Thursday, 2 May 2013

You want Louis Vuitton? You can HAVE Louis Vuitton with The Luxury Closet



If there’s a luxury item everybody wants to own, it has to be a Louis Vuitton creation, doesn’t it? The famous quatrefoils, flowers and LV monogram simply ooze style and class. With designs based on the trend of using oriental designs during the Victorian era, this is a brand steeped in fashion history. Endorsed by celebrities internationally such as Madonna and Kanye West, and having been around since 1854, Louis Vuitton is definitely here to stay.




There’s just a slight problem being the hefty price tag.  Whilst the bad news might be that Louis Vuitton never discounts prices, never holds a sale, and never offers promotions, there is certainly good news in store for you too...

There is The Luxury Closet, of course! Simply visit www.theluxurycloset.com, the online designer treasure chest based in Dubai, and shop for authentic Louis Vuitton items, available to you at up to 70% off the original price!

Owning a genuine Louis Vuitton product is not about just adding another bag to your collection. No! It’s so much more. Renowned worldwide for crafting the finest travel bags, French businessman Mr. Louis Vuitton revolutionized luggage, introducing flat bottom trunks that could be stacked on top of each other during voyages. Prior to this, all trunks were rounded and impractical for long journeys. Louis Vuitton then went on to register a trademark for the now easily recognizable LV Damier (meaning ‘check’) pattern in 1888. For over 150 years, Louis Vuitton bags have become a firm favorite travel companion amongst top figures and famous celebrities around the world. Now it’s your turn to become a part of the LV world!
 
The rare Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse Roses Speedy 30, available for AED 6,300 (original retail price AED 7,715) is a Limited Edition version of the iconic bag that was first made in 1930s and was later associated with the elegant Audrey Hepburn. Crafted from monogram canvas, it is accented with bold pop-art graffiti style flowers, leather trim and gold tone hardware.
For classic LV, the Louis Vuitton Monogram Galliera GM can be yours for AED 3,680 (original retail price AED 6,600). Look fabulous as you carry out your daily errands. Made from coated monogram canvas, this is LV at its most stylish and best, featuring a gold tone plate and lined with beige micro suede.
Or do you want to step back into the stylish sixties with a vintage vanity case? Carry your beauty essentials in this stunning, super retro Louis Vuitton Toledo Blue Epi Nice Beauty Case for just AED 2,425 (original retail price AED 9,500). Crafted from blue epi leather, it features a top handle, a double zip closure, front LV monogram and a removable shoulder strap. The interior is lined with blue suede and features a girlie gathered lid pocket with a mirror.

So, how can you trust that the bag is not a fake? The Luxury Closet has a team of experts working to distinguish the “wannabes” from the “real deal”. Only 100% authentic bags are eligible to be sold. The Luxury Closet guarantees the authenticity of every purchase, or a full refund including all shipping costs across the world.

For more information visit www.theluxurycloset.com and allow yourself to be tempted with a touch of LV in your life.

