Shabnam Arashan

She’s loved for...her impeccable manners
Shabnam Arashan is polite to a fault. She dreads the rare times when she has to cancel an appointment at the last minute, and apologises profusely when this happens. She doesn’t make a fuss if the food served at dinner doesn’t fit her dietary preferences. Her social calendar is never double-booked and she even scorns at the notion of leaving an event midway for another.

“I don’t believe in making a fuss,” says the affable director of her family’s shipping company Selat Offshore. Shabnam does a fair share of hosting herself, often planning parties for up to 30 guests at home, and she’s aware of the elbow grease involved. So when she’s a guest, she’s nothing but gracious and respectful. “It’s simply good manners to treat others how we want to be treated.”

High jewellery earrings, necklace and ring, all by Cartier; dress and bralet, both by Dolce & Gabbana