Zara previewed its new flagship store in The Dubai Mall; 5,000sq m of retail temptation, and the first in the world to showcase its new design, which, deep inhale, is refreshingly breathable. By ditching the boxy shape in favour of organic curves based around the shape of a fan, the clothes have room to exist, so you can observe rather than rummage. Those palpitations brought on by the claustrophobic combo of so much stuff and so little sky? Gone. The open fascia is light and bright and feels more like an Apple store than the hellish high-street fashion jumble sales of yore. Of course, shopping fast fashion is an anathema to green principles but the brand is keen to point out that the new design delivers power and water savings of 20% and 40% respectively, and that’s to be applauded. There’s a self check-out facility (you get to remove the security tags yourself, which will never get old in my book), automated collection point for online orders (just don’t price compare to Europe because the difference is still galling) and a smart fitting room management system (you still couldn’t pay me to go on a Friday afternoon, though).
The new Zara store in The Dubai Mall, which opened September 2019
But enough of the shop, what of the clothes? I couldn’t resist a killer white sequinned pencil skirt (there is a matching top but it looked dreadful on me) and I loved, but resisted, the iridescent trench coat because honestly where the hell would i wear it? Especially as I discerned it really only looked hot with with nothing underneath bar Zara’s tall boots. The boots, btw, I would totally have bought if I didn’t already own an over-the-knee white pair by Stuart Weitzman. The size 39 fit perfectly and a 90cm heel is perfection. Yes, as you may have discerned I am struggling with a hefty dose of non-buyers’ regret… but again, knee-high boots, in Dubai. It’s not a match made for price-per-wear success. Speaking of a p-p-w non-starter, my suspicion that the sequinned red trouser suit is fab-you-lus was confirmed when Claudia Winkleman wore it for the season premiere of only the best television show in the world ever, Strictly Come Dancing. Sadly the only thing in the red round here is my bank account, so that was a pass too. But whether you’re buying or browsing, it is now possible to venture into Zara and come out feeling light-of-heart rather than only light-of-wallet.