. Who knows, you might even run into him:



Jamala certainly did; but he wasn't wearing a top hat. I just like the picture.

P.S. I'm not gonna post pix of Armani Caffe offerings - after all, really, who wants to look at arugula salad when you can feast your eyes on these muffins instead.

Mille Rostock

Mille Rostock is a Danish designer and business owner who started her career in Dubai.

That's all i know about her.

Well, and also that she is often time participates in Dubai Fashion Week and sells who clothing and scarves here.
While her clothing collection didn't do anything for me - you can check it out for yourself on www.millerostock.com - her silk scarves and shawls are quite marvelous.

They are voluminous, luxurious pieces that hug one's neck gently and flatter your complexion. They are also very expensive - scarves start at $70 US and shawls go up all the way to $350 US.

Pix via www.millerostock.com

Fauchon

So i was dragging myself today around one of the enormous Dubai malls, "Mall of the Emirates" or MOE for short, when i got stopped dead in my tracks!

Screeching halt!

What???!!!

There is a huge Fauchon store/cafe! Here it is, staring at me with it's big white letters on the black background! I didn't know Dubai had it! (Turns out it has 2 - one in Dubai Mall, one in MOE)

In case you didn't know, Fauchon is an uber-luxurious, expensive and exclusive gourmet food store. It's main store is in Paris, of course, right on the Place de la Madeleine; they carry every fine food imaginary from candied chestnuts and macaroons to caviar and chutneys. And everything in between!

They are expensive. Fauchon eclair is a like a Ferrari eclair, and it costs something around 6 Euro each. Their tuna sandwich is about 12 Euro. I know, i know...

Anyway, i must confess, i didn't enter the store - i was rather concerned about the state of my waistline, wreckage on my credit card and general condition of my sanity should i get hypnotized by their fabulous, luscious, delectable offerings.

Just look at their eclairs! Some of them are lookin' back at ya!








...and macaroons!



...cakes are not bad either!

Essa

Who is Essa?

Well, according to one extremely pompous puff piece, Essa is "bona fide urban legend" and "an enigma wrapped in mysterious shroud of theories" (after living in Dubai for a year, i noticed that Asian writers/reporters can write fantabulously dramatic. I love it.)

Well, i don't know about enigma and legend, but i know that i like what he does. His work is pretty, very feminine and also very different. While most of them have the same elements - frilly, colorful, not particularly structured - they also differ quite a bit in a mood.

Essa is a Dubai (according to some Sharjah) based designer of an Indian origin. He graduated with non-fashion degree from some college in Cyprus, but then did some pattern-cutting in London, worked as a costume designer in Bollywood and came back to Dubai.

Here he managed to get his merchandise into one of the most famous boutiques, S*uce and became an instant "enigma wrapped in shroud".

Check his designs below:















Pics via ahlanlive.com

Versace Pallazo Dubai

Dubai is a junkie that needs it's hits no matter what. It's gotta have the glitziest, the swankiest, the most OTT-iest.

Cavalli Club, Armani Hotel, Ferragamo Apartments and Versace Pallazo - Dubai's sweetest stash!
Grounds on Versace Pallazo have been broken with big fanfare back in 2008 (Cindy Crawford came), but since then the project has been kinda comatose. I'm hearing from the industry insiders that it will happen though, somewhere close to the Flamingo WildLife Reserve. Also, hotel's private beach will be cooled with air conditioning - eat your heart out, global warming!

There is one Versace Pallazo in Australia and good friend of mine stayed there for a few days - it's really, really decadent! Interiors are heavily adorned with Medusa heads, "greek key" pattern is everywhere and lots and lots of gold! And silk! And even more gold on silk!

Here is what it's gonna look like in Dubai. Wanna come and stay?

Dareen Hakim

I came across these bags on the Facebook and immideately started to covet them.

Clearly, Lebanese-born designer is inspired by an arabic calligraphy and arabic flair for all things shiny and bright.

Which, in this case, works nicely if the rest of your outfit is rather restricted and sleek.

Inscriptions on the medallion of the clutch are about love, happiness, blah-blah-blah.
Who cares, bags are cute!

You can purchase these clutches on www.dareenhakim.com, they are rather affordable - from $295.00 to about $350.00