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Manish Malhotra returns to Dubai Fashion Week: 6 highlights to look out for this season
DFW Autumn/Winter 2026–27 is taking place from February 1 to 6 at Dubai Design District
- PUBLISHED: Mon 2 Feb 2026, 1:44 PM UPDATED: Mon 2 Feb 2026, 5:43 PM
- By:
- Somya Mehta
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Dubai Fashion Week is back in full swing — and with every passing season, it continues to cement its place on the global fashion map. What began as a regional platform has steadily evolved into a serious industry moment, spotlighting homegrown talent while attracting heavyweight international names.
Now firmly positioned as an early opener on the global fashion calendar, Dubai Fashion Week has become a space where fashion, business, culture and commerce intersect.
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Taking place from February 1 to 6 at Dubai Design District, Dubai Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2026–27 is shaping up to be one of its most pivotal editions yet.
So, here are 5 key highlights to keep an eye out for:
1. World-first runway reveals
For the first time, Dubai will host the earliest runway presentations of Fall/Winter 2026–27 collections globally. This positions the city not as a follow-up destination for fashion, but as a trend-setting one. Expect debut silhouettes, new colour narratives and fabric innovations that will echo through Milan, Paris and New York later in the year.
2. A major international opening: Alberta Ferretti
Italian luxury house Alberta Ferretti opened the week with a full-scale runway presentation of its Fall/Winter 2026 collection, signaling a growing confidence from European fashion houses in Dubai’s global relevance.
3. Manish Malhotra returns as closing designer
The iconic Indian couturier Manish Malhotra returns as the closing designer for the AW26–27 season, reaffirming his creative dialogue with Dubai. Following his landmark AW25–26 finale — which unveiled the ‘World Collection: Dubai’ and celebrated 35 years of his legacy — expectations are high.
When: Feb 6, 6pm
Known for blending Indian craftsmanship with Middle Eastern silhouettes, Malhotra’s closing show is expected to once again deliver sequined abayas, fluid kaftans and sharp tailoring designed specifically for the GCC luxury consumer.
4. John Richmond to Debut ‘Viva Richmond!’ Collection
A London-based label with a strong footprint across both London and Milan, John Richmond brings its unmistakably bold identity to Dubai Fashion Week this season. Having dressed global icons including Madonna and David Bowie, the brand will present 'Viva Richmond!' — a showcase that revisits the fashion house's creative legacy through a contemporary, music-driven lens.
When: Feb 2, 9pm
5. Sustainability, inclusivity and dialogue
Beyond the runway, AW26–27 places renewed emphasis on sustainability, inclusivity and digital fashion. Through curated talks and panel discussions, designers and industry leaders will explore circularity, eco-conscious materials and broader representation, aligning DFW with the global fashion conversation beyond aesthetics alone.
6. A stronger business and showroom ecosystem
Dubai Fashion Week continues to grow as a commercial platform, with expanded buyer programmes and showrooms connecting regional and international retailers to both emerging and established labels.
With private presentations, curated networking and deal-making opportunities, DFW is as much about long-term business impact as it is about artistry.
In many ways, AW26–27 feels like a coming-of-age moment — not just for Dubai Fashion Week, but for Dubai’s role in shaping the future of global fashion itself. One that’s well worth watching.
