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      Swimming pools in Abu Dhabi can begin to reopen

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      After being closed for several months, pools in Abu Dhabi are permitted to begin to reopen.
      Over the weekend the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT) issued instructions for hotels and other establishments to follow in order for their pools to reopen.

      As part of the standard precautionary measures in place of establishments reopening post-COVID-19, there will be stringent health and safety requirements in place for pools to open once again.
      This includes social distancing measures being place with sunbeds being kept two metres apart and towels, which need to be brought by individuals, must be used on sun loungers to act as a barrier.

      Similarly, there’s a maximum of four people allowed per group and social distancing measures must be taken in between individuals and groups.
      As for staff, they must test negative for COVID-19 before returning to work and will be required to undergo bi-weekly tests.
      Everyone must wear masks at all times unless people are doing an “activity which requires body and face submersion”.
      While all of these precautionary measures are in place, pools are not permitted to reopen until they have a sign-off from official DCT inspectors.
      Meanwhile, pools in Dubai reopened at the beginning of June and just like Abu Dhabi, there have been strict measures in place in order to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
      Feature Image: The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi More

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      How this cult luggage brand has weathered the storm of COVID-19

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      Luxury luggage brand RIMOWA delivers in the style stakes. We look at how this 120-year-old brand stays ahead of the curve and designs for the future.
      With cutting edge designs, functionality at its forefront and sustainability at its core, luxury luggage brand RIMOWA is one that should be on your radar. While it’s a brand that’s been delivering premium luggage for 120 years, it’s under the leadership of Alexandre Arnault, who became the brand’s CEO at the age of 26, along with being acquired by the LVMH group, that’s redefined the brand into a new league of its own.
      In the last three years alone, Arnault and his team have secured a partnership with some of the most well-known brands in the fashion industry including Fendi, Off-White, Supreme, Moncler and most recently Dior. This move has firmly put RIMOWA on the map as one to watch. According to WWD, just as LVMH acquired the brand, RIMOWA was only wrapping up around $485 million in sales. However, as of 2019, under Arnault’s leadership and realignment of the brand, that number has now been far surpassed.

      Collaboration is something that has become deeply entwined with the brand’s design ethos, Emelie de Vitis, the Chief Marketing Officer for RIMOWA tells Emirates Woman. “It’s always an honour to work with houses like Dior, Fendi and Moncler, among many others,” she adds. “We learn from each other and challenge our existing understanding of how our products look and feel. Through collaborations, we get to focus on what is essential for RIMOWA and what can evolve in unexpected, exciting ways.” This is just one of the ways the brand has set itself apart from other competitors, at its core “form has always been just as important as the function”, de Vitis says.

      This has been true from the brand’s inception in 1898. Originally founded as a company focusing on saddlery in Cologne, Germany, founder Paul Morszeck evolved the business into crafting suitcases out of wood. However, it was in the 1930s when the brand took a turning point which would define itself throughout the decades. Firstly, the name RIMOWA was born after Paul’s son Richard Morszeck became involved in the running of the company. The word ‘RIMOWA’ is actually an acronym for Richard Morszeck Warenzeichen, with the latter word meaning ‘trademark’ in German. In the latter half of the decade, in 1937, an apparent fire broke out in the factory destroying the majority of the company’s materials. What survived of the blaze materials wise was some aluminium, which became the key substance of the pieces from RIMOWA.
      Over a century down the line, the key designs for the brand still remain etched in their ethos, but now at the heart for RIMOWA and what it stands for is “purposeful travel”. “We expertly design and engineer the resilient tools needed for a lifetime of journeys, crafting them to be capable of enduring all the little turbulences along the way, while still moving effortlessly and elegantly through even the most bustling airport terminal, train station or beyond,” de Vitis says.
      However, the current climate of staying put due to the pandemic has forced the brand to go against its very essence. “As a business, but also as a team of curious, driven individuals, we’re made to move,” de Vitis explains. As a company deeply rooted in travel, it’s meant the brand has been particularly sensitive and affected by the limited movement, which has meant RIMOWA has had to look for other ways to communicate with their community. In fact, it has sparked a reflective movement for the company, which has recently launched the New Horizons and #TripsChangeUs campaigns, putting forward the notion that travel isn’t just about the act itself but the lasting memories and experiences you take with you long after you have left a destination. “It was important for us to share our feeling that, for us, travel is not the location; it’s what you learn about yourself that makes the memories of a trip worth holding on to,” de Vitis says. “And that’s determined by your mindset and whether you choose to find purpose in how and why you move from one place to the next.”

