In the Presence of Mohamed Alabbar… “The Dubai Mall Global Fashion Awards” Crown World Icons and Creative Pioneers

In the presence of Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar, the “Dubai Mall Global Fashion Awards” concluded last night in an exceptional ceremony that reaffirmed Dubai’s position as a global capital for fashion and the creative economy. Held under the patronage and attendance of Alabbar, the event served as a unique platform that brought together giants of Indian cinema, Italian fashion powerhouses, and leading Arab creatives, marking the most prominent highlight of the Dubai Mall Fashion Festival.

The ceremony witnessed historic moments, most notably when global Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan took to the stage to receive the Global Style Icon award, a scene that reflected the cultural fusion between art and fashion. In a tribute to industry pioneers, Giuseppe Marsotti, CEO of the Armani Group, accepted the Global Fashion Legend award on behalf of the legendary designer Giorgio Armani. The Italian excellence was further celebrated with Brunello Cucinelli receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Fashion award, in recognition of his distinctive design philosophy and humanistic approach.

Arab brilliance was strongly represented on the winners’ podium, as Egyptian star Nelly Karim was honored with the title of Arab Screen and Style Icon, while renowned designer Reem Acra received the Global Designer of the Year award, underscoring the powerful presence of Arab talent on the international stage. In the same context, celebrated Indian designer Manish Malhotra was awarded Couture Designer of the Year, highlighting the deep aesthetic ties between the region and the Indian subcontinent.

The awards also spotlighted leaders shaping the future of the industry. Khadija Al Bastaki received the Outstanding Contribution to Regional Fashion award in recognition of her pioneering role in supporting the local design ecosystem, while the Arab Fashion Council was honored with the Fashion Economy Award, acknowledging its efforts in transforming creativity into a sustainable economic driver.

In the realms of innovation and visual identity, Nadine Kanso won the Cultural Impact Award for her designs that merge Arabic calligraphy with modernity, while the Street Style Designer of the Year award went to Maryam Yahya. Amani Al Saibi was also honored with the title of Regional Model of the Year, celebrating her influential presence in the world of fashion shows.

In beauty and digital media categories, makeup expert Mohamed Hindash was crowned Makeup Artist of the Year, while Anas Bukhash received the Digital Creator of the Year award for his purposeful content. The evening concluded with the duo Mohammed and Hamid Hadhban (The Twins) receiving the Influencers of the Year award, bringing the curtain down on a night that celebrated creativity in all its forms.

The awards ceremony marked the conclusion of the inaugural edition of the Dubai Mall Fashion Festival, a pioneering event launched by The Dubai Mall with the aim of transforming the world’s most visited destination from a shopping hub into a global cultural and creative platform.

Organized in strategic partnership with the media platform “Lana,” the two-day festival featured a rich program that blended education with luxury entertainment. The event stood out for its intensive agenda, which included twelve educational masterclasses led by top industry experts, covering topics ranging from the art of adornment to the future of digital fashion. Through these activities and exclusive fashion shows, the festival sought to build bridges between global expertise and regional talent, reaffirming Dubai’s ambition to be a creator of fashion movements rather than merely a consumer of them.