Three of the Maldives luxury resorts Amilla Fushi, Huvafen Fushi and Finolu offering blissful vacations
Favorite brand to the stars, Issa with House of Fraser to debut its latest collection
Fine Jewellery Label INTISARS Debuts on the Red Carpet

Dubai, UAE, December 6, 2017:  As Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) gears up to celebrate its 14th edition (6-13 December),the team at the DIFF VIP lounge are busy once again preparing to welcome the celebrity guests in their usual luxurious style. Back for its sixth year, the lounge has brought on board luxury wine and spirits boutique Le Clos as the hospitality host serving up drinks from brands such as Patron, Macallan and Aperol in a glamorous bar area fit for celebrities and VIP guests . They will also be introducing their boutique gin range as well as a selection of fine wines from some of the world’s top producers. Three luxury resorts from the Maldives – Amilla Fushi, Huvafen Fushi and Finolu will be treating select celebrities to the ultimate in VIP experiences in a vacation getaway to their resorts.

There will also be gifts from top tier brands including Prismologie skincare, Sugar Factory, The Art of Shaving men’s grooming from NYC, Sugar Beauty Lounge, kaftans from Ayaso Boutique and the latest products from celebrity favorite Spanx, along with Balqees Honey who will be introducing their delicious new flavours from their raw honey collection. To top it off, Shower Tower Soap Company will be bringing their famous soap in the shape of the Burj Khalifa and the team will construct a tower of soap in the shape of the famous landmark. New brand to the region IO shoes will be gifting celebrities their latest collection with customization for red carpet wear and Middle East brand Carter & White will have a selection of products made from the finest Giza Egyptian cotton.

Fine jewellery label INTISARS makes its debut on the red carpet this year. Founded by, Sheikha Intisar AlSabah, princess of the royal AlSabah family of Kuwait, INTISARS, is a perfect union between Arabian heritage and Italian craftsmanship. The brand takes inspiration from the simple things in life to create jewellery that serves as Meaningful Reminders of Love. Skillfully crafted in Valenza, Italy using 18-karat gold and ethically sourced diamonds, the designs from the Me Oh Me and Aqqal collections, limited to only 50 pieces each, will be available to wear on the red carpet. Guests will also receive gifts from EBBARRA, Sheikha Intisar’s second venture into wearable art. Soulful Treasures, wrapped in beautifully written Arabic verses to inspire, protect and motivate its wearer.

Also from Sheikha Intisar and Sheikha Fatima comes Prismologie skincare to stir the senses and enhance daily life. The natural mood-enhancing brand harnesses the transformative power of colours. Inspired by colour psychology, Prismologie founders, created an array of products for daily use that can help us embrace a renewed and improved state of mind. Their team of experts will be providing relaxing hand and foot massages to help the celebrities relax in between their busy schedules.

Favorite fashion brand to the stars, Issa – from House of Fraser who recently re-launched with a star-studded event at Kensington Palace, will make its debut to the region at DIFF. Celebrities will be gifted the latest collection to wear throughout the week during their appearances, press junkets and dinners. The lounge will also host an exclusive event for VIPs for the official launch of the coveted label.

“We’re excited to be back at DIFF again this year. The Le Clos Lounge is set to be our biggest and best yet, thanks to a host of wonderful international and local brands, and our exclusive hang-out area,” said the Lounge Founder Katherine Raso. “Le Clos with its luxury brands will be hosting private day and evening activities for the VIP and celebrity guest list – making it non-stop throughout the week,” Katherine added. “We also have two new brands launching so our guests will be the first to set eyes on INTISARS and Issa with House of Fraser, so it really is going to be a fantastic week.”

Located in a secret location within Dubai’s stunning Al Madinat, the Le Clos Lounge at DIFF will be THE ultimate place for celebrities and VIPs to relax and hangout throughout the week long event.

A full introduction to the brands in the VIP Lounge at DIFF is listed below:

Arcadia by Amna: Established by Amna Al Habtoor, Arcadia fragrance was born out of the importance of fragrance to the Gulf culture and the desire to create a boutique fragrance house born out of the Middle East. The vision became Arcadia and the first edition launched with 10 sophisticated perfumes each with their own story, inspired by real memories. Guests will be treated to the 10 fragrances with the hopes that they will create their own memories linked to the scents in the collection.

The Art of Shaving: As a leading luxury men’s grooming brand, The Art of Shaving aims to induct discerning male consumers into the “Brotherhood of Shaving”; a mission to help men achieve The Perfect Shave by elevating it from a chore into an enjoyable ritual. Inspired by the professional training and classic heritage of traditional men’s barber services, The Art of Shaving is a leader in male grooming. What started with one small store in Manhattan has evolved into an extensive collection of male-focused luxury retail shops across the US and now the world. The team at The Art of Shaving will be grooming the men for red carpet appearances as well as gifting a range of products from their luxury ‘spa’ line.

