Some trends, like boyfriend jeans, for example, were easy to embrace for their dual comfort and cool. But not this season, says Laura Campbell, where extreme fashion such as ankle-twisting heels and organ-crushing shapewear are the key items. Can you handle it?
How far will women go in the name of fashion?
When Alexander McQueen's 30-centimetre Armadillo shoes hit the catwalk in October, they were deemed cutting-edge "show pieces" - the sort of shoe that makes women gasp in admiration, but which no one would ever wear. Surely?
Astonishingly, the designer was inundated with requests for these extraordinary creations from women wanting to teeter about in the perilously high, potential ankle-breakers. McQueen never planned to produce the shoes, but is considering auctioning several pairs of the prototypes for charity.
Welcome to the world of extreme fashion, where the style-conscious have never been content with the ordinary.
Though the Armadillo is new, the phenomenon is not. In the 16th century, wealthy Venetian women wore chopines - wooden platform shoes with such vertiginous heels, they had to be accompanied by a servant to whom they would hold on for balance. Similarly, in order to have a tiny waist, Victorian women squeezed into corsets that were so tight they would faint. Winning the style stakes has always required sacrifice, even if it means doing yourself an injury. The more outrageous the look, the better.
Many of today's outlandish fashions are found on the feet. Much like those Venetian women, we are not really concerned if shoes are made for walking or not. The Yves Saint Laurent 12.5cm Tribute Platform kicked off the trend in spring/summer 2007 and, since then, shoes have got ever bolder and higher.
Outlandish shoes dominated the spring/summer 2009 shows; from Gucci, Marni, John Galliano and Burberry. Nina Ricci unveiled heelless, stilt-like boots. On the Prada catwalk, two models took a nosedive when trying to walk in their skyscraper platforms.
This was enough to prompt André Leon Talley, American Vogue's editor-at-large, to say enough was enough. "Designers with an obsession for towering torture chambers, often poorly designed for the well-being of the foot, must get a reality check," he said.
His complaints fell on deaf ears. This season, designers have produced lethal spiked stilettos (Givenchy and Christian Louboutin for Rodarte), reverse-heel designs (Marc Jacobs) and curved heels or heels balanced on circular hoops (Chanel). It's become an obsession to design the most outrageous creations. But at what cost? Podiatrists believe platforms and stilettos cause the majority of foot problems.
"If I were a responsible person," said Christian Louboutin, "I would say it hardly seems the right time to be doing extreme shoes- but I'm not responsible. I'm a designer, and I think if you work in fashion, you have to give people fantasy."
The other staple of the season with a dark side is underwear. There is the playful use of underwear as outwear - Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Shakira and Christina Aguilera have been seen running around wearing corsets.
However, not designed to be seen but worn by far more women are the heavy-duty contouring undergarments to give a smooth silhouette under figure-hugging outfits.
The shapewear sector in the United States is worth a staggering US$880 million (Dh3,232 million) a year, and has grown 28.8 per cent in the past 12 months, according to the NPD research group.
Spanx, the best-known brand, was launched in 2000 by Sara Blakely, who invested US$5,000 (Dh18,365) to start her business. After it was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, sales soared. The company sold US$350 million (Dh1,285 million) worth of shapewear last year alone. Spanx has spawned many imitators: at one point Marks & Spencer was selling five pairs of its "control knickers" every minute.
These products are said to reduce the appearance of your curves by five to 10 centimetres and celebrities love them. Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson and Cate Blanchett are just a few who swear by Spanx. Paltrow admits having worn two Spanx girdles so she could fit into her Seven jeans after giving birth to her daughter, Apple. "It's a great trick. That's how all the Hollywood girls do it," she said.
However, just as the Victorians found, restrictive garments can cause health problems. Professor John Hunter, who teaches medicine at Cranfield University in the UK, says they could cause breathing problems, heartburn and stomach ulcers. "The effect is similar to that of a corset, which all medical books have long since advised against," he says.
Other control-knicker injuries include women spraining their thumbs trying to pull them up and putting their backs out while struggling with the heavy Lycra.
I know the French say that one must suffer to be beautiful, but there are limits.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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.
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
The biog
Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The specs
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- Price: Not announced yet
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
ARGENTINA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Agustin Marchesin, Esteban Andrada
Defenders: Juan Foyth, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Nicolas Tagliafico, Ramiro Funes Mori, Renzo Saravia, Marcos Acuna, Milton Casco
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Roberto Pereyra, Rodrigo De Paul, Angel Di Maria
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala, Matias Suarez
Results
Stage Two:
1. Mark Cavendish (GBR) QuickStep-AlphaVinyl 04:20:45
2. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin-Fenix
3. Pascal Ackermann (GER) UAE Team Emirates
4. Olav Kooij (NED) Jumbo-Visma
5. Arnaud Demare (FRA) Groupama-FDJ
General Classification:
1. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin-Fenix 09:03:03
2. Dmitry Strakhov (RUS) Gazprom-Rusvelo 00:00:04
3. Mark Cavendish (GBR) QuickStep-AlphaVinyl 00:00:06
4. Sam Bennett (IRL) Bora-Hansgrohe 00:00:10
5. Pascal Ackermann (GER) UAE Team Emirates 00:00:12
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
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Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
