My love affair with Damas every Mother’s Day

February 19, 20132 Comments

My nearest and dearest already know my love affair with Damas, the Middle East’s leading jewellery and watch retailer whose staff make me feel oh so good whenever there is an occasion to celebrate. Whether it’s a birthday or a special event.

So Mother’s day is here and little diva always has something nice for me as I have made her aware that the 8 hours of labour I went through was horrendous and that I deserved a medal for surviving that but a small trinket every tear would suffice. The great news is that Damas has unveiled its 2013 Mother’s Day Collection, featuring four limited-edition pendants designed to show appreciation for the most important women in our lives: our mothers and in particular, moi, the best in the world….well at least I think I’m a cool mum. All the pieces feature the word “Ummi”, endearingly meaning ‘my mother’ in Arabic calligraphy, highlighted by a variety of designs.

The ‘Center of My World’ pendant displays a circular motif, crafted in loops of 18k yellow gold, offset by rings studded with round brilliant diamonds. The ‘Ummi’ lettering is positioned in the centre of the piece, representing the mother’s place at the heart of the family. Show your mother you care with this stunning piece, priced at AED 1,790.

The ‘Heart of Gold’ pendant is comprised of a pear shaped design with the ‘Ummi’ lettering surrounded by a halo of hearts, representing the love surrounding the mother, who is the lifeline of emotion. The design is then encircled by exquisite colored gem stones. This gorgeous piece is priced at AED 2,990.

The ‘Love’s Rainbow’ pendant has a tear drop design, accented by round brilliant diamonds, semi precious stones, and fresh water pearls. The ‘Ummi’ calligraphy is followed by vividly colored, semi-precious stones, and delicate pearls representing the combination of excitement and grace that mothers embody. This piece is priced at AED 2,490.

Finally, the ‘Heart’s Delight’ pendant features the ‘Ummi’ calligraphy with larger lettering, in a mix of white and yellow gold, accented by semi-precious stones, diamonds and fresh water pearls. This heartwarming piece is designed to symbolize the mother as the center of attention, and is priced at AED 1,390.

I wonder which one I am getting …HINT!

Indulging in colours with OMEGA Ladymatic

February 18, 2013Leave a comment

Image from OMEGA Ladymatic

I’m back to obsessing over watches…. after justifying that wearing a Salvadore Dali or Roberto Cavalli once every few months is totally acceptable for diva extraordinaire, I reckon now I can safely look further hunting for my next timeless treasure! The fashion-forward design of the Ladymatic collection, paired with the innovative OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 8520 within each of its timepieces, has become even more impossibly exquisite with the newest models featuring bold, attractive dials…the best bit is it comes in colours I normally would not look at but somehow, these caught my eye: There is the:

Seductive purple.
Unique pink mother-of-pearl.
Striking blue mother-of-pearl.
Enchanting shaded grey.

Known for its captivating look, the Ladymatic has been a prestigious example of the brand’s style and invention since its launch in 2010. These striking OMEGA Ladymatic timepieces have a 34 mm polished stainless steel case with white, black or rose ceramic between the decorative wave and inner casebody. Each is presented on either a matching satin-brushed leather strap or a polished stainless steel bracelet.

The dials, with their enchanting Supernova pattern, are made even more brilliant with 11 diamond-set indexes in facetted 18K white gold diamond-shaped holders, and there is a date window at the 3 o’clock position. The polished alpha-shaped minute, hour and seconds hands are crafted from 18K white gold and the minute and hour hands are coated with white Super-LumiNova. A domed, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides protects the evocative dials.

The “Brilliant Omega Cut” diamond found on the screw-in crown is complemented by the wearer’s choice of a dazzling bezel with diamonds arranged in a snow-set pattern, or the pure and elegant polished stainless steel bezel. The officially certified chronometers are so reliable, these babies come with a full four-year warranty….are you sold yet?

