Dubai Fashion Week: Roberto Cavalli closes the SS25 edition with Signature Show and announced new collaboration with LeSportsac

Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli closed the Spring/Summer 2025 edition of Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) on September 6th 2024 by bringing a memorable end to an energy-packed week featuring local, regional and international fashion brands.

The Italian fashion house also used the opportunity to announce and a four-season collaboration with American accessories and handbag brand LeSportsac.

The LeSportsac x Roberto Cavalli collection, which made its pre-launch debut at Dubai Fashion Week, is set to launch globally in spring 2025. This partnership will combine LeSportsac’s expertise in designing versatile, lightweight, and durable bags with Roberto Cavalli’s signature bold aesthetics and iconic animal prints.

As for Roberto Cavalli’s Resort 2025 Collection, the brand's Creative Director, Fausto Puglisi, said the range featured Cavalli's signature animal motifs—zebra stripes, leopard spots, and floral patterns—on trench coats, dresses, and silk shirts. Western influences like cowboy boots and hats were key elements, while the Roar Bag took centre stage with new crocodile and lizard-effect variations. Puglisi’s kaleidoscopic designs embodied the brand’s spirit of daring elegance, paying homage to Cavalli's colourful heritage. 

Bringing iconic collections from Milan to Dubai, Roberto Cavalli’s debut on the DFW runway reflects the Emirate’s cementing status as a global fashion capital. Dubai’s rapidly expanding luxury market, robust platforms like DFW, cofounded by Dubai Design District (d3) and the Arab Fashion Council, and a diverse, fashion-forward audience are strengthening designer confidence in the city and broader region.  

The latest edition of DFW brought to the runway more than 30 brands from the region, Asia, Europe and Central America. The first three days focused on haute couture collections, opened by world-famous Malaysian label Rizman Ruzaini, who took the opportunity at their show to announce the imminent opening of a Dubai boutique for the brand. Three days of streetwear and ready-to-wear collections then followed, defining the fashion forecast for the season. 

Among the key designer highlights was Michael Cinco debuting couture pieces evocative of ancient Roman fashion, smart-casual daily wear and the highly anticipated Michael Cinco Luxury Micro Diamond Collection. 

Mrs Keepa, also a DFW Member headquartered in d3, presented its Spring/Summer collection in the brand’s signature innovative fashion. Rather than a runway show, hand-picked buyers and media attended the premiere of the ‘Need Therapy’ collection, revealed through a poignant film at VOX Cinemas.   

Other standout moments included the April & Alex SS25 collection, ‘Blossoming Seeds,’ which celebrates women's transformative journey of growth and resilience, a high-fashion presentation by Emirati designer Heba Jasmi, and a tribute to femininity in all its forms by Dubai-based Lebanese designer Dima Ayad. 

All photos courtesy of Dubai Fashion Week.

Product Launch: Fable England collaborates with The Natural History Museum for new AW24 collection

British heritage jewellery, accessories and sleepwear brand, Fable England, have launched a capsule collection with London’s iconic Natural History Museum for AW24.

Inspired by the natural world, British fashion brand Fable England thoughtfully weaves tales from British literature into each of their collections, and their latest collaboration with London’s Natural History Museum is no exception. United by a shared passion for nature, Fable England and the Museum embraced the chance to explore the Museum's remarkable collections—a treasure trove of artwork, manuscripts, and rare books—in search of inspiration for this new autumn/winter 2024 collection now available on fableengland.com.

With more than 80 million specimens in the Museum's archives, the challenge was choosing the right narrative to follow. Ultimately, the story that captivated the Fable England team was that of Maria Sibylla Merian (1647–1717), a pioneering entomologist. Defying the societal expectations of 17th-century women, Merian transformed the scientific understanding of insect life cycles, leaving a lasting legacy.

Maria Sibylla Merian’s 1705 publication, Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, marked the first scientific documentation of what we now call metamorphosis. Her meticulously detailed, hand-colored plates have since inspired generations of natural history illustrators, artists, and entomologists.

Fable England drew from Merian’s and her daughter Johanna Helena Herolt’s botanical illustrations to create their abstract botanical luxury print, "Floral Engravings," which serves as the foundation for the entire collection. The print’s intricate borders, with elements of fine carvings and geometric patterns, were inspired by Alfred Waterhouse’s architectural blueprints for the Natural History Museum.

The Floral Engravings collection honours the artistic and scientific achievements of this mother-daughter duo, symbolizing new beginnings, unconditional love, and a lifelong devotion to their craft and one another.

Fable England’s Creative Director, Vanessa Radley, reflects on the collaboration: “We were thrilled when the opportunity arose to work with the Natural History Museum. It was an ideal partnership for such a special capsule collection for AW24.”

“One of the highlights for me,” Vanessa adds, “was the unforgettable experience of visiting the Museum’s Rare Books Library and meeting Special Collections Manager, Andrea Hart. The design team was given the chance to explore priceless rare books, including beautiful illustrated studies in botany, entomology, and ornithology. I was especially excited to discover that some of the artwork we selected for our hero print, Floral Engravings, was actually the work of Maria Merian’s daughter, Johanna Helena Herolt, whose illustrations are often mistaken for her mother’s.”

