UAE National Day

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In celebration of the UAE’s 50th anniversary, Emirati talents took a walk from the “past to the future” with Level Shoes in collaboration with Vogue Arabia. Traveling between Dubai’s old landscapes and its contemporary sky rises, the upbeat production showcases a fashion-forward moment of unity, and Level Shoe’s nod to the Golden Jubilee.
Opening in a setting of old Dubai colored by landscapes of greenery and palm trees, the lens joins Sarah Alagroobi, Sarah Alhashimi, Rashed Al Nuaimi, Ahmad Almuhassin, and Aqib Anwar in a fun storyline. Panning to each one’s footwear, the video may just have you tapping your feet to its beats too. As things speed up, Level Shoes takes watchers on a journey from day to night, jumping from open lands to a ballroom urban Dubai, the perfect setting for a celebration of the nation’s 50th National Day.
Powered by the Chalhoub Group, Level Shoes aims to join more than 200 international luxury footwear and accessories brands with a community of over 12 regional brands under one roof. “Through such collaborations, we lead trends with unique creations that also resonate with our global visitors. Our goal is to stand out as ‘the’ inspiring space and collaborative hub that constantly delights customers from everywhere,” shared Elisa Bruno, General Manager at Level Shoes.
Always recognizable by its ornate facade within the Dubai Mall, Level Shoes has been giving avid shoppers a seamless shopping experience for years now, and also decided to open its doors in Saudi Arabia within A Concept by MUSE, while maintaining an online app that delivers to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait. “Today, when we look back on the incredible journey of Level Shoes, we are filled with pride at the way the brand has exceeded our promises. Always on-trend in offerings and perceptive about shifting demands, Level Shoes has continued to be a destination of choice for our local consumers while engaging our global audience,” revealed the group president, Patrick Chaloub.Featuring Sarah Alagroobi, Sarah Alhashimi, Rashed Alnuaimi, Ahmad Almuhassin, Aqib AnwarDirecting and Editing: Photo BoutiqueCinematography: Karim FouadFirst AC: Steven SamyStyle: Jade ChiltonHair: Olive JeanneMakeup: Michel KiwarkisProduction: Danica ZivkovicColour Grading: LZRDStyle assistant: Anusha HittalmakkiProduction assistant: Rama NaserShot on location at Jumeirah Al Qasr, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, DIFC and ballroom at Raffles The Palm
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Words by HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, the “Mother of the Nation”. Calligraphy by Diaa Allam
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, the “Mother of the Nation,” has penned an exclusive essay for the December 2021 issue of Vogue Arabia, marking the 50th anniversary of the nation. “Tangible success was made possible by investing in the UAE’s citizens and building their capacities and capabilities to realize our shared ambitions in the pursuit of a progressive nation and compassionate humanity,” she writes. “As we draw on the UAE’s achievements in supporting and empowering women, we remember the historic moment, 50 years ago, on the rise of the morning sun on December 2, 1971, and the declaration of the Union. Our citizens woke to our late founding father’s voice as he said, ‘The state gives priority to building mankind and caring for its citizens in every way, that is the real wealth of this land, and it is the most valuable asset in this country.’” Some of her words are reproduced on the publication’s main cover, illustrated by UAE calligraphy artist Diaa Allam.
Guardians of Heritage at the General Women’s Union. Photographed by Francesco Scotti
Editor-in-chief Manuel Arnaut remarks, “It is a veritable honor to work on this issue, bursting with incredible profiles of Emiratis, leaders, and UAE residents who all co-exist in this country that promotes happiness and greatness. This was a special year for Vogue, where the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee started early, initially with the cover of HH Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and in September, with the cover story featuring HH Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.”
Also in this celebratory issue, HE Hend Al Otaiba gives her first in-depth interview in the region since her appointment as the UAE’s first female ambassador to France this past summer. She underscores that she intends to help evolve the view of Arab women abroad, stating, “Women empowerment has always been a key issue for me.” Another inspiring Emirati featured in this month’s pages is Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, the first woman from the Middle East and the second one to lead the International Publisher’s Association since its founding in 1896. “The fact that I am only the second woman to be appointed to this post, and an Arab woman at that, speaks volumes about how the organization is changing – it reflects a more diverse industry and one that is more inclusive,” she says.
