Last night I posted a sneak peek of the new Choowy Goowy Cafe that’s opening up at 52 Degrees and today Nat passed by and was able to send me pictures of 52 Degrees as well. The place so far looks really cool and that has a lot to do with the fact it was designed by the Kuwaiti architect Ahmed Al-Baghli, the same guy behind the beautiful MELENZANÈ. Nat on the other hand created the 52 Degrees identity. You can check out some sneak peek pictures below, they are soft launching tonight.
For those of you who don’t know what 52 Degrees is, it’s basically a department store that will be filled with Kuwaiti products and creations from clothing and accessories to food and desserts.
30 replies on “Sneak Peek: 52 Degrees”
The t-shirt made me laugh out loud, but it showed poor grammar — typical 🙂
“filled with Kuwaiti products”
plz add over priced
I don’t like the space at all; naked lights, polished concrete floors, exposed HVAC equipment – complete industrial overkill. For a store that’s all about Kuwaiti products, it doesn’t feel Kuwaiti in the least. Unless the definition of ‘Kuwaiti’ in this context is flashy, well then…
And no, having a wall with a portrait of Hayat Al Fahad and Mariam Al Saleh doesn’t make the space Kuwaiti.
52 degrees are trying to go global that’s why they made the design blend with other international department stores but at the same time they do stand out when compared to others
I love their concept:
52 degrees had their interior furniture look like it’s melting because of the temperature (52)
the name says that it’s kuwaiti (it’s not obvious, it makes you use your head)
note: I don’t like the t-shirt
“beautiful MELENZANÈ” ….it’s cool, but beautiful is not a word to describe it.
This is inspiring. I think we need more proper places to promote local products/business and such.
Even though it doesn’t look top notched, (mind you, I’m digging the concept very much) it’s a start. A good one.
Cool! So are we allowed to go there and buy stuff?
reminds me of that store in camden town… i can’t recall its name, but the theme is identical.
For those who were there tonight, did you guys see that big ass White ball in the middle?? Daaaaaamn I simply so loved it. they say it is a dessert place but unfortunately it hasn’t opened yet so that I could match its looks with its taste.. Good job 52 degreees
@3azeez, that’s probably where the idea came from. Kuwaitis love to vacation England loool
I don’t understand this negativity. The place hasn’t opened yet, none of you have even been there and yet there are already complaints about items being over priced and the design being ripped off? I don’t understand this negativity. Being negative for the sake of being negative is not constructive.
I’m a Kuwaiti designer and know many others who are so talented, and don’t deserve the negativity that everyone here seems to be so quick to give out.
If you’re a local designer, I believe only then do you have the right to be so mean about the fashion industry here. If you’re not, and you’re merely sitting behind a computer screen, being unproductive by typing up hateful comments of which you know nothing about….then my sincere advice is to go try doing what we do in the competitive and OBVIOUSLY negative market that we have to deal with.
Have fun trying.
Congratulations to all th designers showcasing their work in 52 Degrees, and congratulations to 52 themselves for working so hard to put this amazing concept into action.
the T-shirt!!!!! seriously??? do we need more people to make fun of us Kuwaitis??! I mean what does it mean….that “yes I am a lazy ass…and its called “Kuwaiti”…BOYCOTT that stupid t-shirt….its sooooooooooooooooooooo lame and tacky….sheeeeesh!! I sure hell don’t understand the msg…and yeah the grammar is lame….geeez
And sorry…I don’t like the Hayat and Suad theme…especially after the stupid ending of “zuwaret el khamees”…and the non-sense story of “lailat eid”…i love them to bits…but hey…its not “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”
very cool concept
cant wait to go
this negativity is silly
i think its wonderful to buy Kuwaiti creations
good luck to them and i will bepassing by sometime this week.
I’m with Mark. People here always whine and complain about everything in Kuwait, good and bad.
and what’s wrong with the shirt in terms of grammar?
I love everything about the place
I just don’t like the t-shirt…
it makes those (not all) lazy kuwaitis proud to be lazy instead of proud to be productive
the t-shirt has no manners;p
Looks interesting, when will it be open for the public?
Cool concept! Bravo guys :). Kuwait has a lot of brilliant minds and creative entrepreneurs to compete with the established brands. Well, by competition, I meant in the Kuwaiti market. A fine example is all these restaurants owned by Al-Bader, Al-Salem, Ma’rafie and others. They have their own loyal customers. Hats off to the owners and minds behind 52 Degrees. Hope to see products that promote Kuwait. As far as the T-shirt is concerned, only Kuwaitis get the joke, but I understand the disapproval by some of the readers since many non-Kuwaitis may not get the joke. Once again, congratulations guys and wish all the best. To all haters, it’s a free country and you can say whatever you want, but I don’t see you doing something as risky as this concept considering the state of the economy.
I have nothing against Kuwaiti products, I support it, and this has nothing to do with 52 degrees….could you plz just understand what I said, that the T-shhirt is WRONG!!
If you haven’t heard…people since the creation of Kuwait had always said “Kuwaitis yitfalsefon and lazy”, we don’t need this….I study abroad, and alot of people don’t know anything about Kuwait, cuz Dubai stole the spotlight just because they can go there and get drunk….I always tell them that Kuwaitis are way more modern and open THE LOCAL PEOPLE themselves, that us (the locals) are mixed, u get the liberals, and the fully covered, and are parents used to ride motorbikes with hippie style, and wear mini skirts way back in the 60’s….I have friends from UAE, and Qatar, and nooooooooooooo offense, they still do and think in a old school way, their brains are frozen or something, just because they have bigger buildings, doesn’t mean they are modern in the head….
