Since its inaugural edition in 2023, Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) has been clear about its mission: to establish the city as a global fashion hub. And while attention is firmly on Paris and Milan this fashion month — as we gear up for several major debuts — DFW quietly continues to build its identity.
Organised by Dubai Design District (d3) in partnership with the Arab Fashion Council (AFC), DFW is crystallising around three main pillars: global positioning, international collaboration and regional talent development. Some 40 designers participated in the Spring/Summer 2026 edition on 1 to 6 September, up from 35 last season (and 68 per cent of whom were from outside the United Arab Emirates).
Previous editions have welcomed international names including Carolina Herrera, Roberto Cavalli and India’s Manish Malhotra as opening or closing designer. This year, Istanbul-based streetwear brand Les Benjamins, which has three stores in Dubai, closed the week with a show on 6 September.
“Dubai Fashion Week gives us a chance to represent where we come from and share our perspective with a wider audience,” says Les Benjamins co-founder and head of womenswear Lamia Alotaishan Aydin. “It feels like a meaningful space for connecting with people both locally and internationally.”
Here are our key takeaways from the week.
Dubai as a discovery platform
Designers from India, Malaysia and Italy have become regulars on the DFW calendar, underscoring its global approach. Last year, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) brought a showcase of 25 Italian brands spanning apparel, footwear, leather goods and eyewear, highlighting the craftsmanship and innovation behind ‘Made in Italy’. This season, the event deepened its partnership with the ITA by marking day three ‘The Italian Day in Dubai’, which featured brands including VP by Valentina Poltronieri, Le Twins, Cose di Maglia, Gil Santucci, Avant Toi and Be Nina.
While these are yet to be the household names traditionally associated with Italian fashion, Lorenzo Fanara, Italian Ambassador to the UAE, believes DFW has positioned itself as a discovery platform. “From our past experience, we know that buyers who come here are curious and open to discovering new talents,” he says. Fanara affirms the importance of the UAE as a market for international fashion. “Buyers here are curious and open to discovering new talents. That’s why we’re confident these brands will not only find their space, but also help diversify the fashion landscape in the UAE.”
“DFW leverages Dubai’s unique position as a cosmopolitan city, a cultural crossroads and a growing centre for commerce and creativity,” says AFC CEO Jacob Abrian. “Our focus has been on creating a platform that not only showcases regional talent, but also attracts international designers. In essence, we’re not just participating in the regional conversation; we’re shaping it and connecting the Middle East to the global fashion calendar.”
First-mover advantage
Last September, DFW shifted its dates to become one of the first fashion weeks in September, alongside Tokyo Fashion Week (which also took place from 1 to 6 September). “When we made the bold decision to start our season ahead of the traditional fashion week calendar, it was very intentional,” says Abrian. “It gave us a first-mover advantage — the ability to capture global attention before the rest of the circuit even began. This strategy has evolved into one of our greatest strengths, positioning Dubai Fashion Week as the opening note of the international fashion conversation.”