Dubai and fashion are synonymous with each other. While other Arab nations endure civil unrest, this city provides non-stop diversion with the glitz and glamour of over the top fashion products and designers.
In the Middle East, Dubai is already a fashion kingpin. It accounts for half of the entire region’s retail revenue. Dubai is second to London as the most important place for international retailers. The city is quickly evolving in to a fashion mecca and already attracts the area’s top designers.
In an effort to speed up the evolution, construction is under way on an eighteen million square foot structure known as Dubai Design District or D3. This place will consist of design studios, high-end shopping, and apartments. The cost of construction on a project like this is almost one billion dollars. That’s a huge investment in to fashion. The thought behind such a project is to create one place for designers from South Asia to North Africa to collaborate and host events for tourists to come and see. City officials intend to create an atmosphere unlike any other seen in places like Milan and Paris. They want to distinguish themselves from the others and stand out as fashion’s cream of the crop.
Drones of foreigners and locals alike flock to the region’s “King of Shopping” for the massive array of brands and products it offers. Retail fashion in Dubai is so popular that there is an actual shopping festival celebrated each year. Known by locals as DSF, the Dubai Shopping Festival is more than just shopping. With it comes all sorts of entertainment like fireworks, fairs, performances and cultural activities. During this time you’ll find deep discounts, promotions, and sales. As if it wasn’t enough being known for their shops, they set aside a special day to celebrate it.
If you’re not one for fighting the crowds, you’re in luck. Many of the brick and mortar stores are online to satisfy your shopping needs. In fact, online shopping in Dubai may just be the better way to do your shopping.
Shopping online in Dubai will save you a lot of time by not having to deal with hustling and bustling crowds. If that’s not reason enough, consider the time it takes to drive there, park the car, shop store to store, stand in line to checkout, load up and drive back home in traffic. The online alternative just became more appealing didn’t it? Another appealing point is the ability to conveniently shop multiple brands on one site.
For many, the appeal will continue to grow as the city becomes a powerhouse in the world of fashion. The style seeking crowds will get larger and more diverse year after year as Dubai continues to climb its way to the top of the fashion ladder. To put it in perspective, there was well over seven billion dollars spent on fashion in the Middle East during 2013. One third of that was in Dubai alone.
Ninety percent of Dubai’s population are foreigners which makes it easier for the latest and greatest fashion and brands to get exposure on a global level. With the variety of nationalities all in one place, designers don’t have to travel to change their target audience. They can reach any type of consumer they want just by visiting Dubai.
This versatile city is making progress in the fashion industry. The entire world is taking notice of the what it has to offer to designers and labels.The D3 building’s predicted completion is by some time in 2015. Upon completion and opening, it’s expected for tourism and retail revenues to rise a lot. Thus providing Dubai more resources to invest in their fashion leading goals.
