“Minbart is the first concept store in Abu Dhabi. We aim to offer something different to our fashion-conscious customers, far from what you would find in your everyday department stores and boutiques.
“The name Minbart is a abbreviation of the Arabic word minbar, which means ‘platform’and “art”- the expression of human creative skills and imagination. The store is located at Al Muneera, Al Raha Beach.
“I’ve been in the corporate and creative industry for over seven years. Besides having recently opened Minbart, I am also advisor of Creative Campus & Outreach at twofour54. I’ve been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to engage with the local creative community, which has led me to where I am today.
“I’ve always been inspired in creativity, fashion and design. That, combined with my love of travel, has led to the conceptualization and eventual launch of Minbart as a unique store selling must-have pieces and beautiful urban-chic elements.
“Minbart’s unique pieces are beyond that which is just trendy. We’ve taken the time to carefully select products that reflect an effortless sense of style for those who have a very individualistic approach to fashion—those who have an eye for beauty but like to stand out from the crowd. The designer pieces showcased each have their own interesting background. From Iguaneye to Gunseli Turkay…we’re not just selling fashion at Minbart, we’re telling stories through our collection of women’s fashion, including bags, shoes, and accessories, and art.
“There are lots of creative communities around and they were lacking a platform to showcase their work hence the idea of Minbart was born in Abu Dhabi . Minbart was conceived out of the idea that creativity should know no bounds, so we’re all about capturing, educating and investing into today’s modern discoverer.
“I had actually been thinking about the idea over the last 10 years, but began working on bringing it to reality 18 months ago. We’ve come a long way from what was an empty shell and block work walls. Now our walls are adorned with beautiful designs and one-of-a-kind pieces from unique international, local, and regional designers.
“Of course, starting your own business never easy. Taking care of marketing, finance, human resources, buying, and merchandising from scratch can be particularly challenging when you also have a full time job, but it can be done. In terms of opportunities, Minbart is one of a kind concept store. We are bringing something new to the market by creating a platform for those who have original, great quality ideas and offering brands that aren’t available anywhere in the UAE.
“I do envision an expansion plan for Minbart to grow throughout the region at some point. For now, our focus is to continue surprising our customers with continuously changing themes and additional international and local designers.
“We encourage people to keep creating and to work with passion and love to produce things that are unique, ultimately contributing to and expanding the local creative industry.”