Tiffany ushers Lunar New Year with Elsa Peretti’s Brilliant Snake Necklace

January 24, 2013Leave a comment

Photo Credit: Josh Hasten

ELSA PERETTI® SNAKE NECKLACE

For my friends who cringe every time they see my Roberto Cavalli mother of pearl snake watch or my Swarovsky snake pendant….I have news for you. 🙂 To add to the collection, Tiffany & Co., has now announced that the Year of the Snake will be ushered in with Elsa Peretti’s daring and provocative snake necklace.

Although most of my friends get freaky when they see a snake nestling on the base of my neck…looking sensuous as though its slithering every time I move, I absolutely love it…the way it looks, the way it becomes a talking point for people I meet who I don’t know and the fact that it is different…and I like being different.

Back to Tiffany & Co…Their snake necklace typifies Elsa’s unique approach to natural forms that revolutionized modern design and placed her among the world’s most honored jewelry designers.

Working with master craftsmen, she captured the snake’s elegant movements with a series of graduated links handcrafted in 18 karat gold. Smooth and sculptural, the necklace beautifully complements the body’s contours. This sensual quality is a signature of her renowned collections, which debuted at Tiffany & Co. in 1974 and were met with instant acclaim.

Now as then, women around the world collect and wear her jewellery for its ease and versatility. Wrapped in the Tiffany Blue Box®, an international symbol of excellence, Elsa Peretti’s brilliant designs are the perfect choice for every gift-giving occasion in life…After all you can never go wrong with Tiffany. At least that’s what all women think…and women are always right!

LEGENDARY TIFFANY DIAMOND IN DUBAI

December 12, 2012Leave a comment

Diva with Michael J. Kowalski, Chairman and CEO of Tiffany & Co

Women in Dubai were in seventh heaven yesterday…they got to see a spectacular diamond and jewellery exhibition by Tiffany to celebrate their 175^th Anniversary. Tiffany & Co. marked 175 years of design excellence with ‘A Legacy of Diamonds’ exhibition, featuring jewellery from the Tiffany Archives, surrounding the company’s greatest icon—the 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond….i can’t express how beautiful this piece of jewellery was…breathtaking would be an understatement!

We also saw a contemporary collection of handcrafted jewellery featuring the gemstones the company first introduced—along with the world’s rarest colored diamonds. The Tiffany Diamond is the finest and most beautiful fancy yellow diamond ever discovered. Its transcendent beauty symbolizes Tiffany’s diamond heritage. In honor of the company’s anniversary, the priceless gem was reset in a dazzling diamond and platinum necklace of a graceful and modern elegance. Over a year in the making, the design of white diamonds totals over 100 carats and features 20 Lucida® diamonds and 58 brilliant-cut diamonds, with a mounting of 481 sparkling stones, each hand cut and set by skilled artisans.

I had a quick chat with Michael J. Kowalski, chairman and chief executive officer of Tiffany & Co who, much to our delight sees Dubai alongside Tokyo and Beijing as an international luxury retail destination and highlights the importance of this market to Tiffany’s global strategy.

Going back to the yellow diamond….it was discovered in the Kimberley diamond mines in South Africa in 1877, the 287.42-carat rough stone was acquired the following year by founder Charles Lewis Tiffany. The acquisition underscored Mr. Tiffany’s reputation as the “King of Diamonds” and made his enterprise the world’s diamond authority. The rough stone was cut into a cushion-shape brilliant weighing 128.54 carats. Cut to maximize its extraordinary color, the diamond sparkles as if lit by an inner flame.

The Tiffany Diamond was a highlight of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and the 1939–40 World’s Fair in New York City, and has been exhibited in museums worldwide. It is the centerpiece of the Legacy of Diamonds exhibition, which is based on three themes.

The Gilded Age (1876–1916) showcases the diamond jewels that Tiffany created during this opulent era, along with a diamond and emerald brooch from the French Crown Jewels that the company purchased in 1887. Inspired by Nature highlights the natural world as an important theme of Tiffany design, with archival botanical illustrations and the jewels they inspired, such as a chrysanthemum brooch of diamonds and pearls and an enameled orchid brooch that were included in Tiffany’s gold medal exhibit at the 1889 Paris World’s Fair. New York Glamour illuminates Tiffany as the crown jewel of the city, with diamonds that reflect the streamlined contours of its Art Deco skyscrapers.

