Dubai-based fashion editor and stylist Laura Jane Brown has worked for the Middle East’s top publications and brands – and is seriously savvy when it comes to shopping.
Here, Laura shares where to find vintage in this ultra-modern city, her favourite local boutiques and the best spa to relax at post-shopping.
Best area or street for shopping…
The obvious choice is Dubai Mall, but for good reason. An entire extension, Fashion Avenue, is dedicated to an endless amount of luxury flagship stores. The mall is a one-stop shop for everything from the high street to Hermès in one (huge and easy to get lost in) mall.
Where can we find the best vintage shops…
Vintage stores are few and far between in Dubai however Les Spots offer all kinds of vintage out of a cute villa in Jumeirah. For thrifting purse-friendly casual cargos and t-shirts, ThriftsomeDXB and FashionReRun have an area at Dubai’s Ripe Market each week.
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One place only locals know about…
Alserkal Avenue which houses a mix of art galleries, casual eateries, an independent cinema, and a few niche stores. They often host community events celebrating independent businesses. It’s a cute weekend browse.
Your favourite local brands or boutiques?
The Bowery Company is a Scandi interior haven; the store is in Al Quoz and every time I enter my wish list grows. Visit Gosha for flowers in an art form, Bouguessa for timeless classics and Amongst Few for premium streetwear.
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Souvenir to take home?
A Dubai T-shirt from Carrefour!
The best place to treat yourself is…
The Talise Spa at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray hotel. It’s voted the best spa in the Middle East, the facilities and massages are out of this world. This is a must-visit for any girl’s trip.
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Best overall shopping experience?
Prada offers a Made to Measure service in its Dubai Mall flagship store and has an overly impressive VIP personal shopping section, it’s unlike any other I’ve seen. Also, although not a physical store, the online platform ounass.com – a multi-branded designer website with a two-hour delivery – has saved my stylist and last-minute events soul too many times to count. It’s ideal if you forget something when packing…
Best store design?
Contemporary brand, Bouguessa, has a showroom in the Dubai Design District and is a glimpse into the designer’s world of minimalist sophistication.
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Best pit stop for lunch or coffee?
The business lunch at Zuma, because who doesn’t love Zuma? Then move onto coffee at Orijins; the two are a stone’s throw away from each other in DIFC.
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Any Questions or Tips to add?