96,000 SQUARE FEET. Does that sound like a decently sized store dedicated only for just shoes? Give or take a few other accessories, Level Shoe District in Dubai Mall is by far the most impressive collection of designer shoes I have ever laid eyes on. Not for the faint of heart, this massively luxurious mega store requires a strong coffee beforehand and a cross shoulder bag to browse freely. There are several entrances to this shoe paradise, but no matter which entrance you take, your pleasant surprise at this arsenal of accessories will be the same.
I was first told about it by my sister, who I thought was exaggerating when she said it was “the most massive, to-die-for shoe store” she had ever seen. Upon entering it myself, I realized where those words came from. The store is a culmination of independent boutiques lining the outskirts of the entire area (think Prada, Fendi, and Guiseppe Zanotti to name a few) with a multitude of more contemporary designers flooding the middle of the store in many different beautiful merchandising displays. You think you have seen everything when you turn the corner and find a huge round lighting fixture surrounded by even more shoe layouts. Every inch of the store is utilized to show as many shoes as possible, so I can’t even imagine what the storage room must look like! The designs range from casual flats to the most outrageous heels ever produced for consumers. There is also an extremely funky sneaker section exploding with different colors and daring Isabel Marant-inspired designs.
Not just for women, Level has every kind of shoe a man would want as well. One particular store named the Cobbler had a stunning shoe display for men on a pool table inside the boutique. Other popular stores for men included Tods and Lacoste. Louboutin, of course, had his own section in the center of Level and the often forgotten brand Kate Spade had one of the most colorful, fun shops in the whole place.
I was lucky enough to visit Dubai two weekends in a row this month and yes, I did go to this shoe heaven on both trips. The damage? A pair of Fendi sunglasses, Tory Burch Flats, and silver flats by a brand called Ancient Greek Sandals. Not too bad, but you had better believe if this weekend was the third in a row I would go back for more.
On my second trip I was accompanied by three girlfriends who thought I was completely over-selling this magical place where all gorgeous shoes have apparently joined forces under one roof. Once we got there, I lost the girls one by one which inevitably happens in such a distracting store. You find yourself floating towards shoe displays rather than walking, and the anticipation of whether or not they will have your size once you find that dream shoe is intoxicating. I highly recommend visiting Level Shoe District on your next Dubai trip but in comes with a big fat WARNING: make sure you have disposable income, are in full concentration mode, and ready to carry bags afterwards. My advice? Make it your last stop at the mall. Happy shoe shopping!
