Raphael Stevens

Life

by Amy Sessions
8 mins ago

A fearless ride: Polly Gotseva, Co-Founder of BKP Group, talks to Emirates Woman about taking your hobbies to brave new heights.
What do you describe BKP as?
We are a music and film production company based here since 2000. We care about our people, our reputation, and the work we do – we are fearless in taking on big projects.
What do the first 30 mins of your day look like, your morning routine?
First order of the day is coffee as I need my caffeine fix to wake me up! Second is New York Times Wordle to wake my brain up and cuddles from my two Persian cats, Prada andGucci – I am then ready and raring to go.
You have an unusual hobby – tell us how you got into motorcycle riding?
Where do I start, I have a few! I have skydived, climbed Kilimanjaro, walked the Great Wall of China, husky sledded through the North Pole, climbed to Annapurna Base Camp, ridden through Myanmar on an old bicycle, cross country Mongolia – horses and cycling, Inca trail Machu Picchu, but my two enduring passions are scuba diving – where I dived to 60m in Mauritius one year and done over 120 dives around the world and as you mention, motorcycling. My husband Martin is a life-long motorcyclist and when we first met, he took me as a passenger on his bike so fast, I vowed never to ride with him again. So, my introduction to motorcycling was Martin showing me a YouTube ‘learners’ guide and sitting me on his Yamaha XJR 1300 in the Nad Al Sheba car park for my first tentative laps! I was hooked immediately and took my bike license in the middle of Covid with 26 hours of tough yard technical riding racing Deliveroo graduates to pass my official license. I am now the proud owner of a custom Harley 1200 sportster and Harley 1500 Road King!

Where is the most unusual place you’ve ridden your motorbike and where else is on the Wishlist?
My furthest ride so far has been Dubai to Fairmount hotel, Fujeirah Hotel via Hatta to stay the night and ride back the next day. My most unusual ride so far was a group ride with the Café Rider guys to Hatta Dam and then earlier this year, to the top of Jebel Jaise – up was okay; down was super challenging and technical. Next, I will be doing a motorcycle tour in Japan, including Mount Fuji which we will probably do next year to coincide with the cherry blossom season. You have your own fearless style – how has this evolved? I grew up in Bulgaria behind the Iron Curtain – it taught us to be self-sufficient, hard-working, respectful and take early responsibility for family and income. We studied very hard at school – although my mother was often called in to try and calm my rebellious nature – we were sent harvesting during the summer, and I did my National Service – leading my platoon and winning the prize for fastest Kalashnikov machine gun strip down and reassembly. My hard work ethic saw me selected for Bulgarian National Dance group entry and through constant practice I was selected by the Communist Party to tour through Europe and ultimately dance in Paris – we travelled on an old communist bus with a party member chaperone and our mobile kitchen on the roof – not business class but it opened my young eyes to the outside world and the potential adventures that awaited me and this included how I express myself though my style.
When else have you had to be fearless in life and how did this materialise?
When I was 27 years old working for the Bulgarian National Radio, a friend of mine started saving a few dollars a month and trying to learn English – we planned to ‘escape’ to Dubai which we had heard was fast developing and had huge potential opportunities. In the end my friend pulled out at the last minute and sent her 19-year-old daughter with me instead. We landed with 250 USA dollars between us and no return ticket– I was 27 years old and spoke very little English.
What is your biggest strength?
Never give up, remain positive despite the challenges, love and laugh with the people who love you – distance yourself from the people who don’t. How do you approach scaling fearlessly in business without compromising on quality? You need options. Without options, you panic, and panic is not an option. In my life challenges, I could have panicked many times but have applied my fearlessness and have always taken a strategic approach to solving the problem. Imagine you are husky sledding like I did, and you are about to be attacked by a polar bear, you need to look at your options mighty quickly. Same rationales apply in business, be fearless but with options. Most people dream of starting their own business, but very few do. Why? Because of fear. Many people fear things that wont even happen. Fearlessness brings far greater opportunities.
What have been the most challenging or rewarding aspects to date?
In business, surviving Covid. It was something we couldn’t control. We moved to Saudi Arabia during that time and successfully supported delivering Expo 2020 and opening of the Museum of the Future with the entertainment required – we had to find a full-size orchestra within a week!
Have you had any mentors in life and if so, what knowledge did they impart?
My business partner Barry Kirsch, for 23 years has been my great mentor in business and life. We went through so much as we built the business and his huge experience of working internationally in the music industry gave me amazing insights into the industry.
What is a kindness you’ve received or a lesson you’ve learned that you’d like to pay forward?
The kindness that my mother and father showed us when we were growing up. They taught us the values of hard work, honesty, respect, love, and loyalty. We did not have much in terms of material wealth, but we were rich in terms of family support, love, and experiences. It is part of the Bulgarian culture that family closeness and support is still a central value. I am proud and I am fortunate enough to maintain these lessons and still visit my mother, father, and sister regularly and this extends to the support of my son Martino, his wife Gabby and my grandson Nikki.
What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
Spend more on travel and life’s experiences and less on the exotic fashion brands. Experiences and memories are priceless and last forever. This is The Fearlessness Issue – what does being fearless mean to you? Embrace every challenge and finding a solution with the people I trust and love – that is what makes me stronger. Live life to the maximum and enjoy life’s journey, however I am travelling!
October – The Fearlessness Issue with Chaumet  – Download Now
– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Supplied More

