Designers offer up day-to-evening wear at Dubai Fashion Week

Rawdah Mohamed walked the runway for Dima Ayad. (Supplied)
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Updated 04 February 2025
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Designers offer up day-to-evening wear at Dubai Fashion Week

DUBAI: Day three of Dubai Fashion Week saw presentations by fashion label BLSSD, New York-based British Iraqi designer Tara Babylon, Dubai-based Lebanese designer Dima Ayad and a multi-designer showcase curated by department store Etoile La Boutique.




Rawdah Mohamed walked the runway for Dima Ayad. (Supplied)

Somali Norwegian model Rawdah Mohamed walked the runway for Ayad, who stayed true to her brand’s founding ethos and offered up chic looks for a diverse range of body shapes. Houndstooth patterns were employed in various hues across the collection, while winter-appropriate fabrics and evening wear options in rippled gold also made an appearance.

Babylon took over the runway with her Autumn/Winter 2025 collection titled “Princess of Thieves.” The designer brought a warm and tropical vibe to the winter collection with Middle Eastern-inspired palm tree prints and earthy green tones. Weaving, printing and crochet techniques were used along with recycled cotton tapestry to create stylish winter pieces.




(Supplied)

The Central Saint Martins and Parsons-educated designer is known for the performance-like aspect of her shows, and Monday night’s showcase in Dubai was no different. Models strode down the runway in a series of artfully created balaclavas that matched the ensembles.




(Supplied)

Meanwhile, Etoile La Boutique’s invite-only showcase was a curated multi-designer collection titled “Twilight to Midnight.” The playful showcase offered up a sunshine yellow taffeta dress alongside a sequined mini-skirt and expertly cut leopard-print trench coat.

UAE-born and bred streetwear and ready-to-wear label BLSSD showcased its signature experimental styles in seasonal colours — a floor-grazing blazer paired with slouchy, masculine trousers was a particular draw at the show.


Saudi label KML unveils new collection in Paris

Updated 21 January 2026
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Saudi label KML unveils new collection in Paris

DUBAI: Siblings Razan and Ahmed Hassan presented their Fall/Winter 2026–2027 collection at Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday, continuing the rapid rise of their KML label.

The duo has gained international recognition since launching the brand in 2022, most recently being named semifinalists for the LVMH Prize — a prestigious annual award for emerging designers.

Creative director Ahmed’s minimalist designs and sharp tailoring mean KML — owned by his sister, Razan — has built its identity around reimagining traditional Saudi garments through a contemporary lens. Jackets are paired with shawl-like elements, large leather belts recall those historically worn by Bedouin men, and skirts nod to silhouettes once worn by men in the Eastern Province, Jazan and the Hijaz.

The collection leans on wrap constructions, asymmetry and elongated proportions. (Getty Images)

The approach is reflected in the new collection, which features a restrained palette of black, white and muted earth tones, leaning on wrap constructions, asymmetry and elongated proportions.

Flowing skirts, structured wrap tops and robe-like coats dominate the lineup, with some looks referencing classical draping while others lean toward utilitarian dressing, defined by sharp shoulders, cinched waists and clean, architectural lines.

In a previous interview with Arab News, Ahmed said their grandmother was a huge influence on their lives as he and his sister grew up in Riyadh. He fondly recalled both her progressive nature and inimitable style. As a young boy, Ahmed would often accompany her to fabric shops so she could get her designs stitched by a local tailor. The experience left an impression, though fashion was not an obvious initial career path.

Ahmed studied architecture and became an intern at Zaha Hadid Architects, where he developed an appreciation for structure and form. Razan, meanwhile, pursued law at Prince Sultan University and she went on to practice full-time.

“One summer, we both realized we weren’t doing what we truly wanted to do, so I decided to go to the UK to study creative writing, and Ahmed went to Central Saint Martins (in London) for a few courses,” Razan explained.

That was the catalyst for KML. In August 2023, they launched their debut capsule collection and towards the end of that year they applied to the Saudi 100 Brands program. The Fashion Commission recognized their potential, helping KML launch collections at fashion weeks in Paris, Riyadh and Milan.