What to Gift, Where to Go: RAVE’s Emirati Women’s Day Edit

Emirati Women’s Day falls on 28 August, but the celebration stretches well beyond a single day. This year’s theme, “We Emerge Stronger and Better,” feels like a fitting reminder of the women shaping the UAE — through what they create, what they build and how they bring people together.

From jewellery and fashion to wellness, dining, art and experiences, here is RAVE’s edit of what to gift, where to go and who to know this Emirati Women’s Day.

The Gifts

1. Piece of You — heritage you can wear every day

There’s something particularly fitting about gifting jewellery made by an Emirati woman, for Emirati women. Amreen Iqbal’s four-piece edit turns heritage into something you can wear every day: a UAE Heritage Full Diamond Necklace, Falcon Enamel Necklace, Trio Waves Diamond Earcuff and Timeless Essentials Cross Ring. Choose it for the woman who wants her heritage close.

Shop: pieceofyou.ae

2. Buccellati — hand-engraved, quietly gran

For the woman who likes her jewellery to feel like it already has a story, Buccellati’s hand-engraved pieces have the heirloom quality to match. The Macri Classica bracelet, finished with the Maison’s signature rigato and ornato engraving, sits alongside the floral Opera pendant in yellow, white or rose gold. Choose it when the gift is meant to last well beyond the occasion.

Shop: at Buccellati boutiques

3. Mouawad — the symbolism of forever

Mouawad’s Flower of Eternity is built around three heart-shaped petals — past, present and future — which makes it a natural fit for a day about legacy. The EWD edit runs from a UAE-toned trio in malachite, mother-of-pearl and red agate to diamond and sapphire versions. Choose it for a milestone — or simply for someone you want to give a piece of the future to.

Shop: Flower of Eternity collection

4. MARLI New York — for the minimalist

If heritage feels too weighty for her taste, MARLI keeps it clean and architectural. For the occasion, it pairs its icon, the flexible Cleo Collection, along with its timepieces, in a curated edit built around self-expression and confident everyday style. Choose it for the woman whose jewellery is a signature, not an event.

Shop: MARLI New York boutiques

5. Abadia — modern femininity, homegrown

For a gift beyond the jewellery box, Abadia’s EWD edit draws from its Pre-Fall 2026 collection — a silk Scarf Drape Shirt with matching satin trousers, a berry Layered Volume Shirt Dress, and a cream yoryu kaftan that reimagines a regional silhouette. Fluid and considered, these are pieces designed to be worn well beyond the month they launch in.

Shop: EWD edit

6. Hamac x Hadia Ghaleb — confidence, sun’s-out

Not every tribute needs to be solemn. Hamac’s collaboration with Hadia Ghaleb redefines modest beachwear with fashion-forward burkinis, coordinated swimwear and easy cover-ups in vibrant, flattering cuts. Choose it for the woman refreshing her holiday wardrobe — the gift that carries straight into her next escape.

Shop: Hadia Ghaleb collection

8. Nespresso — the gift for every budget

Reliable needn’t mean dull. Nespresso’s Emirati Women’s Month guide spans the playful Vertuo Pop Pink machine (AED 1,099) down to a floral French Lavender & Vanilla decaf (AED 58), a Yuzu Vanilla Over Ice blend (AED 55) and pretty accessories like the Lavender Tumbler (AED 128). Choose it when you want a considered gift at any price point — coffee she’ll actually use.

Shop: Nespresso

9. Rashtions — homegrown, with a backstory

For a gift that starts a conversation, Rashtions — founded by Emirati entrepreneur Rashid Gargash — folds dates, camel milk and ghee into clean, high-protein truffles (up to 20g protein per serving, no added sugar). Date, Cocoa, Brazilian Coffee and Date Original, giftable solo or as a set. Choose it for the health-conscious woman who likes to back a UAE name.

Shop: From ADNOC, Union Coop, Noon & rashtions.ae

Where to Celebrate

10. DARLING x Vera Wellness — self-care, made social

The K-beauty label DARLING* and Vera Wellness turn gifting into a whole afternoon: a two-day event (29–30 August) pairing Mat Pilates or sound healing with two DARLING masks, a drink from Page N Café and a chance to win a curated DARLING gift box. Choose it for the friend who’d rather be given an experience than another candle.

