[Press Release]CHOOSING MR RIGHT CAN OFTEN BE WRONG

Marriage guidance expert at The Bride Show Dubai to offer advice to brides-to-be

The Islamic Affairs Department is taking part in The Bride Show Dubai
 to offer brides-to-be advice building a successful marriage.

Dubai, UAE, 31 March 2011:  The most important decision for any potential bride to be is to choose the right husband to be, according to a leading marriage expert.

Iman Ismail Abdullah Al Hashimi, Manager of Social Projects at the Islamic Affairs Department, believes that too many young women are choosing the wrong husbands and do not think about the qualities of the man and their potential compatibility before they say “I Do”.

Al Hashimi and a team of marriage guidance experts, both male and female, are taking an important role at The Bride Show Dubai this week to reach out to young Arabs and expatriates and talk to them about the implications of marriage both in Islam and other religions.

“While the divorce rate in the Middle East has dropped from 35 per cent to 20 per cent since 2008, there are still far too many marriages which end in the divorce courts and we believe this rate will come down further if young people think carefully about embarking upon any potential union,” said Al Hashimi.

“It’s easy to get caught up in the glamour and sparkle of a wedding – choosing a beautiful dress, table decorations, diamonds and honeymoon destinations – but the most important decision is choosing the right man to build a life with.”

The Islamic Affairs Department’s participation at The Bride Show Dubai is part of a newly launched campaign ‘My Islam, My Identity’ which tackles every element of life for Muslims – from education, to employment, cultural sensitivities to budgeting and housekeeping. 

Getting married, Al Hashimi states, is a pivotal moment every person’s life but the role of the advice clinic is to ask the questions that young people may not ask themselves.

“A beautiful, perfect wedding day is what every girl dreams of and The Bride Show Dubai helps to make those dreams a reality providing all the products and services you could need under one roof,” said Daphne Cota, Exhibition Manager for The Bride Show. 

“We are responding to calls from social commentators in the region to do something to help combat the rate of divorce, which typically occurs among newlywed, young couples.  Family values and the growth of families are especially important to UAE nationals; in order to maintain the stability of the family as the core of a community, the institution of marriage must be addressed. 

“We believe the advice offered by the Islamic Affairs Department will help visitors to The Bride Show Dubai understand the complexities of marriage and the importance of working hard to make a union last.”

The Bride Show Dubai, under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif, Chairwoman of the Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE and wife of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Advisor to the President of the UAE, is open from 2:30pm to 10:30pm, Wednesday 30 March to Saturday 2^nd April 2011 in Sheikh Saeed Halls 1, 2 and 3, Dubai International Exhibition Centre.  

Standard entry is AED10 and VIP tickets cost AED50.  The show is supported by gold sponsor Mohammed Hilal Group and silver sponsors After You Say Yes – SIMA, Khamsa Couture and Zadina.

For all the latest updates on The Bride Show, become a fan on Facebook, www.facebook.com/TheBrideShow or Twitter,www.twitter.com/TheBrideShow.

Fashion Show Schedule

Friday 1 April 5:00pm      Zahia 6:00pm      Louzan 7:00pm      Tijan Trading 8:00pm      Mauzan 9:00pm      M&A Abaya Art

Saturday 2 April

6:00pm   Oriental Red Carpet Competition by Dubai Ladies Club

7:00pm   La Maison Saouli

8:00pm   Dantella Designs

9:00pm   Satya Paul

Unity in Diversity

You know just how much I am in love and passionate about Korea. So, you'll never guess how happy I was when I found out that they will be participating in The Bride Show. I made a mental note to visit their booth the first day that I will be there. It was a good thing that their booth was set up near the the runway, so it was easier for me not to worry if the show is starting already or not.

