Dubai Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 looks at the future from the past

Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) returns to Dubai Design District (d3) this year, September 1-6, with an expanded Spring/Summer 2026 edition that attempts to push the boundaries of fashion's future, while honouring cultural heritage and craftsmanship.

- Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Building on the success of its Fall/Winter showcase, the September edition is aimed to strengthen the event's position as a global platform for creative expression, commercial opportunity, and cross-cultural collaboration. Co-founded by d3, the global creative ecosystem by TECOM Group PJSC, and the Arab Fashion Council, the goal of DFW is to project high levels of design excellence, anticipate trends and include diversity of presentation. The SS26 footprint will extend citywide, with invite-only presentations, private dinners and collection launches hosted by global brands and industry stakeholders.

"As d3 celebrates over a decade of nurturing design excellence, this new and expanded edition of Dubai Fashion Week shows how we have grown together," said Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3). "With a rich legacy of influencing the regional landscape, DFW is actively championing sustainability, innovation, and diversity in the global design narrative, cementing Dubai's position as the destination of choice for fashion and creative talent from around the world."

Mohammed Aqra, Chief Strategy Officer, Arab Fashion Council, said that "with new countries joining our runway, a strengthened Buyers Programme, and transformative conversations led by Threads Talks, this season represents a powerful evolution of our platform. We're not just showcasing collections - we're building a creative economy rooted in diversity, design diplomacy, and long-term commercial impact. DFW SS26 is a bold statement of where fashion is going, and the world is watching."