Esmod Dubai Seeks To Reinforce Important Role Of Fragrances In Fashion Trends

Esmod Dubai, the only French school fully dedicated to fashion education in the region, has recently announced a new series of training sessions that seek to reinforce the importance of fragrances in fashion. Organized in collaboration with Cinquième Sens, the French leader in perfume consultancy and training, the month-long “Perfume Discovery” sessions will provide an exclusive opportunity for participants to learn more about how perfumes can echo the latest fashion trends, while exemplifying distinct personalities and styles.

The Perfume Discovery sessions will start on July 3, 2011, wherein participants will be trained to use an Olfactorium, a compact professional version of a perfumer palette, to learn the basics of perfume creation and create their own fragrance. The entire course will cost only AED 8,100 including a perfumer palette.

“Fragrances are inseparable from fashion. This is particularly evident in the UAE and other countries in the region, where perfumes have a distinct cultural significance and are present in virtually every household. Esmod Dubai is therefore very pleased to work with Cinquième Sens for the exclusive Perfume Discovery sessions, which will provide an excellent opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of the art of perfume making. The training sessions will provide inputs on how to effectively test one’s sense of smell, discover the perfumer creator universe, work with a perfume organ, learn the basics of perfume creation and enable participants to create their own fragrances,” said Tamara Hostal, Director and Founder of Esmod Dubai.

“The fundamental premise behind introducing this course is the fact that the ingredients in the various perfumes bought from stores actually cost only around 10 per cent of the retail price of the perfume as the rest of the cost is made up by packaging, advertising, sales and taxes. We are providing a rare opportunity for participants to create their own fragrance that reflects their persona, that too at a fraction of the cost of a branded perfume. This course will be of strong interest to Emirati women, who arguably are among the world’s most ardent perfume enthusiasts. The Perfume Discovery program is part of Esmod Dubai’s continuing thrust to offer exciting fashion related courses, while complementing our professional make-up trainings, which are likewise very successful and popular among female Emirati students,” she added.

Esmod Dubai also announced that the next session of its highly popular three-year program will commence on September 25, 2011. The comprehensive course covers a wide range of fashion-related subjects such as fashion design, pattern making, textile science, fashion culture, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, among others. The specializations are Ready to wear, Creator, New Couture & Haute Couture.

Esmod Dubai regularly organises various fashion-oriented events and lectures in the UAE in collaboration with worldwide-renowned fashion designers to provide dedicated avenues for promising designers in the country to showcase their latest creations.
 

Dubai Strengthens Status As Middle East Fashion Hotbed, Drawing Inspiration From The Emirates Unique Cultural Mix

Dubai has become a breeding ground of eclectic fashion designs and concepts in light of the dozens of nationalities and cultures that live and co-exist in the emirate. Dubai’s status as a premier fashion destination has been further bolstered when it was named as one of the world’s top fashion cities in 2010, while maintaining its stronghold as the fashion capital of the Middle East.

Aspiring fashion designers from different countries have been coming to Dubai in search of the latest fashion trends and to take up various fashion courses being offered in the emirate. The extensive collection of fashion labels in Dubai, on the other hand, continues to attract a growing number of tourists looking for the latest designs from the most prominent global fashion brands.

Esmod Dubai, the leading French fashion school in the region fully dedicated to fashion, strongly reflects the growing reputation of Dubai as a key destination of the region’s fashion trend-setters and aspiring fashion designers. Esmod, the French fashion school Dubai, has many students who are foreigners that brings an extraordinary & eclectic combination of culture when it comes to fashion design inspiration.

“Dubai is home to the widest collection of fashion labels in the Middle East, making it a very popular destination for fashionistas from across the region. Esmod, the French fashion school, Dubai itself is predominantly foreign nationalities which reaffirms the reputation of Dubai as the perfect breeding ground of international fashion talents and cross-cultural fashion designs and concepts. The UAE’s fashion industry will definitely continue to grow and expand as several other leading fashion brands enter the local market. Esmod, the French fashion school, Dubai will likewise move forward with its plans to further expand its academic programs and complement the status of Dubai as the undisputed centre of fashion in the Middle East," said Tamara Hostal, Director and Founder of Esmod, the French fashion school, Dubai.

