Asia Fashion Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 32 Week of 15 September 2025
(1) South Asian designers shine bright at Dubai Fashion Week
Dubai Fashion Week 2026 showcased 40 designers, with South Asian talents like Krèsha Bajaj and Fioletowy shining. Dubai’s unique, rule-free style blends luxury and streetwear, redefining global fashion narratives.
(2) K11 MUSEA expands luxury brand portfolio, including Rolex and Prada
Guo Pei unveils 30 gold-embroidered couture pieces at Hong Kong’s Centrestage 2025, blending tradition with PolyU student collaboration. The M+ show—her first solo in the city—celebrates timeless radiance, followed by a masterclass.
(3) YOASOBI Collaborates with LVMH Prize-Winning Brand Doublet to Launch “Night Out with Yoasobi” Series
YOASOBI and doublet’s ” Night Out with Yoasobi” collection, inspired by nightlife, launches at ZOZOFES for ZOZOTOWN’s 20th anniversary, featuring nostalgic T-shirts and hoodies, debuting October 13, 2025, in Yokohama.
(4) Esprit catwalks its way back to Causeway Bay this November
Esprit reopens in Causeway Bay’s Fashion Walk on November 1, 2025, after its 2020 exit, aiming to revive classic styles with a modern twist, leveraging nostalgia and celebrity legacy.
(1) South Asian designers shine bright at Dubai Fashion Week
(Photo Credit: The Sunday Guardian)
Dubai Fashion Week (DFW), co-founded by Dubai Design District (d3) and the Arab Fashion Council in 2023, is establishing Dubai as a global fashion hub by blending Eastern and Western couture traditions. The Spring/Summer 2026 edition, held over six days, featured 40 designers and emphasized inclusivity by showcasing both established and emerging talent. Jacob Abrain, CEO of the Arab Fashion Council, highlighted DFW’s role as a neutral platform that encourages creativity without rigid themes, fostering international collaboration while nurturing regional designers. Dubai’s unique fashion identity, merging luxury, streetwear, and couture, distinguishes it from traditional fashion capitals like Paris and Milan.
South Asian designers made a significant impact at DFW 2026, with Indian designer Krèsha Bajaj presenting her ready-to-wear collection, The Archive of Hidden Things. Divided into three thematic chapters—Revelation, Obsession, and Liberation—the collection featured delicate, flowing silhouettes and structured embellished pieces in blush pinks and pearl tones. Supported by her muse, actress Samantha Prabhu, who praised Bajaj’s fusion of modern and traditional aesthetics, the show highlighted Dubai’s multicultural appeal. Bengaluru-based brand Fioletowy also debuted with its 30-piece Elevation collection, showcasing handcrafted silk designs with vibrant pastels and innovative tailoring, walked by supermodel Lisa Haydon, who noted Dubai’s evolving platform for experimental designers.
Malaysian duo Rizman Ruzaini returned with their couture collection Rimba, inspired by Southeast Asian rainforests, featuring luxurious velvet textures and intricate embellishments. Their designs, aligned with Dubai’s aesthetic of opulence, have dressed Indian celebrities, signaling their ambition to expand globally. DFW’s ability to integrate diverse influences was evident, as Abrain described Dubai’s style as a rule-free blend of luxury and streetwear, identifiable worldwide. By amplifying South Asian voices alongside global talent, DFW is redefining the fashion narrative, positioning Dubai as a melting pot where couture transcends borders.
News Source: https://sundayguardianlive.com/feature/south-asian-designers-shine-bright-at-dubai-fashion-week-138158/
(2) K11 MUSEA expands luxury brand portfolio, including Rolex and Prada
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
K11 MUSEA is set to significantly expand its luxury brand portfolio within the next two years. Over 10 leading global luxury brands, including Audemars Piguet and Rolex, are launching new stores or enhancing their presence. Audemars Piguet recently unveiled an expanded AP HOUSE K11 MUSEA with Victoria Harbour views in September 2025, while Rolex opened a new location to showcase its craftsmanship. This expansion will double the mall’s luxury retail footprint, reinforcing its status as a premier shopping destination.
