Category: Fashion

Yesterday night, Alshaya officially revealed the location of the first Ulta Beauty store opening in the Middle East. The store will be located at The Avenues, in the spot where Dean & Deluca used to be, and according to a source, it’s expected to open this October. That will be followed by another Ulta Beauty store opening at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai later this year.

Ulta Beauty is known for offering a mix of luxury, drugstore, and indie brands all under one roof. Unlike Sephora, which focuses mainly on high-end products, Ulta carries everything from Dior and MAC to NYX and Maybelline. Another major draw is its in-store salons, offering services like haircuts, styling, facials, and brow treatments—something unique for a beauty retailer.

The Avenues location will be the first Ulta Beauty location outside the U.S.

The Ulta Beauty Middle East instagram account is also now live and you can check it out @ultabeautymiddleeast

Yesterday’s post inspired me to put together this list of local lifestyle brands I love. Some of these are brands I have a personal connection with, while others I just appreciate for their story or aesthetic. I’m hoping you might not have heard of some of them yet, but that you’ll end up loving them when you do.

Ecru
Limited collections of objects, furniture, and clothing inspired by the ethos and culture of Arab hospitality.

ET Cetra
Contemporary lifestyle supplier store where everyday objects are celebrated for their function, simplicity, and design.

From Mud
Ceramics studio specializing in designing and creating handmade tableware and objects.

Happy Herbalist
A 100% natural, cruelty-free organic skincare brand that uses clean ingredients sourced from around the world.

Hind
Curated handmade clothing and accessories from around the world, crafted by artisans to support families, education, and a sustainable future.

Hot Mess
Sleepwear and loungewear designed not to be perfect, but to feel good, look cute, and live real.

Khaneh
Curated selection of authentic and handmade pieces that add warmth, depth, and character to your home.

Pantera Furtiva
Blends minimalism with an appreciation for quality craftsmanship in handcrafted footwear.

Ra
A MENA-inspired, ungendered, and seasonless brand, all handmade by local craftspeople and made to order in their Kuwait City studio.

SOM Active
State of Mind Active is a fashion-focused recreational apparel brand with a wellness-driven mindset.

Sonder Goods
Unique, high-quality stationery and design-focused products, with collaborations from local, regional, and international creatives.

The Soap Box
Natural luxury soap and skincare using lavender they grow in Ireland.

Zeri Craft
Blends Khaleeji cultural inspiration with contemporary design, creating simple, functional objects that honor tradition and sustainability, all handcrafted by skilled artisans.

Pantera Furtiva is a Kuwaiti brand that was born from the owner’s (Yousef) fascination with minimalism and his appreciation for quality craftsmanship. The name, which means “stealthy panther” in Italian, captures Yousef’s style: quiet, powerful and built to last.

Yousef doesn’t believe in fast fashion, flashy logos or overpriced clothing made in sweatshops. He wanted to create pieces that last, are made ethically and can fit seamlessly into any wardrobe.

And his stuff is actually really cool, as evident from their first sneaker launch. Made from Grade A Italian leather and crafted by hand in Portugal, I think these sneakers look very clean and understated. They’re actually so my style, especially since the branding doesn’t stick out, but is still there if you look for it.

I also find it interesting how Yousef kept mentioning how important sustainability was to him and his team, and it’s also highlighted all over their website. Sustainability isn’t something that most of us have grown up with here and doesn’t play a major role in our lives, so to hear him talk about how crucial it is to his brand makes me want to start being more sustainable myself.

When it comes to the leather they use, Yousef makes sure to source it from a certified, environmentally conscious factory that avoids harmful dyes and mass production. Even the soles are made from recycled rubber, reducing the brand’s overall carbon footprint. Most of the packaging is also recycled, except for the thank-you card and bag, which Yousef plans to replace with recyclable versions soon.

If you’re traveling this summer, these shoes are the perfect pair to take with you since they go well with casual wear but also work if you want to go somewhere nice at night. They’re also 20% off right now, which makes them a pretty good deal.

If you want to find out more about the brand, head over to @panterafurtiva our head over to their website panterafurtiva.com

Pro tip: Women should go up one size when ordering, as the sizing runs small.

Muhra, the local luxury fashion brand, recently unveiled their handcrafted traditional thoub designed for the Kuwait Airways crew. The thoub incorporates elements from the airline’s branding and will be worn by welcoming stewardesses on select flights.

