Dubai Fashion Week draws the finest of international designers
An offering from Michael Cinco, Haute couture from Zeena Zaki and Fashion from Emergency Room.
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
The global fashion industry converged at Dubai Design District (d3) once again (Feb. 4 – 8) for the third successful edition of Dubai Fashion Week (DFW). The Autumn/Winter 24/25 edition of DFW brought five days of full house runway shows by emerging and established designers, plus capsule launches, events, dinners, talks and networking opportunities. The event saw strategic advancements including the re-scheduling of the event to lead the global fashion calendar; a new, state-of-the-art venue for the event along d3’s waterfront; more shows and events spread out to new venues across the city; new DFW members and partners on board; and debut designer-buyer collaborations and networking opportunities.
The latest edition also marked one year since the launch of DFW as Dubai’s official fashion week and the region’s definitive fashion fixture. The move – which saw DFW evolve from the 21 editions of the successful Arab Fashion Week which took place every season from 2015 – provided further critical B2B infrastructure to the Middle East’s fashion landscape. It bolstered Dubai’s influence as a global fashion capital alongside New York, London, Paris and Milan. “Every edition of Dubai Fashion Week has made one message clear: if you’re in fashion, you must be in Dubai,” said Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President, d3.
Mohammed Aqra, Chief Strategy Officer of Arab Fashion Council (AFC) said: “This milestone not only mirrors the Arab Fashion Council’s strategic vision but also propels the creative economy of Dubai to new heights on the global stage.” At the Autumn/Winter 24/25 edition, more than 18 designers from Paris, London, Spain, Beirut and the United Arab Emirates showcased their collections to buyers, representing high-profile brands such as Michael Cinco and Adolfo Dominguez. From haute couture and evening wear to daily collections covering streetwear, apparel and Ramadan capsules, the event emphasised the breadth of trends emerging in the region. Standout moments included the Moroccan designer Maison Sara Chraibi making her DFW debut and presenting her Spring/Summer collection straight from Paris Haute Couture Week with additional designs for the Dubai market.
Iconic Filipino couturier Michael Cinco’s styling drew inspiration from cultures, countries, architectures and traditions. In a ground breaking collaboration with Sotheby’s, Mrs. Keepa Studio’s SS 24 was unveiled. It introduced the Bespoke and Couture Pret High-End section. Mrs. Keepa Studio is the result of craftsmanship’s fearless embrace of the arts of design and colour. Emergency Room’s AW24/25 collection was displayed in partnership with London-based technology company Nothing Phones, who further complemented the show with a unique Nothing Apparel line-up and latest technology products. Esteemed haute couture designer Zeena Zaki teamed up with Tryano, Abu Dhabi’s destination for luxury shopping, to unveil her Ramadan 2024 collection at the Palazzo Versace.
As an integral part of the DFW calendar, Bil Arabi by Nadine Kanso, in an exclusive collaboration with Bloomingdale’s, hosted on the first day of DFW an intimate dinner at Kaspia, unveiling their exclusive Valentine collection. The evening started with a presentation of THAT Concept Store’s selection of brands, showcasing the Spring/Summer 24 collections in-store at the Mall of the Emirates and various activations in the space. The evening concluded with ‘THAT Night Out’, an industry gathering and an exclusive after-party, to commemorate the closing of DFW.
In between, Etro hosted a special event at Dubai Opera, in celebration of the new visual concept of its boutique in Dubai Mall. Initiatives such as the Buyers Breakfast and Portfolio Review at d3 also allowed designers to showcase their creations in more intimate environments. The inspiring talks with THREADS and the THREADS Fashion Brunch furthered dialogue and collaboration. DFW members expanded with new names, adding regional icons BLSSD to the group. The DFW members comprise the Designers Committee responsible for shaping the future of DFW and the industry.
DFW was co-founded by d3, a global creative ecosystem by TECOM Group PJSC, and AFC. DFW 2024 strategic partners were Air France as the official aviation partner; Meta as the official media partner; Microsoft as the official tech partner; Nothing as the official mobile partner; Kiko Milano as the official makeup partner; Schwarzkopf Professional as the official haircare partner; Palazzo Versace as the official hospitality partner; Bold Management as the official talent management partner; Electra as the production partner; and Eira Water as the official hydration partner.
DFW’s promotion of local, regional and global talent definitely inspired Kelvin Haus (founded 2023) to introduce its revolutionary brand dedicated to crafting a sustainable future for fashion enthusiasts in the UAE and beyond. Kelvin Haus is a fashion brand that combines technology and sustainable luxury and a movement committed to sustainable manufacturing and the principles of slow fashion.
Rooted in the UAE, each garment of Kelvin Haus weaves a tale of local craftsmanship and global sustainability standards. Founder Hammad Anwar says that “our journey starts here, in the heart of the UAE, where each garment reflects our commitment to supporting the local community while championing eco-conscious fashion.” The brand has released its first product ‘The Street tee – Dubai edition’, limited to only 971 pieces (971 is the code for Dubai). The brand also integrates blockchain ownership and NFTs in its offerings and collaborates with local artists. With the fashion industry generating 1.92 million tons of textile waste annually, Kelvin Haus, which can be said to be a pioneer in the circular fashion economy, champions the use of recycled fibres, adhering to ecological standards such as Oeko-Tex and GOTS (Global Organised Textile Standard).