Balqees Honey: Balqees are specialists in the purest and most exclusive raw honey from remote parts of Yemen and other pristine areas around the world. The flagship product is the Hadrami Sidr, the mono-floral honey which comes from the bees that feed exclusively on the nectar of the Sidr tree. This ancient tree grows uncultivated in the remote mountains in the Hadramaout region of Yemen.

As nature’s superfood, raw honey is packed with over 200 health promoting enzymes and nutrients. No other natural sweetener can rival it. For the health-conscious or the gourmet, Balqees has something special for everyone, from unique raw honey fusions which meld the delicious taste of Sidr with fresh fruits and exotic spices, to some of the most precious rare honey in the world. Balqees raw honey is the ultimate luxury – for a gift or to enjoy at home. The team at Balqees will be gifting their latest infusions of honey including: Orange grove infusion, Chilean chilli and Lemon Ginger.

Baker&Spice: UAEs favorite centre for artisan food excellence, Baker & Spice will be offering a selection of delectable treats from their retail collection. Nuts, almond butter, granola and spices – the celebrities and VIPs will have access to an assortment of healthy, yet tasty goodies to enjoy while at the festival. Guided by the seasons and ethical principles, the Baker & Spice food philosophy is simple: Local, organic, fresh, homemade.

ISSA by House of Fraser: Just off the throes of the brand’s re-launch in the UK at Kensington Palace, fashion brand ISSA will be debuting in the Middle East at the Dubai Film Festival. The latest collection of clothing and accessories created by the team at House of Fraser will be worn by celebrities throughout DIFF. Further, the team will host an exclusive event in the lounge for an up close and personal look at the pieces.

Carter & White: A presitigious Middle Eastern brand of men’s essentials, Carter and White is at the pinnacle of luxury combining comfort with timeless tailoring and attention to detail. Made of the finest Giza cotton from Egypt - a selection of the exclusive collection will be made available for the celebrities to peruse and choose from.

INTISARS: Skilfully crafted in Valenza, Italy using 18-karat gold and ethically sourced diamonds, every single amulet is a singular personal treasure, imprinted with its own unique number and limited to only 50 pieces. INTISARS are set to showcase two inspiring jewellery collections that VIPs can view and select from before they hit the red carpet. From the Me-Oh-Me collection, rooted in self- love, this collection reflects a woman's inner strength, a mantra she can place close to her heart or on her pulse in form of a necklace, bracelet or ring. To the Aqaal collection inspired by a black ring that sits atop an Arab man’s headdress, these bracelets are a reminder of a never-ending love, hidden beneath the bracelet’s open clasp work are wax beads that can be soaked with your beloved’s perfume.

As a cherished memento, for those who visit INTISARS at DIFF, seen for the first time INTISARS new collection EBBARRA rings will be gifted, crafted in Italy and inspired by Arabic poetry. EBBARRA’s touching rings are wrapped in beautifully written phrases and words from Arabic literature.

Maldives Resorts - With the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and the Beckhams, these boutique luxury resorts offer the ultimate VIP getaway to select celebrities from the following three resorts:

Finolhu: A refreshing, retro-inspired retreat in Baa Atoll, Finolhu brings a buzzy burst of fun, world-class entertainment and toes-in-the-sand relaxation to fun-loving beach-eratis. Taking an unexpected cue from the halcyon days of the classic glamorous getaway, Finolhu recalls the heady allure of vintage beach vacations with its classic design, retro touches and laid-back ambiance. Set in a UNESCO Biosphere reserve, Finolhu has all the hallmarks of paradise with translucent waters, 1.8km long white-sand bank and perma-clear skies amongst its effortlessly stylish surrounds and beach clubby-ness. The ultimate island experience for chic couples, fun-loving families and groups of friends alike.

Huvafen Fushi: An adults only ’secret haven’ situated in the Male Atoll is perfect for couples of groups looking to surrender and immerse into an iconic destination. The resort features some of the largest guest rooms in the Maldives, all with private pools, unsurpassed levels of service, the world’s first underwater spa, fine dining experiences, endless seascapes and timeless luxury. A dreamscape of hidden pleasures, where every second transcends time and dreams become reality.

Amilla Fushi: Miami-meets-Maldives style, Amilla Fushi offers a choice of 59 beach houses and state-of-the-art spectacular four-to-eight-bedroom Beach Residences that attract celebrities, VIPs, large families and groups seeking privacy. Floating in the skies among the lush green tree tops, are wellness treehouses that cater to travellers seeking a healthy and self-reflective alternative. The island is fit for families and couples alike, with a range of water activities and entertainment available for everyone to indulge in during their stay.

