News

OSKELLY Aims To Shake Up The MENA Luxury Fashion Market

The Eastern European platform will use investments of over $1 million to revolutionize the Middle East’s $89 billion fashion industry.

Published

12 months ago

January 26, 2024

Nour Nasir

oskelly aims to shake up the mena luxury fashion resale market

OSKELLY, the luxury fashion resale platform from Eastern Europe, has set its sights on the United Arab Emirates and is poised to reshape the nation’s fashion landscape. Armed with an investment fund exceeding $1 million, the company plans to digitize the fashion resale sector, advocate for sustainable consumption in the Middle East, and rejuvenate the region’s $89 billion fashion resale industry.

OSKELLY will begin its expansion by introducing a fashion wardrobe ecosystem aided by digital and AI solutions catering to Emirati users. The OSKELLY app allows for both buying and selling of pre-owned luxury items, with social tools enabling users to bid on items and showcase their collections.

Founded in 2017 by the sibling duo of Albert Oskanov and Zaira Keligova, OSKELLY boasts a European user base exceeding 500,000 and an extensive portfolio spanning over 3,000 luxury brands.

To combat counterfeit items, OSKELLY has devised a comprehensive offline authentication process, employing an in-house team of experts to scrutinize the quality, authenticity, and condition of luxury goods both during the uploading phase and before dispatch. Once certified, items undergo pre-sale preparation, including steaming and minimal restoration, before being sent to buyers in branded packaging.

albert oskanov oskelly co founder and ceo

Despite phenomenal growth, OSKELLY’s mission is about much more than commercial success. Albert Oskanov, the CEO and co-founder, emphasizes: “It’s about our mission to create a community-driven fashion ecosystem in the Middle East. We’re here to rewrite the luxury fashion resale story, and we’re driven by a genuine desire to make a difference at every level — from our wardrobes to the world in which we live”.

Also Read: Mobile Trends Shaping MENA In 2024

The Middle East’s fashion industry market, valued at $89 billion, stands as fertile ground for OSKELLY’s expansion. The second-hand luxury bag market in Dubai alone is estimated to be worth $68 million, with the UAE’s total market revenue now around $3.5 billion.

News

“AI Seal” Certification Now Required For Dubai Gov Partnerships

The new mandatory certification is designed to build trust in AI companies and create a reliable network of providers for government and public collaboration.

Published

23 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Nour Nasir

ai seal certification now required for dubai gov partnerships

Dubai Media Office

Dubai has introduced the Dubai AI Seal, a certification designed to establish trust in artificial intelligence (AI) companies and solutions. This initiative, directed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, aims to create a reliable network of AI providers which government entities and businesses can collaborate confidently.

Companies must now obtain the AI Seal to qualify for UAE or Dubai government contracts. The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), which developed the certification, sees it as a competitive edge for companies looking to participate in key national projects. Once certified, businesses will be permitted to showcase the seal across their websites and marketing materials, signaling their credibility and dependability.

The evaluation process will consider six main criteria: the company’s services and operations, the number of employees specializing in AI, ongoing and future projects, as well as existing partnerships with public and private sector entities.

dubai ai seal certification

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, which oversees the DCAI, commented on the initiative’s potential: “This initiative will help create powerful partnerships between the public and private sectors, locally, regionally, and globally. It will help drive new economic opportunities by leveraging AI to serve better the economy, society, and the future we aspire to”.

Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East

The Dubai AI Seal’s goals include providing a clear framework for verifying AI providers, fostering business opportunities for AI companies, and acknowledging the industry’s strategic importance to Dubai’s economy. The initiative emphasizes AI’s role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening collaboration between government bodies and technology firms.

All technology companies operating in Dubai and offering AI-related services or products are eligible to apply for the certification at no cost through the official website.