OUT & ABOUT CONCEPT EXPERIENCES
70 ON THE FRINGE
Outside of Dubai’s glitzy malls there’s a raft of independent concept stores and experiences to enjoy, if you know where WR ÀQG WKHP +HUH DUH D few worth checking out‌
1.
THE PLACE
cARTel
ATLANTIS, THE MAGAZINE
FOUNDED
2013 by Peter Richweisz and May Barber CONCEPT
A wearable art gallery-cum-boutique LOCATION
Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz PRODUCT RANGE
Avant-garde, one-of-a-kind pieces from international designers TAXI
Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz From the outside it looks like an abandoned warehouse desperate for some architectural attention. Step inside, however, and a carefully curated selection of limited edition clothing awaits. Providing the quirky interior does not detract your eye from the job at hand (think abstract units, monochrome dĂŠcor and exposed Ă€[WXUHV WLPH VSHQW LQVSHFWLQJ WKH UDLOV at this two-storey warehouse is time ZHOO VSHQW ´:KHQ ZH Ă€UVW VWDUWHG we intended to provide a dynamic platform for avant-garde designers,â€? says co-founder May Barber. “We felt that the local scene, though rich with extensive fashion offerings, still lacked individuality when it came to contemporary fashion. The scene is bombarded heavily with shopping malls with predictable experiences and typical stores. In the cARTel, we reintroduce the boutique experience that is all about individuality while contextualising the store within one of Dubai’s hidden gems, Alserkal Avenue.â€? In store, each designer is given an “incubation space or unitâ€? shaped using irregular geometry – another example of cARTel’s emphasis on art being part of the shopping experience. When
LW FRPHV WR Ă€OOLQJ WKH XQLWV %DUEHU has a strict selection process in place. “We look at three main things. First is aesthetics, as the designer should translate contemporary aesthetics, use interesting cuts and silhouettes, vary textures, and play on shapes and geometry. The other factor is of course quality. Although some of our designers are emerging, the attention to quality and techniques is crucial. The pieces should also be timeless. We often look for the hottest talents around the globe, so instead of settling only for the typical fashion weeks of Paris and London, we hunt talents from Tokyo, Seoul and Copenhagen fashion weeks. We even made it to Slovenia Fashion Week and discovered some amazing talent from that part of the world.â€? Currently, designers include avantgarde heavyweights Rad Hourani, Iris Van Herpen, Chalayan and Gareth Pugh, all of which will be unveiling limited edition pieces in store this year. “The designers we have are often exclusive to us and thus their designs are not available anywhere else in the region,â€? says Barber. “Every piece comes as a limited edition piece to secure individuality.â€? WKHFDUWHO PH #WKHFDUWHOGXEDL