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Galeries Lafayette Doha inaugurates first-ever Ritz Paris boutique

In yet another milestone for the brand, Galeries Lafayette Doha inaugurated the first-ever Ritz Paris international boutique on October 9, 2022. It was an ideal occasion to reveal iconic objects and star products from the legendary Place Vendôme hotel, such as collectible porcelain tableware designed for the hotel’s gastronomic restaurant, emblematic tulip lamps and celebrated peach-hued peignoirs.

The official inauguration was followed by a VIP event on October 18 to celebrate the launch of the boutique. The exclusive reception was hosted at the Galeries Lafayette La Suite Penthouse where the décor was enhanced with merchandise and decorative elements from Ritz Paris. Live jazz music and Ritz Paris’ signature mocktail drinks set the perfect tone for the occasion.

Present at the event were Ambassador of France to Qatar H E Jean-Baptiste Faivre, Board Member of Ritz Paris Ms. Natalie Bader, who spearheaded this project, and Head of Strategy & Operations of Galeries Lafayette Doha Ms. Al Ghalia Ali Bin Ali.

Located on the ground floor of the French Department Store, the Ritz corner shop offers a complete universe of different categories of products, expressing the style of the Ritz, its magnificence, its soul, and the symbol of the French art of living.

Complementing the boutique, a pop-up corner right at the main entrance of Galeries Lafayette Doha has also been set up to mark the launch. Enchanting and playful, the entrance with hot air balloon baskets symbolizes the joy of travel. The pop-up will be stationed at Galeries Lafayette till October 31.

The boutique expresses all the spirit of the Ritz Paris through its architecture, colors and ambiance. It reprises the essence of the hotel’s illuminations, arcades, moldings, play of mirrors and incomparable 18th-century style with a fresh energy.

Customers are greeted in a retail environment conceived like a dining room and a dressing area, comprising six dedicated spaces: the art of entertaining, home and bath linens, fragrances, gifts and decorative objects, games and accessories, and the brand-new Frame x Ritz Paris fashion capsule collection. The boutique also offers several custom services, such as personalized embroidery — an excellent opportunity to treat others, or oneself, to a little magic of the Ritz Paris.

“More than a hotel, the Ritz Paris today is an iconic, brilliant, vibrant lifestyle that intends to shine all around the world through its products and services. This Doha boutique was designed for all those who love the Ritz Paris, but also and above all for those who dream of discovering it and sharing in a little piece of the legend and French art de vivre,” said Ms. Natalie Bader.

Speaking about the latest partnership, Ms. AlGhalia Nabeel Ali Bin Ali said, “At Galeries Lafayette Doha, we always look to collaborate with iconic and international brands to bring an exclusive experience for the people in Qatar. With the new Ritz Paris Boutique, our clients can enjoy the brand’s exclusive range of products which truly captures the essence of French ‘Art de vivre’, allowing them to experience the refinement of one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.”

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Ali Bin Ali Fashion opens Berluti store in Qatar

Once again bringing the finest in international fashion to Qatar, Ali Bin Ali (ABA) Fashion has inaugurated a new store for the Parisian men’s fashion house Berluti. The boutique at Place Vendome Mall was opened to the public on Friday, July 22, offering a 360-degree Berluti lifestyle experience.

Berluti, a name synonymous with style, elegance and unparalleled craftsmanship – and founded by Alessandro Berluti, is renowned for their deep understanding of the mastery of footwear, consistently producing shoes for the well-shod gentleman since its birth in 1895.

Since then, Berluti has cultivated its own unique style by bringing together audacity and elegance. Expertise in shape, leather patinas, fabric selection and precision of cut are the signatures of the ideal male wardrobe. From head to toe.

Located in the luxury section of Place Vendome near Dior and Loro Piana boutiques, Berluti organically blends with the gorgeous architecture of the destination. Like all other Berluti stores around the globe, the boutique design focuses on luxurious simplicity through exceptional materials.

With a welcoming and pristine setting of white and warm browns, the décor is inspired by the depth and variety of Berluti’s leather patina. In a subdued salon-like atmosphere, Berluti’s Club chair and furniture offering are displayed, overlooking the patina-inspired ceiling, celebrating the Maison’s lifestyle heritage and innovations.

Curated for the Qatari taste, the collection at the Place Vendome boutique will display a complete range of men’s accessories, including shoes and leather goods. The French House makes no apologies for their exceptionally luxurious goods, making the Berluti man undeniably elegant with exquisite taste.

From shoes, bags, wallets to accessories, Berluti creations are hand-assembled and customizable from the wooden last to the choice of leather and patinas.

Speaking about the latest addition to ABA Fashion’s portfolio, General Manager of ABA Fashion Mr. Kevin Gerard Pender said: “We are very proud to be associated with such a luxurious fashion House and present the only Berluti store in Qatar. With the common vision of offering premium experience for our esteemed clients, ABA Fashion and Berluti hope to please the refined taste in fashion of the people in Qatar.”

