Co-founded by Dubai Design District and the Arab Fashion Council, DFW has positioned itself as a conduit between emerging talent and established fashion markets
Dubai is once again preparing to take center stage in the international fashion calendar as Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) returns this autumn, promising a bold, immersive, and globally resonant showcase of design innovation. The Spring/Summer 2026 edition will unfold from 1st to 6th September 2025 at the Dubai Design District (d3)—a creative nucleus by TECOM Group PJSC that celebrates a decade of shaping the region’s design identity.
Strategically positioned ahead of New York, London, Milan, and Paris, Dubai Fashion Week is the first fashion week on the global calendar. Its early placement allows designers a crucial head start in unveiling seasonal collections, giving them first access to buyers, media, and trendsetters across the world. More than a fashion platform, DFW is becoming a powerful cultural force, blending style, sustainability, and strategy with a regional soul and global outlook.
Following the success of February’s Autumn/Winter 2025/26 showcase—highlighted by a spectacular finale from celebrated Indian designer Manish Malhotra and the debuts of names like Les Benjamins and Paolo Sebastian—this season is expected to scale new creative heights. The February edition drew global attention with immersive brand activations, exclusive showrooms, and citywide fashion moments that engaged buyers, influencers, and media from around the globe.
Co-founded by Dubai Design District and the Arab Fashion Council, DFW has positioned itself as a conduit between emerging talent and established fashion markets. This season, over 30 brands are slated to present their collections, representing countries including France, India, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, the UAE, and the United Kingdom. The event’s diverse lineup will explore a range of themes, from cultural heritage to futuristic minimalism—underpinned by DFW’s enduring commitment to sustainability, ethics, and inclusivity.
The choice of Dubai Design District as DFW’s home is deliberate. Since its launch in 2015, d3 has become a hotbed for innovation, housing over 1,100 creative businesses and nearly 20,000 professionals. With 2025 marking its 10-year anniversary, d3 continues to foster creative cross-pollination and champion regional talent on the global stage.
But DFW isn’t confined to the catwalk. This season will see the event stretch beyond d3’s runways to animate Dubai itself with private dinners, curated collection launches, and exclusive brand presentations at iconic locations across the city. These off-runway experiences will highlight Dubai’s unique ability to blend luxury, innovation, and hospitality in ways few global fashion capitals can match.
A key feature of DFW’s evolution is its Buyers Programme, which will return this season with expanded reach. Top buyers from Europe, the US, Asia, and the Middle East will receive access to private showrooms and early brand previews—amplifying business potential for participating designers. This curated matchmaking between talent and trade ensures DFW isn’t just a spectacle but also a serious driver of economic opportunity.
As the fashion industry embraces change—demanding more sustainability, transparency, and diversity—Dubai Fashion Week offers a compelling response. By fusing creative excellence with commercial strategy, it bridges cultures, opens markets, and redefines what it means to be a fashion capital in the 21st century.
Designers eager to participate can now submit applications, with entries reviewed by the DFW Selection Committee. More details, including eligibility criteria and deadlines, are available on the official website: www.dubaifashionweek.org.
As anticipation builds, all eyes are on Dubai. With a refreshed vision, a global roster of designers, and a city ready to dazzle, DFW Spring/Summer 2026 is shaping up to be more than a fashion week—it’s a movement.