Details: 29–30 Aug; Pilates 2–5 pm / sound healing 5–8 pm

11. ME by Meliá Dubai — art, then pure switch-off

Start with meaning and end with indulgence. Emirati artist Fatma Lootah takes over the hotel’s Zaha Hadid-designed gallery with three works on femininity and memory (20 Aug–30 Sept), while Wellness by ME adds 30 complimentary minutes to every treatment (from AED 350), and women booking a stay over the weekend get a room upgrade and matcha at breakfast. Choose it for the woman who wants her day to mean something and feel like a treat.

12. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi — a dessert with a grandmother’s name

This is heritage on a plate. Award-winning Emirati chef Sahar Parham Al Awadhi reimagines the Italian Torta della Nonna as “Torta’t Mama”, laced with cardamom, saffron and rose, served at Café Ginori overlooking Saadiyat’s shoreline for one month from the day. Choose it for a leisurely, meaningful celebration — Italian craft meeting Emirati memory.

Details: From 28 Aug at Café Ginori, one month

For more info call +971 2 498 8443 \ restaurant.saadiyat@stregis.com

13. Villa Sélène, Yas Links — Abu Dhabi — candlelight on the water

For a celebration that glows, Villa Sélène’s new Friday concept, Oumsia, sets Mediterranean sharing plates to live piano and candlelit waterfront views. Choose it for the girls’ dinner you want to feel like an occasion — the kind that runs long past dessert.

Details: Friday, 28 August 2026, from 6pm to 9pm

For more info call +971 54 990 4246

14. Gerbou, Dubai — a taste of home

To celebrate over the real thing, Gerbou reimagines Emirati cuisine in a beautifully restored 1987 building in Nad Al Sheba — Balaleet, Lamb Harees, Chicken Machboos and Logaimat among Sadu-inspired woodwork and camel-leather sofas. Choose it for a day that is, at heart, about the UAE’s own table.

Details: Open daily 7am–11pm

For more info : gerbou.com

15. Talise Spa, Madinat Jumeirah — self-care, times two

Book one, gift one: across the month, every select 90-minute facial at Talise comes with a complimentary second treatment, so she can bring a companion — plus 30% off selected retail. Choose it for the woman who’d never book the spa for herself, and the friend she’ll bring along.

Details: 28 Aug–28 Sept (Emirates ID)

For more info :+971 4 366 6818 / mjtalise@jumeirah.com

16. Wellbeings x Rayya Wellness — a whole month of Mondays

For deep switch-off, Wellbeings and Rayya offer 50% off 90-minute treatments on 28 August and every Monday to 27 September, each visit finished with a face mask, a signature ritual and a peach iced-tea mocktail. Choose it for the woman running on empty — recharge framed as her due, at spas across the UAE.

Details: 28 Aug to 27 Sept, 50% off

For more info WhatsApp 056 615 0286 /wellbeings.ae

17. Novikov Café, Dubai Mall — build-your-own keepsake

On 28 August only, Novikov hosts The Charmerie for a charm bar where she picks a bracelet and the charms that mean something to her (from AED 35), with a Plinko game guaranteeing up to 35% off — and every lady dining leaves with a velvet box of sweets and a rose. Choose it for a personal, low-key celebration with a keepsake to take home.

Details: 28 Aug, 9am–1am

For more info novikov-cafe.com

18. Coffeemania — life in pink

Coffeemania turns the occasion rosy with two elegant new creations on the menu introducing two elegant creations inspired by the spirit of the day: a Strawberry Matcha, layered with ceremonial-grade matcha, lactose-free milk and strawberry purée, and a beautifully handcrafted Pink Éclair, filled with Bourbon vanilla custard and finished with a pink glaze and hand-piped sugar blossoms.Choose it for a pretty, easy way to mark the day over coffee and something sweet.

Details: from 28 Aug for one month, at Coffeemania

21. MEI — Dumpling Divas — women, supporting women

This Emirati Women’s Day, MEI hosts Dumpling Divas, an intimate evening celebrating women in business, art, beauty, and hospitality. Inspired by the theme “We Emerge Better and Stronger,” the event features a conversation with Noora Sharafi, Aysha Al Shamsi, Faeza Mohamed, Layla Hajjaj, and Diana Rysbaeva. They will discuss entrepreneurship, creativity, reinvention, confidence, and the importance of women supporting women. Choose it for the woman who’d rather celebrate in good company than a gift bag.

Details: 28 Aug

Price: AED 150 per person

Bookings: Here