Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) Spring/Summer 2025 has just wrapped up, and let us tell you – it was nothing short of a fashion carnival! From jaw-dropping runway moments to a star-studded front row, the event had the perfect blend of glamour and serious style.
The first three days featured haute couture, later shifting to ready-to-wear collections from over 30 brands across various countries. We had our eyes locked on the most exciting action, especially when it came to our homegrown Indian designers. DFW wrapped up in style, with none other than the legendary Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli closing the show.
Global South Represent
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This season, Dubai Fashion Week embraced designers from the Global South, showcasing South Asian and Asian talent with pride. Whether it was Itrh’s opulent embroidery or the standout creations of Malaysian duo Rizman Ruzaini, the diversity on the runway proved that Dubai is ready to carve its own niche as the fashion hub of the Global South.
Front Row Stars
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Celebrity sightings? Absolutely! From H.E. Husin Bagis, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the UAE, showing his support for Indonesian designers, to VVIPs gracing the Roberto Cavalli show, the star power was undeniable. An Indian actress (rumour has it, she’s already eyeing one of the DFW collections for her next red-carpet look) also added to the buzz. With fashion influencers and international buyers from Bloomingdale’s Middle East, Ounass, and Harvey Nichols filling the front row, phones were out and ready to capture that picture-perfect Instagram moment — and trust us, there were plenty! Among the Indian fashion influencers, we spotted Masoom Minawala Mehta, while the supermodel Rawdah Mohamed graced the runway for Roberto Cavalli, as well as Riva and Buttonscarves. Last season, Spring/Summer 2024, supermodel Naomi Campbell made headlines by closing the show for Rizman Ruzaini.
The Indian Design Take Over
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Now, let’s dive into the true highlight of the season – the surge of Indian talent at Dubai Fashion Week. Indian designs truly dominated the stage this time around. We saw intricate Indian craftsmanship at Rizman Ruzaini’s showcase, where the Malaysian duo drew inspiration from traditional Indian beadwork. FAD talents, like Shivang, played a pivotal role in promoting emerging Indian designers on this global platform, ensuring their work shines. And then there was Itrh, whose blingy statement pieces stole the spotlight. Previous seasons have featured Indian favourites like Dhruv Kapoor and Vidhi Wadhwani, with their vibrant prints and breezy silhouettes giving major summer holiday vibes. And let’s not forget Elan Gold’s debut with real gold scarves—a true celebration of Indian craftsmanship!
Jacob Abrian, CEO of Dubai Fashion Week, highlighted the growing presence of Indian designers in the lineup: “We’ve seen a significant rise in applications from both emerging and established Indian brands, reflecting Dubai’s growing reputation as a global fashion hub and its appeal to international designers.” Indian tourists are frequent visitors to Dubai, and their influence on the event is undeniable.
Thread Talks
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The fashion week wasn’t just about fabulous shows—Instagram’s ‘Threads Talks’ made a grand return for its third edition, bigger and better than ever. The Arab Fashion Council and Instagram teamed up for a series of inspiring panel discussions covering the future of fashion in the region. Industry experts, creators, and thought leaders gathered to explore everything from digital innovation to sustainability, offering insights and sparking conversations on where fashion is headed next. Notable panellists included Mohammed Aqra, CSO of the Arab Fashion Council; moderator Sujata Assomull; Joana Jamil, Global Fashion Lead at Meta; Valerio Soldani from the Italian Trade Agency; Elisa Bruno, CEO of Level Shoes; Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District; Moon Baz; Valia Taha, Editor-in-Chief of ELLE Arabia; Stanislas Brunais from Ounass Middle East; Anna Germanos, Group Director at Meta; and Elias El Rassy from Cartier Middle East.
Whether attendees were designers, entrepreneurs, or fashion enthusiasts, Threads Talks offered something for everyone.
The Grand Finale: Roberto Cavalli
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Cavalli brought all the heat with its signature bold animal prints—think zebra stripes, leopard spots, and exotic floral patterns, splashed across everything from trench coats to silky dresses. And did we mention the accessories? Cowboy boots, hats, and the ‘Roar Bag’ in brand-new crocodile and lizard textures stole the spotlight. Puglisi’s vibrant, kaleidoscopic designs paid homage to Cavalli’s fearless DNA, perfectly blending Western influences with daring elegance.
CEO of Dubai Fashion Week, Jacob Abrian, expressed that having Roberto Cavalli make their debut on this runway is a reflection of how Dubai is carving its own place on the global fashion stage, and designers are seeing the value of their platform. Excited to witness the city emerge as a true fashion capital, he added, “Dubai Fashion Week isn’t just about the clothes; it’s about celebrating diversity and creativity from all around the world. This season, we saw incredible talent from the Global South, from South Asia to Malaysia. It’s clear that Dubai is becoming the meeting point for fashion cultures globally.”
As DFW Spring/Summer 2025 wraps up, it’s clear that Dubai is staking its claim as a serious player in the global fashion scene. With big names like Cavalli and a lineup of rising Indian designers taking the stage, the city’s fashion future looks brighter than ever.
