The movers and shakers of the UAE converged yesterday as the much anticipated Ahlan! Hot 100, as chosen by Ahlan! Magazine – the regions’ biggest selling magazine - were announced during a star studded event at The Address Montgomerie in Dubai, marking the official launch of the 2010 Ahlan! Hot 100 book.
“Each year we receive thousands of nominations through our website www.ahlanlive.com/hot100 which our judging panel then analyse to decide on the few that actually qualify and make it into the final Hot 100 list,” said Katie Heskett, Ahlan! Senior Group Editor and the driving force behind the Ahlan! Hot 100. “As the biggest selling magazine in the region, we come across some incredible people and, through Ahlan! it’s a privilege to be able to share their incredible stories and telling insights with our readers. Considering the journey that this year’s trendsetters, style icons and unsung heroes have been through over the past 12 months, these insights will be an inspiration to many and hopefully a positive influence as we look to the year ahead.”
People could have been forgiven for expecting a more low-key affair given the difficulties throughout 2009 but those individuals who managed to defy or maybe just chose to ignore the turbulence of the world markets and continued to shine despite the hurdles put in their way were the ones who made this year’s list. They are the leaders of industry guiding their industries through the stormy water’s of world recession, the style icons who are brightening up our lives, the up and coming individuals who struck out on their own, despite the doom and gloom and last but certainly not least, the unsung heroes who are the true champions of the UAE, still managing to think of others even while their worlds are under pressure.
With celebrity attendance including Dubai 92’s Catboy and Geordiebird, Sky News’ Ashish Joshi, Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, film director Ali Mostafa, celebrity designers Ayesha Depala and Furne One along with the UAE’s dazzling influencers and a performance from the award-winning UAE band, Beat Antenna, the evening was an exciting, diverse and thrilling celebration of the vibrant collection of characters that make up the hottest across the Emirates. Key figures making the much- coveted 2010 Ahlan! Hot 100 list were UAE National Sarah Belhasa, Indian National Manish Malhotra UK National Gary Rhodes and Italian National Frankie Dettori.
“Each year we attract not only the resident elite of the UAE but also visiting celebrities who join us in celebrating the country’s diversity,” said Alia Fawad publishing director, ITP. “The Ahlan! Hot 100 has become a brand in itself which represents the culmination of trendy, up & coming, stylish and socially conscious residents.”
The event marked the official launch of the 2010 Ahlan! Hot 100 book, details of which can also be accessed on the website www.ahlanlive.com/hot100. The book contains the chosen style icons, trendsetters, unsung heroes and up & coming, who make a difference to the UAE. What made this year’s book unique was that in addition to the usual interviewing process, the 2010 Ahlan! Hot 100 have given their opinions and insights into the difficulties of 2009 and how these had impacted their personal and professional lives.
