Emirates Millionaire Show 2007

Emirates Millionaire Show (EMS 2007), the exclusive event for the region's social elite, officially opened under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation (DCA) and President of Emirates Group.

Mr. Jamal Al Hai, the Chairman of the DCA's Executive Board, representing HH Sheikh Ahmed, cut the ribbon at the Dubai International Financial Centre to formally invite the VIP guests along the red carpet and through the doors to the premiere of the show.
The select list of VIPs, which included guests from MEA, Europe and Asia, were given an exclusive viewing of rare, bespoke and hand-crafted luxury items, including the new $2.2m Maserati.

They were also witness to major announcements from the luxury brands sector, such as the launch of the partnership between the renowned international jewellery designer Bea Valdes and Monte Carlo-based designer Fanny Blanchelande. The partnership showcased a limited edition range of 25 jewelled evening handbags with matching traditional abayas created specifically for the event.

The three-day show, organized by Divine Events a division of Divine Group LLC, is rapidly becoming one of the leading luxury events on the Gulf's social calendar. Exhibitors have recognized that fact and the range showcasing their exclusive goods included the world's leading brands offering items that range from $30m super yachts to Incanto's Giovanni Sforza Home Luxury Collection of sophisticated furniture made from precious woods.

Building on the success of the first Emirates Millionaire Show at Emirates Palace Hotel in 2006, the launch of the second edition has attracted interest from celebrities, government officials, business leaders and the media.

Mr. Mohammed Al Najjar, CEO of Divine Events, said: 'This show is about luxury and exclusivity. It is a unique proposition and one that chimes with a small elite audience. It is entirely appropriate that it should be staged at the Dubai International Financial Centre, where every major global financial institution is represented.'

The latest EMS is being held in association with the United Nation's Children Fund (UNICEF). The children's aid organization will benefit from the proceeds of an auction of luxury goods donated by EMS 2007 exhibitors which will be one of the features of the show's opening night Gala dinner and ball. Bahare Majd, Managing Director of Divine Events, said: 'We are delighted to be associated with UNICEF and the tremendous work it does for children around the world.
'We are proud to follow the leadership given by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He prioritised children's issues with the Dubai Cares campaign - which has been recognised by the United Nations. We are following his example.

'The EMS guests value exclusivity and luxury. They also value the lives of children and have responded positively to the involvement of UNICEF.'

During the three-day display of entertainment, glamour and glitz, visitors will witness the unveiling of the new $2.2m Maserati MC12 Corsa 2008, clothing made from pure spun gold, and experience other quirky exhibits such as the sculptured cow bejeweled in 498,000 pearls and onyx, and a safe encrusted with 50,000 diamonds.

The Maserati MC12 Corsa is the only 2008 model here in the UAE and is available to purchase through the super luxury and sports car company, Princess Cars. The car can only be driven on private tracks such as the Autodrome where owners can drive their cars at high speeds without the obvious constraints of normal road use.

Other prestige automobiles on show include the Ferrari Enzo and the Rolls Royce Phantom. There are also private airlines and aircraft as well as executive and leisure travel and transportation services to choose from.

Also being showcased are clothes and accessories woven from gold, silver and palladium created by Il tocco divino GmbH while ML Retail displayed the finest French clothing brands.

Italian designers Incanto Group, T.FZ. Group Srl and Rossi di Albizzate, are showcasing new interior collections and launching new home furnishing and accessories ranges. Also on show are premium lifestyle accessories such as fine jewellery, exclusive watches and rare fragrances. The most expensive type of Oud at $30,000 per kilo and Dahab Al Arabia (Gold Al Arabia), a perfume with pieces of 24 carat gold, which leaves small flecks of gold on the skin when the perfume is sprayed, are available for sale alongside exquisite hand-crafted, hand engraved limited edition 18 carat gold fountain pens from Enyée.

Exclusive real estate developers Emerald Palace Group and property finding services My Dream Property are promoting their prestigious Dubai real estate investment projects and services, while TITRIS S.A., a private Luxembourg-based wealth management company, are advising on European real estate investment opportunities.

The show caters to the burgeoning luxury market in the Middle East which has grown in tandem with the increasing number of regional millionaires. The World Wealth Report published earlier this year by global asset management group Merrill Lynch, revealed there are now in excess of 68,000 millionaires in the UAE alone as a result of a rate of increase of 15.4% a year. In Saudi Arabia there are in excess of 90,000, as the rate of increase topped 11.8%.

The EMS 2007 will open its doors to the general public on December 15. The proceeds from the sale of tickets will be donated to UNICEF.