Dubai, UAE, 6 February 2026: Dubai Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2026/27 drew to a stunning close with Manish Malhotra’s INAYA: The India Story. With Kriti Sanon as the showstopper, the finale felt like a calm pause at the end of a week packed with creativity, elegance, and bold ideas. The room hummed with quiet excitement as models glided down the runway, letting fabrics and details speak for themselves.
The collection was a dialogue between tradition and modern design. Menswear and womenswear shared equal presence. Sherwanis were reinvented with lace overlays and subtle tonal embroidery, combining structure with movement. Flowing gowns and sarees balanced the rigidity of embroidery with soft, responsive fabrics. Pearls, crystals, and hand-placed sequins added shimmer in just the right places, catching light without ever being overpowering.
One standout moment was Kriti Sanon in an ivory gown with cascading pearl accents, which moved fluidly as she walked, creating a sense of effortless grace. Another was a deep emerald draped gown with embroidered panels, where every fold revealed a new texture and subtle detail. Sculpted evening bags and finely crafted belts complemented the outfits, giving each look a polished, finished edge.
The fabrics themselves told a story. Soft silks and chiffons flowed naturally, contrasting with structured lace and layered textures. The color palette moved from soft pinks to deep jewel tones, creating visual harmony across the runway while still allowing individual pieces to shine. Light played on surfaces of embroidery and pearls, giving each look dimension and depth, a quiet celebration of craftsmanship.
Beyond the clothes, the mood backstage and on the runway added to the magic. Models’ movements felt instinctive, almost like the garments were guiding them. The audience leaned in at details: the way a drape fell, a crystal caught the light, or a sherwani’s pattern lined up perfectly with a model’s silhouette. It wasn’t just fashion on display, it was a sense of connection between design, movement, and the people who brought it to life.
Manish Malhotra’s finale reflected the week itself. Designers across Dubai Fashion Week explored different visions, Krésha Bajaj with structured leather and cage-like silhouettes, NŪRA by Tryano experimenting with AI-assisted couture, Dhara Shah’s Victorian-inspired tailoring, and SORAMAME’s soft, flowing shapes. Each show had its own language, but INAYA stood out for its subtle power, refined elegance, and quiet storytelling through fabrics and details.
Every look in INAYA felt intentional. Structured bodices met flowing skirts, embroidered lace balanced delicate draping, and pearl accents whispered rather than shouted. The collection was also a nod to heritage, with traditional techniques reinterpreted for today’s wearer, making each piece feel modern yet timeless. The accessories, sculptural evening bags and belts, extended the narrative, emphasizing that even small details can have a big impact.
By the end of the show, there was a sense of completion, but also anticipation. The week had been full of energy, discovery, and unexpected moments. From bold textures to delicate draping, each designer had left a mark, and Manish Malhotra’s finale tied it all together with sophistication, calm, and style.
Loved this week, full of incredible outfits, thoughtful craftsmanship, and memorable runway moments. Dubai Fashion Week may be ending for now, but the inspiration, creativity, and excitement are already carrying us toward the next season.
