Since opening its doors on New York’s Lower East Side in 2014, The Frankie Shop has built a dedicated following for its distinctive blend of oversized tailoring, minimalist aesthetics, and empowering silhouettes. Over a decade later, its founder, Gaëlle Drevet, now brings her vision to a new audience in Abu Dhabi with a highly anticipated two-week pop-up. Created in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and open through May 1, it marks the brand’s first foray into the Middle East, set within the culturally rich and creatively charged Mina Zayed district—known to locals as “MiZa.” Here, an immersive activation blends fashion, art, and design in a space that mirrors The Frankie Shop’s commitment to authenticity and contemporary elegance.
Courtesy of The Frankie Shop.
The decision to launch in Abu Dhabi was as intuitive as it was strategic, Drevet shared. “There’s such an international spirit and cultural energy here—a beautiful mix of tradition and innovation,” she said. “It immediately felt aligned with the way we think about the brand.”
Designed in collaboration with the Los Angeles-based agency Perron-Roettinger, the space unfolds like a narrative. Centered around a day in the life of the Frankie woman, it offers a tactile, visual, and communal experience that extends beyond retail. Anchored by a shop filled with exclusive ready-to-wear pieces, dynamic lifestyle installations, curated panels, and styling sessions from regional and global tastemakers, it also offers collagen lattes at a 48 Collagen Café. The pop-up is not just a store—it’s a story, reflective of the rich textures and bold confidence of The Frankie Shop woman.
Whitewall spoke with Drevet about creating a Frankie universe in Abu Dhabi, what interior design choices she prioritized, and what she recommends visitors do while in town.
The Frankie Shop Hits Abu Dhabi
Courtesy of The Frankie Shop.
WHITEWALL The Frankie Shop is opening its first retail space in the Middle East, in Abu Dhabi—in Mina Zayed Port. Why this city, and this specific area in Miza?
GAËLLE DREVET: It felt like the right place at the right time for our first moment in the Middle East. There’s such an international spirit and cultural energy in Abu Dhabi—this beautiful mix of tradition, innovation.. It immediately felt aligned with the way we think about the brand! Then, regarding the location, MiZa has been called the “coolest neighborhood” in Abu Dhabi, and yes, it’s definitely a destination, but so are almost all of Frankie’s locations. It is also a cultural hub that brings together fashion, art, and design. It’s exactly the kind of setting we envisioned for this debut.
“There’s such an international spirit and cultural energy in Abu Dhabi,”
—Gaëlle Drevet
Portrait of Gaëlle Drevet, courtesy of The Frankie Shop.
Courtesy of The Frankie Shop.
WW: In addition to shopping a curated selection of ready-to-wear designs, and a curated selection of Karen Wazan sunglasses, visitors can also enjoy styling sessions and panels from fashion leaders—like you and Bettina Looney. Can you share more about this, as well as who might be speaking on panels and about what?
GD: We wanted more than a retail experience for this pop-up; we believed we could use this opportunity to actually tell our visitors more about Frankie. What better way than hosting panels with amazing talents such as Beka from StyleNotCom or Farida Khelfa, interviewed by Osama Chabbi. We are also hosting styling sessions with Jennifer Kolomoni and Lana Qatramiz, for instance, who are based in the region. We also felt it was important to showcase amazing local designers and talents such as Karen Wazen, who designed special sunglasses called Frankie, but also a t-shirt with an illustration from Tulip Hazbar.
Exclusive Items to Abu Dhabi
Courtesy of The Frankie Shop.
WW: In addition to best-selling looks, 50 pieces are exclusive to Abu Dhabi. Can you share more about these pieces? How do they speak to the Abu Dhabi customer?
GD: I was inspired to bring together the essence of Frankie’s minimal and modern DNA with the rich textures and a color palette of Abu Dhabi, featuring ivory, sand, olive, and sun-faded brown draws from the desert landscape and the region’s soft, shifting light. The Abu Dhabi capsule embodies powerful confidence, timelessness, and versatility. Silhouettes are fluid, breezy yet strong —think coordinating silk separates, soft tie-back shirts, softly tailored suits, and utility-inspired pieces reflecting a refined balance between elegance and ease.
Courtesy of The Frankie Shop.
Courtesy of The Frankie Shop.
WW: Tell us a bit about the physical retail space, designed in collaboration with the L.A.-based agency Perron-Roettinger. How does this reflect the brand’s ethos?
GD: When we imagined our first pop-up in the Middle East, I wanted more than a traditional retail space. Storytelling was key. That’s why we partnered with Perron-Roettinger. I’ve long admired Willo’s approach to retail design, which always managed to combine functionality with a strong emotional narrative. They understood immediately that this was about more than just presenting clothes; it was about creating a journey and an immersive experience. Together, we created a space that moves like a day in the life of the Frankie customer. The concept unfolds through a series of curated vignettes—moments at home, at work, in the city, and in quiet transition—each one crafted to show how The Frankie Shop collections move seamlessly through real, modern lives.
“This was about more than just presenting clothes,”
—Gaëlle Drevet
Inside The Frankie Shop Universe
Courtesy of The Frankie Shop.
WW: The space goes beyond fashion, offering the 48 Collagen Cafe—a gathering space outfitted with specialty coffee and other drinks, as well as LED masks. Why is this component important to include in the pop-up?
GD: Frankie has never just been about clothes. It’s always been about creating an atmosphere, something that feels considered, personal, and reflective of how we actually live. Including the 48 Collagen Café was a way to extend that idea. It’s a space where people can take a breath, connect, and add a little self-care to their day.
WW: The space is also an art and design haven, featuring a special illustration by Tulip Hazbar and hanging palm tree carpets by Cheb Moha. Tell us more about these two creators and why you wanted them in the space.
GD: Local partnerships were essential to this project. We wanted to build something with the region. Working with ADIO gave us the foundation to do that thoughtfully and respectfully. Both Tulip and Cheb have such strong creative identities, and it was important to invite voices from the region into the space. Tulip’s work is delicate and powerful; her illustration for the t-shirt captures cultural symbols through the Frankie lens. Cheb’s carpets are bolder, more graphic, and refreshing.
Portrait of Gaëlle Drevet, courtesy of The Frankie Shop.
Courtesy of The Frankie Shop.
WW: For those in Abu Dhabi for the pop-up, where do you recommend they go to see art, relax, or have fun?
GD: Abu Dhabi is a magical place for visitors who want to slow down and enjoy a little bit more than just retail therapy. Walk around the magical dome of the Louvre, discover the fantastic Team Labs Tokyo, which just opened, enjoy a walk along the marina, and dive into the turquoise blue water. There is so much to discover, you might even see turtles!
Courtesy of The Frankie Shop.
