The United Arab Emirates has emerged as a vibrant hub for fashion and entrepreneurship, with female-owned brands leading the charge in innovation and style. From luxury fashion to contemporary staples, these 15 female-owned UAE brands are making waves in the global fashion scene. They showcase the diverse talents and creative visions of women in business, blending Middle Eastern heritage with modern esthetics.
These top fashion brands offer a wide range of options, from traditional abayas to evening wear and bridal couture. Each brand has its unique identity, catering to the contemporary woman who values cultural fusion and sophisticated design. Whether you’re looking for modest fashion, ready-to-wear pieces, or statement accessories, these UAE fashion brands have something to offer. Their success stories inspire and pave the way for more women to make their mark in the competitive world of fashion.
Madiyah Al Sharqi: Luxury Fashion with a Global Appeal
Madiyah Al Sharqi, daughter of the ruler of Fujairah, has emerged as a prominent figure in Middle Eastern fashion. Launching her eponymous label in 2012, she has quickly gained recognition for her modern silhouettes and statement pieces. Al Sharqi’s designs blend everyday luxury with delicate fabrics, bold silhouettes, and subtle color palettes. Her signature lace fabric appears in every collection, embodying romance and femininity. The brand has evolved from eveningwear to include sophisticated separates suitable for day-to-night wear. Al Sharqi’s creations have caught the eye of international celebrities, including Khloe Kardashian and Priyanka Chopra, solidifying her global appeal.
Mauzan: Redefining Modern Arab Fashion
Founded in 1990 by Rafia Helal Bin Drai, Mauzan has become a symbol of elegance in the UAE. The brand blends traditional Middle Eastern influences with contemporary design, creating fashion-forward garments for the modern Arab woman. Mauzan offers three signature collections: Mauzan, featuring bespoke and prêt-a-porter styles; Mauzan Exclusive, focusing on haute couture and limited edition pieces; and Miss Mauzan, a casual line for younger clientele. The brand’s designs celebrate the Abaya and Sheila as powerful expressions of individuality, emphasizing graceful femininity and comfort. Mauzan’s commitment to innovation is evident in its latest collections, which range from bold gowns to sleek separates.
Hessa Falasi: Modernizing Traditional Abayas
Hessa Falasi, a prominent Emirati modest fashion designer, has transformed the Middle Eastern fashion market with her contemporary luxury Abaya brand. Launched in 2011, her flagship store in Dubai Design District showcases intricate designs that blend tradition with modern esthetics. Falasi’s creations feature elegant embroidery, embellishments, and Arabic patterns, often incorporating bold colors and luxurious fabrics. Her innovative approach includes the iconic belted abaya trend and sustainable practices, making her brand the first Emirati modest fashion label to embrace the #ZeroWaste concept. Falasi’s designs cater to the modern Arab woman, offering breathtaking Abayas, Kaftans, and even wedding attire that maintain modesty while embracing global fashion trends.
Qasimi: Bridging Middle Eastern Heritage with Global Fashion
Qasimi, founded in 2015, has evolved into a brand that seamlessly blends Middle Eastern heritage with global fashion trends. The label’s signature earthy tones create a sophisticated palette, while collaborations with artists like Kambui Olujimi add depth through vivid digital prints. Qasimi’s designs feature structured and collapsing necklines, showcasing innovation in form and function. The brand’s commitment to emerging talent is evident through its Qasimi Rising incubator program, which supports designers from the Global South. This initiative, spearheaded by creative director Hoor Al-Qasimi, offers mentorship and resources to selected designers, fostering international recognition and growth in the fashion industry.
