The "Masters of Excellence" exhibition was billed as Abu Dhabi's first-ever luxury show, with selected purveyors of hyper-expensive goods invited to bring their best bling right to the source of the oil money. And, boy, did they bring the bling. Here, a model wears jewelry by Graff on May 10, 2006.
Click next for more from British and French designers. Click below for American and Italian "Masters."
A model shows off a gown by French designer Givenchy on May 11, 2006, during the four-day "Masters of Excellence" elite-brand fashion and jewelry exhibitions in Abu Dhabi. Givenchy famously was the favorite of screen star Audrey Hepburn, who wore his designs off-screen and on, in classics including "Breakfast At Tiffany's," "Funny Face" and "Sabrina."
A model wears a gown by French designer Givenchy on May 11, 2006, during the four-day "Masters of Excellence" elite brand fashion and jewelry exhibitions in Abu Dhabi.
Planners of the exhibition invited designers from four Western nations, France, England, the United States and Italy, to show at the event. Here, a model shows off a creation by Vivienne Westwood, Britain's best-known fashion designer, during the third day of the luxury goods fair in Abu Dhabi on May 10, 2006.
Vivienne Westwood made her reputation in the 1970s as the queen of punk fashion. Her first shop on King's Road, London, was called Let It Rock; she later renamed it Sex when she specialized in rubberwear and bondage gear. A more subtle sensuality is displayed in this gown, shown on the third day of the luxury goods fair known as "Masters of Excellence" in Abu Dhabi on May 10, 2006.
No one does over-the-top luxury better than Christian Lacroix. Here, a model channels Marie Antoinette on May 10, 2006, during the four-day "Masters of Excellence" elite brand fashion and jewelry exhibitions in Abu Dhabi.
A model wears a gown by French designer Christian Lacroix on May 11, 2006, during the four-day "Masters of Excellence" elite-brand fashion and jewelry exhibitions in Abu Dhabi.
A model wears a gown by French designer Emanuel Ungaro on May 11, 2006, during the four-day "Masters of Excellence" elite-brand fashion and jewelry exhibition in Abu Dhabi. The son of an Italian tailor, Ungaro hit the big time as a Paris couturier in the 1960s.
A relative fashion newcomer, British designer Matthew Williamson once designed a limited-edition Rover that was so flamboyant he called it "Bollywood meets the Moulin Rouge." Here, he settles for a more genteel elegance in a dress presented at the luxury goods fair known as "Masters of Excellence" in Abu Dhabi on May 10, 2006.
A model wears a dress by British designer Matthew Williamson during the four-day "Masters of Excellence" fashion and jewelry presentations in Abu Dhabi on May 10, 2006.
A model displays a dress by British designer Matthew Williamson during the third day of the luxury goods fair known as "Masters of Excellence" in Abu Dhabi on May 10, 2006.
A model wears a dress by British designer Giles during the four-day "Masters of Excellence" fashion and jewelry presentations in Abu Dhabi, May 10, 2006.
A model wears a dress by British designer Giles during the four-day "Masters of Excellence" fashion and jewelry presentations in Abu Dhabi, May 10, 2006.
A model wears jewelry by Chopard on May 10, 2006, during the four-day "Masters of Excellence" elite-brand fashion and jewelry exhibitions in Abu Dhabi.
Chopard was the official jeweler for the film "Basic Instinct 2," possibly damaging its illustrious reputation, at least briefly. Here, a model wears jewelry by Chopard on May 11, 2006, during the "Masters of Excellence" elite-brand fashion and jewelry exhibitions in Abu Dhabi.
A model wears jewelry by Chopard on May 11, 2006, during the four-day "Masters of Excellence" elite-brand fashion and jewelry exhibitions in Abu Dhabi.
This is the jeweler preferred by Donald Trump ... or at least that's where he got his latest wife's massive engagement ring. Here, a model displays jewelry by Graff during the third day of the luxury goods fair known as "Masters of Excellence" in Abu Dhabi, May 10, 2006.
Models teetering in heels show off jewelry by British designer Graff at the luxury goods fair known as "Masters of Excellence" in Abu Dhabi on May 10, 2006.
Click below for American and Italian "Masters of Excellence," including Calvin Klein, Donna Karan and BVLGARI.