MODA OPERANDI MIDNIGHT SUPPER EVENT

 

Saturday night’s Midnight Supper, hosted by Lauren Santo Domingo of Moda Operandi, Kate Bosworth, Olivier Rousteing of Balmain and Paul James of St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, celebrated the hotel’s showcase of pieces from Moda Operandi’s limited-edition, punk inspired capsule collection; which will be on view in Thornwillow at The St. Regis New York from May 4 - 16. This past fall, St. Regis established a partnership with the premier online luxury fashion retailer Moda Operandi to co-host a series of St. Regis Midnight Supper events, the first of which celebrated the unveiling of The Grand Tourist Bag by Jason Wu for St. Regis. St. Regis and Moda Operandi both cater to a new generation of style-setters and luxury travelers.

Photo credit: Photo by Jennifer Graylock/Getty
Images for The St. Regis Hotels & Resorts

Cocktails were held in Thornwillow, where guests including Karolina Kurkova, Kate Young, Eddie Borgo, Prabal Gurung, Cher Coutler, Emilia Clarke, Derek Blasberg, Taylor Tomasi Hill & Indre Rockefeller had the opportunity to view the limited-edition pieces. A “punk/art” themed dinner followed in The Vault Room, imagined by premier event designer Bronson van Wyck. The décor, inspired by the capsule collection, was a “punk à la moda” scheme meets the graciousness and elegant traditions of The St. Regis. Dramatic sterling silver candelabras and vibrant pink peonies juxtaposed modern art installations utilizing iconic punk references including fishnet, shattered mirrors and Korova Milk Bar imagery.

The Midnight Supper is a century-old St. Regis tradition which has its roots in Caroline Astor, the brand’s founding patroness and doyenne of the Gilded Age high society, who herself used to host these intimate dinners, which often began at the stroke of Midnight. The tradition of the Midnight Supper at The St. Regis New York dates back to the hotel’s founding in the early 20th Century; it was a time when Manhattan’s social elite would join the Astors in their home for a decadent midnight meal, following the season’s most exclusive social affairs.  The Midnight Suppers were restricted to those from the top echelon of Manhattan society, often referred to as the “Astor 400,” an exclusive group determined by Caroline Astor herself.  At Mrs. Astor’s famous Midnight Suppers, guests would continue the evening’s festivities, celebrating well into the morning. Today, St. Regis continues and celebrates this unique tradition of the hotel’s founding family by hosting Midnight Suppers at St. Regis hotels and resorts around the world. While once commencing at midnight, they now conclude at this hour. These exclusive, intimate gatherings were, and remain, treasured chapters in the St. Regis brand’s social heritage and St. Regis is delighted to partner with Moda on the revival of these time-honored events.

ICLDC Education Series Supports Junior Doctors

World-class MRCP programme content useful across many areas of medical study

May 9-11 2013

www.icldc.co.uk

Imperial College London’s Professor Karim Meeran,
said that the MRCP series at ICLDC can also support
doctors looking to obtain accreditation for equivalent
 memberships from other recognised institutions, worldwide.

The region’s young doctors can now study in Abu Dhabi for the sought-after Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (MRCP), as part of Imperial College London Diabetes Centre’s (ICLDC) commitment to specialist education.

The two, three-day programmes are designed to prepare doctors-in-training for the MRCP part 1 and part 2 examinations, but the course leader said that the content also provides invaluable assistance for other examination training, and for medical specialists in general.

“The MRCP series at ICLDC can also support doctors looking to obtain accreditation for equivalent memberships from other recognised institutions, worldwide,” according to Imperial College London’s Professor Karim Meeran.

“We know that some doctors successfully use the MRCP training to help them in other areas of learning and practise. Indeed, the MRCP is pitched very high and so this is ideal preparation across the board of medical study.”

Professor Meeran added that the MRCP series hosted by ICLDC is especially useful for study that focuses on internal medicine.

The next MRCP Part 1 and Part 2 courses will take place from May 9-11 at ICLDC’s the state-of-the art diabetes centre in Abu Dhabi. They are accredited by Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) for 21.5 and 22 CME hours respectively. Indeed, the series has won positive delegate feedback for high quality content and instruction. ICLDC has a purpose-designed lecture theatre, interaction areas and offers easy access to a number of hotels and airport.

