• Iconic Italian fashion house Alberta Ferretti presented its AW26 collection ‘Portrait of a Lady’ in landmark Middle East debut at Dubai Fashion Week
• Showcase reinforces Dubai Fashion Week’s status as a global platform where international fashion and cultural exchange converge

Dubai, UAE, 2 February 2026: Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) kicked off last night with a quietly 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 (AW26/27) 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 where cultures, creativity and craftsmanship converge.

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.

‘Portrait of a Lady’ explored beauty as presence rather than performance. 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 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.

DFW, the region’s definitive fashion fixture, continues through 6 February, bringing together 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, reinforcing Dubai’s position at the forefront of the global fashion calendar.

DFW’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.

DFW 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

For the full DFW AW26/27 calendar, visit: www.dubaifashionweek.org and follow DFW on social:  

·       @dubaifashionweek  

·       @d3dubai

·       @arabfashioncouncil