As Ramadan edges closer, thoughts are turning to spending time with friends and loved ones.
With dedicated collections created especially for Ramadan, it's also an opportunity to support regional labels. Whether you are looking for a whole new outfit, or for an abaya to layer over existing wardrobe staples, here is some fashion inspiration.
Dal
Saudi label Dal has crafted a Ramadan collection in a muted palette of smoky blue, blush pink, ivory and gold. Garments cleverly mix simple materials with sequins, such as a striped kaftan in mocha, with a collar of sequins in grey, peach, orange and silver, and an open-front abaya in midnight blue, with sheer embellished sleeves from elbow to wrist.
Ounass.ae
Amarah
Also from Saudi Arabia is Amarah, founded by designer Arwa Alkadi in 2019. Offering what it calls “new age romance portrayed through a contemporary lens,” its styles, elegant and wearable.
For Ramadan, Bthaina dresses are long and flowing, topped with metallic beadwork detailing on the shoulders and upper arms. With metallic accents in gold and rust, and sleeves that end just below the elbow, these styles are great for teaming with stacked bracelets.
amarahofficial.com
Shatha Essa
Dubai-born label Shatha Essa is offering a Ramadan collection inspired by the lush mangroves of Abu Dhabi. The collection has is made up of understated pieces in earthy tones of sand, cream and taupe, with subtle detailing such as lacework and draped necklines. Other pieces are inspired by water, such as a deep blue kaftan edged with silver sequins.
shathaessa.com
Serrb
Launched in 2018 by three Emirati sisters, Budoor, Noor and Sarah Al Khaja, Serrb's focus is on clean, contemporary designs. This Ramadan is all about colour at Serrb, with a bright and cheerful collection that includes a belted trench coat in rich marigold yellow and a fluid, batwing dress in powder blue satin, featuring sleeves elongated to the floor.
serrb.com
Hashimi
Hashimi, another brand that is headquartered in the UAE, is the brainchild of Emirati designer Fatma AlHashimi. Hashimi's designs use different textures,understated cuts and tonal embroidery, and often feature detailing such as plaited waist bands. For Ramadan, its silk, belted abayas in moss green and ivory feature swirling Rococo patterning, creating a rich quilted feel.
Ounass.ae
Mauzan
Founded in 1991 by Emirati designer Rafia Helal Bin Drai, Mauzan is known for its lacework, and its latest Ramadan collection is no different. Highlights include a Tencel abaya featuring delicately hemmed guipure lace cuffs.
mauzan.com
Bambah
Dubai label Bambah has a variety of kaftans, abayas and dresses for Ramadan, made in vintage-inspired fabrics featuring floral brocades that channel 1960s style. The spring-inspired colour palette features designs in purple, pale yellow, sorbet orange and soft olive, while silhouettes are chic, with dropped, double waists and gathered shoulders.
bambah.com
Illi Studio
The brand, created by Emirati-Moroccan designer Rawdha Thani, offers a new take on the abaya. Although Illi's styles are clean and contemporary, the label focuses on preserving traditional techniques and motifs. Its Ramadan collection comes in a colour palette of soft pastels, such as a blue, tie-dye abaya in ribbed crepe fabric covered in swirls of grey and blues, or an open-front abaya in a diamond weave fabric that echoes the patterns of traditional keffiyah scarves.
illistudio.com
Noor Al Bahrani
Omani designer Noor Al Bahrani's self-titled label offers elegant abayas and dresses. For Ramadan, its collection features crystal-embellished bright kaftans, caught at the waist with plaited belts and co-ords featuring tunic tops and wide-leg trousers.
nooralbahrani.net
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Company%C2%A0profile
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You may remember …
Robbie Keane (Atletico de Kolkata) The Irish striker is, along with his former Spurs teammate Dimitar Berbatov, the headline figure in this season’s ISL, having joined defending champions ATK. His grand entrance after arrival from Major League Soccer in the US will be delayed by three games, though, due to a knee injury.
Dimitar Berbatov (Kerala Blasters) Word has it that Rene Meulensteen, the Kerala manager, plans to deploy his Bulgarian star in central midfield. The idea of Berbatov as an all-action, box-to-box midfielder, might jar with Spurs and Manchester United supporters, who more likely recall an always-languid, often-lazy striker.
Wes Brown (Kerala Blasters) Revived his playing career last season to help out at Blackburn Rovers, where he was also a coach. Since then, the 23-cap England centre back, who is now 38, has been reunited with the former Manchester United assistant coach Meulensteen, after signing for Kerala.
Andre Bikey (Jamshedpur) The Cameroonian defender is onto the 17th club of a career has taken him to Spain, Portugal, Russia, the UK, Greece, and now India. He is still only 32, so there is plenty of time to add to that tally, too. Scored goals against Liverpool and Chelsea during his time with Reading in England.
Emiliano Alfaro (Pune City) The Uruguayan striker has played for Liverpool – the Montevideo one, rather than the better-known side in England – and Lazio in Italy. He was prolific for a season at Al Wasl in the Arabian Gulf League in 2012/13. He returned for one season with Fujairah, whom he left to join Pune.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm
Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh130,000
On sale: now
Copa del Rey
Semi-final, first leg
Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')
Second leg, February 27
Profile box
Founders: Michele Ferrario, Nino Ulsamer and Freddy Lim
Started: established in 2016 and launched in July 2017
Based: Singapore, with offices in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
Sector: FinTech, wealth management
Initial investment: $500,000 in seed round 1 in 2016; $2.2m in seed round 2 in 2017; $5m in series A round in 2018; $12m in series B round in 2019; $16m in series C round in 2020 and $25m in series D round in 2021
Current staff: more than 160 employees
Stage: series D
Investors: EightRoads Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Sequoia Capital India
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
