Introduction to Dubai Fashion Week

Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) has been working towards establishing the city as a global fashion hub since its opening edition in 2023. Despite the attention being focused on Paris and Milan during this fashion month, with several big debuts anticipated, DFW is still in the process of building its identity.

Founding and Pillars

DFW was founded by the Dubai Design District (D3) and the Arab Fashion Council (AFC), with a focus on three main pillars: global positioning, international cooperation, and regional talent development. These pillars serve as the foundation for DFW’s mission to make Dubai a prominent figure in the global fashion scene.

Participation and Growth

The spring/summer 2026 edition of DFW, which took place from September 1st to 6th, saw the participation of around 40 designers. This marks an increase from the previous season, which had 35 designers. Notably, 68 percent of the participating designers were from outside the United Arab Emirates, indicating a growing international interest in the event. This diversity in participation is a significant step towards DFW’s goal of becoming a global fashion rehearsal book.