RAIED SHUQUM (ABU DHABI)
The iconic luxury label Roberto Cavalli will join the upcoming Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) as Guest of Honour.
Co-founded by Dubai Design District (d3) and the Arab Fashion Council (AFC), DFW will see the Italian brand showcasing for the first time in the Middle East.
Roberto Cavalli will close the Spring/Summer 2025 (SS 2025) season with an exclusive collection, marking a significant milestone for the platform’s global profile.
DFW will run from September 1 to 7, starting with an exclusive gathering of fashion stakeholders, celebrities, and media at d3.
Presenting ahead of New York Fashion Week, DFW will feature over 30 brands from the UAE, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Palestine, Russia, and the UK, showcasing original streetwear and haute couture collections.
Roberto Cavalli founded his fashion brand in the early 1970s, initially gaining recognition for his innovative printing techniques on leather.
His debut collection in Paris showcased leather patchwork designs, which quickly caught the attention of major fashion houses like Hermès and Pierre Cardin.
The brand became known for its bold, exotic prints and luxurious materials, often featuring animal motifs and vibrant colours.
In 1994, Cavalli introduced sand-blasted denim, further cementing his reputation as a fashion innovator.
The brand expanded to include various lines such as Just Cavalli, Roberto Cavalli Junior, and Class Cavalli, offering a wide range of products from haute couture to accessories, including apparel, handbags, fragrances, children’s wear, and home interiors.
Cavalli’s influence extended beyond fashion, with ventures into interior design and hospitality, including high-end buildings and hotels.
Despite changes in ownership and creative direction over the years, the brand remains a symbol of opulence and daring style.
He passed away in April 2024, aged 83.
Today, the brand returns to the spotlight under Creative Director Fausto Puglisi, bringing iconic collections from Milan to Dubai.
“We are honoured to be the guest brand at Dubai Fashion Week. Dubai is one of our biggest Middle Eastern markets, and the city’s spirit aligns perfectly with Roberto Cavalli. Our SS25 collection, exclusively edited for this event, reflects the luxurious essence of both Dubai and Roberto Cavalli,” Puglisi said in a media statement.
“Showcasing here allows us to connect more deeply with our loyal clientele and new admirers alike.”
Roberto Cavalli’s much-anticipated debut on the DFW runway underscores Dubai’s growing status as a global fashion capital.
The Emirate’s swiftly expanding luxury market, bolstered by robust platforms like DFW and a diverse, fashion-forward audience, is instilling greater confidence among designers in the city and the broader region.
The event will commence with an exclusive gathering of media and celebrities at d3, setting the stage for a spectacular showcase.
“Having Roberto Cavalli close our Spring/Summer 2025 show reflects the growing prestige of Dubai Fashion Week,” Mohammed Aqra, Chief Strategy Officer of the Arab Fashion Council, said in the statement. “The Middle Eastern market has always been significant for Cavalli, and this showcase will undoubtedly strengthen the bond between the brand and its regional supporters.”
“Dubai Fashion Week is growing in prominence and prestige,” Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group said in the statement.
“Each edition proves Dubai’s mettle as a global fashion capital. Roberto Cavalli’s Middle East runway debut on our platform sends a powerful message to the international industry that Dubai is where the future of fashion is being written. Roberto Cavalli will be a memorable closer to the Spring/Summer edition and cement Dubai’s renown among the world’s five fashion capitals, including London, Paris, Milan and New York.”
DFW was officially launched on February 7, 2023.
The event evolved from the Arab Fashion Week, which was established in 2015.
DFW is now recognised as one of the world’s major fashion weeks.
The event showcases both men’s and women’s fashion, with collections presented twice a year.
It has featured renowned designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Iris van Herpen, and Moschino.
DFW aims to highlight Dubai’s excellence in creativity and fashion on a global stage.
"We are honoured to be the guest brand at Dubai Fashion Week. Dubai is one of our biggest Middle Eastern markets, and the city’s spirit aligns perfectly with Roberto Cavalli"