The Gulf’s fashion scene has always been synonymous with elegance, aspiration, and a deep appreciation for craftsmanship. But today, the region is witnessing a powerful shift—luxury is no longer only about owning the newest pieces, but about giving fashion a second life. Leading that movement is The Luxury Closet, a Dubai-grown resale platform that has become a go-to destination for UAE shoppers seeking authentic designer goods at smarter prices.
What truly sets this platform apart is how Dubai’s biggest style personalities have embraced the pre-loved movement, transforming Celebrity Closets from a novel concept into a cultural moment in the Gulf.
Celebrity Closets: When Icons Share Their Wardrobes with the Region
Launched in 2022, The Luxury Closet’s Celebrity Closets has become one of the most engaging fashion concepts in the UAE. It began with a headline-making debut from the Kattan sisters of Huda Beauty fame and has since expanded to an impressive roster of over 50 celebrity wardrobes.
For fashion lovers across the Gulf, these closets offer something unprecedented:
✔ direct access to pieces once owned by the region’s most admired trendsetters
✔ a chance to shop luxury with a meaningful story behind it
✔ an elevated resale experience that feels personal, glamorous and responsible
This is preloved luxury, but elevated in true Dubai style.
A Circular Fashion Experience That Feels Like High-End Service
From the seller’s side, The Luxury Closet continues to redefine what luxury resale can be. COO Jai Vohra highlights the brand’s signature three-step process—upload, approve, and earn.
Sellers can upload photos for a free valuation, or simply share their number for concierge assistance. Once approved, TLC handles the rest:
- VIP home pickup within the UAE
- authentication by experts
- professional photography
- global listing & shipping
- secure payment processing
The platform insists that selling pre-loved should feel just as indulgent as buying luxury. And for many in the Gulf, this premium, hands-off service is exactly what makes the circular model appealing.
Director of Seller Growth Astha R Lal explains:
“Parting with a luxury piece is personal. Our role is to make the journey effortless—closet detox sessions, doorstep pickups, constant updates. Every step is transparent and secure.”
Where Fashion, Memory & Connection Meet
Retail Manager Mohammed Soubra shares that Celebrity Closets is about more than resale—it’s about storytelling.
Each piece carries:
- a memory
- a moment
- the signature style of someone admired in the Gulf
“It’s not just about selling designer items,” he says. “It’s about creating experiences and making aspirational fashion accessible in a responsible, meaningful way.”
This emotional connection is what keeps the community engaged and what makes the circular economy feel luxurious instead of transactional.
Inside Dubai’s Most Stylish Closets
The initiative has drawn a vibrant mix of regional personalities, including:
- Nina Ali
- Sujata Assomull
- Dubai Bling stars Safa Siddiqui & Loujain Adada
- Rima Zahran
- Supercar Blondie
- Ashna Mehta
Together, their curated submissions span everything from Hermès and Chanel to Messika, Rolex, and Bottega Veneta. All pieces are authenticated, beautifully presented, and—as Soubra puts it—“pre-loved but just as beautiful as new.”
Once sold, these pieces find new homes globally, taking a touch of Gulf glamour with them.
Why The Gulf Loves the Pre-Loved Movement
In a region known for luxury, the rise of resale tells an important story about evolving values:
- conscious shopping is becoming mainstream
- sustainability is emerging as a cultural priority
- value-driven luxury appeals to younger buyers
- circular fashion aligns with Gulf consumers’ growing appetite for authenticity and meaning
Celebrities championing the movement reinforce this shift.
Rima Zahran says she loves giving her pieces a second life:
“It’s practical and guilt-free. Someone else gets to enjoy them, and nothing goes to waste.”
For Nina Ali, the movement also carries purpose:
“The platform lets me turn resale into support for families and charities. It’s luxury with impact.”
A Dubai Success Story with Global Footprint
The Luxury Closet was founded in 2012 by Kunal Kapoor, starting with the resale of a single Hermès Birkin bag. From those humble beginnings in a Dubai apartment, it has grown into the Middle East’s largest luxury resale marketplace, employing over 170 professionals and serving customers in 80+ countries.
“What began in Dubai now has offices across the region and a flagship store in the city that built it,” Vohra shares.
Its foundation—circularity, authenticity, and exceptional service—mirrors the Gulf’s growing commitment to mindful luxury.
Fashion journalist Sujata Assomull sums it up perfectly:
“Pre-owned fashion is smart, sustainable, and full of history. Fashion isn’t just a product—it’s a story.”
And through Celebrity Closets, The Luxury Closet is helping the Gulf tell that story in a bold new way.
