Luxury Luxury Made Local: Hospitality, Discretion, and Enduring Equity in the Gulf In the second of two pieces on luxury and cultural fluency in the Gulf, Taqua Malik, founder of Freedomvisory, explores how hospitality, discretion and community contribution transform presence into lasting equity. By Taqua Malik • 3 min read
Culture Luxury in Translation: From Words to Meaning in the Gulf Global luxury codes matter in the Gulf, but cultural fluency is what transforms transactions into lasting relationships, writes Taqua Malik, founder of Freedomvisory, a leading Middle East cultural intelligence advisor. By Taqua Malik • 3 min read
Technology The Passport Moment: Why Luxury’s Next Advantage Is Proof, Not Promise The most valuable logo in luxury won’t sit on a clasp or heel: it will live inside a code. DPPs are moving from regulation to relevance, turning provenance into the industry’s next competitive edge. By Staff Writer • 3 min read
In Conversation In Conversation: Mo Shadman, Chalhoub Group's Director of Intelligence The Gulf’s luxury economy is entering a new chapter. Chalhoub Group’s 2025 insights reveal a market outpacing the world on every metric — fuelled by ambitious investment, evolving consumers, and an ecosystem where retail, tourism, and storytelling now converge. By Staff Writer • 6 min read
Gulf shoppers expect localised designs and modest silhouettes within a brand’s collection. Image: Brunello Cucinelli The Gulf The Meridio Edit: four trends defining Gulf luxury in 2025 In this inaugural edition of The Meridio Edit - our curated list of trends, brands, and people driving change in the Middle East - we examine four themes defining Gulf luxury in 2025. By Staff Writer • 4 min read
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk Luxury The Gulf’s digital renaissance in luxury The Gulf is undergoing a major digital shift: a future where half of all luxury purchases are made online. But this shift isn't about replacing boutiques: it's about reimagining them, writes Taqua Malik, founder of Freedomvisory, a leading Middle East cultural intelligence advisor. By Taqua Malik • 3 min read
Dubai Mall is home to over 200 high-end brands. Image: Emaar Properties Luxury Why malls are thriving in the Middle East Malls remain key to luxury sales in the Middle East. But standing out in these evolving lifestyle hubs requires a mix of high-touch service and spectacle. By Staff Writer • 5 min read
Ounass is the Gulf’s leading online luxury platform, offering rapid delivery and a wide selection of regional brands. Image: Ounass Luxury Inside Ounass: The platform powering Gulf luxury e-commerce With just 13% of Gulf luxury sales happening online — below the 20% global average — retailers have room to grow. Ounass shows how it can be done. By Julienna Law • 4 min read
New York-based minimalist brand The Frankie Shop hosted a pop-up store in Abu Dhabi from April 18 to May 1, 2025. Image: The Frankie Shop Luxury From bling to barely there: How the Middle East is falling in love with quiet luxury Long before the term “quiet luxury” was coined in the West, the Middle East was already embracing minimalist, elegant fashion. By Julienna Law • 4 min read
SHA Emirates, a wellness-centric residential community on an island in AIJurf. Image: IMKAN Luxury The ultimate getaway: Wellness retreats take off in the Middle East From advanced diagnostics to traditional therapies, luxury wellness retreats are dominating the checklists of Gulf travellers. By Staff Writer • 5 min read
Photo by Alexander Shatov / Unsplash Technology Why Snapchat reigns supreme in the Middle East More than silly filters, Snapchat has become a key sales channel in the Gulf. Even luxury brands like Givenchy and Carolina Herrera have taken note. By Staff Writer • 4 min read
Marble-clad atrium at Doha’s Al Hazm Mall Culture From Souks to Concept Stores: Where the Region Shops Now The Middle East’s retail scene is shifting from malls to mood, as concept stores and curated boutiques redefine shopping as a cultural experience. Blending heritage with hype, these spaces merge fashion, art, and hospitality to reflect a new regional identity. By Staff Writer • 2 min read