 

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Ali Bin Ali Luxury sponsors prestigious Katara International Arabian Horse Festival

For the second year, Ali Bin Ali Luxury joined hands with Katara as an official sponsor of the luxurious Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF), held from February 2 to 12, 2022 at Katara Cultural Village, Doha. Supporting this year’s event as the Titanium Sponsor, ABA Luxury has signed up to sponsor the festival every year till 2024.

The festival captured the imagination of horse connoisseurs – owners, breeders and equestrianism lovers alike – with the participation of over 500 horses from 11 countries. The very best of Arabian horses not only in the Arab region but also in the world stood out in all their magnificence as 12 international judges voted to decide on the champions.

The 11-day festival was inaugurated by HE Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager, Katara, and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of KIAHF. The opening was marked by the presence of VIPs including Ali Bin Ali Holding’s Vice-Chairman & EVP Mr. Nabeel Ali Bin Ali, representatives of diplomatic missions to the country and other dignitaries.

Ali Bin Ali Luxury is organically linked to the Qatari culture and being a part of the KIAHF was an extension of that identity. ABA Luxury was featured in all branding for the event and even had a dedicated area to display luxury items, specifically products that featured horses in their design.

KIAHF 2022 had a total prize-money of QR 17,083,500 besides many in-kind prizes, including cars and luxury watches. The host nation, Qatar, dominated the grand finale of the prestigious Title Show Championships with 13 Qatar horses winning in the six championships, including the Gold, Silver and Bronze places in the Senior Stallions Championship and Senior Mares Championship.

 

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Galeries Lafayette Doha launches new ‘Lines of Abstraction’ campaign

Reflecting the brand’s innovation and creativity, Galeries Lafayette Doha has launched the inspiring ‘Lines of Abstraction’ campaign. Introduced with the tagline, the ‘Line that connects us’, the campaign will continue until September 30, 2021.

The visual campaign is based on the idea of ‘Line art’ or Line drawing’ that consists of distinct straight or curved lines placed against a background to represent two-dimensional or three-dimensional objects.

As the tagline suggests, the campaign revolves around the use of single line drawings and the reflection of lines that connect us. The abstract lines in our subconscious mind interact with our surroundings and acquire a more definite form to take a more concrete shape. This in a way, it designs our lives and emotions. Different variations, colors, methods, with the artist’s own specific characteristics, help create lines around our thoughts and eventually become a line that connects us all.

In true Galeries Lafayette style, the key message of the campaign reflects in every aspect of the Department Store, integrating shopping with the wider experience of the ‘Lines of Abstraction’ campaign. 3D faces structures interacting with the mannequins and original painting design on accessories windows are just some elements to look out for.

Rounding up the experience, Galeries Lafayette Doha’s food and beverage outlets are offering some special-edition ‘linear-inspired’ dishes. These exclusive desserts and savory dish are simply ‘Art on a plate’.

Speaking about the campaign, General Manager of Galeries Lafayette Doha Mr. Kevin Gerard Pender said: “Fashion is not just what meets the eyes, and through the ‘Lines of Abstraction’ campaign, we have tried to highlight the non-obvious. The linear elements in a way simplify the complex world around us and give a new perspective to fashion. It is our way of creating a connection with our clients and staff through fashion, accessories and gastronomy.”

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Galeries Lafayette Doha celebrates French National Day in presence of French Ambassador

Celebrating its French heritage, Ali Bin Ali Holding’s Galeries Lafayette Doha commemorated the French National Day in the presence of the Ambassador of France to Qatar, Mr. Franck Gellet.

On July 14, the iconic French Department Store welcomed the Ambassador to celebrate the occasion. Considering the current pandemic situation, Galeries Lafayette Doha kept the event simple this year.

The Ambassador was received by Mr. Kevin Pender, Acting General Manager of Galeries Lafayette Doha, and joined by Mr. Awn Zureikat, COO of ABA Luxury, Mr. Bassel Ammar, General Manager of ABA Hospitality, Ms. Suha Shatila, Group General Manager – Marketing, along with other members of Galeries Lafayette Doha and the Ali Bin Ali Holding team.

Galeries Lafayette Doha is a reflection of France in Qatar and, to enjoy its essence, Mr. Gellet was given a tour of the exquisitely designed retail space to check out the premium French brands in store. It was the ideal setup to relish the spirit of Galeries Lafayette – the ‘French Art of Living’.

Mr. Gellet enjoyed the experience and said, “I am glad to be celebrating French National Day at Galeries Lafayette Doha. The iconic Department Store is an embodiment of France and with all its diversity and splendor, it perfectly reflects the image of France here in Qatar. What strikes me most about Galeries Lafayette Doha is its commitment to deliver the latest and sharpest creations. Every time I visit, I find something new here. It is doing a great job at showcasing the creative geniuses of our times, both global and local.”

