Pop-up shops are all the rage in the UAE right now and this weekend an all-female collective of locally sourced artists, designers and entrepreneurs will set up theirs.
Dubbed Concept 01, it will display the latest collections of around 18 brands in a warehouse space in Dubai's Al Quoz district. Famed for her blazer line with embellished shoulders, designer Lady Fozaza – aka Alanoud Bader - will host the event, although her pieces will not be on display or for sale.
"Her presence is important for us because she's a big name in the region and there are a lot of women who look up to her," says Honey Asgari, event organiser and co-founder of Bubbles & Boba. "She's also one of the founders of Concept so she'll be there to welcome people on the day."
Should you work up a thirst as you shop, you’d do well to head to Asgari’s stand for a beverage packed with boba or tapioca pearls. Having first tried the drink in Los Angeles, she introduced the concept to Dubai in 2006.
Her menu now comprises more than 30 fruity flavours and iced-tea varieties ranging in price from Dh19 to Dh55. Asgari will bring a selection to Concept 01 this weekend in the hope of reaching a new audience and promoting local start-ups.
“We need to show the world that Dubai doesn’t just bring in brands from abroad – they also build them here themselves,” she says. “I saw a lot of other women like myself who have created their own brand and I’m a huge supporter of that. Realising there wasn’t really a platform for them, we decided to come together and support each other – that’s what this event is all about.”
• Concept 01 takes place this Saturday February 7 from 11am-6pm in warehouse38, Street 8a, Al Quoz Industrial Area, Dubai. Entrance is free, for more information click here.
rduane@thenational.ae
