The other week I was back in the Middle East, firstly to
Doha for a Hackett shop opening and then on to Dubai for British Polo Day. It
was an impressive opening, which included the presence of The British
Ambassador, Nicholas Hopton who wondered whether I remembered him as we had met
many years ago at our first shop in Fulham and he reminded me that he had
modelled for Hackett's first advertising campaign. It made me think that in
future when submitting a CV that included Eton, Oxford and the Guards whether
Hackett would now join that illustrious list as it obviously worked for Mr
Hopton!
Whilst Doha is not on the same scale as Dubai it still
boasts some extraordinary skyscrapers, a building that had the appearance of a
bullet was particularly striking. Although Doha is a relatively new city it is
not all about skyscrapers and every effort has been made to create an
environment that acknowledges it's heritage and despite the fact that the old souk is a mere eight years old they have
managed to instil the magic of Arabia, the police dressed in traditional robes
on Arab stallions all adding to the mystique. The next morning I flew Qatar
Airlines to Dubai and discovered that I had been upgraded to first class and
sitting in the lounge feeling very privileged
I noticed four couples quaffing Champagne, well it was 8.30am, the ladies were
all carrying large hat boxes so presumably they were off to watch the Dubai
Gold Cup taking place the next day. The group became increasingly merry and
whilst we waited on the Tarmac for them
to arrive, which they did eventually, I couldn't help but think how typically
British.
No sooner than I had arrived in Dubai than I was whisked
off to the Polo by Range Rover the main sponsor of BPD. It was my second visit
to the Dubai Polo Club and it was as beautifully arranged day as I last
remember. I was introduced to HH Sheik Shakboot Bin Nahyan al Nahyan who
invited me to join him at the Abu Dhabi Polo next year, it's now in the diary.
With a fair amount of Brits in attendance it was good to see so many young men
dressed in Hackett. I was asked to present a prize for the best dressed
Gentleman I chose a chap who was dressed head to toe in Hackett (well, not quite head to toe I think his shoes
were by Harry's) Off to Barcelona in the morning for an event at our new shop
there. I shall try and visit a shop in the old port where they make hand made
espadrilles.
Jeremy Hackett