Maxine Lister, Head of Licensing at the Natural History Museum, also praised the collaboration: “Our shared values and commitment to showcasing the beauty of the natural world made this partnership a natural fit. This collection celebrates the groundbreaking work of Maria Sibylla Merian, a true pioneer for women in science. Sustainability was a key focus for both Fable England and the NHM, and the collection reflects that commitment, featuring materials like TENCEL™, recycled PU, and recycled nylon.”

All images courtesy of Fable England.

International Fashion: Dubai Fashion Week - September 1 to 7 2024 - showcases international designers Spring/Summer 2025 collections

Dubai’s combination of luxury retail, tax-free shopping, iconic malls, and vibrant fashion events solidifies its reputation as a premier shopping destination. Additionally, its growing role as a fashion hub, with a dynamic local fashion scene and significant international influence has made the city a growing important player in the global fashion industry with a growing community of local and regional fashion designers who are gaining international recognition. 

Now Dubai Fashion Week and the Arab Fashion Council offer a dynamic platform for showcasing regional and international fashion in Dubai, uniting and promoting the fashion industries across the Arab world and beyond. They contribute to the region’s evolving status as a significant fashion hub, blending traditional influences with modern innovation.

Rizman Ruzaini pays tribute to its Malaysian Heritage
Image: Dubai Fashion Week

On the opening day - September 1st, 2024, Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) kicked off its Spring/Summer 2025 edition with a spectacular opening. The event featured a stunning presentation by Rizman Ruzaini, setting the tone for the week, followed by Erick Bendana's tribute to Nicaraguan culture and Angelo Estera’s DFW debut.  

In the coming few days, Spanish fashion brand Adolfo Dominguez and the avant-garde local talent Mrs Keepa will take the spotlight. Mrs Keepa, led by French-Egyptian designer Mariam Yeya, will debut her Spring/Summer 2025 collection, “Need Therapy,” through an exclusive short film collaboration with VOX Cinemas. This innovative presentation will explore the challenges of daily life, offering a poignant reminder that no one is alone.

More than 30 brands from around the world—including France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Palestine, Russia, the UAE, and the UK—will showcase their respective ranges on the Dubai stage.

Rizman Ruzaini

Malaysian design brand to the stars Rizman Ruzaini opened DFW with a collection named "Mustika," inspired by the 1999 film “Perempuan Melayu Terakhir” ("The Last Malay Woman"). The Spring/Summer 2025 collection pays homage to Malaysia's rich cultural heritage, with the kebaya a central piece symbolising tradition and elegance. Creative Director Ruzaini Jamil drew inspiration from a photograph of his late grandmother, while Tok Puteh Surin, embarked on a nostalgic journey reviving 1950s elegance. The collection also highlights traditional batik motifs, translated into modern designs with intricate embroidery and tambour beading, showcasing the brand's dedication to preserving and evolving Malaysia's sartorial heritage on the global stage. Rizman Ruzaini  founded in 2005, is committed to putting Malaysia on the world fashion map, focusing on sustainability and expansion into new markets. 

 Amjad Khalil

Libyan designer Amjad Khalil, a pioneering figure in North Africa’s fashion industry, mesmerized the audience with his ‘Beyond Black’ haute couture collection. Each piece on the runway told a story of transformation, symbolizing a journey from darkness to light. Drawing inspiration from his personal experiences, Khalil’s designs captured various moods he has encountered, with each dress embodying a unique emotional chapter. The collection made a powerful statement of individuality and resilience, leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed it.

Erick Bendana

Erick Bendana presented his ‘505’ collection, masterfully merging cultural identity with an urban chic aesthetic. Drawing inspiration from his Nicaraguan roots, the collection showcased prints celebrating traditional dances and symbols, infusing the runway with a rich sense of Nicaraguan heritage. The presentation culminated in breathtaking evening and bridal gowns, capturing the romantic elegance that defines the Erick Bendana brand.

Filipino fashion designer Angelo Estera made his grand debut at DFW. His spectacular Spring/Summer 2025 collection, inspired by his travels from the Oriental Far East to the Arabian Sahara, was a beautiful fusion of Eastern and Arabian influences, offering visitors a window to a captivating blend of culture and elegance.

The Italian Trade Agency also launched its La Moda Italiana: Dubai Chapter exhibition, now open to the public until 5pm on 3 September.  The exhibition, showcases 25 Italian fashion brands across clothing, footwear, leather goods and eyewear. This event, the first-of-its-kind in the UAE, highlights the strong and growing cultural and economic ties between Italy and the UAE and marks a significant addition to DFW’s SS25 calendar.

All images from Dubai Fashion Week (DFW), the region’s premier fashion event, continues through September 7th, and is co-founded by Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group PJSC, and the Arab Fashion Council.

For the events and news go to https://www.instagram.com/dubaifashionweek

@dubaifashion week

@d3dubai

@arabfashioncouncil