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They were all rehearsing for the Indonesian cultural morning arranged by the Dubai Chapter of Ikebana International. The event to be held on Sunday, December 15, at Le Meridien Dubai will start at 10.00am and is open to all women. It will be followed by an Indonesian buffet lunch.

Shafaq has a flair for combining unusual materials like kundan with beaver pearls, uncut diamonds with amber or antique coins with emeralds to create a harmonious blend of traditional and abstract motifs that have a very distinct identity.

"In Bulgaria, particularly in summer, people enjoy sitting outdoors and posing for the portraits, but my customers in Dubai prefer to have them done from photographs. This gives me more time to work on the picture. Like every artist, I never feel that a picture is complete and keep adding details till the customer comes to pick it up," he says.

A history tour

The fashion show held on Friday also featured the latest collection from Personal Effects, a Mumbai boutique run by designers Indira Mankani and Meghna Mehta.

Diamonds dazzle at their 'biggest ever' exhibition in Dubai

Dubai fashion show featuring bridal wear showcases local customs and traditions

It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive said Robert Louis Stevenson. However, Jyoti Kalsi found that arriving in a new place can be great fun too. Her postcard says it all – or almost all! She forgot to mention where she is but the letter contains many clues. <br /> Can you guess where on earth she is?

The latest in nail and eye decoration is here

Fashion show at Wafi matches mood and clothes

Read about a fashion show where guests brought gifts for underprivileged children

Brenda Wholey's bags are beautiful. In unusual shapes with pretty bead handles; they are embellished with lace daisies, sequin butterflies, peacock feathers and other decorations.