Esmod Dubai, has further revealed that it will organise more fashion oriented events in Dubai in collaboration with international fashion designers as part of its strategic plan to provide dedicated avenues for promising designers in the emirate to showcase their latest creations.

Esmod Dubai has also recently launched two new fashion courses to further strengthen its academic offerings. "Jewelry Design" presents a complete overview of the art of jewellery making that enables students to create their own contemporary jewels or accessories, while "Fashion Photography" is a 12-week course that teaches student to plan and execute creative fashion photo-shoots.

The fashion school has also revealed that the next session of its highly popular three-year program will commence on September 25, 2011, and the closing date for registration is May 15, 2011. This comprehensive course covers a wide range of fashion-related subjects such as fashion design techniques, pattern making, textile science, costume creation, haute couture, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, among others. Candidates who are at least 17 years of age and hold a high school certificate or equivalent are eligible to apply for this program.
 

Esmod Dubai Students Impress Dubai Fashion Week 2011 Audience With Distinctive Designs

Esmod Dubai, the leading French fashion school in the region fully dedicated to fashion, showcased the distinctive designs of its students during Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) Fall/Winter 2011 which took place from April 19 to 23, 2011 at the Dubai World Trade Centre’s Zabeel Hall.

Twenty Arab designers – 8 of which were UAE Nationals – were among the 49 international fashion designers who attended the prestigious invitation-only fashion trade event. Esmod Dubai sent four of its top students (Anum Mossa, Eman Alhajiri, Azadeh Zandi and Kai Li) to capitalize on Dubai’s status as the fashion capital of the Middle East and use DFW as a platform for introducing emerging talents to the region’s fashion community.

Show attendees commended the mix of creative, experimental, classical and futuristic themes presented by the Esmod students, some of whom are already active in the fashion business but want to incorporate Esmod’s industry-leading design practices into their works.

“Dubai Fashion Week is a highly-anticipated regional venue for designers to display their seasonal collections so it provides excellent industry exposure for our students. The positive response to their designs has given a lot of confidence to our protégés and so we expect even better creations from these young minds. DFW will continue to be an important event for us to showcase our new creative collection,” said Tamara Hostal, Director and Founder of Esmod Dubai.

Esmod Dubai has recently launched two new fashion courses to further strengthen its academic offerings. "Jewelry Design" presents a complete overview of the art of jewellery making that enables students to create their own contemporary jewels or accessories, while "Fashion Photography" is a 12-week course that teaches student to plan and execute creative fashion photo-shoots. The fashion school has also revealed that the next session of its highly popular three-year program will commence on September 25, 2011, and the closing date for registration is May 15, 2011.
 

Grab A Front Row Seat At The Dubai Fashion Weekend

Mirdif City Centre unveiled its line-up of fashion, beauty and homeware stores which will take to the stage for Dubai Fashion Weekend. This highly-anticipated event spans four days at the end of April, with numerous fashion & beauty catwalk shows and on-stage hair, makeup and homeware demonstrations set to grace the main galleria stage starting 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th April. Additionally, throughout the four days, fashion-savvy shoppers can also enter a prize draw to win daily Porsche design mobile phones.

Grab a front row seat at the hottest fashion event this season and you will witness the latest spring/summer collections from your favourite fashion outlets. Get the inside scoop on what styles to invest in, from the fun throwaway fads to forever classics, visitors to the mall can soak up that fashion know-hows to make sure they are one step ahead of the fashion game.

