The annual Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) shopping festival opened on June 11th 2009 and is scheduled to take place across shopping malls and tourism venues in the city until August 14th.

This year’s opening ceremony at the Mall of the Emirates generated a carnival atmosphere for visitors, with the mall hosting jugglers, acrobats and illusionists.  Other entertainment activities on the opening day included personal appearances by six costume characters known as the Shopping Family of Dubai.  As well as taking part in DSS activities within the Mall of the Emirates, these colourful shopping centre mascots will be greeting shoppers at future events hosted by the retail and leisure venue.

Each of the family members – Grandad, Grandma, Mum, Dad, son and daughter – was uniquely designed and created by Rainbow Productions; the full copyright for these characters now assigned to the client.  The promotional costumes were brought to life on behalf of Saltimbanco Italiano as Global Art Theatre Company.

London based UK mascot company Rainbow Productions met Saltimbanco Italiano whilst exhibiting for the third consecutive year at the Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure Show, which took place from April 26th – 28th 2009.

See also:
Costumes and Mascots: Rainbow secures new business from Dubai trade show

Photos: Courtesy of Saltimbanco Italiano as Global Art Theatre Company and photographer Bartlomiej Wojcinski.