Dubai became the centre of fashion, creativity, and everything in between at the latest Dubai Fashion Week, co-founded by Dubai Design District (d3), a part of TECOM Group PJSC, and the Arab Fashion Council.
TOTON
ZEENA ZAKI
Right on the first day, UAE-based designer Zeena Zaki’s opening show blended elegance, sophistication, and femininity. Zaki captivated DFW audiences with a stunning display of flowing gowns to structured silhouettes, presenting a variety of eye-catching outfits in vibrant colours, with each piece making a dramatic statement communicating grace, confidence, and refined beauty. Zeena Zaki’s artistry shone through once again, reaffirming the designer as a key figure in MENA’s dynamic fashion scene and setting an exceptional standard for Dubai’s fashion programme.
ANGELO ESTERA
MANEL
Another highlight from the first day is the debut of MANEL with its inspired ‘Paris Day to Night’ collection, followed by Indonesia’s TOTON 2025 collection, presented by Makeover Indonesia, which merged sustainable innovation with traditional Batik craftsmanship. Angelo Estera’s showcase on the other hand blended Russian and Eastern influences inspired by the designer’s journey to Moscow and the Silk Road.
NIFD GLOBAL LONDON SCHOOL OF TRENDS
WEINSANTO
Art continued to thrive during the second day, starting with NIF Global, in partnership with LST, presented 40 ‘luxury-meets-sustainability’ pieces by emerging Indian designers. Paolo Sebastian also debuted at Dubai Fashion Week with an exclusive couture showcase of romantic, fairytale-inspired designs, while Weinsanto presented ‘Cauchemar in the Kitchen’, blending Maxim’s restaurant motifs with Art Nouveau-inspired embroidery.
ANTOINE KAREH
PAOLO SEBASTIAN
Designer Antoine Kareh unveiled ‘The Guardian Shadow’, a poetic exploration of the interplay of light and darkness through couture – Antoine Kareh artfully explored the interplay of light and darkness through ‘The Guardian Shadow’ collection. Drawing from the idea that shadows accompany individuals like guardian angels, the showcase emphasised how shadows are crucial to defining form, depth, and dimension. Through masterful contrasts and fluid silhouettes, Kareh brought a sense of realism and vitality to each piece, highlighting the ethereal beauty of movement and structure. The Guardian Shadow was a poetic ode to the unseen forces that shape our perception, strikingly blending artistry and couture craftsmanship.
VELVETY
VELVETY
Finally, Velvety Couture’s Zaha Hadid-inspired collection merged architecture and fashion, paying tribute to the late architect’s vision.
ETOILE LA BOUTIQUE
BLSSD
Day 3 of #DFW kicked off with Etoile La Boutique’s ‘Twilight to Midnight’ multi-designer showcase celebrating luxury, craftsmanship, and contemporary glamour. Diverse tastes and designs continued with BLSSD’s collection, which blended bold streetwear with modern fashion and seasonal colours.
TARA BABYLON
DIMA AYAD
Tara Babylon’s ‘Princess of Thieves’ collection combined tropical warmth with Middle Eastern-inspired tree prints for comfortable winter fashion, while Dima Ayad presented empowering silhouettes for women of all shapes and sizes. The DFW Member celebrated diversity and female empowerment in the brand’s classic, inclusive styles. A beautiful blend of seasonal colours suited to the season, including rich tones and soft pastels, the collection featured elegant and modern designers focusing on flattering silhouettes and luxurious fabrics designed for women of all shapes and sizes. The inspired display reflected Ayad’s commitment to inclusivity and timeless style.
VIVA VOX
LAMA JOUNI
Day 4 continued to captivate guests and other attendees, especially with Viva Vox’s latest collection with bold, edgy designs and Lama Jouni’s designs that evoked modern femininity, blending streetwear with luxury. Another collection that celebrated the female form is CHOICE’s Spring/Summer 2025, which was heavily inspired by the 1970s. This was followed by Riva, with flowing kaftans, flattering silhouettes and intricate embroidery embodying timeless charm and contemporary sophistication.
MICHAEL CINCO
Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjær Theilvig graced the runway for Michael Cinco’s iconic Autumn/Winter 2025 presentation, which featured opulent gowns adorned with intricate embellishments, rich brocade fabrics, and silhouettes. Seamlessly blending classical influences with contemporary couture, the show nodded to Cinco’s exceptional craftsmanship and enduring appeal as a breakout-out star in Dubai and the region’s fashion landscape.
RIVA
CHOICE
The Buyers Programme brings together leading designers such as Bil Arabi, Emergency Room and more to present private collections to international buyers
THAT CONCEPT STORE
SAIJAMIN
On its final day, Dubai Fashion Week finished with a spectacular programme highlighting traditions and craftsmanship from around the world. THAT Concept Store’s multi-designer showcase featured a fashion fusion with brands such as Hellessy, Christopher Esber, Philosophy, Bil Arabi and more sharing a runway, while SaiJamin unveiled Adiyuh: Memories and Dreams, an evocative collection inspired by the designer’s childhood.
MOLATO
LES BENJAMINS
Other designers on the last day included Molato with Beldi Beneath the Waves, honouring Moroccan cultural heritage through a blend of intricate craftsmanship and contemporary design and Les Benjamins debuted as DFW’s first Correspondent Designer with a collection inspired by the ancient traditions and mythology of the indigenous Altai people.
MANISH MALHOTRA
MANISH MALHOTRA
Finally, the DFW Autumn/Winter 2025-26 season ended with a highly anticipated closing show by Indian haute couture icon Manish Malhotra.
DFW is brought to life through strategic partnerships with global brands. This includes Visa as the official technology partner, Balmain Hair Couture as the official hair partner, Kiko Milano as the official make-up partner, ME Dubai as the official hospitality partner and Electra and Magnum as the production and audio-visual partners, respectively. Additional support comes from Fiji Water as the hydration partner and Bisou as the official lounge partner.