Catch some grown-up style with attitude at Wallis or Dorothy Perkins or the perfect ladies night out dress at Jane Norman. Stay young with the latest trends from Forever 21, Express and Cotton On, and indulge in Debenhams’ must-have selection of designer wear. Also, the ladies will have the chance to see the latest abaya designs by luxury outfitters FrouFrou and Al Motahajiba, in addition to makeup demonstrations by Areej, our Face of Dubai Fashion Weekend competition and much more to keep shoppers entertained.

“After the success last year’s Dubai Fashion Weekendwe look forward to bringing you another delightful event withmany more stores participating in on-stage shows and demonstrations.With everything from every day, casual wear to high-street and high-end fashion, in addition to the latest on-trend makeup and hair techniques, this is a weekend not to be missed!” said Mirdif City Centre VP Yousif Al Ali.

Now in its second year, with an impressive list line-up offashion stores, and numerous beauty outletsall taking part in theDubai Fashion Weekend which will be sure to satisfy every age, taste, style and budget as shopshit the main galleria stage to showcase the latest in kids, teens, adult and local fashions together with makeup and hair styling shows.

If you think you have what it takes to be a child star, model or you want to Unleash Your Inner Stylist, you can participate in one of the many competitions running over the weekend. Additionally, shoppers can pick up theirfree copy of the schedule for the weekend and discount vouchers for food and beverage outlets provided by 2for1.ae at the nearest Customer Services Desk

Furthermore, throughout the month of April, visitors to the mall are in for a chance of winning a stylish makeover worth AED 30‚000 weekly with every shopping purchase worth AED 200. Every day of the Dubai Fashion Weekend, fashion-savvy shoppers can also enter a prize draw to win one of four luxury Porsche design mobile phones and everyone who registers at the Dubai Fashion Weekend booth located near the galleria stage will go into the draw to win a Q Home makeover valued at AED 20,000.

The Dubai Fashion Weekend at Mirdif City Centre will run on the 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th April between the hours of 4pm – 9pm and for more information please visit the Mirdif City Centre website www.mirdifcitycentre.com , Dubai Fashion website www.duabifashionweekend.com or call 800 6422 and join the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mirdifcitycentre.
 

Afra Showcases ‘Stages Of Life’ Fashion Collection In Dubai

Afra, a local fashion house, run by Image Consultant Afra Al Abdulla, a creative and innovative Emarati fashion designer, recently showcased its first collection titled ‘Stages of Life’. The inspiration for the Haute Couture collection has been drawn from time and culture, presenting a modern flare on dresses across every generation.

Recently held at The Address Hotel in Downtown Burj Dubai, Afra Al Abdullah presented a lavish Haute Couture collection of new, creative and desirable designs. The collection showcased of a mix of Middle Eastern, Asian and European themes consisting of long and short dresses, handmade belts, abayas, corsets, wedding dresses, and much to everyone’s surprise, a pregnancy collection.

Abdullah Bel Khair, Emirati Singer, said: “Afra Al Abdulla has done a remarkable job in bringing out beauty through simplicity and creativity. The collection had a variety of innovative and vibrant colored outfits capturing the very essence of fashion and style over the past decades. She has incredible vision and a distinct understanding of what a woman wants.”

Daring to be bold, Afra Al Abdulla created a ‘Pregnancy Line’, attaining exceptional reviews from peers in the industry. At a time where women lose confidence in their appearance, the Emarati designed a collection to bring out the beauty and appeal every woman has to offer during those nine weary months making them feel desired.

The showstopper featured a white wedding dress with a creative lower portion that infused western design. The handmade veil paid great attention to detail and was beaded with Asian and Middle Eastern fusion.

Afra Al Abdulla, Owner and Image Consultant, Afra, said: “I believe that women should feel attractive every day. Every design in the collection compliments each woman’s unique characteristics and delivers the confidence, charm, and appeal back to them when they need it the most. Every piece is carefully thought of and crafted with the client in mind.’

