A look by Zuhair Murad Haute Couture. EPA
A look by Zuhair Murad Haute Couture. EPA
A look by Zuhair Murad Haute Couture. EPA
A look by Zuhair Murad Haute Couture. EPA

Haute couture autumn/winter 2018-19: our favourite looks from the runway so far


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As the very height of fashion expertise, the haute couture collections are the most hotly anticipated shows of the entire fashion calender, where designers and makers test the very limits of what is possible. Best seen as little works of art, rather than clothes - and affordable to only a handful of women worldwide - the shows offer a glimpse into a very privileged world. Here are some of the highlights so far.

Valentino

What a wonderful world Valentino creates, filled with colour, frills and oh-so-much volume.

A look by Valentino. Getty Images
A look by Valentino. Getty Images

Jean Paul Gaultier

Amid the expected craziness from the former enfant terrible of fashion, the show had its moments of sublime craft and sophistication.

A look by Jean-Paul Gaultier. Getty Images
A look by Jean-Paul Gaultier. Getty Images

Guo Pei

A restrained show by Pei's normal standards, but this caged dress, based on architecture, was beautifully complex.

A look by Guo Pei. Getty Images
A look by Guo Pei. Getty Images

Fendi

With mulitple looks using sequins, chiffon and tulle instead of fur, was Fendi signalling a move in a new direction?

A look by Fendi. Reuters
A look by Fendi. Reuters

Zuhair Murad

Outdoing even himself, this collection was breathtaking in its beauty and technical mastery.

A look by Zuhair Murad. EPA
A look by Zuhair Murad. EPA

Maison Margiela

Oh, to get a glimpse into the mind of John Galliano. His latest couture collection for Maison Margiela is a strange but glorious journey through recycling, deconstruction and virtual reality as seen through the prism of a creative tour de force.

A look from Maison Margiela. Getty Images
A look from Maison Margiela. Getty Images

Franck Sorbier

Part dance piece, part couture show, Franck Sorbier's collection explored the fine line between haute couture and theatrical costume. Beautifully crafted from feathers and tulle, this is the stuff of dreamlike whimsy.

A look from Franck Sorbier. EPA
A look from Franck Sorbier. EPA

Alexandre Vauthier

By far the strongest look from Alexandre Vauthier was this burnt sienna asymmetric dress over crumpled snakeskin boots.

A look from Alexandre Vauthier. Getty Images
A look from Alexandre Vauthier. Getty Images

Armani Prive

The master of understated elegance, Armani sent out this look that combined a velvet sheath dress with a veil that segued into a sleeved bolero.

A look from Giorgio Armani Prive. Getty Images
A look from Giorgio Armani Prive. Getty Images

Xuan Couture

The designer Xuan-Thu Nguyen may not have the scale of a grand runway show yet, but this look of couture as daywear was breathtaking in its boldness.

A look by Xuan Couture. EPA
A look by Xuan Couture. EPA

Chanel

In a tough and urban-inspired show, Chanel delivered this stunning hybrid of an LBD under a slashed, oversized knitted wrap skirt

A look from Chanel. Getty Images
A look from Chanel. Getty Images

Giambattista Valli

Proving that he remains the master of dishevelled tulle, Valli's confection in aqua was positively dreamy.

A look from Giambattista Valli. AFP
A look from Giambattista Valli. AFP

Iris Van Herpen

Using cutting-edge technology, Van Herpen stunned with this hypnotic mirrored headpiece.

A look from Iris Van Herpen. Reuters
A look from Iris Van Herpen. Reuters

Christian Dior

Nude feathers provided movement in this otherwise simple silhouette.

A look from Christian Dior. Getty Images
A look from Christian Dior. Getty Images

Schiaparelli

In an animal-themed show, Schiaparelli presented this gilded cat mask, paired with a bold leopard print look.

A look from Schiaparelli. Reuters
A look from Schiaparelli. Reuters

Another look was this shocking - also known as Schiaparelli pink - pink watered silk gown, with butterfly mask

A shocking pink watered silk gown from Schiaparelli. Reuters
A shocking pink watered silk gown from Schiaparelli. Reuters

Eva Minge

This breathtakingly romantic dress, with its layers of tulle and a bow at the nape of the neck, is by Eva Minge.

This romantic frothy gown is by Eva Minge. Getty Images
This romantic frothy gown is by Eva Minge. Getty Images

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Givenchy

In a couture collection dedicated to the house's founder Hubert de Givenchy, artistic director Clare Waight Keller created looks that celebrated his legacy, such as this two-toned dress that sat proud on the body.

A sculptured look by Givenchy, 2018-2019 Fall/Winter Haute Couture
A sculptured look by Givenchy, 2018-2019 Fall/Winter Haute Couture

Another highlight was a white cape that folded, envelope-style, around the torso.

A wrap like cape as part of the Givenchy Haute Couture Fall Winter 2018/2019 show
A wrap like cape as part of the Givenchy Haute Couture Fall Winter 2018/2019 show
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to donate

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Cinco in numbers

Dh3.7 million

The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown

46

The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.

1,000

The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]

50

How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday

3,000

The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

1.1 million

The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.

Results

2pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m, Winner: AF Thayer, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).

2.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: AF Sahwa, Nathan Crosse, Mohamed Ramadan.

3pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,000m, Winner: AF Thobor, Szczepan Mazur, Ernst Oertel.

3.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 2,000m, Winner: AF Mezmar, Szczepan Mazur, Ernst Oertel.

4pm: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup presented by Longines (TB) Dh 200,000 (D) 1,700m, Winner: Galvanize, Nathan Cross, Doug Watson.

4.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,700m, Winner: Ajaj, Bernardo Pinheiro, Mohamed Daggash.

What is Folia?

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.

Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."

Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.

In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love". 

There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.

While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EQureos%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E33%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESoftware%20and%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Name: Brendalle Belaza

From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines

Arrived in the UAE: 2007

Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus

Favourite photography style: Street photography

Favourite book: Harry Potter

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Small%20Things%20Like%20These
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Sarfira

Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal 

Rating: 2/5

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

WORLD CUP FINAL

England v South Africa

Yokohama International Stadium, Tokyo

Saturday, kick-off 1pm (UAE)

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
AUSTRALIA SQUADS

ODI squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa

Twenty20 squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa

BAD%20BOYS%3A%20RIDE%20OR%20DIE
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A%20QUIET%20PLACE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lupita%20Nyong'o%2C%20Joseph%20Quinn%2C%20Djimon%20Hounsou%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMichael%20Sarnoski%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
GROUPS

Group Gustavo Kuerten
Novak Djokovic (x1)
Alexander Zverev (x3)
Marin Cilic (x5)
John Isner (x8)

Group Lleyton Hewitt
Roger Federer (x2)
Kevin Anderson (x4)
Dominic Thiem (x6)
Kei Nishikori (x7)

The specs: 2019 Cadillac XT4

Price, base: Dh145,000

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Power: 237hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sav%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Purvi%20Munot%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24750%2C000%20as%20of%20March%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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

PAST 10 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNERS

2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2012 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2011 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2010 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2008 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)

The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases -  but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

HAJJAN
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Abu%20Bakr%20Shawky%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3EStarring%3A%20Omar%20Alatawi%2C%20Tulin%20Essam%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al-Hasawi%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A