Dubai: Ever fantasised of being a mermaid? You are in luck.
Mermaids of Arabia, a newly opened experimental boutique on Kite Beach, allows you to dress up like the mythical underwater creature, complete with encrusted seashells, tiara and fishy tail.
“We want to breathe life into the deep sea fantasy of every child and adult who loves everything half human and half fish,” said boutique founder Josephine Adams who hit upon the idea of launching Mermaids of Arabia following a fancy dress party last year.
“I dressed up as Princess Ariel, the title character of Walt Disney’s film The Little Mermaid for the party and enjoyed the experience so much that I decided to launch a dedicated store where people can enjoy a fairy-tale mermaid transformation. There couldn’t have been a better location than the Kite Beach for it,” said the British expat.
Wide range
Aspiring mermaids have a range of transformation experiences to choose from. The makeover options for children conclude with a photoshoot in the mermaid attire. The Mini Mermaid Experience at Dh120 includes hairdressing and accessories, mermaid makeup, dressing up in a mermaid costume followed by a photoshoot and one printed photo. For Dh180, kids get a Magical Mermaid Makeover which includes mermaid hair dressing and accessories, hair extension, makeup, jewellery, nail art, dressing up in a mermaid costume followed by a photoshoot and one printed photo. The Total Mermaid Transformation priced at Dh800 offers the entire sparkle from dressing up to photoshoot, and the costume and hair accessories are theirs to keep.
“Make-up assistants dressed up as fairies do the whole shebang from make-up and hair styling to helping aspiring mermaids put on the costume before they hit the beach or pose for pictures sitting in a giant oyster or boat that we use as props. The entire experience lasts about 45 minutes. Some girls are comfortable in the costume but others find it a challenge to move around like a mermaid,” said Adams.
In just a little over three weeks since its launch, the boutique has already helped scores live out their mermaid fantasies.
“The response has very enthusiastic. During weekends, it really gets busy here. From a one-year-old girl to a 47-year-old woman, we have dressed them all as mermaids. The other day we even had a mother-daughter duo coming in for the mermaid makeover.”
Mermaids of Arabia at Kite Beach is open throughout the week until May 25 from 10 am to 10 pm.