The interesting range of fabrics consisted of Indian and Italian raw silks, Italian taffeta, French lace, silk shantung, organza, jersey, pure chiffon, pure silk and many more, creating a sophisticated and exquisite fashion line which demonstrated class and elegance.

Established in 2005, Afra was formerly known as Gathercole. Afra specialises in bespoke services, designing and creating garments that fit each and every individuals requirements.
 

ARTE  Artisans Of The Emirates Announces First Fashion Market To Be Held In May 2011

This May, ARTE – Artisans of the Emirates – is hosting its first Fashion Market, a unique shopping experience where original contemporary designs can be purchased and commissioned directly from local emerging designers and artisans. There will be more than 80 exhibitors showcasing the finest works of contemporary craft, including jewellery, fashion accessories, summer wear, ceramics, glass, metal-work and more.

The next ARTE market will be held on Friday, 6th May, 2011 at Festival City Centre (12pm-9pm) and the ARTE Soukh, the following Friday, 13th May, 2011 at Times Square Center (12pm-7pm). A welcome haven from the mass-produced styles of the high street, the stalls will feature a selection of quirky, hand-made, and often ethically sourced pieces from some of Dubai’s best up and coming designers, created to indulge every taste. The markets will feature only locally handmade products including food (TSC only), and products!

The market will also provide designers a crucial opportunity to showcase their talent in a highly central location, helping them create their own business without the overheads associated with a shop. In the past ARTE has been a valuable launch pad for young emerging designers. Several have been discovered by local boutiques and established designers for an opportunity to develop their own line of clothes and/or jewellery.

Here is your chance to encourage and support the city’s independent creative community. Don’t expect to find mass produced or imported goods here. What you will find are talented artists handpicked for their artistry skills and unique vision offering items you never knew existed and that you may never see again. Expect the unexpected, including reconstructed clothing, handcrafted jewellery, whimsical and alternative plush toys, screen-printing, avant-garde art and much more!

Moreover, this May, ARTE will also have its first arts & crafts supplies swap, where various vendors will be bringing their surplus materials for a chance to exchange or sell the items to visitors and participating vendors. Feline Friends, who is a permanent fixture now at both the venues in Festival City and Times Square Center will continue with their fundraising secondhand book sale. They offer an environmentally friendly (and budget friendly) option to stocking your library with wonderful books. All books at the sale are donations from the community, and are in fair or good condition. Both fiction of all genres and nonfiction will be available.

About ARTE

Artisans of the Emirates (ARTE) was founded in 2005 by Miriam Walsh, a felt maker, and Paul Townsend, a silversmith; both experienced artisans regularly featuring at the fairs in Dubai and long-term residents of Dubai.

Many of the craft fairs in Dubai at that time included a high percentage of imported goods of varying quality and often produced in bulk. Mixed with a sense of dissatisfaction of how other events were run, Paul & Miriam decided to set up their own Artisans of the Emirates community to showcase the quality hand crafted work produced by talented individuals living in the UAE.

Today, ARTE holds two monthly markets on the first Friday of the month in Festival Centre and second Friday in Times Square Center. Now in its sixth year ARTE has become firmly established as a friendly, accessible and high quality event, attracting over 2,000 visitors each month who delight at the quality and extensive range of work.

It now boasts a network of over 1800 artisans, from over 30 different countries, offering the public the opportunity to buy original and exceptional design and craft from local artisans.

At any given market, ARTE showcases over 100 contemporary and highly original makers and designers, with items as diverse as fine and casual jewellery, the best in visual arts from photography to watercolours to oils, clothing by local designers, gourmet foods, toys, sculpture, fine and functional pottery, a wide selection of woodworking, stained glass, fashion accessories and lots more.

These souks offer the ideal venue for gift buyers and souvenir hunters, or those just looking for locally made quality art and crafts as a lasting memory of the Arabian region. Beautiful handcrafted objects to suit everyone’s taste and budget.

For more information about ARTE, please visit www.arte.ae.

