Meet Maha Misto, the fashion buyer from Abu Dhabi

36 years ago, Maha Misto opened the first Green Bird Boutique in Abu Dhabi. Since then, she has opened two more stores showcasing premium brands, from Couture to ready-to-wear. During the last Who’s Next edition, she explained her job and her views on the industry.

Can you introduce yourself?


Maha Misto: So, I own Green Bird Boutiques in Abu Dhabi, which I established in 1988. I have three shops; a  casual/sport chic one in a mall, and two located on a main road, a smaller one for prêt-à-porter, and another for eveningwear, which is more centered around haute couture. I work with Cavalli, Versace, Philip Plein… Most of the brands I display are Italian, but since I’ve discovered Who’s Next, I’ve been working with brands that are also very nice and unusual. Special.

You love the diversity the exhibition offers…


Yes. Variety is your strong suit, from jeans to what I love to call “more funky things,” which I don’t find that are unique elsewhere—and accessories. I’ve been coming to the exhibition for the past two seasons, and I enjoy it also because the people here are professional, and the management is fantastic. You care about VIP customers, which I don’t find elsewhere, even in New York or Milan. The market is now up and down, mainly because of the world’s political situation in the world… But we survive. This season, I chose what my market needs.

 

What do you think people love about your shops?


They’re like concept stores—very nice, stylish, and unique. No matter who visits my shop, they find something different. We have many competitors in Abu Dhabi, but what sets me apart is my mix-and-match approach. For instance, I combine prêt-à-porter with couture, which allows me to offer reasonable prices for my customers.

What type of clients do you have?


It’s very transgenerational. I have young girls and adults… Also, I have clothes customers wear for specific occasions, like weddings or graduations. Lately, I have been getting a lot of tourists to my small shop in a mall. They are intrigued by it. I also don’t copy other stores. The idea of a concept store is to offer something different, and I have my own identity. This is why my customers are very loyal.

 

What changed since you first opened in 1988?


Things have changed a lot, especially with the Coronavirus. The market was excellent before, but since then, people have gotten used to ordering online and have become lazy. However, I get the impression that people, especially high-end customers, are fed up with online shopping because no one has done alterations for them or handled the material. They want to feel it.

 

What is your process at Who’s Next?


First, I look for the brands I already work with. Then, I discover two or three new ones. That’s why I come here—I always find new brands. But it depends on the seasons. Right now, it’s summer in Abu Dhabi, and it’s extremely hot. We hardly have a winter, so it’s more challenging for me to find brands during the fall-winter editions of the exhibition. I prioritize lightweight fabrics like silk, cotton, and fine wool, especially for Ramadan. I avoid heavy fabrics and always look for remarkable silks and chiffons.

How do you develop your offer in the shops?


The most important aspect of my evening dresses is the gowns. This is very important to me—about 50% of my sales come from them. Evening wear contributes more, while accessories make up around 10%, and ready-to-wear accounts for 40%. I'm focusing more on evening dresses because in our area, there are a lot of parties, weddings, and events. This is why we need more representation in "Who's Next." They should bring in more brands focusing on evening gowns, not just expensive items. We need eveningwear more than casual options.

 

What role does social media play in your communication?


It's a strong approach. We use Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, but we also engage in direct marketing with our customers and communicate with them through WhatsApp. Most VIPs don’t shop in public, and they prefer very limited pieces. I don't carry stock or large quantities; I focus on quality and limited editions. Additionally, we organize special events for them, such as fashion shows, trunk shows, parties, or red-carpet events.

 

How do you attract new customers?


Abu Dhabi was not a touristic area before, but that has started to change. People love the city's slower pace compared to Dubai. So, there are a lot of tourists now, and they are coming from Europe, the US, and the UK, but also from Africa, especially South Africa.

 

Has the type of brands that you sell in your shops also changed? For example, are they mostly still European brands, or do you also sell international brands?


I prefer an international focus rather than solely Italian. You can consider 60% Italian brands, but international brands are also great. Mixing and matching is essential for a concept store; you can’t focus exclusively on made in Italy or France. Instead, you should mix and match, allowing people to find more reasonable prices. This way, they can afford to buy more.

 

What do you expect for the coming years regarding market changes, trends, and everything else?


Unfortunately, people repeat a lot. Creative people are scarce now, and they copy each other or bigger brands. I don't want the copy; I want the original, something different, and something stylish. This is what I'm looking for. Sometimes, you find simple, not expensive brands, but very stylish ones. Yeah, it's not always about the price.

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