Rina Dhaka celebrates sustainable fusion wear at Afra World Fashion Confluence 2025 in Dubai: exclusive interview
Designer showcased an array of sustainable fusion wear on the runway at the Afra World Fashion Confluence 2025 in Dubai, organised by international curator Niti Gupta to set a benchmark in global luxury.
International fashion platform The Afra World brought eponymous designer Rina Dhaka's creations to a global audience, sharing Dhaka's translation of desert landscapes into wearable fusion wear. "The collection we created for and presented at The Afra World was inspired by the Sahara desert," Dhaka told FashionNetwork.com in an interview. "It is a delicate collection based on an ecru, ivory and nude palette. I thoughtfully curated it using conscious sustainable practices. As you can see, the collection fuses traditional and modern elements."
The collection featured numerous sustainable elements including repurposed leftover bias cut silk, tapes from factories, organic cottons, and Liva textiles. Dramatic runway looks also included elements made from cording waste, which was dried in the sun, washed, and repurposed into decorative detailing. Each piece in the collection took at least 100 to 150 man-hours to create and was made by the label's team of artisans.
"Our vision with this collection was to be eco-conscious and yet bring about movement, while using desert-like elements," said Dhaka. "In many ways, each piece comes to life like a desert rose. This was a Dubai-specific collection, created especially for The Afra World."
Designed to connect with Dubai's diverse luxury customer base, The Afra World aims to introduce designers to new demographics. "The Afra World has, over the years, transformed the local fashion landscape," The Afra World's founder and creative director Niti Gupta told FashionNetwork.com in an interview. "More than just a fashion showcase, it has evolved into a cornerstone of the region's burgeoning fashion industry, attracting a discerning global audience."
Aiming to represent a benchmark in luxury, The Afra World is designed to forge connections within the fashion ecosystem. Beyond runway shows, Gupta has also run showcases, networking sessions, awards, conferences, and business to business activations through The Afra World.
"We hope to continue our legacy of hosting The Afra World at even larger, grander scales, bringing together emerging and established talent from across the world," said Gupta about her future plans. "Our goal is to transform the fashion landscape, spark meaningful conversations and inspire change across the industry."
Dhaka is also looking to future expansion for her label. "For a while, we took things slow on the brand front," said Dhaka. "But, given the way the fashion ecosystem is growing and expanding, there are new and exciting things happening every month – whether shows, exhibitions or events like this one. I am looking forward to making a strong comeback, perhaps with London Fashion Week and focus on a ready-to-wear collection. At the same time, I'd like to advance our couture story."
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