 

Fashion Turns Five  Harvey Nichols – Dubai Celebrates In Style -

Fashion never looked so chic. Dubai’s premier fashion store glamorously completes its fifth year on 1 March 2011, with a series of fun and fabulous activities continuing until May 2011.

The anniversary campaign ‘Fashion Turns Five’, signifies a milestone in the Harvey Nichols – Dubai story with the same excitement and flair as the launch campaign in 2006, ‘Forget London, now in Dubai’. A powerhouse of luxury fashion with its own unique identity, the brand continues to evolve in distinctive style.

To commemorate this special occasion, more than eighty brands across Fashion, Beauty, Jewellery and Home have created a special piece of fashion history. This includes a couture dress by Alexander McQueen, and special edition pieces by designers including Stella McCartney, Diane Von Furstenberg, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Moschino, Matthew Williamson, Zagliani, Dolce & Gabbana, Jimmy Choo, Fendi Casa, Stephen Webster and Giuseppe Zanotti. Only five units are available of each design worldwide with some selections being available as a one-off piece, all featuring an element of the distinctive blue colour selected for the anniversary.

The designer pieces will be featured in a special fifth anniversary pop-up shop until 1 April 2011, located at the Womenswear Department on Level 2, where customers can discover the limited edition merchandise.
Activities and events on 1 March 2011, include performances by renowned electric string trio, Ice, with their fusion of classical music with such diverse sounds as Arabic, tango, jazz and contemporary riffs; international, award-winning illusionist Gaston Quieto, who is a consultant for some of the biggest stars of magic including David Copperfield and Criss Angel; and an acro-balance act which will be performing their amazing routine throughout the store. There will also be a special fifth anniversary photo booth where customers can get a fashionable snap shot of themselves, courtesy of Harvey Nichols – Dubai.

A celebratory evening cocktail party will also take place on 1 March. The chic party hosted at Oasi in Armani Hotel in the iconic Burj Khalifa, will cater to a crowd of Dubai’s most fashionable and savvy people.

Some of the interesting promotions marking the fifth anniversary of the store include, ‘The golden key’ offer, from 8 – 30 March 2011, which entitles customers spending over AED 2,500 to receive a key (only five hundred of which unlock the treasure chest in-store) and the lucky recipient of a golden key will unlock the treasure chest to receive one of many exclusive prizes. The Quali5 promotion, which will run from 1 – 30 April 2011, offers customers purchasing five items or more (in a single transaction) the chance to enter a draw to win a grand prize of shopping vouchers worth AED 50,000 or five runners-up prizes of vouchers worth AED 5,000. In May, Harvey Nichols – Dubai customers can avail the chance to go into a draw to win a luxury five night stay at The Edge, Bali for two people plus two business class return flights.

The festivities continue with a trunk show by J Mendel (in April), a signature anniversary mocktail at Almaz by Momo, a calendar of promotions exclusive to Facebook fans and other fabulous activities.

The anniversary starts on 1 March with a distinctive window scheme unveil, incorporating the unique blue anniversary colour and a variety of visual elements.

Always at the forefront of the best edited selection of fashion, this anniversary, Harvey Nichols – Dubai invites you to celebrate its evolution in style.
 

Esmod  Dubais Mutation Fashion Show Honours Unconventional Designs

Esmod Dubai, the leading fashion school in the region, highlighted the beauty of unconventional fashion design during its ‘Mutation Fashion Show’ yesterday (Tuesday, December 21, 2010) at the school, in the presence of the French Consul General Mr. Eric Giraud-Telme. The fashion extravaganza celebrated diversity, difference and distinction through 70 experimental creations designed by Esmod – Dubai’s own students.

“A designer does not always have to rely on a final sketch or a specific vision of a fashion piece. Various forms and methods can be experimented on to arrive at a unique garment that reflects individuality and sends out a strong fashion statement. ‘Mutations’ honours this unconventional approach to design and challenges our students to rely on their instincts and innate skills rather than to just sticking to formulaic fashion,” said Tamara Hostal, Director and Founder of Esmod Dubai.

