Thirty-seven days into the year and the region has barely taken a breath. Collections have been dropping at a near-daily pace, retail has been getting its glow-ups, and a few long-awaited brands have finally clocked in for their Middle East debut. If it’s started to feel like you need a full-time assistant just to keep up, consider this your shortcut. We’ve rounded up the scoops you may have missed and put them in one place, so you stay in the loop without living on refresh.
Ulta Beauty Launches in Dubai
Scaling the Middle Eastern region, it has been a long time coming for Ulta Beauty. Launching its second store in the Middle East on January 29, the newly opened Mall of the Emirates branch will house makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrances, as well as in-store services for makeup, skincare, brows, and nails. Currently, the store is celebrating with launch events, which will take place till February 7. These events include product demos, giveaways, and appearances by regional beauty founders who will have their products housed in the store. According to reports, Ulta Beauty will not stop at Mall of the Emirates, with plans to expand to Dubai Mall on March 27, 2026 and the Red Sea Mall in Jeddah on May 7, 2026.
Patrick Ta in Dubai
Bringing its high-performing products to Dubai, the Patrick Ta brand is finally available to shop at Sephora Middle East. And what better way to celebrate the launch than by having Mr Patrick himself! Collabing with regional influencers, hosting a makeup workshop, and a rooftop launch party complete with Burj Khalifa views, the launch brought Patrick’s finesse with Dubai’s spectacle.
Dubai Opera Pays Tribute to Gabrielle Chanel
On March 8, Dubai Opera is set to host a tribute to the art of ballet and haute couture with MODANSE. Performing for one night only, the ballet will star internationally acclaimed prima ballerina Svetlana Zakharova and anensemble from the Bolshoi Ballet in a fusion of fashion and dance. The first act, Come Un Respiro (Like a Breath), is a graceful blend of Baroque elegance and modern aesthetics, elevated by avant-garde costumes designed by Helena de Medeiros. Whereas the second act, Gabrielle Chanel, will explore the life of the designer through dance, bringing her fashionable vision to life through movement. And what’s better is that 85 bespoke costumes designed by CHANEL’s Fashion Studio under the artistic direction of Virginie Viard will appear in this exclusive performance.
BMW at Art Basel Qatar
As Art Basel inaugurates its Qatar edition, BMW joins in by presenting David Hockney’s BMW Art Car (1995), celebrating the dialogue between contemporary art, innovation, and mobility. As part of BMW’s Art Car World Tour, the English painter’s BMW Art Car transforms the automobile into an X-ray-like vision, revealing its interior, occupants and movement. Exhibited at the Sahat Wadi Msheireb Plaza, those visiting can further explore Hockney’s fascination with colour and perspective, as well as BMW’s relationship with contemporary art.
Manish Malhotra Closes Dubai Fashion Week AW26
Dubai Fashion Week this season opened with electric fanfare as guest designer Alberta Ferretti made their regional debut. Now, as the week of runways, presentations, and after parties come to a close, Indian fashion designer and couturier, Manish Malhotra, closes the AW26 season. Not only that, but we also got a runway appearance from Bollywood A-lister Kriti Sanon. Showcasing his collection titled ‘Inaya – The India Story’, it is only fitting to see a runway rich with Indian heritage, storytelling, and of course, Bollywood moments.
COS Opens in Mall of the Emirates
For the neutral palette lovers, COS has brought its refined and sophisticated pieces to the Mall of the Emirates. Strategically placed at the mall’s high fashion scene, the store celebrated its launch alongside regional influencers and a display of its Autumn-Winter collection ready for purchase. With calming earth tones and spacious interiors, COS marks its entry with a space not just for quick shopping but for thoughtful curation.
Gucci Spotlights Eyewear for Ramadan 2026
Considering that Ramadan 2026 is right around the corner, brands are accordingly releasing their Ramadan collections. For most, this means a capsule collection, preferably modestwear, but for Gucci, they have decided to celebrate differently. Going the eyewear route, Gucci have spotlight a new pair of sunglasses in its Ramadan and Eid campaign. With an oversized butterfly-shaped frame, the pair is bold, funky, yet elegant. Crystal embellishments adorn the front while a classic Double G logo is set on the temples.
Coach’s First Ramadan Capsule Collection
While releasing a Ramadan collection is a norm for most brands, for Coach, it’s treading new waters. Releasing a Ramadan edit as well as new pieces, their Ramadan capsule collection features shoes, bags, and charming accessories that make for a spontaneous gift. At the heart of the collection is the Tabby, refined with crystals and jacquard fabric; the Trail Bag 15 in glove-tanned leather; and a Moon and Star Bag Charm inspired by the Holy Month.
Maui Jim Goes Motorsport
Maui Jim is stepping onto the Formula 1 grid with Oracle Red Bull Racing as the team enters a new chapter, led by Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. As official eyewear partner to the eight-time World Champions, the brand will kit out drivers, pit crew and race team across the global calendar, with a dedicated Racing Capsule tied to its ‘Elima collection. This one’s for the F1 fans who keep an eye on the paddock as much as the podium. Expect performance-led silhouettes, including Ho‘okipa Ultra in two race-coded colourways and the new Haulani frame, finished with Maui Jim’s PolarizedPlus2 lens tech.
