The second-hand fashion scene in the UAE continues to expand with the arrival of two new ventures — Thrifter and Les Spot.
They join the ranks of established thrift and vintage shops.
Catering to the fashion-savvy, who crave something unique and know their Balmain from their Belstaff, these additions mean there are plenty of places to get your hands on vintage must-haves.
With many shoppers eyeing the environmental cost of fashion — particularly fast fashion — an increasing number are choosing to shop in a more responsible manner. Plus, in a city as style-conscious as Dubai, buying vintage removes the risk of scrimping and saving to buy a stunning piece, only to arrive at a party and see someone else in the exact same look.
With vintage offering luxury items often at a heavily reduced rate, it's not only easier on the pocket, but also friendlier to the planet. Also, as the most stylish across the city know, the key to forging an individual look is folding a one-of-a-kind vintage piece into an outfit that, ideally, mixes high and low prices.
Here, we round up the best places to source high-end, mid-price and bargain-basement pre-loved fashion around the UAE.
Thrifter
Thrifter launched in the UAE on Sunday. Billed as an “affordable thrift shop”, this store sells past-season stock, with prices starting at just Dh5 ($1.36) for a teddy bear keychain.
Despite having just opened, Thrifter has received a flurry of positive comments on Instagram as it looks to bridge the gap between quirky and covetable, offering everything from a decorated iPhone cover to a mini Superman bag.
Clearly aiming to offer out-of-the-ordinary items, this is worth keeping an eye on to see what drops next.
More information can be found on its Instagram page @thrifter.uae
Les Spot
Hidden away in a villa in Al Wasl, Dubai, is Les Spot, a treasure trove curated by Hunoof Hamad. With more than 12 years experience in the fashion industry, Hamad uses her instincts to pick out the best pieces.
Having opened in May, Les Spot taps into Hamad's love of the 1990s and is filled with retro pieces such as hot-pink, zebra-patterned trousers by Dolce & Gabbana, Ed Hardy jeans and even knee-high, studded Chanel boots. Like all good vintage stores, it is an eclectic and glamorous collection, which is brimming with pieces found nowhere else in the country.
More information can be found on its Instagram page @lesspot.ae
Thrift for Good
Partnered with Gulf For Good, this social enterprise scheme aims to build the circular economy by rehoming pre-loved items. With a mission to "reduce waste and help children around the world", it sells donated items — often for just Dh10 ($2.72) or Dh20 ($5.45) — and donates 100 per cent of proceeds to Gulf For Good, which helps provide better access to healthcare, education and housing. It also offsets its carbon emissions through TreeNation.
Reliant on donations and volunteers, it offers a wide and ever-changing array from high street to designer names, including Chanel, Gucci and Lanvin. With luxury items verified by The Luxury Closet, shoppers can be confident that pieces are genuine.
With a website and two physical stores, on Palm Jumeirah and at Times Square in Dubai, this is the perfect opportunity to shop and help make the world a better place, all in one go.
More information can be found at www.thriftforgood.org
Garderobe
Garderobe is a well-established shop in Dubai and is located in a charming villa on Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai. Filled with a staggering assortment of pre-owned luxury pieces, its online store is neatly arranged into brands to speed up the search process.
Given its solid reputation, customers know they are getting what they pay for. It stocks gems such as a Dolce & Gabbana Devotion top-handle bag in dusky pink velvet for Dh2,718 ($740).
Garderobe also offers the handy Shop Edit tool online, which lists items below headings such as “luxury items under Dh2,000", and items from the wardrobe of well-dressed faces in Dubai, such as the Dinz Sisters
More information can be found at www.garderobe.ae
The Closet
Running since 2010, The Closet specialises in high-end bags, shoes, jewellery, accessories and what it describes as “authentic pre-owned designer luxury”. Reputable, long-standing and with a reliable validation process, customers can be sure branded pieces are genuine. Additionally, both pre-loved and consignment shoppers can pick up pieces at prices that are hard to beat.
While consignment stock isn't strictly speaking vintage, as it is usually only one or two seasons old and is sold on behalf of the owner, who typically takes a cut, it is often available in a range of sizes and should appeal to a wider range of shoppers.
For fans of designer fashion, The Closet carries collectable pieces from brands such as Bottega Veneta, Hermes and Chanel. The website is divided into three sections: the UAE, Egypt and rest of the world, and it ships globally, though buyers are recommended to check where beforehand.
To give shoppers greater clarity, every item comes with a description outlining if the items come with, or without, a box, dust bag or both.
More information can be found at www.theclosetonlineshop.com
The Luxury Closet
The Luxury Closet in Al Barsha, Dubai, is another gold mine with a huge collection for both men and women divided into easy-to-use sections, including a fabulous modestwear section.
