Dubai Fashion Week 2024: There’s no debating it—Dubai Fashion Week just keeps getting better. With every new edition, crowds from all parts of the world comes together for a week that celebrates diversity, not just in the front rows but boldly on the runway. From cultural tributes to avant-garde visions, DFW Spring/Summer 2025 opened with an eclectic mix of creativity.
Leading the charge, Rizman Ruzaini’s ‘Mustika’ was a love letter to Malaysian roots wrapped in a modern embrace, while Amjad Khalil’s ‘Beyond Black’ danced through emotions from shadow to shine. Erick Bendana’s ‘505’ brought a slice of Nicaragua to Dubai’s fashion scene, and Angelo Estera’s stunning debut married Far Eastern flair with Arabian desert dreams.
The Italian Trade Agency rolled out La Moda Italiana: Dubai Edition, stunning guests with the best of Italian fashion straight from Milan’s finest.
Rizman Ruzaini: Honoring Heritage with ‘Mustika’
Opening the runway season, Rizman Ruzaini’s ‘Mustika’ collection was a fusion of nostalgia and today’s trends, inspired by the iconic film “Perempuan Melayu Terakhir” (“The Last Malay Woman”). The collection reimagined the timeless kebaya with a fresh perspective, merging traditional batik motifs with contemporary silhouettes and lavish embellishments. Creative Director Ruzaini Jamil took cues from a treasured photograph of his late grandmother, Tok Puteh Surin, capturing the essence of 1950s Malaysian style and transforming it into a statement of cultural pride on the global stage.
Amjad Khalil: A Sartorial Story Told in Shades of Light and Dark
Amjad Khalil, well-renowned in North African fashion, offered a deeply personal vision with ‘Beyond Black,’ a haute couture collection that unfolded like a diary of his emotional journey. Khalil’s designs shifted from brooding blacks to ethereal whites, with each piece symbolizing a chapter of transformation from darkness into light. It wasn’t just fashion—it was art, with every dress telling its own story of mood, struggle, and success. Khalil’s ability to translate personal experience into couture made the collection a standout moment of the night.
Erick Bendana: Urban Chic Meets Nicaraguan Roots in ‘505’
Erick Bendana brought an urban take on traditional Nicaraguan heritage with his ‘505’ collection, where prints inspired by cultural dances and national symbols collided with a chic, street-smart aesthetic. Bold, vibrant, and unapologetically authentic, Bendana’s designs turned the runway into a celebration of Nicaraguan identity, topped off with a show-stopping lineup of evening and bridal gowns.
Angelo Estera: A Debut That Bridged East and West
Making his highly anticipated debut, Filipino designer Angelo Estera captivated the audience with a stunning Spring/Summer 2025 collection that fused influences from the Oriental Far East with the Arabian Sahara. Estera’s designs flowed like a visual narrative, rich with embroidery, luxe fabrics, and dramatic silhouettes that bridged cultures and showcased his signature style. It was a debut that not only announced Estera’s arrival at DFW but also hinted at a thrilling new direction for his brand.