They were doing nail art, selling some fashionable Korean products, and my favorite, writing people's names in Korean! I definitely had to get mine done! And so I did. :)

This is Sun, a newly-found Korean friend. She wrote my name in Korean. :)

Kamsahamnida Sun! :)

Here I am with my name written in Korean! :)
Loving this H&M dress and check out my geek glasses!
I've been wearing that a lot, so try and spot me in a crowd. :)

 I stayed in their booth longer than anyone else's. And if I had the choice, I would stay there the whole day. But it was really fun talking to them. We bonded over KPOP and our favorite KPOP bands.

So, I brought the little sister the following day to let her see for herself. You see, she's passionate about Korea as well. She even learned their language. And she does look Korean, right?

The little sister with her new Korean  friend :)

Notice what she's wearing? It's called a Hanbok. And it's Korea's traditional dress. It is always worn with bright colors. They usually wear this during New Year's or other traditional celebrations. It's similar to a Japanese kimono, but as you can see they have very different cuts. The jeogori or that piece covering the upper body and arms ends just below the chest, hanging loosely until the hem. On the other hand, the japanese kimono is tied at the waist.

Love her hanbok! It makes me think of Snow White Korean version :)

It was fun meeting everyone at the Korean booth. We even joined the "Win a trip to Seoul for Two" raffle contest, just for the fun of it. And well, we want to go to Seoul. So, I hope we win! :)

Studded: The Bride Show First Day Aftermath

It has already been a week since The Bride Show Abu Dhabi has swept us away, but the memory stays fresh in my mind. Contrary to popular belief that the first day won't be crowded as the next one, well this show's first day was. The place was really big, occupying Halls 5-7 of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

I had a good one hour before the fashion show started, so I took the time to look around a bit. It seemed like the exhibitors and organizers had an unspoken theme for this year's exhibit, because I felt like I was walking in an exotic garden. There were flowers everywhere, from tables, gazebos, chairs, cakes, to dresses themselves. It was more than a pretty sight.

I wonder how much time they've put into preparing, decorating, and moving in everything inside ADNEC. Regardless, they've done a wonderful job, don't you think? Let's congratulate them for a very successful exhibit! Mabrook to everyone who gave their best! It was truly a success!

These lovely dresses are designed by Jugger of Primera Moda. And guess what? Jugger is actually a Filipino. It makes me proud! I wanted to talk to him more about his designs and their collection, but he had a lot of customers at that time and the show was almost starting. So, I would be meeting with him sometime soon for an interview. I find interviews very fun now. I love getting to know and getting close with designers. They inspire me a lot. :)

Diamonds are a girl's best friend
That thought came into my mind when I saw Tony Yaacoub's creations brought to life. The whole show was really studded. Studded dresses. Studded with media. And most importantly, studded with a lot of people! The place was packed. Even the press area was packed as well. I was sad not to get a good vantage point. But I've got to do what I came to do, which was to take photos. So, I just did my best. And I actually enjoyed this angle. It made me work extra harder.

Please don't make me choose which one I love from all of them. I was literally blown away. Each dress is more stunning and more beautiful than the previous one. Tony Yaacoub is a genius. I wish I was able to talk to him after the show, but he was so busy and hard to get a hold of. I hope I can talk to him the next time he comes to Abu Dhabi. :)

Tony Yaacoub with his lovely models

I left the show early, because I still had things to do for school. It's really too bad that I was only able to catch the first show. I know I missed out on a lot, especially after they revealed Mona Al Mansouri's Butinah-inspired dress. It was very well-done and for a good cause. :)

from The Bride Show Facebook page

I felt like Ariel, the Little Mermaid, was walking down the runway. It's absolutely beautiful. Let's hope that more designers will get inspired to create something for a good cause. There's been a fair amount of them recently, so I hope that there will be more for this year. :)

The first day of The Bride Show was indeed a success! It exceeded expectations, if I may say. There were really a lot of people who came, considering that it was a weekday. All the effort of the organizers, sponsors, exhibitors, designers, and the whole staff totally paid off. I want to congratulate The Bride Show team again for a job well-done! It's definitely one of the best shows that Abu Dhabi has seen. :)

[Press Release] HER HIGHNESS SHEIKHA SHEIKHA BINT SAIF INAUGURATES THE BRIDE SHOW ABU DHABI 2011

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi has been officially opened by Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif and offers brides-to-be a one stop shop for organising their wedding day.  The event runs until Saturday 5 February at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2 February 2011:  Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif, wife of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, today officially opened The Bride Show Abu Dhabi to launch a four-day showcase in the UAE capital for fashion followers, fiancés and their families.

After cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the shopping exhibition at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif, toured the halls which have brought together foremost wedding industry businesses to provide an all-inclusive bridal experience under one roof before she enjoyed a private catwalk preview of dresses by celebrity fashion designer Tony Yaacoub, taking part in the event for the first time.

The private fashion show was followed by the presentation of a cheque for AED45,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE, the official charity of The Bride Show Abu Dhabi.

Daily fashion shows will unveil traditional and modern bridal looks and with many exhibitors offering exclusive discounts and fantastic competition prizes such as a complete wedding package worth AED100,000 given away to a lucky visitor courtesy of La Fete Weddings, the event is expected to attract more than 15,000 visitors from around the region.

With the bridal event taking place just before the most romantic date in the year, Valentine’s Day celebrations are hot on many exhibitors’ and visitors’ lips.  Arushi, one of the most established design houses in Dubai, has designed an eye popping cocktail dress which will be given away to a visitor to wear to impress her loved one on the most romantic day of the year.

Platinum Sponsor, Corniche Hospital today launched its emirate-wide public health awareness campaign targeting young women who will soon start their own families.

A team of female doctors, dieticians and health experts from Corniche Hospital will be available at The Bride Show Abu Dhabi until Saturday 5 February at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, offering advice and giving away a free three month’s supply of pre-natal vitamins suitable for all women. 

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi, organised by IIR Middle East, is the most prestigious bridal exhibition in the UAE capital and takes place daily until Saturday 5 February 2011 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Open to the public from 2:30pm-10:30pm daily, with admission reserved exclusively for women on Thursday 4 February, The Bride Show Abu Dhabi has attracted an international line-up of more than 200 exhibitors who areshowcasing wedding gowns, international haute couture fashion, beauty, hair and jewellery ideas, wedding venues and honeymoon destinations.

For live updates direct from the exhibition floor, visit www.facebook.com/TheBrideShow orwww.twitter.com/TheBrideShow.  The Bride Show Abu Dhabi is followed by The Bride Show Dubai which takes place from 30 March to 2 April 2011 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. 

Fashion Show Schedule

Wednesday 2 February 6:00pm   Celebrity fashion designer Tony Yaacoub 7:00pm   Al Mansouri Fashion 8:00pm   Awatif Al Hai 9:00pm   Al Motahajiba Thursday 3 February 5:00pm   MH Fashion Design 6:00pm   Trio Couture 7:00pm   Anmar Couture 8:00pm   Arushi 9:00pm   Sogha

Friday 4 February 5:00pm   Solida 6:00pm   Dar Viva 7:00pm   Sposa by Shiva Taba 8:00pm   Dar Sara High Fashion 9:00pm   Dar Maryam Al Shaibani Saturday 5 February 5:00pm   Abaya Design Awards, sponsored by Persil Abaya Shampoo 6:00pm   Smooth Lady 7:00pm   Louzan 8:00pm   ChoCo’a 9:00pm   Primera Moda La Femme Couture

[Press Release] FASHIONISTAS GO GAGA OVER EDIBLE FASHION SHOW AT THE BRIDE SHOW ABU DHABI

You guys, check out what came into my mail today! It's the official Press Release from The Bride Show, Abu Dhabi regarding some news for the fashion show on Saturday, February 5. Read on and find out why you have to be there to witness this historic fashion event! :)

UAE capital’s most prestigious bridal event opens with dresses good enough to eat

  The 19 fashion shows at The Bride Show Abu Dhabi this year are sure to be another hit with visitors and brides-to-be.

