Persol Lands in Abu Dhabi: Heritage Meets a New Horizon

Abu Dhabi’s Galleria Al Maryah Island just got a new cultural landmark. On September 16th, Persol — the storied Italian eyewear house — opened its first Middle Eastern boutique, and only its fourth standalone store in the world.

For the occasion, JDEED sat down with Riccardo Pozzoli, Persol’s Creative Director, to talk about why Abu Dhabi felt like the right stage, how Persol’s heritage translates across cultures, and what it means to bring one of Italy’s most iconic exports to the Gulf.

Pozzoli is quick to ground Persol in its legacy: “When you buy a Persol, you’re holding something that has passed through more than thirty handmade steps. Generations of fathers and sons have transmitted this passion for materials. It’s something unique, and when you have it in your hand, you know it’s for life” he tells JDEED.

That artisanal dimension, he explains, is precisely why the brand resonates across continents — it’s not about trends, it’s about touch, weight, and details that feel timeless. The sunglasses are still made in the same factory in Turin since 110 years, by hand, preserving the crafts and impeccable techniques that rose the brand to fame.

For Abu Dhabi, the move is less about retail geography and more about cultural fit. “Everybody told me Abu Dhabi is growing faster than Dubai now,” Pozzoli reflects. “It’s a place where people understand heritage and quality — where they want something that lasts.”

In a city that has positioned itself as a capital of arts and culture, Persol’s arrival feels like a natural extension of that narrative.

Walking into the boutique, the design tells its own story: Italian marbles, warm woods, and immersive displays that highlight Persol’s technical signatures — the flexible Meflecto temples, the Supreme Arrow. “We want people here to live the experience,” Pozzoli says. “When you touch our acetate, you feel the difference. Every frame is slightly different — you need to see it on your face, to feel it.”

Cinema, too, remains at the heart of the brand. Persol frames have graced the faces of Marcello Mastroianni and Steve McQueen, and Pozzoli insists that this connection isn’t the result of strategy, but of authenticity: “We don’t push it. The actors, the directors — they choose Persol because they’re passionate about beautiful products.”

That same spirit of effortless cool feels poised to resonate with Abu Dhabi’s growing community of creatives and tastemakers.

At JDEED, we asked Pozzoli about the future — whether Persol could see itself engaging with local artists or crafting limited-edition releases for the region. While he kept the brand’s immediate focus on opening its doors and connecting with clients face-to-face, the possibility feels alive. Abu Dhabi, after all, is a city that thrives on dialogue between heritage and modernity — exactly the balance Persol has embodied for more than a century.

Discover more on Persol.com