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Where to Find Local and Regional Fashion Designers in Dubai

To shop local and regional designers in Dubai, start with concept stores like The Meld and Symphony, follow curated pop-ups, and browse homegrown labels on Ounass and Bloomingdale's.

By Aastha Chopra  ·  25 June 2026  ·  3 min read

I get this question constantly: where do you actually find the good local designers in Dubai? Not the big global names, the homegrown and regional talent. Here is exactly where I shop, the stores I keep going back to, and how to catch the pop-ups before they sell out.

Why bother with local and regional designers at all?

Because the pieces have a point of view you cannot get from a mall full of the same international brands. Regional designers understand our climate, our occasions, and the way we actually dress here, from a brunch in Jumeirah to a wedding that runs five events deep. Supporting them also keeps the creative scene alive, and honestly the craftsmanship is often better than what you pay double for elsewhere.

Which homegrown UAE labels are worth knowing?

A few names I trust and wear. Bouguessa by Faiza Bouguessa is my go-to for minimalist, sculptural tailoring and refined abayas, the kind of clean lines that look expensive without trying. Reemami by Reema Al Banna is the opposite energy: playful prints, bold colour, pieces that start conversations. And Madiyah Al Sharqi does effortless eveningwear and regal silhouettes that feel made for our calendar of weddings and festive nights.

If you are building an abaya wardrobe specifically, I went deep on that in my guide to where to buy abayas in Dubai.

Which concept stores and boutiques stock them?

The concept stores are where the discovery happens. These are the ones I send friends to:

• The Meld Concept in Jumeirah 1, founded by sisters Afra and Shama Al Ghurair. It is a restored 1970s villa turned multi-brand space and cafe, home to their abaya label Fold plus a rotating roster of homegrown brands. They also keep an activation area for pop-ups, so emerging designers show there first.
• Symphony at The Dubai Mall Fashion Avenue, which mixes international luxury with an edit of emerging Middle Eastern designers, so you can find regional talent without hunting.
• Sauce, the long-running concept store with branches across the UAE, for an eclectic mix of local and international pieces.

Where do the curated pop-ups happen, and how do I catch them?

Pop-ups are my favourite way to shop regional fashion, because you meet the people behind the labels. I filmed one recently: DIVAlicious returning for a day of indulgent shopping at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, twenty-five-plus curated brands under one roof, and I genuinely could not walk out empty-handed. Founded by Vanitaa Bhatia, it leans into festive and Indian-occasion fashion, jewellery and accessories, which makes it perfect for our South Asian wedding seasons here in Dubai.

The trick to catching pop-ups is simple: follow the organisers and the concept stores on Instagram, because most of these run for a day or a weekend only and they announce dates there first. Set a reminder the moment you see one. The Meld and the bigger hotel ballrooms at Emirates Towers and similar venues host them on rotation through the cooler months.

And where can I shop regional designers online?

When I cannot get to a store, I shop online. Ounass carries homegrown UAE labels alongside luxury, with same-day delivery in Dubai that I rely on far too often. Bloomingdale's also runs local designer edits worth checking. Many designers, Bouguessa included, sell direct through their own sites too, so it is always worth going straight to the source.

A quick reference for where to shop

Start with one concept store visit and one pop-up, and you will understand the scene fast. If you want to put a regional designer piece to use, here is my take on what to wear for a night out in Dubai. Dress well, and support the people building something real here.

More from Aastha's retail world: explore here.