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 1 February 2011:  As The Bride Show Abu Dhabi prepares to open its doors to the UAE capital’s fashionistas and brides-to-be tomorrow (Wednesday 2 February) it has been revealed that this year some of the runway designs will literally be good enough to eat. 

New exhibitor, ChoCo’a, will showcase its incredible Lady Gaga-esque edible outfits on the runway at The Bride Show Abu Dhabi.  Models will storm the catwalk wearing a wedding cake hat, a chocolate dress, a Hermes Birkin handbag cake and a leather dress embellished with brightly coloured macaroons.  One model will be covered in traditional henna designs stenciled in chocolate rather than conventional dye.

The fashion show is the latest creative craze that ChoCo’a, a family-owned manufacturer and retailer of unique chocolate products and confectionery, brings to the UAE market.  The chocolate artisans unveiled earlier this week their Spring/Summer 2011 collection of chocolates which takes its inspiration from the fashion colour pallet reigning over the runways this year; citrus yellow, lime green and orange.

The fashion show at The Bride Show Abu Dhabi is in response to a recent trend among esteemed haute couture houses where food and fashion combine.  World famous designer Karl Lagerfeld is now turning his talents to the kitchen, creating crab salads at Café de Flore and chocolate Yuletide logs at Le Nôtre in Paris.  And Chanel’s lollipops, ice-cream cones and popcorn means that fashion really is good enough to eat. 

You can even buy designer water thanks to a series of collaborations between Evian and Issey Miyake, Jean Paul Gaultier, Paul Smith and Christian Lacroix

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi, running from 2 to 5 February at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, is an ideal venue for fashion fabulous ideas.  The four day bridal extravaganza will be opened by its patron Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif, wife of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Joining the event for the first time and opening the four days of fashion shows on Wednesday 2 February at 6pm, is celebrity designer Tony Yaacoub, famous for dressing stars like Nancy Ajram, Najwa Karam and Majida El Roumy with luxurious, crystal-studded gowns. 

Other highlights on the opening day runway include fresh and innovative bridal looks by UAE designer Al Mansouri Fashion and Kuwaiti designer Awatif Al Hai and evening wear by Al Motahajiba.  The team of professional models will be styled backstage by MAC Cosmetics and L’Oréal Professionnel.

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi, organised by IIR Middle East and sponsored by Corniche Hospital, is the most prestigious bridal exhibition in the UAE capital and takes place daily from Wednesday 2 to Saturday 5 February 2011 at ADNEC from 2:30pm to 10:30pm.  Admission is reserved exclusively for women on Thursday 3 February; entry is 10dhs.

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi is followed by The Bride Show Dubai which takes place from 30 March to 2 April 2011 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. 

Fashion Show Schedule

Wednesday 2 February 6:00pm   Celebrity fashion designer Tony Yaacoub 7:00pm   Al Mansouri Fashion 8:00pm   Awatif Al Hai 9:00pm   Al Motahajiba Thursday 3 February 5:00pm   MH Fashion Design 6:00pm   Trio Couture 7:00pm   Anmar Couture 8:00pm   Arushi 9:00pm   Sogha

Friday 4 February 5:00pm   Solida 6:00pm   Dar Viva 7:00pm   Sposa by Shiva Taba 8:00pm   Dar Sara High Fashion 9:00pm   Dar Maryam Al Shaibani Saturday 5 February 5:00pm   Abaya Design Awards, sponsored by Persil Abaya Shampoo 6:00pm   Smooth Lady 7:00pm   Louzan 8:00pm   ChoCo’a 9:00pm   Primera Moda La Femme Couture

Outaf's touch

Outaf Adnan of TRIO Couture

With the Bride Show only days away, it is a miracle that Outaf Adnan of TRIO Couture found the time to sit down with me and talk about her collection for the upcoming show.