      Despite the current pause, it hasn’t stopped RIMOWA from planning for the future, which is looking towards the consumer-conscious traveller and how they can support their community with their brand identity as a whole. “As a new generation of travellers come of age, we’re seeing a fresh definition of how and what it means to move in today’s world,” de Vitis says. “Hospitality, mobility, fashion all find themselves in the commercial intersection for today’s consumer-conscious traveller. These crosscurrents bring with them the opportunity of innovation in the product, retail experience, and brand identity. As we explore and implement new ways to anticipate shifts in trends, it is important for us to resonate with these new generations as we forge ahead with uncharged creative ideas.”
      As part of their ethos of catering to the consumer-conscious traveller, RIMOWA also ensures sustainability is at the heart of its design ethos. From the materials they choose to the techniques they employ, to the durability of their luggage pieces – sustainability is at the company’s core. “When we speak of ‘luggage designed for a lifetime’, we mean this from our luggage’s engineering to our renowned after-sales service, trusted with thoughtfully catering to our client’s needs at Client Care Centre’s around the world for decades with the knowledge and expertise accumulated over more than a century,” de Vitis says.
      De Vitis also reveals there is plenty of exciting things around the corner for RIMOWA. As you’d expect the brand is focusing on expanding its core luggage range, but with a slight twist. “We’re increasingly looking to cater to customers beyond the moments typically associated with travel, moments not necessarily associated with arrivals and departures,” she says. This includes the exciting launch of RIMOWA Eyewear in June 2020. While it’s beyond the luggage sphere RIMOWA is used to, but the same core production values continue. “Created with mobility in mind, this new collection explores beyond what we typically consider to be in the travel product ecosystem, building on the brand’s history of innovation while preserving its iconic tradition of quality, engineering and craftsmanship,” de Vitis says. So, it’s clear that while this travel company is standing still in terms of location, it’s moving forward in every other way just as it has done for the past 120 years.
      Pick up a copy of ‘The Summer Escape Issue’ or download it here
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
      Images: RIMOWA Instagram/Supplied More

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      Prayer rooms in UAE malls permitted to reopen

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      Prayer rooms in malls and towers in the UAE are now permitted to reopen at a limited capacity.
      As of tomorrow, July 30, prayer rooms can start operating at 30 per cent capacity. Similarly, all worshippers are to ensure social distancing measures in place, with people maintaining a distance of two metres.

      In addition, as instructed by the National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, no gatherings are permitted to take place before and after prayers and all halls must be cleaned and sterilised after every prayer.

      In conjunction with the partial easing of restrictions on movement and in order to gradually return to normal life, we announce the reopening of prayer rooms in shopping centers and towers starting July 20, with a maximum capacity of 30% and following the precautionary measures. pic.twitter.com/hwQWFTlaSB
      — NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) July 18, 2020

      Other precautionary measures include the use of single-use prayer mats at halls is required, masks and gloves must be worn at all times and worshippers are required to recite the Quran using their phones or other electronic devices.
      This latest move comes after mosques and other places of worship in the UAE reopened at the beginning of July after being closed for three and a half months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Feature Image: Mall of the Emirates Instagram More

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      Quarter Life Crisis or Comparison Trap? What to Remember When You Feel Lost

