DUBAI: During the second day of Arab Fashion Week taking place at the Meydan Hotel & Grandstand in Dubai, Italian fashion house Laura Mancini and one of America’s hottest designers Laquan Smith closed the shows with their stunning Ready-Couture collections.
Favored by many A-list international celebrities, Smith presented a quirky collection featuring his signature PVC catsuits, corseted dresses, python knits and over-the-knee boots. His design motto to create outfits for an “unapologetically glamorous” woman was reflected on the catwalk as models showcased a selection of outfits for every occasion. Amongst some of the celebrities supporting the designer at the FROW were American rapper Yo Gotti and reality star Cardi B.
In contrast, Mancini’s collection paid tribute to Maria Callas and featured classic evening gowns, tailored capes and dresses in the shades of pastel pink, black and gold. Some of the looks took inspiration from ancient Egypt with heavy embellishments and crown pieces. The show was opened by the world’s first Emirati model Rafeea Alhajsi as she elegantly glided on the catwalk in a full-length embellished look that resonated with an ancient Egyptian queen.
Ilse Jara, one of the upcoming designers from Paraguay, presented a Ready-Couture collection that merges technological innovations with natural materials and traditional embroidery techniques.
The spotlight was also on the regional designers including Saudi-based premium denim brand Jeans Couture that was founded by mother-and daughter duo Suzan Farhoud and Leen Al-Shieshakly. Their collection included signature treated denim pieces in dark red and black with floral details and statement accessories.
As part of the Arab Fashion Council’s mission to support regional emerging talent, design students from the College of Fine Arts and Design at American University in the Emirates were given an opportunity to present their work at a catwalk show for the “Next Generation” project with Arab Fashion Week. Their designs were inspired by 3-D patterns and geometrical prints which they created for this assignment.
Quirky designs, ancient Egypt dominate Day 2 of Arab Fashion Week
Quirky designs, ancient Egypt dominate Day 2 of Arab Fashion Week
Some Warren Buffett wisdom on his last day leading Berkshire Hathaway
OMAHA, Nebraska: The advice that legendary investor Warren Buffett offered on investing and life over the years helped earn him legions of followers who eagerly read his annual letters and filled an arena in Omaha every year to listen to him at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meetings.
Buffett’s last day as CEO is Wednesday after six decades of building up the Berkshire conglomerate. He’ll remain chairman, but Greg Abel will take over leadership.
Here’s a collection of some of Buffett’s most famous quotes from over the years:
___
“Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.”
That’s how Buffett summed up his investing approach of buying out-of-favor stocks and companies when they were selling for less than he estimated they were worth.
He also urged investors to stick with industries they understand that fall within their “circle of competence” and offered this classic maxim: “Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget Rule No. 1.”
___
“After they first obey all rules, I then want employees to ask themselves whether they are willing to have any contemplated act appear the next day on the front page of their local paper to be read by their spouses, children and friends with the reporting done by an informed and critical reporter.
“If they follow this test, they need not fear my other message to them: Lose money for the firm and I will be understanding; lose a shred of reputation for the firm and I will be ruthless.”
That’s the ethical standard Buffett explained to a Congressional committee in 1991 that he would apply as he cleaned up the Wall Street investment firm Salomon Brothers. He has reiterated the newspaper test many times since over the years.
___
“You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out.”
Many companies might do well when times are good and the economy is growing, but Buffett told investors that a crisis always reveals whether businesses are making sound decisions.
___
“Who you associate with is just enormously important. Don’t expect that you’ll make every decision right on that. But you are going to have your life progress in the general direction of the people you work with, that you admire, that become your friends.”
Buffett always told young people that they should try to hang out with people who they feel are better than them because that will help improve their lives. He said that’s especially true when choosing a spouse, which might be the most important decision in life.
___
“Our unwavering conclusion: never bet against America.”
Buffett has always remained steadfast in his belief in the American capitalist system. He wrote in 2021 that “there has been no incubator for unleashing human potential like America. Despite some severe interruptions, our country’s economic progress has been breathtaking.”
