WHERE DUBAI’S IT-GIRLS REALLY GO
Dubai’s coolest Gen Z creative, Ayesha, shares her little black book of the city’s must-hit spots.
Her Instagram might be private, but Ayesha is someone everyone wants to know. At just 24, she’s the founder of Toonz — the rising Dubai-based jewellery brand, where cloud-carved necklaces and jigsaw puzzle earrings bring her loony toonz dreams to life. She makes eccentric look effortless, feminine feel fearless, and maximalism feel like a love language. Think Parisian daydream meets old-school Dubai, wrapped in unapologetic Gen Z sparkle. Ayesha herself might be the city’s best-kept secret — but not for long. She’s finally letting us in.
Ayesha doesn’t follow trends — she rewrites them. You won’t catch her doing Labubus (“I have a serious fear of dolls,” she laughs). But what you will catch her doing? Hosting a dinner party dressed like an editorial, ordering florals from Amicis, and setting the table with timeless pieces from Hermès Home and Maison Sarayan, where every accent and contour whispers chic but lived in.
Her home reflects her energy and there’s always something beautiful lying around — like her Cartier x Islamic Art coffee table book, a piece she returns to again and again. “It reminds me of my roots and my love for design. It’s honestly the most gorgeous thing I own.”
And when she’s not styling a dinner table or moodboarding for Toonz? She’s moving through Dubai like it’s her runway — and yes, she’s got all the insider recs.
The Dubai File: Ayesha’s City, Her Way
One day in Dubai?
“I’d take you straight to Al Bastakiya. It’s the real heart of the city — all history, soul, and quiet charm. Nothing like the Dubai you see online.”
Dinner that feels like a memory, not just a plate?
“Mamak and Al Naqa at Neighborhood Food Hall. So nostalgic, so full of flavour. Also, Asian Street by Thai — my best friend introduced me to it and I’m obsessed.”
Slow morning magic?
“Backyard or Brew. It’s chill, warm, and the perfect spot for a soft start.”
For interiors that stun:
“Ofelia at The Arts Club. Every corner is giving visual masterpiece.”
Spaces that feel like art galleries?
“The fine jewellery section at Bloomingdale’s. It’s so beautifully curated, it feels like a quiet little museum.”
A place that surprised you with its beauty?
“The entrance of Marsa Al Arab — all that lush greenery in the middle of the city? It feels like a hidden oasis.”
Mood reset button?
“Synkro. It’s not just the workout — it’s the people, the music, the vibe. I always walk out feeling like my best self.”
A ritual that grounds you?
“My mornings: green juice, ACV with water, supplements. It’s simple but it really centers me. And the beach — always the beach.”
One detail that says ‘Dubai’ to you?
“That soft, subtle musk scent. It’s warm, grounding, and instantly reminds me of home.”
Go-to café:
“Onda’s and The Grove pop-up at Alserkal Avenue? So, so good.”
5 must-go restaurants in Dubai?
Wokyo, Kokoro, Royal China, Mamak, andNeighborhood Food Hall.
(Bonus round: Kinoya for ramen. Daikan too. I’m an Asian food girl through and through.”)
