The Dubai Fashion Week has recently concluded its latest edition for the Fall/Winter 2025-2026 season, reinforcing Dubai’s distinguished position in the realm of high fashion. This event has become a significant fixture on the global fashion calendar, emerging as one of the most notable occurrences in this sector both regionally and internationally.
This edition of Dubai Fashion Week stands as a remarkable achievement, further contributing to the event’s legacy of success, which underscores Dubai’s leadership and notable influence in the global fashion industry.
Khadija Al Bastaki, the Senior Vice President of Tecom Group – Dubai Design District, stated that this edition hosted a diverse range of global buyers and talented designers.
Regional and Global Showcases
The conclusion of the week featured a special event where renowned Indian designer Manish Malhotra presented his first official show, closing a week filled with regional and global fashion presentations. Malhotra, an iconic figure in Indian haute couture and a celebrated designer with prestigious awards, captivated the audience with the debut of his new collection called “World Collection”.
This unique collection showcased flowing fabrics and cuts that highlight natural beauty, adorned with shimmering sequins, handwoven brocade, rich dark metallic tones, and soft pearls, reflecting Malhotra’s distinctive style through luxurious designs.
The pieces in this collection embody cultural diversity, ranging from Indo-Western designs and elegant gowns to caftans and abayas inspired by Arab styles. The designer also presented a range of jewelry under his brand name, featuring stunning brooches, necklaces, and classic fine accessories modeled by the runway models.
The show opened with international model Valery Kaufman and concluded with Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima, who mesmerized attendees in a breathtaking dress designed by Malhotra.
Significant Contributions
Khadija Al Bastaki remarked, “This edition of Dubai Fashion Week represents a major milestone in the event’s success, reinforcing Dubai’s leading position and significant contribution to the global fashion industry. We welcomed a rich and diverse group of international buyers and talented designers, including the creative Indian designer Manish Malhotra, whose extraordinary collection added a new dimension to Dubai Fashion Week.”
She emphasized the values of cultural diversity and creative exchange, noting that these participations reflect the strong relationships between the UAE and India, spanning various areas of creativity and economic collaboration.
Local Talents
She added, “This edition also showcased a notable participation of local talents, highlighting the rapid growth of the fashion sector in the region. In addition to the diverse fashion shows, Dubai Design District led discussions and inspiring dialogues about the future of the industry.”
This engagement included the inaugural edition of the “Fashion Futures Dubai” summit and the release of a report on emerging opportunities in the fashion world in Dubai and the region, which solidifies Dubai’s status as a global fashion capital.
The event was graced by prominent influencers, the media, and Bollywood celebrities, including award-winning filmmaker Karan Johar, model and actress Malaika Arora, renowned actor Sanjay Dutt, among others.
The Fall/Winter 2025-2026 edition of Dubai Fashion Week, organized by Dubai Design District and the Arab Fashion Council, took place from February 1 to 6.
This prominent event featured a variety of exclusive fashion shows and activities hosted throughout Dubai, alongside inspiring presentations on the runways of Dubai Design District.
Genuine Happiness
Reflecting on his participation in Dubai Fashion Week for the first time, Indian designer Manish Malhotra shared, “I’ve always felt that Dubai is my second home. I’ve been visiting this global city for 30 years, and it brings me true joy while offering endless opportunities for everyone to realize their dreams.”
He decided to open his first global store outside India in Dubai. “There’s no greater feeling than showcasing my new and special collection ‘World Collection’ for the first time on global runways in a place that embraces designers and creatives from around the world, and my happiness multiplies as we celebrate a year since the opening of my first store in Dubai,” he expressed.
In conjunction with the showcase of his international debut collection on the runways of Dubai Fashion Week, Mohammad Aqra, CEO for Strategy of the Arab Fashion Council, stated:
“This season has been a significant accomplishment in the growth of Dubai Fashion Week, establishing it as a leading global fashion destination, highlighting cultural exchange and fruitful relationships between the UAE and India in various creative fields. We witnessed diverse participation from international buyers and exceptionally talented designers from around the world, who contributed through their innovative collections to reinforce the principles of inclusivity and cultural diversity that embody Dubai Fashion Week.”