Dolce & Gabbana graces Dubai with first show in the Middle East

Dolce & Gabbana’s first runway show in the Middle East was a colorful event to remember as a glamorous crowd descended on The Dubai Mall on Sunday night to take in the spectacle.

“Day & Night” saw more than 120 models fly in especially for the event.

The Milan-based fashion house’s collection featured intricate evening gowns in vibrant shades of pink, yellow, orange and blue. Some designs boasted arabesque motifs in a nod to the surroundings. Masculine, sporty looks also featured in the showcase, with models taking to the catwalk in a range of sharp tuxedos.

Models took to the runway in an array of elaborate floral headpieces, not to be outdone by heavily embellished dresses and abayas with intricate, mosaic-like beadwork and a healthy amount of frilled chiffon and quirky prints. The accompanying music got onlookers in the mood as a classical band played a mix of popular current and old school tracks while the models strutted down a grey runway.

Meanwhile, Lebanese fashion bloggers Karen Wazen and Lana El-Sahely were spotted at the event, along with a host of other regional influencers. “We love Dubai very much. We are extremely excited to come back. It is a dynamic city with thousands of attractions: You’re able find everything you want. It is a modern and cosmopolitan metropolis where you can shop for spices, fabrics, carpets, typical objects… everything we love,” Gabbana said in a statement released before the show, according to Grazia Middle East magazine.

“We have just opened a boutique in The Dubai Mall that reflects what we are, our identity. There’s a bit of everything, the black of the marbles, the gold, the precious damask fabrics we adore. This space is an interpretation of our soul, with the dream-like atmosphere and warm colors of the Middle East,” Dolce added.

The savvy fashion house has focused on modest wear and the Middle Eastern market in recent years, with collections dedicated to Muslim women, including a line of embellished abayas and long dresses.

By Melissa Ahmed