Latest news with #Vara
Elle
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
9 Summer Skirts And The Flat Shoes To Pair Them With
Good style is anything but formulaic, but it always helps to have a few failsafe combinations up your sleeve – especially when a) temperatures are soaring, b) you're on holiday and have better things to do than to outfit-plan, or c) both of the above. We have the perfect solution: choose one of nine summer skirt styles and match them to the perfect flat shoe, as per our carefully curated guide. From flip flops to the sneaker-ballet-shoe hybrid, fisherman sandals to pirate boots, we have narrowed down a few of our favourite flats (all perfectly suited to summer strolls, whether you're in the city or somewhere in view of sea) and picked out the trending skirts to pair them with, from slinky slips to flippy minis – all with the help of some of fashion's best-dressed insiders. Pin your favourite outfits to your summer moodboard and come back to them when you're feeling frazzled but in search of an excellent ensemble. Let us count the ways we love the slip-skirt trend. Firstly, one can be procured blissfully easily on the vintage market – or indeed, there are many beautiful new iterations, whether you want to splurge (The Row), save (Mango) or find a happy medium (Dôen). Secondly, it's so versatile; it looks just as good with flip flops or ballet flats now as it will with a cashmere knit and knee-high boots come autumn. Don't forget an anklet and/or toe ring. Part trainer, part ballet flat, the sneakerina is the hybrid shoe that will make summer strolls more stylish and more comfortable. Do like Iris Law and team Foundry Mews' dance-inspired pair with a pleated mini skirt – or a flippy skort, like Peachy Den's Kylie style. The ballerina version of Puma's Speedcat and Adidas's Taekwondo Mei shoe also work well. An almond-toe ballerina feels like a more polished alternative to the classic ballet flat, and the perfect partner to a 1990s-inspired polka-dot skirt from Susa Musa or Miu Miu. Take cues from Marilyn Nwawulor-Kazemaks and opt for Chanel's new-season, two-tone style or consider Ferragamo's iconic Vara pump, which was the shoe of choice for Caro Editions' SS25 lookbook. We've long sung the praises of the naked dress, but let's discuss the wildly more versatile naked skirt. Chanel, Alberta Ferretti, Fendi, and more all made strong cases for this ethereal garment, which can be dressed up with heels or made casual with flats. A pair of Mary Janes brings a down-to-earth touch to a tulle or organza style. The Noughties trend of wearing one's skirt over one's trousers has made a triumphant return. At Bottega Veneta and Johanna Parv's SS25 shows, the hybrid garment was teamed with sleek heeled pumps, but it looks just as good with flatform sandals, as content creator Liv Madeline proves. When dressing for a heatwave, keep it simple in a crisp white midi skirt, oversized shirt and, the pièce de résistance, a pair of fisherman sandals. For something a little fun, opt for jelly styles from Loeffler Randall or Straw London, or go classic with a leather pair from Grenson, The Row, or Toast. The frou-frouness of a ruffled floral mini skirt – or indeed, a bubble-hem one – is instantly tempered by a pair of slim-profile trainers. Miu Miu's cult low-tops are a natural choice, but Adidas's Tokyo or SL 72 styles also work well. On top, keep things form-fitting and considered or do the exact opposite and throw on an oversized vintage band T-shirt. An asymmetric skirt makes every outfit more interesting, as does a pair of slouchy pirate boots – better yet when the two converge. We love the handkerchief-hem style on this fashion week guest. As for the boots, you can't do better than Vivienne Westwood's iconic, buckle-adorned style, which have peaked in popularity on pre-loved marketplaces. Flounced silhouettes popped up in a few places at fashion week, from the peplum-topped chiffon trousers at Alaïa's SS25 show to mermaid maxis on showgoers themselves. Balance the drama of a fishtail skirt with the nonchalance of a thong sandal – something simple and embellishment-free, ideally.
Express Tribune
10-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Ordinance issued to regulate virtual assets
The president on Thursday issued an ordinance to establish a Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (Vara) to regulate the services related to virtual assets in the country with a view to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. President Asif Zardari signed the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Ordinance 2025, which would come into force immediately all over the country. The head office of the authority would be in Islamabad, but its regional offices could be established anywhere. The ordinance says that the Vara will have the status of a corporate body, hence, it will be able to hold property, makes purchases and sales and enter into contracts. according to the ordinance, it will also be able to file cases, according to the ordinance. Vara is empowered to issue, suspend or revoke licences for virtual assets and service providers; make regulations for the supervision and regulation of virtual assets; take steps to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing, with powers of investigation, disciplinary action and imposing fines. According the ordinance, a board will run the affairs of Vara. The board would have a chairman of the board and two members from the Finance Ministry and the Law Ministry. It could include more members as advisers. The term of office of the chairman and non-official members will be three years. The ordinance says that no person would provide services related to virtual assets without a licence issued by Vara. It adds that fine could be imposed if someone found offering those services without a licence.
