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DESIGNERS’ HANDBOOK AW26/27 & SS27

designers’ handbook 2026/27

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

CLASSIFICATION: CONFIDENTIAL

This document and the information in this presentation are provided in confidence for the sole purpose of exploring business opportunities between the disclosing party and the receiving party concerning DUBAI FASHION WEEK and may not be disclosed to any third party or used for any other purpose without the express written permission of the ARAB FASHION COUNCIL.

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

    CONTENT

DUBAI FASHION WEEK (DFW)

New York (NYFW) 

London (LFW)

Milan (MFW)

Paris (PFW)

The official Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) is announced on the 7th of February 23 as the only official fashion week of Dubai and one of the world’s 5 most important fashion events alongside New York (NYFW), London (LFW), Milan (MFW) & Paris (PFW). Click here to read the Dubai Media Office press release. 

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

THE

ARAB

FASHION 

COUNCIL

The largest fashion institution that represents the 22 countries of the Arab World with the vision to grow the sustainable creative economy.

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

VENUE

The Dubai Fashion Week’s home is the Dubai Design District (d3), a creative city that surpasses the expectations of a typical creative neighborhood. d3 forges the inspiring, authentic, and relevant ideas shaping Dubai’s future as a leading destination of design, art, and culture.

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

SUCCESS TIMELINE

10 YEARS OF SUCCESS 

AND ACHIEVEMENTS

THE ONLY OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT BACKED FASHION WEEK IN DUBAI

As result of 10 years and 28 editions of success, Arab Fashion Week became DUBAI FASHION WEEK. 

1ST

First Fashion Week globally to kick-off the international calendar.

5TH

On the official global calendar, one of the top 5 fashion weeks. 

28th

28 Editions hosted till today in Dubai

RESILIENCE

The only fashion week in the region that has continued during Covid19 

587M+ AED

Contributed over 587 Million AED to the UAE Economy

5 BILLION +

Over 5 Billion media impressions

THE GLOBAL ARAB DESIGNER COLLAB WITH BARBIE

Barbie x Jean Louis Sabaji collaboration on global capsule collection.

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

GLOBAL COLLABORATION

JEAN LOUIS SABAJI x BARBIE 

The Arab Fashion Council pioneered a global collaboration between Barbie and Lebanese couturier Jean-Louis Sabaji, the first Arab in history to work with the global icon. The Capsule collection was showcased during the Dubai fashion Week Women where we celebrated Dubai Fashion Week’s (Previously known as Arab Fashion Week) success as the region’s #1 creative platform, propelling its designers onto a global stage and before international brands, buyers, and worldwide media

 

ZAID FAROUKI X BIC

Following the successful collaboration between BIC and renowned brands such as Maison Margiela, Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino… etc, The Jordanian Dubai-based designer Zaid Farouki has presented his Fall-Winter 2021/22 capsule collection in collaboration with BIC, showcasing a collection on Human Expression. Supported by the Arab Fashion Council, Zaid Farouki has become the first regional designer to collaborate with BIC .

GO DADDY X REGIONAL CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS

GoDaddy has partnered with the Arab Fashion Council and designers, creatives, and entrepreneurs in the UAE and MENA region to help them digitize their businesses. This partnership came as part of GoDaddy’s mission to empower entrepreneurs and small businesses with the tools and help they need to go online. Three top featured creative entrepreneurs are Yara Bin ShakarFLTRD, and Mohamad Seif

PINK MASERATI

BARBIE COLLAB

In celebration of naming “Barbie” the Fashion Icon for 2021, Arab Fashion Council and Maserati collaborated on an exclusive fleet of Pink Maserati in Barbie’s Pink Pantone.

 

NETFLIX

CREATIVE ARAB DESIGNERS

At the Dubai Premiere of Emily in Paris Season 3 and n collaboration with the Arab Fashion Council, Netflix will spotlight designers from the Arab World. Renowned designers Amato, Hussein Bazaza, Lili Blanc, Zaid Farouki, and Marmar Halim each showcased a design from their collections, curating a look inspired by Emily with a Dubai twist. Some of the most influential and well-dressed personalities in Dubai will wear each look down the pink runway, including Ingy Kiwan, Ameni Esseibi, and Nadine Kanso.

 

PERSIL x REBORN

At DFW Persil is excited to partner with Zeynab El-Helw, a visionary in the fashion world. With her sustainable brand ‘Reborn,’ Zeynab embodies a deep commitment to ethical fashion and innovation. During the show, Persil will demonstrate the power of its new formula, which transforms fabrics, making them look as stunning as the day they were first worn. Proper fabric care is the foundation of any stylish wardrobe; it not only preserves the aesthetic allure of garments but also prolongs their lifespan, allowing them to be worn for years.  Persil fully embraces the concept of renewing and preserving what you already own, advocating for a more sustainable approach to fashion.