If you are a Tiffany fan, you may want to explore the Legacy Gemstones of Tiffany, a collection of jewelry featuring the gemstones Tiffany introduced to the world: shimmering pink morganite, discovered in Madagasgar and named for American financier and gem collector John Pierpont Morgan; lilac-pink kunzite from California, named for Tiffany’s eminent gemologist Dr. George Frederick Kunz; tanzanite, found in Tanzania and coveted for its color that captures the blue of the ocean with flashes of violet; and tsavorite, also from Africa, distinguished by a rich green hue and invigorating spirit.

Tiffany’s fancy color diamonds are a marvel of nature, wondrous to behold. These most sought-after stones are distinguished by evenly saturated color and a cut that fully reveals their natural charisma. Among them are Tiffany Yellow Diamonds with a tantalizing colour that is as pure as sunlight; pink diamond rings that bloom like roses and blue diamond’s of an electrifying hue.

Mounted in custom settings of exquisite craftsmanship, these sparkling diamonds and gemstones are the latest jewels of a great tradition and the epitome of modern glamour and luxury…diva likes. Now where’s that Loverboy of mine – I reckon a trip to Tiffany is in order!

The Tiffany Diamond – Photo Credit: Carlton Davis

Inspired by the energy and creativity of KALA

December 3, 2012Leave a comment

Funky 🙂

“Fashion is art, where the needle is the brush and the fabric is the canvas.”

Young people these days inspire me. Last year, I met an incredible young designer, Sasi Kala at a Women to Women event who looked slightly older than Tash but in fact she is an established designer in Dubai who decided to take her passion for fashion a step further by studying fashion design.

Sasi is from Kerala and she ventured to Singapore to attend Raffles Design Institute. It meant 3 years of sleepless nights with projects and sewing but learning the art and history of designing was what she was born to do and use the knowledge for her designs.

I met Sasi once again after that for coffee and she told me how her first Spring Summer 2012 collection was accepted at the Dubai Fashion Week, as a New Generation Designer. I was delighted for her as she deserved it more than anyone I know.

The first store that started stocking her first collection was United Designers, which is amazing. They help give platform and recognition to young emerging designers. Sasi also stocks at O Concept.

Her label KALA (meaning art in Sanskrit) has a unique identity that uses structure, draping and appliqué amongst other techniques. Every garment has a story behind them, in form of inspiration, process and fabrics.

My favourite has to be the Hidden Hippie collection. Anyone who knows me has come to accept the fact that I have no specific style or identity when it comes to my clothes. I wake up, drag myself to the wardrobe and come back looking like a bohemian, demure, desi, once in a blue moon corporate, slutty or totally contemporary where there is no rhyme or reason for the combinations that result in the end.

And I make no apologies for it….so KALA’s collections of clothes that showed a bit of rebel appealed heaps to me. Modern hippies may be in the corporate world blending in for the sake of propriety but as Sasi says, even if they are hidden they still believe in love, peace and freedom.

KALA went towards a minimal and a formal look for this collection. The main details for the collection are the chiffon ruffle, the circular dart and also peace symbols designed by KALA’

For her Spring Summer 2013 collection, the theme is ‘Andy Warhol’s Silver Factory’. The factory was a hip hangout for the artsy types and super stars. They all inspired Warhol in many ways. So this collection is inspired by those who inspired him. This is going to be a very fun and colorful collection so I look forward to it.

Sasi is definitely a designer to look out for… I have asked her to give us a sneak peek into her next collection…fingers crossed; you will see some cool stuff soon. One option is to get great deals on the exquisite designs from KALA on 8^th December, 2-8pm at Villa 16, Hattan Street 2, Arabian Ranches. Enjoy!

‘United Arab Emirates Edition’ Capeland timepiece from Baume & Mercier

November 18, 2012Leave a comment

UAE inspired timepiece – Nice indeed

As UAE national day gets closer, most luxury goods providers are turning to personalise and brand items to a patriotic theme and the Swiss maison d’Horlogerie also announced a new ‘United Arab Emirates Edition’ Capeland timepiece. Since I started delving into marketing, its interesting to watch brands immerse their products and services with relevant local events and move with the times.