Muhra was founded in 2004 by Farah Al Babtain and got a lot of attention last year when they designed the official attire for the female Kuwaiti athletes at the Paris Summer Olympics. They also created the official outfits for the Asian Games the year before, but my personal favorite project of theirs is the 30 Moons Campaign.

The 30 Moons Campaign ran during Ramadan this year and was an ode to the strength and beauty of women. I loved the art direction and found it visually stunning, especially the short reels.

You can view more photos of the new Kuwait Airways thoub on their instagram account @muhraofficial. If you want to check out the beautiful 30 Moons Campaign, scroll down in their reels till you see the visuals I’ve posted above.

A short while ago, Alshaya revealed the hoarding for the first Primark store opening in the Middle East. The store will be located at The Avenues, where Debenhams used to be, and is expected to open on October 23. This will be followed by three stores in Dubai in 2026, opening at Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and City Centre Mirdif.

The next big reveal should be Ulta Beauty, which is expected to open before the end of the year in place of Dean & Deluca, also at The Avenues.

• Under the patronage of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Lt. General Salem Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
• Al-Tayyar: Boutiqaat is one of the most proactive companies in prioritizing social responsibility
• Al-Tayyar: Strategic collaboration enabled Boutiqaat to work closely with key figures behind this leading initiative
• Al-Subhan: Boutiqaat’s sponsorship had a positive impact on the development of Traffic Week events
• Al-Subhan: The fruitful partnership was reflected in the opening exhibition that aimed to raise awareness of new traffic regulations

Boutiqaat continues to reinforce its leadership in community development through its distinguished sponsorship of the 38th edition of the Unified Gulf Traffic Week 2025. This year’s campaign is held under the slogan “Driving Without… a Phone” and is sponsored by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Lt. General Salem Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The initiative aligns with Boutiqaat’s ongoing efforts to promote road safety awareness and foster a culture of security and responsibility across all segments of society.

Unified Gulf Traffic Week is considered one of the most important traffic awareness initiatives organized annually by the Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Traffic. Through its major sponsorship, Boutiqaat aims to increase public awareness around traffic safety and help build well-informed communities where road environments are safe and stable.

On this occasion, Boutiqaat’s Public Relations Director, Ali Al-Tayyar, stated that the company’s sponsorship of Traffic Week reflects its dedication to solidifying its leadership as one of the first companies to actively prioritize community service. He added that Boutiqaat’s support for initiatives like this helps enhance awareness around traffic safety and reinforces the principles of personal and public safety.

Al-Tayyar also noted that the sponsorship provided an ideal opportunity to deepen Boutiqaat’s longstanding collaborative ties with various government entities—particularly the General Directorate of Traffic at the Ministry of Interior. He emphasized that this strategic partnership allowed Boutiqaat to work closely with leading figures behind this important initiative, in line with the company’s vision of leveraging its resources to support impactful national awareness campaigns.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Mohammed Dhaidhan Al-Subhan, Head of the Traffic Week Committee at the General Directorate of Traffic, praised Boutiqaat’s sponsorship, highlighting its significant role in supporting state-led initiatives and raising public awareness around traffic culture. He pointed out that such collaborations help create safer environments that protect lives and promote wellbeing.

Al-Subhan added that the successful partnership between the Ministry of Interior and Boutiqaat was clearly demonstrated during the opening exhibition of Traffic Week, held at The Avenues Mall on Sunday, April 13, 2025. The exhibition showcased the latest technologies used to detect violations that lead to accidents and also educated the public about key updates to traffic laws and penalties.

Boutiqaat remains committed to building more strategic partnerships aimed at raising awareness across various social causes, in line with its vision of channeling its capabilities to serve and uplift the community it belongs to. Link

Although not confirmed yet, I have it on good authority that Dean & Deluca in The Avenues will be closing down, and Ulta Beauty will be opening in its spot.

The location is pretty huge, which is a good thing since Ulta Beauty needs the space to fit its wide range of luxury, drugstore, and indie brands. It also has in-store salons offering services like haircuts, styling, facials, and brow treatments. With so much to offer, they should have no trouble making full use of the space.

The first Ulta Beauty location is expected to open this year.

Debenhams also seems to be closing, and while I don’t have any information about that location, it wouldn’t be surprising if Alshaya’s other new brand, Primark, takes over the space.

Allbirds, the popular sustainable footwear brand, opened its second location in Kuwait today at Electra Phase 4, The Avenues.

