DUBAI — It was a family affair in Dubai as Brunello Cucinelli and his daughter Carolina staged a presentation and dinner to showcase a special capsule collection of abayas.
This marks the brand’s first show in the Middle East, but Brunello Cucinelli said the region has long been a source of inspiration.
“I have always been very passionate about Arab culture, landscape and architecture,” he told WWD. “Just look around us now, the setting here is sublime. When you look at the colors of the house, of our brand, they fit perfectly here in the desert.”
Carolina and Brunello Cucinelli in Dubai. Photo by Christophe Viseux
The abayas, created in a range of fabrics from crepe silk to summer-weight wool, blended the brand’s classic tailoring with elegant, softly flowing looks. Each was styled with a shayla, or veil, to cover the hair. The collection seamlessly integrated with the brand’s overall spring 2025 collection, offering up an expanded, culturally relevant offering.
One of the abayas from the capsule. Photo by Christophe Viseux.
Carolina Cucinelli, who serves as vice president and co-creative director of the brand with her sister Camilla, said they worked closely with a stylist from the Middle East to ensure the collection honors the traditions of the region, with attention to cuts and wearability. “This is an important market for us, and we wanted to create a more profound connection with our clients here,” she said.
She described the design process as very collaborative. “My sister and I work together, like all our collections, and there is a final review from Brunello to ensure it aligns with the overall vision.”
Carolina Cucinelli, who wore a long ivory-color abaya jacket from the collection, appreciated the versatility of the abaya. “Our brand DNA is very dedicated to the tailoring and so we have these sartorial pieces that we hope can be worn anywhere in the world,” she explained.
She also expressed a strong personal connection to the region, drawing parallels between Italian and Arab culture. “From a cultural point of view, we are very close,” she said. “We share a passion for family, for honoring tradition and for truly celebrating life’s moments, which we are doing tonight.”