Highlights from day two of dubai fashion week the autumn/winter 2025/26

• NIF Global, in partnership with LST, presented 40 ‘luxury-meets-sustainability’ pieces by emerging Indian designers
• Paolo Sebastian debuted at Dubai Fashion Week with an exclusive couture showcase of romantic, fairytale-inspired design
• Weinsanto presented ‘Cauchemar in the Kitchen’, blending Maxim’s restaurant motifs with Art Nouveau-inspired embroidery
• Antoine Kareh unveiled ‘The Guardian Shadow’, a poetic exploration of the interplay of light and darkness through couture  
• Velvety Couture’s Zaha Hadid-inspired collection merged architecture and fashion, paying tribute to the late architect’s vision    

Dubai, UAE, 3 February 2025:  Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) saw a packed programme on day two, bringing emerging and established designers to the fore. New York Institute of Fashion and the London School of Trends’ collaborative showcase elevated emerging talent, while DFW welcomed its first Australian brand with Paolo Sebastian. Weinsanto presented a bold fusion of Parisian creativity and cultural legacy; Antoine Kareh explored light and depth through fashion before Velvety Couture wrapped up the programme with a homage to Zaha Hadid’s visionary designs. DFW, the region’s definitive fashion fixture, runs at Dubai Design District (d3) until 6 February. The event is co-founded by d3, a part of TECOM Group PJSC, and the Arab Fashion Council. 

NIF GLOBAL X LONDON SCHOOL OF TRENDS  

New York Institute of Fashion (NIF Global), in strategic partnership with the London School of Trends (LST), shed a spotlight on the next generation of fashion talent. The collaborative presentation titled Launchpad saw young NIF Global designers representing India’s diverse cultural landscapes showcase innovative collections fusing luxury with sustainability. The 40-piece collection reimagined heritage craftsmanship such as handwoven textiles, exquisite embroidery, and modern silhouettes for a global audience with intricate craftsmanship, eco-friendly fabrics, and trend-forward designs. This inspired presentation underscored DFW’s commitment to promoting emerging talent and bridging cultures to shape a diverse and inclusive future of fashion. 

PAOLO SEBASTIAN  

Debuting as the first Australian brand on DFW’s prestigious stages, designer Paolo Sebastian marked the highly anticipated occasion with an invite-only showcase. The Autumn/Winter presentation embodied the designer’s signature style that blends romance with contemporary elegance with dreamy silhouettes, ethereal illusion tulle, and fairytale-inspired designs. Each piece reflected masterful craftsmanship, seamlessly blending tradition with modern innovation, and transported the audience to a world of fantasy.  

WEINSANTO  

DFW Member Victor Weinsanto, presented by Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), captivated the audience with his collection, ‘Cauchemar in the Kitchen’. Integrating the Georges restaurant theme into his designs, Weinsanto infused his signature style with modern Parisian sophistication, drawing inspiration from the iconic motifs of the world-famous Maxim restaurant. The collection reflected his vibrant prints, featuring a refined colour palette of beige, pink, brown, black, and white, with intricate Art Nouveau-inspired embroidery adorning pants, tops, and dresses. The showcase was a striking fusion of fashion, art, and storytelling – a testament to the designer’s creativity and craftsmanship.  

ANTOINE KAREH 

Antoine Kareh artfully explored the interplay of light and darkness through ‘The Guardian Shadow’ collection. Drawing from the idea that shadows accompany individuals like guardian angels, the showcase emphasised how shadows are crucial to defining form, depth, and dimension. Through masterful contrasts and fluid silhouettes, Kareh brought a sense of realism and vitality to each piece, highlighting the ethereal beauty of movement and structure. The Guardian Shadow was a poetic ode to the unseen forces that shape our perception, strikingly blending artistry and couture craftsmanship.  

VELVETY COUTURE  

Velvety Couture unveiled an ode to Zaha Hadid’s Heydar Aliyev Center last night. The collection blended architecture with fashion, translating fluid curves and dynamic designs into elegant couture crafted with chiffon, taffeta, and velvet in a white, black, grey, and silver palette. Hand embroidery traced the garments’ contours, mirroring the original structure’s details with an opulent touch. The collection translated Hadid’s visionary spirit into a modern, wearable interpretation, celebrating strength and individuality. 

DFW’s success is possible due to strategic partnerships with leading global brands, including Visa as the official technology partner, Balmain Hair Couture as the official hair partner, Kiko Milano as the official make-up partner, ME Dubai as the official hospitality partner and Electra and Magnum as the production and audio-visual partners, respectively. Additional support comes from Fiji Water as the hydration partner and Bisou as the official lounge partner.