If you’ve ever wished celeb chef Gary Rhodes could teach you a thing or two, wanted to challenge a friend to a press up competition or watch a catwalk show, then you’re in luck – because you can do all of these things and a lot more under one roof at the Life & Style Show UAE.
The first of its kind, the show will be held December 5-7 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre The organisers, dmg events, anticipate over 50,000 visitors will flock to the three-day exhibition. Ashley Roberts, the event director from dmg events, says, ‘We are extremely excited about the launch of the biggest lifestyle show ever in the Middle East. The show is split into six different categories – speed and power; home and living; fashion and beauty; gizmos, gadgets and technology; sport and leisure and toys, hobbies and games. These will cover every aspect of life across the entire family, so it promises to be a fantastic day out for everyone.’
With 73,000sqm of indoor event space at ADNEC there’s plenty of space to fit in all of the 600 exhibitors. The only trouble is you might find you don’t have time to see them all.
If you want to see everything, you’ll need a strategy, that’s where TOAD comes in.
Gizmos, Gadgets & Tech
Gamers can nerd-out on the latest PlayStation and PlayStation Vita games on Sony stand 3355 in the middle of hall five. Up to four visitors at a time can play Grand Turismo 6 every day for free. Need a screen break? Pioneer, the digital entertainment company, will choose a winning UAE DJ and runner up from a pre-show competition; head to their stage at stand 3315, also in hall five, to listen to their beats.
Speed & Power
Calling all car nuts! Get your photo taken in an Audi R8 V10 on stand 4340, or kick start a Harley Davidson Fat Boy on stand 4210. Enter a prize draw at the Fiat stand (4330) – the winner will win a Fiat 500 from Fiat and Western Motors. You’ll find all this in hall five, at the front and to the right of the entrance.
The Life & Style Show UAE has teamed up with Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most decorated cars in one location. They anticipate 3,000 cars will take part in the 3.5km National Day Union Car Parade, which starts at 5pm at Du Forum, Yas Island, on December 2. Over 300 of those are expected to feature in the record attempt, if you want to be part of it, both sides of your car must be completely decorated to count. The three most creative will be displayed on the UAE’s Best Dressed Car stage in Speed & Power.
Home & Living
Budding chefs should make a beeline for The Gourmet Kitchen in hall seven for expert advice on where to source unusual ingredients for those extra creative recipes, and to find out which flavours to pair with which. If that tickles your taste buds, watch chefs prepare food at the Kenwood Live Cooking Theatre on stand 832 in the same area. You can also sample dishes and get hands-on experience behind the stove. It’s free but go early to secure a place. Beginners and advanced cooks are both welcome.
Stock cubes might not sound too exciting but we reckon you’ll change your mind when you visit Maggi’s in hall seven. Virgin Radio presenter Kris Fade will cook a meal for two on stand 8315, then choose two lucky randoms from the audience to enjoy it. Didn’t get picked? Never mind – there are free Nestlé desserts on the stand opposite.
Meanwhile, on stand 8235 in the same hall you can watch 30-minute cookery demos by celebrity chef Gary Rhodes – best known for his fine dining take on British classics – and Ali Ebdowa, who launched Abu Dhabi’s first restaurant dedicated to Emirati cuisine.
Sport & Leisure
If you want inspiration for new hobbies, this is the place to come. Capella Club, a martial arts studio, will team with Café de la Danse to host capoeira and swing performances on stands 6280 and 518, while dancers will climb silks at Pole Fit Dubai, also on stand 518. In the mood for getting active yourself? Visit Cobra Muay Thai on stand 520 to watch kick boxing and self-defence, and for the chance to try sparring and light pad work. All of this is in hall six.
Nearby, a 10m climbing wall will be available to children and adults on a first come, first served basis. Challenge a mate to a press up competition at the Fitness First stand (5320), then do a Zumba or aerobics class on stage at 5325.
If you’ve just gobbled your way through the cookery demos then you might not feel up to such activity, so take it easy behind the wheel of a new luxury vessel, the Chris Craft Carina 21, at stand 4310 in hall five. Or while you’re in the area, watch 32 teams all battling it out in a five-a-side Duplays football tournament.
Toys, Hobbies & Games
You’ll hear stand 6255 in hall six before you see it, because it’ll be swarming with little angels/devils. KidZania is suitable for kids aged four to 16. There will be a miniature fire engine to play on and kids can dress as firefighters in hard hats and fluorescent jackets. Little ones will meet Dyna Might, the fearless patchwork doll sewn from a hero’s cape from the kid’s TV show La La Loopsy, and if they’ve been good all year they’ll receive a free gift from Father Christmas in his grotto at stand 5275.
Mum entrepreneurs will gather at stand 6235 in the Mom Souq’s Mompreneur Market, which gives business-savvy mums the chance to showcase their products and services. Look out for Farida Daruwala from Smarty Pantz, who sells adjustable baby shoes and night lights in the shape of basketballs and butterflies, and Shaikha and Mariam’s maternity clothing line, Bloominglicious Boutique.
Fashion & Beauty
Joelle Mardinian, the make-up artist from MBC’s weekly eponymous reality show, will dispense free beauty advice in a guest appearance on stand 7240 in hall seven on Saturday. In the same hall, learn tricky hair styles from the Macadamia Oils stand (7125) and have free makeovers and facials at 7.15pm on Thursday and 6pm Friday and Saturday.
The oldest global fashion school, Esmod, will display its student’s latest creations in daily catwalk shows in hall six. Look out for playful day-to-night pieces by Esmod alumni Canella Hostal Couture and clothes made from Iranian fabric by Kourosh Gharbi of Kourosh Fashion.
Catwalk timetable
Thursday December 5 4.30pm, 7.45pm, 9.15pm
Friday December 6 3pm, 5.30pm, 8.30pm
Saturday December 7 2pm, 4.45pm, 7.30pm
Cookery demo timetable
December 5
5pm Lena ter Laare, editor-in-chief, Good Housekeeping
6pm Mac Withojit, head chef, Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas
7pm Ali Ebdowa, head chef, Mezlai in Emirates Palace
8pm Gary Rhodes, Rhodes 44 in The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
December 6
4.30pm Mac Withojit
5.30pm Chef Tariq, cooking a traditional Egyptian dish
6.30pm Gary Rhodes
8.30pm Ali Ebdowa
Chefs at 3pm and 7.30pm are TBC
December 7
3pm Mac Withojit
5pm Gary Rhodes
7pm Ali Ebdowa
Chefs at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm are TBC
In style
Celebrity stylist Dawn Williamson will roam around the catwalk dispensing handy fashion tips. We caught up with her to get some advice in advance so you can arrive already in style.
How long have you been a stylist?
‘Ten years. I’ve worked in Selfridges and Hermès, as a personal shopper at the upscale department store Harvey Nichols, as a TV presenter and BBC fashion expert. I’ve also styled Amanda Holden, a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, footballers’ wives, private Emirati clients and members of the bands The Saturdays, Girls Aloud and The Pussycat Dolls.
What do your clients ask for?
‘Most want to make a statement. I show them how.’
What fashion and beauty advice do you have for TOAD readers?
‘Buy clothes that fit, wear long trousers to elongate your legs and wear tailored clothing even if you’re carrying a few extra pounds. In photos, hold your chin up, stand tall and face the light, as sunshine smoothes the complexion. To look slimmer, women should turn sideways to the camera, with one foot forward, one hand on a hip – Victoria Beckham has perfected this.’