Registration can be made online at www.icldc.co.uk or at cme@icldc.ae or Tel: + 971 2 404 0870

Lipsy London and female guest DJ Natalie Brogan spice it up at Tamanya Terrace one last time before the summer

Tuesday, 28th of May 2013 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City

The popular UK based fashion brand Lipsy London presents yet another
special Ladies Night at Tamanya Terrace with female guest DJ Natalie Brogan and loads
of giveaways for the stylish crowd on Tuesday, 28th of May 2013.

Founded in the heart of London and known for its association with celebrity fashion,
Lipsy successfully entered into the international franchise market and opened its first
store in Dubai in 2012.

Highly aspirational with a strong attitude, Lipsy collections include gorgeous trademark
party dresses, trend-led day wear, along with beautiful must-have accessories that
consist of shoes, jewelry, watches, handbags, swimwear and sunglasses.

Lipsy offers unique styles with strong hand-writing at great prices to a core target
audience of 16 to 34 year old women.

UK born DJ Natalie Brogan has achieved more in a little over half a decade than many of
her peers will in a career.
After quitting her day job in 2009 and jetting to Ibiza for a season that included shows at
Eden and Es Paradis, she was soon on the move again, zooming across the globe to
land
in modern Middle Eastern party paradise Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Taking influence from artists as diverse as Massive Attack and David Bowie, initially half
inching
her brother’s ‘kiddy decks’ as a youngster, Natalie refined her artistic craft on her
native Manchester club scene.

December 2010 saw her land a dream gig at Creamfields Abu Dhabi, claiming a main
stage billing before megastars Above & Beyond, David Guetta and Afrojack.

A nomination in the 2011 Time Out Dubai Nightlife Awards for Dubai’s
best local DJ followed and international recognition was also on
the agenda, gracing events in Bahrain, Jordan and Qatar.

In the past 18 months alone, Natalie managed to bag different residencies at Abu
Dhabi’s luxurious Monte Carlo Beach Club, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers and Hyatt Capital
Gate, as well as headlining Immaculate Touch and Aloft pool parties, overseas jaunts to
India and Egypt, plus return trips to Bahrain and Dubai

One of her major achievements was opening the stage for David Guetta in March 2012
at Abu Dhabi’s Du Arena in front of 15,000 people.

2012 ended with winning the ‘best DJ’ award at the What’s On Awards Abu Dhabi.

Breaking into the highly competitive world of DJing is hard enough, but DJ Natalie
Brogan, based in Abu Dhabi is one of a handful of female DJs who has not only
managed to survive, but to thrive in a male dominated industry.

LISTEN: http://soundcloud.com/djnatalieb
LOOK: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=663483409
JOIN: http://www.facebook.com/pages/DJ-Natalie-Brogan/
FOLLOW: http://twitter.com/#!/DjNatalieBrogan

“We are very excited to have the lovely Natalie Brogan performing at our popular Ladies
Night, especially while collaborating with a great fashion brand like Lipsy London. The
previous events at Tamanya Terrace have been a complete success and we feel that
ending the season with a great concept like this, will surely reflect positively on our future
collaborations.
We are all looking forward to a great night, “says François Galoisy, General Manager at
the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City.

Get ready for the summer @ Senso Wellness Centre

With the temperatures rising, we could all do with that extra energy boost before the summer
hits our shores in full. So take advantage of Senso’s May package, created for anyone who
is looking for an extra treat and protection from the soaring summer heat.

Start your pure relaxation treatment with either the Aroma Bath Soak or the Citrus Skin Glow
Body Polish, as both treatments are designed to pamper your entire body and soul.

To entice your senses and to give your skin that smooth feeling of total nourishment and
hydration, the Aroma Bath Soak would be the perfect choice to start your treatment with,
using anti-stress essential oils to balance out your mood.

Alternatively, the Citrus Skin Glow Body Polish leaves your skin feeling nourished by using
refreshing citrus oils to rejuvenate your entire body.

After a shower, it’s now time to relax with a Pure Focus Massage.
The therapist will apply soothing aroma oils to balance the harmony of mind and body and
concentrate particularly on the stress areas of your body, usually the back and neck area.

The last step to complete your journey is a radiant facial to leave the sensitive skin of your
face clean and clear, using carefully chosen products based on natural ingredients to suit all
skin types and designed to boost the vitality of your skin.

