The Luxury Arcade is a fashion secret that’s hidden from plain sight. Tucked into one of the winding corners of World Trade Centre Mall on the first floor, the tightly curated concept store carries a taste-level and adventurousness that’s quite uncommon in the capital.
Tempo talked to store founder Lina Mustafa—and as it turns out, the owner is just as fascinating as the clothes she sells. At only 24 years old, the Palestinian-born, Abu Dhabi-raised fashion creative is also a former designer whose avant-garde creations have been by inspired style icons like Lady Gaga and Nicola Formichetti.
She says she’s very rigorous in the way she curates her fashions. “When looking for items for the store, I go to Paris to the showrooms and buy their pre-fall and resort collections. I prefer going to showrooms rather than attending trade shows.”
“I think these are the sort of stories that you only get when you build a relationship with the people who make the brand happen”
With a high-low mix of under-the-radar menswear brands like Umit Benan, established womenswear players like Peter Pilotto, and cult figureheads like Damir Doma, The Luxury Arcade caters to the young, hip, and fashion conscious. Middle Eastern brands are carefully represented here, too. Think streetwear from UAE-based House of Nomad, dresses from Madiyah Al Sharqi, and glittery clutches from L’AFSHAR.
Lina discovered her passion for fashion early on. “As a student, I became more and more interested in the business side of fashion, even more than the design side. So when I moved back from London, I was 22 and just went for it. I’ve also always been a compulsive shopper, so to buy for a living is incredible.”
She added, “I studied fashion design at university so I love to know the concept behind each line, the inspiration, and everything behind it. I think these are the sort of stories that you only get when you build a relationship with the people who make the brand happen”.
By Christopher Joshua Benton
