The best fashion and gift stores Abu Dhabi

In the land of shopping malls, it is not easy to compare them. If some are referred to as villages, Yas Mall would be described as a city with 10,000 parking spaces, more than 400 stores, 80 restaurants, 20 movie theaters, direct access to Ferrari World and Clymb, monthly events and miles of walkways that allow residents to stretch their legs when the temperature is near 45 degrees. Weekdays are a great time to visit. On the other hand, the mall is always busy when it opens, from Friday to Saturday inclusive.

In the land of children and the enchanted merry-go-round, this gallery invites you to plunge into a theatrical and luxurious decor on two floors, where brands such as Moulin Roty, Bensimon, Comme des Garçons, Lili Gaufrette, Zadig et Voltaire, Vilac and many others invite you to travel all the way to mainland France. Every weekend, free activities are offered to children, while others are subject to a charge. On the first floor, there are some great ideas for chic and expensive gifts, with exclusives such as the famous Sarah's Bag, made by women held in Lebanese prisons.

Nazzy Belgari is Iranian and has a twenty-year career in journalism behind her. An artist and fashion designer, this is one of the best kept addresses in Abu Dhabi. Her fairy fingers run over the fabrics she hunts down during her trips to the ends of the earth to imagine unique models: coats, abayas, skirts and dresses. A wonderful personality behind a woman of great talent. A pleasure for the eyes, unique clothes sometimes inspired by Arabic calligraphy make wonderful gifts to bring back.

At the age of 17, while studying in Pakistan, Aroosi Iqbal launched her first collection for women. Today, she has two boutiques in Abu Dhabi and counts members of the royal family among her customers. Her designs are always inspired by the region's dress codes, ranging from shalwar kameez, kaftans and jalabiyas, to modern dresses, all with a couture feel. For those who wish, the brand also offers custom-made dresses, made by hand. A very nice gift to bring back home

In the heart of the artisans' house, you will find this wonderful shop selling souvenirs made by Emiratis. Pouches, bookmarks, wallets woven according to the traditional sadu method, but also basketry made from palm leaves, not forgetting the teli, woven gold and silver threads. Everything is made locally, even the souvenir bags. We like everything all the more because it is rare, if not impossible, to find this kind of shop in the capital. The fruit of the sales goes to the women who have formed a cooperative.

The capital of the province wanted its mall, here it is! A glass bunker that meets the globalized needs of this century. An Almaya supermarket where you can find for very affordable prices exotic products, dates and some local products, but also some small stalls with some sellers of 24 carat gold jewelry. You can also find fabrics to make an abaya or a kandura for example with the dressmaker nearby. Chocolate stopover with the good Lebanese house Patchi, billiards and bowling.

Here is a shopping mall made up entirely of jewelry stores, but don't expect a traditional souk. Gold is sold by the gram at the day's price, with a margin for negotiation. The Gold Centre occupies the right wing of the Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre, a retro mall frequented by Indian communities and the less affluent Emiratis. It's also a fabric paradise if you prefer to have a dress made. Around the mall, it is the temple of haberdashery.