Katy Perry & Usher to Rock Dubai at the World Parachuting Championships Closing Ceremony

DONE Events announced last Wednesday that global platinum artist, Katy Perry, and Grammy award-winning international artist, Usher, will perform live at the World Parachuting Championships Closing Ceremony in Dubai on Saturday, 8 of December at Meydan Racecourse.

"It is a great privilege for DONE Events to produce this event and to promote such an amazing line up of talent-welcoming Usher back to Dubai and finally presenting Katy Perry to what will be a packed Meydan Racecourse," said Thomas Ovesen, COO of DONE Events.

After eight weeks of competition, the World Parachuting Championships will come to a close on 8 of December, beginning with an awards ceremony and victory parade to celebrate the winners from the previous week, followed by a high energy spectacular performance from Usher that will feature smash hits from his 17 year career as well as from his current album, "Looking 4 Myself," and ending with Katy Perry's live show, featuring all of her biggest hits, including "Fireworks."

"I can't wait to perform my first ever show for all my Middle East fans in Dubai on the 8 of December," said Katy Perry.

Usher added, "I'm excited to be returning to perform for all my fans at the World Parachuting Championships."

Buy your tickets here

Robert Pattinson new face of Dior.. Don't you just love?!!

Robert Pattinson has reportedly signed a multi-million pound deal to be the new face of Christian Dior's men's fragrance.

The Twilight heartthrob, who is currently promoting the hotly-anticipated final film in the vampire saga, will star in a series of ad campaigns for the brand's line, reported E! News.

A source said the 26-year-old actor has signed a three-year deal with the French fashion house, and that it is thought to be worth close to 12 million dollars.

R-Patz follows a host of Hollywood stars who have fronted campaigns for the brand, including fellow Brit Jude Law and Black Swan actress Natalie Portman.

He is also following in the footsteps of his Twilight co-star and real-life girlfriend Kristen Stewart, who is the face of Balenciaga's Florabotanica scent.

The final Twilight movie, Breaking Dawn - Part 2, will be released in November.

Double Trouble: Twins crowned Miss Lebanon, Runner-up

Twins Rina and Romy Chibany were crowned Miss Lebanon 2012 and runner-up Saturday evening, in a ceremony held at the Platea arena, north of Beirut.

The 21-year-old sisters, from Zahle in the Bekaa, were among 16 contestants from across Lebanon who took part in the competition, which included contests in the swimwear and gowns categories, and it was the first time that twins had entered the contest.

Rina was handed over the crown by last year’s winner, Yara Khoury-Mikhael, and has now guaranteed her place in the Miss Universe contest, to be held in Las Vegas on Dec. 19.

Speaking to Elnashara news website moments after she was crowned, Rina said, “I’m very happy to have won. I promise to restore the pride of this position, in deeds, not in words.”

Also, she added, that she’d “have been much happier if my sister had won,” but vowed to cooperate with Romy throughout her reign.

Rina also said that she has many plans to consider for the upcoming year, which she said she would announce soon.

The twins’ parents said they were proud of their two daughters, who they said honored the family as they hoped they would now also honor Lebanon.

When asked about what she considered her best qualities in an earlier interview with LBCI, Rina, who studied interior design at university, said, “I am a good listener; I am helpful, trustworthy and productive!”

Rina’s favorite book is Paulo Coehlo’s “Veronika Decides to Die,” and her favorite designer is Elie Saab.

While beauty pageants are often criticized for objectifying women, in the same interview, Rina said, “In today’s world it is very important to look good therefore I find physical appearance to count a lot!”

Of her aims in life, she answered, “My goals are finding love everywhere, keeping it and spreading it. I also aim to find the love of my life, and discover the divinity within me. I want to learn something new every day.”

If she could change one thing about herself, it would be her “sensibility.”

She said her parents inspire her the most, as well as “people who overcome hardships and obstacles.”

When asked if she was more of a giver or a taker, Rina answered, “I consider myself more of a giver. This comes from me being a perfectionist and I would rather do everything myself.”

The eclectic jury included former Interior Minister Ziyad Baroud, Maxime Chaaya, the first Lebanese to climb Mount Everest, and pop star Nancy Ajram.

During the program, #MissLebanon was trending globally on Twitter.

