In a city renowned for redefining opulence alongside originality, a Dubai-based socialite and former pageant winner is preparing to break new ground with The Glam Crown – an upcoming fashion show and beauty pageant that promises more than just sparkle. Scheduled for November 15 later this year in Dubai, the event – a first-of-ots-kind platform – aims to blend glamour with grit by spotlighting diversity, confidence, and self-expression across all ages and abilities.

“This isn’t just about crowns and catwalks,” says Piyali Chatterjee, crowned Mrs. Elegant UAE 2021 and founder of Artisan Beautique that’s behind the event. A respected beautician, entrepreneur, and former educator of children with special needs, Chatterjee is using her platform to challenge traditional beauty norms. “It’s about showing that beauty doesn’t come in one shape, shade, or size. Every woman, every child, every participant has something uniquely powerful – and beautiful – to offer.”

A platform for all walks of life

What sets The Glam Crown apart is its commitment to representation. The event will feature a special segment for children of determination aged as young as three to 12, giving them the chance to shine on a professional runway – complete with styling, gentle makeovers, and a magical stage experience.

Adults will participate in categories such as Mr, Miss, and Mrs Glam Icon UAE, with curated designer wear, grooming sessions, ramp walk training, and wellness consultations. A parallel fashion showcase for teens and adults includes styling support and exposure to leading local photographers and influencers.

The event will also welcome plus-size contestants, new mothers, and individuals who often find themselves excluded from mainstream beauty narratives. “Dubai is a city that embraces difference,” Chatterjee notes. “We’re just reflecting that spirit on our runway.”

Beyond the mirror: health, wellness, and empowerment

This isn’t a typical pageant. Alongside the fashion and festivities, The Glam Crown includes interactive sessions with a certified aesthetic doctor, gynaecologist, fitness coach, and professional beautician. “These sessions aim to promote a holistic understanding of beauty – rooted in confidence, hygiene, and well-being,” says Chatterjee explaining how the fashion show for teens and adults will include personalised ramp walk training sessions, designer stage wear, styling and grooming tips from seasoned beauty experts.  

Meanwhile, the show for young children of determination – open to anyone between three and 12 – will be offered free of charge. “It is a heart-warming celebration of joy and self-expression. Participants enjoy fun walk training, a gentle, skin-safe mini makeover, a designer outfit for the ramp, and a magical stage experience, complete with professional photos and delightful surprises,” adds the Indian expat who’s lived in Dubai for over a decade now.

With over 300 guests anticipated and growing buzz across the region, the event is set to unite emerging designers, aspiring models, and influential digital creators for an unforgettable celebration of fashion, empowerment, and community.

For Chatterjee, who manages two thriving salons in the UAE and continues to mentor women in beauty and confidence, The Glam Crown is a culmination of years of experience—and a bold step forward. “This is not just a show – it’s a movement,” she says. “If even one child of determination walks off that ramp feeling proud, or one woman finds her voice through this platform, we’ve done something meaningful.”

The UAE took center stage at BEYOND Expo 2025 in Macao as the Zayed Sustainability Prize Forum emerged as one of the event’s most compelling highlights. Co-hosted by the Zayed Sustainability Prize—the UAE’s flagship sustainability initiative—and the Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation (SIEF), the Forum underscored the country’s growing global influence in driving climate-forward cooperation and innovation.

Held from May 21 to May 24, the Forum was themed “Accelerating Impact: China’s Innovation for Global Sustainability” and brought together a powerful coalition of global leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Through keynotes, TEDx-style talks, fireside chats, and panel discussions, participants explored how capital, technology, and community leadership can scale real-world solutions to global challenges.

Echoing the Zayed Sustainability Prize’s social media message, the sessions emphasized collaboration, youth-led climate action, and inclusive growth—core principles that define the UAE’s sustainability vision. From advancing solutions in health, food, energy, water, education, and climate action, the Forum demonstrated how strategic investment and global partnerships—hallmarks of the UAE’s approach—can accelerate meaningful change.

Speaking at the event, H.E. Sheikh Saoud Al Mualla, Consul-General of the UAE in Hong Kong, underscored the depth and diversity of UAE-China cooperation. “UAE-China collaboration extends well beyond trade, encompassing key sectors such as energy, logistics, financial services, agriculture, tourism, and even space exploration. Notably, both nations share a strong and growing partnership in sustainable development. From pioneering solar power projects to innovative wind energy demonstrations, Chinese support has played a vital role in the UAE’s impressive journey toward a clean energy future,” he stated.

Dr. Gang Lu, Co-Founder of BEYOND Expo said, “The partnership with the Zayed Foundation Association embodies the spirit of collaboration and humanitarian impact that BEYOND Expo strives to foster. Together, we are not only driving innovation but also empowering communities to create a sustainable future. This alliance highlights how technology and philanthropy can unite to address global challenges and inspire positive change.”

Since its inception in 2008, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has honored 128 winners, positively impacting over 400 million lives across six categories. Its impactful presence at BEYOND Expo reinforced the vital link between technology and sustainability, while strengthening UAE-China collaboration at a critical global moment.

BEYOND Expo 2025: A Platform for Global Change :

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Celebrating its fifth anniversary, BEYOND Expo 2025 drew over 25,000 visitors, 800+ pioneering companies, and 800+ investors to The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Expo, all aligned under the banner: “Empowering Asia, Bridging the World.”

A headline Opening Ceremony on May 21 featured Asia’s leading tech innovators including Dr. Jian Wang, President, Zhejiang Lab & Founder, Alibaba Cloud, Carl Pei, CEO & Co-founder, Nothing, Dr. Burt Guo, CEO, Aerofugia, Zhaopeng Chen, CEO, Agile Robots SE Jingkang Liu, Founder, Insta360.

The Expo also launched the BEYOND Founders Club, a dynamic new network of 30 elite entrepreneurs dedicated to sustainable innovation in Asia.

The Arab Media Summit (AMS) 2025, the region’s largest and most influential media gathering, officially opened today at the Dubai World Trade Centre, drawing over 8,000 media professionals from across the UAE and the Arab world.

The Summit opened with the Youth Media Forum, setting the stage for a three-day exchange of ideas, innovation, and collaboration among some of the most powerful voices in the media landscape.

Running until May 28, the high-profile event brings together:

• Ministers and government officials
• Editors-in-chief and media executives
• Content creators and influencers
• Media tech experts and academics

The Summit aims to chart the future of Arab media, with an emphasis on innovation, youth engagement, and regional collaboration.

“The Arab Media Summit isn’t just a conference — it’s where the future of regional storytelling is shaped,” said one of the forum speakers.

This year’s programme includes:

• Over 175 sessions and 35 expert-led workshops
• Participation from more than 300 speakers
• Delegates and speakers from 26 countries

The opening day also celebrated the Ibda’a, Arab Youth Media Award, spotlighting emerging media talent and encouraging creativity among the next generation of Arab storytellers.

With leading global media organisations and digital platforms on the agenda, AMS 2025 serves as a vital hub for discussing media development, digital transformation, and policy in the Arab world.

As the media landscape continues to evolve, Dubai once again positions itself at the heart of regional dialogue, not just as a host city, but as a driving force for Arab media’s future.