Enter into the brightly-lit and caramel-colored interior of the Crowne Plaza Dubai and you’ll feel like you’ve gone back to the 1980s. Compared to the rest of Dubai’s newly-opened luxury hotels, the decor of the Crowne Plaza looks a bit worn and tired and reminds visitors that it is one of the city’s oldest hotel properties. As I journeyed up several floors to dine at the recently refurbished Oscar’s Vine Society, I was eager to see how a Provencal restaurant would transform from eighties kitsch into something more cozy and Mediterranean.

Ramadan is a month of religious observance, tolerance, peace and generosity. The act of gift giving is longstanding tradition within Islam originating back to the time of the Prophet Mohammad who believed that exchanging gifts would strengthen the bonds between Muslims and non-Muslims. For those desiring to buy meaningful presents for their loved ones during Eid Al-Fitr, the festival of fast-breaking which marks the end of Ramadan, Tiffany & Co. offers a selection of meaningful bespoke and precious items.

On 15th July, Chloe opened the doors of its third boutique in the UAE at The Avenue, Abu Dhabi’s new luxury shopping haven.

As the unforgiving heat of the Middle Eastern summer sun starts to dictate our style choices, we turn to Rosemin Manji, recognized as one of UAE’s leading stylists and fashion icons, for advice on how to stay looking fabulously chic in the heat!

Renowned for her classic yet contemporary designs, locally-based fashion designer Ayesha Depala emphasizes that her design philosophy is to create a product which is at once exclusive and impeccably finished, yet also accessible. Her sophisticated and highly feminine designs have gained her great appreciation from local as well as international clientele. Depala’s latest Autumn / Winter 2012 ready-to-wear collection boasts a romantic assemble of ethereal separates made predominantly in lace and including blouses, lace tops, silk trousers, capes and jumpsuits as well as maxi dresses and glamorous full gowns. We caught up with Depala to learn of the inspiration behind her fashion designs, her latest collection and hopes for the future.

Stumped on what to give for Ramadan? Damiani has just launched Metropolitan Dream Collection, an innovative, eclectic and modern ensemble of rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings available in four different shades of gold including yellow, pink, black and brown. Damiani’s master goldsmiths have made each item through special techniques to create a distinct textured surface.

Various reports state that the Qatar royal family is in talks with London-based private equity fund Permira over the sale of the Italian fashion house Valentino. The decision is expected to take place at the end of the month. If concluded, the sale of the entire Permira stake in Valentino would result in the Qatari’s first acquisition of a top fashion house. The Emir’s wife, Sheikha Mozah, is known for her love of Valentino dresses.

Renowned watchmaking brand Piaget recently opened the doors of its latest location in Etihad Towers’ revered luxury shopping spot, The Avenue. The store marks the brand’s seventh boutique within the GCC. Piaget boutiques continuously blend elements of grace and sophistication; this new one follows the steps of similar stores in Harrods, London and Zurich, Switzerland to become the third new boutique worldwide to feature the brand’s new design concept.

While Dubai is known for its extravagant offerings of luxury hotels, clubs and restaurants, the foodies of the city will be in awe at the price of a cupcake at Bloomsbury’s new location at The Dubai Mall. The boutique opened in opulence with the unveiling of “The Most Expensive ‘Edible’ Cupcake’ also known as the Golden Phoenix and priced at $1,010. The brand spent around $28,000 in preparation for the cupcake at the gala event.