Shamefully it has taken me over five years of living in Dubai to visit Global Village. I was always put off by the queues to get into the car park and the crowds of people flocking to the gates. But then I figured – they have to be queuing for a reason. So I set off to find out what all the fuss was about.
As someone who spends my working days in Dubai’s malls, I know exactly what’s in stores at any given moment, so shopping for myself in Dubai has become more of a chore than a pleasure or exciting experience for me, which is why I was so impressed and relieved by the fashion and beauty offerings at Global Village.
I set out to find the most stylish fashion items and the coveted beauty products from around the world and I was quite surprised by what I found. All prices may vary according to the store owner – prices mentioned are a guideline and haggling is usually welcomed.
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Morocco
These Moroccan shoes named balgha are made on site at Global Village. The shoes are a part of traditional national dress in Morocco, but they are also so comfortable and stylish they can be worn by anyone. Each pair takes one day to make and they are for both men and women. They are made from soft leather, which is sourced in Morocco. Prices start at Dh150.
India
In the India souk, I found these gorgeous embellished Khussa shoes. They are handmade in India using local materials, and sell for Dh45 for adults and Dh20 for kids – but I would say these guys are definitely up for haggling!
Also in the India market, I found incredible textiles and cushions. They are made by hand in the Gujarat state of India with locally sourced materials. Prices start at Dh40 for a cushion or Dh45 for a bag.
Africa
I fell in love with these brightly coloured handbags. They are made from gazelle hide and the colours are so incredible I had to share them. My particular favourite is the orange one, which will be so on-trend for spring. These bags don’t come cheap (prices I were offered were around Dh270) but they will be worth the investment.
At the other end of the spectrum, also in the Africa pavilion, for just Dh30 you can pick up this basket bag, which is created from recycled bottle tops. The bags are made by hand in small villages in Uganda and benefit the local families.
The Africa souk is also a fantastic spot for beauty products. On many stalls you will find shea butter and cocoa butter. Try it in its purest form from the boxes (pictured) or opt to buy one of the many pots of creams that have been created from the original products. I purchased an avocado-shea butter cream to tackle puffiness (Dh45) and a cocoa butter moisturiser (Dh40). Also on these stalls you’ll find African black salt, which has been compressed and hardened. Mix a small amount with water and use it on your skin as an exfoliant. One piece is around Dh35.
China
Forget Sephora – China court at Global Village is THE place to by false eyelashes. There are hundreds of types in varying qualities and styles. My favourites come from the store that solely specialises in lashes. All the lashes are sourced from factories in China – the same factories that supply mainstream make-up brands, I am told by the shopkeeper (as always, caveat emptor). Prices start at around Dh40 but deals are available if you are buying more than one pair.
The China souk is also a great place to shop for kids clothing. These two outfits particularly caught my eye because of their likeness to recent designer looks. The cream dress on the right is inspired by Gucci’s recent collection and the pink dress has an uncanny likeness to Prada or Miu Miu’s designs. Prices start at just Dh40.
Elsewhere in China, I found these adorable mermaid make-up brushes and bought a set as a gift for a friend for Dh120. Another bargain worth buying is the Black Peel-Off mask. The charcoal mask took the internet by storm earlier this year as beauty enthusiasts posted videos of themselves struggling to remove it from their face (Dh25); now you can try it yourself.
Korea
This pearl-studded denim jacket (Dh120) in the Korean souk is super cool. It’s made in and imported from Korea. Surprisingly the sizing was great despite being ‘one size fits all’ – it doesn’t come up too small, as I would have expected.
The obsession with Korean skincare products is set to continue into 2018, and Global Village is the place to go to get them all (heads up, Korean beauty lovers: We spotted an Etude House that’s due to open shortly in Dubai Mall). There were so many to choose from but it’s the Egg White Pore Mask (Dh45) and Baking Powder Cleansing Foam (Dh50) that particularly caught my eye.
Elsewhere in Korea is the perfect accessory to go with all these beauty products – a celebrity-style light-up make-up mirror. This white mirror will set you back around Dh500 but I still think it’s a bargain compared to what you would pay in regular home stores.
Japan
I wouldn’t usually associate Japan with sunglasses but these stylish specs in the Japanese souk area come in so many different shapes and colours you’re spoilt for choice. Each pair is around Dh50 – I want them all!
Thailand
The resemblance of this bag to Gucci’s A/W18 collection is uncanny but it is being sold in the Thailand souk at a fraction of the price. The insect motif is a huge look for this season and the bamboo handle makes it really fresh. The bag is made in Thailand and they are being sold at Global Village for around Dh180.
Also in the Thailand market is this colour-blocked orange and yellow top (Dh100). I can’t help but see a resemblance to the recent collection from Roksanda Ilincic. I love the colours and the crepe material is really unusual.
Bosnia
It’s not just for amazing kebabs: I’ll be honest, wandering into the Bosnia court I wasn’t expecting to find anything especially fashion-led but I was so shocked when I found these handmade bags. Each bag is individual and made from local materials. They are being sold for around Dh250.
The Americas
I love these bags from Mexico. The designer teams up with different artists in Mexico every season, who hand-paint the designs on to the leather accessories. Each piece is unique and coated with a special waterproof product that stops the paint from running. Prices are over the Dh200 mark but with each one being unique, it’s still a bargain.
These handwoven shoes are a modern take on the traditional huarache shoes found in South and Central America. The leather is dyed and handwoven in Mexico and these sandals are perfect for the UAE climate! Prices start at Dh70.
Also in the Americas market are these bright and bold necklaces – some crocheted, some made from cottons and wood. The tassels and pompoms are totally on trend for this spring. Prices vary depending on each piece but start at around Dh30.
Europe
In the Europe market area I found some hidden gems. These shoes are handmade in Spain – the owner spends half the year in Spain at his factory and the other half of the year at Global Village selling his products. He has always designed espadrilles but this season has branched out into brogues. You can also shop on Instagram @cabraloca2014. Prices start at Dh200.
Pakistan
Looking for a gift for a stylish man? This 100 per cent leather briefcase found in the Pakistan market is so chic and stylish I can’t believe the price. At just Dh175 you can get this particular bag in black or brown leather but there are hundreds of leather items to choose from.
Russia
Over in Russia you’ll find all sorts of quirky designs. I love these plastic clutch bags that resemble the spring/summer 17 bags by Alice + Olivia, and this selfie T-shirt and tutu skirt are so cute.
