- Programme will highlight more than 25 regional and international brands presenting ready-to-wear and haute couture collections
- New Buyers Programme launches to support designers and engage global buyers
Dubai, UAE, 28 November 2024: The countdown to the Autumn/Winter 2025/26 edition of Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) has begun, with the city’s official fashion week set to return to Dubai Design District (d3) from 1-6 February 2025 alongside launching a new buyers programme. Once again kicking off the global fashion calendar, right ahead of New York Fashion Week, DFW will set the tone for the Autumn/Winter 2025 season.
Co-founded by d3, a global creative ecosystem by TECOM Group PJSC, and the Arab Fashion Council, DFW brings a spirit of innovation and cultural diversity to the runway. The upcoming edition will see more than 25 outstanding brands from France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Palestine, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom grace the programme, presenting an exciting mix of ready-to-wear and haute couture collections.
The city’s official fashion showcase will once again make its presence felt beyond d3 and the runways with a packed schedule of exclusive presentations, private dinners, and collection launches hosted by global brands and industry leaders throughout the week. Attendees can also look forward to exclusive showcases from renowned guest designers as well.
Commenting on the next season Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group PJSC, said: “We will once again commence the Autumn/Winter Season with our early February scheduling of Dubai Fashion Week. We also continue our hard work and focus on nurturing incredible talent and look forward to bringing visionary designers and influential buyers together through our new Buyers Programme for 2025. This powerful platform has been created to foster not only creativity but also impactful business opportunity and support Dubai’s – and our region’s – rapidly evolving contribution in the global fashion space and creative economic growth.”
Last season, DFW ended on a high note with the iconic Italian luxury label Roberto Cavalli bringing down the curtains on the Spring/Summer 2025 showcase. The programme saw packed shows every night, underscoring the enthusiasm for DFW’s global platform, with industry icons, celebrities, influencers and media in attendance.
Introducing the Buyers Programme: A Key Highlight of DFW A/W 2025/26
This transformative initiative has been created to elevate designers to international prominence by bridging the gap between innovative talent and global buyers. Buyers and retailers from around the world are invited to participate in this exclusive programme for direct access to a curated selection of talent, cutting-edge collections and exclusive sourcing opportunities. This is a prime opportunity for designers to build connections and gain exposure into new markets.
Commenting on the new buyers programme, Mohammed Aqra, Chief Strategy Officer of the Arab Fashion Council, said, “With the launch of the Buyer’s Programme, we are making a pivotal contribution to the growth of the region’s fashion industry and its economic impact. We want to empower these talented designers to thrive and grow by guiding them to make the right business connections. By connecting local designers with top international buyers, we aim to drive sustainable business expansion, stimulate economic growth, and enhance the global prominence of Arab fashion.”
Designers interested in joining the Buyer’s Programme can apply online until 22 December 2024. Selected designers will then be notified in early January 2025. The selection process ensures that only the most innovative and market-ready brands are featured.
DFW is renowned not just for showcasing creative collections from emerging and established designers but also for being the only fashion week that takes an active, hands-on role in advancing designers to the next level. The new DFW Buyer’s Programme for 2025 aims to create a world-class platform for designers to showcase their latest collections while providing buyers with direct access to a curated selection of talent.
Mark your calendars for February in preparation for extraordinary fashion experiences at Dubai Fashion Week 2025!
To keep up with all DFW announcements and learn more about the new Buyer’s Programme, visit: www.dubaifashionweek.org and follow DFW on social:
About Dubai Design District (d3)
Dubai Design District (d3), a member of TECOM Group PJSC, is a global creative ecosystem dedicated to design, fashion, architecture and art. In line with Dubai’s position as the leading business destination for the region and beyond, d3 is an industry-pioneering concept that enables people and businesses to grow and co-create whilst simultaneously providing a solid platform for creativity. Strategically located in the heart of Dubai, d3 is one of the city’s lifestyle and business districts that challenges thousands of people to rethink the regular.
With state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to meet the needs of the industry and a business-friendly framework, the community offers creative talent the tools for collaboration and growth, further reinforcing Dubai’s status as a UNESCO Creative City of Design. d3 is a cutting-edge retail district offering a variety of multi-brand boutiques, fashion brands, and art and design studios. The world’s leading luxury brands, design companies and creatives, including architects, interior designers, photography studios, product and fashion designers, call d3 home. Some of the region’s most popular events take place in d3 and attract international artists and audiences to cultural and fashion exhibitions and gatherings such as Dubai Design Week, Dubai Fashion Week and Sole DXB. The district also regularly hosts a roster of industry talks, workshops and educational programming, accessible to people of all ages.
d3 is home to TECOM Group PJSC’s business incubator – in5 – that aims to support the fashion and design industries by offering students and entrepreneurs the opportunity to transform their ideas into successful commercial ventures. This ecosystem is further supported by the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), the region’s only university exclusively dedicated to design and innovation, which offers a curriculum crafted with the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and The New School’s Parsons School of Design. The district also features the city’s first canal side recreational development, The Block. The open-air destination offers a range of different outdoor and leisure areas including a basketball and volleyball court, a skate park, outdoor gym and climbing wall.
For more information, please visit: www.dubaidesigndistrict.com
About the Arab Fashion Council
The Dubai headquartered Arab Fashion Council® is the world’s largest non-profit fashion council and an INGO for the Arab world, representing the 22 members of the Arab League with the vision to build a creative economy by promoting regional designers globally.
For more information, please visit www.arabfashioncouncil.com
Instagram: @arabfashioncouncil