Bouguessa: Contemporary Staples for the Minimalist Wardrobe
Founded in Dubai by Faiza Bouguessa in 2014, BOUGUESSA has become synonymous with minimalist sophistication and feminine elegance. The brand offers contemporary ready-to-wear pieces focused on clean cuts and impeccable details for strong, sophisticated women. Bouguessa’s designs merge global trends with contemporary classics, drawing inspiration from art, architecture, and modern design. The signature silhouettes feature highly modern cuts, bold lines, and geometric precision. From her studio in Dubai Design District, Faiza creates three collections annually, each embodying the brand’s ethos of simplicity and vibrancy. The Spring Summer 2024 collection showcases captivating painted prints in a harmonious palette of camels, nutshells, pink, and sky blue, reflecting the brand’s connection with nature and cosmopolitan appeal.
Slouchy’Z: Contemporary Abayas and Luxury Evening Wear
Founded by Maryam Selaich, Slouchy’Z has become synonymous with reinventing the abaya. The brand offers a contemporary and fashion-forward take on modest dressing, incorporating bold colors, unique prints, and unexpected silhouettes. Slouchy’Z embraces a playful approach to modest wear, proving that style and tradition can coexist harmoniously. Their signature abaya comes in three different colors each season, featuring the same pattern with a hint of embroidery. Located in Building 1 of Dubai Design District, Slouchy’Z caters to sartorial savants seeking a new lexicon of modern yet modest fashion.
Hamda Al Fahim: Glamorous Evening Wear and Bridal Couture
Hamda Al Fahim, an Emirati fashion designer, has made a name for herself in the world of glamorous evening wear and bridal couture. Her designs are characterized by intricate detailing, luxurious fabrics, and romantic silhouettes. Hamda’s creations often feature delicate lace, hand embroidery, and layers of tulle, making them favorites for special occasions. Her bridal collection, in particular, has gained widespread acclaim for its dreamlike, fairy-tale gowns. Each piece is meticulously crafted, ensuring that every bride feels like royalty on her special day. Hamda’s designs have graced red carpets and high-profile events worldwide, worn by celebrities such as Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez.
Serrb: Timeless Staples for the Modern Woman
Serrb, an Emirati brand, has established itself as a top fashion retail company in the UAE, offering timeless staples for the contemporary woman. The brand showcases an array of abayas, kaftans, capes, and dresses, emphasizing modest styles with a modern twist. Serrb’s strength lies in its selection of exceptional fabrics and clean-cut designs, reflecting minimalist sophistication that transcends seasons. Their lightweight bisht-style abayas, crafted from a blend of polyester and cotton, exemplify the brand’s commitment to quality and comfort. Embracing elegance and power, Serrb creates impactful wardrobe basics that withstand trends and time, catering to the discerning tastes of today’s fashion-forward, modest-dressing woman.
YNM: Versatile Ready-to-Wear for Women and Children
YNM Dubai offers a diverse range of ready-to-wear collections for women and children. The brand’s versatility is evident in its various lines, including RTW Collection, Ramadan series, and seasonal drops. YNM Junior caters specifically to children’s fashion needs. The brand’s abaya collection features multiple volumes, showcasing its commitment to traditional yet contemporary designs. YNM’s offerings extend beyond clothing, with a focus on comfort and quality in all its products. The brand’s ethos of “you and me” emphasizes connection and joyful living, reflected in its carefully crafted pieces designed for both style and comfort.
Twisted Roots: Western-Inspired Modest Clothing
Twisted Roots, a Dubai-based label founded in 2014, offers high-end clothing that is stylish, practical, and travel-friendly. The brand was born from the founder’s extensive travels and the realization of a gap in the market for versatile, esthetically pleasing clothing. Twisted Roots’ designs showcase clean lines and impeccable tailoring, as seen in their signature shirt dresses with asymmetrical collars and flared cuffs. The brand also features luxurious pieces like the Azulejo Belted Maxi Dress, crafted from pure silk with abstract prints reflecting the brand’s unique style. Twisted Roots has become synonymous with effortless elegance and contemporary modest fashion.
