Dubai paves the way for turning fashion ideas into brands

Having a creative idea in the fashion world does not always mean having a successful brand. Many designers need training, professional connections, and market knowledge to transition from design to production and sales.

Now, Dubai is set to help fashion designers navigate this path faster with the launch of a new program.

Dubai Culture, in collaboration with Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), has launched the first Made in Dubai Fashion Sprint; an eight-week program designed to assist in building and developing fashion brands.

This program will host 15 fashion designers from among UAE citizens and residents; designers who want to create a new brand, strengthen an existing label, or develop their path to becoming a market-ready brand.

Registration for this course continues from August 3 to 28, 2026, and the program will run from September 19 to November 8, 2026.

Participants in this course will not only develop the creative aspect of their work but will also become familiar with the commercial side of the fashion industry; from building brand identity and formulating strategy to product development, pricing, marketing, financial planning, and preparing for retail entry.

This program also provides an opportunity for direct connections between designers and manufacturers, local workshops, retailers, and fashion industry experts, allowing participants to become acquainted with the realities of production and market entry in Dubai.

At the end of the course, designers will present their collections and brand strategies at a final event to industry stakeholders. Selection of participants will be based on criteria such as design quality, production readiness, commercial capacity, and growth potential.

This initiative is part of Dubai Culture's efforts to support creative industries and aligns with the goals of Dubai's Design Strategy 2033; a program aimed at strengthening Dubai's position as a global hub for design, creativity, and innovation.
Source: Gulf News