We caught up with French Perfumer Clara Molloy on her creative inspiration, Eastern influences and her latest collection Les Echappes by Memo now available at Harvey Nichols in Dubai,

Nestled within elegantly curved Omani arches featuring dangling crystal chandeliers from a vaulted ceilings and handsomely-set white tables is The Restaurant at The Chedi. Known as one of the best places to dine in Muscat, soft sounds from the live piano are heard as soon as one enters the venue prepping guests for a sophisticated and otherworldly experience.

Voting is now open for the 2012 Emirates Woman of the Year Awards. Considered to be the most prestigious, glamorous and inspiring celebration of women’s achievements in the region, the Awards are now in their seventh year and feature four categories; The Achievers, The Artists, The Humanitarians and The Visionaries. The line up of 20 nominees for this year looks impressive; philanthropists to serial entrepreneurs, fashion designers to CEOs, all women who are making ripples in the region.

Longchamp, the world-renowned French leather goods and clothing house has opened their new store at the Mall of the Emirates. Located on the first floor, the store houses classic Longchamp leather goods alongside women’s ready-to-wear collections.

Giorgio Armani’s designs present clean, simple and minimalist lines reflecting a refined and understated sense of elegance. His first hotel in Dubai boasts the same. But when it comes to cuisine, there’s no simplicity to be had – Armani Ristorante features a superbly extravagant array of innovative Italian specialties.

Dubai’s Harvey Nichols presents a stunning bridal collection within its luxurious Fine Jewellery & Watches Department located on level 1. The collection features bridal jewellery including rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces all of which evoke a sense of classicism and romance.

Renowned throughout the GCC and India, the retail division of the Jashanmal Group operates over 100 stores in five countries. The group recently launched its new Luxury Department Store concept opening the largest in the Jashanmal store chain. The 15,000 square feet luxury department store is now open on Level One of the Star Atrium at Dubai Mall.

Bally, the Swiss luxury leather goods house, has officially opened at the ‘Avenue at Etihad Towers’ – Abu Dhabi’s new haven for luxury shopping.

The fun and practical luxury clutch bags by designer Urania Gazelli are now available Harvey Nichols in Dubai. Inspired by feminine sense of practicality, Gazalli’s design philosophy melds futurism with classicism. Her handcrafted clutch bags are created in her homeland of Greece and are made using fine materials and finished with the brand’s signature gold sign inside the bag.