ACTIVISION ANNOUNCES THE NEXT GENERATION OF CALL OF DUTY® WITH CALL OF DUTY®: GHOSTS



Call of Duty: Ghosts will set a new Benchmark for the Next Generation
All-New World, Story, Characters and Experience, All Powered by New, Next Gen
Call of Duty Engine from the Developer that started it all, Infinity Ward
For an Exclusive First Look at the Game, Tune in to Xbox: The New Generation Revealed, May 21 at 10AM PDT on Xbox.com or Xbox Live
Groundbreaking Title Lands on November 5
Prepare for the next generation of Call of Duty®.  The franchise that has defined a generation of gaming is set to raise the bar once again with the all-new Call of Duty®: Ghosts.  Published byActivision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard (Nasdaq: ATVI),  and developed by Infinity Ward, the studio that created the original Call of Duty and the seminal Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® series, Call of Duty: Ghosts ushers in the next generation of the franchise.  The new title delivers a riveting all-new gameplay experience built on an entirely new story, setting and cast of characters, all powered by a new, next generation Call of Duty engine that redefines the series for the next generation.
“Infinity Ward set the gold standard for first-person action for a generation, and they’re going to do it again with Call of Duty: Ghosts,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing, Inc. “Ghosts delivers an all-new story, all-new characters, an all-newCall of Duty world, all powered by a next generation Call of Duty engine, which is a leap forward for the franchise.  Infinity Ward is going all-in to create the next generation of Call of Duty worthy of the world’s greatest fans."
“Everyone was expecting us to make Modern Warfare 4, which would have been the safe thing to do. But we're not resting on our laurels,” said Mark Rubin, executive producer of developer Infinity Ward.  “We saw the console transition as the perfect opportunity to start a new chapter for Call of Duty.  So we're building a new sub-brand, a new engine, and a lot of new ideas and experiences for our players. We can't wait to share them with our community."
To see an exclusive first look at Call of Duty: Ghosts tune in to Xbox: the Next Generation Revealed on May 21 at 10AM PDT on Xbox.com or Xbox LIVE for the debut of the all-new game from Infinity Ward.
“We are consistently thrilled with the overwhelming response received from critics and consumers alike to the Call of Dutyseries, which has firmly established its home on the Xbox 360 with the game’s largest and most engaged community,” said Don Mattrick, president of the interactive entertainment business at Microsoft.  “With Call of Duty: Ghosts, we have no doubt that our longtime partners, Activision and Infinity Ward, will raise the bar higher than ever before for this incredible franchise.”
Starting today, fans can begin pre-ordering their copy of Call of Duty: Ghosts at retail outlets worldwide.
“There’s no other video game property like Call of Duty.  It’s the biggest game franchise on the planet that has had some of the biggest game entertainment launches in history,” said Tony Bartel, president of GameStop. “We are very excited for the launch ofCall of Duty: Ghosts, as we transition to next generation consoles.” 
Call of Duty: Ghosts will release on Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC on November 5.  Call of Duty: Ghosts will also be available for next generation platforms.  For the latest intel, check out: www.callofduty.com/ghosts, www.facebook.com/CODGhosts, or follow on Twitter @InfinityWard.  Call of Duty: Ghosts is not yet rated.

Wednesday, 1 May 2013

MODA OPERANDI ANNOUNCES SPOTLIGHT FOR THE 2013 COSTUME INSTITUTE BENEFIT RED CARPET



Red Carpet Looks to be Available for Purchase
Moda Operandi will hold a Spotlight event in celebration of this year’s Costume Institute Benefit.  The program, beginning May 7, will enable women to purchase select looks designed by Anthony Vacarello, Balmain, Delpozo, Rodarte, Nina Ricci and Wes Gordon, among others, and worn by celebrities to the event.  The bold faced names wearing the designer gowns will be revealed when they walk the red carpet during arrivals.  
“Events like the Met Gala offer some of the most spectacular fashion moments because they inspire experimentation,” said Moda Operandi co-founder Lauren Santo Domingo. “We are thrilled to be able to provide women with access to the fashions from one the world’s most thrilling red carpet events.”
Indre Rockefeller, Moda Operandi’s director of ready-to-wear, worked closely with the Spotlight designers, prior to the benefit, so that customers would be able to purchase their favorite looks even faster than before.
Individuals interested in watching the benefit’s red carpet event can view the live stream on May 6, beginning at 7:00pm on ModaOperandi.com, Vogue.com, Samsung.com/GalaxyS4/Punk and MetMuseum.org.
Spotlight is the second of two extraordinary programs created by Moda Operandi in celebration of the 2013 Costume Institute exhibition, Punk: Chaos to Couture. The first, which was previously announced, is the eagerly anticipated exclusive punk collection that will debut on May 2, 2013. The collection of over 100 items includes new pieces by designers such as Balmain, Givenchy, Prabal Gurung, Thom Browne, and Vivienne Westwood; in addition to one-of-a-kind pieces, rare vintage fashion, and art objects. 
Punk: Chaos to Couture is made possible by Moda Operandi.
Additional support is provided by Condé Nast.

