“I set up RR & Co. three years ago in Dubai to help global luxury brands adapt in the region and to assist clients in the region to get optimum service and access to special collections of luxury brands,” explains Canadian-born Manji. “We organize everything from private lunches and dinners with designers as well as their media relations.”
A graduate of London College of Fashion, Manji worked in the European luxury goods sector for over 10 years before relocating to the Middle East. It was during those years that she was able to establish direct relations with industry icons Tom Ford, Alessandra Facchanetti, Frida Giannini and Stefano Pilati. She worked with high-end brands such as Gucci, Prada, Y and Burberry, but really cemented her status among the international fashion scene as the European PR Director of Juicy Couture.
While with Juicy Couture, Manji launched the American brand into the European fashion industry. She opened Juicy Couture’s first head office and showroom outside America in London’s historic Hartnell Building in Mayfair. Manji was also responsible for reintroducing the brand to a variety of celebrated fashion publications such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair and Tatler.
Her stylist career also blossomed. Manji has an impressive list of celebrity clientele, including Sienna Miller, Elizabeth Hurley, Elle Macpherson, Kate Winslet, Thandie Newton and Kate Moss. She also styled renowned European fashionistas Princess Caroline and Jemima Khan.
But when Manji wasn’t dressing Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow and Queen Rania, she was gaining the skills that would later help her launch one of the most influential fashion consultancy firms in the Middle East. Currently, RR & Co. boasts a remarkable roster of fashion powerhouses such as Tom Ford, Christian Louboutin, Temperley London, Chanel, Tiffany & Co. and Givenchy. Between its niche event management and media relations, the company works as a liaison between local operators and global luxury brands.
It all started when Manji moved to Dubai with her husband a few years ago. Designers and her friends in the industry often voiced an interest in the region and its trends. Manji found herself answering questions on buying, service, merchandizing and media relations. RR & Co. developed almost overnight into the consultancy boutique firm it is today.
“For a majority of the brands, it was a natural progression to focus on the Middle East region,” said Manji. “You have already seen mass expansion to regions like Asia, and now the Middle East is opening state-of-the-art shopping centers and department stores to stock the brands.” Manji’s company represents exclusive global luxury brands and helps them integrate into this region’s market.
“My business is something that happened organically as I was already based in Dubai,” she said. “Dubai was also open to bringing new niche business ideas.”
She added that the location proved to be strategic as her company collaborates with numerous media outlets — most of which are based out of Dubai.
International designers and brands, which were interested in expanding to the Middle East, chose Dubai as their starting point.
“Brands need to go where the spending power is and in this case, the Middle East is a very important market for all of them,” states Manji. RR & Co. specializes in helping these brands adapt to the market while keeping within the core brand guidelines.  Three years since establishing her company, Manji now has offices in New York and London as well as a global network of resources at her convenience. Through her experience, she has noted a few differences between European and Arab fashion lovers.
“There is a big difference in shopping patterns, points out Manji, “Dresses sell better to our clients mainly because of the hot weather — no one wants to wear tight-fitted clothes.”
She explains how Arab women tend to be more formal and are always dressed up as if attending a Cannes Film Festival after-party.
“Middle Eastern women tend to wear cocktail dresses to dinners and parties, which Europeans would consider more special-occasion wear.”
She continues to indulge her creative passion through private orders and styling.  “It is the section of the business that I personally take care of,” said Manji. “I am sensitive to the needs of Arab women, so custom gowns in particular with private appointments with the designers, dresses with long sleeves, and so on, are all special details that I address.”
Manji is also a regular on TV shows, HearSay and Mashaheer, as their fashion and social correspondent. She has been on “Best Dressed” lists and is often quoted with her expert fashion advice. RR & Co. is gaining recognition and has become uniquely positioned to conceptualize and execute strategic public relations projects for bespoke luxury brands in the Middle East.
“To be honest, it’s great that brands are now accessible in the region,” said Manji, “I don’t have to fly to Paris to get my favorite diptyque candles!”
For more information, visit
www.rrandco.com