Poll vault: Katrina storms to victory

Katrina Lukovic has been voted the Hottie of the Season by XPRESS readers in an online poll. We caught up with the Dubai-based Serbian beauty for a chat.

The season’s hottest spot is Serbian beauty Katrina Lukovic, who appeared in our August 28 edition. "It’s a shock. It’s very delightful and overwhelming," said the 23-year-old, who was spotted by XPRESS at a happening joint on the 33rd floor of the Dubai World Trade Centre. Lukovic was born in Abu Dhabi and studied international hospitality management in Dubai, but both her parents are from Serbia, where she goes back every summer to see her family and friends.

A hardcore football player at the Dubai Women’s Football Association, she lives in Jumeirah and works for a sports event management company. "I’m a very sporty person," she said.

When she’s not wearing sporty clothes at work, Lukovic likes to dress classy in the evening. She enjoys Dubai for being a multicultural society as well as for its beaches. The young hottie also likes to travel. "My favourite trip was to Goa," she said. Her role model is Madonna because "her music inspires me, and I can relate to her ’80s hits that came out when I was born".

Rosemin Manji

British-Canadian expat Rosemin Manji was quite surprised to hear that she had won the first runner-up spot. "Wow. It’s very exciting, and I think it’s very flattering," she said. She was spotted at the World Trade Centre Ladies Party and featured in our September 4 edition.

Manji, 29, is a fashion consultant. "I work with luxury brands and help them adapt to the Middle Eastern market," she said. After growing up in Toronto, she spent the last nine years in London before moving to Dubai in February. She studied fashion and started working for brands like Burberry, Gucci and Prada in London.

She said she looks up to Queen Rania. "She is stunning. It’s amazing what she does with charity work and how she tries to be a great role model for women. It’s nice to have royalty as a fashion icon."

Louise Field

"Brilliant. That’s really sweet," said UK expat Louise Field when she found out she was the second runner-up. She was spotted while shopping at Ibn Battuta Mall and chosen the Hottest girl in our September 25 issue. Field grew up in England where she studied business and fashion. She’s been in Dubai since February, and "I love it," she says. "The weather, the beaches and the outdoor lifestyle."

The 29-year-old works in the fashion industry as a merchandise manager. She likes to dress modern and sophisticated.

The woman who inspires her is her grandmother. "She makes her own clothes at 86," she said.