Today, Friday, January 30, 2026, marks the second day of The Dubai Mall Fashion Festival, offering a full program that blends panel discussions on fashion and emerging technologies, real success stories from regional designers, and a prestigious evening awards ceremony at the Armani Hotel.
Morning Sessions: AI and Regional Success Stories
The day kicks off at 10:30 AM with a panel titled “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Fashion,” moderated by journalist Louise Nichol. Speakers including Lia Dashkina, Dr. Karin Lorys, Andreas Haselhof, and Dutti Barok will explore how new technologies are reshaping fashion design, production, and customer interaction.
At 11:30 AM, the focus shifts to the regional scene with “The Rise of Regional Fashion Giants,” a panel moderated by Rosanna Lockwood. Designers Nisreen Shocair, Dima Ayad, and Prarthana Nandwani will share how they built local fashion brands that successfully expanded to international markets, offering valuable insight into navigating challenges and growth.
Afternoon: Investment Insights and Brand Building
In the afternoon, journalist Ramia Farage leads two key sessions. The first, at 1:00 PM, is titled “Fashion, Investment, and Growth” and discusses the investment landscape of the fashion industry. Panelists include Ritu Upadhyay from WWD Magazine, strategy expert Lisa Rakhni, CEO Alex Baker, and designer Faiza Bouguessa, who will provide practical advice on achieving sustainable growth.
At 2:00 PM, the next session—“From Vision to Brand”—dives into the process of building a strong fashion identity. Speakers Luana Violca, Sara Sharif, Layla Saleh, and Fatma Bin Sultan will share how they transformed personal visions into recognizable, impactful brands.
Evening Gala at Armani Hotel: Honoring Fashion Icons
The day concludes with the Dubai Mall Global Fashion Awards Ceremony, held at Armani Hotel. The evening features a special haute couture show by renowned designer Reem Acra, followed by an awards presentation.
A highlight of the evening will be the arrival of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who will receive the “Global Style Icon” award. High-profile attendees such as Brunello Cucinelli are also expected, underscoring the event’s international stature.