Founder of Sosaï Events, Sofia Sayah, talks to Emirates Woman on what it takes to build a brand from scratch and how to dare to be different when it comes to event planning.
What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?
I typically wake up early to carve out a quiet space for morning reflection before the hustle and bustle of the day sets in. This time is invaluable to me as it sets a positive tone and allows me to gather my thoughts, plan tasks effectively, and tap into my creativity. It’s a moment of tranquility before my day unfolds into backto-back calls, follow- ups, and meetings.
Since you launched Sosaï Events, it’s scaled quickly. How many clients did you start with, and how has the company scaled?
When I first launched Sosaï Events in the midst of the pandemic, I started with just a handful of private clients who wanted to continue celebrating life milestones such as birthdays and proposals. Our goal was to brighten up our client’s day by bringing to them meaningful and beautiful experiences. Things rapidly changed once life got started to go back to normal, companies started to regain confidence in their marketing budgets, and many were open to giving new players like us an opportunity. Since then, we have expanded our client base significantly and this growth can be attributed to our dedication to delivering quality events and word-ofmouth recommendations from clients.
Can you define the DNA of this brand?
The DNA of Sosaï is rooted in creativity, innovation, and commitment to attention to detail. We take pride in crafting unique and unforgettable experiences for our clients, consistently pushing the boundaries of traditional event planning to deliver truly extraordinary results. What sets us apart is our expertise in both corporate and private events. This unique combination allows us to infuse corporate events with intimacy and meticulous detail while bringing professionalism and organization to private events. Our brand DNA is all about delivering exceptional, tailor-made experiences. How did you know it was the right time to launch on your own, and where did the fearlessness to do this come from? Launching my own event company during a pandemic was certainly an unconventional and unadvised move, but it felt like the right time because I saw an opportunity to adapt and innovate in a changing landscape. My fearlessness came from my passion for event planning and my belief in the value I could bring to clients, even during challenging times.

