Dubai is aiming to radically alter its image from its earlier one (dirham delirium, and nothing else). The repositioning is working big time and attracting top professionals from across the world in areas like advertising, media, finance, construction and education.

I am a die hard Dubai fan. Give me a couple of extra days over a long weekend (before the weather turns beastly), and I’ll gladly spend them in Dubai. To call it ‘unreal’ would be an understatement.

Dubai is the ultimate mirage, shimmering tantalisingly in the vast desert, beckoning all those who are mesmerised by its worldly attractions. Dubai gleams and glitters 24x7, and has emerged as a dream destination for jet-setters in search of serious shopping. It is a shopper’s spa, offering pricey goodies from across the world at what are supposed to be the most competitive prices but are, in fact, nothing of the sort. But since there is nothing else to amuse tourists apart from the super fabulous malls enticing the unwary to empty their wallets, that’s what most visitors do in Dubai -- shop till they drop. And eat, of course.

Since I am not a shopper and loathe malls, I spend my time there looking for new restaurants. That’s never a problem, given that new eateries pop up faster than heat boils in summer. Besides, Dubai is aiming to radically alter its image from its earlier one (dirham delirium, and nothing else). The repositioning is working big time and attracting top professionals from across the world, in areas like advertising, media, finance, construction and education.

Culture was an alien world in the old days, and tourists in search of that elusive attribute would be sent to the dazzling gold souk, like buying kilos of the precious metal would somehow compensate for the absence of cerebral activities -- music, dance, plays, exhibitions, and so on. Today, one can enjoy the Bolshoi along with the Rolling Stones, and catch some of the best art shows\ auctions in the region. Despite all that, such is Dubai’s strong imaging, people still go there to shop, splurge and chill out in those palatial luxury hotels that make every resident feel like a sheikh or sheikha.

I was there to attend a super posh event hosted by Cartier. This was my fourth time to the Polo function, which begins with an exclusive sit down dinner for international invitees the night before the fixture. Last year, the luscious Monica Bellucci (who lends her name to a sophisticated, stylish line of jewellery for Cartier), entranced guests with her luminous presence. This year, it was Charlotte Rampling who graced the event. Rampling, of course, is a far cry from Bellucci. Severe, imposing, aloof… and magnetic! But essentially charmless.

Well, to make up for the tristesse, a famous Lebanese chanteuse with an impressive bosom (quivering like blancmange), sang her latest hits, right after gorgeous models finished their walk -- through dripping eye-popping diamonds from the India-inspired collection (including a piece appropriately titled ‘Bollywood’). Cartier is all set to open a flagship store in New Delhi, which means our memsaabs can buy their rocks and watches at a store nearest to their Lutyen’s bungalows. Isn’t that sweet and convenient?

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Salman Khan was also one of the celeb invitees to the Cartier event, and in true Salman style he flew in on a private jet, did a no-show at the formal dinner, preferring to hang around with body guards and cronies in his suite, and showed up at the Polo match just in time for the prize distribution.

Did it matter? Not in the least. Everybody was so delighted he’d turned up at all! Given his star power, I guess he can get away with such behaviour, which in any other part of the world would be considered abominable and rude. But to see the guy strut around cockily, with fawning minions surrounding him, one begins to understand just how compelling a superstar’s drawing power can be. Salman’s fans in Dubai worship the man. It is rumoured the royal family adores him. He can do no wrong. At least, in Dubai! Lucky Salman!

The much hyped Fashion Week in Mumbai ended on a high note. It’s all about partying and having a great time. Is anybody looking seriously at the business of fashion? Naaaah!

In India, at least, fashion and cricket go hand in hand with entertainment. Our fashion designers are talented, but confused. Most don’t quite know who exactly they are designing for -- desi fashionistas or foreign buyers?

Elsewhere in the world, fashion weeks are held for the trade first and individual buyers next. Here, it’s a five-day fiesta for ridiculously dressed socialites sitting self consciously in the front row. Then there are the Bollywood stars who walk the ramp for friendly designers (read: the ones doing their costumes for the next film). About five important international buyers show up and leave without booking any significant orders. But nobody cribs, since the entire tamasha is so glam and sexy. Well, here’s to the next Fashion Week. And the next.