WAFI celebrates Dubai Summer Surprises 2008

When you spend a certain amount at Wafi this summer, you will have the chance to win five extraordinary prizes that money cannot buy spanning the art, food, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment collections at Wafi.

From the Art Collection there is a unique gold and diamond ring designed by Sevan Bicacki, one of the prestigious jewellers in Wafi, worth over Dhs100,000. A firm believer in inspired, hand-crafted design, Sevan's pieces reflect a reverence to jewellery designed from the soul rather than by technology. His store at Wafi features one-of-a-kind jewels crafted from high-karat gold, sterling silver, rose or antique-cut diamonds and a host of uniquely cut gemstones.

Recently, Queen Elizabeth II of the UK, was gifted a Sevan Bicakci ring by the Turkish First Lady whilst on a state visit to Turkey. Some of Sevan's well-known wearers and collectors include celebrities such as: Halle Berry, Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen, Brooke Shields, Elizabeth Hurley, Liv Tyler, Catherine Zeta Jones and Celine Dion.

The Food Collection offers twelve extravagant banquets exclusively prepared by some of the best chefs in Dubai. The lucky winner of this prize will to be eligible to win a dinner party for ten people every month for a year at Wafi's award-winning restaurants, including the Best Restaurant in Dubai, Noble House - awarded by TimeOut Restaurant awards 2008. The other restaurants chosen for this prize are Medzo, Persia Persia, Asiana, Sevilles, Biella, Thai Chi, Fire & Ice, Asha's, Baladna, Khan Murjan, and Mahi Mahi the latest seafood restaurant created by Wafi.

Salam, Wafi's exclusive department store, will offer one true follower of fashion their own personal designer dress. The winner will be flown, business class to Milan for a custom-designed and custom-made dress by fashion designer, Rafael Lopez. During their stay they will stay in a 5star hotel in Milan prior to a meeting and design sessions with Rafael.

Rafael Lopez is one of the most creative young designers on the fashion circuit today. Lopez left Spain to pursue the adventure of pan-European fashion: He attended two of Europe's best fashion schools and collaborated with Ruffo in Italy and Oscar Suleyman in Paris. Rafael is known for his great attention to details, draping techniques and a semi-couture approach to ready-to-wear. His stockists include Selfridges in London; Henri Bendel in New York, D. Mop in Hong Kong; Antonioli in Milan and Diptrics in Tokyo. Following the meetings during the five day stay in Italy the personal piece will then be designed, made in Italy and forwarded to the winner in Dubai.

The prize from the Entertainment Collection is aimed at families, as it offers an exclusive range of activities for a year that includes a vast number of passes for Encounter Zone and Pyramid's Lazy River, a year's supply of cinema tickets to see all the latest blockbusters, family dining opportunities in Planet Hollywood, Japengo and Bellucci, plus shopping vouchers to spend in any children's store at Wafi.

Raffles Dubai is the sponsor for the final exclusive prize and offers the winner a unique Wafi lifestyle experience. A two night stay in one of Raffles Dubai's most luxurious suites, the Landmark, along with a private dinner in the Raffles Botanical Garden prepared by the chef from the award winning restaurant, The Noble House. A vintage bubbly will then be waiting for the winner and their guest at China Moon.

During the day time there will be opportunities to enjoy special VIP treatments in the Amrita Spa after a mammoth shopping spree with a personal stylist and Wafi vouchers.

Working with Dubai Summer Surprises there will also be The Collectors Exhibition from 15th - 22nd July offering a unique display of interesting collections, drawn from all over Dubai. From antiques to jewellery, cameras to memorabilia featuring His Highness Sheikh Zayed. This exhibition lets you take a look at the obsessions of the region's collectors. The Art Oasis takes place from 29th July - 6th August in partnership with the Dubai Cultural Council, it is a high-profile showcase for prominent local and regional artists working across mediums such as photography, sculpture and painting.

"The Legends of Khan Murjan" is a dazzling entertainment extravaganza to celebrate the birth of the legendary new souk at the heart of Wafi. It will take you back through time with a spectacle of music, theatre, poetry and acrobatics. International performers will recount the creation of Khan Murjan through a colourful parade of activities featuring Syrian sword dancers; Moroccan singers; Turkish instrumentalists; Egyptian skirt dancers; aerial ribbon performers; fire-breathers and other talented artists. Daily performances will take place in the main atrium of the shopping mall at 4.30, 7.30 and 9pm from 19th June - 5th July.

Wafi Select members will be entitled to special privileges during DSS with double entries in Wafi's exclusive spend and win promotion and there will be a variety of Wafi Select Days every Monday throughout July and August highlighting the discounts and offers available from the established variety of stores available at Wafi.

"Dubai Summer Surprises provides unlimited opportunities and exciting activities that include entertainment, shopping and raffle draws, as thousands of visitors and residents have the opportunity to enjoy the warm ambience, genuine Arabian hospitality and exceptional offers,"

explained Victoria Smith, Group Marketing Director for Wafi.

"The increasing numbers of visitors is a clear indication that this innovative strategy has become a key attraction to the city and has contributed to making Dubai a leading summer tourist destination. With our unique and unexpected prizes from some of the world's most coveted designers and brands in an impressive spend and win promotion, we believe it is an added incentive for customers to visit Wafi."

Dubai Summer Surprises is being held from June 19th to August 21st 2008.