The Spring collections we saw on the catwalks way back in September are finally arriving in stores. But at a time, when stock market bounce or no, you’re probably being extra-discerning. It pays to brush up on your homework before you break out your credit card. From tribal prints to flak jackets to exposed brassieres, fashion magazines uncovered all of the season’s standout looks.

Spring  2010 is all about mixing the outrageous with the elegant. There is a nod to trends of the past, but this spring, fashion is taking a big step in a new direction. It’s about smart and sexy looks paired with sporty and delicate styles.

Clean Energy

How best to head into the new decade? With a clean slate. Led by a resurgent Phoebe Philo at Celine, designers have rediscovered that less is more all over again for Spring, but this isn’t the mannish minimalism of the 1990’s. Dresses at Calvin Klein Collection and Donna Karan billowed and frilled; there were feminine takes on tailoring at Yves Saint Laurent; and thanks to Michael Kors’ cutouts and Hussein Chalayan’s thigh-high slits, we also saw lots of skin. Neutral tones create that elegant, barely there look. Champagne, beige and all shades of gray are in. Part of the reason why this neutral color style has emerged is because there is so much print and energy in other trends this season, which suggests that neutral will also outlive these other trends.

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W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, announced an industry first with the appointment of international stylist and fashion authority Amanda Ross as the brand’s first ever Global Fashion Director. For more than 10 years, W has continually broken new ground through innovative and first-of-its-kind fashion initiatives and programs.  As W Hotels continues to grow globally, on track to increase its footprint to more than 50 hotels by 2011, Ross will serve as a strategic fashion advisor to the brand, providing global insight and guidance for an integrated, cutting-edge approach to fashion.  A respected industry veteran, Ross will provide an authentic point of view for W, fostering industry relationships and identifying partnerships and collaborations that will make W Hotels a credible player within the fashion industry.  She will also work closely with W Hotels The Store, W’s twist on the traditional hotel gift shop, including Global Glam, a newly launched fashion and accessories collection created exclusively for W by established and emerging designers inspired by the design of W’s latest hotels.

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This March, give your wardrobe a make-over with the new spring/summer collection from The United Colors of Benetton.

The exciting new womenswear collection is divided into five different stylish sections with each one inspired by music – The Way You Make Me Feel, Remember the Time, Liberian Girl, You Rock my World and Black and White – so whether she is looking for a casual linen top or a timeless classic cocktail dress, every woman can find something that suits them. Sophisticated fashionistas, with taste for more luxurious evening wear, can also check online PromGirl for latest trends and competitive prices.

Outerwear remains the key player for women during the spring, together with shirts, which double up as dresses. New cotton-based textiles and patterns are used with reversible fabrics creating a ‘double’ effect, brightening up a wardrobe in one stylish item.

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Stand out from the crowd this spring with Giordano’s bright and vibrant polos; this season focuses on Polo Tees in a medley of colours and stripes to catch the essence of spring, as outlined by Maxim Magazine.

“The polo is a timeless fashion essential that suits everyone and any occasion. Giordano’s spring collection brings to the table a range polos available in bold, diverse colours, such as Barcelona Blue and Ribbon Red,  and revamped designs; ideal for the upcoming season,” said Ishwar Chugani, Executive Director, Giordano ME

The men’s and women’s collection this spring focuses on a range of polos that were enhanced from an ordinary outfit into a more versatile addition to anyone’s wardrobe. The polo tees range from bold stripes on vibrant backgrounds, subtle stripes on collars and sleeves and plain polos in striking colours. Any of these polos can easily be paired up with basic denims or khakis that generate a bright and bold spring look.

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From one stunning collection to another, Dubai Fashion 2010 mesmerized an audience consisting of Dubai’s most fashionable and important personalities for an evening of exquisite style and elegance on Saturday, February 27.

The event marked one of the culminating highlights of Dubai Shopping Festival’s 15^th edition and, like what many expected, Dubai Fashion 2010 delivered a riveting show of fashion sophistication.

