Middle Eastern Designers: Where to Shop Local Brands in Dubai

Where to find treasures of local fashion beyond global brands

Let’s be honest: for many, shopping in Dubai means a quick dash through the familiar storefronts of Chanel, Gucci, and Dior in the cool air of massive malls. But what if you veer off this shiny yet predictable path? Beyond it lies an entirely different Dubai, a world of bold local designers, generations-old jewelers, and perfumers whose creations tell you more about the city than any skyscraper ever could.

What will we be looking for?

Let’s get one thing straight: our fashion safari won’t be limited to clothing alone. We’ll be on the hunt for everything that defines the region’s unique style. On our wish list:

• Designer Clothing: From haute couture to sustainable fashion.
• Artisanal Jewelry: Unique pieces that blend tradition with contemporary design.
• Niche Perfumery: Handcrafted attars and fragrances from local perfume houses.
• Authentic Fabrics and Accessories: Items that carry the cultural DNA and centuries-old traditions of the region.

Mega malls: Curators of Middle Eastern luxury

Don’t write off the mega malls just yet. Yes, they are home to global giants, but it’s here, in the cool air-conditioned interiors and with impeccable service—that you can most easily begin your journey into the local fashion elite. Your focus shouldn’t be on standalone boutiques, but on concept stores, think of them as fashion galleries where Dubai’s top curators have already curated the cream of the region’s design scene for you.

The Dubai Mall is the main hub of attraction. In addition to corners from well-known brands such as The Giving Movement, look out for multi-brand spaces:

• Ounass: A flagship concept store specializing in the most exquisite luxury from the Middle East. It brings together leading names in regional fashion, from evening gowns to jewelry masterpieces.
• S*uce: Stop by if you’re tired of the classics. This is a true incubator of bold ideas, where you can find asymmetrical abayas, witty T-shirts featuring Arabic calligraphy, and jewelry that looks more like art objects. A place for those who aren’t afraid to experiment.
• You can also find works by contemporary jewelers here, such as Azza Fahmy, whose corners are often located in major department stores. Her jewelry is poetry in metal, where ancient symbols and calligraphy take on a modern twist.

Verdict: Megamalls are your glossy starting point. Perfect for a first, comfortable introduction to Middle Eastern fashion without any unnecessary adventures.

Deira’s traditional markets: The pulse of authenticity and craftsmanship

Ready to trade the sterile coolness of malls for the spicy air and excitement of authentic Eastern trade? Then your journey leads you to Deira. Forget fixed prices and the quiet of boutiques, here, shopping is an adventure, a loud and lively spectacle where you are the main actor. The air here is filled with the scent of spices and bakhoor, and bargaining is not just a way to lower the price, it’s an essential part of the ritual and a form of respect.

Textile Souk

Allow yourself to get lost among rolls of Dubai silk embroidered with golden zari thread and mountains of the softest Kashmiri pashmina. Run your hand over fabrics adorned with traditional tali embroidery-these are not just patterns; they are stories. In many shops, you can have an outfit tailored on the spot from the fabric you choose-making it a unique souvenir crafted right before your eyes.

Gold Souk

This is not just a market)it’s a dazzling open-air treasure trove where the quality of gold is strictly regulated by the government. The price of a piece is made up of the cost of the metal by weight plus the making charges, and it is precisely these charges that you can and should negotiate with gusto. In addition to traditional jewelry, you’ll find boutiques of major jewelry houses here, such as Damas Jewellery.

Perfume Souk

Step inside and close your eyes. This place needs to be breathed in. The air here is thick and viscous with hundreds of scents: the astringent aroma of oud, the sweet fragrance of roses, the smoky scent of incense. Forget about branded perfume bottles-here, ‘attars’ (concentrated oils without alcohol) in crystal vials and ‘bakhur’ (precious wood chips for burning) reign supreme. But the main treasure is the chance to become a perfumer for an hour. In any shop, a master will blend a unique, one-of-a-kind fragrance just for you, a truly personal souvenir from Dubai.

Verdict: Deira is the place for those who seek not a brand, but a soul. It’s the perfect choice for purchasing authentic, handcrafted goods, fabrics, and unique fragrances that carry the warmth of human hands.

Creative clusters: The Epicenter of Avant-Garde Fashion

If malls are fashion’s grand façade and markets are its historical roots, then creative clusters are its vibrant, unseen laboratory, hidden from tourists. It is here that trends are born and new stars are launched.

Dubai Design District (d3)

Imagine a sleek, minimalist district where residential buildings have been replaced by showrooms, ateliers, and concept stores. The air here is literally charged with creativity. Designers, glossy magazine editors, and stylists stroll leisurely through the streets. This is a place where people come not for quick shopping trips, but for inspiration, to observe the creative process and buy a piece directly from its creator.

Alserkal Avenue

An art space located in the industrial district of Al Quoz, renowned for its contemporary art galleries. Among the concrete walls of former warehouses, concept stores hide, offering a unique selection of clothing, accessories, and jewelry. This is a place where fashion meets art, and the result of this union is always unpredictable yet breathtakingly beautiful. As you explore the galleries and showrooms, keep an eye out for the names of local jewelers. For instance, here you can see firsthand how Afaf Almarzouqi transforms Arabic calligraphy into elegant gold pendants, or appreciate how Reem Kabbani masterfully blends contemporary minimalism with ancient Bedouin motifs in her rings and bracelets.

Verdict: A must-visit destination for anyone hunting for true avant-garde pieces, seeking one-of-a-kind finds, and wanting to experience what drives and inspires Dubai’s creative class.

Your compass to fashionable Dubai: How to choose the perfect itinerary

Practical tips for a fashionable adventure

• Dress Code and Etiquette: In shopping malls, stick to modest attire (shoulders and knees covered). In traditional areas like Deira, it’s best to dress even more conservatively. Remember that photographing people without their permission is strictly prohibited.
• Safety: Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world. On the markets, a standard level of vigilance is sufficient-keep an eye on your belongings and politely but firmly decline the services of overly persistent touts.
• Transport and Bargaining: Malls and d3 are easily accessible by metro or taxi. In Deira, you can also take the metro (Al Ras, Union stations) or cross the creek on a colorful abra boat for just one dirham. Remember: prices in malls and boutiques are fixed, while bargaining at markets is an essential and enjoyable part of the shopping experience.

Dubai is not just skyscrapers-it’s style

Ultimately, Dubai offers you not just three shopping routes, but three different ways to experience the city. What kind of story do you want to bring home? A tale of flawless luxury from a concept store in Dubai Mall? A story of spicy aromas and the thrill of haggling at a Deira market? Or a story of encountering the future of fashion in an avant-garde studio in d3? The choice is yours. The key is to stray off the beaten path. It’s there, beyond the storefronts of global brands, that Dubai hides its greatest treasures.