Celestial inspiration

Nobody could argue that the Wellbeing Show 2007 was not launched in style! With world-renowned astrologer Shelley Von Strunckel, fragrance guru Roja Dove, the senses of Scorpio, hiding flower arrangements, intense flavours and fabulous food, success was pretty much guaranteed.

But besides all that, the show was launched with yet another first for Dubai — an astrological dinner.

Both Shelley and Roja, who will feature heavily in the 2007 Wellbeing Show, hosted the evening giving the audience a taste of what's to come during the main event in January next year.

Sensual journey

Guests were guided through the senses of Scorpio by Von Strunckel while Dove explained the history and scent behind certain fragrances linked with Scorpio.

For the first time in the region, Von Strunckel and “Professeur des parfums'' Dove joined forces on a sensual, astrological journey through five delicious courses, all based around this month's sign — Scorpio.

Von Strunckel said: “It's not about those people born under the star sign, but about the time of year. It's a celebration of the seasons and of the rhythms of nature. The sign Scorpio is about everything intense and exotic with just a hint of danger.

Pleasure and privilege

Talking scent with Dove is as rich a pleasure as it is a privilege. The man has more passion than you can imagine.
His comments and great expertise are quoted in relation to nearly every manufacturer of fragrance in the world, whilst his anecdotes keep worldwide audiences on a rollercoaster of laughter, astonishment and fascination.

He said: “I am thrilled to be a part of the Wellbeing Show 2007. I am certain it will be a huge success and I have loved the build-up to date. “The astrological show was so much fun and I could not believe the positive response we received from people of all ages and nationalities.

“It is always amazing to see how people reacted to the scents and star signs at the dinner. Shelley and I have hosted a few of these dinners around the world and they always go down a treat. People were still having fun at the party after midnight. A great night and a great way to launch the show.''

Cut glass bottles

Dove knows the rules of perfumery, he knows the rules of business and he knows what the market has done, is doing and will be doing next year.

It might seem astonishing that the man who has become known as the voice of perfumery should be English.

Modestly, Dove will point out that in the early 19th century it was English toiletries which were most admired on the continent, and those who were the fathers of French perfumery studied chemistry in England. And how appropriate that Dove trod an almost identical path as a medical research student in Cambridge before visiting Paris and losing his heart to the exoticism of the cut glass bottles he found there and their mysterious contents.

The astrologer

Shelley von Strunckel is widely regarded as the voice of reason in an often confusing field of astrology.
Her columns are published worldwide, notably in London's Sunday Times, Gulf News, The Times of India and Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, as well as French and British Vogue.

Talking about the dinner Shelley said: “It is a great honour to be part of such a prestigious show in Dubai. We are very much looking forward to wowing the crowds as we did here at the astrological dinner. The guests were wonderful and extremely inquisitive about the subject matter.''

A popular guest on radio and television, she analyses current events and news figures from an astrological viewpoint; appearances include BBC TV World's Hard Talk and news, debate and discussion shows in numerous countries.
For more information about Shelley visit her website at www.shelleyvonstrunckel.co