XEX MAG
Article: Kelly Mills
After a recent journey from NYC to Arabia, I “raise my flag & vote YES” to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). I am sold! The UAE is one of the most remarkable luxury and fashion capitals in the world. Dubai, the most popular city in UAE, is surely the future of fashion, design, technology, hospitality, and anything else that one thinks requires a 21st century overhaul.
In six years that revolution will be televised as the UAE takes center stage as host to the 2020 World Expo, the first held in the MENASA region (Middle East, North Africa and South Asia). The Expos selected theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” is a refreshing statement and reminder that Dubai is ready to redefine the future of the Mid East—and the world–right now. I, for one, hope that I am fortunate enough to be in Dubai for the World Expo and can, once again, be embraced by the luxury, cutting edge lifestyle and culture that is Arabia.
Before our arrival my colleagues, Darlene Gillard and Illeana Hoffman and I, were extremely nervous. Neither one of us had ever traveled to Arabia, and as American citizens, our only perception had been through the lens of paranoid newsreels, and endless gossip. Fortunately, I have a background in middle-eastern studies, and thought I could at least navigate us through the culture and language. Yet, if one isn’t familiar with all the cultural laws, it’s very difficult to know when you’ve broken one. Consequently, no one wants a finger chopped off or to spend a month in jail. Being American citizens and living in a country where rules are made and easily broken, it was a little scary. Yet, the irony of this entire journey rallied around the “old classic rule: never judge a book by its cover.” But more importantly, to always lead with an open mind and heart, and you will forever be pleasantly surprised at what you encounter.
Our journey was almost twenty hours with a layover in Istanbul. If you travel over ten hours and you can afford it, I strongly suggest traveling beyond economy. Turkish Airlines provides a great economic solution to those that can’t afford first class, but still request the comfort. It may not be the royal treatment, but it’s very close to it. The airline provides a comfort class full of luxuries: great food and service, a reclining chair, entertainment, socks and slippers, and free Wi-Fi.
Inflight to Dubai, we missed an entire day. Arriving at three in the morning, our eyes awakened to the energy of the Dubai airport, which favors a futuristic, shopping mall full of holograms and Hermes shops. Our first stop was the H Hotel located at the beginning of 1 Sheikh Zayed Road, which is the main thoroughfare that takes you throughout Dubai and leads you directly to Abu Dhabi. Our Excellence Limo driver was on time to pick us up and graciously carried our bags to our luxurious Mercedes. As we stepped out the airport doors, it was like a scene from a movie. The smell of fresh air and a cool breeze gave you a feeling of splendor and the surroundings felt like you were in a classic Hollywood cinema. Even the hired car smelled of Tom Ford’s Oud Wood Oil and, in that moment, I knew we had really arrived in Dubai. Right on time and in the right place.
Our event and purpose for the trip was NYC Nights, an exclusive exhibit; we premiered during ‘Dubai’s Shopping Month’ at Abu Dhabi’s Shangri – La Hotel and Dubai’s Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. NYC Nights was created to initiate conversations between American and Emirates women and to celebrate high style and cultural cohesion in a global market.
The carefully selected showcase exclusively exhibited American designers: Kevan Hall, Ken’s Antiques, Thale-Blanc Handbags, Jorge Adeler and Pologeorgis Furs. In an arabesque setting of glamour, charm and allure, Diala Makki, one of Dubai’s most famous celebrities, came to support us and tape a segment of her show on Dubai TV. Diala Makki, is a Lebanese journalist who hosts her own signature, weekly show called Mashaheer (Celebrities). Some of her topics include: coverage of international news related to fashion design and red carpet events. Diala’s international appeal and modern take on style and a middle-eastern woman was the perfect essence of NYC Nights.
Diala’s personal style is very chic and internationally more forward than the typical Emirates women. While, we were there we became entranced by the fashion lifestyle of the Arab women comprised of their tea parties, extravagant weddings, wearing elegant abayas and donning fierce makeup. The abaya, a loosely fit robe like garment wore by middle-eastern women, which became the must have piece for my fashion wardrobe. Similar to the kimono, the Arab woman in their abayas walked with feminine intrigue and with a flair of confidence.
What a relief to be away from our western culture of the over exposed stripper-like clothes. I found the abaya a welcome relief from the overexposed flesh that is so popular in western fashion these days. The abaya symbolizes an almost revolutionary statement in fashion eliminating the pressure of body image, yet providing the perfect image that allows a woman to be just a woman. Arriving at the Dubai Mall, we saw ladies chicly dressed in their abayas, and standing next to their Rolls Royce. The Arab style was inspiring and changed my perception of what I thought was an oppressive and antiquated culture. After learning, that these women were also wearing Prada and Gucci underneath their abayas, I found myself falling in love with the dramatic silhouette and the story it told.
As my search to find the perfect abaya continued, I began to introduce myself to women as they entered and exited Prada, Cartier and luxury hotel lounges. After a few conversations, I was invited to an abaya Pop-Up shop. My timing was perfect! My obsession with middle-eastern fashion was to be fed in a sea of stylish abayas and caftans. Each abaya was more elegant than the last and I was flabbergasted by the variety. I had been, until that moment, under the impression that abayas only came in black. How wrong I was. Abayas are available in an array of styles, fabrications, colors and fashion forward trends like color blocking or kimono sleeves. I couldn’t get enough. With my desire for variety satiated, I began to look for the perfect deal!
Abu Hail is a local mall sectioned off for men and women to shop separately. It reminds one of an American plaza mall in the middle of Cincinnati, arabesque style. There is the smell of incense burning, many rolling carts selling craftily made scarves and the popular coal-eye makeup, and children playing while their parents shop throughout the mall. In the distance you can hear the call to prayer. I scoured several shops looking for an abaya in the rough. In a sea of black, I had a preference that I could find something special and I did. I got a great deal on an amazing elegant black abaya with kimono sleeves and back ruching similar to a dressing robe from the 1930’s. The total cost of the abaya was about $80 (around 290 dirham) and was reminiscent of Yohji Yamamoto runway circa 1992. Oh to be young, gifted and stylish!
While in Dubai, the first class service was a force of impeccable sincerity. From the concierge of H Hotel touring us around Abu Hail, to the Excellence Limousine services and smells, to Shangri LA’s front, desk men repairing our internet connections, to Armani’s gracious eight-course meal with desert to boot, and of course, the most luxurious spa/hamam you will ever experience at the Jumeirah’s Talise Spa. I understand Madonna is a regular client of Talise Spa so, if it’s good for Madge then it’s good enough for anyone.
I’ve never known a country so modern and fertile with opportunity. I look forward to returning to UAE, even though I had to travel several hours to reach my destination. This was an experience well worth a lifetime of memories that I will always treasure. After such a life enriching trip and a new abaya for my spring/fall wardrobe, I’ll return to Dubai to watch it become one of the most significant places of cultural exchange in the world and I am very much looking forward to that. Inshaallah!