Muscat Fashion Week Returns: A dialogue of identity

Under the gilded arches of the Royal Opera House Muscat, fashion arrived not as spectacle alone, but as a statement of intent. On the morning marking the opening of Muscat Fashion Week, the marble corridors and teak-wood halls of the iconic venue transformed into a living runway of ideas, identities and futures. Running from January 13 to 15, 2026 as part of Muscat Nights 2026, the event unfolded as a meeting point between craftsmanship and conversation, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and enriched by the participation of regional and international designers.
From the very first moment, the atmosphere carried a sense of return and renewal. Muscat Fashion Week came back with clarity of purpose, three days of cultural intelligence where fashion becomes a language, one that speaks of heritage without nostalgia, innovation without erasure and global dialogue rooted firmly in place. The Royal Opera House, with its balance of Omani architectural heritage and contemporary elegance, offered more than a venue, it became a symbol of what this fashion week set out to achieve.
In her opening address, Fatma bint Khamis al Fazariyah, Head of the Planning and Project Management Department at Muscat Governorate, framed the week as part of a broader national narrative. She spoke of Muscat as a nurturing city for creativity, one that embraces experimentation while remaining grounded in cultural memory. Her speech emphasised that fashion is no longer peripheral, but a vital contributor to the creative economy, aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and its focus on knowledge-based industries, sustainable development and cultural identity. The revival of Muscat Fashion Week, she noted, reflects confidence in Omani talent and a belief in fashion as a bridge between local authenticity and global relevance.
That bridge was further articulated by Amal al Raisi, Founder of Amal al Raisi Fashion House and Founder of this year's Muscat Fashion Week, whose words carried both personal conviction and collective ambition. For Al Raisi, the return of Muscat Fashion Week was not a seasonal celebration, but an announcement of a new phase, one in which fashion stands as an economic engine, a cultural voice and a platform for youth. She described fashion as a refined language capable of dialogue with the world, contemporary yet deeply rooted and highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration between culture, tourism, media and the creative industries. Her message was clear, Oman is not only a source of inspiration, but an active participant in shaping the global fashion conversation.

That vision materialised on the runway, where the works of designers including Amal al Raisi, Muna al Kaabi of Moonlight Concept, Faiza al Balushi of Bait Al Fanar, Buthaina al Zadjali of Bthaina, Ahmed Talfit and Elio Abu Faisal walked beneath the Opera House lights. Each collection told a distinct story, of material, silhouette, memory and modernity, yet together they formed a collective narrative of diversity and shared purpose.
Beyond the runway, the opening day positioned Muscat Fashion Week as a space for dialogue. The first panel, “Navigating the Middle Eastern Market, Fashion as an Economic Engine”, brought together Bilal al Arabi, Marnix Quint of Brunello Cucinelli Middle East, Aram Kabbani of Chalhoub Group and Reda Keddaji of Tryano. The discussion explored how new generations are reshaping fashion consumption in the region, developing their own visual language through digital platforms and emerging trends. Panelists emphasised the abundance of talent across the GCC and challenged outdated perceptions of fashion as a secondary industry, stressing its essential role in tourism, retail and economic growth.
Subsequent panels expanded the conversation. “Media’s Role in Shaping Fashion Trends in the Middle East”, moderated by Ahmed al Busaidy, examined how storytelling, editorial vision and strategy influence taste and visibility, with insights from Ylias Nacer and Nora al Besher of Hia Magazine. “Fashion as Cultural Diplomacy” reframed design as a soft power tool, capable of building bridges and expressing shared values across borders. The day concluded with “The Future of Fashion Weeks in the Middle East”, a forward looking discussion on evolving formats and regional collaboration.
As the opening day drew to a close, Muscat Fashion Week revealed itself not merely as an event, but as a cultural proposition. Between heritage and the future, the local and the global, Muscat stood confidently, dressed in intention, creativity and possibility.
Running from January 13 to 15, 2026 as part of Muscat Nights 2026, Muscat Fashion Week comes back with clarity of purpose, three days of cultural intelligence where fashion becomes a language, one that speaks of heritage and expressiveness.