 

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

THE

INTERNATIONAL

CALENDAR

DFW aligns its schedule with the international fashion calendar, synchronizing with the likes of New York, London, Milan, and Paris Fashion Weeks. The dates for the upcoming three years are predetermined by the international calendar.

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

BRANDS

THAT SHOWCASED AT

DUBAI FASHION WEEK

(Previously known as Arab Fashion Week)

Antonio Marras

Blumarine

Carolina Herrera

Iris van Herpen

Jean Paul Gaultier

Marchesa

Moschino

Roberto Cavalli

Manish Malhotra

The Dubai Fashion Week’s calendar featured some of the fashion industry’s most renowned names that chose DFW as their platform in the region. 

To name a few: Antonio Marras, Blumarine, Carolina Herrera, Iris van Herpen, Jean Paul Gaultier, Marchesa, Moschino, Roberto Cavalli and Manish Malhotra.

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

 

NORTH AMERICA

Ssense  

The Webster

Atelier New York

Bergdorf Goodman

Neiman Marcus

Macy’s

MIDDLE EAST

Harvey Nichols Doha

Harvey Nichols Riyadh

Harvey Nichols Kuwait

Harvey Nichols Istanbul

Harvey Nichols Dubai

Bloomingdales Dubai

Bloomingdales Kuwait

Boutique 7

Galeries Lafayette Dubai  

Galeries Lafayette Doha

Galeries Lafayette Istanbul

Number 4 Kuwait

Aiishti  

Tryano

Saks Fifth Avenue  

Bloomingdales  

Rubaiyat

Al Ostoura

THAT

American Rag

EUROPE

Galeries Lafayette Paris

Printemps

L’Eclaireur

Gaudenzi 

Tessabit    

Coltorti

10 Corso Como  

Luisa Via Roma 

VOO

Sotto

UK

Harrods

Selfridges  

Browns

ASIA

Lane Crawford

Galeries Lafayette Beijing

Club 21

Surrender  

D-mop

United Arrows

Sugar

Antonioli

Spinnaker

Julian

Tessabit

Coltorti

AUSTRALIA

David Jones  

Myer

The Iconic  

Incu

 

ONLINE

OUNASS.com

Netaporter.com

YOOX.com

Farfetch.com

Modaoperandi.com

Luisaviaroma.com

Matchesfashion.com

 

 

BUYERS

NETWORK

 

Connecting designers with global buyers, the Buyers Network offers a premier platform for industry leaders to discover cutting-edge talent and exclusive collections. This initiative fosters direct access to top retailers, opening doors for designers to expand into new markets and establish international presence.

 

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

THREADS TALK

AND THE ROUND TABLE

The Instagram & Threads Fashion Masterclass
An exclusive opportunity to learn directly from Instagram’s partnership team on how to harness the power of Instagram and Threads to elevate your digital presence.

On September 3rd, 2025, during Dubai Fashion Week®, Meta and the Arab Fashion Council hosted the 4th edition of Threads Talks. This gathering united leading voices in fashion—industry decision-makers, innovators, and creators—sparking powerful conversations around the sector’s challenges, opportunities, and future potential.

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

MEDIA

COVERAGE

Vogue

Grazia

Elle

Harper’s Bazaar

L’Officiel

Madame Figaro

Marie Claire

GQ

BOF

WWD

Supported by prestigious publications such as Vogue, Grazia, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, L’Officiel, Madame Figaro, Marie Claire, GQ, BOF…

Click here to view the detailed media coverage for DFW AW 25/26, held last February 2025.

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

 

THE REGIONAL MEDIA

& AUTHORITATIVE VOICES

WHO ATTENDED

FEBRUARY EDITION 2025

Supported by prestigious publications such as Vogue, Vogue Business, Vanity Fair, Grazia, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, L’Officiel, Madame Figaro, Marie Claire, GQ, …

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

SOCIAL MEDIA

REACH

Thanks to the

strategic partnership

with META 

The DFW social media is a media powerhouse that reached over 144 million people in 6 days (per edition) only.

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

SUPERMODELS ON THE RUNWAY

Supermodel Naomi Campbell, walking for Rizman Ruzaini SS24.

Supermodel Adriana Lima and  Top Model Valery Kaufman, walking for Manish Malhotra FW25-26.

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

CELEBRITIES & KOLs

DFW is the most glamorous industry event in the region, drawing a distinguished crowd of international and local celebrities, royalty, public figures, and a discerning audience with a deep appreciation for art, fashion, and design.

