Some new brands are setting up shop in the UAE this year… and there are a few we wish soon would.
We’re very lucky in the UAE that when it comes to shopping, we have a wealth of options on our doorstep.
With a vast range of sprawling malls, high-end boutiques and international high-street imports, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to updating our wardrobes.
However, that said, we don’t have every brand we love on our shores.
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But, things are always changing in this ever-evolving country, and a few upcoming launches have got us rather excited for 2017.
So, with no further ado, here’s a selection of new shops coming to the UAE this year… plus our wish list of brands we hope will arrive in the near future.
& Other Stories
Love H&M? Adore COS? Then we have got some excellent news for you. Their sister brand & Other Stories is opening in Dubai this month, so our wardrobes will soon be bulging with its Scandi-cool separates. The womenswear, accessories and beauty brand is launching its first UAE store in Dubai Mall’s Fashion Atrium at the end of April, and this will also be the first Middle East branch for & Other Stories in total. The cult label first launched in 2013 – you can find stores across Europe and the UK – and sits towards the COS end of the scale price-wise, but style-wise it’s edgier and more trend-focused.
M&S
Yes, we already have several branches of the British favourite across the UAE, but its newest launch has our bellies grumbling. Why? Because it’ll be the first stand-alone Marks and Spencer food store in the Middle East. Sure, branches such as Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall have grocery sections stuffed with the brand’s moreish biscuits, bakery items and the like, but the new food hall will boast around 2,000 items from M&S’ signature range. Expect the store to open in Dubai Marina in July…
Apple
Sure, we already have one store in Mall of the Emirates and one in Abu Dhabi, but a third will ensure you can get your hands on the latest iPhone or a Genius appointment even more quickly. The lavish new opening will be spread over two floors in The Dubai Mall, with a front row view of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain. There’s no official date yet, but with the Apple-embossed barriers in place and the promise of a “grand opening soon”, we have our fingers crossed for this year…
Delpozo
The Spanish fashion house is bringing its uber-feminine creations to the emirate, with the opening of its Dubai flagship store in the Dubai Mall’s Fashion Atrium in September. It’ll be the first Middle East store for the label, which is renowned for its vibrant hues, architectural silhouettes and couture-like detailing.
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Robinsons
The department store opened its doors just days ago in Festival City, bringing with it more than 600 brands spread over three floors. One of the in-store arrivals we’re most stoked about is easily a 15,000 square-foot homeware section from upmarket UK brand John Lewis (you know, the one that does the Christmas advert every year). There’s also a variety of other hard-to-find brands among the shelves, including Mimi Holiday lingerie, Needle & Thread dresses and White Flags menswear.
Here’s our wish list for brands we hope will come to the UAE in the near future…
Uniqlo
The Japanese clothing company is a resident of many global cities, including London, Sydney and New York, so fingers crossed it’ll find a home in Dubai soon. Why? Because we’re desperate to get our hands on the label’s consistently-chic collection of affordable cashmere jumpers, denim shirts, and limited-edition collections with style icons such as Ines de la Fressange.
Hourglass
Yes, you can find this cult beauty brand online at several sites that ship to the UAE, but it’s not the same as being able to smother your hand in swatches at a real-life store. The US-born brand boasts some of the finest highlighters, primers and lip crayons that we’ve ever trialled, so we’re hoping for a stand to pop up soon in a Sephora branch…
J. Crew
This American heavyweight is famed for its collections of womenswear, menswear, kidswear and accessories – and has been donned by everyone from First Lady Michelle Obama to Lupita Nyong’o and the cast of Gossip Girl. However, rumour has it that a J. Crew store will be part of Abu Dhabi’s Al Maryah Central mall when it opens in 2018, so the wait might almost be over.
Sunday Riley
If you’ve never tried the retinol-packed Luna Sleeping Night Oil from this skincare brand, you’re definitely missing out. But we’re in dire need of a local counter to repurchase our luxe face oils and lactic-acid-infused serums (we’re looking at you, Good Genes) without having to wait for international delivery.
Urban Outfitters
Want to get a piece of that ’90s grunge trend that’s still sticking around? This is your guy. With heaps of artfully ripped jeans, retro faded tees, and festival-friendly strappy dresses, this will easily fuel most of your summer wardrobe. However, your dreams might be about to come true as this is also believed to be coming to Abu Dhabi’s Maryah Central mall…