HOWEVER…..these days they make fun (and yes make fun cuz one guy from Qatar did it to my face) or ask: “Why Kuwait is behind?? whats wrong with your country?? blah blah blah”
I always say….Kuwait is classy, and we will always be classy, and have great creators and artists….its not how many buildings are high….that is not a sign of civilization….believe me….my friends are still empty in the head…and I know they are CRAZY about our men….from Bahrain, Qatar….I know for a fact, they say all the time, they love our men and women, and they love the way we dress, and they always tell me how my colors are creative and matching…even if I’m in my uggs and scruffs….I have been hearing this since way back in the 80’s when we visit our family’s in Bahrain and KSA….they envy us….and don’t get me started about how our government gives money to guys to get married…they still don’t have that….which is one of our country’s highlights….
But nooooooooooo, its always about the HIGH buildings and why we’re behind….
So please we are not whining, we want what’s right….
And I just said the Hayat and Suad is bad, HOWEVER I loved Aisha El.Marta’s portrait outside, and I didn’t say anything about the whole store…bil3akes, I love it and think its hip and sexy, so sorry if I forgot to mention that, but the T-shirt really fired me up….please we don’t need that…
@ Fatima, u r wise. You are right, it’s not about how high skyscrapers are, it’s how creative and sophisticated the mind of the people. As I mentioned in my previous comment, look at the creativity of the young Kuwaiti entrepreneurs. You are right about Class, Fatima. To those who don’t know, check out for yourself the art galleries in Kuwait and check out the creative art of the Kuwaiti artists. Same thing with literature, there are tons of novels, short stories & plays written by Kuwaitis that got them recognition, awards & even translations to English. In Education, Kuwaitis study in the best universities in Europe, US & Australia. In fact, a Kuwaiti obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Oxford University last year. It’s Oxford University, people. Sure there are the rotten Kuwaitis, but that’s in every society. Bottom line, 52 Degrees & other local concepts proves how smart, creative & savvy Kuwaitis are. Thank you Mark for this great post, part of the credit goes to your blog for showcasing both the positive & negative things you encounter in Kuwait.
I think its a brilliant idea.. All you negative people hating on something you didnt even get to see or visit yet is quite sad. Instead of hating, start doing something productive atleast.I do not know any of the owners, but i am very proud of them. I wish u the best of luck in your upcoming & future ventures.
ps. the tshirt is just a joke, chill. 🙂
I think I am an open minded guy, but i still find that T-shirt offensive.
Thank you Truewords…you understand me…
And you are so right about the literature part, I know a Jordanian girl here in the UK says that she “admires Kuwait for the freedom of speech, and hell you guys established the Araby Magazine!!”.
And all the Saudi girls (the older generations I know) always say that they used to read our colorful newspapers back in the old days, and watched only our TV shows…
That is why I’m proud that I’m Kuwaiti, always been, and always will be…no matter what crazy people are doing to this country….
Even if the T-shirt is a joke….it will still mean that “hahahahahahaha….look at you guys…you are soooo lazy that you know it for a fact and put on T-shirts”….walla not nice.
I mean if it was a joke for a rock band, or a reality show, I would get the joke, but for us as an identity…for the whole nation…OFFENSIVE! We need the new generations to be seious and productive, not encourage them that this OK to laugh at (though I’m still 33, not that old *blush*)
Rock on Kuwait!
And wish 52, and the people displaying their products and creative ideas all the luck..
The cool thing about them is they launched on the same day on my birthday 20/10/2010…Kudos my friends for that date!
It’s just a t-shirt, it’s supposed to be amusing. Do you guys take everything that’s put on shirts seriously?
@ Patrick, Looool! I’m a Kuwaiti & I thought it was funny.
Very creative, would help to put directions to the place, first I thought its a new mall… but 360 52… Anyway, please let us know where it is at.
Truewords….you must be kidding! “Non Kuwaitis might not get the joke” on the t-shirt! LOL!!! Believe me, any person who has been in this country for more than 5 minutes will clearly understand the context of the joke about laziness. and P.S the fact that you think it’s funny, is like saying its ok to be lazy and all the rest that goes along with it — a major problem in this country.
Q8teacher…To me, this t-shirt is as funny as any humor t-shirt that you might find in any major city. I saw t-shirts in Europe that made fun of the countries which they are sold in, eg. London/New York/LA. I agree with you that laziness should not be condoned. Yes! Some Kuwaitis are lazy but there a lot of hard-working Kuwaitis who earn their salaries. It’s not ok to be lazy. It’s just a t-shirt that has a joke in it. Ask any Kuwaiti who visit London and s/he will tell you that there some t-shirts that might be offensive to the Londoners. I don’t see them being mad at t-shirts that crack jokes at London’s expense. Bottom line, you are right! Laziness should not be encouraged. Thanks.
Patrick:
You’ll never understand…no matter how much we could be Westernized and open-minded, this one issue of the T-shirt I resent, cuz all our lives we’ve been criticized (especially between other Arab countries) that we had it easy, money flows easy…
this comments section is just annoying af. Support people, don’t bring them down.