I am writing this blog whilst I am getting my hair done – there just haven’t been enough hours in the day this past week to fit all the goings-on in to each day. We are going to press with EW and SPEND IT and there has been such an amazing response to emirateswoman.com that our work, events and meetings seemed to have trebled recently. Amongst all this usual busyness there is the business of finding a gown for the Emirates Woman Of The Year Awards, which is just around the corner…

Last year I wore a Ralph Lauren tuxedo, which I just loved, but this time round I want to do something different. So I went on the hunt for my dream dress (trousers are so last year) and stumbled on some real stunners. Enter this out-of-this world beauty by Oscar De La Renta which took my breath away…

Pretty in pink – another amazing Oscar

A Lanvin lovely…

LOVE the pearls on this s*uce number

In addition to looking at the world’s most beautiful gowns, I had the chance to view some of the globe’s most amazing pieces of art at the DIFC Art Nights last week. What a fantastic night in Dubai! I felt like I was in our very own Fashion Night Out. So many new faces enjoying our burgeoning art scene – it was exiting and exhilarating to see. I commenced the event with programme in hand to view as many pieces as I could and if lucky, buy one, but the evening quickly turned into quite the social event, seeing so many faces I hadn’t seen in a while left my find-a-painting plan for dead.

My dear friend and best dentist in Dubai, Dr Karim Fekih

Mr Zuma himself

Miss Fendi herself

You say potato, I say Picasso, me with the lovely Derek Khan

The stunning Selina from Quintessentially

Have you had a chance to go to the Level Shoe District at The Dubai Mall yet? I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek last week and what does one say about 97,000 square feet of shoes? It really was quite overwhelming; kid in a candy store really didn’t cover it. I tentatively tiptoed through them all not quite knowing where to start. This shoe district, the biggest in the world, will be a one-stop-shop for those of us who have a great love of shoes. Gone are the days of buying the wrong size on line or missing out on certain collections as they are all stocked, right here, in one very sophisticated setting. Another world first in the district is the Louis Vuitton pop-up, which houses the prettiest party shoes on the planet in all their glittery glory, which is why they are next on the list for the festive season…

It takes three, the lovely ladies of LV, Ruth and Haya

In April, the pop-up will go and the (first ever) Louis Vuitton shoe boutique will take its place. Some of the other branded boutiques are not open yet so I will visit often in anticipation – the one I am most excited about? Roger Vivier, this means fewer visits to Rue Saint Honoré but who cares? I will be able to spend my Friday’s happy.

Tods in every colour

No words.

On the wish-list

Another event that I left feeling honoured to be a part of was the Aesthetics International morning where I met with my favourite specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Jaffer Khan and his friend and colleague, Dr Mohammed Jawad who is the reluctant star of Saving Face, the short documentary that won a 2012 Oscar. The documentary follows Dr Jawad to Pakistan where he helps recreate the faces of women who have been victims of acid attacks. Seeing the difference people can make by simply sharing some of their time really is a reality check. We are covering this amazing story in the November issue of EW so please read the article to learn more and potentially help if you can.

Dr Jaffer Khan

Dr Mohammed Jawad

To relax from last week and to get prepared for this week, I went to my local sanctuary, the Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa. My weekly visits usually consist of a couple of hours on the beach, followed by lunch at my favourite seafood restaurant, Flooka.

Have a wonderful week and Eid Mubarak,

Sophia