Highlights from Opening Day of Dubai Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026
Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) opened its Spring/Summer 2026 edition in true spectacle last night, with the runway transforming into a stage for culture, craft, and couture. From Malaysia to the UAE to India, the evening carried voices from across the globe — each telling a story stitched in fabric and form.
Rizman Ruzaini: RIMBA
Malaysian maison Rizman Ruzaini set the tone for the week with RIMBA, its SS26 demi-couture collection that also marked the house’s 20th anniversary. Inspired by Southeast Asia’s ancient rainforests, the showcase translated flora, fauna, and the Malayan tiger into couture. Deep greens and earthy tones ran alongside bold accents and intricate embroidery, echoing the textures of the rainforest. The silhouettes — poised between delicacy and strength — spoke to the serenity and resilience of nature itself.
Heba Jasmi: Born to Rise
Emirati designer Heba Jasmi followed with Born to Rise, an ode to femininity redefined. The collection balanced fluid elegance with sculptural tailoring, finding strength in softness. Gold, desert coral, mint jade, and midnight navy painted the palette, while embroidered florals, crystal fringes, layered organza, and body-conscious tailoring built gowns that were both personal and powerful. The dialogue between Arab heritage and global couture was clear in every made-to-order piece.
Krésha Bajaj: The Archive of Hidden Things
Closing the evening was Krésha Bajaj, who made her international debut with The Archive of Hidden Things. Known for intricate bridal and eveningwear, the Indian designer brought her couture craftsmanship into prêt-à-porter, weaving storytelling into wearability. The collection unfolded in three chapters — Revelation, Obsession, and Liberation — moving between concealment, expression, and empowerment. Blush, charcoal, antique gold, and burnished copper carried the palette, while silhouettes shifted from fluid to structured. Bajaj’s dedication to sustainability remained central: small production runs, responsibly sourced fabrics, and remnants repurposed into accessories.
A Global Stage
Together, these opening collections embodied the essence of Dubai Fashion Week: a platform where cultures, creativity, and craftsmanship converge. From rainforests to city streets to surreal architectures of memory, the night proved fashion’s ability to tell stories that resonate across borders.
DFW, co-founded by Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group PJSC, and the Arab Fashion Council, runs until 6 September.
