Malhotra, one of India’s most celebrated designers known for his bridal couture and close ties to Bollywood, opened a flagship store in Dubai Mall last year. His connection with the region spans years, from holding shows to local retailers and pop-ups. He chose DFW to celebrate the store’s one-year anniversary. “Back when I started showing in Dubai, platforms like DFW weren’t around. I was doing my own smaller shows, really connecting with the city on a more personal level,” he says. “But now, look at DFW! It’s this incredible stage, a global spotlight. It’s about more than just showcasing clothes; it’s about conversations, about sharing ideas with the world.”
Off-the-runway activations
Beyond the runway, the week was filled with exclusive dinners and events, with Instagram holding the opening party. “We’ve curated a series of events as well as high-profile industry dinners, presentations, activations and panel discussions led by thought leaders and industry experts,” says Aqra. “These initiatives allow us to engage with the fashion community on a deeper level.”
Italian label Marina Rinaldi hosted a dinner to announce its collaboration with Arab designer Georges Chakra on an AW25 capsule collection. “Officially partnering with Dubai Fashion Week was the most effective way to show our commitment to this region and to launch a project that we hope will resonate with local consumers,” says Marina Rinaldi CEO Sheila De Pietri. “It is an effective tool to connect with a new audience but also to draw inspiration and learn more about the expectations and interests of consumers in the region. While the runway remains a core part of our programming, we recognise that fashion today is not just about what is shown on the catwalk — it’s about building connections, expanding creative dialogues and offering opportunities across platforms.”
Buyers with a global view
One of DFW’s primary objectives is to attract buyers from across the world. This was a key reason to position Dubai at the start of the global fashion calendar, just before New York and shortly after Copenhagen (DFW began on 1 February).
“Our strategic decision to kick off [early on] the global fashion week calendar reflects that agility, enabling our designers and buyers to engage earlier in the fiscal year and set the tone for the international fashion schedule,” says Al Bastaki.