Dubai, April 22, 2008: If you are looking to stay squint-free in style this spring, look no further than Solaris, the region's first dedicated boutique for designer sunglasses. Having recently unveiled its new Tom Ford eyewear collection, Solaris is offering Dubai's fashion-conscious a dazzling option for 2008.

As the most influential eyewear in today's market, the world-renowned designer's sunglasses are a must-have accessory for countless Hollywood stars and those who want to project their own unique sense of style.

With the logo discreetly engraved on the golden plate at the end of the temples, Tom Ford offers oversized yet nearly weightless frames for men and women.

The Tom Ford label has been associated with every celebrity from Brad Pitt, Lindsay Lohan, Madonna to Joaquin Phoenix, Jennifer Aniston and Sally Field.

Highlights from the collection include the Whitney model, with cut-out lenses along with a subtle signature on the lens. For a more classic look, the gold-framed Aviator style with amber colored graduated lenses and skinny arms promises to turn heads.

 "I've done eyewear for the last 14 years at Gucci," said Ford recently, explaining his love affair with glasses. "I also did it at Yves Saint Laurent. I wear eyewear constantly. As a man, I love eyewear because there are very few accessories that a man can really wear, and I am fairly classical guy, but I don't want to look like a banker. So eyewear is something that gives you an instant look."

The 2008 Tom Ford collection, according to Katia Andrejev, Brand Manager, Solaris Middle East, already counts Brook Shields, Angelina Jolie and Jessica Alba among its fans. "With lots of dark tints, smoky effects and lacquers, the collection has lots of panache," she said. "I am sure the collection is going to be very well-received in Dubai as Tom Ford is one of the most uber-trendy designers in the world."

Solaris, the cutting-edge French sunglass concept store, has been brought to the Middle East by M.H. Alshaya Co., to offer the best models from over 50 world-leading brands, including Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Versace, Rayban, Armani, Dior and Oakley. Solaris boasts more than a thousand styles of sunglasses, from glamorous wrap-arounds to trendy aviators and luxurious diamante-decorated styles.

Solaris has a stand-alone store in Deira City Centre in Dubai, The Avenues, the largest mall in Kuwait, and Villaggio Mall in Qatar. The brand also has a presence at shop-in-shop locations in Debenhams stores in the Mall of the Emirates and Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai, and Kuwait International Airport. Globally, the brand has over 50 outlets, including Paris, Milan, Monaco and St. Tropez.

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About M.H. Alshaya Co.:
M.H. Alshaya Co. is a leading international franchise operator for over 40 of the world's most recognized retail brands including Starbucks, H&M, The Body Shop, Foot Locker, Mothercare, Debenhams, River Island and Boots. The company currently operates over 1,300 stores across its operating divisions in the Middle East, Egypt, Turkey, Russia and Southern/Eastern Europe and employs more than 14,000 individuals from over 37 nationalities.

The company has built a dominant platform for operating retail concepts in its markets.  Growth in each of its operating divisions and brands is supported by continuous investment in talent and infrastructure and application of best practices in retail operations, merchandising, marketing, information technology, logistics, real estate, human resources and financial controls.  You can learn more about the company at www.alshaya.com.

M.H. Alshaya Co. is the retail business of the Alshaya Group, which was founded in Kuwait in 1890 and today represents one of the most dynamic and respected companies in the Middle East.  In addition to its retail operations, the Alshaya Group is active in a number of other sectors including real estate, automotive, hotels, trading and investments.

About Solaris
Solaris was founded in October 1994 with the opening of its first store in Paris, France. As the leading name in the optical industry, which represents over 70 well-known brands across four countries, Solaris is at the forefront of the luxury eyewear industry. Solaris offers the best models from world-leading brands such as Gucci, Versace, Rayban, Armani, Dior and Oakley

Solaris entered the Middle East in partnership with M.H. Alshaya Co. in 2007, as the region's first dedicated outlet for high-end designer sunglasses. Currently Solaris has a presence in the region with stores in Dubai, Qatar and Kuwait. Future plans include the opening of more stores in UAE, KSA, Oman and Bahrain.

For further information, please contact:
Kim Pinto
ASDA'A Public Relations
Tel: +971 4 3344550
Em: k.pinto@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2008