Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to access exclusive content and expert insights.

subscribe now subscribe cover image
Himani Raina profile imageHimani Raina

A clutch of stylish concept stores is redefining retail in the city, infusing it with innovative, cutting-edge design and experiential luxury

7 stylish concept stores to visit on your next trip to Dubai

A clutch of stylish concept stores is redefining retail in the city, infusing it with innovative, cutting-edge design and experiential luxury 

While Dubai is largely synonymous with towering skyscrapers and unbridled luxury, its retail landscape is recently witnessing a revolution of sorts. Beyond traditional malls, there is a crop of freshly emerging smaller, thoughtfully put-together concept stores that are changing the narrative of what it means to shop in the city. 

These concept stores have carefully curated line-ups of both local and international designers lending a refreshing diversity to the racks, and offering exclusive, often limited-edition collections. Some of them also double as cultural sanctuaries, incorporating art installations, cafés, and bustling social hubs hosting events, reflecting Dubai’s ever-evolving identity. 

We compiled a list of must-visit concept stores to stop by on your next trip to Dubai. 

VAOLocated in the heart of the City Walk, VAO showcases a collection of 60 high-end and ready-to-wear fashion brands, catering to discerning men and women. Their range spans from runway collections to the latest in designer wear, featuring both emerging names and the world's most sought-after brands. This ensures your wardrobe is consistently refreshed with luxury fashion and designer selections.What to find: Discover an array of top-tier international luxury brands with weekly arrivals, fresh from the runway. Find everything from clothing to shoes to accessories to home decor, all conveniently under one roof.Vaoconceptstore.com

VAO

Located in the heart of the City Walk, VAO showcases a collection of 60 high-end and ready-to-wear fashion brands, catering to discerning men and women. Their range spans from runway collections to the latest in designer wear, featuring both emerging names and the world's most sought-after brands. This ensures your wardrobe is consistently refreshed with luxury fashion and designer selections.

What to find: Discover an array of top-tier international luxury brands with weekly arrivals, fresh from the runway. Find everything from clothing to shoes to accessories to home decor, all conveniently under one roof.

Vaoconceptstore.com

The EditDriven by the aim to provide women with a unique and mindful shopping journey, The Edit came into existence. Established in 2018 at Alserkal Avenue in Dubai, it emerged as a concept store that seamlessly blends art, fashion, home decor, and a matcha bar within a captivating environment.What to find: The Edit offers a selection of women's fashion—including jewellery and accessories along with home-ware and beauty products; it prioritises women-founded brands. The space also houses an organic matcha bar and hosts occasional art exhibitions as well as events around empowerment and health/wellness.Theeditdubai.com

The Edit

Driven by the aim to provide women with a unique and mindful shopping journey, The Edit came into existence. Established in 2018 at Alserkal Avenue in Dubai, it emerged as a concept store that seamlessly blends art, fashion, home decor, and a matcha bar within a captivating environment.

What to find: The Edit offers a selection of women's fashion—including jewellery and accessories along with home-ware and beauty products; it prioritises women-founded brands. The space also houses an organic matcha bar and hosts occasional art exhibitions as well as events around empowerment and health/wellness.

Theeditdubai.com

Selectshop FrameIn 2017, Peter Ahn brought to life a multi-brand concept store with the singular vision of encapsulating everything he loves in a single frame. Meticulously curated, the Japanese lifestyle culture store aims to foster a new elevated lifestyle in the region while also actively contributing to Dubai's flourishing skateboarding community. It also serves as a specialty café.What to find: You can find skate brands, unique urban clothing labels, vinyl records, a speciality coffee bar, and a tiny ramen restaurant named YUi, all under one roof.Selectshopframe.com

Selectshop Frame

In 2017, Peter Ahn brought to life a multi-brand concept store with the singular vision of encapsulating everything he loves in a single frame. Meticulously curated, the Japanese lifestyle culture store aims to foster a new elevated lifestyle in the region while also actively contributing to Dubai's flourishing skateboarding community. It also serves as a specialty café.

What to find: You can find skate brands, unique urban clothing labels, vinyl records, a speciality coffee bar, and a tiny ramen restaurant named YUi, all under one roof.

Selectshopframe.com

Comptoir 102An award-winning, health-focused café in the heart of old Jumeirah offers a curated mix of global fashion, interior design, and furniture for discerning shoppers. Located overlooking the sea and a swathe of palm trees, it's akin to a sanctuary celebrating craftsmanship, away from the bustling malls. Here, visitors can discover a thoughtfully selected collection that honours exquisite craftsmanship, natural materials, and organic products.What to find: Discover over 250 independent brands online and in-store, spanning fashion, jewellery, decor, and beauty. Comptoir 102 embodies a soulful spirit with unique pieces, limited editions, and designer-hosted trunk shows too.Comptoir102.com

Comptoir 102

An award-winning, health-focused café in the heart of old Jumeirah offers a curated mix of global fashion, interior design, and furniture for discerning shoppers. Located overlooking the sea and a swathe of palm trees, it's akin to a sanctuary celebrating craftsmanship, away from the bustling malls. Here, visitors can discover a thoughtfully selected collection that honours exquisite craftsmanship, natural materials, and organic products.

