image
FashionArt

by Alexandra Mansilla

You See Them Everywhere Now: Brands Making Waves In the UAE’s Cultural Scene

28 May 2025

From underground parties to art pop-ups, coffee drops to concept stores — a new generation of brands is creating projects that get everyone talking and, in the process, confidently reshaping the cultural landscape of the UAE. They are not just selling products — they are curating experiences, building community, and carving out space for alternative voices. Here are a few names you have definitely seen around — and ones we are excited to spotlight.

Power Horse

While many recognise Power Horse for its energy drinks, in this region, it has evolved into something more. The brand actively invests in youth culture, supporting a wide range of events, collectives and creatives. Its collaborations are intentional, giving a platform to voices that are often unheard.
Take their recent collab with Secta’s first-ever open-air, a massive event on its own. Power Horse has been making a clear effort to show up everywhere, keeping the name out there and in constant rotation. They were there during Capitano GB’s ADHD set, live from the Fuego Room at SVD Dubai. Their signature black cups were clutched in hands all over the Dè Favela event. You will also spot them regularly at THE KARAK events.
And, of course, they showed up at Sole DXB where they truly flexed their cultural muscle — presenting The Groundwork, an electrifying showcase of talents like House of Yanos, Stick No Bills, Green Room and Dè Favela, plugged with the Set Killer dance battles which was just the right energy in the entire festival.
Not to miss their streetwear collabs, especially with Amongst Few and Dè Favela/Shabab International, they have turned energy into wearable identity.
Is it all working? Definitely. Power Horse isn’t just keeping up with the culture, it is helping drive it forward.
image

Instagram: @powerhorse

SWEY

SWEY refers to itself as the new wave of high-quality eyewear. Founded in 2021, this homegrown brand draws inspiration from the ever-evolving cultural landscape of the Gulf region. SWEY captures culture through a distinct lens, aiming to shift conversations in fresh directions.
Known for its unique activations, one standout collaboration was with One Life Kitchen & Café at Sole DXB. Together, they constructed the "SWEY x One Life Minimart" — a reimagined gas station convenience store. Local creatives like Toqsic, Jeftin James, Aaron Ferns, Ali Cha’aban and others contributed to developing the flavours of the drinks and sandwiches. As SWEY describes it, this wasn't just a booth — it was a celebration of regional creatives breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes.

SVD (Sivasdescalzo)

SVD started in Spain, but their presence in Dubai has grown into something way bigger than just limited-edition drops. It has become a go-to for music lovers, design heads, and anyone who cares about the stories behind what they wear.
First of all, their store — with that neon lime staircase — is instantly recognisable, even to people who have never set foot in Dubai.
At last year’s BRED Abu Dhabi, SVD and Asics made serious noise with an exclusive sneaker release. The spotlight was on the SVD x House of Yanos capsule International Baddies Worldwide, alongside drops from Junaynah, Kicks TQ, WOOD WOOD, Hidden, and Needles — with a few surprise pieces from Front Of House™. Curated styles from Kiko Kostadinov Studio and Asics, sneaker art, and designer talks pulled in the fashion crowd, while the rooftop hangout and ice cream bar delivered the perfect cool-down zone.
And then there is the Fuego Room — a creative space inside SVD Dubai that gives emerging DJs, musicians, podcasters, and artists a platform to share their work and connect with the community. These days, you will spot Fuego at many events with even a hint of sound.

The Workshop DXB

The Workshop DXB is your go-to screenprinting studio in Dubai — a place where anyone can bring their ideas to life, whether it is a single print or a full-blown project. It is run by Ahmad Makary, artist, creative director, curator, and a bit of a disruptor.
image
image
image
A recent standout was their “Urban House” at the Sikka Festival. Called “The Anatomy of Vulnerability”, it was a multidisciplinary, community-driven project that explored the full spectrum of human emotion — raw, complex, and unfiltered. Artists like Gerard Rechdan, Noah Perelini, FATSPATROL, Kaveh Ahangar, and Ahmad Makary (who also curated the space) transformed each room into an immersive emotional state.
At the heart of it all: a skateboard ramp covered in hand-painted Arabic calligraphy — phrases with meanings that could shift depending on tone or context. As people skated across, the words slowly faded, turning something fixed into something fleeting and alive.
They also linked up with Secta for their first open-air event, bringing live screen-printing into the mix. Think fresh tees, exclusive graphics, and ink still drying as you walked away.

Precious Trust

Launched in 2018 by Algerian designer Wathek Allal, Precious Trust blends laid-back streetwear with sharp design references pulled from both Western silhouettes and North African roots.
They have been steadily building a name for themselves — from dropping solid collections to teaming up with SOLE for Go Skate Day at Deira Fountain (and a Lords of Dogtown screening at Cinema Akil), to showing off their latest looks at BRED Abu Dhabi.
image

Instagram: @precious.trust

People talk about Precious Trust not just for the clothes, but for the way they move — confidently and always with something to say.

The Basement

The Basement is a concept store in Sharjah where skate, sneaker, and fashion culture all come together. From a huge vintage selection to a full skate section run by locals repping homegrown brands, it is a space built around community, creativity, and staying true to where it all began. Pure Sharjah energy, start to finish.
But as you have probably guessed, it is not just a store. They host poetry and music open mics, pop up at De Favela with a solid lineup of carefully curated vintage jerseys, and throw events like BBQ SKATE JAM 2025. They also made their mark at BRED Abu Dhabi this year — teaming up with barbershop The Lab for a clean mix of streetwear and sharp fades.

Peace Venue

Peace Venue dropped their debut collection at Sole DXB in 2024 — and they did it with impact, teaming up with local brands on reimagined football jerseys, bold graphic tees, and oversized cuts that turned heads fast.
The brand lives at the intersection of calm and impact — all about peace, but not passive. They are here to shift the way style feels: more purpose, more connection, and way more individuality.
At BRED Abu Dhabi, they came through with an exclusive capsule for those who like their style quiet, but sharp, calm on the outside, with fire underneath.