Chinese New Year at Mall of the Emirates
Mall of the Emirates is slowly defining itself as a hub for all things fashion and culture. Especially after all the store openings, you would think the mall would slow down its momentum. But it carries on as it spotlights Chinese talent for the upcoming Lunar New Year. Hosting a three-day celebration from February 12–14, it will include prominent Chinese designers, Yushan Li and Jun Zhou of PRONOUNCE and Susan Fang of her eponymous label, as well as panel discussions exploring heritage and contemporary design, and cultural performances.
Lootah Perfumes Expands its Classic Collection
Releasing two new fragrances, Titan and Firebloom, Lootah Perfumes officially expands its Classic Collection for the first time. Celebrating with a fragrance-forward launch at The Meld Concept, both fragrances express distinct notes in contrast to one another. Titan is fresh, elegant, and crisp, with opening notes of ginger, pear, mandarin, and bergamot and base notes of ambergris and dry woods. Whereas Firebloom says it all in its name. Unveiling like flames, the scent opens up with notes of bergamot, pear, and lychee before getting into smoky accords of oud and amber. It’s floral and fruity, mixed with smoke that makes it intriguing, sensual, and fun to layer with.
OMEGA Launches the Seamaster Diver 300M Milano Cortina 2026
In honour of the Olympic Winter Games, the official timekeeper OMEGA launches a special edition timepiece rooted in the Olympic Games. Keeping it winter-y, the watch is crafted in white ceramic and grade 5 titanium, with laser-engraved frosting, rhodium-plated hands, and a subtle blue gradient on the dial. Inspired by the Milano Cortina 2026 emblem and revealing plenty of references to the games, including a stamped Milano Cortina 2026 emblem, it’s a premium keepsake of the games while honouring OMEGA’s legacy as the official timekeeper since 1932.
LIMÉ Release their Ramadan 2026 Collection
Designed around modest silhouettes, the latest Ramadan Collection by LIMÉ is both trendy and elegant. Easily wearable, the collection focuses on textured fabrics such as brocade, linen, jacquard, lyocell, and silk-blend knitwear. Embroidery is central to the collection, appearing on dresses and corset-tops, while a soft palette of beige, pink, and gold keeps things light, feminine, and celebratory for the Holy Month.
Jimmy Choo Releases The Faiz Heel
With Valentine’s Day approaching soon, Jimmy Choo has put a romantic spin on the release of their Faiz Heel. With intricate lace and a gold-tone toe cap, the shoe is both romantic and powerful. Meticulously embroidered in over 18 hours, the shoe embodies strength in softness. Coming in a soft pink and a self-assured black, both pairs reveal quiet confidence and sensuality in the modern woman.
Endless Goes Offline With The Endless Love Series
While circular fashion platform Endless is praised for its approach to sustainable living, for the brand, there’s more than meets the eye! With a lifestyle-led approach, the brand aims to further foster connection with its community, turning it offline with its Endless Love Series. Taking place throughout February, the series is a curated lineup of wellness, creative, and thought-led experiences designed to celebrate connection and self-love. Highlights include a free community walk, followed by coffee at Kite Beach, a girls-only sip and paint, and a wellness workshop led by Suchitra Sivasankaran, the Founder of Inside & Out, working on self-love, resilience, and growth.
L’ODAÏTÈS Launches in the UAE
Clean French brand L’ODAÏTÈS brings its botanical formulations to the Gulf region. Recently launching in Dubai, the brand blends nature and science into high-performing skincare that actually works with the climate here.
Bloomingdale’s Middle East Ramadan 2026 Campaign
Joining the slew of Ramadan 2026 collections is Bloomingdale’s Middle East with a diverse edit. Spanning womenswear, menswear, beauty, home, and fine jewellery, the collection honours the spirit of togetherness and self-care, offering space for the rituals that define the season. With a thoughtful mix of international and regional designers, Bloomingdale’s Middle East Ramadan Edit will be a display of dedicated pop-ups and curated edits available throughout the region.
DKNY Collaborates with Artist Dina Saadi
Celebrating the month of Ramadan with a unique capsule collection, DKNY has collaborated with regional street artist Dina Saadi to create a contemporary collection. Saadi’s urban art style is blended with DKNY’s New York vision, offering a fusion of feminine yet whimsical pieces. It’s contemporary yet edgy, with neutrals contrasted with pops of colours, making them an easy conversation topic at Iftars and Suhoors.
The Lana and KAYALI Collaborate on Ramadan 2026 pop-up
KAYALI has slowly built a reputation for their KAYALI Cafes. But what about a majlis for Ramadan? Collaborating with The Lana, Dorchester Collection, the KAYALI Majlis becomes a reality. Overlooking the Marasi Bay, the Majlis will be set within Veranda, the hotel’s courtyard. Inside, guests can expect a scented garden with refined dining. Just like the cafe, the Majlis will feature a menu that reflects KAYALI’s scent notes. Focusing on the Freedom Collection, guests can expect dishes and interiors to align with the collection’s accords and storytelling.
