Icon Show 2025 Welcomes Fashion’s Biggest Names to Crown Icon Winner

On Saturday 10 May 2025, Middlesex University Dubai hosted the third edition of the much-anticipated Icon Show. The high-profile show, which serves as a graduate showcase for the BA Hons Fashion students, welcomes a jury of global fashion experts to crown one student as the ultimate winner of the Icon Trophy.  

Twelve students, who are some of the UAE’s most promising emerging designers, presented their final collections to fashion elite at their Dubai Knowledge Park campus.  

The panel of judges included Mohammad Abdullah, President of the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation; Dina Melwani, Founder of Dina Melwani Couture; Joy Ejaria, Editor at Ahlan magazine; and Sophie Claudel, Director at L’Ecole School of Jewelery  Arts at Van Cleef & Arpels; with their fashion calibre ensuring the event was a high-profile celebration of the creative talent emerging from the UAE.  

Each graduate presented a six-look collection that reflected three years of design development, textile experimentation, and digital innovation. For the first time, students also debuted diffusion lines: commercial-ready garments tailored for the high street and ready-to-wear markets, developed as part of a newly introduced module.    

This expansion reflects the programme’s goal of preparing students not just as artists, but as adaptable professionals for today’s fashion ecosystem.  

Mohammad Abdullah shared his thoughts on the event: "The fashion landscape in the United Arab Emirates is undergoing a remarkable evolution - fuelled by cultural diversity, innovation, and a bold spirit of expression.    

“As President of the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, I am honoured to serve as a jury member for Icon Show 2025. This event not only showcases the creative excellence of the graduating talents but also underscores the region’s commitment to shaping a globally competitive design future. Supporting young designers at this pivotal moment is both a responsibility and a privilege."  

Dina Melwani, Founder of Dina Melwani Couture and MDX alumna, expressed her pride in returning to the university as a judge:  

"It’s incredibly fulfilling to see how the BA (Hons) Fashion programme has evolved over the years. Watching the students present their final collections and seeing the confidence with which they step into the professional world is a testament to the incredible education they’ve received here at MDX Dubai. The passion and technical skills on display tonight are a strong indication that these designers are ready for the global stage."  

The Icon Trophy: A Triumph of Creative Leadership  

The highlight of the evening was the prestigious Icon Trophy, awarded to the graduate whose collection best embodied leadership, innovation, and creative courage. The trophy was presented to Ishika Nandi for her groundbreaking collection, ‘A Perfect Paradox’, which captures the relentless battle between perfection and imperfection and left a lasting impression on the panel of judges.  

Ishika spoke about the inspiration behind the collection: “Winning this award means the world to me - it’s the culmination of three years of dedication, creativity, and personal growth. My collection explores the duality within me, the desire for perfection and the freedom to embrace imperfection. I’m passionate about storytelling, and I use each collection to explore conflicts and emotions.  

“I’m incredibly grateful to my faculty at Middlesex University Dubai for their constant support and guidance throughout this journey, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them. In the future I hope to launch my own label and continue creating collections that reflect who I am.”  

Vaishali Raj, Head of Fashion, MDX Dubai, said: “In limits, there is freedom. Creativity thrives within structure. Throughout their years at university, deadlines have taught the students discipline, feedback has encouraged their growth, and teamwork has shown them empathy. Those are lessons our young designers will carry far beyond the classroom.”  

Professor Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro-Vice Chancellor Middlesex University and Director, Middlesex University Dubai, said: “The Icon Show is a representation of the collective ambition we have here at MDX Dubai - to foster creativity, collaboration, and professional readiness. It’s inspiring to see our students step confidently into the industry, ready to leave their mark on the global fashion stage."  

Throughout their projects, students collaborated with manufacturers to develop bespoke digital prints and sustainable textiles, working alongside partners such as Inglot, L’Amour Institute of Beauty, and Ethical Elements. In5 awarded vouchers to standout talents, while World Arabia served as media partner, extending the event’s impact beyond campus walls.  

 Shape your future in fashion with MDX Dubai — and step into the spotlight. Applications are open now for the September 2025 intake of the BA Honours Fashion.