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1/13

Bil Arabi

Established in 2006, by Nadine Kanso, this luxurious jewellery brand is an ode to the region and celebrated the Arabic alphabet in a refined manner. From earrings, rings, bracelets and pendants this fine jewellery brand has carved a niche for itself in the market. With modern heirlooms and bespoke projects, the brands have reached a global level through collaborative partners which includeTHAT Concept Store and Guerlain.

2/13

Al Mraikn

Founded by sisters Maryam and Muna Saeed in 2011, Al Mraikn continues to be at the forefront with its sleek and sophisticated designs crafted with an air of modernity and soft power. Their latest collection unlocks the spirit of freedom. Muna shares, “This capsule was inspired to unlock a woman’s character and step out of her comfort zone while still remaining modest.”

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Bambah

Inspired by the retro era, founder and designer Maha Abdul Rasheed wanted to inject fun into women’s wardrobes with generous ruffles, bare shoulders, oversized bows and colourful floral prints. Thanks to its feminine silhouettes and bold attitude, Bambah has won itself a local and global following, and has even caught the attention of the A-list crowd, including Priyanka Chopra and Amal Clooney.

4/13

Bouguessa

This contemporary womenswear label has reinvented the wardrobe classics for the modern-day wearer. Founded by Faiza Bouguessa in 2014 in her studio in Dubai Design District, the brand has now made its mark global, as its e-tailer includes one of the largest players in the market, NET-A-PORTER. Designed to empower strong sophisticated women, several A-listers such as Priyanka Chopra and many more have been spotted in the Dubai-based brand.

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All Things Mochi

Ayah Tabari launched her label in 2013 with patterned hues infused into every element of the brand. While combining traditional prints and embroideries with quintessential tailoring, each piece is created by hand in individual ateliers by a team of talented makers. The brand has been shown at New York Fashion Week and appeared on people with a global reach. The Hungarian-inspired label has previously retailed on NET-A-PORTER with centuries-old embroidery techniques infused into the collection.

6/13

HALA

Founded by Hala Al Shammari, this fashion label breaks stereotypes and classic cuts.“A trademark of HALA’s design philosophy is the juxtaposition of clean, elegant front designs with unexpected, captivating twists at the back, such as my personal favourite, the backless cut,” Al Shammari shares in an interview with Emirates Woman. Launched with the intention to uplift Arab women in the region, this label is growing year after year with its sophisticated pieces that can be worn all year round.

7/13

Illi.ae

A contemporary brand founded in 2020 by Emirati designer Rawdha Salem Thani, Illi delivers fashion-forward yet modest pieces that serve as a perfect companion on the journey to self-expression and empowerment. Rawdha shares, “Contemporary women can embrace their uniqueness through an array of vibrant prints and modern colour combinations. Inspired by the beauty of nature and the urban landscape, each design is a celebration of femininity and confidence.”

8/13

Kristina Fideskaya

The luxury ready-to-wear label offers pieces that can be worn for women on the go from day to night. The brand, which has appeared at Paris Fashion Week, has been recognized worldwide for its immaculate tailoring and must-have pieces, after it was established in Dubai in 2017, with all items created in-house.

9/13

L’Afshar

Made in Dubai, this iconic label was started by Lilian Afshar in 2019. Designed for the sophisticated woman, the brand is combined with contemporary handcrafted designs, made in Dubai with luxurious yet industrial elements. The brand is stocked around the globe including NET-A-PORTER, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Harvey Nichols and many more. From Queen Rania to Kendall Jenner, the brand has made remarkable strides globally.

10/13

LC

The luxe activewear label founded by Lyndsay Doran in 2019, has filled in the apparent athleisure gap in the country. With plans to eventually open a UK office and warehouse, the brand has customers from around the world including in Europe and the US. With new launches every season, the brand is constantly innovating and encouraging women to live healthier lives.

11/13

Madiyah Al Sharqi

Based in Fujairah, this eponymous brand was founded by the daughter of the ruler of Fujairah, HH Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi. Since launching in 2012, the eponymous brand has garnered a massive fan base globally, including a celebrity clientele like Kim Kardashian and Karolina Kurkova, with effortless eveningwear and regal silhouettes being at the epitome for the brand.

12/13

Romani

Founded by Haya Jarrar, the Dubai-Based label has made strides globally with unconventional pieces that allow women to freely express themselves, with cuts and materials that have edgy designs. Romani’s designs have made it into some of the most fashionable closets around the world including Karen Wazen, Amina Muaddi and most recently Zendaya.

13/13

The Giving Movement

By disrupting stereotypes, Dubai-based lounge and activewear brand The Giving Movement has always gone against the grain. The founder of The Giving Movement, Dominic Nowell-Barnes, has highlighted the importance of pushing boundaries on several occasions. The brand has reached global icons and content creators with its premium collections being loved by all those who are seen in them. From Haya Salman to Natalie Sallaum, various fashion enthusiasts have been spotted in the brand.

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13 luxe homegrown UAE fashion labels that have gone global

It’s time to support local. When it comes to innovation and creativity, the UAE is always ahead of the curve. Having garnered an international status and worn by celebrities across the globe such as Kylie Jenner to Jennifer Lopez. With a growing footfall and global traction, several of these fashion brands have been spotted on […]

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13 luxe homegrown UAE fashion labels that have gone global

Fashion

13 luxe homegrown UAE fashion labels that have gone global

by Sarah Joseph

February 15, 2024

VIEW GALLERY/ 13 IMAGES

It’s time to support local.

When it comes to innovation and creativity, the UAE is always ahead of the curve.

Having garnered an international status and worn by celebrities across the globe such as Kylie Jenner to Jennifer Lopez. With a growing footfall and global traction, several of these fashion brands have been spotted on the runway and e-commerce platforms such as NET-A-PORTER.

So, if you’re intrigued about how these UAE-based founders launched their brands about their journey, swipe through our Emirates Woman editor-approved guide.