You have a living/working villa – tell us about this concept and the benefits?
Due to the nature of our industry, we found ourselves constantly on the move, shuttling between clients and event setups. When we weren’t on-site, we were working from home. While this setup worked initially, we reached a point where we needed a dedicated space to meet a few times a week. I’ve never been a firm believer in the traditional 9-6 office routine, especially considering the physically demanding aspects of our work. Leasing a conventional office space didn’t seem like the right fit for us. That’s when the idea of a living and working villa in a residential/commercial neighbourhood emerged. We transformed the first floor into a modern office space, where we now hold our bi-weekly workdays and client meetings. Through this setup, we’ve successfully crafted a cozy yet structured work environment. It offers the comfort of ‘home’ combined with the essential elements of an office, enhancing our team’s productivity.
How does Sosaï think outside the box when it comes to events?
At Sosaï, we think outside the box by focusing on creative concepts, interactive experiences, cutting-edge technology, unconventional venues, personalised touches, and collaborations with experts from various fields. We’re committed to delivering unique and memorable events that go beyond traditional expectations.
You are detail focused – where does this make the most difference for an event that is vital to get right?
Attention to detail is paramount in all aspects of event planning, but it is absolutely critical during execution. Our goal is to deliver on every promise and exceed expectations, leaving no room for oversight, no matter how minuscule. It’s often the smallest, nuanced details that set our events apart and leave a lasting impression,even if only a select few notice them.
Which qualities do you look for most when hiring?
When it comes to hiring, my approach has evolved over time. Initially, I believed that hiring individuals with extensive event experience was crucial. However, I’ve come to realize that event planning isn’t just a skill; it’s a mindset. What matters bring to the table. I look for individuals with a positive, open attitude, natural drive to excel, a warm and welcoming demeanour, the ability to thrive under pressure, and exceptional organizational skills. I’ve found that with these qualities, everythingelse can be developed and refined.
What is your biggest strength?
My biggest strength has always been my ability to establish and maintain trust with my clients. In the event planning industry, trust is the cornerstone of successful partnerships. Clients need to feel confident that their vision and expectations will be met, and that their event will be executed flawlessly. What sets me apart is not only my commitment to building trust but also my innate ability to understand what clients want and need, often even before they fully articulate it themselves. I excel at tuning into their needs, preferences, and desires, helping to shape their vision into reality. This is what I call my sixth sense, and it’s a quality that I believe truly distinguishes me in this field.
How do you approach scaling without compromising on quality?
At the moment, scaling isn’t our top priority. We’re focused on organic and steady growth. While we currentlyhave a core team of six, and we’ve been working together for over a year, I continue to be involved in all events to oversee every aspect and ensure the delivery of top-quality service. While I do envision future growth for our company, it will never come at theexpense of the quality we pride ourselves on. Quality remains our foremost concern, and we are prioritising taking on interesting, creative events that align with our vision ratherthan pursuing a high volume of events.
What has been the biggest challenge to date, and how did you overcome it?
It’s quite a task to single out the biggest challenge among the many I’ve faced on this journey. In reality, it often feels like the entire journey has been a series of challenges and overcoming that has become a mindset – a commitment to always being in solution mode. Rather thansuccumbing to panic, I’ve trained myself to immediately shift into problem-solving mode when challenges arise. If I were to recall one particularly challenging moment, it would be when I produced my very first brand event entirely on my own. I made a promise I believed I could deliver, even though I had never undertaken such a task solo before. What made the difference was the immense pressure I placed on myself, which led me to become more organized than ever. As a result, everything ran smoothly, demonstrating the power of determination and adaptability in the face of challenges.
Have you had any mentors in life, and if so, what knowledge did they impart?
Expected as it may sound, my life mentor has always been my mum. Not just because she’s my mother, but because she’s an extraordinary businesswoman who has achieved all her dreams and lives her life with fearless determination. I’ve absorbed numerous invaluable lessons from her, but if I were to distill her wisdom into a few words, it would be this: ‘Hard work and discipline are the only pathways to success.’

What is a kindness you’ve received or a lesson you’ve learned that you’d like to pay forward?
The events industry in Dubai is truly a tight-knit community filled with kindness and a strong sense of camaraderie among professionals. We all understand the unique challenges and pressures we face in this line of work. While it might seem like we’re competitors, there have been numerous occasions when I’ve witnessed remarkable acts of generosity and support from fellow industry peers, and I’ve been fortunate to receive such kindness myself. In times of need, I’ve had many people come to the rescue, offering valuable advice, resources, and assistance, and I’ve reciprocated by extending a helping hand to others facing similar challenges. This sense of unity and willingness to support one another has not only made me appreciate the strength of our industry community but has also instilled in me the importance of paying forward the kindness and knowledge I’ve received.
This is The Fearlessness Issue – what does being fearless mean to you?
To me, being fearless means embracing the unknown – the very thing that used to scare me the most. When I made the decision to embark on this entrepreneurial journey, I knew I was signing up for a world filled with uncertainties. Everything was uncharted territory, and to some extent, it still is and always will be. Living in this unknown realm is the ultimate act of fearlessness because it means believing in myself, having faith in my abilities to overcome any hurdles that may come my way, and trusting that, regardless of the obstacles, everything will ultimately have a positive outcome. Looking back at when I first started, I can’t help but feel proud of the fearlessness that has guided me throughout this entire journey. I’ve encountered numerous challenges along the way, and each time I felt the weight of doubt, I dug deep to find the inner strength required to push through. Fearlessness, to me, is not the absence of fear but the courage to confront it and keep moving forward.
October – The Fearlessness Issue with Chaumet  – Download Now
– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Supplied More