High end luxury fashion retailers Etoile la Boutique and Saks Fifth Avenue took the guests on distinctive journeys – one inspired by the glamour of trans-Atlantic voyage in the early 1900s and the other to a bold and exciting fashion-forward adventure. Sophisticated fashionistas, with taste for luxurious evening wear, can also check online PromGirl for latest trends and competitive prices.

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Dubai Fashion 2010 promises an evening of unforgettable fashion élan as it showcases the latest collections of renowned fashion and accessories brands as presented by Dubai’s most revered style icons on February 27 at the Arena Ballroom of the Madinat Jumeirah.

One of the most awaited events of the annual Dubai Shopping Festival, which is now in its final week, Dubai Fashion 2010 gathers the city’s crème de la crème for a chic night of fashion flamboyance, and high end fun.

“Since its inception in 2003, Dubai Fashion has been instrumental in positioning the emirate as a premier destination for top international designers and brands to showcase their latest collections as they are presented in the West, enabling Dubai fashionistas to keep pace with the latest style trends,” said Laila Suhail, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment.

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International brand United Colors of Benetton is still on the hunt for 20 new faces to be flown to New York to be part of their Autumn/Winter 2010 campaign.

It’s a chance for the stylish people of the UAE to join the rest of the world and show Benetton what makes their style unique, show off their true individuality and celebrate their creativity as part of the ‘My Time’ campaign.

To be in with a chance of winning, budding-models need to upload their photographs or a 60 second video onto the Benetton website www.benetton.com and click on the link to ‘My Time’. The more photos you add the more chance you have of winning. Once your images are uploaded, visitors can vote for you to be in the 100 shortlist.

Entries have been flooding in already with over 5,600 from 180 countries and 215,000 visits to the website – but people need to hurry, voting for the 100 to be shortlisted closes on 16^th March, with the 20 lucky winners announced on 18^th March.

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Creations 2010 continued to mesmerise fashion enthusiasts at Dubai Mall on Friday, February 19, by featuring the works of renowned international designer Rohit Verma and UAE fashion royalty Amber Feroz, while aspiring designer Asma Rafiq showed why she’s one of local fashion’s best discoveries with her latest collection.  Together  they showcased  sophisticated collections, as glamorous as the featured by the popular online retailer PromGirl.

Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, Creations 2010 is one of the featured events of Dubai Shopping Festival, and among the most highly attended events in the region’s leading shopping, leisure and entertainment extravaganza.

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Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai

Creations 2010, a four-day fashion spectacle featuring aspiring, established, and international designers, will take to the ramp today (February 18^th) and go on till February 21^st at the Fashion Atrium in The Dubai Mall. A key highlight and a successful initiative of Dubai Shopping Festival since 2004, Creations 2010 presents 12 designers, 16 international models, and 3 shows a day.

International designers/labels this year include Marco Marcu, Rohit Verma, Nili Zahar, and Fahad Hussayn. Established designers/labels include Sa Soie by Noha Karam, Amber Feroz, Rocky Gathercole, and Amato Couture. Aspiring designers/labels this year are Arabella by Irene Traikova, Asma Rafiq, Haute Pink Couture by Shafaq and Ayesha, and Preston University Ajman.

Shows for aspiring designers will start at 5pm, with 6:30pm slotted for established designers, and the 8pm show for international designers. Celebrity models on the ramp this year include Miss India 2005 and Bollywood actress Sayali Bhagat, Miss India 2008 Tanvi Vyas, Miss International 2^nd runner-up Ana Ostorjic, and Miss Earth England 2008 Holly Ikin, among other noted models.

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Products from the world leader in professional nail care, OPI, are now available at Merle Norman.

OPI is globally renowned for its nail lacquers – a brilliant, chip-resistant, professional formula in fashion-forward colours with clever shade names. A favourite of salon specialists and nail artists, OPI is available in most high end salons in the UAE through Nazih Group, the brand’s exclusive distributor in the country. For the first time OPI nail colours will be retailed in the UAE through an exclusive arrangement between Nazih Group and Merle Norman.

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