Dubai Lifestyle News

The highly-anticipated Fashion Forward event is set to take place in Dubai later this month and organisers are hopeful that the show will enhance the city's status as hub for designer clothing.Held at the Madinat Jumeirah between April 26th and 29th, this is the first time the fashion extravaganza has been held in the UAE and it is set to become a bi-annual occasion.Chief executive officer and creative director of Fashion Forward Bong Guerrero said that 35 buyers have confirmed their attendance so far, tabloid! reports.”It's about time that this region gets a fashion platform such as this. This is an event which aims to provide a definitive movement to foster growth for designers in the Middle East,” he was quoted as saying.Some major international names are expected to head to the Gulf for the event, including New York-based Fashion Institute Of Technology, which has produced renowned brands such as Calvin Klein.A selection of the UAE's best designers like Essa, Ayesha Depala, Furne One and Michael Cinco will also be on hand to showcase their latest collections.Up to 18 different shows will go ahead throughout the four-day event and Mr Guerrero is hoping that some lesser-known designers will earn some recognition.”There's a lot of promising designers out there. This is our first season and it will be a true reflection of our Middle Eastern landscape,” he added.Although Dubai fashion events perhaps do not have the same appeal as major shows in New York, Paris and Milan, there is no doubt that the city is steadily emerging as a hotspot for designer apparel.The emirate has the biggest malls on the planet and it boasts a range of upmarket boutiques that are highly popular among the many celebrities who visit Dubai each year.A number of top brands have set up stores in the area and recent reports suggested that Abercrombie & Fitch will be the latest firm to target the Middle Eastern market. Continue reading →

Sven-Goran Eriksson has claimed that a number of “rather famous players” are keen to join him at Dubai-based club Al Nasr.The former coach of the England national team said a crop of high-profile footballers have expressed an interest in plying their trade in the UAE Pro League.”Many of them are over 30 and a little bit more, but they are big names, so we'll see. The money is here, of course it is,” Eriksson remarked.He added that each team in the UAE Pro League are allowed to recruit four foreigners and the 64-year-old Swede – who is employed as a technical director at Al Nasr – thinks the club will be able to free up some space for a few star players.Eriksson added that he attempted to lure David Beckham to the club before he signed a short-term deal with Paris Saint Germain.Another player who has been linked with a move to the UAE is Chelsea captain John Terry, but Eriksson does not think this will happen.”If he would like to come, yes I would take him of course, but I don't think he will come. In fact, I would be very surprised if he leaves Chelsea,” he added.With beautiful weather, gorgeous beaches, a plethora of designer boutiques, gourmet restaurants, swanky nightclubs and expensive villas, it is easy to see why mega-rich footballers would be tempted to wind down their career in Dubai.The emirate is a popular holiday hotspot among professional players and some of the most talented individuals ever to grace the game have been seen soaking up the Middle Eastern sun in recent weeks.Former Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Portugal superstar Luis Figo is the latest famous face to enjoy a relaxing break in Dubai.He was met at the airport by Hamad Bin Mejren, executive director of business tourism at Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, who was delighted to welcome Figo to the UAE. Continue reading →

Tickets for a highly anticipated Justin Bieber concert in Dubai have sold out, event organisers have confirmed.The Canadian superstar is one of the hottest properties in the global music business and he has legions of fans all over the world, including the Middle East.Bosses of Done Events announced that all 25,000 tickets have been snapped up, with “Fan Pit” access (closest to the stage) selling out in record time.The 19-year-old pop sensation will appear at The Sevens Stadium on May 4th in what is expected to be one of the gigs of the year in the UAE.Chief operating officer at Done Events Thomas Ovesen said he fully expected the tickets to sell very quickly.”The fans have spoken – this is the biggest concert yet to be staged in Dubai and one that has now completely sold out – 25,000 lucky fans holding the treasured concert tickets will get to watch the first ever regional concert with superstar Justin Bieber,” he remarked.Although there will be thousands of disappointed “Beliebers” who did not manage to get a ticket for the event, Mr Ovesen advised fans to keep an eye out for a number of competition giveaways.”We urge fans still looking for tickets for the show to stay tuned to radio and local media,” he added.Bieber first burst on to the international music scene at the tender age of 15 and he has gone on to become a megastar.He first started out by filming videos of himself putting a unique twist on songs by Usher, Stevie Wonder and Ne-Yo and then uploading them to YouTube. He managed to rack up more than ten million views just through word of mouth. It was clear then that the youngster had a special gift.The fact that one of the most sought after performers in the world is putting on a show in Dubai highlights the emirate's ability to attract the very biggest names. Continue reading →