Dubai Fashion Week is back with daily fashion shows and presentations, starting from Saturday until Thursday at Dubai Design District.
The six-day event is seeking to position itself as the first stop on the womenswear fashion calendar. It will be the first to unveil autumn-winter 2025 collections, beating the so-called “Big Four” fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris.
So, aside from schedule-busting timetabling, what can be expected?
While Dubai Fashion Week encourages fashion influencers and students to attend, it remains industry-only, with attendees required to register in advance. However, registration for the autumn-winter 2025 season is now closed.
Day 1
The prestigious first slot on the opening day will be the Iraqi haute couture designer Zeena Zaki, who has been crafting sultry evening wear since 2003. The next show will be by Manel, another evening wear name from the UAE.
The Indonesian brand Toton, which mixes traditional Indonesian clothing and techniques with simple, fresh separates for a modern update, follows next. Day one will close with a parade of luxe bridalwear by UAE name Angelo Estera.
Day 2
Australian designer Paolo Sebastian will open the second day with his signature romantic take on evening wear, which includes layers of petticoats and lavish beadwork conjuring an Alice in Wonderland-type beauty. Meanwhile, French label Weisanto returns once again, with its theatrical take on tailoring.
Day 3
Launched in the UAE by Ingie Chalhoub in 2005, Etoile La Boutique will open with a show filled with the big-name designers it is famous for. It will then be followed by a presentation from BLSSD, the regional street luxe name that supports cancer survivors.
Next up will be a show by the British-Iraqi designer Tara Babylon, featuring her riotously colourful knitted looks that veer to the fantastical. To close out the day will be the skilful tailoring of regional name Dima Ayed.
Day 4
Lebanese brand Mrs Keepa, beloved for cuts that shift around and away from the body, will open day four. It will be followed by Viva Vox – another returning name – that mixes rigorous tailoring with romance, such as an A-line mini dress finished with a ruffed collar that trails to the floor.
Those who keep track of the Dubai fashion scene will be au fait with the cut-out wizardry of Lama Jouni, while powerhouse Michael Cinco will close out the day with one of his showstopping couture events.
Day 5
Following a show by That Concept Store, Russian label Saijamin will present its razor-sharp tailoring, followed by Molato from Morocco, known for its high-end kaftans. Turkish brand Les Benjamins, meanwhile, with its unique take on elevated streetwear will be the last show of the day.
Day 6
The grand finale will be a show by Indian designer Manish Malhotra, who has enjoyed a 30-year career across modelling, costume design, styling, filmmaking and couture. Known for his ability to deftly fold Western elements into traditional Indian pieces, he is famous for his swirling cuts, dazzling palette of colours and plenty of jaw-dropping handwork. A must-see for anyone with even a passing interest in what makes modern Indian fashion so fabulous, this promises to be a spectacular show.
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
RACE CARD
4pm Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
4.35pm Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m
5.10pm Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m
5.45pm Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m
6.20pm Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $260,000 (T) 1,800m
6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m
7.30pm Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
MATCH INFO
Borussia Dortmund 0
Bayern Munich 1 (Kimmich 43')
Man of the match: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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2nd Test August 3-7 in Colombo
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