He is known for being Kim Kardashian’s best friend but Jonathan Cheban has long been making a name for himself as an indepdenent brand. Here we watch up with the 40-year-old entrepreneur and former PR executive in Dubai.
What have you made of the UAE so far?
It’s my first time and I’m obsessed with it. It’s a little bit different and everything is so modern. I feel right at home in Dubai.
What does it say on your business card? Online entrepreneur, PR, restaurateur, reality TV star?
Ha, I haven't had one in about seven years. My logic is if you don't know me, you don't need my card. At this point, I'm turning myself into a lifestyle brand with restaurants and products, and now there's the website, www.thedishh.com.
You first came to our attention as Kim Kardashian's best male friend in the E! reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians. What makes the two of you click?
We trust each other. If I tell her “that looks great” or “that looks bad”, she listens. I tell my regular friends the same thing, the difference is they argue and don’t listen. I say to them “look at this ‘Kim perfection’. [laughs] Are you seriously not listening?” I just see things and know what works. I love the whole family and I’m also very close to Kris and Khloe. We all have the best time and laugh constantly. I was just staying at their house last weekend.
Are E!’s cameras omnipresent at the house?
They’re not there all the time, but a lot. I’m so used to them now, it’s the same for me whether they are there or not – except I need better hair. [laughs]
To what degree do you, and the family, self-censor what you say on camera?
Zero. I may get a bit funnier as you can’t be slumped in a chair, hardly talking. But in general it’s the same.
KUWTK has struggled with ratings of late – what do you think the public want to see more or less of?
Obviously, ratings can never be as big as they were at the start of the show. And as I see it, now that it’s around the world, perhaps more people see it than ever before.
Kim’s more revealing new look since she got together with Kanye has fuelled much debate. What do you say to the detractors?
I think she’s ahead of fashion and they just don’t get it. Kim is getting everything directly from the top and the critics will be wearing what she is in a year’s time.
So this is the best style we’ve seen on Kim yet?
Yes, this is hot. She’s on point with everything.
Let’s talk Kanye. Your disagreements with Kim’s ex, Kris Humphries, were well-documented. So has she now made the right choice?
Oh yeah, it’s perfection. The two of them are two peas in a pod. I’m obsessed with him – I can’t get enough of him. He’s so smart, he’s a genius. It’s easy to be inspired by listening to him.
You were one of the first to see North after she was born. What personality is she developing?
Ah, I go nuts for her. I can’t even look at her. It hurts to look at her she’s so cute, I swear. She’s got the most beautiful perfect skin, she’s yummy.
More on Dishh
How it started
As an extension of my Instagram – all the cool things to eat, to see, to buy. It’s evolved in recent months to a full lifestyle website with 20 staff and writers. It’s a platform that was needed. We’re talking a huge range of different products and apps, shown in a very pretty way.
Who it’s for
Our fans in 170 countries can see the latest pair of cool sneakers, the new Ferrari or even a funky foreign donut – it’s an accessible website. It’s not dark and edgy, as many fashion and luxury sites can be.
What it looks like
I’ve made it pop-y, as I love pop culture. It’s done almost like a celeb site, but without the gossip. It’s a curation of that, my Instagram, and original content; luxury and lifestyle doesn’t have to be purely black-and-white or weird. (A recent update: “$900 face cream – it’s real and it will take 10 years off your face.”)
Dubai Dishh
I thinking Dubai will have its own section and tab! The city is synonymous with luxury and it was aspirational for me to come here, I’m so glad I did.
rduane@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
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SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
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Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
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The biog
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Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
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- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
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Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
