Building on the success of two previous years, Muscat Fashion Week makes its annual return to the global fashion calendar today.
Held in the scenic surroundings of Riyam Park on the Muttrah Corniche in the heart of the Omani capital, a host of home-grown and regional designers are set to show their latest collections from today until Thursday. Every evening, four designers will reveal their wares to a VIP audience of royals, high net-worth clients, buyers and select media – one of them is rumoured to be the famous Telegraph fashion journalist Hilary Alexander.
Each day a post-show exhibition will allow guests to see the designs up-close and speak to their creators in person. The fun begins tonight at 8pm when the curtain will lift on pret-a-porter and couture collections from the likes of the Muscat native Nawal Al Hooti. Something of a national treasure, the designer – who has never attended a fashion course – is best known for her use of traditional Omani fabrics, motifs and beading. Previous collections have included floor-length, high-necked tunics with fluted sleeves in shades of saffron, cobalt blue and oyster as well as an array of floor-sweeping gowns with fur-embellished cuffs and dramatic capes.
We are family
Also guaranteed to pack the front row today are the Emirati sisters Reem and Hind Beljafla who will send new pieces from their popular label DAS Collection down the catwalk. The house was initially established with the aim of “updating the abaya” and the talented duo have been pushing the boundaries of form, fabric and traditional fashion for nearly five years now. “Our story began as a labour of love,” they say. “To cater to our own personal styles, we would design our own abayas to wear to events and social gatherings and it wasn’t long before they were getting noticed. Before we could even catch our breath we were receiving orders from all over the world.” Also represented in Tuesday’s inaugural shows will be the 2013 ranges of Tatyana Aceeva from Jordan and Zhor Rais of Morocco.
Keeping the pace up
The thrills and frills keep coming tomorrow with the debut of Toujouri’s latest collection. Spearheaded by the creative powerhouse Lama El Moatassem, the Qatari label is much loved for its fusion of vintage textiles, brocade and intricate handiwork which often takes up to three months to complete. The design house’s name translates to “treasure chest” in Arabic. Having studied at London’s Central St Martin and the London College of Fashion, El Moatassem creates pieces that are a true blend of western and Middle Eastern influences. Given her love for everything from high-drama red-carpet gowns to resort wear, the Toujouri show is one not to miss. In good company that night will be Razan Alazzouni from Saudi Arabia, the UAE label Kanzi and the brand Dibaj from Oman.
Fashionable curtain call
The stellar line-up continues on Thursday and in keeping with MFW’s emphasis on regional artistry and craftsmanship, Rafia Helal Bin Drai, the Emirati founder of Mauzan, will showcase her new collection. Having opened her first boutique in Al Ain in 1990, Bin Drai’s label quickly gained a reputation for its hand-finished, fluid fabrics of lace, silk and chiffon – intricately embellished by her team of more than 300 seamstresses. Another brand flying the flag for the UAE on the final day will be the Dubai-based C’est Moi! Expect to see bold prints, bright colours and the flattering signature designs of the label on the catwalk in Oman or source the designs locally in the coming months at Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdale’s. If studs and spikes are what you’re after, check out the latest offerings from the Oman-based label Endemage or the edgy, sculptural couture of the boundary-pushing designer Ahmed Talfit from Tunisia.
• Muscat Fashion Week continues until Thursday. For more information, visit www.muscatfashionweek.com
rduane@thenational.ae
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
MATCH INFO
Osasuna 1 Real Madrid 4
Osasuna: García (14')
Real Madrid: Isco (33'), Ramos (38'), Vázquez (84'), Jovic (90' 2)
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
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Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
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Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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THE BIO
Age: 30
Favourite book: The Power of Habit
Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"
Favourite exercise: The snatch
Favourite colour: Blue
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Sawt Assalam, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Foah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Faiza, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: RB Dixie Honor, Antonio Fresu, Helal Al Alawi.
7.30pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: Boerhan, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard.
MATCH INFO
Al Jazira 3 (O Abdulrahman 43', Kenno 82', Mabkhout 90 4')
Al Ain 1 (Laba 39')
Red cards: Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain)
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 258hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.1L/100km
Price: from Dh362,500
On sale: now
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