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      Six years into a successful career in PR, with amazing friends and family and my sweet dog napping next to me, I have a lot to be grateful for. I have always been driven, and am proud to say I’ve worked my butt off to get where I am today — from my professional position to my Toronto apartment and my rescue pup, Moose.  That’s why I was pretty shocked to find myself on the eve of my 28th birthday in tears. Not happy tears. More along the lines of, “What the hell am I doing with my life?” tears. Granted, some of this could be credited to the bottle of rosé I’d just enjoyed with my boyfriend, or the fact that I was ovulating. But there was something else: in the weeks leading up to my birthday, it felt like all my single girlfriends had announced engagements; and my married ones, pregnancies. Never major priorities before, I found myself feeling frantic — career success and personal accomplishments aside — was I behind?
      The thing they don’t tell us about our late 20s is the way our lives will look vastly different from the friends we feel so close to — and how to navigate this free of comparison. I thought I was too smart for the comparison trap — Instagram and social norms be damned. Well, here I am, and I’m sure I’m not alone. If you too are the token career woman in your friend group, here are some of the things I’ve found really helpful to ground me in what is truly fulfilling at this time in my life:

      Try something new
      Not as in, trying on wedding gowns. Find a way to connect with other like-minded women in your community who may be experiencing similar uncertainties and anxieties. You will probably be surprised to find the number of female-focused workshops and networking events in your area that can really open doors — even if it’s just a door in your own mind. This may sound daunting, but I promise if you attend just one, you’ll be glad you went.

      Source: @sezane

      Reflect on a ritual that brings you joy
      Something that you only need yourself for. We tend to feel “too busy,” but time to truly unwind on your own can help declutter your mind and validate the things in life that truly matter. This can be as simple as making a coffee, doing a workout, or writing. Do something just for you, on a regular basis, that has no expected return or outcome. What you gain internally just might surprise you.

      Source: Retha Ferguson | Pexels

      Chuck the five year plan
      Goal-setting is second nature to us career-focused gals, but it may be time to hit pause. If you’re feeling the immediate pressure of “keeping up,” your detailed roadmap to 40 may be compounding that pressure. As someone who was admittedly measuring my self-worth by the way others perceived my success, this moment of comparison made me realize it was time to take a step back from my goals, whether personal, professional, or financial. This doesn’t mean you’re back to square one or that those goals will change. There is true value in taking time to think critically about what brings you true fulfillment each day, and letting those goals fall into place or adjust naturally according to that fulfillment.  
      Your late 20s are weird: you don’t feel young but you don’t feel old, everyone is officially on very different life paths, and you’re realizing all the complications your 6-year-old dreamy self didn’t know existed. You’re going to be just fine — be brave, and let your happiness look different from your friends. It’s worth it. More

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      Kylie is no longer the highest paid influencer in the world

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      Kylie Jenner is no longer the highest-paid Instagram influencer in the world.
      The makeup mogul has been knocked off the top spot by Dwyane ‘The Rock’ Johnson and now ranks behind in second place.

      Social media growth company Hopper HQ began publishing its Instagram Rich List in 2017, and since then the 22-year-old has commanded the top spot until now.
      “Following the unceremonious stripping of her billionaire status by Forbes, Kylie Jenner has been dethroned after two years on top,” the company said in a blog post on their website.

      According to Hopper HQ’s estimations, The Rock – who has over 190 million followers on the social media platform – now brings in over $1 million (Dhs3.67 million) per sponsored post on Instagram.

      Meanwhile, Kylie, 22, who has 185 million followers, commands $986,000 per sponsored post.
      While Kylie’s ranking has dropped, the social media growth company also highlighted that this year there had been “a drop in fees for influencers on Instagram, even among the highest earners,” for the first time “as marketers and brands have reduced influencer budgets due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.”
      As far as the rest of the top 10 highest paid influencers on the platform was Cristiano Ronaldo, Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and Neymar da Silva Santos Junior.

      View this post on Instagram

      morning
      A post shared by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on Jul 11, 2020 at 10:22am PDT

      Just recently, Kylie was stripped of her billionaire title by American business magazine Forbes.
      In an explosive article titled ‘Inside Kylie Jenner’s web of lies’, the outlet claimed Jenner’s makeup empire is “significantly smaller, and less profitable, than the family has spent years leading the cosmetics industry and media outlets, including Forbes, to believe”.
      “Forbes now thinks that Kylie Jenner, even after pocketing an estimated $340 million after taxes from the sale, is not a billionaire,” the article also stated.
      However, in response to the accusatory article, the makeup mogul hit back stating Forbes’ claims were based on “inaccurate statements and unproven assumptions”.
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
      Feature Image: Kylie Jenner Instagram More

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      Dubai’s Global Village is set to reopen in October

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      Dubai’s Global Village is set to reopen in October.

