Mariah Carey champions Dubai-based designer at Expo 2020 party

Mariah Carey stepped out in a gorgeous gown by Dubai-based designer Furne One. (Mohammed Fawzy/Arab News)
Updated 22 October 2019
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Mariah Carey champions Dubai-based designer at Expo 2020 party

DUBAI: Mariah Carey stepped out in a gorgeous gown by Dubai-based designer Furne One, founder of Amato Couture, as crowds gathered at Burj Park on Sunday night to mark the one-year countdown to Expo 2020.

Carey sparkled in a full-length studded dress featuring intricate patterns and Swarovski crystals. She has been spotted in one of Amato Couture’s gowns before, at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year when she wore a black sequinned number.

One is a couturier from the Philippines and his dresses are a hit with some of the biggest female celebrities in the worlds including Shakira, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj.




Carey sparkled in a full-length studded dress featuring intricate patterns and Swarovski crystals. (Mohammed Fawzy/Arab News)

“I started sketching dresses at around 10 years old and continued until I went to college,” the designer told Arab News. “As a boy, I would keep everything to myself and spend most of my time alone with my imagination, sketching away dresses. As I grew older, I became a little rebellious. In time, I grew out of that phase and started focusing on my career and become a successful designer."

His big break came when he won a major fashion design competition in 1994 that was judged by a famous Filipino-US designer Josie Natori. “The moment it happened, she took me under her wing and brought me to Paris and New York to work for her as an apprentice because she saw potential in me."

 

He won first prize at Japan’s Women Wear Awards that same year and, three years later, stood out as a finalist at Manila’s Fashion Design Awards.

 

Carey, who is 49, sang some of her greatest hits songs including “Emotion” and “We Belong Together” to an enthusiastic audience who braved the heat and humidity of the outdoor venue.

Expo 2020, which runs for six months and begins next October, is to be held at a vast new site in the south of Dubai. Organizers are expecting around 25 million visitors.


Where We Are Going Today: Chicken Industry in Qatif

Updated 06 March 2026
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Where We Are Going Today: Chicken Industry in Qatif

If you were to ask me what the perfect weekend treat-yourself meal is, my first choice would be fried chicken, followed by fried chicken, followed by a burger (but make it fried chicken).

One of my favorite spots for this delicious indulgence is Chicken Industry in Qatif, which, over the past few years, has become a hometown classic.

They also opened another branch in Olaya, Alkhobar.

The great thing about Chicken Industry is that you really cannot go wrong with any item on their menu; the burgers, broasted, twister, tenders, and nuggets are all very well-seasoned, juicy, and crispy.

All their menu items are available in spicy and mild options.

They have a few burger selections.

The original chicken sandwich, which comes with American cheese, pickles, and their signature industry sauce (a must to get on the side with any order), is their take on the classic Popeyes/Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich.

For the big kahuna, the chicken is so juicy and flavorful with wonderfully crispy skin that my mouth is watering just thinking about it. (Instagram: @chickenindustry.ksa)

If you want to try a different type of sauce, you could give the black pepper buttermilk sandwich a go — a good option for those who like a balance of flavors between creamy and slightly zingy.

My go-to, however, is the chicken zinger, which comes with American cheese, mayonnaise, and lettuce — a no-fuss burger that has all the right toppings, sauce, and seasoning for the chicken.

Although, I would appreciate the option to add tomato as well for a little something fresh in there.

All of the Chicken Industry burgers come with a soft brioche bun. No notes; it’s a great bun.

The twister, made with two crispy tenders, is also a crowd favorite and comes in a few different options: the original with mild sauce, the fiery twister with spicy sauce, the classic with pepper mayo, and the spicy twister with pepper mayo as well.

Whether you do not want to commit to the full bun burger or just prefer a tortilla, the twister is a great option to either accompany or be the star of your meal.

Now onto the big kahuna: the broasted. If you really want to indulge, this is the option for you.

It comes with four pieces, either spicy or mild (trust me, get the spicy), and is served with garlic sauce on the side.

Although nothing compares to the Chicky Fry broasted, this one is a very close second. The chicken is so juicy and flavorful with wonderfully crispy skin; my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Their nuggets are good, though not amazing — fun to snack on, but I wouldn’t call them a necessity and definitely not as good as their tenders or other options.

And I must say the Chicken Industry French fries could use some improvement; not the greatest texture or flavor, just sort of meh. I will continue to order them because at the end of the day, they are fries, and they’re alright. Besides, no fried chicken meal is complete without fries.

And do not forget to get the sauces on the side: the cheese, the garlic, the industry mild or spicy, buffalo, barbecue, and buttermilk, depending on your preference. They all complement the meal very well.