On 27 April Bloomingdale’s Dubai hosted their annual kids fashion show presenting children as young as three who braved the runway as they wore the store’s latest offerings for Spring/Summer 2013.

There’s something addictive about Thai cuisine. Pai Thai, Kang Liang Goong Sod (Thai spicy mixed vegetables), and spicy Ginger Chicken, these plates are some of my favorites. Often simple concoctions laden with zesty spices, the incredible tastes of these dishes has me returning time and again to indulge in the culinary masterwork of Thai delicacies. Dubai has quite a few Thai restaurants, but if you’re going to go Thai, you need to go for the best. Here are the top five Thai restaurants in Dubai.

It’s no big news anymore when a fashion designer decides to open a restaurant. Roberto Cavalli did it, so has Giorgio Armani and Versace. Ralph Lauren’s hip Parisian restaurant Ralph’s thus comes as no surprise. Much like the theme behind the legendary 1950s musical An American in Paris, Ralph’s has positioned itself within the exuberant echelons of the not-easy-to-impress French culinary landscape. Open since 2010, this elegant American bistro has stationed itself within the brand’s flagship store in Saint-Germain-des-Prés and succeeds at charming both expat and Parisian diners with gourmet American fare.

From festival-goers at Coachella to quirky boutiques in Mumbai, vintage eye wear is very much on-trend for Summer 2013. The fashionistas of Dubai can now source a pair of their own through Zaveri Privé’s offering of pristine, rare, vintage eyewear dating back from the 1930s to 1990s. The range has officially launched in Boutique 1 stores across Dubai and through Zaveri Privé’s pop-up shops.

Founded in 2012 by Creative Director Soraya Alali and artist Amalie Beljafla, London-based womenswear Trésors Sauvages’s promising debut collection impressed crowds at Fashion Forward. The Autumn/Winter 13 Flaming Collection takes its inspiration from endangered species in the UAE. Gracing the runway was a unique showcase of layered ensembles made using a special embroidery technique, hand-colored and tailored in-house. They incorporate whimsical abstract representations, architectural arabesque lines and a fascinating display of exotic and natural references.

Beirut-based designer Dina JSR debuted her creations of architecturally-inspired garments at Dubai’s Fashion Forward. Showcased was Architectural Figures, her Autumn/Winter 13/14 looks and fourth collection which displayed Jsr’s consistent inspiration: architectural forms. For these designs laden with clear-cut lines and geometric shapes, Jsr looked to the forms of the Dorobanti Tower in Bucarest, Romania designed by architect Zaha Hadid.

Les Jardins Suspendus, which means “the hanging gardens” in French, is Rami Kadi’s latest collection. Filled with lace embroidered flowers on lengthy pastel colored gowns made of tulle and other refined fabrics, Kadi’s latest creations resulted in dreamy figures akin to those found in a fairy tale book. The show was Kadi’s first in Dubai and featured Lebanese singer Myriam Fares who walked down the stage as the guest of honor.

Entitled A Million Little Pieces, Dima Ayad’s Autumn/Winter ’13 graced the runway of Dubai’s Fashion Forward with pastel shades of purple, rose and blue coupled with gold lace, silk and tulle. At once dreamy and ethereal, Ayad’s new creations highlight confident femininity and enrapturing elegance.

Breathtaking gowns in shimmering nude, black and red tones coupled with dramatic, free-flowing cuts made their way down the runway during EZRA’s show at Fashion Forward. The Manila-born Dubai-based designer is known for creations which often echo the buoyant designs of the American forties and fifties.