Allbirds is known for creating some of the world’s most comfortable shoes, flats, and clothing using natural materials like merino wool and eucalyptus. The brand is dedicated to sustainability, working to reduce its carbon footprint to near zero. They replace petroleum-based synthetics with natural alternatives, such as wool, tree fiber, and sugar cane. The result? Soft, breathable products that are better for the planet.

Their shoes are lightweight, bouncy, and comfortable, with no flashy logos or unnecessary details. Made from natural materials, they’re designed for practicality.

The new Allbirds store at The Avenues Mall offers a shopping experience with a strong focus on sustainability. You can explore their famously comfortable collections like the Wool Runner, Tree Dasher, and Plant Pacer, while learning about the natural materials that make them unique. The eco-friendly store design also reflects Allbirds’ commitment to the planet.

Allbirds is also participating in the Ya Hala Shopping Festival so pass by and check them out in Electra Phase 4, or follow them on Instagram @allbirdsme

Saw this Sadu inspired sweater the other day and loved it, sadly it’s a pre-order and won’t ship till February. Maybe I could wear it next year. Link

Boutiqaat, the largest online fashion and cosmetics platform in the region just launched their biggest Black Friday sales. They’ve discounted over 100,000 items from over 1,000 brands with the discounts ranging from 15% all the way up to 90%.

If you’re looking for a good deal check out boutiqaat.com

Allbirds, the popular sustainable footwear brand, opened its first location in Kuwait today.

Allbirds is known for creating some of the world’s most comfortable shoes, flats, and clothing using natural materials like merino wool and eucalyptus. The brand is dedicated to sustainability, working to reduce its carbon footprint to near zero. They replace petroleum-based synthetics with natural alternatives, such as wool, tree fiber, and sugar cane. The result? Soft, breathable products that are better for the planet.

Their shoes are lightweight, bouncy, and comfortable, with no flashy logos or unnecessary details. Made from natural materials, they’re designed for practicality.

If you want to see what the hype is about, visit their first Kuwait store at Assima Mall in Kuwait City. You can also check them out on Instagram at @allbirdsme

Marks & Spencer recently opened their new location in The Avenues. It’s located in Phase II in place of where Baroue used to be located. The new store also has their food range and an M&S Cafe.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Marks & Spencer Middle East (@marksandspencerme)

According to a contact of mine, Alshaya are bringing Primark, the popular multinational fashion retailer to Kuwait and the Middle East GCC.

Primark is known for offering affordable, fast fashion and a wide range of clothing, accessories, and home goods. The brand is particularly popular for its trendy styles at low prices, appealing to budget-conscious shoppers.

I don’t have any idea on when they’re planning to open their first location, but I’d imagine they would need at the very least a year. I’ll update this post if I discover more.

<strong>Update: It’s now official.

Boutiqaat, the largest online fashion and cosmetics platform in the region just launched a very cool campaign where you could win one of three Hermes bags.

Every 30KD spent on their website enters you into the special draw for a chance to win a bag. So for example, if you spend 100KD you get three entries for the draw. The more you spend the more chances you get. What’s funny is that you probably have a higher chance of winning a Hermes bag with Boutiqaat than trying to buy one from a Hermes store. These bags are incredibly hard to come by!

This campaign is applicable across the Gulf as well as Iraq and for both men and women. For more info and to stay posted on future campaigns, follow @boutiqaat or shop by visiting Boutiqaat.com

The Soph Spot is a local merch store with a commitment towards helping a variety of causes, from injured children in Palestine, to animal welfare and ongoing regional challenges.

The idea came to Haya (not sharing her last name since she wants anonymity) because she was always helping animals and harassing everyone around her to do the same. But, she hated the idea of begging for donations, so she thought there must be another way to get people to donate and that’s when she came up with the idea for a merch shop (named after her dog Sophie who passed away) where all proceeds from the sales would go towards helping animals.

While in the process of creating The Soph Spot, Haya realized that her idea could also help a variety of causes, and since she’s half Palestinian, she decided to create a a line of Palestinian merch where proceeds would go to @heal.palestine. Recently, she also added a collection drawn by children, with proceeds of those sales going towards the Red Crescent Society, specifically for families who can’t afford medical care.

It’s a pretty smart, feel good concept, and one that works since people tend to like buying merch that supports a cause they care about. As of this post Haya is supporting three causes, but hopes to keep adding more as she goes. Her merch is actually really cool and I love some of the designs.

You can see some of the items above, but if you want to buy something or just show your support, the instagram is @thesophspot and the website is thesophspot.com