Saturday, June 21, 2008

Fashion One Stop ... Boutique 1 Dubai

How often do we see stereotypical or negative portrayal of Middle East by the West as a poor, neglected and chaotic region with lots of syeikhs in robes and keffiyehs as well as oppressed women in burqas or chadors head to toe? Well, if you ask me, I have totally lost my count.

But contrary to what we saw on TV, Middle East is far better than that, with the exception of war-torn nations like Iraq and Palestine. With the abundance of oil means a lot of money and wealth pouring in. And with pouring wealth plus Middle Eastern women's strong predilection in couture and everything that worth no less than 1k and above, comes the idea that Middle East now is the new gold mine for high-end designers to rake in more cash.

If Kuwait has successfully attracted the global jetsetters to fly in and spend at its highly venerated fashion emporium Villa Moda, then Dubai too has its own answer and it’s called Boutique 1.

Located at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Boulevard, Boutique 1 can be best described as the one-stop centre for all the designer goods you could ever dream of, ranging from marvellous evening gowns by Lebanese couturier Elie Saab to must have Mulberry bags.

Apart from multi-brand retail space for both men and women which gather all the best names in international fashion arena such as the celebrated Oscar de la Renta, Missoni, Lavender by Vera Wang, Stella McCartney and Daslu just to name a few, the ritzy Boutique 1 also houses a number of store-in-stores for Chloé, Blumarine, and Luella accessories. Throw in its inviting contemporary interior and voila, you have found a style oasis in the heart of cosmopolitan desert.

In addition to its extensive yet posh ready-to-wear collection, Boutique 1 too houses more than 20 of the finest premium jeans labels in one special area dedicated to denims.

Among top names in jeans sphere that perched on its classy denim menu is Superfine, Habitual, Notify, 18th Amendment, J Brand, as well as Rich and Skinny. Need to know what is good for you? Just ask the store’s in-house Denim Experts and they will find what suits you the best.

Now gorgeous couture and denims aside, the Middle Eastern women too are famously known for their strong penchant in accessorie
s and shoes as well. In order to cater demands from these well-heeled, well-travelled and absolutely sophisticated fashionistas, Boutique 1 also boasts a wide array of designer shoes and must have bags from internationally-acclaimed designers such as Azzedine Alaïa, Terry de Haviland, Laura Bohinc, and the trendy yet controversial bag brand from Beirut, known as Sarah’s Bag.

Though chic Arabian ladies with wads of money would be the bulk of their clients, Boutique 1 also has something for their male customer. Modelled after the women’s store with a slightly small built-up, the menswear area is made for men with discerning style.

Besides well-edited menswear lines by John Varvatos, Michael Bastian, Paul & Joe, James Perse, and Martin Margiela, the area too accommodate
s a great line of premium jeans from top notch brands namely Earnest Sewn, Rock and Republic, and James.

So we have put together a veritably modern layout with expansive line of womenswear and menswear, plus a healthy dose of denims and god-sent accessories. Then what else is missing?

Oh yes, the excellent or better still, prestigious in-store services that awaits you when shopping at Boutique 1.

Like most
high prestige multi-brand stores or emporiums around the world, the services offered by Boutique 1 can be said as genuinely unparalleled.

Besides delivering to addresses within Dubai and providing chauffeuring services for its clients, you also can book whatever your heart desires from Fashion Week runways and have it delivered to you before the entire batch hits the stores worldwide.

Therefore, you will be among the first glamorous fashionistas of the world (besides esteemed Hollywood celebrities and supermodels) to wear hot seasonal key pieces culled straight from Paris Fashion Week runways! Well, isn’t fashion is about being first in line after all?

And following to the Emirates Towers Boulevard store’s enormous success right after its inception last spring, Boutique 1 will be opening its second store in Dubai this coming November.

The new store, featuring similar format to its sister store, will be opened at The Walk, just within the Jumeirah Beach Residence. With high fashion at the front of your doorstep, what else could the chic residents of Jumeirah Beach Residence ask more?

Therefore, if you want to experience shopping at a fabulous lane like the stylish Dubai ladies do, then book your First Class flight ticket to Dubai now and spend your heart out at Boutique 1.

*Photos courtesy of Boutique 1.

Boutique 1 – Emirates Towers Boulevard 1, Dubai, UAE.

4 fashionistas wrote ...:

Anonymous said...

Hi, i'm a french girl just arrived in KL. I 've just spent 1 year in Kuwait so I became a fan of Villa Moda especially during the 50% sales days!!!! I agree with you about Boutique 1 in Dubai, a fantastic place! Please tell me where in KL can I find a shop like this??? and I'm seeking also for designers like Paul & Joe, See by chloé... please help!!!!

Shaiful Mukhelas said...

Bonjour et bienvenue a KL. Too bad we don't have See by Chloé or Paul & Joe here my dear ... but if you love Chloé the mainline you can visit their freestanding store at Pavilion.

At the moment, there are no stores like Boutique 1 or Villa Moda since Malaysians are not as rich as Kuwaitis or the UAE residents. But I think you will love Aseana because they do carry the same brands as Boutique 1 and Villa Moda do.

Btw, if you want to shop at nice shops that carry branded stuff then let me know k.

Merci beaucoup mon ami et au revoir ... :D

Unknown said...

Hi Shaiful, What Villa Moda like in Dubai? I am thinking of going there but I shopped out at Boutique 1 recently. Worth checking Villa Moda?

Anonymous said...

Hi , I am living in Dubai, i can get you some stuff from here if you would like to as i am doing freelance as personal shopper . Thanks