The National
07-07-2025
- Business
- The National
UAE denies crypto investors have been offered exclusive golden visas
The UAE is not issuing golden visas to cryptocurrency investors despite claims to the contrary on social media, authorities said. A claim from a blockchain technology company circulated on various social media platforms had suggested crypto investors had the exclusive opportunity to secure a golden visa after paying a one-time fee. But the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (Vara) issued a joint statement on Sunday to clarify that was not the case. The ICP said golden visas were only issued according to officially approved frameworks and criteria, which do not include digital currency investors. Eligible categories include real estate investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, scientists and specialists, top students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers and frontline workers. The SCA, meanwhile, highlighted its commitment to internationally recognised standards in regulating the financial sector and securities services in the Emirates. Digital currency investments in the UAE are governed by specific regulations and are unrelated to golden visa eligibility, the authority added. Vara also urged investors and consumers to deal only with fully licensed and regulated companies in any engagement with virtual assets. The three authorities collectively urged the public and investors to exercise caution and refer to official government websites and approved communication channels for accurate information. What are the benefits of a golden visa? Multiple entry into the UAE, with no restrictions on travelling in and out of the country. Golden visa holders do not need a local sponsor, which gives them more autonomy. Visa holders and their dependents can work, live and study in the UAE and have access to the country's government and private sector services. The visa also covers spouses, children and parents to enjoy the same benefits as the primary visa-holder.
The National
12-06-2025
- Business
- The National
How real estate tokenisation aims to make buying property in Dubai affordable
Dubai's second tokenised real estate project sold out in a record-breaking time of less than two minutes, the emirate's Land Department said, illustrating the high demand amid a housing boom. The property is a one-bedroom apartment in Kensington Waters, Mohammed Bin Rashid City, valued at Dh1.5 million ($408,441), offered at a discounted rate compared to its estimated market value of Dh1.8 million, project promoters Prypco said in a statement. It attracted 149 investors. UAE residents holding valid Emirates IDs can pay as little as Dh2,000 for a share of this new property. The scheme is expected to open to international investors in its next phase, the company said. Launched on May 25, it is being implemented by Prypco Mint platform, in collaboration with Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (Vara), the UAE Central Bank and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) through the Real Estate Sandbox. The platform's first property, a two-bedroom apartment in Business Bay, attracted 224 investors, with an average input of Dh10,714. Listed at Dh2.4 million, below its Dubai Land Department (DLD) valuation of Dh2.89 million, it was fully funded within one day. The land department has invited those interested to register early and set up their accounts to take advantage of coming offerings before they sell out. Tokenisation caters to a particular segment in the market, featuring people who wanted to join the real estate party but never had the invitation, said Mario Volpi, head of brokerage at Novvi Properties. "It's relatively easy to buy in and buy out. However, there is just one company offering it now. So it's a bit of a closed shop in that respect." What is property tokenisation? At a basic level, tokenisation converts a physical real estate asset into digital shares – known as tokens – recorded on a blockchain. Each token represents fractional ownership in the property, allowing a number of investors to participate at a lower entry point than traditional real estate, said P.P. Varghese, head of professional services at Cushman & Wakefield Core. "In principle, it's an alternative way to structure and record ownership, but the underlying asset remains the same: the property still exists, generates income and requires the same fundamentals to perform over time," he said. "Tokenisation doesn't replace the traditional drivers of value in real estate. Asset quality, location, tenancy, governance and market dynamics continue to be the factors that ultimately determine an asset's performance. The technology may change how ownership is accessed and traded, but it doesn't change what makes a property successful." How to invest under this model? Currently in Dubai, investors are being encouraged to contact the DLD to express interest in available projects, said Matthew Green, head of research - Mena at CBRE. "However, over time, we would expect the market to open up further, with different avenues to acquire these assets to emerge, likely through a combination of official government channels and also directly through other market participants, including developers, funds and other registered entities." Risks and returns In terms of returns, tokenised real estate mirrors traditional property investment: rental yields, capital appreciation and long-term market growth. Where tokenisation introduces additional variables is in liquidity, pricing transparency, regulatory oversight and platform stability – all of which remain relatively early stage in most global markets, including Dubai, Cushman & Wakefield Core said. "We advise investors to approach tokenisation with the same discipline they would apply to any other real estate investment," Mr Varghese said. "The structure may allow fractional access, but the underlying asset still requires thorough due diligence." CBRE's Mr Green highlighted how the tokenised asset is open to fluctuations in the supply and demand of property, and related pricing. Outside of that, the risks are related to technology, the systems and platforms that house and trade these assets, he added. Advantages and disadvantages Tokenisation ultimately helps to expand a market by diversifying the investor pool, creating liquidity, removing barriers to entry (time, location, investment size, etc) and facilitating an easier and quicker method to participate in the market, Mr Green said. From a developer