Pieces from Gucci x Balenciaga, Dior, Chanel and Hermes can be found alongside watches from Rolex, Bulgari and Patek Philippe, each carefully verified to adhere to its code of “pre-loved, authentic, sustainable, circular”.
The checks provide peace of mind to shoppers looking to purchase pricier items, such as the Hermes Bleu Hydra Clemence Birkin 25 handbag, which is priced at Dh92,116 ($25,078).
The sale section does mean some serious bargains are available, with a Saint Laurent Paris leather Cassandre flap shoulder bag in burgundy for Dh3,000 ($820), down from Dh8,285 ($2,255). The original retail price is close to Dh10,500 ($2,858). The Luxury Closet also offers payment by instalment on purchases above Dh1,000 ($272).
More information can be found at www.theluxurycloset.com
Retold
With a new location in Warehouse 11, Al Quoz, in addition to its outposts in Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Al Ghurair Centre, Retold is a boutique filled with a mix of high street and high-end fashion. With more than 6,000 items in stock — and more added each week — this one needs to be watched closely until the perfect piece pops up.
The store has an easy-to-navigate website, with only one drop-down bar, and everything is divided into simple, self-explanatory sections. The only downside of the site is that when pieces sell, it does not reorder the images, so sometimes users have to scroll through sold items to find things that are available.
While frustrating for some, there are some truly lovely pieces to be found for those who persist.
More information can be found at www.shopretold.com
Fashion Rerun
Fashion Rerun is a website offering vintage, retro and thrift clothing for men, women and children. Great for basics such as simple tops and T-shirts, this is the best place to stock up on wardrobe staples at low prices.
The website offers information such as size, brand and cost, with many items priced between Dh20 and Dh40.
Offering information under each image, such as size (often in multiple systems), brand (if known) plus price, and with many items in the Dh20 to Dh40 price range, there are plenty of bargains to be had.
Offering both new and second-hand pieces, its vintage section has a good selection of cheap T-shirts.
More information can be found at www.fashionrerun.com
Ukay ukay stores
At the other end of the scale are the beloved ukay ukay shops scattered along Hamdan Street in Abu Dhabi and throughout Satwa and Deira, Dubai.
These all sell second-hand clothing for men, women and children for between Dh5 and Dh20. The name comes from the language of Tagalog, which forms the basis of the Filipino language, and translates roughly as “dig”. And, that is exactly what a visit entails — digging through bins filled with second-hand clothes.
With endless racks of clothes from floor to ceiling, and additional piles on the floor, ukay ukay shops are not for the faint-hearted. But if you love the thrill of the unexpected, and don't mind diving in with your hands, they are incredibly good fun.
Haggling is practically mandatory and those prepared to bargain hard can snag things for as little as Dh1. Fresh stock arrives regularly, so delving through the heaps can become a weekly ritual.
A version of this article was first published in June 2020
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Results
5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Wadi Sidr – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
Getting%20there%20and%20where%20to%20stay
%3Cp%3EFly%20with%20Etihad%20Airways%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi%20to%20New%20York%E2%80%99s%20JFK.%20There's%2011%20flights%20a%20week%20and%20economy%20fares%20start%20at%20around%20Dh5%2C000.%3Cbr%3EStay%20at%20The%20Mark%20Hotel%20on%20the%20city%E2%80%99s%20Upper%20East%20Side.%20Overnight%20stays%20start%20from%20%241395%20per%20night.%3Cbr%3EVisit%20NYC%20Go%2C%20the%20official%20destination%20resource%20for%20New%20York%20City%20for%20all%20the%20latest%20events%2C%20activites%20and%20openings.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
RESULTS
Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
Catchweight 88kg: Mohamad Osseili (LEB) beat Samir Zaidi (COM). Unanimous decision
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff
By Sean Penn
Simon & Schuster
The%20Emperor%20and%20the%20Elephant
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Ottewill-Soulsby%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPrinceton%20University%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E392%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJuly%2011%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
25-MAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Odion Ighalo, Alexander Iwobi, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze
On Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai, Bryan Idowu, Ikouwem Utin, Mikel Agu, Junior Ajayi, Valentine Ozornwafor
The Bloomberg Billionaire Index in full
1 Jeff Bezos $140 billion
2 Bill Gates $98.3 billion
3 Bernard Arnault $83.1 billion
4 Warren Buffett $83 billion
5 Amancio Ortega $67.9 billion
6 Mark Zuckerberg $67.3 billion
7 Larry Page $56.8 billion
8 Larry Ellison $56.1 billion
9 Sergey Brin $55.2 billion
10 Carlos Slim $55.2 billion
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
