Dubai Fashion Week Day 2 didn’t see quite the same numbers (or frankly, chaos) that the opening day usually gets. Instead, we got the fashion-forward crowd keen to witness new collections and runways sprinkled with celebrity models that made us do a double-take.
So, in case you missed it, here are all the highlights from Dubai Fashion Week day 2.
FLTRD x I AM x ARAD GHADERIAN
Opening day 2 was the FLTRD showcase, presenting two bold designers, each with a distinctive collection that represented their voice. We began with I AM, a label founded by model-turned-designer Mia Pereyra Matteazzi. With rawness as their core theme, we saw the runway lit up with athlesiure in the form of oversized blazers, tailored shoulders, sheers, and a neutral palette with splashes of denim blue.
Following I Am was Arad Ghaderian, a brand steeped in heritage and cultural artistry. Bold prints, eccentric lines, and coats etched with a story, Arad Ghaderian’s collection was couture enmeshed in Iranian heritage that felt both personal as well as relatable to the wider GCC region.
Erick Bendaña
Erick Bendaña transformed the runway into a cosmic escape. With his SS26 collection titled ‘The Sun And The Moon’, we witnessed celestial couture—a love story between day and night, light and shadow, golden glows and silver light. The opening was fashion journalist and content creator Kevin Cahill, dressed as the Solar God in a stunning golden corset created by luxury jeweller Michelle Ferrer. The collection that followed can be best described as going from day to night, from bright golden gowns to darker pieces that reflected the cosmos to silver pieces that represented the moon. The love story ends with a stunning bride-like piece with an embroidered cape.
Fioletowy Studio
Debuting at DFW with their collection ‘Elevation’, Fioletowy Studio made a hard and fast impression with the fashion week crowd. We got candy-looking red and white stripes, asymmetrical pieces, statement hats, cascading ruffles, subtle pearl detailing, and supermodel and actress Lisa Haydon closing the show in a voluminous blue tube gown that featured a surprise yellow detail once she turned back.
Chic & Holland
Dutch couture house Chic & Holland decided to dedicate their collection to the art of craftsmanship. Titled ‘300 Hours’ to represent the time it takes to create each piece, we saw gowns with precision-cut crystal embellishments that danced in the light and sculpted corsetry that moulded the body. It was also another runway that featured celebrity showstoppers. Dubai Bling star LJ Loujain Adada opened the show in a nude gown featuring dangling crystals that swayed with every step, and Bollywood actress Chitrangda Singh strutted down the runway in a nude crystal-embellished gown featuring a matching cape.
Maison Novague
The final show of the night was Maison Novague’s ‘L’Écriture du Corps’ couture collection, a dialogue between art and fashion. And what a dialogue it was! In a vibrant, colourful palette, we saw crystal-embellished gowns, printed maxi skirts, floral motifs, and an actual flower! We also saw flowy drapes that created natural pleats. Overall, the collection was a juxtaposition of softness and structure, simplicity and eccentric boldness, and fluidity and sharp tailoring.