      This year the season will run from October until April 2021. Entry will cost Dhs15 per person, with children under the age of three going for free. People of determination and those over the age of 65 also go free.
      Excitingly, this 2020-2021 season also marks the 25th anniversary of the popular Dubai attraction.
      The Global Village announced its early closure for the season in March the worldwide outbreak of coronavirus.
      “Because excellent guest experience is at the centre of everything we do and in conjunction with the authorities we have decided to close our season early this year as a preventative measure,” the statement read.
      “We look forward to welcoming you back to Global Village for our 25th season later this year.”
      Luckily, we can all look forward to being able to celebrate the Silver Anniversary of the Global Village in October.
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Feature Image: Global Village Instagram More

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      A royal wedding took place in secret over the weekend

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      Due to coronavirus many couples across the globe who were set to marry had to put their wedding plan on hold, and that even included members of the British royal family.
      Princess Beatrice was set to marry her fiancee UK property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi on May 29 in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace, but this was postponed due to lockdown restrictions.

      However, given many restrictions across the UK, and the rest of the world, have slowly started to lift, it was revealed the Queen’s granddaughter wed Edoardo over the weekend.
      Buckingham Palace announced the couple wed at The Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor.

      Congratulations to HRH Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi! #JustMarried #RoyalWedding
      The couple were married in a small private ceremony at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor on Friday 17th July. pic.twitter.com/1WMW1nUQ0q
      — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 18, 2020

      Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh attended, along with other close family members. The palace confirmed that around 20 guests attended the ceremony.
      In photos published to the official royal family Twitter page, Beatrice is seen in her stunning vintage wedding dress by Norman Hartnell and the Queen Mary diamond fringe tiara, which both belong to her grandmother, the Queen.
      The tiara was worn by Her Majesty on her wedding day in 1947.
      As of July 4 in the UK, small weddings of up to 30 guests are permitted. Prior to this in March a ban on all weddings and gatherings was put in place due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
      Princess Beatrice and her new husband began dating in Autumn 2018, and announced their engagement in September last year.
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Royal Family Twitter, Photographer: Benjamin Wheeler More

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      Feeling Bored? Take One of These Online Classes

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      In this day and age, there is never an excuse to be bored, but it may not feel that way—especially when it seems like you’ve already watched every movie and show ever uploaded to Netflix. Sometimes to break out of your boredom, you need to mix things up a little bit and give your mind some food for thought. Enter: online classes. Digital education has always been a great option for those looking to expand their skill set or supplement their resume, but lately, the amount of amazing online course options have expanded even more. You can probably guess why. Online classes are flexible, often allow you to work at your own pace, and are almost always more affordable than going back to school. Because there are basically an endless amount of options out there for you to choose from, we rounded up a list of online classes you can enroll in if you’re bored—some of which are completely free to take, and all are hosted by really cool, talented, and insanely smart women!

      This free 30-day course from public academic, writer, and lecturer Rachel Cargle serves as an eye-opener and a call to action for anyone seeking to be allies to Black women. Each day you will have access to prompts that will urge you to think critically and act tangibly in solidarity. 

      Chances are, you’ve seen the ads that popped up everywhere when social distancing began for MasterClass (you’ll see a few of their courses on this list!). A $15 monthly subscription to this service gives you access to online classes from more than 85 of the world’s greatest minds, including the remarkable Dr. Jane Goodall. Her first ever online class will teach you how you can work to conserve the environment, plus she’ll give insight into her decades of work studying chimpanzees. 

      It’s safe to say that most of us could use a little extra confidence! In this online course, author, broadcaster, and podcast host Emma Gannon will walk you through why we self sabotage and will lead you through five exercises that will help you build your creative confidence. You got this!

      Considering Shonda Rhimes produces some of the most popular TV shows of our generation (we’re looking at you Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal), we can think of no one better to instruct us in the art of television writing. Even if you don’t have dreams of writing for TV professionally, learning about the process and trying something creative will be fun and educational. 