Nestlé KLIM announces the three winners of the Klim Women of Strength Campaign




·         ‘KLIM Women of Strength’ attracted a large number of social media interaction with more than 46,000 likes on Facebook and amazing entries from women of strength across the region

·         Esteemed judging panel selected five incredible women whose stories moved and inspired them

·         Public voted for three winners via Facebook who will each receive a cash prize of USD 20,000 to help them continue along the road to making their dreams come true

Nermin Said
Dubai, UAE – 30th April 2013:- Nestlé Middle East today announces the three winners of the KLIM Women of Strength program, a region-wide initiative aimed at identifying and recognizing outstanding women in the Arab world.  The three winners are:

1. Nermin Said, a Jordanian engineer living in KSA
2. Manal Zayed, a pioneering optician from the town of Rusayfeh in Jordan
3. Veronique Mrad, an innovative children’s author from Lebanon 

Over 200 women participated via social media forums or were nominated by friends, family or co-workers.  The Nestlé panel of judges – which includes Sarah Shuhail, Executive Director of Ewa’a Shelters for Women and Children; Nisreen Shocair, President of Virgin Megastore, MENA Region; Heba Al Shaar, Consultant for Strategy Marketing and Communication; Rasha Al Danhani, Chairman and Owner of PappaRoti Cafés and Zeinab Maktabi, Corporate Nutritionist at Nestlé Middle East - then reviewed the submissions and chose five inspiring finalists: Nermin Said, Manal Zayed, Fatma Al Qassimi, Haifa Khalid, and Veronique Mrad. 

Manal Zayed
The stories of the five finalists were posted on the Nestle KLIM Facebook page, and the public was then able to vote for their favourite Woman of Strength.  The voting ended on the 28th of April and the three women with the highest number of votes were Nermin Said, Manal Zayed, and Veronique Mrad.  These three winners will each receive US$20,000.
 

Nermin Said is a Jordanian engineer living in Saudi, who faced huge challenges when trying to get back in to the professional engineering work environment after having children.  Her innovative efforts led to the creation of her online business ‘Handasiyat’ which has enabled female engineers in both Jordan and KSA to continue to work as engineers from home.

Manal Zayed is a determined entrepreneur from Rusayfeh, Jordan.  She started her own business despite facing significant challenges, and used her drive and ambition to help change negative attitudes towards wearing glasses in the rural area in which she lives, by visiting schools and educating parents and teachers.  She also undertook charity work by providing eyeglasses to the elderly at a very low cost.


Veronique Mrad 
Veronique Mrad from Lebanon is a children’s author with a difference.  She creates children’s comic books that feature superheroes who help teach them right from wrong, and help them make sense of the violence and war they see around them.  She started this in response to the on-going conflict in her country and the region, as she felt children needed to be equipped to process their fears and anxieties rather than suppress them.


The three ladies will be crowned the winners ‘KLIM Women of Strength’ at a gala ceremony in DubaiEach winner will receive a cash prize of USD 20,000 to help them continue along the road to making their dreams come true.

“I applaud all the women of strength who took part in the programme, each and every one of them has made a significant contribution to her community and society and has worked in some way to change and improve the world around her,” said Rainer Mueller, Communications Director at Nestlé Middle East. “It’s a privilege for Klim and Nestlé to have the opportunity to honour these outstanding ladies and reward their efforts.”

The ‘KLIM Women of Strength’ programme was open to all Arab women over 18 years of age residing in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Lebanon, with the aim of recognizing the struggles, achievements and inner strength of women in the Middle East.

Super Slender Slimming Special Offer: FREE Anti-Cellulite Treatments at The Cure




**Special Promotion Available Throughout June **


Dubai, Tuesday 30th April 2013:  Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, cellulite will just not budge, making ‘comfort’ a very unfamiliar word. As we get older, it becomes so difficult to shrink those lumps and bumps. Well, comfort and confidence does not have to be a thing of the past or your youth.



Lucky for you, The Cure has the answer to all of your niggling cellulite questions and you will love the responses! Delight in the thought of a slimmer, striking body this summer with the Super Slender Thalgo Anti-Cellulite Treatment.

This ground-breaking beauty treatment, also known as Thalgomince LC24, begins with a process involving a stimulating body scrub, preparing your skin for the cellulite slimming process. This is followed by a vigorous adipose massage that will change the density of your cells. The treatment finishes with a body wrap designed to tighten everything all up. This is The Cure’s idea of a true miracle for cellulite!

