Table of Contents
A curated selection of haute experiences marking the Year of the Horse.
As the Year of the Horse ushers in a season of renewal and sophistication, Dubai is the global nexus where Chinese heritage meets contemporary luxury. This February, the city’s cultural calendar reaches new heights with an extraordinary convergence of avant-garde fashion, traditional performance art, and cross-cultural exchange that redefines what it means to celebrate Chinese New Year in the modern age.
1. PRONOUNCE at Mall of the Emirates
Founded by design duo Yushan Li and Jun Zhou, PRONOUNCE has become the thinking person’s luxury label, a brand for those who’ve evolved beyond logomania into a more refined appreciation of cultural fluency. Celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, the Milan Fashion Week regulars bring their signature architectural tailoring to Dubai for an exclusive trunk show, February 12-14. Expect made-to-measure services, limited edition pieces, and the kind of understated sophistication that whispers rather than shouts. Their collaboration with Pop Mart’s Labubu demonstrates a brand equally at home in high fashion and cultural conversation.
Where: Mall of the Emirates
When: February 12-14, 2026
Book: events@jingdaily.com
2. Susan Fang’s Air-Weaving Artistry
Central Saint Martins alumna and LVMH Prize shortlister Susan Fang has built her eponymous label on the marriage of technical innovation and ethereal beauty. Her air-weaving techniques create translucent, nature-inspired forms that appeal to the discerning Gen Z luxury consumer—those who understand that true luxury lies in craftsmanship, not labels. Having collaborated with Nike, Swarovski, and Apple, Fang brings her vision of renewal and heritage to Dubai’s fashion landscape. Her trunk show offers more than garments; it’s an entry point into a philosophy of fashion as connection.
Where: Mall of the Emirates
When: February 12-14, 2026
Experience: Made-to-measure consultations available
3. VIP Dinner at XU Dubai
The festivities commence with an intimate dinner at XU Dubai, the city’s temple to refined Cantonese cuisine. This invitation-only gathering sets the tone for three days of cultural immersion, bringing together designers, influencers, and Dubai’s most discerning fashion enthusiasts. It’s the kind of evening where conversations flow as smoothly as the wine, and where East-West dialogue happens naturally over exquisitely plated courses.
Where: XU Dubai
When: February 12, 2026 (invitation only)
4. The Heavenly Match: Huangmei Opera Performance
In a striking juxtaposition of tradition and modernity, Mall of the Emirates stages a live performance of The Heavenly Match (Marriage of the Fairy Princess), one of Huangmei opera’s most celebrated classics. This centuries-old folk theater form from Anhui and Hubei, known for its lyrical singing and emotionally direct storytelling, tells the tragic romance between a humble woodcutter and the Seventh Fairy Princess. It’s a rare opportunity to witness “China’s countryside opera” in one of the world’s most contemporary retail environments, creating a through-line from heritage to the present moment.
Where: Mall of the Emirates
When: February 12-14, 2026
What to Know: Free public performance
5. Designer Conversations with Jing Daily
Moderated by Jing Daily’s editors, these panel discussions go beyond surface-level fashion commentary to explore how contemporary Chinese designers are navigating the space between tradition and innovation. With PRONOUNCE’s Li Zhou, and Susan Fang in conversation, expect insights into the business of cultural translation, the evolution of Chinese luxury consumers, and what it means to build a global brand rooted in Chinese identity.
Where: Mall of the Emirates
When: February 13-14, 2026
6. Curated Influencer Encounters
The event brings together a carefully selected group of tastemakers who represent different facets of China’s fashion landscape. Angelene Sun, the bilingual Gen Z voice bridging Eastern and Western aesthetics; Ava Foo, whose 3.5 million Weibo followers represent millennial luxury purchasing power; and front row regular Mark Long.
Where: Throughout Mall of the Emirates programming
When: February 12-14, 2026
7. Ski Dubai After-Hours
While not part of the official Chinese New Year programming, the region’s first indoor ski resort offers a unique counterpoint to Dubai’s desert landscape. Imagine celebrating the Year of the Horse with après-ski sophistication, a thoroughly contemporary Dubai experience that speaks to the city’s ability to create the unexpected.
Where: Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates
Book: Standard reservations apply
8. SKIMS Flagship Experience
Mall of the Emirates houses the region’s very first SKIMS store, offering another dimension to the luxury retail experience during Chinese New Year. While Western in origin, the brand’s minimalist aesthetic and focus on foundational wardrobe pieces align with the refined sensibilities being celebrated throughout the mall’s programming.
Where: Mall of the Emirates
Access: Walk-in welcome
9. New Covent Garden Theatre
As part of the broader cultural landscape at Mall of the Emirates, this 600-seat theater represents the mall’s commitment to experiential programming. While not hosting Chinese New Year-specific programming, it exemplifies the kind of culture-led thinking that makes the venue more than a shopping destination—it’s a creative ecosystem.
Where: Mall of the Emirates
10. The $1.36 Billion Expansion
Mall of the Emirates is currently undergoing a landmark 5 billion dirham expansion, transforming it into what many consider a next-generation global fashion capital. Visiting during this period of transformation offers a glimpse into how luxury retail is evolving. It’s not just about what’s happening now, but what’s being built for the future.
Where: Throughout Mall of the Emirates
When: Ongoing through 2026
To RSVP for exclusive events: events@jingdaily.com
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