20 Emirati Designers Grab Attention at WJMES Golden Jubilee

People visit the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show. (WAM)
People visit the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show. (WAM)
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20 Emirati Designers Grab Attention at WJMES Golden Jubilee

People visit the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show. (WAM)
People visit the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show. (WAM)

Twenty Emirati female designers managed to shine in the spotlight at the 50th (golden jubilee) edition of the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show (WJMES), held at Expo Center Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates, reported the UAE state news agency (WAM).

The creations of the Emirati designers were showcased at the Emirati jewelers platform, launched by Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with the aim to support young Emirati talents in jewellery designing and spotlight their artistic works at the important event.

Over 900 renowned local and global brands are taking part in the show that concludes on Sunday.

Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said supporting Emirati entrepreneurs and talents is one of the main objectives that Sharjah Chamber is working to achieve.

The Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show has always been supporting Emirati designers through such initiatives as the Emirati Jewelers platform.

He added that over more than eight editions, the platform has been able to provide an exemplary opportunity for the Emirati designers who wish to enter the world of gold-smithing and jewellery whether in Sharjah or the entire UAE.

It has succeeded in attracting talents to the jewellery design and trade sector to develop their crafting and marketing skills, he stated.

He pointed out that the platform attracted more than 46 Emirati female designers and sponsored the Qelada project, launched by the Ministry of Community Development, to support female designers of determination.

Al-Owais underlined the participation of the youngest Emirati female jeweler along with many other female designers who presented impressive gold and jewellery designs.

Saif Mohamed Al-Midfa, CEO of Expo Center Sharjah, underscored the importance of the Emirati jewelers platform being an annual stimulus that attracts more and more Emirati creators to the world of jewellery design and benefits from the event's large global participation, which contributes to providing these talents with more experiences to develop their businesses.

One of those talents who caught the attention of visitors was Dr. Abeer Awad.

She said: "My passion for beauty and drawing has driven me to discover this talent, and so have the many talent-fostering government initiatives, the most important of which is the Emirati jewelers platform, which has been the strongest motivator for me to enhance my talent and start my own project."

Designer Zahira Ahmed Al Marar pointed out that her participation is the second in this event. She expressed her pride in taking part in this platform together with a group of Emirati talents who work as one team to brightly represent the UAE in such a global event.

The Sharjah Chamber is her first and biggest supporter to be a key participant at the event and show her designs to the whole world, she stressed.

She expressed her gratitude to the Chamber for the great support and diligent follow-up to ensure the continuity and success of the projects.

Sheikha Al Serkal underlined her keenness to participate in the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show that is a key platform to showcase her talent, which is admired by the visitors every year.

Azza Al Jarwan praised Sharjah Chamber's fostering of young Emirati jewellery talents and bringing to the fore their artistic works in the most outstanding event of jewelry exhibitions.



Dolce & Gabbana Evoke the Dolce Vita during Milan Fashion Week

A model presents a creation by Dolce&Gabbana during the Milan Fashion Week, in Milan, Italy, 18 January 2025. EPA/MATTEO CORNER
A model presents a creation by Dolce&Gabbana during the Milan Fashion Week, in Milan, Italy, 18 January 2025. EPA/MATTEO CORNER
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Dolce & Gabbana Evoke the Dolce Vita during Milan Fashion Week

A model presents a creation by Dolce&Gabbana during the Milan Fashion Week, in Milan, Italy, 18 January 2025. EPA/MATTEO CORNER
A model presents a creation by Dolce&Gabbana during the Milan Fashion Week, in Milan, Italy, 18 January 2025. EPA/MATTEO CORNER

To bling, or not to bling is the eternal question at Dolce & Gabbana — and the designing duo had it both ways Saturday during the Milan Fashion Week menswear preview for the next cold weather season.
The elegant show invitation in winter-neutral Burgundy — suggested an understated collection and the runway silhouette was loose and effortless. Emblazoned with the word paparazzi, there was also a hint of look-at-me flash.
Evoking the Dolce Vita Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana's collection for Fall/Winter 2025 evoked the Dolce Vita of easy men’s dressing with two moods: pulled-together daytime casual and red (or make that burgundy) carpet/evening formalwear.
Denim jeans provided the clean canvas for statement outerwear: star-sized faux fur jackets, a leather bomber-trench combo and a long leopard coat. Knitwear with loose cargo pants were easy to wear, functional and contemporary. Except for a bright sequined jacket, the colors palette was timelessly and reassuringly neutral.
The essence of the daywear was distilled in a dark tank top worn with loose tweed trousers and matching cap, and a tech-bro gray T-shirt secured with double-belted trousers.
For evening or formal events, elegant suiting incorporating cummerbunds, tasseled silk scarves and wide lapels were accented with crystal brooches, all the better to glisten as two risers of paparazzi snapped from the runway.
Trend Watch Watch for high-neck faux fur dickies, fastened with silken ribbons for extra warmth and luxury. Bow ties and brooches finishing suits — because why choose? Low-soled sneakers and mid-calf biker boots finish the looks. Capacious soft bags in high-end leathers suggest someplace to go. Key fobs on belt loops, reminders of home.
Paparazzi on the Inside, Fans on the Outside Risers of flashing paparazzi set the mood inside the designers’ Metropol theater.
Outside, Lucien Laviscount sprung like a gazelle over barriers and crossed tram tracks in front of the theater to greet cheering fans after the show. The “Emily in Paris” actor wore an elegant double-breasted pinstripe suit with gold neck chains, worthy of his stylish businessman character Alfie, as he signed autographs and snapped selfies.
Just as obliging but not quite as adventurous as the track-crossing Laviscount, South Korean actor Jung Hai-in, wearing a burgundy ensemble, and Thai actor Hirunkit Changkham, in black-and-white diagonally stripped knitwear and Bermuda shorts, also waved to screaming admirers before being driven away.
Front row guests also included James McAvoy, Levi Dylan and Rocco Ritchie.