The 2 hours Spa Package includes:

Your choice of:
Aroma Bath Soak or Citrus Skin Glow Body Polish
(30 min.)
Pure Focus Massage
(60 min.)
Mini Facial
(30 min.)
Free access to swimming pool before and after the treatment

All that for only: 500.00 AED per person

Al Mayyasa launches Lady Gaga inspired collection this season

-colors and creativity dominates  Spring/Summer 2013 Collection with  styles that are bound to turn heads-

Unconventional and unashamed, Lady Gaga is not just a singer; she is an artist and an icon according to all definitions. Her outrageous sense of style has inspired many fans and music lovers. This season, Al Mayyasa has translated this audaciousness into a collection of dresses and formal wear, which not only represents the strong and independent woman of Arabia but also highlights her femininity and elegance. Al Mayyasa’s Spring/Summer 2013 Collection is designed specifically for a woman who values and celebrates her individuality and is not afraid to stand out.

Strong sales of McLaren sports cars support Middle East regional expansion in 2013

• McLaren Automotive exceeds sales expectations in the Middle East for 12C Coupe and 12C Spider during first four months of 2013
• Regional network of McLaren Automotive retailers expands with showroom openings in Manama and Doha, with Riyadh near completion.
• Strong Middle East demand for the company’s next generation ultimate super car, the McLaren P1™, driven by announcement of production run of just 375 cars

McLaren Automotive, the luxury high-performance sports car business that has its Middle East regional headquarters in Bahrain, has experienced an exceptionally strong start to 2013 across the Middle East as it strengthens its GCC network.
A strong end to 2012 for sales of the McLaren 12C Coupe (the reigning Middle East Car of the Year), and 12C Spider, has continued into 2013, with increased production for the region, driven by customer demand, leading to higher than anticipated sales.
Mark Harrison, McLaren Automotive Regional Director Middle East and Africa, said: "Despite a fixed production volume at our UK headquarters, McLaren is expanding its global network by a third in 2013 to over 50 retailers in this, our 50th anniversary year. This naturally increases demand within our network for every car from the planned production volume. Our Middle East retailers anticipated a strong start to the year therefore we secured extra production slots for the first quarter 2013 to support their businesses. It is proving to be an exceptionally encouraging start to the year for us after a great first full year of business in 2012."
And it is not just on the sales front where McLaren is growing, as three new showrooms in the Middle East are set to further strengthen the brand’s position in the region.
The opening of the new landmark McLaren Manama showroom in Bahrain during the 2013 Formula 1™ Gulf Air Grand Prix two weeks ago will soon be followed by the first McLaren showroom in Qatar, due to open in Doha at the end of May. And a temporary McLaren Riyadh facility will also open this month whilst a new permanent state-of-the-art showroom is under construction in the Saudi capital. McLaren is matching strong demand for its 12C model against continued expansion in the region.

The McLaren P1, meanwhile, has engaged and excited potential customers in equal measure following its tour of Bahrain – the home of Mumtalakat, McLaren’s principal shareholder - and the UAE in February in prototype form, and subsequent debut in production form at the 2013 Geneva Auto Show in March.
The Middle East region takes about 10 per cent of all 12C production, wheras demand for the P1 in the Middle East is driving the regional office to try and secure well over 10 per cent of McLaren P1 allocation. But with just 375 P1s confirmed to be built from late-2013, the car will still remain a rarity on the roads of Manama, Dubai or Riyadh.
Mark Harrison commented: “The McLaren P1 made its Middle East debut in Bahrain in early February and moved onto the UAE where it caused quite a stir. I am hopeful that some of the first P1s built later this year will come to the region as there is a huge passion here for both performance and limited edition cars. Our aim for the McLaren P1 is for it to be the best driver’s car in the world, and to build fewer than our main rivals’ supercar models, thereby satisfying that passion.”

Moda Operandi Punk Capsule Collections Unveiled

MODA OPERANDI EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION IN CELEBRATION OF THE 2013 COSTUME INSTITUTE EXHIBITION PUNK: CHAOS TO COUTURE AVAILABLE NOW

Exclusive Designer Pieces, One-of-a-Kind Items, Rare Vintage Fashion, and Art Objects now on ModaOperandi.com
New York, May 2, 2013 – Moda Operandi unveiled today its highly anticipated, exclusive collection that celebrates the 2013 Costume Institute exhibition, Punk: Chaos to Couture. With over 100 extraordinary items, the site showcases new pieces by twelve established and vanguard designers: Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, Eddie Borgo, Ek Thongprasert, Givenchy, House of Waris, Moschino, Prabal Gurung, Preen, Rodarte, Thom Browne, and Vivienne Westwood. Also featured is one-of-a-kind customized clothing, plus rare vintage fashion and art objects that pay homage to punk, ranging in price from $100 to $13,000. To view the collection visit: www.modaoperandi.com/chaostocouture

