Dubai, long established as a global hub where fashion, culture, and commerce intersect, reaffirmed its creative influence with the launch of Dubai Fashion Week’s (DFW) Spring/Summer 2026 edition which opened on September 1st. The opening lineup underscored the event’s international scope, bringing together designers from across the region and beyond.
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| Rizman Ruzaini |
Malaysian duo Rizman Ruzaini opened the runway on the first day with their ‘RIMBA’ collection, a bold presentation that set the pace for the following days, marked the brand’s 20th anniversary and paid tribute to Southeast Asia’s ancient rainforests. The collection drew on natural themes, with deep greens, earthy tones, and bold accents reflecting the landscape’s flora and fauna. Intricate embroidery and rainforest-inspired textures highlighted the craftsmanship, while silhouettes conveyed a balance of delicacy and strength. Central to the narrative was the Malayan tiger, symbolising resilience and cultural heritage.
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| Heba Jasmi |
Emirati designer Heba Jasmi followed with ‘Born to Rise,’ a polished showcase reflecting the UAE’s growing design voice. The collection reinterpreted femininity through architectural elegance and understated strength. Known for sculptural tailoring and refined craftsmanship, Jasmi balanced fluid silhouettes with precise structure, presenting softness as a form of power. The palette ranged from gold and desert coral to mint jade and midnight navy, while details included embroidered florals, crystal fringes, layered organza, and body-conscious tailoring. Each made-to-order gown reflected a dialogue between Arab heritage and contemporary couture, underscoring Jasmi’s signature approach to design.
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| Krèsha Bajaj |
Indian designer Krèsha Bajaj then made her DFW runway debut with ‘The Archive of Hidden Things,’ drawing attention for its intricate craftsmanship with couture-level detail. Renowned for her intricate bridal and eveningwear, Bajaj brought her signature craftsmanship to prêt-à-porter, combining artistry with everyday wearability. The collection unfolded in three chapters—Revelation, Obsession, and Liberation—exploring themes of concealment, expression, and empowerment. Silhouettes shifted from fluid forms to sculptural structures, with a palette of blush, charcoal, antique gold, and burnished copper underscoring the narrative. Sustainability remained central, with small production runs, responsibly sourced fabrics, and remnants repurposed into accessories.
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| FLTRD |
The second day of Dubai Fashion Week highlighted both emerging and established talent. FLTRD opened with ARAD and I AM, a presentation that reinforced its role as a platform for creativity, craftsmanship, and self-expression, while spotlighting diverse voices shaping the Middle East’s fashion landscape.
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| Erick Bendaña |
Nicaraguan designer Erick Bendaña followed with The Sun and The Moon, a couture collection exploring dualities of light and shadow, masculine and feminine. Golden gowns captured the radiance of the sun, while silver creations evoked the mystique of the moon, with celestial motifs of constellations and orbits. The showcase, enriched with jewellery by Panamanian jeweller Michelle Ferrer and rooted in Nicaraguan heritage, transformed the runway into a cosmic narrative of poetry and myth.
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| Fioletowy Studio |
Indian label Fioletowy Studio made its DFW debut with Elevation, a 30-look collection handcrafted in pure silk and inspired by the metaphor of staircases as symbols of resilience and transformation. Architectural tailoring, cascading ruffles, and layered panels defined the silhouettes, while supermodel and actress Lisa Haydon closed the show as showstopper. The collection underscored the studio’s commitment to artisanal craftsmanship, sustainability, and bold design language.
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| Chic & Holland |
Dutch couture house Chic & Holland unveiled 300 Hours, named for the painstaking labour behind each gown. Precision-cut crystals, sculpted corsetry, and silhouettes ranging from mermaid cuts to princess gowns evoked European royalty and baroque grandeur. The collection reflected founder and creative director Faiza Talat’s vision of strength and softness united in unapologetic elegance.
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| Maison Novague |
Closing the evening, Maison Novague presented L’Écriture du Corps, a couture collection conceived as a dialogue between art and fashion. Working with a palette of ivory, gold, midnight navy, scarlet, and painterly purples, designer Fariba Pourkhajani celebrated confidence through fluid silks and sculpted forms. Each look embodied her ethos of timeless strength expressed through simplicity.
DFW, co-founded by Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group PJSC, and the Arab Fashion Council, continues through 6 September as the region’s definitive fashion fixture.
All images courtesy of Dubai Fashion Week
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