Sekka38: Traditional Inspiration for Contemporary Fashion
Sekka38, founded by Emirati sisters Ghalia, Maria, Dana, and Alia Juma in 2012, blends traditional Arabic dress with contemporary fashion. The brand’s name, derived from the Arabic word “سكة” (street) and their childhood home number, reflects their tight-knit bond. Influenced by their mother’s unique style, Sekka38 creates timeless pieces that transcend seasons. Their collections feature clean silhouettes and impeccable details crafted from luxurious fabrics. The latest “Dreamscapes” collection showcases bold colors, intricate embroidery, and avant-garde esthetics, offering a modern twist on traditional abayas. Sekka38 embodies elegance and quality, creating lasting garments that seamlessly fit into busy lifestyles.
The Kape: Minimalist Luxury for the Modern Sophisticate
The Kape, founded by Hanadi al Hawi, offers a fresh approach to modest women’s fashion, particularly the traditional Abaya. The brand’s boutique in Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue exemplifies minimalist luxury. Designed by SUPERFUTUREDESIGN*, the 70-square-meter space emphasizes light and texture. The interior features earthy tones and cementitious resin, creating a contrast between smoothness and heaviness. The exterior boasts a unique concrete façade with a wave-like pattern, while a protruding window showcases exclusive pieces. The Kape’s designs, such as embellished abayas with notched lapels and cuffed sleeves, reflect a sophisticated blend of tradition and contemporary style.
Shell Designs: Architectural Inspiration in Fashion
Shell Designs, a unique fashion label, draws inspiration from architectural forms and structures to create garments that evoke organic, sculptural beauty. The brand’s creative vision centers around exploring shell-like shapes and silhouettes, manifested in their innovative clothing designs. By employing advanced textile techniques, Shell Designs translates architectural concepts into wearable art, blurring the line between fashion and sculpture. Their signature esthetic features dramatic, voluminous shapes that mimic the curves and contours of natural shell formations, creating a striking visual impact. Through textile innovations, the brand achieves intricate, three-dimensional forms that challenge traditional fashion design boundaries.
By Meriam Abduaziz: Texture-Rich Fashion for Every Season
Meriam Abduaziz, a multi-skilled designer, brings her passion for collaboration and user-centered experiences to the fashion world. Her Linen collection for season 23 embodies light, elegant, breathable, and comfortable designs. Abduaziz’s creations showcase her obsession with perfect cuts and finishes, as seen in her stunning abayas. Her off-white pieces are particularly noteworthy, featuring exquisite tailoring that has garnered praise from fashion enthusiasts. Meriam’s designs seamlessly blend texture-rich fabrics with contemporary silhouettes, offering versatile options for every season.
Pearla: Mood-Enhancing Fashion and Accessories
Pearla, established by sisters Hessa and Fatma Ali Aljoker, is a Dubai-based fashion brand that creates conceptual ready-to-wear garments. The brand’s philosophy merges art, storytelling, and imagination with fashion, offering abstract and contemporary pieces. Each Pearla garment is designed to make the wearer feel like the protagonist of a never-ending fairytale. The brand’s collections, including the Dubai Collection and Treasure Collection, feature vibrant colors and luxurious vibes inspired by Dubai. Pearla’s unique designs aim to create a theatrical, head-turning impact, ensuring that each piece is memorable and uncommon in the fashion industry.
The thriving fashion scene in the UAE showcases the remarkable talent and vision of female entrepreneurs. These 15 brands have a significant influence on the local and global fashion landscape, blending Middle Eastern heritage with contemporary esthetics. From luxury eveningwear to modern abayas and minimalist staples, these designers are pushing boundaries and redefining modest fashion for the modern woman.
These female-owned UAE brands are not just creating beautiful clothes; they’re also paving the way for future generations of women in business. Their success stories serve to inspire and empower aspiring entrepreneurs in the region and beyond. As these brands continue to grow and evolve, they’re sure to keep making waves in the fashion world, further cementing the UAE’s position as a hub of creativity and innovation in the industry.
