From Dubai Fashion Week to Riyadh Fashion Week and the rise of regional luxury events, discover what the Middle East has in store for 2025
The fashion scene in the Middle East goes far beyond the confines of Dubai Fashion Week. The region is steadily emerging as a significant player in global fashion, with its influence expected to grow in the coming years. While Dubai Fashion Week has established itself as a key fixture, the broader Middle East is evolving into a central hub for fashion, art, and luxury, making a notable impact on the industry.
Recognised as the fifth global fashion capital, Dubai continues to solidify its position. This year’s first of two editions of Dubai Fashion Week, running from February 1 to February 6, 2025 at the Dubai Design District (d3), marks another step forward in the city’s ascent within the global fashion landscape.
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Featuring over 25 designers from various regions, including France, India, Iraq, Morocco, Russia, Turkey, and the UAE, this edition highlights Dubai’s expanding role as a crossroads for fashion talent. Notably, the brand Les Benjamins has made history by being named the first-ever Correspondent Designer—a category for designers from other cities or countries invited to showcase their work on the official Dubai Fashion Week calendar. Today, the brand is set to debut its highly anticipated Autumn-Winter 2025/26 collection. Known for its collaborations with industry giants like Nike, Apple, and Puma, Les Benjamins is poised to elevate the event’s prestige even further.
As Dubai Fashion Week continues to thrive, the city’s fashion industry is demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of broader market uncertainty. Analysis by The Business of Fashion indicates that the UAE’s apparel market is set to outpace both regional and global competitors, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% from 2024 to 2030, according to Euromonitor International. By comparison, the global apparel industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of just 3.7% over the same period. This exceptional growth reflects the broader economic momentum driving the region’s fashion sector and highlights Dubai’s increasing importance in the global fashion landscape.
So, enough with the preamble — let’s dive into what this year holds for fashion and art in the Middle East.
February – March: Ramadan & Eid Celebrations
During the holy month celebrations, international luxury and fashion houses created unique experiences and collections. Can’t wait to explore the special surprises in store from brands like Valentino and Dior. My personal favourites from last year were Max Mara’s Ramadan Capsule Collection pop-up at Jumeirah and Loro Piana’s Ramadan Collection, inspired by AlUla’s natural escape.
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April: Art Dubai
A championing contemporary art fair that brings together galleries and artists from the Middle East and Northern Africa. The fair will take place from 18 to 20 April, showcasing a diverse range of artworks, including installations, sculptures, and paintings. The fair will present new global perspectives across four sections: Contemporary, Digital, Modern, and Bawwaba.
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May: Red Sea Fashion Week in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Powered by the Fashion Commission, the Saudi’s Red Sea Fashion Week calendar showcases Saudi and regional designers, highlighting resort collections, exclusive pieces and female-owned brands. This three-day fashion spectacle is committed to support sustainable development, cultural exchange, and local talents, contributing to Saudi Arabia’s growing fashion industry. Past edition has featured brands to watch like Sara Altwaim, Tima Abid and Rebirth.
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June: Chalhoub Group Launches Third Cohort of The Fashion Lab Program in Saudi Arabia
The third cohort of The Fashion Lab in Saudi Arabia will be launched to empower local fashion talents. This six-month incubator program offers mentorship, retail experience, and opportunities for ten Saudi fashion brands focused on ready-to-wear, accessories, handbags, and jewelry. Designed to foster creativity and innovation, the program supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
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August: Keep an Eye on Fashion Trust Arabia’s Award Application
FTA is a pioneering initiative dedicated to supporting emerging MENA designers through financial aid, mentorship, and global exposure. Now in its 7th edition, the FTA Prize continues to highlight outstanding talent across categories like Evening Wear, Ready-to-Wear, Accessories, and Jewelry, offering grants tailored to the brand’s growth. The 2024 edition introduced the new Fashion Tech Award, expanding opportunities for design excellence.
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September: Dubai Fashion Week
Different to Dubai Fashion Week in February, the September one focuses on Spring-Summer 2026 collections. Last year, I particularly loved brand collections, including Roberto Cavalli, Heba Jasmi and Ihab Jiryis.
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October: Riyadh Fashion Week
Emerging as a key player in the global fashion scene, Riyadh Fashion Week showcases the region’s growing influence. This year’s calendar has not been revealed yet but last year’s standouts were the international collaboration between Adidas x Kaf by Kaf, featuring designers to keep on your radar, such as Aram by Arwa Alammari, Nora Al Shaikh, and Tima Abid.
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November: HIA HUB in Riyadh, KSA
The region’s largest fashion, beauty, and lifestyle conference, HIA HUB, returns with its 5.0 edition. While this year’s itinerary, including brand experiences, masterclasses, and entertainment, will be revealed one month prior to the conference, the 4.0 edition featured the new ‘The Skincare Edition: Unfiltered,’ hosted by Chalhoub Group, spotlighting global skincare giants like L’Oréal, Estée Lauder, Shiseido, and Dior. Following the 3.0 edition, which featured a visit by Kate Moss, the future of this initiative looks even more promising.
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December: SOLE DXB in Dubai
SOLE DXB is the region’s street-culture festival, typically with the three-day programme, with everything from exclusive fashion pop-ups, art installations to live performances and activations. Last year’s edition hosted Sole x Dazed Talks - can’t wait to see what this year has in store.
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Jelizaveta Kozlova
Fashion Entrepreneur, Mentor and Tutor, Dubai