Dubai Fashion Week Unveils Autumn/Winter 2026/27 Schedule And International Buyer Line-up

Dubai Fashion Week will return to Dubai Design District from 1-6 February with an expanded Autumn/Winter 2026/27 schedule. The event will be the first global fashion week to reveal AW26/27 collections, underlining Dubai’s growing role as a hub for fashion business, design innovation, and cross-border collaboration.

The programme will open with a runway show by Italian fashion house Alberta Ferretti and will continue with showcases from regional and international designers. Alongside catwalk events, global brands and major industry partners will host collection launches and presentations aimed at buyers, media and wider fashion audiences.

The AW26/27 Buyer’s Programme will be a key feature of the schedule. DFW will host international buyers from platforms such as Revolve, as well as department stores, concept boutiques and digital marketplaces. These guests will review early-stage and growth labels that show strong commercial readiness and engagement from customers.

Through this buyer focus, DFW aims to act as a gateway for identifying and scaling future international fashion brands. The curated programme is designed to connect designers with decision-makers and create structured B2B access, reinforcing Dubai’s role as a regional base for global fashion trade and investment.

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Co-founded by Dubai Design District, part of TECOM Group PJSC, and the Arab Fashion Council, Dubai Fashion Week has evolved into a platform that supports designers and helps them reach new markets. The event brings together creative talent, manufacturers, retailers and media, positioning Dubai as a link between regional production and international demand.

Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District, highlighted d3’s role in the platform’s growth. Khadija Al Bastaki said, "Dubai Fashion Week is a reflection of d3’s role as a global platform where creativity transforms into tangible success, and we are excited for the next edition that will build on our growth so far."

Discussing the event’s appeal for brands and retailers, Khadija Al Bastaki added, "We look forward to welcoming returning labels and a new cohort of brands and more, further strengthening the bridge between designers and retailers at DFW, and expanding pathways to international markets. The diversity and momentum we witness each season speak to the appetite of fashion audiences worldwide, and the fact that this is happening in our city reinforces Dubai’s position as a global hub for fashion and creativity."

From the Arab Fashion Council’s side, strategic direction focuses on timing and relevance. Mohammed Aqra, Chief Strategy Officer, Arab Fashion Council, said, "Fashion today extends beyond geography and tradition, defined instead by timing, relevance, and purpose." This approach aligns with Dubai’s ambition to connect regional designers with international buyers and partners.

Explaining how Dubai Fashion Week fits into that strategy, Mohammed Aqra said, "DFW exists at that intersection. Opening the Autumn/Winter 2026/27 allows us to influence not just when collections are seen, but how designers enter the global conversation and supporting commercial outcomes while reinforcing Dubai’s position as gateway between regional creativity and global markets. This edition reflects a shift toward a more connected, experience-led fashion ecosystem."

Organisers state that pre-accreditation for Dubai Fashion Week AW26/27 is now available through the official website, www.dubaifashionweek.org. Media, buyers and industry professionals who register will gain access to runway shows, buyer-focused events and brand activations, as Dubai prepares to host the first reveal of Autumn/Winter 2026/27 collections.

With inputs from WAM