As a very special promotion, throughout the whole month of June, The Cure will give you not one, but TWO, complimentary Super Slender sessions every time a pre-package of treatments is purchased. You can buy a package as little as four Super Slender sessions, which means you get a total of six. So, if you buy a package of eight sessions, you will really get to experience 10!  Starting to breath a little easier?

For just one single Super Slender session with a senior therapist, the cost is AED 500. Experts recommend a package of 10 to feel - and visibly see - the ultimate benefits, which you can buy for AED 4000... and remember, you will really get a total of 12 sessions. You will be so happy with your body after this, so be sure to tell your friends!

Don’t be shy and cover up this summer! Take advantage of The Cure’s June promotion and show off your slender, slim shape with confidence and comfort.



To book your course of Super Slender Thalgo Anti-Cellulite treatments, call +971 4 391 6485 or visit www.thecure.ae.

Exude Beauty During Your Trip With the ‘Travel Essentials’ Pamper Box from The Cure




**Available throughout June, July and August for just AED 300 **

Dubai, Tuesday 30th April 2013: As much as we love a getaway, holiday, or change of scenery, a trip does make it difficult to feel completely put together whilst you are away from all your normal comforts of home. The planning is daunting, the prep work is exhausting and you endlessly run around up to the very last minute before jetting off for the summer. In the long run, all your efforts are eventually rewarded, but wouldn’t it be a far better experience if you could cross off multiple things on the ‘to do’ list in an instant and set off on your travels in style?


The Cure is here to turn your feeling of exhaustion into one of exuding beauty! The Travel Essentials Pamper Box is your key to unwinding for a moment while you prepare for your refreshing holiday. Exclusively available during June, July and August, a perfect getaway from the tasks of travelling awaits you, your family and your friends. For just AED 300, you will be more than ready to step onto that plane and leave the worries of regular life behind you. Feel truly fabulous from this pre-planning visit to The Cure and additionally tickled by the extra treats awaiting you inside the box.

The Travel Essentials Pamper Box invites you to come to The Cure Wellness and Beauty Lounge, located in the heart of Media City, for a variety of refreshing treatments. You can choose either a rejuvenating Express Facial, or if you’re venturing off to sunny beaches, perhaps you will choose the ever-popular Vita Liberata Spray Tan. Either of these two selections can be accompanied by an indulgent 30 minute Indian Head Massage, perfect for getting you in the right frame of mind to switch off and jet off!

Of course, a visit to see us would not be complete without a polish from tip to toe. So enjoy a full combo manicure and pedicure as the finishing touch to your holiday preparation... And there’s more. The Pamper Box also features a relaxing CD, essential oil, nail buffer and chocolates to begin your special time of indulgence!

Become essentially beautiful this travel season and jet into The Cure before jetting off into the sunset!

Available now from The Cure, along with a wide range of other perfect gift treatments, packages and gift certificates.

For further information and to book an appointment, call +971 4 3916485 or visit www.thecure.ae

EB Summer beauty from Lush


GET THAT SUMMER FEELING WITH SOME EMOTIONAL BRILLIANCE


Summer is finally here! To help you get in the mood is Lush’s Emotional Brilliance range, a collection of emotions and corresponding colours that harness a bit of behavioural therapy to actually make you feel the word you’re wearing!  So however you want to feel this summertime, make sure it’s emotionally brilliant! 
ATTENTION GRABBING EYESEmotional Brilliance liquid liners and eye shadows can offer strong and defined lines or can be blended for a softer look.
Lifted cream eye shadow (85aed) - A pastel yellow that when blended on the eyelid will really open up the eye.
Feeling lighter… puts a skip back in your step
Feeling Secure liquid eyeliner (85aed)  - A rich, regal purple
Inner confidence… it knows no bounds
Healthy liquid eyeliner (85aed) - A Lush, leafy green
For life… keeping healthiness at the front of your mind
COLOUR POP LIPSlet your lips do the talking.  Emotional Brilliance liquid lips offer long lasting colour in a moisturising base.
Glamorous liquid lips (85aed) - A bubblegum pink
You can do it… feel it radiate from you
Bubbly liquid lips (85aed) - A two-tone rose pink
Laugh out loud…stay energetic
Vibrance liquid lips (85aed) - A shimmering golden orange
Full of life… ready to turn any dullness around

