The Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) is back for a spectacular Spring-Summer 26 session this month. This year too, Dubai opened the global fashion season well ahead of New York, London, Paris and Milan, consolidating our glamorous city’s rep as a global fashion destination.
From September 1 to September 6, the Dubai Design District (d3) will transform into a sartorial haven with runway shows by regional and international designers from over 30 countries. That’s not all – Dubai Design District will be rife with pop-up events, exhibitions, parties, street fashion, workshops and capsule launches.
What to expect at the Dubai Fashion Week S/S26
This round, haute couture and ready-to-wear will be the highlight, featuring sartorial heavyweights like Michael Cinco, Nicaraguan designer Eric Bandana and Emirati designer Heba Jasmi for the first three days. Additionally, Indian fashion designer Kresha Bajaj, Italian womenswear designer Valentina Poltronieri, Dubai-based Lebanese designer Dima Ayad, and Parisian label Weinsanto are all showcasing their latest collections.
Germany, the Netherlands, and Croatia also make their official DFW runway debut with labels like Maison Novague, Chic & Holland and XD Xenia, respectively. This edition also marks the expansion of the International Buyers Programme, introduced in 2024 – a buyers platform that offers retailers worldwide benefits and connects them to designers.
Exclusive collabs, talks and parties
This year, DFW and the Italian Trade Agency join forces to celebrate Italian fashion on September 3. Called The Italian Day in Dubai, six of Italy’s rising new fashion houses will flaunt their innovative Spring/Summer 2026 collections through runway shows. Gil Santucci, Be Nina, VP by Valentina Poltronieri, Le Twins, Avant Toi and D-Exterior will showcase famed Italian tailoring, high-tech fabric and heritage knitwear.
A bunch of exclusive invite-only parties and runway appearances by fashion icons, such as supermodel Naomi Campbell, are usually part of the DFW calendar. This year’s exclusive parties include a Dyson launch, Etolie La Boutique Party, and a soiree by ITA X Level shoes.
Moreover, one of the most engaging talks and events of Dubai Fashion Week – Threads Talk 4.0 – makes a return this season, where industry experts discuss hot topics and current fashion trends. This year, there are three panel discussions addressing topics like ‘The Future of Fashion in Dubai’, ‘Why the GCC Isn’t at Fashion’s HQ’, and ‘Who Gets Recognition?’
A full list of the of S/S25 events, including runway shows, can be found here.
Formerly known as the Arab Fashion Week, DFW was rebranded in 2023 to level up to the glam factor of fashion capitals like London, Paris, New York and Milan.
Besides, the City of Gold is already a fashion force to reckon with in the Middle East – first men’s fashion week, a special Barbie collection by Jean Louis Sabaji in partnership with Mattel, choosing MENA’s first curvy model – Ameni Esseibi – as the Arab Fashion Week ambassador is just a handful of many milestones.