As part of Vogue Arabia’s Golden Jubilee edition, we explore fashion through the lens of culture with a visit to the Guardians of Heritage in Abu Dhabi, who share the secrets to their ancient crafts of Al-Tali crafting, sadu, sewing, and henna engraving. In another exclusive, HH Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan reveals the second chapter of her collaboration with Bulgari, with a line that aims to share the values of her grandfather, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Father of the Nation.
The Seddiqi family photographed by David Wang for Vogue Arabia December 2021
In regional fashion, Salama Alabbar, the founder of Symphony boutique, gives new insight into her beginnings, sharing, “Growing up, we lived a simple life, as many Nineties kids did, while watching my father [Mohamed Alabbar founder of Emaar Properties] work hard and sacrifice a lot to get to where he is today.” Another family making a global impact from the UAE and abroad is the Seddiqi family, who started their jewelry business 70 years ago, even before the country was unified. Abdul Hamied Ahmed Seddiqi, Chairman at Seddiqi Holding, divulges on his family business, a veritable powerhouse group that includes Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, Seddiqi Properties, Swiss Watch Services, Dubai Watch Week, and Mizzen. Hind Abdul Hamied Seddiqi, Director General of Dubai Watch Week, also speaks on creating and leading a top tier platform for knowledge and networking.
Salama Mohamed photographed by Greg Adamski for Vogue Arabia December 2021
Showing Dubai is a land of opportunities for both local and foreigners, the Dubai-based couturiers behind Michael Cinco, Amato, and Ezra Couture opens up about building their respective fashion empires in the UAE, having arrived in the Emirates in the Nineties, and becoming leaders on the regional fashion scene with an international celebrity following. All this and more in the December 2021 issue of Vogue Arabia.
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Photo: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana has joined in the UAE’s 50th National Day celebrations with an exclusive collection. Inspired by the colors of the UAE flag, the collection will be released in mid-October 2021, and will be showcased on the shelves in the house’s boutiques around the country.
Photo: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana
Inspired by the country’s innovative instinct, dynamism, and strong character, the collection includes NS1 sneakers, shopping bags, keychains, caps, and a purse handle foulard, for men, women, and kids. To illustrate the authenticity of the territory, its birthplace, and its fast development, the Italian fashion house has created the captivating designs in a handwritten style. Words of admiration, loyalty, graffiti, and logos are also painted on the pieces for those looking to display love for their country in style.
The Gold Glass Dress. Photo: Courtesy of UNXD x Dolce & Gabbana
This collection is not the first project to demonstrate the country’s connection with Dolce & Gabbana. In fact, the Italian fashion house has previously shown support by auctioning its first nine-piece NFT (non-fungible token) collection on the Dubai-based digital luxury marketplace, UNXD. Titled Collezione Genesi, it set a record for fashion NFTs by being auctioned for over US $6 million. In this collection, five were physically made designs and the rest were digital pieces exclusively sketched out by the brand’s designers and later used in the metaverse.
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As the UAE celebrates its 49th National Day, there’s no better time to #buylocal. There’s a special relevance, too, in the fact that supporting local, smaller and emerging brands is so pertinent following a Covid-induced tough financial year for the fashion industry. Despite the challenges, Emirati designers are continuing to create, infusing their signatures with […]
The post The 8 Emirati Fashion and Jewelry Brands You Need to Buy Now appeared first on Vogue Arabia.

Whether you plan on staying in with your family for the long weekend or are going on a quick getaway – granted you take the necessary coronavirus precautions, of course – you can still show your nearest and dearest how much you care for them on UAE National Day with some choice gifts.
If you haven’t had a chance to hit the malls yet, fear not as we’ve curated the ultimate gift guide for you that will truly impress even the most hard-to-please friend. From luxurious jewelry pieces to classic sartorial staples, designer makeup palettes to scented candles, we’ve selected 10 great gift ideas.
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