SPOTLIGHT: The First Haven of its Kind for Style & Cocktails in Dubai

Under the Spotlight: A Sip-and-Shop Experience Like No Other.

The Setting: So Much Trouble, InterContinental Dubai Marina, Dubai, UAE.

The Concept:

What more could a girl want than retail therapy, cocktails, and music? Tucked away in a dimly lit, intimate corner, this fashion retailer, concept store, and bar offers a unique blend of luxury vintage shopping, styling sessions, and vibrant nightlife. Here, you can rent or purchase pieces from regional brands and 'cult' designer labels, book a styling session, sell your preloved items, and enjoy cocktails or coffee.

With lush velvet décor and elegant Baroque cabinets, So Much Trouble (SMT) is adorned with vintage finds and antiques sourced from the hidden streets of Paris and Milan. The experience extends beyond the physical space with an online retail platform.

Brands on Offer:

Alexander McQueen, Balmain, Balenciaga, Chanel, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Givenchy, Goyard, Gucci, Hermes, Lama Jouni, Louis Vuitton, Mugler, Onori the Label, Oseree Swimwear, Paco Rabanne, Prada, Retrofete, Roberto Cavalli, Romani, Thierry Mugler, Versace, Vivienne Westwood, YSL, and more.

Their Motto:

“Preloved should be ‘re-loved,’” Dominique Laird, founder and CEO of So Much Trouble Dubai, tells Scene Styled.

About the Founder:

Dominique Laird, a UK-born entrepreneur, is the driving force behind SMT. As a partner and creative director of Solutions Leisure Group—a bar, restaurant, and lifestyle empire—Laird has a knack for conceptual development and creative direction. She's also the founder of Blended Wellness, a spa, salon, and fitness hub, and Blended Wellness Aesthetics, an aesthetic clinic.

Eight years ago, Laird moved to Dubai, bringing her talents for brand conceptualization and visual content creation. Whether she’s inflating balloons for a venue or orchestrating visual content campaigns, Laird’s attention to detail is unmatched.

Events & Activations:

“Every day brings something new,” Laird tells Scene Styled. SMT hosts ladies’ nights, trunk shows, VIP-only private events, brand takeovers, and DJ sets every weekend. They've partnered with stylists like Carmel Harrison, Justyna Robinson, and Jennifer Kolomoni for personal shopping and styling services.

The Muse:

SMT’s muse? “Carrie Bradshaw’s famous wardrobe scene in Sex and the City, where she and her friends laugh, cry, and reminisce over her wardrobe’s memories,” Laird says playfully. “I’m also very heavily inspired by 80s and 90s icons like Lagerfeld, Gaultier, Mugler, Versace, Galiano, and Westwood. Finding vintage treasures during my travels is my secret passion.”

Authenticity at Its Core:

"We're meticulous about sourcing," Laird explains. “We handpick items through authenticated dealers and double-check everything via Entrupy, a global authentication platform.” Laird personally handles all buying trips, scouting rare pieces in Milan and Paris. "A lot of what we offer is from my personal collection—pieces with real stories."

The SMT Girl:

According to Laird, any girl can be an SMT Girl. “We cater to everyone—from vintage enthusiasts and jewellery lovers to party girls looking for a standout dress. Whether you’re here for a cocktail or searching for that perfect birthday outfit, we offer something for everyone.”

The Mission:

“My goal is to make fashion fun and style accessible. By combining shopping and cocktails, SMT adds a little personality back into the social scene,” says Laird. “In an increasingly digital world, I wanted to create a space where women can enjoy real-time, tangible experiences, while gaining access to hard-to-find cult brands and vintage luxuries.”

In the Words of Dominique Laird:

"Classy, fun, vibrant, and confident—SMT embodies the spirit of Carrie Bradshaw with a touch of sass and a whole lot of fabulousness."