Alberta Ferreti Opens Dubai Fashion Week

Italian luxury house Alberta Ferretti opened Dubai Fashion Week 2026 on February 1 with an acclaimed presentation of its Autumn/Winter 2026/27 collection, marking the brand’s first full-scale runway show in the Middle East and underscoring Dubai’s rising status in the global fashion calendar.

Held at Dubai Design District (d3) and co-hosted by the Arab Fashion Council, the Italian maison’s showcase blended its signature femininity with modern tailoring, introducing a collection that captivated industry insiders and fashion buyers alike.

Creative Director Lorenzo Serafini, who succeeded founder Alberta Ferretti in 2024, described the collection as a reflection of “refined craftsmanship and emotional sensibility” — a line that marries timeless Italian aesthetic with contemporary narratives.

The Autumn/Winter 2026/27 collection opened with strong fluid tailoring in charcoal, midnight blue and deep neutrals, featuring cinched-waist jackets, elongated trousers, and softened silhouettes that spoke to both structure and ease. These pieces established a sleek yet feminine foundation that defined the show’s mood.

As the runway progressed, layered chiffon gowns appeared with tonal gradients and precision pleating, introducing movement and architectural beauty. Transparency and layered fabrics created depth, while light embellishments were built into the garments’ construction rather than applied superficially.

Eveningwear leaned into textured richness with floor-length gowns in smoked gold and burnished copper, reflecting runway lights with a muted glow that emphasized craftsmanship over ostentation. Oversized coats, wool outerwear and cape silhouettes brought sculptural flair to the collection, balancing volume with control.

According to fashion critics, Serafini continued his mission of evolving the brand’s romantic legacy, maintaining poetic silhouettes while embracing closer-to-the-body shapes, defined waistlines and soft power tailoring that echo Italian sartorial heritage. The influence of mid-century chic and Victorian sensibilities came through in the refined interplay of structure and fluidity.

The show’s disciplined palette — from graphite and muted metals to deep neutrals — allowed textures and craftsmanship to shine, with feathered accents, pleated constructs and architectural layering emerging as standout elements.

Alberta Ferretti’s presence on opening night signals Dubai’s growing appeal as a fashion capital capable of hosting major luxury houses and drawing a cosmopolitan audience of buyers, editors and industry leaders. Organisers say the city’s positioning ahead of key global fashion weeks — such as New York — reflects its increasing commercial and creative importance.

The Autumn/Winter 26/27 season runs through February 6, with a lineup that features both established international brands and regional designers, highlighting Dubai’s role as a bridging ground between European couture tradition and Middle Eastern cultural dynamism.

As Alberta Ferretti’s show demonstrated, Dubai’s fashion week is not just a platform for display — but an emerging stage where global design narratives are shaped and celebrated.