The new limited edition was specially designed to represent the colours of the UAE flag and is a true reflection of Baume & Mercier’s dedication to the country, reiterated by the brand having its only boutique in the world in the world-famous Dubai Mall.

The UAE Edition Capeland flyback chronograph has a diameter of 44mm. The off-white dial features a red tachymeter & green telemeter and a black alligator strap with red stitching. The sapphire crystal case back offers wearers the chance to view the manufacture self-winding movement (La Joux-Perret 8147) featuring an open worked oscillating weight adorned with “Côtes de Genève” snailed décor and Phi symbol, the brand signature. Only 100 pieces are available, and each is engraved “UAE Edition – 001/100” highlighting the exclusivity of this exceptional edition.

The sport-chic Capeland series of men’s exclusive automatic flyback chronographs possesses its own lineage, offering immediately identifiable features that reflect the line’s heritage and inspiration. The collection blends historical tradition with contemporary style and elegant appeal – enabling the wearer to celebrate each of life’s moments.

Inspired by a 1948 single-push piece chronograph vintage model, the collection was designed for easy daily wear. The charismatic series epitomizes a relaxed lifestyle and strength of character….sounds a bit like how one would describe me I reckon (Cheeky grin!) 🙂

Looking oh so feminine with Vhernier

October 26, 2012Leave a comment

Simple, elegant…am loving the Vhernier bracelet

Being a Fijian has its ups and downs but the best bit about being one is our FIJI water and the fact that we have awesome soft velvet skin texture which I attribute to the large amounts of FIJI water we gulp down with its high content of the magic potion, silica. So normally I don’t flinch when a fashionista touches my hand to say how soft the skin is – but this time, it had nothing to do with my skin but the delicate bracelet I was wearing from Vhernier, masters of Italian contemporary jewellery.

Normally I would not go for jewellery from Vhernier but it was love at first sight with this bracelet and I have become an advocate of the brand….not for all pieces but the delicate, simple and classy pieces that are so subtle and yet somehow make statement that one normally gets from a boldly designed piece.

Although I don’t go much to the Emirates Towers boulevard, it was worth going there to see the jewellery collections of the Italian House which is influenced in their design by trends in modern and contemporary art. I am so glad AW Rostamani Lifestyle brought this amazing brand to Dubai for us savvy females who appreciate inimitable pieces that make us stand out as individuals. Hey, if it’s good for Demi Moore, Angelina Jolie and Jessica Biel, then its good for Fijianchick as well!

Loving Ermanno Scervino

October 19, 2012Leave a comment

Mohidin Bin Hendi with Ermanno Scervino at Dubai Mall

It is always a pleasure to catch up with Mohi-Din BenHendi to see what he is up to and it’s almost always at a launch where he has played a crucial role in bringing a superb brand into the UAE for the fashion conscious shoppers.

This time it is the luxury Italian fashion brand Ermanno Scervino – its first boutique is now at the Dubai Mall. Ermanno Scervino himself hosted a beautiful evening along with Mr Mohi-Din Binhendi together with Dubai VIPs and fashion lovers and it gave us an opportunity again to catch up with old and new friends.

Guests mingled in the elegant new space and had the opportunity to meet the designer who flew into Dubai especially for the momentous occasion. The boutique opening was followed by a private dinner held at the chic Joe’s Café for a select few VIPs and fans of the brand.

The new boutique is set to become one of the most visited fashion destinations in Dubai, with Scervino showcasing the best of the best of Italian fashion. The new collection was so well received that his covetable styles are already flying off the shelves, and into every Dubai fashion maven’s wardrobes. It has an edgy femininity. For fitting and elegant, the equestrian inspired collection was an instant winner with Dubai’s discerning fashion lovers.

A very dear friend of mine just celebrated her birthday – she is one of the best dressed local Emirati friends I have and she absolutely loved the piece I gave her. To me, her approval was the best testimony to the awesomeness of the brand and its success in Dubai.