LookBook Images: https://www.wetransfer.com/downloads/8f1f04a7e60b3773bab3d9caf2f8ba4220130430103225/b3a45566483469ff407ee56995e0210d20130430103225/8e3755

Flat product images:
https://www.wetransfer.com/downloads/9adf962715cea82307726bd05f66b24220130422062625/611bc232d6e7d327f3909fec44a3d42220130422062625/bd3761

More flat product images:
http://we.tl/0vIg4stiai

“The enduring appeal of punk’s avant-garde ideology is that it inspires designers across the spectrum of design sensibility,” said Lauren Santo Domingo, Co-Founder of Moda Operandi. “Each designer has created pieces for this capsule collection that expresses their unique vision of punk’s rebellious spirit.”

In Moda Operandi's exclusive collection, the industry's leading designers pay homage to punk with limited-edition pieces that balance rebellion and refinement; including the doyenne of punk Vivienne Westwood who fashions a corset dress in the anti-establishment’s favorite pattern: tartan. The pièce de résistance of Givenchy’s darkly romantic creations is a studded jacket that strikes the perfect balance between goth and grandeur.

Accessories make use of punk's most iconic adornments. Eddie Borgo offers an intricately hand-studded T-shirt that’s just as at home in an art gallery as it is in your closet. Artistic statements are also made in a selection of one-of-a-kind graffiti’d Dr. Martens. For a dose of authentic anarchy, the collection also features punk-rock records, shredded band tees, and feathered mohawks.

                  

Punk: Chaos to Couture, on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art from May 9 to August 14, focuses on high fashion’s appropriation of punk’s avant-garde aesthetic — a theme symbolic of Moda Operandi’s place at the intersection of time-honored luxury and digital innovation.

Individuals interested in seeing the collection in person can visit Thornwillow at The St. Regis New York, where select pieces are now on display.

About Moda Operandi 
Founded by Áslaug Magnúsdóttir and Lauren Santo Domingo, Moda Operandi is the only place to preorder looks straight from the unedited runway collections of the world’s top designers—months before they are available anywhere else. Channeling this ethos of discovery, Moda Operandi Boutique offers an expertly curated selection of in-season items from both established and emerging designers worldwide. In homage to the history of couture, Moda Operandi offers a bespoke shopping experience that includes unprecedented access to your favorite designers and hand-selected recommendations from personal stylists. Moda Operandi has established a retail renaissance where the time-honored institution of luxury meets an innovative point of view on fashion. For more information visit www.modaoperandi.com

DUBAI'S RESURGENT HOTEL INDUSTRY PRESENTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY

Innovators from the world of sound and light will be looking to make the most of the resurgent hotel and leisure industry across the Gulf when they head to Dubai at the end of May.

PALME Middle East, the annual exhibition for showcasing cutting-edge sound and light technology, will once again be held at Dubai International Convention Centre and there is already a real buzz about this year’s event.

The main factor is the positive progress being made on thousands of hotel and leisure projects in the region – all requiring innovative sound and light equipment, ranging from lights and speakers for their bars and clubs to smaller screens for their in-room solutions.

PALME Middle East Director, Richard Brook, said both exhibitors and attendees are anticipating the event to trigger a plethora of deals.

“During the boom years of development in this region there was obviously a great demand for professional sound and light equipment within the hotel and leisure industry and we could really see that buoyancy at PALME Middle East.

“With the global financial downturn these developments often slowed down or were put on hold.

“However, there can be no denying there is resurgence in the market and that is good news for the best in the world of sound and light who, at PALME Middle East, have the chance to showcase what they have to offer.”

There have been a number of headline announcements since the turn of the year that point to another period of growth for this industry in the Middle East.

Starwood Hotel and Resorts Worldwide are opening 50 new hotels in the region in the next five years to bring the total to 130.

In Dubai there has been a return to “mega project” announcements with these estimated at around $20 billion in the last six months and include Bluewater Islands off the coast of the city.

PALME Middle East is in its 11^th year and will once again bring together the professional sound and light industry's most innovative companies, providing them with a platform to display and sell their groundbreaking kit.

The latest in lasers, DJ equipment and speaker systems is just some of the tech that will be poured over by the thousands of attendees from over 70 countries that will visit the exhibition from May 21st - 23rd.

The world's best known manufacturers, including Tannoy, Meyer Sound and Robe Lighting, will be demonstrating their innovations to consultants, integrators, distributors,installers and end users from a broad spectrum of industries including sports, retail, hospitality, concerts and exhibitions. 

