'Sometimes you need to be over the top'

Born in Singapore, raised in Nepal, based in New York, the fashion designer Prabal Gurung, who counts Demi Moore and Oprah Winfrey among his clients, talks about his life in fashion. My earliest memories are of rifling through my mother's things. I remember being fascinated with her Dior lipstick, her Cartier sunglasses. I didn't quite realise the impact big brands had when I was little. I knew they existed, but I guess you could say they were sort of beyond reach.

That changed when I started travelling. I remember walking through the streets of London when I was very young. It was night time and I turned a corner - I can't remember the name of the street - and I came upon this beautiful dress in the window of a Chanel store, pure white. I shall never forget the feeling I had, looking into that store. It made me want to create beautiful clothes just like that.

I've always been obsessed with Bollywood, even back in the day when I think it was unfashionable to say that you liked Bollywood, because it was so over the top. I think that sometimes you need to be over the top, you need to be flamboyant, you need that energy. When I was about 13 or 14 I started watching Audrey Hepburn films and I was introduced to Givenchy, and I fell in love. I was absolutely mesmerised.

My family is small - just my sister, who's the eldest, my brother, my parents and me. We were never what you would call trendy. My mother always believed in buying a few good pieces and making them work. She would always wear well-made saris, for example. They were never those in-your-face, heavily embroidered kind with the flashy gold border that is so popular in that part of the world. My father was very old-school in his outlook on fashion. He always said your mind and your intelligence are absolutely important, but looking good helps you get to where you want to be - it gives you an edge. I never forgot that.

I grew up in a part of the world known for its beautiful fabrics, and I was exposed to them at a young age. All those traditional Nepalese saris in beautiful georgette, chiffon, silk. At the time I did not notice the impact they had on me, but when I moved to New York I realised how blessed I was to have had access to all of this. Growing up was all about fitting in. I went to an all-boys' Catholic school, where I was constantly reminded that I was different. In India and in Nepal at the time, fashion designing was not something that you took seriously. Nevertheless, the backs of all of my school books were filled with pages and pages of sketches, all of beautiful clothes on beautiful girls.

In some way, I've always known that I would design clothes. Even though what I wanted to do was considered different, I never once thought it unusual for me to have the kind of dreams that I had. My parents, too, were so nurturing, so supporting; the one thing they always told me was that the only thing that mattered was that I should do what made me happy. Given the time and the environment we lived in, they were certainly quite evolved in their outlook. I am a product of absolute support from my family. When I told them I wanted to be a fashion designer, they weren't in the least bit surprised. They told me that they had been waiting for me to say it for years.

Not everyone was so encouraging. When I was leaving for New York to work and study, people told my parents and me that fashion was all very well as a hobby, but what was I really going to do? That made me so angry. Hopefully now when someone in that part of the world wants to do what I do, people will be a bit more understanding and know that it's possible to be successful at this. Fashion gets a bad reputation for being frivolous, and yes, it is just clothes, but it's more than that. It's a multibillion-dollar business, a livelihood to many and a legitimate industry. I know that I'm not changing lives with what I do, but I make people feel better about themselves. There's nothing frivolous about that.

I've only had two collections out, but people have been so welcoming and so kind. In our part of the world, we believe that what goes around comes around. I definitely think that I keep this in mind with everything that I do. I've been working for years, and I feel I've paid my dues. I have been patient and I always knew that one day this was going to come to me. The love that I have for what I do is absolutely pure. I also believe that if you do something with integrity, people see it.

I go home to Nepal once a year in March after the autumn/winter shows, and that grounds me. In this industry it is easy to lose perspective and once I'm back in Nepal I see how lucky I really am. The things I complain about while in New York don't seem as important any more. The way I see it, I'm blessed to be able to do what I do. Prabal Gurung will be stocked at Bloomgindale's, Dubai Mall, when it opens next month.

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

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDamian%20Szifron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shailene%20Woodley%2C%20Ben%20Mendelsohn%2C%20Ralph%20Ineson%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The five new places of worship

Church of South Indian Parish

St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch

St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch

St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais

Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais

RESULT

Bayer Leverkusen 2 Bayern Munich 4
Leverkusen: Alario (9'), Wirtz (89')
Bayern: Coman (27'), Goretzka (42'), Gnabry (45'), Lewandowski (66')

SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net

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%3Cp%3EThe%20new%20UAE%20league%20has%20been%20boosted%20this%20season%20by%20the%20arrival%20of%20five%20Pakistanis%2C%20who%20were%20not%20released%20to%20play%20last%20year.%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%0D%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EShaheen%20Afridi%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ESet%20for%20at%20least%20four%20matches%2C%20having%20arrived%20from%20New%20Zealand%20where%20he%20captained%20Pakistan%20in%20a%20series%20loss.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EShadab%20Khan%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%0DThe%20leg-spin%20bowling%20allrounder%20missed%20the%20tour%20of%20New%20Zealand%20after%20injuring%20an%20ankle%20when%20stepping%20on%20a%20ball.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAzam%20Khan%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EPowerhouse%20wicketkeeper%20played%20three%20games%20for%20Pakistan%20on%20tour%20in%20New%20Zealand.%20He%20was%20the%20first%20Pakistani%20recruited%20to%20the%20ILT20.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMohammed%20Amir%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EHas%20made%20himself%20unavailable%20for%20national%20duty%2C%20meaning%20he%20will%20be%20available%20for%20the%20entire%20ILT20%20campaign.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EImad%20Wasim%20(Abu%20Dhabi%20Knight%20Riders)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20left-handed%20allrounder%2C%2035%2C%20retired%20from%20international%20cricket%20in%20November%20and%20was%20subsequently%20recruited%20by%20the%20Knight%20Riders.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Results

2.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m

Winner Lamia, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.

3pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,000m

Winner Jap Al Afreet, Elione Chaves, Irfan Ellahi.

3.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m

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4pm Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 2,000m

Winner Skygazer, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

4.30pm The Ruler of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh250,000 1,700m

Winner AF Kal Noor, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.

5pm Sharjah Marathon (PA) Dh70,000 2,700m

Winner RB Grynade, Bernardo Pinheiro, Eric Lemartinel.

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Scores

Rajasthan Royals 160-8 (20 ov)

Kolkata Knight Riders 163-3 (18.5 ov)

Who are the Soroptimists?

The first Soroptimists club was founded in Oakland, California in 1921. The name comes from the Latin word soror which means sister, combined with optima, meaning the best.

The organisation said its name is best interpreted as ‘the best for women’.

Since then the group has grown exponentially around the world and is officially affiliated with the United Nations. The organisation also counts Queen Mathilde of Belgium among its ranks.

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GREATEST ROYAL RUMBLE CARD

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50-man Royal Rumble

Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns

Casket match
The Undertaker v Rusev

Intercontinental Championship
Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe

SmackDown Tag Team Championship
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Raw Tag Team Championship
Sheamus and Cesaro v Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy

United States Championship
Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal

Singles match
Triple H v John Cena

To be confirmed
AJ Styles will defend his WWE World Heavyweight title and Cedric Alexander his Cruiserweight Championship, but matches have yet to be announced

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Best Agent: Jorge Mendes

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Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP

Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart

Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)

Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)

Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze

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Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

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Saudi National Day

Meet the Saudi citizens for whom the UAE is a home from home

Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills