When I was a little girl, my grandmother gave me paper dolls of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. It’s a bit funny when you think about the fact that I was playing with paper, but I was in love with the fairy tale and would dress the Princess in all sorts of outfits.

So today it felt eerily similar as we adorned a manikin with a copycat of a Jenny Packham gown worn by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, at ABS in Al A’ali Mall.

I was told that ABS by Allen Schwartz had a dress very similar to one worn by Kate Middleton earlier in February at the Olympic Concert. It is being sold for BD1,691. The ABS version is only BD282, which is basically 1/6th of the price. 

Natasha Daniel, a fashion expert, joined me to check out the store for GulfWeekly readers.

The teal dress was stunning, 100 per cent silk and awash with shimmery sequins. Wearing it, no doubt you’d feel like royalty.

Natasha’s special pick from ABS was a little black dress in satin and lace regularly priced at BD168, now marked down to BD50.

Karen Millen is also holding a 70 per cent off sale on various pieces, so we went down to City Centre to speak with Rebab Mubarak, territory sales manager for Remza Investment Bahrain’s fashion division.
 
There are three iconic styles hanging on the sale rack right now and while the dresses may be timeless, the offer is not and runs only for another couple of weeks.

I could not end this shopping day without ducking into La Senza, of course, I need to be patriotic. La Senza is a Canadian brand that opened its doors back in 1990 in Dorval, Quebec selling lingerie. This is my ‘go to’ place for all the pretty little under pieces. This mid-season event runs until August 17.
 
Details of above:
ABS – up to 70 per cent off – until end of August - Al A’ali Mall.
Karen Millen – up to 70 per cent off – City Centre.
La Senza - mid season sale – until August 17.
 
Others deals I’m privy to:
La Vie en Rose – Spend BD20 and get BD5 gift voucher – until August 28 – Bahrain City Centre.
The Athlete’s Foot – Sale 20 to 50 per cent off – until September 5 – Bahrain City Centre.