Where to find local brands and handmade items

If you thought shopping in Riyadh was all malls and souqs, think again. Concept stores in Riyadh are so popular – they offer a cool shopping experience and are home to a carefully curated selection of products. So, whether you want handmade jewellery, a unique art work or clothing by a local Saudi designer, there’s a concept store to meet your needs. Here are the best concept stores in Riyadh. 

GalleryBlu

If a designer shoe is like a work of art to you, then you’ll be right at home at GalleryBlu. The concept store combines art with fashion, as the oh-so-pretty items are displayed like they are in an exhibition. Shop for products including Hermès Birkin bags, a Crosley Cruiser pink portable turntable, and Leblon Delienne’s sculptures that celebrate popular icons – a silver Mickey Mouse, anyone? Look out for limited edition items, too, like a Louis Vuitton Virgil Abloh bag.

Number Nine Concept Store 

When a store labels itself as a collection of beautiful things, that’s a description that we can certainly get behind. Number Nine Concept Store in Riyadh is named after the founder’s favourite number and is fiercely local. The shop is brimming with Saudi brands across fashion and beauty – you can even find Diggin’It, the locally created beard oil here. The clothing collection includes oversized T-shirts from XO, bright hoodies from EJ and statement jumpers from Studio 23. Plus, there are modern abayas, caps, glasses and plenty of gift ideas.

Pattern Concept Store 

If a Pinterest board were to come to life, it would probably look something like Pattern Concept Store. It’s all industrial chic, from its exposed piping to pastel interiors, and it has plenty of #homedecor ideas. The concept store in Riyadh prides itself on bringing together a niche collection of art, fashion and lifestyle products. Browse through cool items from the Saudi clothing company The Rasha, Italian sunglasses from Illesteva, and perfume from Sentimental. The shop also hosts art and craft workshops and, like all good establishments in Riyadh, it has a coffee shop on site.

Personage

Personage is spread over three floors, and covers everything from street style to on-trend jewellery. The brands include necklaces from Trendy Jewellery, linens from Angel Dust’s and streetwear from Designated. Her Highness Princess Deemah Bint Mansour Bin Saud Alsaud is behind this concept store in Riyadh, and it regularly hosts special pop-ups and installations, combining art and activism with fashion. Personage is on-trend where it matters, as it recently held GFX Swap Shop. So, it was out with the old and in with the used, as it hosted workshops on how to reuse and repurpose items. When you need a break from all that shopping, visit Ooze Café on the second floor.

Sum+Things

When you walk into Sum+Things, be prepared to splurge – the items here are so gorgeous that you may leave with some extra baggage. If you’re looking for some home improvements, then visit this concept store in Riyadh. The emphasis is on cool, contemporary household items such as vases, ornaments and furniture. Look out for special events, too, as Sum+Things has held a personal shopping experience and an Oscar De La Renta pop-up. And, if you just want to switch up your meet-up spot, check out the indoor café – it serves fruit juices, matcha lattes and food.

Wabi Sabi Closet 

Come for the vegan food, and stay for the concept store. Wabi Sabi is a popular vegan restaurant in Riyadh, but tucked away upstairs is a quiet concept store selling items that fit the healthy theme. So, take your pick from oils, healing stones, organic hair and beauty items, candles and more. Plus, there are cool items including modern art work, funky furniture and fashionable abayas.