Life

by Ruman Baig
3 hours ago

In a recent IG story, Her Highness Sheikha Mahra Bint Mohammad Bin Rashed Al Maktoum, confirmed of her presence in the forthcoming ICONS Exhibition scheduled for next month at the opulent Palazzo Versace in Dubai.
The ICONS Exhibition stands as a noteworthy event that lends unwavering support to regional female entrepreneurs within the realms of fashion and beauty, offering them a prestigious platform to present and market their products. This illustrious exhibition convenes multiple times throughout the year, each time at different locations and garners the presence of a galaxy of renowned guests.
This forthcoming event marks yet another occasion where Her Highness Sheikha Mahra will grace the premises of the ICONS Exhibition. The Dubai Royal previously inaugurated last year’s event and was captured exploring the diverse array of stalls showcasing a range of products, including abayas and fragrances.
The exhibition is set to transpire within the luxurious confines of Palazzo Versace, nestled in the heart of Al Jaddaf, one of Dubai’s most lavish hotels. Mark your calendars for this extravagant affair, which is scheduled to run from November 3 to November 5, with daily operating hours from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Instagram: Feature Image: @hhsheikhamahra More

Life

by Ruman Baig
4 hours ago

Emirates Woman thinks globally and supports locally.
Last night, we hosted the Woman of the Year Awards 2023 to honour the prolific women of the region and here’s how it unfolded:
The Awards
As the region’s leading women’s fashion and lifestyle brand with over 40 years at the forefront of publishing in the Middle East, we remain dedicated to championing and supporting the incredible women of the region and beyond. The event returned this year to shine a light on those achieving outstanding achievements in their industries and those living with the values we align ourselves with of integrity, authenticity, excellence, and grit.
The Event
Winners were announced at last nights’ event. The black-tie event was an intimate occasion. Guests included Sabra Thani, Director of Corporate Communications for Dubai Women Establishment, who was the MC of the evening and Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District, who gave an inspirational keynote speech.
The Winners

Congratulations to all our nominees and winners this year and we look forward to supporting more incredible women in the next year ahead.
– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Emirates Woman  More

Life

by Ruman Baig
2 hours ago

Taylor Swift is about to show us, ‘incredible things’ as the much-awaited Eras Tour movie is finally coming to the UAE.
While Swifties in the UAE haven’t had the chance to share beaded bracelets, scream the 10-minute version of ‘All Too Well’ or sing along to the bridge of, ‘Cruel Summer’ in person yet, they can certainly do it in theatres soon.

TS’ magnanimous Eras Tour has been documented into a movie, which was released in the US in October last month. Exactly after a month of its original release, the theatrical version of the concert will make its way to UAE, on November 3, across VOX Cinemas.
While the tickets are still under ‘coming soon’ category on the VOX website, rest be assure, once the floodgates are open, theatres will be swamped with UAE-based Swifties, lip-syncing to each lyric in every album.
The movie has already surpassed $120 million at the box office, it is only a matter of time until the fans in UAE show their might.
– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Instagram @tstheerastourfilm More

Life

by Ruman Baig
2 hours ago

HH Sheikha Mahra and Sheikh Mana will soon be welcoming their first child together.
Congratulations are in order for this royal couple in Dubai, as they are about to be Parents to their first child. In a Instagram Story, confirming her pregnancy, Sheikha Mahra shared an image of the sonogram with a heart emoji over it.

Recently, the daughter of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, celebrated her husband, Sheikh Mana’s 25th birthday.
The Dubai royal shared her birthday wishes and glimpses of the celebrations on her Instagram, giving the world a peek into their private moments.
Amid their low-key English countryside getaway, Sheikha Mahra expressed her love for Sheikh Mana with a snapshot of his golden 25th birthday balloons, accompanied by a sweet message, “Happy birthday my love.” Sheikh Mana reciprocated the sentiment by reposting the Instagram story and referring to his wife as “My everything.”

When did the couple get married?
As for their marriage, Sheikha Mahra and Sheikh Mana got engaged in March and celebrated their Katb Al-Kitaab, the official marriage ceremony and signing of the marriage contract, on April 5, 2023, a momentous occasion that they shared through social media.
Sheikh Mana Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Bin Mana Al Maktoum, who previously served a year in the UAE Armed Forces-National Service, is currently pursuing a degree in Security and Risk Management from the American University in the Emirates, adding an academic dimension to his royal life.
– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Instagram @hhshmahra @man3almaktoum More