The Pearl-Qatar saw the opening of its first boutique on Saturday (December 20, 2008). And for the festive season a Christmas market has been launched on the Boardwalk of Porto Arabia.
With the motto "Parisian chic - Middle East style", the store - Cugini, which was founded in Saudi Arabia and plans other branches throughout the Middle East, offers a selection of unique clothing and accessories by exclusive up-and-coming designers.
In the coming months a number of exclusive luxury name stores will be opening on The Pearl-Qatar, with famous names including Armani and Hermes.
Eric Lebrun, Executive Vice President of Assets Management at The Pearl-Qatar, explained: "The environment of The Pearl-Qatar provides exclusivity for luxury brands. We have launched The Pearl-Qatar actively and for almost two months it has been accommodating thousands of visitors on a daily basis."
Cugini stores were founded in early 2006 by two Saudi cousins ('Cugini' is Italian for cousins).
The Cugini Qatar store's owner, 27-year-old Qatari Heba Mohammad Al-Okar, says: "Timing wise this is considered the best moment, because this is when the new fashion lines are coming out and it's a major holiday season."
" First of all I believe in the potential of Qatar. Then I believe in the concept of The Pearl-Qatar. It's going to be better fun and shopping than St Tropez and Cannes. This is a wonderful place for its trendy way of life."
Cugini's founders Thuraya and Abeer Bin Ladin, said: "Other than our main brands, which are exclusive to Cugini, the team is always in search of new up-and-coming designers to ensure our clients are at the cutting edge of fashion.
" Our love for clothes and fashion gave us the drive to go out and hand pick some great collections for trend setters to wear...We select our products from exclusive shows and designers and we love what we select."
Hussam Ahmed, General Manager of Retail at The Pearl-Qatar, said: "The object of The Pearl-Qatar was to create this environment and now it is looked at as providing an international lifestyle for residential retail and hotels. The best design, the best fit-out, the best merchandise. There is no doubt that we are number one in the Middle East in terms of lifestyle.
"We are not a shopping mall we are a shopping lifestyle experience. We are creating and inspiring the culture of the designer brands."
A festive Christmas market opened on the boardwalk late last week.
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Editor's Note:
Heba: This is Heba Mohammad Al-Okar's second business in Qatar. Having studied in Switzerland and England she travelled extensively and this encouraged her interest in fashion.
She also runs Dados, a Doha concept of a spa and beauty boutique.
Cugini: Among the clothing brands retailed by Cugini are: American Retro, April, May, By zoe, Cecilia Prado, CH.IND, Circus & Co, DIAB'LESS, Gat Rimon, Iro, Maje, Pilar Ruiz, Sandro, Touch Luxe, V.DE VINSTER, Virgini cast away, 2B.
And the accessory brands are: Alia Ohana, Atomic Soda, Casali , Elia stone, Erika Pena, Feidt, Good Smile, Helena Zubeldia, Id contraire, Julie & James, Les Nereides, Louis Hendricks, Marie-Laure Chamorel, Monority, Muse, Raquel Moreno, Rubyrou, Saint Leon &Co AB, Scooter, Shourouk, Susan Suell, Virginie Monroe, Zoe and Morgan.
About The Pearl-Qatar
The Pearl-Qatar is an offshore, Riviera-style man-made island in excess of Qatari Riyal 50 billion (US$14 billion) and one of the largest urban developments in Qatar, as well as the first to offer freehold and residential rights to international investors.
The Pearl-Qatar's name and location, on a former pearl diving site, highlights the country's traditions, and strong historical and cultural ties to the sea. It is an island rediscovered.
Located 350 meters offshore the country's capital, Doha's, prestigious West Bay District and 25 kilometers away from Doha International Airport, the Island offers an exclusive retreat with easy access to the capital's thriving community.
Spanning over approximately 4-million square meters of land, and 32 kilometers of new coastline, the Island will eventually be home to an upscale multicultural community of over 41,000 residents, and comprising 15,000 dwellings within 10 precincts when completed in 2012.
The Island will also include five-star hotels, marinas, a yacht club, schools, restaurants and lifestyle amenities, and two million square feet of upscale retail space proffering some of the world's most renowned luxury brands.
The Pearl-Qatar is a smart investment that adds to the economic strength of the country with its offerings of full residency rights, freehold ownership, tailored payment schemes and a tax-free haven.
The Pearl-Qatar is being developed and promoted by United Development Company (UDC), one of Qatar's leading private sector shareholding companies.
For more information, please contact:
Mira El - Baphe
Sr. Public and Media Relations Officer
Tel: (+974) 44 63 457
Cell: (+974) 5970433
Email: mira@udcqatar.com
Press Release 2008