Since the 1980s the fashion world has been challenging aesthetic conventions through their ground-breaking designs. Prominent designers such as Thierry Mugler, Alexander McQueen, Rei Kawakubo and Jean-Paul Gaultier have been renowned for challenging the ‘beautiful people’ mentality by advocating ‘the beauty of difference and the liberation of imperfection.’ Their works have gained great appreciation among today’s generation of youths who are sympathetic to pop icons such as mutant superheroes that rise above prejudice, intolerance and oppression.

The ‘Mutation Fashion Show’ capitalized on the popularity of the mutant outcast theme during its one-day run that started at 8 pm.

Esmod – Dubai has already contracted Mr. Christophe Beaufays to conduct a new ‘Haute Couture & Ready-To-Wear Collections’ course in response to the growing demand for specialised fashion programs in the Middle East. The three-month program, which will be offered to a select group of students and also beginners, will provide 100 per cent hands-on-training, enhance creativity and improve the draping techniques of the students.

Esmod-Dubai also revealed that its new Fashion courses, including jewellery design and fashion photography, will commence on January 16, 2011.

Since its inception in 2006, Esmod Dubai has been accommodating a steadily growing number of students in its mission to capitalise on the region’s booming fashion industry and the steady drift of the Middle Eastern consumer towards haute couture. The Dubai campus now embraces students from 47 different countries, of which over 40 per cent are GCC nationals and UAE locals.
 

DAR Usha Fashion Boutique Opens In Dubai

In the presence of Sheikh Suhail Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum and representatives of Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development, Dar Usha, a project managed by two UAE national entrepreneurs, inaugurated its first trendy fashion boutique in Dubai in Al Dhiyafah.

The opening ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, and members of Dubai Women Establishment, Dubai Ladies Club, Dubai Business Women Council and fashion enthusiasts. The elegant fashion lines by Dar Usha, inspired by European, Kuwaiti, Indian and Turkish designs, were also displayed at the event.

Khalid Al Mulla and Ahmed Khadim, the UAE entrepreneurs behind the project, are members in MBRE for SME Development.

"We are pleased to open our first branch of Dar Usha in Dubai. The boutique offers a wide range of exclusive collections, designed by Kuwaiti designer Ms. Heba Ateeqi that will appeal to all tastes. I thank MBRE for SME development for the valuable support and opportunities provided to us in accomplishing our dream project,” said Khaled Al Mulla.

"This is just the beginning of a long journey for us, and we are confident of building a strong identity for Dar Usha fashion boutique," he added. “The support and encouragement of MBRE for SME Development has played an instrumental role in driving us, and UAE youngsters too can achieve their goal with a sound business plan, creative ideas and determination.”
 

Urban Male Lounge Opens In The Fashion Dome, Mall Of The Emirates

Gentleman’s grooming lounge Urban Male Lounge opened its doors on the 3rd floor of the up market Fashion Dome recently. The exclusively male space offers a calming environment for the busy Dubai man.

The Urban Male Lounge’s Philosophy is to provide a premier brand of male relaxation environment, which offers male specific grooming treatments, tailor made for today’s modern man. Services include an extensive menu of therapeutic massages, barbershop, hand and foot treatments, hair removal, and many more, all of which are offered in an ultra hygienic, luxurious environment.

The Urban Male Lounge prides itself in a personalized service, with a meticulous attention to detail. The lounge is fitted with the latest in innovation and technology, with plasma screens, wireless headphones, and WIFI, providing its patrons with the luxurious entertainment, while they enjoy their treatments.

Urban Male Lounge’s signature is an accessible, modern, and holistic approach to grooming, which appeals to the modern, cultured, and well-rounded 21st century man. UML is the ultimate in male refinement.

UML
Mall of the Emirates
1st level Fashion Dome
04 3951103
umlmoe@emirates.net.ae