Speaking about the success of French brands in Qatar under Ali Bin Ali Holding’s management, the Ambassador said: “The success is directly related to the trust of the very enterprising Ali Bin Ali family. Prestigious French brands are constantly innovating and people in Qatar are very attentive to what’s new. Ali Bin Ali Holding has very intelligently brought these together, catering to the remarkable taste of the locals.”

Thanking the Ambassador for his presence and support, Mr. Pender said: “Galeries Lafayette Doha is proud to represent Paris in Qatar and we make sure to reflect our heritage in everything we do. The French National Day is an important event in French history and we are glad we could celebrate it with Ambassador Mr. Franck Gellet.”

The event was a culmination of a week-long campaign Galeries Lafayette Doha had organized to celebrate French National Day 2020. The Bleu-Blanc-Rouge campaign from July 7 to 14 saw the store highlight the colors of the French flag, creating the perfect ambiance for the occasion.

Thanking Galeries Lafayette Doha for organizing such a muted and elegant Bleu-Blanc-Rouge campaign during a pandemic, Mr. Gellet said: “It is a symbolic end to the confinement and gradual resumption of activities. It is a message of hope that we are moving towards more favorable times.”

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Galeries Lafayette Doha unveils ‘Mother Blossom’ campaign in association with international paper artist Zoe Bradley

Adding to the bloom to spring 2020, Galeries Lafayette Doha launched the unique ‘Mother Blossom’ campaign on February 22, 2020. The theme not only celebrates the advent of spring but also paved the way for the upcoming Mother’s Day celebrations in the Middle East on March 21. The stars of this campaign were the creative floral designs by world-famous British paper artist Zoe Bradley.

 

To support the campaign, Zoe was herself present at the launch event of the campaign where the local media and social media influencers got a rare chance to interact with her. The paper artist, whose work combines sculpture, fashion and theatre, conceptualized and created some exclusive pieces to adorn the Parisian Department Store for the ‘Mother Blossom’ campaign.

 

Speaking about her creations, Zoe said: “I work with paper just as a designer works with fabric, folding, curling, scoring and stitching the paper. My challenge is always to create something unexpected from its original 2D sheet form into a magical 3D sculpture. I am excited to present my contemporary paper art installation and it’s very rewarding to see my paper sculptures fit into different environments and cultures.”

 

Apart from the four floral headpieces featured in the store, it is the pastel pink paper floral dress that will leave everyone spellbound. This is the first time the dress has been displayed to the public and the discerning customers of Galleries Lafayette.

 

Symbolizing the awakening of a new season and in celebration of Mother’s Day, the dress featured prominently at the entrance to Galeries Lafayette Doha, offering an inspirational welcome on a monumental scale.

 

The dress took three weeks to make by highly skilled members of Zoe’s team. It’s adorned with over 1,500 hand-cut flowers, including a typically English variety of roses, cherry blossom, delphinium, daisies and butterflies. Each individual flower was applied by hand, creating the pattern and texture of the gown. The final creation was led by Zoe’s own instinctive eye – which makes every dress of hers truly unique.

 

Thanking Zoe for her support and contribution to the ‘Mother Blossom’ campaign, Creative & Store Design Director of Galeries Lafayette Doha Kevin Gerard Pender said: “It is an honor to have Zoe Bradley’s art displayed in our store. The way she conceptualized and created the unique works to art to merge with our campaign is truly awe inspiring. Zoe’s paper sculpture will create an unforgettable experience for our clients.”

 

Zoe draws upon her skills as a former fashion designer, working like a tailor while also applying her artistry using the paper form. Today, her clients include worldwide luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Tiffany & co., Graff, Christian Louboutin, Sotheby’s and Harrods.

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The coolest summer in Qatar at 21 High st – Katara

Ali Bin Ali Holding’s 21 High st at Katara – the Cultural Village has added a new dimension to fun during the summer months in Qatar, making the ‘ultimate outdoor shopping destination’ the coolest place to spend your leisure time in, with family and friends.

And to experience this fascinating ambiance, an exclusive media gathering was organized on June 25, 2019. Members of the local media and bloggers were invited to relish the cool outdoors and enjoy a sit-down dinner at the popular Russian restaurant – Café Pouchkine Qatar.

The incredible outdoor cooling system at 21 High st, which is one of its kind in Qatar, offers visitors a comfortable and cool climate. The attractive architecture with wide open spaces and unique ancient European style, makes it an appealing, walkable destination for the whole family.

You can blissfully forget about the soaring temperature of 40°C or the humidity level and walk under the open blue sky at 25°C as you browse through the exclusive boutiques on the premises. Imagine not having to bother about the summer heat while you enjoy your favorite beverage at an outdoor café. 21 High st has made this a reality by making summer feel like spring.

