Dubai Fashion Week 2025: A Global Style Spectacle

Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) returned in 2025 with its highly anticipated Spring/Summer 2026 edition, running from September 1 to 6. As the first major event on the global fashion calendar, DFW continues to position Dubai as a rising hub for creativity, culture, and commerce in the fashion world. Hosted at the Dubai Design District (d3), the event brought together a mix of established international names, emerging designers, and regional talents, presenting collections that ranged from couture to ready-to-wear, menswear, and experimental designs.

With over 30 designers from more than a dozen countries, including UAE, France, Italy, India, Lebanon, Libya, the UK, Germany, Croatia, and the Netherlands, this edition of DFW showcased the city’s growing influence on the global fashion map.

Here’s a detailed day-wise breakdown of the highlights from Dubai Fashion Week 2025.

Day One: Opening Night – Setting the Tone

Date: September 1, 2025

The opening night of Dubai Fashion Week set an energetic and stylish tone for the week. Highlights included:

Rizman Ruzaini – ‘RIMBA’

• SS26 demi-couture collection celebrating the label’s 20th anniversary
  
• Inspired by Southeast Asia’s rainforests: flora, fauna, and Malayan tiger motifs
• Deep greens, earthy tones, and golden embroidery
• Silhouettes balancing delicate craftsmanship with strength
  

Heba Jasmi – ‘Born to Rise’

• Redefined modern femininity with sculptural tailoring and fluid silhouettes.
  
• Color palette: gold, desert coral, mint jade, and midnight navy.
  
• Gowns featured embroidered florals, crystal fringes, and layered organza.
  
• Blended Arab heritage with global couture, celebrating confident, understated women.
  

Krèsha Bajaj – ‘The Archive of Hidden Things’

• International DFW debut with prêt-à-porter collection infused with couture elements
  
• Three chapters: Revelation, Obsession, and Liberation
  
• Explored concealment, expression, and empowerment through fluid and sculptural silhouettes
  
• Palette included blushes, charcoals, antique golds, and burnished coppers
  
• Sustainable design with small production runs and responsibly sourced fabrics
  

The opening night embodied DFW’s vision as a platform where global cultures, creativity, and craftsmanship converge.

Day Two: Expanding the Global Dialogue

Date: September 2, 2025

The second day saw Michael Cinco and other international designers taking the stage alongside emerging regional talent. Designers showcased a range of eveningwear, ready-to-wear, and menswear, emphasizing both creativity and commercial relevance.

Highlights included:

• Michael Cinco: Known for his gowns gracing Beyoncé and Aishwarya Rai, his collection combined glamour with theatrical elegance.
  

• Mrs. Keepa: Showcased sculptural, Parisian-inspired silhouettes that merged bold design with fluidity.
  

• Lama Jouni: Introduced minimalist, monochrome ensembles with utilitarian-luxe appeal.
  

The day also featured Threads Talks, an interactive discussion platform focusing on sustainability, diversity, and cultural storytelling in fashion. This reinforced DFW’s commitment not only to style but also to industry discourse and global collaboration.

Day Three: Italian Day – La Moda Italiana Vol.2

Date: September 3, 2025

Day three of DFW celebrated Italian fashion excellence, hosted in partnership with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA). Six Italian designers presented their collections in ‘La Moda Italiana Vol.2’, emphasizing craftsmanship, innovation, and Italy’s enduring influence on global fashion.  

Notable highlights: 

• Valentina Poltronieri: ‘Sculpted Simplicity’ – Contemporary tailoring inspired by abstractionist art. Geometric forms combined with soft fabrics created a modern, wearable sculpture.
  

• LE TWINS: ‘Good Morning, Good Evening’ – A versatile ready-to-wear collection emphasizing comfort and elegance for day-to-night dressing.
  

• D-Exterior: Focused on artisanal knitwear and sheer fabrics, combining delicate ruffles with earthy tones and metallic accents.
  

• Gil Santucci: Bold and contemporary silhouettes paired with luxurious fabrics, balancing glamour and edge.
  

• Avant Toi: Romanticism meets modern experimentation with chiffon, silk satin, botanical prints, and metallic finishes.
  

• BE Nina: ‘Da Nonna Tina’ – Playful designs inspired by childhood memories, including voluminous skirts, cat-ear hats, and crochet detailing.
  

The day also included Threads Talks V4.0 in partnership with Meta, d3, and the Arab Fashion Council, featuring discussions on power, influence, and authenticity in fashion. The presence of Italian diplomats, including the Italian Ambassador to the UAE, highlighted the diplomatic and economic impact of fashion as a global industry.

Day Four: Regional Talents and International Debuts

Date: September 4, 2025

Day four emphasized regional creativity alongside new international voices, demonstrating DFW’s position as a platform for cross-cultural exchange.

Key moments included:

• Mrs. Keepa: Launched ‘The Getaway’, blending crochet textures with fluid tailoring. Botanical motifs, mushroom-inspired patterns, and architectural silhouettes reaffirmed the label’s commitment to individuality and wanderlust-inspired design.
  

• Dima Ayad: Presented body-positive glamour, featuring metallic drapes and fluid silhouettes that cater to every body type, reinforcing inclusivity.
  

