Dubai Fashion Week ’25: A Grand Celebration of Diversity and Excellence
Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) has once again proven that the city is not just a desert oasis but a burgeoning fashion metropolis. From February 1st to 6th, the runways at Dubai Design District (d3) were ablaze with innovation, culture, and unapologetic style. Kicking off the global fashion calendar, DFW attracted a lineup of 35 designers from 17 countries, including fashion powerhouses like Australia’s Paolo Sebastian and India’s Manish Malhotra. This eclectic mix underscores Dubai’s magnetic pull in the fashion universe.
This year, Dubai Fashion Week continued to push boundaries, elevating the fashion scene with a remarkable showcase of creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural diversity. Here are some highlights that had us swooning:
CHOICE: A Nostalgic Journey to the 1970s
CHOICE’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection paid homage to the effortless glamour of the 1970s. Natural fabrics such as linen and cotton made way for luxurious tweeds, chiffon, and silk, enhanced with metallic fringes and sequins. The collection blended comfort with femininity, showcasing waist-accentuating skirts, asymmetric drapes, and statement trench coats. A dynamic color palette transitioned from pristine whites to deep blacks and desert hues, embodying the decade’s timeless sophistication.
Riva: Blending Timeless Elegance with Contemporary Sophistication
Riva’s womenswear collection was a seamless fusion of classic and modern aesthetics. Flowing kaftans, well-structured silhouettes, and intricate embroidery adorned each piece, with shimmering accents adding a hint of luxury. The collection featured breathable fabrics like linen, cotton, and ramie in a serene palette of off-white, mint, and sand, balanced by warm caramel, bronze, and olive tones. Designed for both urban outings and intimate gatherings, Riva’s collection captured the spirit of effortless summer elegance.
Michael Cinco: A Regal Display of Couture Brilliance
Dubai’s couture powerhouse, Michael Cinco, closed the day with an awe-inspiring Autumn/Winter 2025 collection. Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, graced the runway, amplifying the show’s glamour. Cinco’s signature opulent gowns featured intricate embellishments, rich brocades, and regal silhouettes that reflected his unparalleled craftsmanship. Fusing classical inspirations with contemporary couture, the collection reinforced Cinco’s status as a leading figure in Dubai’s fashion scene.
Manish Malhotra’s Spectacular Finale
The grand finale of Dubai Fashion Week was nothing short of iconic, with celebrated Indian designer Manish Malhotra making his international runway debut. His World Collection, unveiled for the first time, showcased a breathtaking blend of cultures, silhouettes, and textures.
Supermodels Adriana Lima and Valery Kaufman bookended the show, adding a global appeal to Malhotra’s already stunning presentation. The collection featured fluid draping, structured silhouettes, shimmering sequins, and intricate brocades, with bold metallic hues and delicate pearls adding a touch of opulence. Seamlessly blending Indo-Western aesthetics, Malhotra’s collection included glamorous gowns, modest kaftans, and Arab-inspired abayas, further enriching the multicultural essence of DFW. His eponymous jewelry line also took center stage, with bold brooches and statement necklaces enhancing the luxurious feel of the collection.
Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3), highlighted the significance of this year’s edition:
“This edition represents yet another major milestone in DFW’s journey to cement Dubai’s status and contribution in the global fashion world. We welcomed a more diverse cohort of international buyers and talented designers, including the remarkable Manish Malhotra. His collection further embedded multiculturality into DFW’s DNA and reflects the long-standing creative and economic synergies between the UAE and India. Our homegrown talents demonstrated the growing strength of the region’s native creative pool. Dubai Design District has been at the helm of critical insight and discussion on the evolving fashion landscape with its Fashion Futures event and the launch of a whitepaper. It has been a momentous week reaffirming Dubai’s flourishing status as a global fashion capital.”
A Bright Future for Dubai Fashion Week
Dubai Fashion Week has successfully solidified itself as a global platform for both emerging and established designers. With its unique blend of regional influences and international collaborations, the event continues to propel Dubai as a major force in the fashion industry. As DFW draws to a close, it leaves behind an indelible mark, setting the stage for even greater innovations and artistic expressions in the years to come.