Ford – It’s that time of the year when all is pink

October 18, 2012Leave a comment

My favourite warriors in Pink symbol

October is here and this is the time when Ford’s Warriors in Pink^® emerge in full force to honour breast cancer survivors who have demonstrated strength and courage in their battle. Although my car or my bag often features the ‘Warriors in Pink’ items most times in the year, this month in particular we get up, close and personal with the new collection of Warriors in Pink collection of apparel and accessories at www.fordcares.com

Breast cancer is more than a disease as it’s about people and families, whose lives are forever changed by a diagnosis. And Ford Motor Company works relentlessly every year to raise awareness and funds in the fight against breast cancer through a unique programme called “Warriors in Pink®”. Powered by Ford, the initiative is dedicated to promoting breast cancer awareness across the globe. The campaign recognises the strength and courage it takes to deal with the everyday challenges of fighting breast cancer. Warriors in Pink embodies hope, strength and courage and is about women and men finding strength within themselves, their inner warrior, especially at a time they need it most.

I first met Sue Nigoghossian who works for Ford last year and find her an incredibly dynamic individual who passionately talks about the cause since. She mentioned to me recently how her company played a pivotal role in encouraging women to become informed and visit their doctors, educating them that early detection saves lives. In the Middle East, the disease is the number one cause of death in women and relatively low awareness rates means that women are often diagnosed with cancer at advanced stages.

I personally find Ford’s CSR work great. Recently I had a henna tattoo done reflecting 2 of the 12 Warriors in Pink symbols of hope, strength and unity in the fight against breast cancer on my hands just before a trip to Bahrain. Reaching there, I learnt of a young girl being diagnosed so I introduced her to ‘Warriors of Pink’ and gave her the scarf I had as a reminder that she had support around her.

As Sue mentions, women in our region have used henna in body art since ancient times, so it is a source of inspiration to her team at Ford to see women using henna to make such a bold statement, in a way that only our region can, in support of breast cancer awareness. The symbols are versatile, some are worn to honor those that have passed away as a result of the disease, others show a sense of solidarity and standing strong with breast cancer survivors, others to mark a commitment to life and survival in the face of the disease.

Doctors recommend that since older women are more likely to develop the disease, once women reach the age of 40, they should have an annual mammogram, in addition to monthly self-examinations. Women under the age of 40 are advised to self-examine every three months. People concerned about any abnormalities should contact their doctor immediately.

As its October, take time to go on-line at www.fordcares.com, with 100 per cent of net proceeds from the collection goes into research of breast cancer and related support initiatives. Watch Ford Middle East’s ‘Are you a Warrior in Pink’ video to learn more about the henna campaign on www.youtube.com/fordmiddleast and www.facebook.com/FordMiddleEast. To buy the Warriors in Pink collection on-line visit www.shopwarriorsinpink.com.

Another favourite symbol I use when I have a henna tattoo

Having a ValleyDez moment

October 15, 2012Leave a comment

Some really cool pieces in the new collection

One of my favourite places for retail therapy is ValleyDez and they are now introducing a new set of collections from Fall 2012 collections to their Boutiques.

The fall collection this season reveals a new take on military. Prints and bold blocks of colours are still strong. Floral for fall is smaller in scale and leaning towards liberty, and is seen in a retro mix with lace. Knit tweeds and shawls are big, as well as fur accents and baroque embroidery. There’s also a lot of black leather or all-white which means there will definitely be something for everyone.

The accessories have the two extremes and feature many tribal designs, statement jewellery pieces, and dramatic epaulettes to take any top or jacket to the next level. On the other hand, clean simple pieces are also making an understated statement which is normally what I look for these days.

As for me, in honour of Maxim’s heritage, I reckon I will look into the military look. Just the vision makes me excited as I reckon it will be a weird contrast to what I am normally used to.

Globalista Extraordinaire

TEEN lifestyle in the UAE, SPAIN, UK and FIJI ISLANDS

Category: Jewellery, Fashion, Fragrance & Beauty