PARED DOWN MAKE-UP
In warmer climes it’s often preferable to wear a lighter foundation. For a barely there, natural look, use one of Lush’s Colour Supplements mixed in with your regular moisturiser, finished off with Emotional Brilliance translucent face powder (70aed) to mattify and even out skin tone.  And finally, blend a little Charisma skin tint (70aed) onto cheeks for a warm, healthy glow.
The full Emotional Brilliance range is available in all stores worldwide and online.  for Lush Online log onto www.lush.ae

DIABLO® III FOR PS3™ NOW AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER



Legendary action-RPG series gears up for its PlayStation®3 debut
Bonus in-game item with every copy preordered; additional limited-edition physical items at select retailers
Dubai, UAE —PlayStation® gamers, the time has come to prepare for your confrontation with the Lord of Terror. Select retailers around the world have now begun taking preorders for the upcoming PlayStation®3 system version of Diablo® III—see the official website for a list of participating retailers. Fully reimagined for couch-based gaming, Diablo III for PS3™ will go on sale later this year for a suggested retail price of €59.99. Further release details, including region-specific availability, will be announced at a later date.
Players who preorder the PS3 version of Diablo III will receive an exclusive in-game item: the Infernal Helm, which grants an experience point boost to any character who wears it, accelerating their progression as they rise in power. Certain retailers will also offer limited-edition preorder bonuses—check with your local retailer for further information. The PS3 version of Diablo III will be available fully localized in English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Polish, and Brazilian Portuguese.
“We’ve poured blood, sweat, and hellfire into creating an epic Diablo III experience for PlayStation gamers,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “In addition to including all the improvements from the PC version over the past year, we’ve made several updates to Diablo III for play on the PS3. We got a ton of positive feedback from players who tried the game at PAX East, and we can’t wait to get it into everyone’s hands later this year.”
The PS3 version of Diablo III has been custom-tailored for PlayStation gamers, with updates to the game’s thrilling boss battles, an all-new user interface featuring an intuitive control system, and a dynamic camera perspective that will make vanquishing evil feel like second nature on the PlayStation. Players can take on the vile denizens of the Burning Hells alone or in a party of up to four via same-screen local cooperative play, online play over the PlayStation Network, or any combination of  online or local players. Once gamers experience the rush of Diablo III’s unique brand of hack-and-slash gameplay from the comfort of their couch, Sanctuary will never be the same.
Diablo III continues the epic Diablo storyline, with players taking on the role of one of five heroic characters—barbarian, witch doctor, wizard, monk, or demon hunter—embarking on a perilous quest to save the world of Sanctuary from the corrupting forces of the Burning Hells. As players make their way from the demon-besieged town of New Tristram to the Diamond Gates of the High Heavens, they’ll engage in pulse-pounding combat with hordes of monsters and challenging bosses, grow in experience and ability, acquire artifacts of incredible power, and meet key characters who’ll join them in battle or aid them along the way.
Diablo III was originally released for Windows® and Macintosh® PC on May 15, 2012 and within 24 hours became the fastest-selling PC game of all time. As of December 31, 2012, Diablo III had sold through more than 12 million copies worldwide.* To learn more about Diablo III, please visit the official website at http://www.diablo3.com.
With multiple games in development, Blizzard Entertainment has numerous positions currently available—visit http://jobs.blizzard.com for more information and to learn how to apply.
* According to The NPD Group, GfK Chart-Track, and internal company estimates.

2013 Sprite Cricket Stars Program returns to the UAE



Passionate Cricketers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi Given a Platform to Showcase Talents

The 2013 Sprite Cricket Stars program in Abu Dhabi and Dubai was officially launched today by representatives from Coca-Cola Middle East, the Ministry of Labour and the world’s fastest cricket bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

The Sprite Cricket Stars Program, which was first launched in 2011, aims to provide the Asian community in the UAE with an opportunity to showcase their talent and passion for a sport which is at the very heart of the community.





