As an increasingly important hibernation spot for sun-worshipping Europeans, Dubai amps it up each autumn to keep abreast with this demographic’s many sensibilities. In the city’s ongoing transformation in the past two decades, it has become a global shopping destination along the way, and luxury brands have certainly taken note. Every luxury house is represented with a flagship store in one of the many ritzy shopping centres, but in times like these – read: post-lockdown travel splurging – they like to lay it on thick. Behold the house of Dior‘s latest retail move in the booming emirate. Last summer the iconic fashion house launched a string of high-profile pop-up stores in some of the Mediterranean’s plushest resorts, and as an extension of sorts, an ephemeral retail space has just opened on the beach in front of the Four Seasons Dubai. As if inspired by Expo 2020, the global technology and innovation event currently held in this boomtown, the pop-up store is a technical feat as its two circular structures have been entirely created by a 3D printer of Italian company WASP, using natural materials such as clay, sand, and low fibre. Obviously, the outer walls aptly feature Dior‘s signature Cannage motif on the façade. What’s on the shelves? Well, there’s the full Dioriviera collection, in addition to a series of trophy handbags, and how very appropriate—also Dior beach essentials such as deckchairs, parasols, and cushions (open through Mar 2022).