On January 29 and 30, 2026, the Dubai Mall Festival of Fashion transformed the mall's Grand Atrium into a live fashion platform — twelve free masterclasses, panel discussions, and a formal awards evening that positioned Dubai retail as a genuine cultural venue, not merely a shopping destination.
Fashion Inside a Working Public Space
The choice of location was deliberate. The Dubai Mall functions as civic infrastructure. With constant footfall, proximity to the Burj Khalifa, and a daily mix of residents, tourists, and industry professionals, it offers a scale and audience that operates in real time, at volume.
The festival moved within that condition, with close attention to access, pacing, and presence. Sessions took place amid constant foot traffic. Speakers addressed audiences that included industry figures and passersby alike. The setting was immediate — and intentionally so.
This reflects how fashion already operates in Dubai: retail, hospitality, media, and culture overlap. The festival embedded conversation and education directly into the retail landscape, with coverage partner Lana, the Arabic news platform, documenting the program alongside it.
The Masterclass Programme
The masterclass programme ran across both days, from mid-morning into the evening, with each session lasting under an hour — tight enough to keep momentum without fragmentation.
Day One — Thursday, January 29
At 10:30 a.m., The Art of Modern Makeup opened proceedings, led by Mohammed Hindash, the Dubai-based makeup artist whose work spans editorial projects, brand collaborations, and his own beauty label. He approached makeup not as surface application but as a means of understanding facial structure through light and shadow — drawing a full house in the Grand Atrium.
At 11:30 a.m., Beauty Editorial: From Concept to Canvas was led by Mariam Khairallah, Global Senior Makeup Artist at MAC Cosmetics. The session examined editorial beauty as process — how skin, structure, and light are approached in high-fashion imagery.
At 1:30 p.m., The Power of Accessories was presented by fashion stylist Mai Galal, whose work spans regional publications and public-facing styling. The session addressed proportion, layering, and the role accessories play in defining a look.
At 2:30 p.m., Modest Fashion: Style with Substance was led by Hadia Ghaleb, founder of her namesake label. The session covered tailoring, layering, and occasion-based dressing — reflecting modest fashion's established position in both regional and international markets.
At 3:45 p.m., Runway to Real Life Styling was led by Dalia Al Ali, a digital creator with a background bridging corporate experience and fashion entrepreneurship. The focus was on translating runway references into everyday wear.
At 4:45 p.m., stylist Cedric Haddad presented The Art of Looking Camera Ready — addressing how clothing performs across photography, television, public events, and social platforms.
At 6:15 p.m., Cultural Codes in Contemporary Styling was led by Maram Zbaeda, whose work engages regional and global references. The session examined how cultural influences intersect in contemporary styling decisions.
The day closed at 7:30 p.m. with The Scent Edit: Fashion's Invisible Accessory, led by Syrine Khessib of KAYALI. The session aligned fragrance with mood, texture, and moment — treating scent as an integral part of fashion presentation.
The Awards Evening
The Dubai Mall Festival of Fashion concluded on January 30 with the Dubai Mall Global Fashion Awards at the Armani Hotel Pavilion. The shift in venue marked a change in register — from open retail circulation to a contained formal setting, while remaining close to the festival's core location.
Awards were presented across 11 categories, recognising regional and global excellence in fashion. Shah Rukh Khan received the Global Style Icon award at the ceremony.
A New Frame for Dubai Retail
The Dubai Mall Festival of Fashion operated within the city's existing frameworks rather than imposing something separate. Fashion moved through retail, media, and public space without interruption — observed at scale, practiced in real time, and documented as it happened.
The festival made a measured assertion: that the Dubai Mall is not simply where fashion is sold, but where it can be learned, discussed, and celebrated.
