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Raffles 1887
RAFFLES READS
Dubai: Forever luxury
A city of bright new technologies, Dubai is a dazzling hub of modernity and aspiration. It is also still very much a luxury city, driven by the global market for luxury consumer goods. Raffles 1887 goes shopping in the city where even the police drive supercars
IN just over 50 years, Dubai has become a global hub of modernity and aspiration: a city of bright new technologies amid soaring skyscrapers and beautiful man-made islands. More recently, it has become a world capital for crypto, artificial intelligence, real estate and the advancement of green tech. But it’s also still very much driven by a resilient market for luxury consumer goods, contributing to nearly 19 million international visitors in 2024 – a nine per cent increase on 2023. After all, where but Dubai can you enjoy a luxury desert tour in the morning, sail across the Arabian Gulf on a private yacht in the afternoon, and snap up an item from Chanel‘s latest collection in the evening? In Dubai even the police drive supercars.
Retail in the emirate began with humble open-air souks, with the first malls and a slew of boutiques arriving in the late 1980s. American luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue opened in 2005 in the Bur Juman Centre; it was followed two years later by Dubai Mall, then the largest mall in the world with more than 1,200 retail outlets including a whole section, Fashion Avenue, dedicated to luxury brands – Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Gucci, Hermès and Alexander McQueen to name but a few.
Today Dubai Mall is the most visited mall on earth, with 111 million visitors in 2024, and while luxury store openings on Fashion Avenue have been relatively few in recent years, this has been due to limited availability rather than lack of demand from the brands. One notable exception was Tom Ford’s flagship store which opened in 2023 and now spans three glorious floors. “There’s a real understanding of quality here. People simply want the best things,” said Tom Ford in a recent interview.
Developing Chinese brands – keen to capitalise on the expected growth of the luxury market in the Middle East – see Dubai as a good fit; while heritage superbrands are looking for new ways to attract consumers. In 2021, for example, Gucci celebrated its centenary and the UAE’S 50th anniversary with a pop-up in the Burj Al Arab while Louis Vuitton launched a menswear pop-up in the Mall of the Emirates. Fashion brands, from Valentino and Michael Kors to Louis Vuitton and Dior, recognising that they share a client base, are looking to innovate and collaborate with luxury brands from hospitality and other sectors.
At the same time, independent niche brands are emerging as younger and increasingly knowledgeable local consumers take a more individual, nuanced approach to fashion. Demand for sustainability, particularly pre-loved luxury, is growing too.
"Meticulous planning, ensuring that modernity is melded with tradition and even ultra-modern enclaves echo the strong cultural roots of the nation, make this a place where people really want to come and shop"
Dubai’s enduring success as a luxury hub is due, in the main, to soaring local wealth and a strong economy, coupled with booming tourism – the emirate went from 632,903 visitors in 1990 to a record 18.72 million in 2024. Meticulous planning, ensuring that modernity is melded with tradition and that even the most ultra-modern enclaves still echo the strong cultural roots of the nation, make this a place where people really want to come and shop – and then shop some more.
The future is bright. Analysts expect the Middle Eastern luxury market to grow exponentially in the coming years, and Dubai’s luxury offer to grow with it. It’s already happening: in June 2023 Dubai Mall announced an expansion plan set to cost AED1.5 billion, reflecting, as its owners put it, “Dubai’s ambitious vision to remain at the forefront of global innovation and culture.”
Can luxury really get any more luxurious? Watch this space.
From lifestyle concept stores to specialised fashion and jewellery boutiques, Dubai local ROMY HUNT highlights her shopping favourites for Raffles 1887
BAYT DAMAS
Discreetly sited in a residential street, Bayt Damas is an elegant fusion of jewellery, fashion and art, transforming a four-storey villa into an opulent lifestyle destination with appointment-only shopping. Every nook is filled with regional and international craftsmanship; while past pop-ups have featured renowned designers such as Stephen Webster and Tony Ward Couture.
Al Wasl Road
THE CLOSET
The brainchild of Emirati fashionista Hadir, The Closet marries preloved designer goods with big-city glamour. The boutique-style spaces are reminiscent of a sparkling walk-in wardrobe, crammed with myriad designer shoes, bags and accessories for both men and women.
Jumeirah Centre, Jumeirah Road
D3/DESIGN DISTRICT
Dubai's Design District, defined by sleek, futuristic architecture, is a trendy destination exuding avant-garde flair. Sophisticated boutique-style shopping showcases emerging regional brands such as Lebanese Dima Ayad, and features couture, jewellery, art and interior design. Lined with chic cafés and restaurants, this area is frequented by locals in pristine thobes, savouring coffees with the backdrop of Downtown Dubai.
Za’abeel
FASHION AVENUE
Quiet and plush carpeted walkways offer shoppers a haven of serenity in Dubai Mall, enveloping them in the luxury world of Chanel, Cartier, Bulgari, Versace, Gucci and Oscar de la Renta. Stop off at Ladurée for a delicate macaron.
Dubai Mall
GALERIES LAFAYETTE
This prestigious French department store exudes international excellence across its four floors. Featuring luxury brands such as Red Valentino, Missoni and Carolina Herrera, alongside contemporary labels such as Zadig & Voltaire, it is a clarion call to all ardent shoppers. Add personalised touches to your purchases with in-house tailoring or recharge at its stylish boutique café.
Dubai Mall
GOLD & DIAMOND PARK
Epitomising the convergence between luxury and local culture, this stylish marketplace hosts 90 jewellery houses, each brimming with charming local hospitality. As well as selling ready-made designs, outlets here also create pieces to order; so visit early in your trip.
Sheik Zayed Road
GARDEROBE
Opening in 2010, Garderobe taps into the city’s affluent closets, curating a prestigious collection of preloved designer items. In cosy surroundings you’ll find labels such as Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Burberry and Chanel with a selection of bags, sandals, scarves and clothing.
Al Wasl Road
LEVEL SHOES
A sleek shoe emporium where prestigious designers from Louboutin and Jimmy Choo to Manolo Blahnik take centre stage. London’s Margaret Dabbs Spa offers treatments to pamper your feet while bespoke fitting, personal stylists and concierge services complete the personalised experience.
Dubai Mall
RAMI AL ALI
Syrian-born designer Rami Al Ali has been cultivating his brand at his stylish atelier in Dubai since 2010. He is renowned for fusing heritage with modernity to create exquisite bridal and kaftan pieces, and has dressed the likes of Naomi Campbell and Jennifer Lopez – earning him features in Vogue and collaborations with global brands such as Swarovski.
Al Wasl Road
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