A proud cluster of gleaming spires rising from the dunes, Dubai has established itself as a hub of both culture and commerce in a relatively short time-span — and not just for the region, but for the world. As a stroll past the branded storefronts in any of the Emirates’ coolly ventilated mega-malls will confirm, fashion is a keystone of its rapidly developing cultural identity. However, while such presences certainly imply a discerning local client base, the sanitised shopping environments they provide don’t exactly scream a dynamic youth or street culture.
What do, however, are events like Sole DXB, a three-day annual celebration of music, fashion and art. Founded by a group of sneakerhead friends back in 2010, the cultural festival now sees over 25,000 guests cross its threshold at its site in the Dubai Design District, a purpose-built nerve-centre for the fostering of the region’s arts and design industries.
This year’s crowds flocked to headline performances by Wu-Tang Clan, Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli as Black Star, and current i-D cover star Koffee — the reggae rising star’s first performance in the region. While the event organisers funnelled their energies into the programme’s curation, its attendees paid just as much attention to what they wore. Photographer Vincent Dolman was there to capture some of the sharpest festival-goers, whose looks ranged from eccentric to street-savvy to chic. Meet Dubai’s best dressed below.
Credits
Photography Vincent Dolman