Get ready to have your senses dusted in stardust and your imagination draped in tulle! The air sizzled with anticipation, the runway shimmered with dreams, and the room pulsed with the heartbeat of raw, emerging talent. Yes, darling readers, we’re still swooning over The ICON Show—Middlesex University Dubai’s dazzling end-of-year fashion extravaganza that took place on Saturday, 10 May 2025.
Imagine a garden blooming with exquisite creativity—each petal a testament to dedication, each hue a note in a sartorial symphony. That’s exactly what unfolded as twelve brilliant graduating designers from Middlesex’s prestigious BA Honours Fashion programme unveiled their final collections. This wasn’t just a runway show—it was a revelation. A joyous eruption of form, fabric, and fearless imagination.
For these emerging creatives, it was a moment to shine—to send their visions fluttering down the runway like butterflies with purpose. Each six-look collection told a story: whispered in silk, sculpted in pleats, and bold in voice. And for the first time ever, the students also debuted “diffusion lines”—ready-to-wear pieces brimming with originality and high-street appeal. A delightful double dose of design ingenuity!
The judging panel was no less star-studded: Mohammad Abdullah, Dina Melwani, Joy Ejaria, and Sophie Claudel graced the front row with their discerning eyes. The prestigious ICON Trophy, a symbol of creative leadership, was awarded to the brilliant Ishika Nandi for her standout collection ‘A Perfect Paradox’—a compelling interplay between flawlessness and imperfection.
Sustainability and inclusivity formed the fabric of the evening. These young visionaries collaborated with ethical partners, crafted bespoke digital prints, and prioritised conscious design choices. The ICON Studio is clearly not just shaping designers—it’s shaping changemakers.
With support from Inglot, L’Amour Institute of Beauty, Ethical Elements, In5, and World Arabia, the showcase struck the perfect chord between glamour and purpose. And for those who couldn’t attend in person, the event was streamed live on Instagram (@middlesexdubai), extending the magic to a global audience.
The ICON Show wasn’t just a night of fashion—it was a celebration of dreams realised, risks taken, and futures imagined. Here’s to the next generation of fashion’s finest.