The first time I walked in Outaf's studio for a photo shoot some time late last year, I was mesmerized. It wasn't grand or as big as Harvey Nichols or the Chanel boutique on Rue Cambon, but it had a touch to it. Outaf's touch. Just like all her designs, her space is as personal and unique as it can get. It was neat, with every little detail taken care of by Outaf. Everything was in its place.

"This is real work. This is how I work." - Outaf Adnan

But this time around, the room was filled with fabrics, pins, and sewing materials. Regina, her assistant, was on the floor giving the final touches for two dresses that were going to be part of the show. Outaf, probably sensing my shock, told me with a smile, "This is real work. This is how I work."

After taking a few photos of the two dresses that she has allowed me to make public, she invited me over to the couch where I had numerous shots of for the photo shoot we had last year.

"So tell me what you want to know." She asked. Outaf has always been very helpful to and supportive of young fashion designers-in-the-making like me. She believes that the young designers have so much potential, and with proper and adequate experience, they could give the veterans and the professionals a run for their money.

First, I ask her about how TRIO Couture started. "TRIO Couture is founded by myself and two of my friends, Fatima Kaddas and Houda Al Shamsi. We've been planning this for three years, but it was only in September of 2010 that we officially opened." Hence the name, TRIO Couture.

She stops and excuses herself for a while to check how the dresses were going. And when she got back, we continued where we left off. "I've been working in the industry for more than 20 years, 14 years in Baghdad and around 8 years here in Abu Dhabi. But, ever since I was young, being a child of a leather crafts businessman, I became very familiar with all the machines. My father owns a big factory that produces leather goods, from belts to bags. I was in there a lot. And that was what started my love for fashion. I am very hardworking. I couldn't last a long time without doing anything. Ask my daughters. They know this very well." she tells me with a laugh, gesturing to her eldest daughter, Mina, who is also helping her mother with the collection. Mina just nods and smiles at me in agreement.

But who is Outaf? I was expecting a very straightforward answer, like telling me directly what she thinks of herself and of how she works. But instead, she tells me, "I can be anything. I have a lot of ideas, but I am still eager to learn. I think I have a lot of things to show, and if given the chance, I will show them." I think the way she answered made me more excited to see her show. It was like a cliff-hanger, making the reader or the audience guess what will happen next. It is very stimulating, which I think is just what the fashion world needs nowadays.

And now she has that chance. The Bride Show 2011 is her first show  in Abu Dhabi to show the people here what she's capable of. "I don't have a specific inspiration for this collection. In fact, it is a wide variety of my own style. It will show you the many faces of Outaf." She says laughing. Does this collection have a name? She ponders for a moment before telling me that she really didn't think about it, but "The Many Faces of Outaf" caught her attention, so she left it at that.

She continued to tell me that if there was one consistent inspiration for this collection it would be the fabrics that she has used. "Whenever I design, the fabrics talk to me. It tells me what it wants to look like. It's like.." She trails off, thinking of the right word. Magic? I suggested. And she agreed. "Yes, yes. It's like magic. Everything just falls into place."

a sneak peek of her collection for The Bride Show

"This collection will be featuring 23 haute couture dresses, 3 wedding dresses, 5 simple dresses with glamorous chiffon abayas over them, and around 4 stylish abayas that reflects my personal style. I played a lot with tulle, because it gives me the right volume for the shape of the woman." She adds.

There will be around 16 designers that will be joining this show, Lebanese designer Tony Yaacoub among them. What distinguishes your designs from others? "I want to make abayas that all people can wear, not just the Arabs. I want each woman's personality to reflect her personal style. I want her to carry the dress in a way that she shines brighter, not the other way around." It is one of the things I admire about her. She knows and understands her market very well without trying to. It was just natural. You could say that this is something that she was born to do.

"Here in my shop, I only sell 3 or 4 pieces for each design. My designs are exclusive and unique. You won't find it anywhere. They're simple, but they have a touch."She said as she gave me a sneak peek of what to expect on her show on the 3rd of February at the ADNEC.