From start to end:

CARDI B 164 million followers

ADRIANA LIMA over 19 million followers

KARAN JOHAR 17.9 million followers

BALQEES FATHI 16 million followers

MAYA DIAB 15.9 million followers

CYRINE ABDELNOUR 13.8 million followers

SARA SAMPAIO 8.5 million followers

MAYSSA MAGHREBI 5.2 million followers

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

KNOW OUR

AUDIENCE

Thanks to the

strategic partnership

with META 

In addition to tier 1 local and international celebrities, the Dubai Fashion Week (Previously known as Arab Fashion Week) attracts a growing local, regional and international audience of educated, affluent creative professionals and passionate early adopters. The majority of our audience are vital players in fashion, private equity & investment, design, technology, retail, and media. DFW hosts over 30,000 guests annually with social media reaches over 144 Million users on META platforms alone.

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

PROUD

PARTNERS

MULTINATIONAL

STAKEHOLDERS

As a non-profit platform, the support of our Official Partners, Suppliers, and Supporters is what keeps up the Dubai Fashion Week’s significance for the Arab fashion industry, just as giving a worldwide stage to its Partners. The venture from their commonly advantageous organizations goes straightforwardly into supporting our creative network and helping keep our talent at the forefront of the fashion scene. We thank all our partners and supporters for contributing to the success of the Dubai Fashion Week and advancing the Arab fashion industry on a global stage.

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK

WHAT WE OFFER

BASIC SHOW PACKAGE

INCLUDES

– Feature on the official Dubai Fashion Week calendar
– Venue access at Dubai Design District (d3)
– 15 international models, up to 30 looks
– Backstage management team & show director
– Professional Hair & Makeup services
– Lighting, sound system, and video wall
– Invite list & guest management support
– Mentions in official press release
– Feature on the DFW website
– Videography
– Photography by the Launchmetrics team (Milan & Paris)

OPENING AND CLOSING SHOWS

Reserved for headline moments of Dubai Fashion Week, Opening and Closing slots are offered under special premium packages with distinct pricing, reflecting their elevated visibility, prestige, and enhanced media exposure.

FULL EXCLUSIVE DAY

This package carries a separate premium fee due to its exclusivity and added exposure.

Feature on the official calendar / Venue / 40 international models/ 60 Looks / Backstage management / Show director / Hair and Makeup / Light, Sound System and Video Wall / Invite list / Guest Management / Mention in Press Release / Feature on DFW website / Videography / Photography by Launchmetrics team from Milan and Paris/ Backstage Images/ Backstage Video/ Professional Live Streaming on the brand’s instagram and on Dubai Fashion Week Instagram/ Media & Influencers Dinner

*Booking a full day grants the designer the opportunity to fully customize the venue and have exclusive access for 12 hours. This allows ample time for setup, design adjustments, and the event itself. However, any production costs will be the responsibility of the designer, as the organizers are not liable for these expenses. To assist with the process, the organizers can recommend reputable production companies to help facilitate the designer’s vision.

* When booking a full day, designers will have the unique opportunity to feature their collection on RE-SEE for the audience. Whether having one-of-a-kind pieces or historical artifacts, or the same collection that they will be showcasing. RE-SEE will be showcased on the same day as your show. It’s a great way to share your passion with others and gain extra exposure to your work.

PRESENTATION

Presentation formats are premium packages with a separate fee

Secure a coveted spot on the official Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) calendar and enjoy dynamic support across our social media platforms, a feature in our newsletter, and a special mention on the DFW website. You will also have access to a space in Dubai Design District (d3) for 8 hours, allowing you to present your collection throughout the day, giving visitors the opportunity to experience your work at their convenience. Please note that production elements, models, and guest list management are not included. However, you will receive professional videography (a 2-minute event recap) and photography services provided by the renowned Launchmetrics team from Milan and Paris. Any additional customization for your presentation will be managed by the designer, though we are happy to recommend production companies to assist.

For those looking to elevate their showcase further, we offer a premium presentation package. For an additional fee, you can secure a full-scale production in the main venue. This package includes access to a prestigious venue within d3, a curated selection of 8 models, guest list management, standard podiums, professional lighting and sound systems, a backstage team, a show director, as well as hair and makeup services.

ADD-ONS

Each of the following is available at an additional fee per item:

– Extra models provided by the organization (per model), the model will be provided during the fittings and the day of your show, this includes the fee for the permits.

-Designers who provide their models will have to pay an additional permit fee per model.

-Live streaming on the brand’s instagram if using our main videographers.

-Live streaming from the DFW account.

-Having access to the Presidential Room Backstage which includes suite and refreshments.

-The backstage photographer and videographer (1-Min Recap)

-The requirement of backstage photography.

-Each Additional Look will require hiring an additional model

DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK | PACKAGES |

 

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DUBAI FASHION WEEK | DESIGNERS HANDBOOK