What to find: Discover over 250 independent brands online and in-store, spanning fashion, jewellery, decor, and beauty. Comptoir 102 embodies a soulful spirit with unique pieces, limited editions, and designer-hosted trunk shows too.

Comptoir102.com

Kulture HouseKulture House is a unique concept store in a historic villa in Jumeirah, inviting visitors on a cultural journey. The space, adorned with personal souvenirs from co-owner Sheikha Jawar's travels, engages the local creative community. From Moroccan-inspired doors to mosaics from Lisbon and Capri, the collection reflects influences from around the world. What to find: A coffee shop, a retail store, and a part-time art gallery. On other occasions, the space transforms into a furniture store, a flower shop, a photo gallery, an art studio, a furniture pop-up, and several other possibilities.Kulturehousedubai.com

Kulture House

Kulture House is a unique concept store in a historic villa in Jumeirah, inviting visitors on a cultural journey. The space, adorned with personal souvenirs from co-owner Sheikha Jawar's travels, engages the local creative community. From Moroccan-inspired doors to mosaics from Lisbon and Capri, the collection reflects influences from around the world. 

What to find: A coffee shop, a retail store, and a part-time art gallery. On other occasions, the space transforms into a furniture store, a flower shop, a photo gallery, an art studio, a furniture pop-up, and several other possibilities.

Kulturehousedubai.com

Amongst FewAn online hub for men's contemporary fashion and streetwear, this revamped flagship store and café introduces two new features: amongst few barber and amongst few sounds, a private production and recording studio. The interiors capture the essence of an unfinished building, highlighted by raw brick walls, cement floors and stainless steel furnishings complemented by natural beechwood, black steel, and lush plants.What to find: Discover an exclusive sneaker room showcasing premium footwear on steel rods, a minimalist barbershop above beechwood stairs, and a private recording studio—a collaboration with Live Base. Hidden behind a staff-only entrance, the studio is reserved for exclusive guests. The café at Amongst Few offers a menu featuring organic meats, dairy, and seasonal dishes in various styles. Indulge in a premium organic fair trade coffee blend sourced from Ethiopia's Kaffa province and locally roasted in the UAE.Amongstfew.com

Amongst Few

An online hub for men's contemporary fashion and streetwear, this revamped flagship store and café introduces two new features: amongst few barber and amongst few sounds, a private production and recording studio. The interiors capture the essence of an unfinished building, highlighted by raw brick walls, cement floors and stainless steel furnishings complemented by natural beechwood, black steel, and lush plants.

What to find: Discover an exclusive sneaker room showcasing premium footwear on steel rods, a minimalist barbershop above beechwood stairs, and a private recording studio—a collaboration with Live Base. Hidden behind a staff-only entrance, the studio is reserved for exclusive guests. The café at Amongst Few offers a menu featuring organic meats, dairy, and seasonal dishes in various styles. Indulge in a premium organic fair trade coffee blend sourced from Ethiopia's Kaffa province and locally roasted in the UAE.

Amongstfew.com

GigiA conceptual boutique dedicated to highlighting local designers, Gigi presents an unparalleled curation of regional brands and designers within a state-of-the-art space. Functioning as an interactive concept store, it features experiential activations, introduces luxury brand concepts, and creates unique social-sharing moments, surpassing the conventional experience of a concept store.What to find: Gigi houses fashion retail, a culinary experience with Home Bakery, and an event space adorned with artworks from the prominent contemporary arts organisation, Ayyam Gallery.Gigiconcept.com

Gigi

A conceptual boutique dedicated to highlighting local designers, Gigi presents an unparalleled curation of regional brands and designers within a state-of-the-art space. Functioning as an interactive concept store, it features experiential activations, introduces luxury brand concepts, and creates unique social-sharing moments, surpassing the conventional experience of a concept store.

What to find: Gigi houses fashion retail, a culinary experience with Home Bakery, and an event space adorned with artworks from the prominent contemporary arts organisation, Ayyam Gallery.

Gigiconcept.com

Also Read: An art lover’s guide to Dubai

Also Read: Why Dubai’s Museum of the Future is a thrilling trip

Also Read: How textile trails across India hold potential to boost tourism if done right


Subscribe for More

Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to access exclusive content and expert insights.

subscribe now