Press Release

• Indian couture designer’s second closing show at Dubai Fashion Week signals commitment to Dubai and ongoing creative exchange between the region and India
• Upcoming presentation is expected to further expand on the vision of his ‘World Collection: Dubai’ collection
• Dubai Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2026/27 will kick off this Sunday, 1 February at Dubai Design District (d3), and run until 6 February

Dubai, UAE, 29 January 2026: Following the success of his star-studded show at Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) in 2025, the iconic Indian couturier Manish Malhotra is set to return to the Dubai runway this February.  He will once again be the closing designer for DFW’s Autumn/Winter season, which runs this year from 1-6 February at Dubai Design District (d3), reaffirming his growing creative dialogue with the global fashion industry.

Malhotra’s appearance at DFW AW25/26 marked a defining milestone for the brand with the unveiling of the ‘World Collection: Dubai’ – a landmark international debut that blended India’s rich artisanal heritage with a modern, globally resonant design language. The collection was met with widespread acclaim for its cultural depth, contemporary elegance, and relevance to the Middle Eastern market. The AW25/26 finale featured international supermodels Adriana Lima and Valery Kaufman, and celebrating 35 years of Malhotra’s legacy in fashion. The showcase highlighted a bold evolution of couture through regionally attuned silhouettes, including sequined abayas, fluid kaftans, and sharply tailored pantsuits, crafted specifically with the Middle Eastern luxury consumer in mind.

As the closing act of the upcoming Autumn/Winter 2026/27 (AW26/27) edition, Malhotra signals a continued commitment to Dubai as a global fashion capital and a creative crossroads between East and West. His upcoming presentation is expected to further expand on the vision of his ‘World Collection: Dubai’ – spotlighting Indian craftsmanship, contemporary couture, and cross-cultural storytelling at an international scale.

“Dubai Fashion Week is set to begin on a high note, featuring a world-renowned lineup of designers and a packed week of strategic industry events and activities,” said Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group. “Manish Malhotra’s return to our runway for a second year is testament to the confidence designers have in DFW as a global platform for creative dialogue and cultural celebration. We await with great anticipation the creativity he will bring once again to our city. This edition’s calendar reflects DFW’s vision for a dynamic and creatively robust ecosystem with multicultural influences, all aligned with Dubai’s status as a flourishing global fashion capital.”

Delving into his upcoming showcase, Manish Malhotra said: “Returning to Dubai Fashion Week for the second year feels special. It’s a platform that truly allows Indian craftsmanship to be seen and appreciated on a global stage, while giving us the freedom to keep evolving creatively. Our latest collection reflects this evolution, rooted in our signature design language and created for today’s global luxury landscape.”

DFW, co-founded by Dubai Design District (d3) the global creative ecosystem by TECOM Group PJSC and the Arab Fashion Council, continues to attract the world’s most influential designers, buyers, and media.

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 Delano Dubai as the official hospitality partner. Meta is the event’s main media partner. Electra and Magnum provide essential support as the production and audio-visual partners, respectively. Additional support comes from Lucia Clinic for skincare services, Fiji Water as the hydration partner, The Lighthouse as food/lounge partner, and Etcetera for additional management services.

For the full DFW AW26/27 calendar, visit: www.dubaifashionweek.org and follow DFW on social:  

·       @dubaifashionweek  

·       @d3dubai

·       @arabfashioncouncil