It was the hottest ticket in town and The National had a front-row seat. Designer Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were in the UAE on Monday to meet the press, private clients and officially cut the ribbon on their flagship boutique in Dubai's Mall of the Emirates.
The duo started their day of festivities with an exclusive lunch for select media at Cipriani in the Dubai International Financial Centre. On the menu were starters of braised artichoke hearts alla Romana and king crab salad, followed by roasted veal shank and Chilean sea bass. For dessert, homemade tiramisu and biscotti put a smile on everyone's face.
• Flick through our slide show above to see images of Dolce & Gabbana's day
As the sun set — and with a packed schedule ahead — the designers conducted a meet-and-greet with fans at their new MoE boutique. Every square inch of the 1,103-square-metre space was occupied with members of the public clamouring for that all-important selfie.
Also in attendance was D&G's close friend, Vogue Japan's editor-at-large, Anna Dello Russo. Resplendent in a Dolce and Gabbana crown and hand-sequinned couture cocktail dress, the inimitable fashion guru posed for photos with attendees.
After a quick pit-stop to change for the evening's entertainment, Dolce and Gabbana made their way to The One and Only Royal Mirage for a private dinner with high-net-worth clients and guests, among whom was Vogue Arabia's new editor-in-chief Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz.
The amphitheatre of the hotel's palace had been given an Italian carnevale makeover and hundreds of well-heeled ladies and gents partook of the pair's hospitality until they made a grand entrance around 11pm.
Classic Italian hits from the Rat Pack rang out long after midnight, as Gabbana and Dello Russo entertained the crowds with enthusiastic dancing on a stage designed to look like a pizza restaurant called Trattori-Anna.
Known for their generosity as hosts, flamboyant parties and loyalty to fans, Dolce and Gabbana didn’t disappoint on any count during their flying visit to the region.
• Read more about the behind-the-scenes action from D&G's party here
rduane@thenational.ae
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wes%20Ball%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Owen%20Teague%2C%20Freya%20Allen%2C%20Kevin%20Durand%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20Sandman
%3Cp%3ECreators%3A%20Neil%20Gaiman%2C%20David%20Goyer%2C%20Allan%20Heinberg%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Tom%20Sturridge%2C%20Boyd%20Holbrook%2C%20Jenna%20Coleman%20and%20Gwendoline%20Christie%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
UNpaid bills:
Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN budget in 2019
USA – $1.055 billion
Brazil – $143 million
Argentina – $52 million
Mexico – $36 million
Iran – $27 million
Israel – $18 million
Venezuela – $17 million
Korea – $10 million
Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN peacekeeping operations in 2019
USA – $2.38 billion
Brazil – $287 million
Spain – $110 million
France – $103 million
Ukraine – $100 million
Other key dates
-
Finals draw: December 2
-
Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
-
Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
-
Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.