Last week country singer Shania Twain enjoyed a quick trip to Dubai browsing for a wetsuit, picking up a bargain bikini and catching the city's horsey extravaganza, the Al Saheel Show.

Shopping in boardies, a tank top, with her hair up and a distinct lack of make-up, the surprisingly small singer blended in perfectly among the locals and holidaymakers at the Quiksilver store at Mall of the Emirates on Friday.

Accompanied by Frederic Thiébaud, the ex-husband of Twain's former best friend - who sources say broke up the country star's marriage to Robert "Mutt" Lange - the pair looked happy as they browsed the beachwear.

But the chart-topper had no intention of letting people know who she was as she introduced herself as Eileen, her birth name, to people she met at the HoofbeatZ-organised Al Saheel: Voice of the Horse show, which she attended twice - once with her seven-year-old son, Eja D'Angelo.

Twain and her producer husband Lange announced they had spilt just over a year ago after 14 years of marriage. They married in 1993, just six months after they met.

Her spokesman Jason Owen had said in a statement at the time: "This is a private matter and there will be no further comment at this time."

Though Lange denied having an affair, sources say that he was involved with Marie-Anne Thiébaud, Frederic's former wife. It is understood Twain and Frederic left Dubai on Monday.