First look: Anthropologie comes to Dubai and Urban Outfitters opens in Abu Dhabi

Finally, the wait is over as the American stores bring their laid-back aesthetic to the region

Boho dresses at the new Anthropologie store in The Dubai Mall. Courtesy Anthropologie

Urban Outfitters brings edgy fashion to Abu Dhabi's Yas Mall. Courtesy Urban Outfitters

The Dubai store marks Anthropologie's first branch in the UAE. Courtesy Anthropologie

The new interior of Urban Outfitters in Yas Mall. Courtesy Urban Outfitters

Anthropologie offers fashion as well as homeware. Courtesy Anthropologie

Urban Outfitters is filled with kitschy collectables. Courtesy Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters offers shirts, tops and T-shirts that are designed to be layered. Courtesy Urban Outfitters

Colourful dresses at the first Anthropologie store in Dubai. Courtesy Anthropologie

Newly arrived to the capital, Urban Outfitters is young and laid-back. Courtesy Urban Outfitters

Brightly coloured and patterned homeware at Anthropologie. Courtesy Anthropologie

There are plenty of homeware options at Anthropologie. Courtesy Anthropologie

Books and colourful homeware at Anthropologie. Courtesy Anthropologie

Not one but two hotly anticipated new shops opened in the UAE this weekend.

In the capital, Urban Outfitters unveiled its latest venue in Yas Mall, while in Dubai, Anthropologie opened its first UAE outpost at The Dubai Mall.

Visitors to the capital's Yas Mall can now enjoy the new store, which is part of a larger Dh500 million refurbishment that is taking place over the next 18 months. The project will herald the arrival of many international retail outlets at the venue, including an Ethan Allen.

The opening marks the first Urban Outfitters in the capital, building on the success of The Dubai Mall shop that opened in 2019.

As with all Urban Outfitters shops, the new arrival offers laid-back, slightly preppy, streetwear, accessories and footwear (think Vans, Fila and Champion) to an audience of ages 18 to 30.

With its range of kitsch collectibles, sunglasses and easy-on-the-pocket prices, it has won legions of fans the world over.

Since being founded in Philadelphia in 1970, Urban Outfitters has made its name offering fashion cross the genders in muted tones, with plenty of jeans, layerable tops and low-top trainers.

In Dubai, meanwhile, Anthropologie opened its doors at The Dubai Mall.

A sister company of Urban Outfitters, both were founded by URBN chairman and president Dick Hayne, and Anthropologie opened in 1992.

Aimed at an older, largely female crowd, the shop taps into a creative slant with plenty of patterning that runs across floaty dresses, boho jewellery and even printed bed linen.

Filled with big name brands such as Levi’s, Birkenstock and Calvin Klein, the collection is aimed at what the company describes as its five muses: "soft & delicate; boho chic; easy cool; elegant classic and modern sporty."

Filled with everything from homeware to arty books, it is safe to say there is plenty of choice at the new Dubai branch.