In August, Lebanese-Australian Jessica Kahawaty came third in the Miss World 2012 competition, representing Australia.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Article.aspx?id=189701#ixzz289459nQZ 

(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb) 

Maison Martin Margiela for H&M

H&M have announced that British photographer and film director Sam Taylor-Wood has shot the print and film campaigns for their highly-anticipated collaboration with Maison Martin Margiela.

A behind-the-scenes look at the Maison Martin Margiela for H&M campaign, shot by Sam Taylor-Wood.

There's even more reason to get excited about Maison Martin Margiela's upcoming collaboration with H&M as it has been announced that photographer and director Sam Taylor-Wood has shot the accompanying print and film campaigns.

Taylor-Wood photographed the as-yet-unseen campaign on the streets of Paris in collaboration with creative director Markus Kiersztan. The store has released one behind-the-scenes image, which shows Taylor-Wood photographing a model in an oversized jacket, stood inbetween two covered cars in front of a grand Paris building.

"Working with such an anarchic house as Martin Margiela alongside a high-street brand was a challenge that creatively became a crazy, fun project," the artist told WWD . "I wanted to create an atmosphere that was both quiet and still. That each person was in their own emotional and physical thought space. A world away from the heady atmosphere of the usual urban noise."

Taylor-Wood has close ties to the fashion world - she's friends with Kate Moss and Stella McCartney, has previously shot a campaign for Bottega Veneta and appeared in Louis Vuitton's 'Double Exposure' campaign. She recently married actor AaronTaylor-Johnson, who she met when she directed him in her debut film Nowhere Boy in 2008.

Dates for Dubai Shopping Festival 2013 Announced

- World’s greatest retail festivities to run from 3 January- 3 February 2013

- Iconic festival has welcomed more than 42 million visitors since 1996 with total visitor spend of more than US$27 billion

- Festival runs under its everlasting slogan “One World, One Family, One Festival”

And here it comes!! The 18th edition of the internationally acclaimed Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) will run from 3 January to 3 February 2013 it was announced today by Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE), the Dubai Government entity that organizes the famous event. 

DEPE launched a marketing campaign revolving around the theme of ‘Dubai at its Best’, which builds on the fact that during the 32 days of DSF the city of Dubai presents the best of every thing it has to offer, painting the city in a festive mood with a unique blend of shopping, prizes, promotions and entertainment. It’s a winning combination that has helped to put Dubai firmly on the map as one of the world’s leading retail destinations.  

Dubai now boasts the largest collection of international retail brands in any world city with the exception of London and DSF has become one of the world’s best-loved shopping events with a unique and diverse range of retail experiences - from city and street markets, to traditional souks, to world-class shopping malls. 

As well as tax-free discounted shopping, visitors to Dubai during DSF can look forward to hundreds of events and activities - from international concerts, musicals and shows to sporting, outdoor, and fashion events as well as the ever-popular fireworks over picturesque Dubai Creek. 

More than 70 of the city’s spectacular malls will participate in DSF 2013, with bargains, promotions, sales and special offers.  There are thousands of chances to win daily and weekly prizes organised by participating malls and retailers; with raffle prizes including everything from cars to jewellery to cash.  Shopping during DSF lasts day and night with the highly popular Night Souq, initially introduced in 2003, returns for another year.   

Layali Dubai, a signature DSF event, will entertain visitors during weekends with a series of concerts by local, regional and international musicians; while the DSF Carnival will feature performances by international artists, acrobats, percussionists, dancers and more. In addition, DSF’s spectacular fireworks and laser shows will dazzle Dubai visitors and residents every day during DSF.   

Dubai Fashion has become a must-attend event with high impact stunts such as the world’s longest catwalk and biggest makeover providing plenty of opportunities for entertainment and haute couture.

Always one of DSF’s biggest draws, Global Village will open for festival season. This unique shopping and entertainment destination features pavilions from countries around the world showcasing their unique products and cultures, alongside  entertainment, events, food stalls, rides, sports activities and daily lucky draws. 

Launched in 1996 under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, to position Dubai as a leading tourist destination, Dubai Shopping Festival has stayed true its famous slogan 'One World, One Family, One Festival' and, up to its 2011 edition, has attracted more than 42 million visitors from across the world with a visitor expenditure close to US$27 billion.