Atlas & Maya Wins Most Admired Retail Start-Up at the RetailME Awards 2025
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by Atlas and Maya
3 min reading time
When Atlas & Maya launched in December 2024, we had no storefronts, no investors, and no guarantee that our vision would resonate with families.
What we did have was a belief that children's clothing could be designed differently.
Less than a year later, we were honoured to receive the Best Retail Start-Up Award at the RetailME Awards 2025, one of the region's most respected retail industry recognitions.
For a young brand born in Dubai, it was an incredible milestone.
A Dream Built One Order at a Time
Atlas & Maya didn't begin in a boardroom.
It began with a simple idea: create children's clothing that combines exceptional comfort, thoughtful functionality, and beautiful design.
As parents ourselves, we wanted products we would genuinely choose for our own family.
From our first collection to our latest launches, every decision has been guided by the same principles:
Put children's comfort first.
Make life easier for parents.
Create products that become part of childhood memories.
Build a business that values quality over shortcuts.
Like many start-ups, the journey wasn't always easy.
There were late nights, countless product samples, market stalls, photoshoots, website updates, inventory challenges, and moments of uncertainty.
But there was also something incredibly rewarding: seeing families return again and again because they genuinely loved what we were creating.
More Than a Children's Clothing Brand
What makes this award particularly meaningful is that it recognises more than just products.
It recognises innovation, entrepreneurship, customer experience, and the ability to build something new in a highly competitive retail landscape.
In less than a year, Atlas & Maya evolved from an idea into a growing family brand serving customers across the UAE and GCC.
From bamboo sleepwear and magnetic bodysuits to personalized keepsakes and seasonal collections inspired by the region we call home, every collection reflects our commitment to thoughtful design and meaningful storytelling.
Building a Brand in Dubai
Dubai is one of the most dynamic retail markets in the world.
Consumers have access to global brands, international retailers, and countless choices.
Launching a new children's brand in such a competitive environment requires more than great products.
It requires trust.
This award reinforces something we have believed from the beginning: there is room for homegrown brands that understand local families, celebrate regional culture, and create products designed with purpose.
Atlas & Maya is proudly Dubai-born, and we are incredibly proud to represent the next generation of regional retail brands.
A Thank You to Everyone Who Believed in Us
While the trophy carries our name, this achievement belongs to many people.
To every customer who placed an order.
To every family who visited us at a market or pop-up.
To every parent who shared a recommendation.
To our partners, suppliers, photographers, models, and supporters.
And most importantly, to the children who inspire everything we do.
Thank you for believing in Atlas & Maya.
Looking Ahead
Winning Best Retail Start-Up is an incredible honour, but we see it as the beginning rather than the destination.
Our mission remains the same:
To create products that help children feel comfortable, confident, and free to dream.
We look forward to continuing this journey with the families who have supported us from day one and those who are just discovering Atlas & Maya.