• Benang Jarum: ‘Opulent Bloom’ – Bold floral designs that combined delicacy with strength, showcasing contemporary elegance.
  

• Nada Puspita: ‘Lace Poem’ – Thoughtful exploration of textures, colors, and silhouettes celebrating women’s power and presence.
  

• Jozeph Diarbakrli: DFW debut showcasing Hollywood-inspired glamour with structured suiting, sparkling fabrics, and bold silhouettes.
  

• XD Xenia Design (Croatia): ‘XD Couture: The Art of Making Clothes’ – Architectural, Kintsugi-inspired designs emphasizing strength, softness, and meticulous tailoring.
  

• Lama Jouni: Closed the day with utilitarian-luxe minimalism, featuring monochrome separates that balance practicality with contemporary elegance.
  

The day also hosted The Outsiders Perspective dinner, where fashion and business leaders exchanged insights on the industry’s future.

Day Five: Innovation and Emerging Talent

Date: September 5, 2025

Day five highlighted experimental designs, emerging talent, and global collaborations. The day began with THAT Concept Store’s multi-brand FW25 presentation, featuring sculptural balloon silhouettes, reimagined denim, fluid drapery, and fringe. Rich autumnal tones were paired with statement accessories, emphasizing contemporary luxury and individuality.

Other highlights included:

• Buttonscarves: ‘Lucent Dusk’ – Elegant ready-to-wear with neutral palettes, satin, jacquard, and organza, accented with intricate beadwork and oversized signature bags.
  

• Otté: Minimalist SS26 collection with relaxed silhouettes and luxurious fabrics, highlighting quiet luxury and understated confidence.
  

• Jasper Conran: Polished tailoring and modern British elegance, featuring versatile dresses and sophisticated accessories.
  

• Tara Babylon: Vibrant SS26 collection with hand-painted florals, watercolor prints, and couture embroidery inspired by Iraqi cultural heritage.
  

• FAD Institute: Over 20 emerging designers presented innovative prêt-à-porter and ready-to-wear collections, including asymmetric tailoring, modern corsetry, and experimental textiles.
  

Off the runway, Michael Cinco unveiled a special art car collaboration with SOUEAST, highlighting the fusion of fashion, design, and lifestyle experiences.

The day demonstrated DFW’s commitment to both established brands and nurturing the next generation of designers, providing a platform for innovation and experimentation.

Day Six: The Grand Finale – Celebrating Legacy and Innovation

Date: September 6, 2025

The final day of Dubai Fashion Week 2025 offered a grand culmination of creativity, style, and innovation, featuring both established names and emerging designers. The day celebrated a broad spectrum of global fashion voices while reflecting on the week’s themes of craftsmanship, cultural storytelling, and contemporary luxury.

Key Highlights:

• Lili Blanc: Presented a chic and versatile SS26 collection combining polished tailoring with fluid silhouettes. The designs emphasized practicality without compromising style, making them suitable for modern, cosmopolitan wardrobes.
  

• Weinsanto: Unveiled avant-garde constructions featuring bold shapes, geometric lines, and a palette of muted neutrals accented with metallic detailing. Each piece demonstrated the brand’s experimental approach to form and texture.
  

• Emergency Room: Delivered a streetwear-inspired SS26 showcase, merging urban aesthetics with high-fashion detailing. Oversized silhouettes, layered textures, and playful accessories reflected contemporary global trends.
  

• Les Benjamins: Presented a multicultural SS26 collection, drawing inspiration from diverse global subcultures. The designs fused Middle Eastern influences with European tailoring, emphasizing street-luxe and intricate textile work.
  

The finale also included celebratory moments off the runway:

• Recognition of emerging designers from FAD Institute and regional talent who received mentorship opportunities and industry exposure.
  

• Networking dinners and closing receptions hosted by DFW partners, including SOUEAST, Dyson, Kiko Milano, Waldorf Astoria, and the Italian Trade Agency, provided a platform for cross-industry collaboration and dialogue.
  

The final day highlighted Dubai Fashion Week’s role as a bridge between global design narratives and regional cultural heritage.

DFW’s Role in Global Fashion

Dubai Fashion Week 2025 was a comprehensive celebration of fashion as a global dialogue, from luxury couture to experimental ready-to-wear. Over six days, designers from the UAE, Europe, Asia, and beyond presented collections that celebrated heritage, innovation, and sustainability.

The event reinforced Dubai’s role as more than a participant in the global fashion calendar. With strategic partnerships, curated experiences, and a commitment to inclusivity and cultural storytelling, DFW is establishing a new standard for fashion weeks worldwide.

For designers, buyers, and fashion enthusiasts, Dubai Fashion Week offers a platform where talent meets opportunity, creativity meets commerce, and heritage meets the future. As the week closed on September 6, 2025, one thing was clear: Dubai is no longer just a destination for luxury

Conclusion

As the curtains close on Dubai Fashion Week 2025, what lingers is not just the beauty of the collections, but the undeniable message that Dubai has cemented its place as a true fashion capital.

In the same spirit of expressive design and thoughtful craftsmanship, Shaira Fashion stands out as a label that captures the essence of elegance with meaning. From flowing gowns that whisper romance to structured silhouettes that exude confidence, every Shaira piece is designed for those who dress with intention - and imagination.