Dubai Fashion Week’s third day unfolded with renewed energy, led by a strong wave of emerging designers confidently stepping into the spotlight. From independently driven labels to experimental creative collaborations, the shows gave a fresh take on fashion — one grounded in authenticity, sustainability, and cross-disciplinary influences spanning music, art and culture. Together, they yet again affirmed Dubai's role as a launchpad for rising talent from across the globe.

Absent Findings

The Dubai-based fashion house, Absent Findings brought fresh energy with their Fall/Winter 2026/2027 titled Not What You Think. Founded by creative director Shivin Singh, the label looked to surrealist art for inspiration, continuing its ongoing exploration of memory, the sari, and the psychology of dress. This season, those themes were interpreted through a more introspective, dreamlike lens. The collection unfolded through a considered play on texture, proportion, and unexpected structure, featuring sharply tailored garments, beautifully crafted handbags, and romantic statement accessories such as oversized diamond and crystal necklaces.

Victor Weinsanto

Victor Weinsanto brought his signature Parisian theatrics to the Dubai Fashion Week AW26 runway, reaffirming his reputation for “club-kid couture.” The collection fused high-fashion craftsmanship with a playful irreverence, spotlighting his trademark exaggerated corsetry and sculptural draping. His iconic “Vase Dress” — a full-body corset concept — returned in heavier, winter-ready fabrics, while bold, structured textiles evoked architectural forms throughout the show. Movement-driven fringes introduced a sense of dynamism, paired with edgy styling that gave the runway a couture-meets-punk aesthetic. Staying true to his ethical stance, Weinsanto also incorporated upcycled and surplus materials, reinforcing that fashion can still be responsible.

Emergency room x Timberland

The Emergency Room x Timberland collaboration was one of the most talked-about moments of Dubai Fashion Week Day 3. More than a footwear partnership, it was a full-scale creative takeover that reinterpreted rugged American heritage through a Lebanese design lens. Drawing on ’90s and early 2000s street culture, the collection leaned heavily into nostalgia, with references grounded in the style and attitude of the era. Fittingly, the show unfolded on the basketball courts at Dubai Design District (d3), reinforcing its street-driven narrative. The lineup featured embroidered details, denim, and lightweight layers, all anchored by Timberland’s iconic footwear.