Prismologie: All of Prismologie’s products are categorised into six distinctive hues based on their mood enhancing powers: White for Clarity, Yellow for Confidence, Pink for Happiness, Green for Serenity, Red for Vigour and Indigo for Stillness. Prismologie will display and gift the body range, beauty teas, and their special meridian balms. They will also be providing relaxing hand and foot massages along with a taste of the beauty teas.

Rossano Ferreti: With celebrity clientele such as Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence and Salma Hayek, internationally renowned celebrity stylist Rossano Ferreti brings his talents to DIFF. He and his top stylists from around the world will be styling the celebrities for their red carpet looks. As one of the primary innovators of the hairdressing industry, Rossano Ferretti has consistently impressed his peers with his interpretation of individual beauty, revolutionising the way clients perceive a hair-cut and the accompanying salon experience.

Shower Tower: The sweet-smelling Shower Tower ‘Soapenir’ is a tribute to one of Dubai’s most iconic creations, the Burj Khalifa. Its natural ingredients work into a soft lavender lather that will leave skin softer than velvet and your head buzzing with memories. Celebrities will leave with a souvenir that will keep them thinking of the

Spanx: The red-carpet must have which is loved by celebrities across the world – Spanx is at DIFF with their latest innovation of arm tights. The revolutionary product that totally transforms your wardrobe. Five years in the making and hundreds of prototypes later, Arm tights are finally here. Made from hosiery to give you lightweight comfortable second skin feeling. Unlike traditional layering this non-shaping garment has no seam up the arms for 360 degrees of flawless coverage.

Sugar Beauty Lounge: As the exclusive mani/pedi partner at DIFF, Sugar Beauty will be pampering celebrities in style to make them red-carpet ready with the latest and largest range of OPI colours and nail art techniques. Sugar Beauty Lounge, a veteran in the industry and a favorite go to with the top fashion and beauty influencers in the UAE will have their best technicians on hand to make the celebrities stand out in nail style on this year’s DIFF red carpet.

Sugar Factory: American Brasserie, Sugar Factory the celebrity favorite, with six stores in New York, Chicago and Florida in the US as well as Dubai, UAE is well known for its celebrity association with iconic superstars including Kim Kardashian, Kylie & Kendal Jenner, Britney Spears, Drake, Eva Longoria to name a few. Apart from delectable food items, signature Smoking Goblets and Insane Milkshakes the store houses retail merchandise with gift items and fashion accessories including celebrity-endorsed Couture Pops, candies and chocolates. Come experience the celebrity brand at ‘the Lounge’ with their signature pops, luscious candies and assorted chocolates to tickle your palate.

United Designers: United Designers is set to dress the DIFF starlets on the red carpet with their limited edition pieces. A homegrown fashion boutique and garment concept store, United Designers offers a range of high quality evening gowns, Moroccan Kaftans, Abayas, chic day dresses and glamour day wear to discerning customers who appreciate exclusivity. The flagship store at Mirdif City Centre will re-open its doors in December with a brand new look and feel – in addition to the space in House of Fraser Abu Dhabi.

Villa Yasmine: Newly launched e-commerce site Villa Yasmine focuses on niche brands found around the world. From fashion to jewellery and accessories this site is the must visit for new discoveries. Villa Yasmine will offer gifts from the following labels:

Ken Samudio: With designs have gained the attention of some of the most relevant in the fashion industry, the designer, Ken, was selected by Vogue Italia as one of the Vogue Talents for Accessories in 2014, a first for a Filipino designer. His unique technique explores the natural and organic forms found in nature mimicking distinct textures by using indigenous and recycled materials. He creates artworks from up-cycled beads made from water plastic bottles, recycled sea glass and other sustainable materials indigenous to his home country.

Aranaz: Aranaz is a fashion accessories label that celebrates the life of leisure. Collections are crafted to sprinkle hints of the exotic and artisanship on everyday life providing the modern woman with a quick escape from their fast-paced lifestyles through items of intricacy and taste. Mother/daughter trio, Becky, Amina and Rosanna Aranza are the women behind the brand. Together they have built the brand and perfected the blend of polished and artisanal.

Le Pom Pom: Created in Dubai in 2014 by Grana Khan, Le Pom Pom makes the functional fashionable with their handmade accessories line of rope charms, earphones, key chains and iphone chargers. It’s all about adding colour and style to everyday pieces. The brand will be gifting a range of their functional accessories, tailored to the individual celebrity personality and functionality.