      If you’re in need of a little comfort food, you’ll love Tuscan cookbook author Giulia Scarpaleggia’s introduction to simple, traditional, hearty Italian and Tuscan recipes. You’ll learn how to make pasta from scratch (yes please!) and how to use basic ingredients in the pantry to make wholesome, delicious recipes.

      It’s time to step away from the iPhone and finally learn how to use that DSLR that’s been collecting dust in your closet. Learning how to use a DSLR camera to its full potential can be intimidating, but photographer Kelly Lawson will take you through all the basics in a way that makes the learning process way easier. 

      Source: Mateus Campos Felipe | Unsplash

      Throughout this course, Bola Sokunbi, Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), money expert, and the founder of Clever Girl Finance wants to help you transform your money mindset by teaching you how to become confident regarding organizing your finances, goal setting, and budgeting.

      We’ve been fans of Emily Henderson’s amazing design skills for years, and can see why over 27,000 students have enrolled in her digital interior design course. This course has 57 projects you can complete, which means you’ll be on your way to expert status in no time too. 

      This course offers a deep dive into women’s health and human rights issues from infancy through old age. You’ll learn about positive interventions relating to those issues, as well as have the ability to chat with other classmates through interactive discussions. Through Coursera’s financial aid program, you also can apply to take this course for free.

      Most of us have been cooking at home for months on end now and probably need to mix things up a bit. That’s why we’re extremely tempted to sign up for chef Gabriela Cámara’s online cooking class that focuses on modern Mexican cuisine!

      If you’ve ever come up with the perfect app idea—which we know you have—now is your chance to learn from a literal expert, Dr. Angela Yu, how to build any app you want. She began programming at the age of 12 and she’s whipped up over 70 apps and video games in her day. Your app will be at the top of the charts any day now!

      If you’ve ever been curious how bloggers and media brands make money off affiliate links, this course will break down everything you’ve been dying to know. The course comes from the designer and creative mind Salma Sheriff and will teach you the basics on how to make money off affiliate marketing. Basically, this course will end up paying for itself. 

      In all relationships (family, friends, partners, and coworkers) communication is key. Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts knows a thing or two about communication and is sharing her best tips for fostering unforgettable moments through human connection in this online course. 

      Source: Gabby in the City

      Founder and creative director of the popular lifestyle brand Wit & Delight, Kate Arends is an expert on leveraging a social following into a creative business. If you’re looking to build an online community, develop content channels, or identify worthwhile opportunities, this course is for you. 

      YouTube beauty gurus are great, but if you’re looking to learn from one of the original makeup masters, you’ll love Bobbi Brown’s new online course. She’ll walk you through step-by-step makeup tutorials on models with a variety of skin tones and will answer some major makeup questions that you probably want answers to.

      If you want to master the culinary basics, chef Alice Waters is the perfect teacher. Known for starting the farm-to-table movement, Waters is the perfect person to instruct in the art of home cooking. Deep dive into essential kitchen tools, properly stocking a pantry, and cooking delicious, healthy food.

      Best-selling Author Roxane Gay’s online creative writing course aims to help students find their story, craft their truth, and learn how to write to make a difference. No matter what type of writing you want to undertake, this course will teach you to develop your craft.

      Any Gilmore Girls fan will likely jump at the chance to take a Yale course for free! Over two million people have taken this course from professor Laurie Santos, which presents a series of challenges designed to increase happiness and build more productive habits. It’s not too late to join them!

      WordPress is an exceptionally popular blogging platform, which means WordPress developers who can customize the design and functionality of these websites are in hot demand. Whether you want to make WordPress development a professional goal or simply want to learn more about how to customize your own website, this course can help lead the way. 

      Considering Diane Von Furstenberg built one of the most iconic fashion brands of all time, we’re looking forward to learning a thing or two about branding from her. Whether you work in fashion or not, her tips can’t be missed. 

      Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without highlighting a few of our own online courses! This course gives you all the resources you need to land your dream job. Alongside guided worksheets, insight from career experts, and a comprehensive resource list, you’ll gain access to super helpful resume, cover letter, and email templates. 

      It seems fair to say that we could all use a little extra self-care right about now! This online course is formatted as a fun six week challenge that comes with over 100 pages of guidance, tips, and worksheets. 
        More