Talking about this unique feature, General Manager of 21 High st Mr. Tolga Engin said: “21 High st is designed to be a multi-dimensional project – reiterating the commitment to Qatar’s tourism and commercial progress. We are proud to bring to you the first lifestyle destination in Qatar with an outdoor cooling technology. The outdoor cooling system at 21 High st triumphs over the soaring summer months in Doha and allows our visitors to enjoy the outdoors. You need to experience it to feel the difference.”

Built on approximately 40,000sqm, 21 High st is home to luxury, fashion, watches & jewelry brands from all around the world, including the iconic French department store, Galeries Lafayette. It also features some exclusive dining options and cafes, as well as gourmet retail outlets.

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ABA Beverages supports 2018 Katara Beach Volleyball Cup

Reiterating its support for sports, Ali Bin Ali (ABA) Holding’s Beverages division came forward to support the 2018 Katara Beach Volleyball Cup.

The tournament, which saw the participation of 56 teams from 28 countries, was held from March 6 to March 10, 2018. The total prize money for the event was $150,000.

Fans came in large numbers to watch the event that was held in the beautiful setting of Katara – the Cultural Village. The center-court of the tournament was set up at the majestic setting of the Amphitheatre.

As the beverage partner, ABA Beverages ensured the continuous supply of water and juices to the athletes and visitors at the tournament venue.

This is the second tournament in the FIVB World Tour and it is the first time a four-star tournament is being held in the Middle East.

Fourteen of the top 16 seeded teams participated in the event, and Qatar was represented by three teams in the main draw. 

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Ali Bin Ali Group to operate “Katara Plaza” Project

The Ali Bin Ali Group is set to operate the iconic “Katara Plaza” project. The star project is being built at the Cultural Village Foundation “Katara”, and is poised to be a unique commercial plaza that includes a series of features, which are the first of its kind in Qatar. The project will be developed in line with the atmosphere of global culture offered by Katara. At Katara Hall, the world got its first glimpse of “Katara Plaza” on Sunday, 8th of March 2015 at an innovative press conference which utilized state of the art technology to demonstrate the exceptionality of the project. By engaging the strengths of a 4D show, a technology employed for the first time in Qatar for an event of this nature, the Ali Bin Ali Group was able to give the foreign &­­ local press who gathered the opportunity to discover what “Katara Plaza” was all about.

“Katara Plaza” project, which is one of the planned projects included in an agreement jointly inked by Ali Bin Ali Group with Katara, will provide a distinct experience as it blends a classical architectural experience with traditional heritage. The “Katara Plaza” project will offer a relaxed atmosphere and designated spaces for shoppers, including some of the most famous brands in the world. This project will also offer recreational experiences, in line with culture and entertainment. It will exemplify innovation. The project will have a pioneering, air-conditioned and open space that provides year round comfort utilizing a state of the art system that uses the latest ground cooling technology, thereby presenting a perfect blend of artistic architecture, innovation and maximum comfort.

Speaking of this new venture, Mr. Nabeel Ali Bin Ali, Vice Chairman & EVP of the Ali Bin Ali Group said “The Ali Bin Ali Group recognizes the tremendous potential for growth available in the Qatari market, supports the Qatar National Vision 2030 and promotes the country’s status as a true trendsetter in the Gulf region. It is with great pleasure and excitement that we have embarked on this project. “Katara Plaza” will open its doors in 2016.  We expect that “Katara Plaza” would unlock a unique world class shopping experience offering the Qatari market many first of its kind experiences that can be valued and enjoyed as never before”. The Dot is pleased to report that among the deals inked already, is the arrival of Galeries Lafayette to Qatar. The Ali Bin Ali Group has succeeded in attracting the well known French department store which is the undisputed leader in department store retailing in France and other global locations in the areas of fashion, luxury goods, accessories, perfumes, cosmetics, leisure, gastronomy and home interiors.

Another distinguished tenant who has already secured its place within “Katara Plaza” is the French natural mineral water brand evian®. Through this confirmed tenancy at Katara Village, Qatar will welcome one of the very few exclusive evian®SPA in the world.

The children’s mall is a unique and pioneering experience in the region and an example of innovation and architectural design. This commercial complex, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East, seeks to surprise visitors and draw a smile on their faces, within an overwhelming atmosphere of joy and fun. Moreover, “Katara Plaza” project will provide residents of “Katara Hills” project with the opportunity of firsthand experience of this outstanding environment. The tenants of spaces in  “Katara Plaza” who have signed contracts, share a vision that entails providing a unique experience for anyone who sets foot on this pioneering project. What distinguishes this project is the integration of visual aesthetics, entertainment, hospitality, trademarks, leisure, art and culture all in one outstanding area.

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