Shopping is a national pastime in the UAE. Indeed, if New York is the city that never sleeps, then <strong>Dubai</strong> is the city that never stops shopping. Here, designer boutiques dazzle with luxury labels from all over the globe, while traditional souks bubble over with energy. If you’re intent on embarking on a mammoth spree, The <strong>Dubai</strong> Mall is the queen of retail experiences, with practically everything you could want for under one roof. This vast hub is home to more than 1,300 shops, including a dedicated luxury zone, Fashion Avenue, bookended by anchor department stores Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale’s. Shop your way around the luxury labels and high-street favourites to the atmospheric Souk, where gems from Middle Eastern and South Asian jewellery shops glisten. When you’re done pounding the marble-clad walkways, there’s even more fun to be had at the many dining and entertainment attractions, such as <strong>Dubai</strong> Aquarium & Underwater Zoo where you can marvel at the marine life through the 270-degree walkthrough tunnel. For coffee with a view of The <strong>Dubai</strong> Fountain, the terrace at Maison Assouline gets the thumbs up from us. Similarly grandiose, yet slightly less intimidating, Mall of the Emirates is a multi-level shopping extravaganza. Not only does it boast a clutch of coveted designers in its Fashion Dome, but it’s also home to big name brands including flagship stores Debenhams, Harvey Nichols and Marks & Spencer. Once you’re all shopped out, hit the slopes at indoor ski resort Ski <strong>Dubai</strong>. With a gorgeous waterfront location, <strong>Dubai</strong> Marina Mall offers a laid-back shopping experience with its array of high-street brands and alfresco dining venues overlooking the yachts bobbing in the marina. One of the newest malls on the scene, Nakheel Mall on Palm Jumeirah has brought more than 300 restaurants, shops and attractions to the scene, including Boom & Mellow and Prima Gold. It’s also the access point for the upcoming public observatory – The View at The Palm – at the top of the neighbouring Palm Tower. Those who wish to look past the glitzy labels and conventional stores will find a strong undercurrent of concept stores worth discovering. Make Comptoir 102 the first on your list. The boutique-meetsorganic-café is a treasure trove of eclectic fashion, jewellery, and interiors finds from around the globe. Another cool stop-off is The Edit <strong>Dubai</strong> on Al Wasl Road, which carries a curated range of fashion and accessories, including silk kimonos from Nüdwear, billowing dresses from Bedouin Studios and equally gorgeous pieces from the likes of Seren London, Acler and Monica Sordo – with great coffee to boot. There’s an increasing number of outdoor shopping districts to check out, too. Urban jungle City Walk has a clutch of designer-centric boutiques, such as Bambah and Michael Kors, alongside some absolutely fabulous cafés. Nearby, on Al Wasl Road, the hip BoxPark (comprised of refitted shipping containers) lures the cool set with its lineup of contemporary fashion brands, from Adidas to Urbanist. At The Beach at JBR you can trawl the shops that run alongside the beachfront promenade. Ramp up your poolside style credentials by picking up some new swimwear at Hamac Beach Boutique and a pair of glamorous shades at Sun Eye. One-of-a-kind boutiques by the sea can also be found at La Mer in Jumeirah, which is home to a cool collection of stores, such as LA Rags and Trina Turk. If you’re after hot deals on iconic fashion brands, sizzling bargains can be found at <strong>Dubai</strong> Outlet Mall. Located in <strong>Dubai</strong>land, its roughly a 30-minute 34 Shopping
“THE BOUTIQUE-MEETS-ORGANIC-CAFÉ IS A TREASURE TROVE OF ECLECTIC FASHION FROM AROUND THE GLOBE” 35 Shopping
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