Dubai Fashion Week A/W/26-27 Opens with Alberta Ferretti

Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) kicked off last night with a powerful statement as iconic Italian fashion house Alberta Ferretti made its highly anticipated Middle East debut, headlining the opening show of the Autumn/Winter 2026/27 season.

Straight from Milan, Italy, to Dubai, the opening showcase set the tone for the AW26/27 season with the collection titled ‘Portrait of a Lady’, embodying DFW’s vision of being an international platform. Designed by Creative Director Lorenzo Serafini, the collection unfolded as a modern reflection on the Victorian heroine, reimagined for today’s woman with clarity, grace, and self-possession. The show felt especially resonant – femininity expressed not through spectacle, but through intention, nuance, and assured presence.

Materials as Symbolism

‘Portrait of a Lady’ explored the concept of beauty through the language of materials. Chiffon was sculpted into soft, protective silhouettes that moved with languid ease, while leather and feminine tailoring introduced structure and purpose. Trench details morphed into dresses, tulle met leather in delicate contrast, and the skirt emerged as a central, expressive force. 

A rich palette of black, ivory, ruby, and aubergine grounded the collection, complemented by slouchy boots, flat ballerinas, and discreet evening capes in velvet. Light tubular beading and subtle feather accents added a restrained shimmer, underscoring Serafini’s vision of a woman who dresses for herself, her power inward and instinctive, her confidence spoken through softness and movement rather than declaration.

The Alberta Ferretty Collection in the Middle East

The Alberta Ferretti collection was presented by Serafini, who joined the Aeffe Group in 2014. The Middle East debut was further marked by the presence of Alberta Ferretti, Vice President of the Aeffe Group, underscoring the significance of the brand’s first appearance in the region.

Dubai Fashion Week, the region’s definitive fashion fixture, continues through 6 February with leading international and regional designers, industry leaders, and global media. The event is co-founded by Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group PJSC, and the Arab Fashion Council,

The event’s success is possible due to strategic partnerships with leading global brands, including SOUEAST as automotive partner, Dyson as the official hair technology partner, Kiko Milano as the official make-up partner, and Delano Dubai as the official hospitality partner. Meta is its main media partner. Electra and Magnum provide essential support as production and audio-visual partners, respectively. Additional support comes from Lucia Clinic for skincare services, Fiji Water as the hydration partner, The Lighthouse as food/lounge partner, and Etcetera for additional management services.

Next on the Agenda

The next line-up for Fashion Week at Dubai Design District continues today with the following shows and presentations:

• CTRL+BLOCK x Mrs Keepa
• NIG Global X London School of Trends
• That Concept Store
• Narma
• John Richmond