As the fashion scene across the GCC continues to gain traction, an increasing number of new modestwear talents are emerging from within the UAE.
With its rich cultural history and dynamic, forward-looking modernity, the country is proving to be a ripe incubator for innovation.
Increasingly, designers are mixing traditional ideas that hark back across the generations with the raw energy that comes from living in a melting pot of so many nationalities. The result is a unique take on modestwear, one of fashion's most relatable and wearable trends.
Vivaciosa
One such name is Vivaciosa, which creates sassy, dazzlingly fresh dresses that would look at home on the runways of Milan.
Describing itself as “exclusively dedicated to women who choose to dress modestly”, it sets out to fill a fashion space which has been more of a void until recent years. If the term modestwear conjures images of something shapeless and dull, then think again. Try bias-cut long-sleeve dresses in lavender and amethyst, or a peach, belted batwing kaftan, with a pussybow neck tie.
Helmed by an Emirati and Ukrainian husband-and-wife duo, Vivaciosa hopes to reach the woman who has been, until recently, routinely underserved by other designers. “We understood the struggles that she is faced with and we felt the need to create modest clothing that feels luxurious and takes into account all the nuances of modest dressing,” the brand states.
Beyond
Another emerging name is Beyond, which was founded in 2019 by Khulood Al Nakhi and aims to bring the best of European finishes to the UAE.
Sourcing its materials from some of the finest companies in France and Italy, these are then transformed into flowing abayas and kaftans at the atelier in the Emirates. While many of the pieces are traditional in essence, the hope is to appeal to a much wider audience. “The abaya is our culture and our traditional way of dressing in the GCC,” explains Al Nakhi, “but I want my pieces to be worn in Europe and beyond, by women who are looking for something new and unique.”
As well as the special-occasion black abayas – many dancing with light from metallic threads or cut from shot taffeta that shifts in tone as it moves – there are more relaxed kaftans, made from chiffon printed in psychedelic swirls of lime and orange polka dots. Light in feel and mood, these seem destined for a life on the Cote d’Azure or Rimini's fabled beaches.
Sara Tamimi
Hailing from Abu Dhabi, this eponymous brand is already making waves with its range of 1980s-inspired wares. If power suits, big shoulders and glossy, wet look patent is your thing, then look no further.
Launched during the height of the pandemic, and filled with a brash sense of youthful energy and sass, there are skilful cuts at play behind the deceptively simple silhouettes.
Think of the large-scale check suit for example. With its nod to Giorgio Armani, with its padded shoulders and over-wide trousers, it is easy to miss the single button holding the double-breasted jacket closed, as the fabric follows the waistline. To pull this off successfully is much harder than it appears, and speaks volumes of a pattern well researched and executed.
Or how about the primrose yellow, button-front sundress that hugs the body like a bias cut, but isn't? Again, Tamimi makes it look effortless, while retaining a naive charm.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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The years Ramadan fell in May
'Midnights'
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Maestro
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ASHES SCHEDULE
First Test
November 23-27 (The Gabba, Brisbane)
Second Test
December 2-6 (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
Third Test
December 14-18 (Waca Ground, Perth)
Fourth Test
December 26-30 (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
Fifth Test
January 4-8, 2018 (Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney)
TCL INFO
Teams:
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Company%20profile
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