or owner perspective, it also creates another potential avenue for divestment, offering a tangible alternative for project fund-raising, while at the same time also attracting an entirely new source of investors to enter the market, he added. However, Mr Varghese said the disadvantages are equally important to acknowledge. The regulatory frameworks are still developing, platforms vary in quality and oversight, and in many cases, secondary trading markets remain thin. "Transaction costs can also become disproportionately high, particularly at the smaller investment sizes that tokenisation often targets. When you factor in platform fees, blockchain gas fees, legal expenses and regulatory compliance costs, the total cost of entry can easily exceed what investors might pay in a conventional real estate transaction," he warned. "For very small ticket sizes - say, investments of $100 - these fixed costs can quickly erode returns. Even dividend payouts can be costly to process at scale, depending on the platform architecture." There are also valuation challenges specific to tokenised assets, Mr Varghese said. "While fractional ownership creates access, it can reduce liquidity compared to traditional whole-asset ownership, which may lead investors to apply discounts when pricing tokens. Conversely, at times of heightened retail interest, tokens may trade at premiums that don't fully reflect underlying asset fundamentals. That can create disconnects between actual property performance and token pricing," he explained. Value of tokenised real estate market The land department projects Dubai's real estate tokenisation market to reach Dh60 billion by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate's total property transactions. "Dubai has many of the ingredients in place to explore tokenisation at scale: an openness to financial innovation, strong regulatory bodies, and significant cross-border capital flows," Mr Varghese said. "The market is watching the evolution of tokenisation carefully, and we expect to see early activity particularly in smaller-scale residential and niche assets. It's likely that tokenisation will find its place in the market over time, but for now, it's more complementary than entirely disruptive."
The National
25-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Investors can now buy share of Dubai property for Dh2,000
Investors can pay as little as Dh2,000 for a slice of Dubai's tokenised real estate project after the Dubai Land Department (DLD) officially launched the pilot phase on Sunday. The sum will buy investors tokenised shares in ready-to-own properties in Dubai, with only UAE dirhams accepted for all transactions, the DLD said. Cryptocurrencies will not be accepted during the pilot phase. Currently, only Emirates ID holders will be able to invest in the project before it opens up to international investors. 'The platform is set to expand globally in the near future, with additional platforms to be integrated in later phases,' the Dubai government body said. The initiative is being implemented by Prypco Mint platform, in collaboration with Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (Vara), the UAE Central Bank and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) through the Real Estate Sandbox. Zand Digital Bank has been appointed as the banking partner for the project's pilot phase. A partnership agreement between DLD, Prypco and Ctrl Alt Solutions will focus on attracting specialised asset tokenisation companies, while safeguarding investor rights. While the pilot phase of the project includes only two authorised companies, Prypco and Ctrl Alt, there are plans to open the market to other qualified firms in the future, DLD said. The project, announced in March, focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain, helping to streamline the process of buying, selling and investing. Real estate tokenisation enables fractional property ownership, where each asset is divided into shares based on investors' budget and financial strategy. This allows investors to acquire a portion of a property without fully purchasing it. Dubai's real estate tokenisation market is forecast to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate's total property transactions, according to government data. Through the digital platform investors can find information about property details ranging from pricing, risk factors, and technical specifications to the minimum investment required. The real estate tokenisation project is jointly managed by the DLD, as the regulator of physical real estate assets, and Vara as the regulatory body for digital assets to ensure a transparent regulatory framework, the DLD said. During the current phase, the CBUAE will oversee the opening of corporate accounts linked to real estate tokenisation through the Client Money Account (CMA), as part of a system designed to safeguard investor funds. Under this system, an investor's money is deposited into the CMA and not transferred to the tokenisation company until the purchase process is fully completed, to ensure security and transparency. The project's initial phase is limited to ready-to-own properties, and tokenisation is allowed only through companies licensed by the Vara, while DLD is responsible for reviewing and validating the fairness of property pricing before any listing is approved. 'Investors will benefit from both rental income and capital appreciation resulting from the property's appreciation, while holding a legally documented ownership share issued by Dubai Land Department – ensuring a transparent and secure investment experience without the complexities of traditional property management,' the DLD said. The latest announcement comes as Dubai's property market continues to perform strongly amid government initiatives such as residency permits for retired and remote workers, the expansion of the 10-year golden visa programme and strong economic growth and diversification efforts. The emirate recorded real estate deals worth Dh761 billion last year, up 20 per cent compared to 2023, with the total number of transactions for the year increasing by 36 per cent to 226,000, according to data provided by the Dubai Media Office. It also achieved a record in the sale of homes valued at more than $10 million last year, real estate consultancy Knight Frank said in a report last month. The emirate recorded 435 home sales valued at more than $10 million, up from 434 home sales in 2023 in the same category, with the total value of deals reaching $7 billion.