The expansion includes major upgrades and new flagship stores for brands such as Van Cleef & Arpels, PRADA, LOEWE, and Saint Laurent. In the past year, over 50 premium fashion and lifestyle retailers across beauty, fashion, leisure, and sports categories have joined K11 MUSEA. The mall recorded its highest monthly footfall in August 2025 since its opening, reflecting strong consumer interest and confidence in its unique positioning and business model, as noted by Horace Lam, Chief Executive Officer of K11 Hong Kong.
K11 MUSEA’s sales from international luxury brands grew by over 20% year-on-year during the summer of 2025, highlighting its robust market performance. The addition of high-profile brands and the significant increase in footfall underscore the mall’s growing appeal to both retailers and shoppers. Lam emphasized that these developments reflect retailers’ strong confidence in K11 MUSEA’s innovative approach and promising market potential, positioning it as a leading hub for luxury retail in Hong Kong.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/fashion-and-design/article/311626/K11-MUSEA-expands-luxury-brand-portfolio-including-Rolex-and-Prada
(3) YOASOBI Collaborates with LVMH Prize-Winning Brand Doublet to Launch “Night Out with Yoasobi” Series
(Photo Credit: Doublet)
YOASOBI and the 2018 LVMH Prize-winning Japanese fashion brand doublet have announced their first collaboration, launching a special edition series called “YOASOBIと夜遊び”. This collection, created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Japan’s largest fashion shopping platform ZOZOTOWN’s “ZOZOFES” event, is rooted in a story of mutual admiration between the collaborators. Inspired by nostalgic nightlife, the 10-item collection of T-shirts and hoodies, designed by doublet’s Masayuki Ino, captures five memorable late-night scenes like karaoke and arcade visits, transforming them into wearable emotional tributes to youthful nights.
The partnership originated from mutual admiration, with YOASOBI’s Ayase being a long-time doublet enthusiast, inspired by Ino’s philosophy during a magazine project four years ago. Conversely, Ino became a YOASOBI fan after discovering their BEASTARS theme song, which inspired a fashion series. Their shared appreciation for infusing everyday moments with surreal excitement led to this collaboration, which Ayase notes aligns perfectly with both parties’ creative identities, making it a fitting tribute to ZOZOTOWN’s milestone.
The series will launch on October 13, 2025, at K-Arena Yokohama during “ZOZOFES” DAY 2, with online sales on ZOZOTOWN to follow. The collection’s nostalgic designs aim to resonate with fans, evoking memories of carefree nights while showcasing the innovative synergy between music and fashion. This collaboration not only celebrates a significant retail milestone but also highlights the growing influence of Japanese creatives in global fashion and music.
News Source: https://www.hk01.com/article/60277221?utm_source=01articlecopy&utm_medium=referral
(4) Esprit catwalks its way back to Causeway Bay this November
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
Esprit, the iconic fashion chain that exited Hong Kong in 2020, will reopen in Causeway Bay’s Fashion Walk on November 1, 2025, aiming to “rewrite the fashion trend” with its classic styles. Announced via a new Instagram account on September 17, the brand teased its return with a colorful logo and the phrase “Rewrite the Classic,” hinting at integrating lifestyle and coffee elements into its operations. This relaunch seeks to reconnect with Hong Kong fans, leveraging the brand’s nostalgic appeal and refreshed vision.
Founded in 1968 by Douglas Tompkins and Susie Russell, Esprit first entered Hong Kong in 1983 under billionaire Michael Ying Lee-yuen, gaining fame through celebrity endorsements from figures like Brigitte Lin and Leslie Cheung. Its original Causeway Bay store, designed with Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata, became a local landmark, later celebrated in a song by rap duo Softhard. The brand’s return to this significant location underscores its historical ties to the city’s fashion scene.
The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic forced Esprit Holdings Limited to close 56 stores outside China, including its Hong Kong branches, marking a temporary exit. The upcoming reopening reflects a strategic revival, capitalizing on the brand’s legacy and cultural resonance in Hong Kong.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/311916/
