VIP shopping in Dubai

Mall of the Emirates

Expert advice

Best for: A grand arrival

Mall of the Emirates boasts an impressive welcome for its elite visitors who can access a VIP ground-level drop-off area or a special valet parking lounge on Level 1 of the Fashion Dome, where free refreshments are served. If you’d like a helping hand in sprucing up your wardrobe, head to Harvey Nichols or Boutique 1. Both stores are brimming with designer gear, and have personal shopper teams on hand to advise on your best look without charge. And don’t worry if you find yourself laden with goodies after a particularly intense spree – there are several ‘hands-free’ collection desks dotted around the mall. Leave your bags at a desk, where they will be sealed, stored, then delivered at your request, either to your location in the mall or to your hotel.

City Walk

Strolling and styling

Best for: The perfect fit

Since opening in 2013, City Walk has brought a different vibe to Dubai’s retail scene with its elegant promenades, upscale stores and cafe culture helping to foster the vibe of a modern town centre. For style inspiration, take a stroll through French fashion store Le66 Champs Elysees alongside a personal shopper, who can share their thoughts on all the latest trends for women and men.

Keeping with the French theme, another top idea for shoppers in the neighbourhood is Parisian department store Le BHV Marais. As well as housing a mixture of local and international labels, the retail destination also offers a tailoring service to customers, guaranteeing that any garment fits perfectly and can be delivered to you once alterations are made. For men looking to add the perfect suit to their wardrobe, check out Dutch brand Suitsupply – its store boasts a made-to-measure service, as well as home visits by its specialists that help you create that one-of-a-kind dream outfit.

The Dubai Mall

Live the luxe life

Best for: Glitz at every turn

Shoppers seeking out a luxury experience are spoilt for choice at The Dubai Mall. The world’s largest mall can supply you with a personal shopper to help navigate over 1,200 outlets, plus a porter service, exclusive gifts and offers, and lockers to hold your purchases while you wander. Top-level customers will also be granted access to The Lounge in Fashion Avenue where guests can unwind and chat while enjoying gourmet snacks and beverages.

The Dubai Mall has also launched its ‘Shop, Drop and Deliver’ service; visitors with too many bags to carry can drop them off at any desk and request delivery to their home or hotel (free for all purchases over AED500). Elsewhere, Bloomingdale’s department store in the mall has personal shoppers, and Galeries Lafayette boasts a ‘glamour’ area with a VIP lounge where customers can browse designer dresses while sampling delicious bites. Designer shoe district Level Shoes has its own concierge service offering advice on available brands.

Dubai Festival City Mall

The personal touch at Robinsons

Best for: Waterside elegance

Dubai Festival City Mall is home to Robinsons department store where lush interior garden walls hark back to its Singaporean heritage. Peruse a plethora of designer threads to your heart’s content throughout three floors, while receiving suggestions and recommendations from a personal shopper. And, if you’re truly looking to make a statement, check out the store’s Crystal Lab – a Swarovski customisation studio that specialises in creating unique pieces. The store regularly hosts promotions as well as appearances from top fashion personalities, ensuring there’s always something to pique your interest.

More in store

Enlist a personal shopper

Best for: Going bespoke

If you’d like to shop across Dubai’s best malls, but with consistent advice throughout, try booking your own personal shopper. The city has plenty of style gurus willing to accompany you to whichever malls and stores you’d like – or they could show you their own favourite spots, possibly unveiling a few hidden gems along the way. Lucia Csobonyei is a former Miss Slovakia finalist who has since set up Your Unique Image, sharing her fashion advice with everyone from CEOs to royalty. Sterlingstyleacademy.com is another choice pick, offering personal styling sessions both online and in person, while Nina Iskander has helped dress many a Dubai shopper too.