Italian fashion comes to the UAE: the boutique brands to shop at The Dubai Mall pop-up

Galeries Lafayette will house clothes, bags, jewellery and scarves by labels from the Emilia-Romagna region

Bags and hats from A&A, and leather jackets and cashmere garments from Anthemis at the Galeries Lafayette pop-up of eight Italian boutique brands at The Dubai Mall. All photos Chris Whiteoak / The National

Anthemis is part of the established Artico leather label

C.Alla founder and designer Carlota Checchi poses with her clothing collection at Galeries Lafayette

A shopper browses the colourful scarfs by Oriquo

A hat and handbag from A&A

Clothes by non-profit label Miamo

Joy Meribe melds western and African influences in its clothes

Jewellery from Labam at the Dubai pop-up

Shoppers browse swimwear from Orequo

A shopper looks at the Rosanna Pelligrini range

Clothes by Oriquo

A shopper tries on a Labam necklace

Designer Joy Meribe in Dubai

Anthemis by Artico designers Valentina Roncarati, right, and Federica Sabatini at the pop-up in Dubai

‘Made in Italy’ is a label that’s become synonymous with high-quality materials and fine craftsmanship. Big-name brands such as Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Bottega Veneta aside, the (fittingly) boot-shaped country also boasts a plethora of established boutique designers, who attract shoppers with their on-trend styles.

Given that most of us can’t go to Italy at the moment, Galeries Lafayette has brought Italy to us, in the form of a pop-up shop. Housing eight labels from the Emilia-Romagna region, the pop-up can be found from Tuesday to Friday, March 23 to 26, although four brands will be stocked at The Dubai Mall department store until the end of May.

Scroll through the gallery above to see the clothes, bags, jewellery, scarves and more that you can shop this weekend.

Here are the eight labels – and their designers – to look out for.

A&A

Founded in 2015, A&A manufactures leather bags and accessories for men and women with fabric sourced from famed Italian tanneries. The label describes its spring / summer 2021 collection as “sober, elegant and timeless”.

Labam

The high-fashion jewellery brand has worked with international maisons as well as makes exclusive pieces, some of which – necklaces, earrings, bracelets and hair accessories – it has brought to Dubai.

Rosanna Pellegrini

Specialising in tricot knits, the 1963 brand handcrafts its luxurious-looking jackets, tops, skirts and dresses.

La Venenta – Miamo

The non-profit label, which supports women by teaching them skills in the textile sector, combines recycled materials and knitwear to create unique handmade garments.

C.Alla

The luxury lingerie brand has brought its range of sophisticated beachwear – think ruffled robes and slinky kaftans – to Dubai, and is one of the four brands that will be housed in-store until the end of May, as will the three that follow.

Anthemis by Artico

Leather jackets and cashmere garments from Anthemis by Artico. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The 40-year-old Artico brand specialises in handmade leather, shearling and cashmere; its 2021 Anthemis by Artico wing caters to a younger audience with its outerwear and accessories collection.

Joy Meribe

Embroidery, feminine silhouettes and impeccable tailoring are three specialities of this brand, which blends western style with African motifs.

Orequo

For a burst of colour, head to the Orequo section, where you’ll find vibrant silk and cashmere scarves, foulards and stoles, all handmade in Italy.