Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

How South Asians Help Run Dubai’s Fashion Industry

People of Indian and Pakistani heritage are critical to the UAE’s fashion sector, leading billion-dollar retail empires, trading textiles and jewellery and stitching garments for Middle Eastern brands.

Whether building billion-dollar retail empires or stitching humble cloth, people from the Indian subcontinent are an integral part of the fashion industry in the United Arab Emirates. — Business links between markets in South Asia and the Middle East are evident across Dubai where companies like Indian jewellery brand Joyalukkas establish regional offices to trade, advertise and roll out GCC store networks. (Getty Images)

Rohma Theunissen

24 January 2023

BoF PROFESSIONAL

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It’s often said that Dubai businesses have expats to thank for much of their success but there is one overlooked community that has powered the local fashion industry longer than most. Without South Asians like Micky Jagtiani, the city simply wouldn’t be the same.

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In This Article

Topics

Global Markets

Location

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

War in the Gulf Tests Resilience of a Rare Bright Patch for Luxury

The escalating US-Israel conflict with Iran is rattling the aura of stability created by Dubai and the wider region, threatening one of the industry’s few bright spots.

Luxury Brands Shut Middle East Stores as Conflict Causes Chaos

Escalating conflict in the Middle East is causing major disruption and store closures for high-end and mass-market retailers, threatening a key growth engine for the global luxury industry.

Worldview | Middle East Retailers Rattled by Escalating Iran Conflict

This week’s round-up of global markets fashion business news also features Sri Lankan apparel manufacturers, Vietnam’s textile exporters and Korean brands in China.

Gulf Businesses Reel as Iran Strikes Trigger Aviation Chaos

Regional business activity has been disrupted after Iran launched strikes across Gulf nations in response to the US-Israeli assault on Tehran, triggering airport closures or restrictions in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha.

Oasis Pressures Kao in Latest Japan Activist Investor Push

Activist fund Oasis Management Co. is calling on the Japanese personal care company to convene an extraordinary general meeting, seeking a probe into its supply-chain risk management and internal control.

American Eagle Forecasts Sales Growth Above Estimates on Demand From Wealthy Shoppers

The retailer surpassed annual sales forecasts but expects a $60 million drag from import tariffs in the first half of 2026.

The Estée Lauder Companies Acquires Forest Essentials

The luxury Ayurvedic skincare line will be the first deal by the conglomerate under the leadership of Stéphane de La Faverie.

Charlotte Tilbury on Remaking a Hero Product

By introducing a new version of her Magic Cream, Tilbury joins a number of other brands, from Armani and Olaplex, wading into the tricky waters of reformulation.

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