These returning companies will be complemented by first-time exhibitors, including Hive Industries, who provide technical solutions for the AV industry and Portuguese firm, Castros Iluminacoes Festivas SA, whose exterior lighting is used at large-scale events in some of the world's most iconic cities including New York and London.

Lovin My Bags Middle East Follows Global Trend of ‘Personalization’

Launches Bespoke Opulent Crystal on Luxury Leather in Partnership with Crystyled

·         Dubai’s Leading Leather Restoration Boutique Partners with Crystyled - offering outrageous and lavish sparkling works of art on bags, shoes & accessories

·         Katy Perry, Steve Thompson, Kim Kardashian and Frankie Dettori are some of the brand’s international clientele

New York based franchise Lovin My Bags Middle East, has recently teamed up with Crystyled

to offer customers limited edition and bespoke, outrageous and opulent crystallized embellished shoes, bags and other unique pieces on any of their favorite items. At the Lovin My Bags Dubai boutique located at Palm Strip Mall Jumeirah, customers can customize their luxury goods in a variety of patterns that include vintage, luxury, and iconic, amongst others. Lovin My Bags Middle East believes that the global trend of ‘Personalization’ of luxuries is catching up quickly with luxury consumers across the Middle East, as men and women desire more individuality from their purchases.  

Founded in UK in 2008 by Natalie Daghestani, Crystyled masters in a process called ‘Crystyling’, that involves a design or pattern being permanently created on to a product using hundreds and sometimes thousands of Swarovski Crystallized Elements, cameos, charms and embellishments that are adhered individually by hand. The business first operated out of a small studio in the UK, catering to private clients. It was not long before celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Fearne Cotton, Alexa Chung and Peaches Geldof soon became Crystyled fanatics and were spotted using their customized Crystyled products in the international press and media. This led to an increased demand for Crystyled products and resulted in the brand partnering with high-end London stores Selfridges &Co. and Harrods.

Dhiraj Munjwani, Partner at Lovin My Bags Middle East said: “We are thrilled to associate with Crystyled to offer this additional service to our customers through our retail environment. This is a natural fit to our core ‘Leather Restoration’ business as we give customers a unique opportunity to upgrade and personalize their luxuries.”

Natalie Daghestani, Founder, Crystyled, said:“We are excited to reach out to consumers in the Middle East through our association with luxury brand Lovin My Bags Dubai, as they really focus on catering to what customers really demand. We recognize there is a big gap in the market in Dubai for a unique customization service of this kind and assure all our customers with one-of-a-kind designs, quality craftsmanship.”

Crystyled branded products can frequently be seen on many TV shows including ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ on E! and on adverts such as ‘Rimmel London’, for whom Crystyled were commissioned to create a Union Jack iPhone cover for Zooey Deschanel. Crystyled has worked exclusively with Blackberry on launch events in Selfridges & Co. and in store promotions and can proudly list a further number of international celebrities such as Katy Perry, Steve Thompson, Kim Kardashian and Frankie Dettori as our clientele.  

Natalie, who was born in Wales but resided in Dubai for the first eighteen years of her life, returned to Cardiff to study product Design in 2005. After graduating with a First Class Honors degree in 2008, Natalie set her sights at launching her own customization business –  ‘Crystyled’. Crystyled grants clients the luxury and assurance that they can walk into a room and be confident that no other person will have exactly the same embellished accessory.

Crystyled is a brand associated with luxury, style, individuality and sophistication for men and women alike. Providing the perfect excuse to indulge in that little something extra special, or make a truly unique gift for a loved one.

Present & Future of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

With its exciting mix of top-class sportsmanship and glamour, it has earned a reputation as one of the most prestigious events on the international polo calendar and also one of the most important annual tournaments in the region and always attracts a high profile crowd.

The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series 2013 came to an end last 15th March 2013. This year the teams were completely different, with a handicap increased to 16 goals, all the teams had good players and it was a very competitive tournament. In the great final, Ghantoot Polo Team won the Gold Cup 2013 and Habtoor Polo won Silver Cup 2013. 

Dubai Polo Gold Cup organization managed to put all the patrons together to get a fair competition and fair play with everyone.

For the next season “2014” the tournament will be 16 goal handicap. And for “2015”, we will increase the handicap from 16 to 18 goal, to target the highest handicapped tournament in Asia and Africa. Our tournament is getting bigger and our objective is to reach the maximum goal handicap of an International polo tournament.

Dubai Polo Gold Cup series has been growing by leaps and bounds, and at present is one of the most eagerly awaited polo events in the Middle East.