Dubai Fashion 2004 and House of Talents felicitated by HH Sheikha Maryam Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

HH Sheikha Maryam Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, daughter of HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, attended the ceremony that was held in the Dubai World Trade Centre. She represented HH Sheikha Hind and met Saeed Al Nabouda, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Shopping Festival, Laila Suhail, Corporate Alliance Director, Dubai Shopping Festival, and Supervisor of Dubai Fashion 2004, Najwa Al Rahma, Research and Development Director, Dubai Shopping Festival, and Supervisor of House of Talents, as well as both the event teams.

HH Sheikha Maryam conveyed HH Sheikha Hind's appreciation of the efforts put in by the teams, which succeeded in drawing attention to Dubai as one of the premier destinations in the international fashion industry. She lauded the local initiative and talent to host and organise an event like Dubai Fashion 2004 which featured the creations of some of the most well-known fashion houses in the world. Dubai Fashion 2004 made Dubai the second city in the world to host these shows, immediately after the line unveiling in Europe.

HH Sheikha Maryam also conveyed HH Sheikha Hind's appreciation for the organisation of the House of Talents, which gathered and showcased the creative talents of women in different fields and enjoyed a good response from visitors.

Under the direction of HH Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, part of the proceeds from Dubai Fashion 2004 were donated to organisations working with people with special needs, which shows the commitment of Dubai towards humanitarian values and acts that benefit the community. Dubai Autism Centre and Dubai Handicapped Centre shared Dhs.200,000 equally. Noreen Nasralla, Marketing and PR Coordinator, Dubai Autism Centre, collected the cheque on behalf of Dubai Autism Centre and Nadia Al Sayegh received the cheque on behalf of the Dubai Handicapped Centre.

Maryam Al Hashimi, Director, Dubai Autism Centre, said, "We are very grateful for this initiative of HH Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum to support our centre. We strongly feel that this gesture demonstrates the feeling of caring towards the community and the support that UAE extends to all its residents."

Nadia Khalil Al Sayegh, Vice Director, Dubai Handicapped Centre, said, "This act of HH Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum shows the real values and traditions of UAE. The entire community rallies forward to support the people with special needs and help integrate them successfully into active society."

Laila Suhail, Corporate Alliance Director, Dubai Shopping Festival, and Supervisor of Dubai Fashion 2004, said, "We thank HH Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum for her patronage of these initiatives. Her support encouraged ideas and projects of Dubai Shopping Festival. Dubai Fashion 2004 brought all eyes on Dubai, and we were able to showcase its elegance, beauty and its ability to successfully host such an international event."

"The response to the shows of Emanuel Ungaro, Christian Lacroix, Christian Dior, Givenchy and Christian Dior Jewellery was very good, as they were presenting their second show of the season, immediately after the unveiling in Europe. These shows were held at the Dubai International Convention Centre and the Christian Dior Jewellery show at the One & Only Royal Mirage Hotel between the 5th and 11th of February 2004."

"Emanual Ungaro has expressed interest in opening up a store in Dubai, and will set up soon in the BurJuman Centre. Christian Lacroix too will open a new shop in the BurJuman Centre and Christian Dior will open a shop covering 250 sq.m. in the BurJuman Centre, Dubai", she added.

Najwa Al Rahma, Supervisor of the House of Talents, said, "HH Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum supports the House of Talents every year, and this year we had over 200 women of different nationalities participating. The event aims to highlight talents and contributions of women in the fields of Photography, Arts, Handicrafts, Writing, Music, Theatre, Architecture and many more. Students of UAE University, Dubai College University, Dubai Women's College and other colleges and Universities in UAE participated, considering it an ideal platform from where to launch their careers and people flocked to the House of Talents to see the many marvelous creations on display. The House of Talents has regularly launched many careers, ensuring that participants find exposure to a sense of professionalism and good facilities."

"The House of Talents were held at the Dubai World Trade Centre between 24th January and 4th February 2004. The theme of decorations this year blended the best of traditional UAE heritage and modern architecture", she said.

Both Dubai Fashion 2004 and House of Talents were held coinciding with Dubai Shopping Festival 2004, which had attracted many people from all over the world to Dubai. With 32 days packed with over 200 activities and events, DSF 2004 provided festivities to each and every member of the family, reflecting the theme of DSF, 'One World, One Family, One Festival.