K-pop star Doyoung joined Dolce & Gabbana as the luxury label's global ambassador this week. A member of the 10-strong boy band NCT 127, which is itself an offshoot of NCT, the singer, 27, has been hand-picked to represent the Italian brand around the world, for what the company describes as his “distinct style” and “undeniable charisma”.
Dolce & Gabbana is far from alone in looking to the superstars of K-pop to front advertising campaigns and make high-profile appearances at fashion shows, often sitting front row.
In signing Doyoung, Dolce & Gabbana hopes to build a connection to the “passionate fan base” of K-pop, as well as the “fashion enthusiast worldwide”.
It is easy to see why brands from the West are keen to tap into the phenomenon of K-pop. The genre boasts millions of fans around the world, with Spotify reporting almost 8 billion K-pop streams a month last year. It has also driven a spike in Korean language classes.
A wave that started with Psy's 2012 hit Gangnam Style (the first video to hit one billion views on YouTube), its popularity has been bolstered by the screen success of the film Parasite – that won Best Picture at the 2020 Academy Awards – and the series Squid Game. Interest in Korean culture is skyrocketing worldwide, including in the UAE.
With big brands eager to tap into this interest, both to be part of the zeitgeist and to connect with the next generation of consumers, they are falling over themselves to sign up K-pop stars.
Doyoung’s NCT 127 band mate Jungwoo was named the first male brand ambassador in South Korea for Italian brand Tod’s in September, while Taeyong, who is also part of the band, was appointed global brand ambassador for Spanish fashion house Loewe in June.
In May, Jeno Lee, from another NCT spin-off, NCT Dreams, joined Ferragamo as its first global male house ambassador. Something of a fashion veteran already, Lee walked in the Peter Do spring/summer show last September in New York.
As the world's biggest boy band, BTS unsurprisingly has several of its members aligned with big-name brands. Kim Namjoon, popularly known as RM, joined Italian house Bottega Veneta as its ambassador in March, while V (real name Kim Tae-hyung) became brand ambassador for Hedi Slimane's Celine in March.
In January, Valentino snapped up BTS rapper Suga, who now joins Naomi Campbell, Lewis Hamilton and Zendaya as a Di.Va ambassador. Jimin, also from BTS, meanwhile, joined not one but two brands: Dior Men in January and Tiffany & Co in March.
When J-Hope joined Louis Vuitton in February as global ambassador, the house explained the thinking behind the move: “He is beloved by fans across the world for his upbeat energy, precise choreography and creative musical direction.”
Also linked to Louis Vuitton is Jackson Wang. The Hong Kong-born GOT7 member joined the French house at the beginning of the year.
Merely days after their debut at the Lollapalooza festival in August, the band Tomorrow x Together, also known as TXT, joined Dior Men as ambassadors. Kim Jones, the artistic director of Dior Men, explained that the South Korean singers “embody the spirit and singularity of Dior style, a modernity with a timeless signature”.
Meanwhile, the seven-strong band Enhypen signed to Prada in June as global ambassadors. Having already been wearing the Italian brand for a while, their appearance at the autumn/winter 2023 and spring/summer 2024 shows in Milan this year saw hundreds of screaming fans turn out in welcome.
In February, Taeyang from BigBang joined Givenchy as global ambassador, while Versace tapped Hyunjin from Stray Kids in July. Speaking of the latter's appointment, Donatella Versace said: “Hyunjin has great new energy and creativity. I love his confidence and freedom of expression. He is a true Versace man.”
And it is not only the boys who are being snapped up. In October, girl group Le Sserafim joined Louis Vuitton as the faces of a capsule collection launched specifically in South Korea, while Hyein from NewJeans became part of Louis Vuitton in December, despite being just 14 years old.
Her band mate, Danielle, meanwhile, became the global face of Burberry in January. Also from NewJeans, Haerin became the latest to sign up with Dior in April, joining Blackpink's Jisoo who has been with Dior since last February.
In January, Fendi welcomed Yujin from IVE as Korean ambassador, while Mi-Yeon, the singer from (G)I-dle, was named ambassador for Jimmy Choo in August.
No doubt this list will continue to grow as brands double down on the all-important South Asia market. According to DataSpring, South Korea has the highest per capita spending in the world for luxury goods – an average of $325, compared to $280 in the US and just $55 in China.
With the American post-pandemic shopping boom now thought to be slowing, and China's pre-pandemic obsession with luxury goods curtailed by financial uncertainty, South Korea is where all eyes have been fixed this year, a trend that we predict will continue well into the new year.
RIDE%20ON
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Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
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THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
SPECS
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Florence and the Machine – High as Hope
Three stars
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Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
THREE
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Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Squad for first two ODIs
Kohli (c), Rohit, Dhawan, Rayudu, Pandey, Dhoni (wk), Pant, Jadeja, Chahal, Kuldeep, Khaleel, Shami, Thakur, Rahul.
Day 2, stumps
Pakistan 482
Australia 30/0 (13 ov)
Australia trail by 452 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the innings
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
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
The Vines - In Miracle Land
Two stars
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