I was blown away. I started jumping up and down like a little girl and hugged her. I can't wait to see them all on the runway. But before we come to an end, I remembered to ask her what advice she can give to young designers and enthusiasts who are in their own journey to become the designer that they want to be.

"Be patient. Things like these don't happen overnight. Work really hard. Try, try, and try again. Experiment. Be open to learning new things. Stitch. Design. Work with patterns. But most of all, learn from your mistakes."

Outaf is really an inspiration to a lot of designers who are just starting in the industry. I even told her that she seemed like the Middle East version of Coco Chanel, because of her love for fabrics and with how she started. Her collection is definitely a must-see at this year's Bride Show.

TRIO Couture will be showcasing their collection on the 3rd of February at 6pm in ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre).

Here comes The Bride!

No. I'm not getting married. Not yet. :) But I'm sure there's quite a lot of women there who are already onto planning their perfect wedding day. Planning a wedding is not easy. Ask your friends who have gone through the whole process already, and they will tell you that it involves tears, sweat, and tantrums. But if you have the right essentials, then wedding planning can be as easy as counting your fingers. And where else can you find everything you need from wedding dresses to shoes, perfumes, accessories, and the best wedding/events planners of the region?

IIR Middle East Ltd. brings you The Bride Show 2011, Abu Dhabi. Every year, since 2001, fashion couture houses/labels, wedding/event planners, photographers, and wedding experts gather together to cater to the women who are planning their perfect wedding. The creams of the crop. They are the best of the best. And this opportunity only happens once a year. So, whether or not you are planning your wedding, The Bride Show is still the place to be.

They also have prepared something special this year. Tony Yaacoub, fashion designer to the stars, will be the one to open the fashion show on February 2, 2011 at 6pm. The fashions show will start daily at 6pm, featuring 4 fashion designers each day. 

The Bride Show, 2010

The Bride Show 2010

All images are from automobilsport.com

**FASHION SHOW SCHEDULE

Wednesday, 2nd February
6 pm	Celebrity Fashion Designer, TONY YAACOUB
7 pm	AL MANSOURI FASHION
8 pm	AWATIF AL HAI
9 pm	AL MOTAHAJIBA

Thursday, 3rd February
6 pm	TRIO COUTURE
7 pm	ANMAR COUTURE
8 pm	ARUSHI
9 pm	SOGHA

  

Friday, 4th February
6 pm	DAR AL VIVA
7 pm	SPOSA by SHIVA TABA
8 pm	DAR SARA HIGH FASHION
9 pm	DAR MARYAM AL SHAIBANI

Saturday, 5th February
5 pm	THE ABAYA DESIGN AWARDS sponsored by PERSIL ABAYA SHAMPOO
6 pm	SMOOTH LADY
7 pm	LOUZAN
8 pm	CHOCO'A
9 pm	PRIMERA MODA LA FEMME COUTURE

For more information and updates, please do visit their official website: http://thebrideshow.com/AbuDhabi/. Follow their official Twitter account: http://twitter.com/TheBrideShow. Like their official Facebook page, http://facebook.com/TheBrideShow.

Single ladies need not to fret, for this event is also for you! It is the ultimate shopping destination. They have more than 300 exhibitors all catering to fashionistas who are on the search for the latest fashion trends and beauty products. So, be in your most comfortable shoes and be at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on the 2nd of February 2011 (WEDNESDAY). Can't make it on a weekday? Don't worry. The Bride Show, Abu Dhabi is here to stay until the 5th of February 2011 (SATURDAY). It will start at 2:30pm and will end at 10:30pm.

Clear your week schedule now and bring your best girl friends (the best shopping buddies ever!) to the show. I'm sure that you will all enjoy it. I am looking forward to seeing all of you there! :)

All information within this post has been taken from the Official website of the Bride Show, Abu Dhabi. No copyright infringement intended.