Highlights From Opening Day Of Dubai Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026

• Rizman Ruzaini opened with RIMBA, a SS26 demi-couture collection inspired by Southeast  Asia’s rainforests, blending flora, fauna, and Malayan tiger symbolism in its 20th anniversary  showcase 
• Heba Jasmi unveiled Born to Rise, a SS26 collection redefining femininity through sculptural  tailoring, fluid elegance, and Arab heritage-infused couture 
• Krésha Bajaj debuted internationally with The Archive of Hidden Things, a prêt-à-porter line  merging storytelling, craftsmanship, and sustainable design

Nationwide: Dubai Fashion Week’s (DFW) Spring/Summer 2026 edition kicked off in spectacular style  last night, with an opening lineup that shone a spotlight on regional and global fashion  voices. Malaysian designer-duo Rizman Ruzaini set the tone for the week, starting off the runway shows  with an electrifying presentation of their ‘RIMBA’ collection, followed by Emirati designer Heba Jasmi’s  chic ‘Born to Rise’. Indian designer Krèsha Bajaj then made her DFW debut, showcasing her stunning  ‘The Archive of Hidden Things’ collection. Together, the opening showcases embodied DFW’s vision of  being a truly international platform where cultures, creativity, and craftsmanship converge. From the  lush rainforests of Southeast Asia to the vibrant streets of Dubai and the ateliers of India, the night was  a celebration of fashion’s power to tell stories that resonate across borders. 

DFW, the region’s definitive fashion fixture, runs all week until 6 September. The event is co-founded by  Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group PJSC, and the Arab Fashion Council. 

RIZMAN RUZAINI 

Malaysian maison Rizman Ruzaini opened DFW last night with the debut of its SS26 demi-couture  collection titled ‘RIMBA’ - a poignant showcase that blended culture and couture. Marking the house’s  20th anniversary, the collection drew inspiration from Southeast Asia’s ancient rainforests, translating  the serenity of flora, vitality of fauna, and resilience of the Malayan tiger into couture. Deep greens,  earthy tones, bold accents, and intricate embroidery echoed the textures and colours of the rainforest,  with silhouettes balancing delicacy and strength.

HEBA JASMI 

Heba Jasmi unveiled ‘Born to Rise’, its SS26 collection redefining femininity with architectural elegance  and quiet strength. Staying true to the house’s sculptural tailoring and refined craftsmanship, the  collection explored softness as power, balancing fluid silhouettes with precise structure. With a palette  spanning gold, desert coral, mint jade, and midnight navy, ‘Born to Rise’ celebrated women who 

command presence without spectacle. From embroidered florals and crystal fringes to layered organza  and body-conscious tailoring, each made-to-order gown reflected a dialogue between Arab heritage and  global couture.

KRÉSHA BAJAJ 

Indian designer Krésha Bajaj presented her first international runway showcase at DFW with ‘The  Archive of Hidden Things’, a ready-to-wear collection imbued with a couture soul. Known for her  intricate bridal and eveningwear, Bajaj translated her signature craftsmanship and emotional storytelling  into prêt-à-porter pieces that balanced artistry with wearability. Inspired by intimacy, personal artefacts,  and surreal architecture, the collection unfolded in three chapters - Revelation, Obsession, and  Liberation - exploring concealment, expression, and empowerment. Silhouettes ranged from soft, fluid  forms to sculptural, structured pieces, while a palette of blushes, charcoals, antique golds, and  burnished coppers reflected the collection’s layered narrative. Bajaj’s commitment to slow, sustainable  design remained central, with small production runs, responsibly sourced fabrics, and the repurposing  of remnants into accessories. 

DFW continues today with: 

• FLTRD 

• Erick Bendana

• Fioletowy 

• Chic & Holland 

• and Maison Novague 

DFW’s success is possible due to strategic partnerships with leading global brands, including SOUEAST as  automotive partner, Dyson as the official hair technology partner, Kiko Milano as the official make-up  partner and Waldorf Astoria as the official hospitality partner. The Italian Trade Agency is DFW’s main  trade partner, and Meta is its main media partner. Electra and Magnum provide essential support as the  production and audio-visual partners, respectively. Additional support comes from OHVU for  management services, Fiji Water as the hydration partner, Grow Healthy Food for catering, and Etcetera  for additional management services. 

About the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) 

With the ultimate vision of making Dubai the world’s leading commercial centre, investment hub and tourism  destination, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is mandated to support the Government in  positioning the emirate as a major hub for global economy and tourism, and in boosting the city’s economic and  tourism competitiveness indicators, in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to  double the size of the emirate’s economy and consolidate its position among the top three global cities over the  next decade. 

Under this remit, DET is driving efforts to further enhance Dubai’s diversified, innovative service-based economy to  attract top global talent, deliver a world-class business environment and accelerate productivity growth.  Additionally, DET is supporting Dubai’s vision to become the world’s best city to visit, live and work in by promoting  its diverse destination proposition, unique lifestyle and outstanding quality of life, overall. 

DET is the principal authority for planning, supervising, developing and marketing Dubai’s business and tourism  sectors. It is also responsible for licensing and classifying all types of businesses, including hotels, tour operators  and travel agents. DET’s portfolio includes Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), Dubai Business  Registration and Licensing Corporation (DBLC), Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade  (DCCPFT), Dubai SME, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), Dubai Festivals and Retail  Establishment (DFRE) and Dubai College of Tourism (DCT).