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Private Photoshoots, Powered By AI And Built For Arab Women
self.space offers a fully private, tech-led studio experience designed for women in the GCC who value modesty, control, and beautifully natural results.
In a region where modesty and privacy aren’t just preferences but lived and religious principles, traditional photography studios can feel alien, especially for women. The lights, the lens, the presence of strangers — it all creates tension. self.space, a new concept launching in Dubai this September, wants to change that.
The idea is simple but radical: step into a sealed, boutique-like room, alone. There’s no photographer, no audience — just you, a smart mirror, and cinema or studio-grade hardware. What happens next is entirely in your hands.
First piloted at the 2024 Arab Media Summit, the concept struck an immediate chord. Emirati women queued for hours to try it. Some emerged in tears, telling the team it was the first time they had loved a photo of themselves — not because the camera made them look different, but because for once, they felt in control.
“We discovered that people reject their photos mainly because tension never leaves their faces — not because they or the photographers lack talent or beauty,” say co-founders Mitia Muravev (CEO) and Peter Bondarenko (CPO). “That unease is sharper in the Arab world, where privacy and modesty are woven into daily life”.
Mitia steers the brand’s vision and partnerships, while Peter engineers the technology stack — from embedded cameras and soft LED rigs to edge AI and encryption. The result? A user-led shoot experience that’s as secure as it is elegant.
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Inside the studio, images are captured with a tap. An onboard neural model enhances color and smooths skin in real-time — editorial polish, minus the fakery. Each shot is encrypted and uploaded to a private gallery, accessible only via a one-time code sent to the user’s phone.
The space itself is intentionally calming: part spa, part tech capsule. “We don’t sell photos,” the team insists. “We sell a moment of radical self-ownership. The beauty was already there — our tech just lets you relax enough to see it”.
With over 4,000 users and zero data privacy incidents during early activations, self.space is betting big on the region. The flagship studio opens in Al Quoz this September — and the team has their sights set on turning privacy-first photography into the new norm across the GCC.
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The Petshop Launches UAE’s First Pet Care Super App
Dubai retailer folds shopping, bookings and pet records into one mobile hub that features reminders, personalization, and more.
The Petshop has introduced a “Super App” that pulls together shopping, service bookings and pet records into a single platform, pitching it as the first integrated pet care app of its kind in the UAE.
The release turns the company’s stores, services and e-commerce operation into one connected system. Instead of juggling calls, WhatsApp chats and paper notes, customers manage everything from one account.
Each pet gets a dedicated profile. Age, diet, medical notes and behavioral traits sit in one place and update over time. For households with multiple animals, it’s a practical fix: fewer lost details, fewer repeat explanations at the counter.
That data feeds the app’s personalization. Reminders, recommendations and service options adjust to the specific pet rather than defaulting to broad prompts.
Grooming, boarding, relocation, aquatics and wellness services are booked through the same flow. Users can check availability, lock in appointments and see past visits without hopping between tools. All of the key services can be accessed and booked with a few taps.
The company says records and documents are stored with added safeguards, including verified digital paperwork for sensitive information, while usage signals trigger timely prompts without exposing private data.
“Over the past fifteen years, we’ve grown alongside the pet community in the UAE and seen how pet ownership has evolved,” said Amr Hazem Youssef, CEO of The Petshop. “For pet families, care now depends on continuity, accurate information, and services that match real life, not isolated transactions. This app brings those elements into one place with a structure that supports reliable care”.
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He added: “Pets have individual needs that change over time, and those needs shape daily decisions around routines, health, and wellbeing. By keeping information organized and connecting services within one system, we can reduce friction for pet families and deliver greater consistency across the experience.”
Founded in 2011, The Petshop now operates 11 outlets across the United Arab Emirates, including megastores in Dubai Investment Park and Abu Dhabi’s Al Reem Island, plus an online catalogue of more than 12,000 products.
The Petshop Super App is available on both the App Store and Google Play.
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