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Villa Moda to Develop a Culturally Rich Boulevard at the DIFC in Dubai

Villa Moda today announced an ambitious new development in collaboration with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) , combining retail, art and fine dining, to create a culturally rich luxury boulevard at the DIFC which will be launched in March 2008.

The Villa Moda retail development, based on the original "glass box" Villa Moda in Kuwait, will place emphasis on light, transparency and movement. With spaces divided into "glass aquariums", consumers will be offered a new concept in the retail "experience". With high-end luxury retailers, world-class eateries and the best in international contemporary art, the project will support the development of a vibrant cultural life in the region.

Curated and art directed by the Villa Moda creative team, the development is a first for Sheikh Majed Al-Sabah, the founder of Villa Moda , and the creative force behind the ground-breaking Middle Eastern fashion emporium. Sheikh Majed said: "Combining retail, art and fine dining, our vision is to create a unique environment where consumers can enjoy a new concept in retail therapy. With individually designed stand-alone retail spaces housing luxury retailers, and contemporary art installations showcasing the works of the world's leading artists, the development will offer a unique experience for our fashion savvy clientele. It is with great excitement that we announce this project in collaboration with the DIFC ."

His Excellency Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the DIFC , said: "The Villa Moda retail development marks the beginning of a larger retail venture that the DIFC will announce in the near future. It promises a unique, avant-garde shopping experience. As art has always been a significant component of the DIFC 's strategy, Villa Moda will contribute to the development of this important sector, and act as an exciting cultural magnet for the city."

Villa Moda will offer distinctly exclusive retail spaces to many leading European luxury brands. Confirmed brands include Prada, Marni, Miu Miu, Viktor & Rolf, Jil Sander, Martin Margiela, Nina Ricci, Dries Van Noten, Issey Miyake, Vivienne Westwood and Tsumori Chisato, as well as Villa Moda 's own multi brand stores for men's and womenswear. The development will also boast the first Ladurèe patisserie in the Middle East. In addition, an essential element of the project will be its contemporary art gallery, which will host frequent exhibitions and bring the world's leading artists to Dubai. The art gallery and the general art direction of the project will be designed by PFCArchitects, the studio of Italian architect Pierfrancesco Cravel, who created the original 'glass box' Villa Moda in the Shuwaikh district of Kuwait.

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About Villa Moda :
Villa Moda was launched in 1992 in Kuwait as an alternative luxury fashion retailer, taking the best elements of luxury retail in the West and adding a distinct, cosmopolitan 'Gulf' twist for its wealthy, well-travelled and fashion-savvy clientele. Offering some of the world's most desirable brands - including Gucci, Prada, Marni, YSL and Fendi - in an exquisitely designed space, Villa Moda rapidly re-wrote the rules on world-class luxury retail. Late opening hours, valet parking and a restaurant with Caprice trained chefs are just a part of a package, which includes access to the seasons' hottest creations, frequently wait-list-only in Europe.

It wasn't long before Time Magazine dubbed its founder, Sheikh Majed Al-Sabah, 'The Sheikh of Chic', and his identity morphed from royalty (he is a nephew of the Emir of Kuwait) to fashion royalty as he became a regular front-row fixture at the shows in Paris in Milan. In 2002 - 3 he also pulled off the un-heard of coup of persuading the likes of Miuccia Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Fendi, Missoni and Marni to create limited edition series of caftans exclusively for Villa Moda customers. A success from day one, Villa Moda rapidly built up a loyal following, even boasting a VIP club for those customers who spend at least £100,000 a year in the store. Villa Moda has since opened further retail offerings in Dubai (2003) Qatar (2004) Damascus (2006) and a second store within the Kuwait souk (2007). Further stores are planned in Dubai, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar for 2008.

About the DIFC :
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is an onshore hub for global finance. It bridges the time gap between the financial centres of Hong Kong and London and services a region with the largest untapped emerging market for financial services.

In just three years, over 500 firms have registered at the DIFC . They operate in an open environment complemented with world-class regulations and standards. The DIFC offers its member institutions incentives such as 100 per cent foreign ownership, zero tax on income and profits and no restrictions on foreign exchange. In addition their business benefits from modern infrastructure, operational support and business continuity facilities of uncompromisingly high standards.

Media enquiries:
Villa Moda :
Camron PR
Bronwyn Carpenter/ Louise Lawson
bronwyn@camron.co.uk/ louise@camron.co.uk
+44 207 420 1700

© Press Release 2007