Arabic Chic at O’de Rose in Dubai

March 29th, 2012

Yesterday I took myself over to O’de Rose on Al Wasl Road in Dubai.

I had seen their adverts. I had driven by it for years. Always curious, I wanted to explore the place, but never did. Then I heard the American Women’s Association of Dubai planned an excursion to the boutique, and I decided it was time.

O’de Rose is located inside a villa and sells unique items from the region: accessories, jewelry, and clothing, as well as contemporary art, statement furniture, home décor, and tableware.

When I arrived, I was offered a rose flavored drink in a Moroccan tea glass (their signature welcome). I walked through the many rooms of their shop—bigger than I had imagined and filled with a lovely rose scent—I admired the clutch purses, bohemian necklaces, chic mirrors, tea glasses, and coffee cups, as well as embellished tunics and t-shirts.

Shopping in this villa was a welcome change from wandering in the mall. The boutique was spacious and cheerful with sunlight streaming into the windows. I felt relaxed and unrushed.  Everywhere I looked I saw Arabic calligraphy and the hand of Fatima (hamsa), two of my favorite things.

The shop also pays homage to Umm Kuthum, the famed Egyptian diva, regarded by many as the greatest female singer in Arabic music history.

The founder and co-owner Nadine Khoury told me that their products come mostly from Lebanon but also from Turkey and other countries, and occasionally they feature local designers.

As you may have noticed by now, the items generally fall into two categories:

Category 1 – The Exquisite (In this case jewelry)

Category 2 – The Whimsical

And this piece of contemporary art below defies category. Each block is made up of little silver burqas.

As for prices, O’de Rose is not a exactly a place for bargain hunting. Shop manager Rana Tohmé Grassi explained that because their products are designed and crafted by artisans (rather than mass produced in China), their prices reflect this. For example, the t-shirt below, embellished with the hand of Fatima (hamsa), goes for 380 dirhams (about $100).

In case you are wondering what I bought. Well. I came home with a small brass hand of Fatma platter (165 dirhams), a scarf with an Arabic calligraphy border (110 dirhams), a simple tunic (145 dirhams) and a t-shirt embellished with swarovski crystals, (regularly 370 dirhams, marked down to 145). So, actually, it is possible to find a bargain here. And all of it smells like roses–literally.

Below is my last shot of the boutique; I can’t resist.

O’de Rose was recently nominated for a Grazia Style Award, its category: Best Boutique in the UAE. You can vote here. The shop was also reviewed in the New York Times Travel Guide.

A little getaway in the city, O’de Rose is located in Dubai, Um Sequim 2, on Al Wasl Road across from Choirtram’s. This boutique also sells a range of their items at Galleries Lafayette in Dubai Mall.  Also, find O’ de Rose on Facebook and now Pinterest.

Question: Have you visited O’ de Rose? 

  1. March 29th, 2012 at 01:24 | #1

    Love the patchwork furniture in that store!

  2. March 29th, 2012 at 07:14 | #2

    Oh WOW! I love boutiques like that… my wallet doesn’t but it sounds like there are some great deals. Thank you for all the pictures… I’m always afraid of getting in trouble for taking pictures. But they totally captured the whole experience. The shelving in this last photo is my favorite! It would make an incredible book/tea cup case 🙂

  3. March 29th, 2012 at 07:25 | #3

    Oh my good golly, I would have gone berserk in that store! SUCH gorgeous stuff!!! Kudos to you for holding back…that silver hand of Fatima with the colorful glasses would have been MINE! Gorgeous, gorgeous stuff, beautifully photographed, too.

  4. Deborah Mustafa
    March 29th, 2012 at 09:31 | #4

    Salaam Holly!

    Ok, I have never used this expression, but I will…”serious eye-candy”. I love, love, love this place! Never been there, but will have to after seeing this. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pics, and commentary.

  5. Holly S. Warah
    Holly S. Warah
    April 2nd, 2012 at 22:44 | #5

    Yes, ladies, a dangerous store! However, I can’t imagine regreting any purchase from this place. Everything is unique & full of flair. A keeper.

  6. April 18th, 2012 at 16:07 | #6

    Holly what a lovely post..I so wish I was with you guys! We were in Dubai in January and stayed at Atlantis! Thank you for sharing!

    • Holly S. Warah
      Holly S. Warah
      April 20th, 2012 at 14:16 | #7

      Sara, Oh, what a fantastic getaway to stay at the Atlantis in Dubai. I think of it as a surreal place, the whole Palm Island actually has a magical charm.

  7. Rohaizan
    May 14th, 2012 at 20:51 | #8

    Salam Holly! So thankful to discover your blog, even though it was a bit late…I googled for “Hand of Fatima Trays” and saw the photo of exactly what I was looking for right here in your post! Unfortunately I’ve just come back from Dubai – we were there this past weekend visiting hubby’s family from Spain…to think I could have gone to the boutique and picked up those trays.. *kicking myself for postponing this search forever* Do you know if they do e-shopping or mail order? Wonder if they still have those trays…I went to their website but couldn’t find any information about their products. Can you help? From what I’ve read so far, I love your blog and will be visiting regularly 🙂

    • Holly S. Warah
      Holly S. Warah
      May 15th, 2012 at 23:06 | #9

      Hi Rohaizan, Thanks for reading & thanks for the question. I know what you mean about those Hand of Fatima Trays. I have two of them! It’s sort of an addiction… Anyway, someone else wrote to me with a similar question (about a clutch purse) & they wrote to the shop & the shop gave them info on where to order them. Maybe you can get similar info. They have two email addresses: and . Also, they have some info on their website. http://www.o-derose.com/ Plus they have a FB page. I hope you find what you are looking for. Enjoy the hunt. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!

  8. February 2nd, 2013 at 14:48 | #10

    I absolutely didn’t expect to see a posting like Arabic Zeal

    • Holly S. Warah
      Holly S. Warah
      February 6th, 2013 at 16:31 | #11

      Hi, As a blogger I experiment with different topics related to Arab culture–some serious, some fun & some fivolous. I’m never quite sure which ones will stike a chord & which ones will fall flat. At any rate, thanks for reading.

  9. Esme
    April 20th, 2013 at 13:57 | #12

    Cute stuff ! Where i can get them ? can i know the store location ?

    • Holly S. Warah
      Holly S. Warah
      April 21st, 2013 at 13:25 | #13

      Hi Esme, Thanks for reading. The store O’de Rose is in Dubai in Um Sequim, located on Al Wasl Rd, across from Choitram’s grocery. There is also a second shop inside Galleries Lafayette in Dubai Mall. I love their stuff! 🙂

  10. Diana Kimiatek
    November 7th, 2013 at 04:56 | #14

    Where can I get your beautiful wares? I live in the US but I’m also visiting Beirut next week for a whole month

    • Holly S. Warah
      Holly S. Warah
      November 7th, 2013 at 21:03 | #15

      HI Diana, This shop is in Dubai. However, as far as I know, many of their products (if not most) are from Lebanon. So, I’m sure that you can find some very cool items in Beirut if you ask around or search online. Maybe not the same stuff, but maybe something even better! Good luck & enjoy your trip. 🙂

  11. May 7th, 2014 at 21:39 | #16

    This is my first time go to see at here and i am actually happy to read all at alone place.

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