After a roaringly successful debut at Dubai Fashion Week 2025, celebrated couturier and costume designer Manish Malhotra is set to return as the Grand Finale designer for the 2026 edition. This time, he will close the showcase with The India Story: Inaya Collection 2026, bringing Indian couture to the global runway once again.
Adding to the glamour of the evening, Bollywood star Kriti Sanon will walk as Manish Malhotra’s muse and showstopper, making the finale one of the most anticipated moments of Dubai Fashion Week 2026.
A night celebrating Indian craftsmanship
Fashion enthusiasts can expect an evening steeped in opulence, where Indian craftsmanship and couture take centre stage. Manish Malhotra, who also closed Dubai Fashion Week 2025, returns with renewed energy, showcasing his Inaya Collection 2026, which celebrates couture at its finest.
Kriti Sanon, known for her effortless elegance and red-carpet presence, is expected to bring the designer’s vision to life on the international runway. The actor has long shared a close association with Malhotra and has often championed his creations at key personal and professional moments.
Kriti Sanon’s longstanding association with Manish Malhotra
Kriti has consistently celebrated the designer’s work over the years. Most recently, she turned to Manish Malhotra couture for her sister Nupur Sanon’s wedding, where the entire Sanon family was styled by the couturier, earning praise for their coordinated and elegant looks.
Her return as his muse at Dubai Fashion Week further strengthens their enduring fashion partnership.
Dubai: Manish Malhotra’s second home
Speaking earlier to News18, Manish Malhotra described Dubai as a city close to his heart. “Dubai has always been a city that appreciates craftsmanship, luxury, and timeless elegance. Fashion is about evolution, and this past year in Dubai has been a testament to how beautifully cultures can merge while still celebrating their own unique identities,” he said.
In 2023, the designer inaugurated his flagship store in Dubai—an important milestone that seamlessly blended Indian haute couture with the Middle East’s love for grandeur.
A legacy of iconic finales
Known for his flair for memorable showstopper moments, Manish Malhotra has previously featured international icons at Dubai Fashion Week. At the 2025 edition, Russian model Valery Kaufman opened the show, while Brazilian supermodel and former Victoria’s Secret Angel Adriana Lima closed the showcase.
With Kriti Sanon set to close Dubai Fashion Week 2026, anticipation is already high for another landmark moment celebrating Indian fashion on a global platform.
Dubai Fashion Week 2026 is currently underway at Dubai Design District and will run until February 6.