In 2011, the mission was to find the best cricketers in labor accommodation across the two Emirates. Such was the success of this tournament that the decision was taken to open the program up to the masses, with the entire Asian population invited to compete alongside the labourers for the 2013 tournament, which starts at the end of May.

Under the patronage of the Ministry of Labour, and in partnership with Coca-Cola Middle East, the program was launched ahead of International Labour Day (1st May 2013) to highlight the Ministry of Labour’s commitment to engaging with workers and the Asian community in the UAE.

The Program sees teams compete for the right to be crowned Sprite Cricket Stars Champions for the UAE, and also offers the chance for the entire community to be part of a finale event at what is anticipated to be a packed-out Dubai Cricket Stadium on Friday 20th September – an event that will also be attended by Shoaib Akhtar.

The 2011 tournament was won by the Al Jabber Blazers team, cheered on by almost 6,000 spectators at the Dubai Cricket Stadium. The players of the winning team were also rewarded with an all-expenses paid trip back to their home countries.

Qasim Mohammed Jamil, Director of the Labor Offices, Director of Guidance in the Ministry of Labor, comments: “We are delighted to once again partner with Coca-Cola Middle East for the 2013 Sprite Cricket Stars tournament in the UAE. This initiative represents a fantastic opportunity for the country’s labourers to showcase their passion and talent for a game that is extremely close to their hearts, and to play in front of large crowds on a professional stage. We look forward to seeing some of the best teams battle it out for the honour of being crowned 2013 Champions!”

Speaking about the program, Antoine Tayyar, Director of Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Middle East, said: “The Sprite Cricket Stars Program is something we are very proud to be involved with as it reflects our aim to promote a healthy, active lifestyle. It also aligns with everything the Sprite brand stands for with regards to passion for sport, self-expression, and having that inner spark. The program is going from strength to strength, and this year we are increasing our reach within the community and the number of teams participating – something which we expect to continue over the coming years.”

From his side, Shoaib Akhtar said: “With cricket being such a passion for the labor population, this fantastic program is the perfect way to reward them by providing an ideal platform on which to showcase their talents in a true community spirit. We fully anticipate this year’s event to prove every bit as successful as when the program was launched.”

The winning Sprite Cricket Stars team will receive AED 50,000 in prize money, with the runners-up receiving AED 25,000.

Fashion Forward’s First Season Attracts Industry Influencers, Showcases Diverse Range of Middle East-Based Design Talent



Capacity crowds, including industry influencers, retail buyers, academic heads and fashion decision-makers, flocked to Madinat Jumeirah from 26-29 April for Fashion Forward’s first season.  The public programme of workshops and panels, ranging from directional to practical themes, drew hundreds of participants who engaged in lively debate with speakers, while 18 catwalk presentations across three locations saw standing-room-only crowds experiencing new collections from some of the Middle East’s emerging and established designers.  From accessories lovers trawling for a special piece in the pop-up shop to discussions, catwalk shows, and related social events, more than 12, 000 guests experienced the first season of Fashion Forward.
Season one closed with an exclusive industry luncheon with celebrated designer Reem Acra, who was discovered by a fashion editor while studying at the American University of Beirut, as Fashion Forward’s guest of honour.   On his first-ever visit to the Middle East, Steven Kolb, CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), the not-for-profit trade association representing the interests of more than 400 North American fashion and accessory designers, gave a keynote presentation outlining a roadmap for the creation of an industry body aimed at nurturing and regulating a vibrant, sustainable fashion industry.  “Fashion is a universal language, and programmes like Fashion Forward fuel creativity and stimulate the economy,” said Kolb, during his keynote.
“We’re now accepting applications from and meeting with designers keen to take part in Fashion Forward’s season two.  Our first season has provided tremendous insight into what the region’s aspiring and existing designers need to develop further, as well as the roles which academia and the retail community can play, and we will incorporate these elements into season two so that Fashion Forward continues to evolve in an informed and dynamic way,” Guerrero added.
Interested designers of fashion and accessories as well as members of the academic and retail communities can contact Fashion Forward about opportunities to participate in season two via www.fashionforward.ae.  As a bi-annual fashion platform, FFWD is establishing itself as the region’s definitive movement to foster growth and enrichment for designers, the Middle East’s retail sector and the industry as a whole.