When Coralie Francois arrived in the UAE a few years ago, it was to work as a fashion buyer for high-end brands Balenciaga, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen.
Needing to gain a full understanding of her new customer, she took time to visit stores and malls, to see who was shopping and, crucially, what they were buying. What she discovered, however, surprised her.
While shoppers for high-end goods were well catered for, as, too, were those craving high-street finds, there was almost nothing aimed at the women wanting something in the middle.
"Walking through the malls, looking at the UAE fashion landscape, a simple conclusion came to my mind," Francois tells The National. "What is on offer between fast fashion like Zara and H&M, and the luxury brands such as Gucci or Dior?"
Seeing a clear gap in the market, in 2016 she launched a tightly curated fashion boutique called Maison Clad.
“Being an entrepreneur has always been at the back of my mind,” she explains.
The aim behind the boutique was very simple: to give women in the UAE access to “a new option of exclusive brands with nice stories, great quality and decent prices".
Situated at La Serre Vida Hotel Downtown in Dubai, it was well received, and soon prompted Francois to open a second site at The Collective by Ripe, in The Courtyard Al Quoz, which she expanded to carry both sportswear and ready-to-wear. Over Christmas 2020, she opened a third site at The Sofitel The Palm Jumeirah.
All three stores are filled with a beautiful array of colourful pieces, from fluted-sleeve tops to floor-length patterned maxi dresses, while tables are set with delicate gold-plated jewellery and shoes sit on shelves around the walls.
Each item is carefully chosen by Francois herself, who uses her experience to source the most interesting, unique pieces she can, thanks to what she describes as her "laser focus".
“We are currently working with 35 brands, but I feel we are still at the beginning,” Francois explains. “Exploring new brands, new ideas and new countries are my obsession. [There is] so much more coming.”
Francois’s passion means that Maison Clad carries myriad options for today’s busy woman. Gym bunnies will enjoy the sportswear (think cropped tops with lattice backs), while those wanting something dressier will find stylish looks for day, as well as chic eveningwear. The latest range that Francois has introduced is beautifully feminine lingerie.
Prior to moving to the UAE, Francois worked for French brand Agnes B as a buyer and product manager, a background she credits with helping her cater to the UAE’s diverse population.
“I used to travel a lot to Hong Kong and Japan, which taught me to understand different cultures, the needs of women in different places of the world and how to adapt," she says.
Despite years of buying experience and an education in fashion management, Francois is adamant that the best advice is found inside boutiques.
“Every single day I am selling in the boutiques, so I can immediately see what works and what is a hit," she says. "I build my purchases based on this.
“Our concept is to bring in small quantities of exclusive novelties weekly, always keeping in mind what my clients want."
Blessed with loyal clients, Francois enjoys that some customers trust her judgment, explaining that “many times, the shopping becomes a personalised styling session".
“The fact that we work with different brands and styles enables us to find a fashion solution for each woman's needs.”
Francois’s eye is the secret to her success, as well as her desire to find what she dubs "clothes which will bring you compliments".
Explaining what this means, she is charmingly frank. “If each time you wear a look from Maison Clad, your family, spouse, colleagues, friends give you compliments ... you will eventually come back to our boutiques. This is how we create a strong base of loyal customers.”
She is quick to admit, however, that her unique eye means that often, clients are eager to keep her to themselves.
Despite some customers' secrecy, however, word is out about Maison Clad and Francois is now shipping to clients across the region, including Lebanon, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, with a four-hour delivery turnaround in Dubai.
"I genuinely wish my clients feel unique and always find something that makes them smile."
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
Under 19 Cricket World Cup, Asia Qualifier
Fixtures
Friday, April 12, Malaysia v UAE
Saturday, April 13, UAE v Nepal
Monday, April 15, UAE v Kuwait
Tuesday, April 16, UAE v Singapore
Thursday, April 18, UAE v Oman
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Aaron Benjamin, Akasha Mohammed, Alishan Sharafu, Anand Kumar, Ansh Tandon, Ashwanth Valthapa, Karthik Meiyappan, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Rishab Mukherjee, Niel Lobo, Osama Hassan, Vritya Aravind, Wasi Shah
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Rest
(Because Music)
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
Netherlands v UAE, Twenty20 International series
Saturday, August 3 - First T20i, Amstelveen
Monday, August 5 – Second T20i, Amstelveen
Tuesday, August 6 – Third T20i, Voorburg
Thursday, August 8 – Fourth T20i, Vooryburg
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
MATCH INFO
Everton 2 Southampton 1
Everton: Walcott (15'), Richarlison (31' )
Southampton: Ings (54')
Man of the match: Theo Walcott (Everton)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
