For Emirati designer Maitha Alansaari, fashion is as much about storytelling as it is about what we wear. Her latest creation, A Journey Woven in Fragments, brings that philosophy to life, combining the cultural heritage of the UAE with Italian craftsmanship in a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional abaya.
The design has earned Alansaari the ADMAF x Dolce&Gabbana Design Award 2025, an initiative established by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) in partnership with the Italian fashion house to nurture emerging Emirati designers and introduce their work to an international audience.
Now in its second edition, the award invited participants to explore the abaya through flowers, lace, patchwork, hand-painting and embroidery. Alansaari’s winning creation takes the form of a luxurious cape, its layered patchwork motifs drawing on Emirati and Italian influences. Advanced digital printing gives the piece a fluid, lightweight quality, while hand-applied embroidery adds texture and depth.
Alansaari, who was among the first cohort to graduate with a degree in Fashion and Textile Design from the University of Sharjah, is also the co-founder of House of 45, a Sharjah concept store dedicated to supporting emerging designers.
Her winning design was unveiled on 13 October alongside creations by runners-up Fakhra Almansoori, who presented Lace Mirage, a reinterpretation of the traditional black abaya inspired by the dunes of Liwa and Dolce&Gabbana’s signature lace and Mohamed Alowais with Ethereal Being, a contemporary interpretation of the Emirati mukhawar, combining lace, beadwork and archival motifs with flowing drapery. All three pieces, produced by Dolce&Gabbana, will be exhibited for six months at the brand’s boutique in The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi.
The award marks the beginning of a new chapter for Alansaari, who will undertake a six-month internship at Dolce&Gabbana’s Milan ateliers beginning in January 2027.
For YUNG, the designers reflect on the inspiration behind their creations, the significance of seeing her work brought to life by Dolce&Gabbana and the creative possibilities that lie ahead.
Maitha Alansaari
What inspired A Journey Woven in Fragments, and what personal story does it tell?
A Journey Woven in Fragments was inspired by the beautiful connection between Emirati heritage and Italian craftsmanship. I wanted to create a piece that celebrates both cultures while telling a story of identity, creativity, and the beauty of bringing different worlds together.
The patchwork concept reflects how our identities are shaped by different experiences, traditions, and influences, each fragment carrying its own story while contributing to something greater.
On a personal level, this design took me back to why I fell in love with fashion in the first place. When I studied fashion design at university, I loved the process of developing a concept and transforming it into something artistic and meaningful. As designers, we sometimes become so focused on creating practical, wearable pieces that we lose touch with that experimental side of ourselves. This experience gave me the opportunity to rediscover that part of my creativity.
I also wanted to challenge the traditional silhouette of the abaya by creating something between an abaya and a luxury cape, a piece that respects modesty while being versatile enough to be appreciated by women from different cultures. For me, it represents how tradition can evolve without losing its identity.
What does it mean to see your design produced by Dolce&Gabbana and displayed in its boutique?
It’s incredibly special to see Dolce&Gabbana bring a piece inspired by my design to life. The award, by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation in partnership with the fashion house, makes this a very emotional moment in my journey as a designer. To have an idea that began as a sketch and a personal creative vision transformed into a finished piece by one of the world’s most renowned fashion houses is something I am truly proud of.
What makes this experience even more meaningful is seeing Emirati heritage represented through the craftsmanship and creative expertise of an international fashion house. It is a beautiful reminder that our culture and stories have a place on the global fashion stage.
Having my work displayed in a Dolce&Gabbana boutique is not only a recognition of my design, but also a reflection of how far I have come since my university days. It reminds me of the young designer I once was, full of ideas and ambitions, and why I chose this path in the first place.
More than anything, this experience has inspired me to continue exploring fashion beyond its commercial side, to create pieces that tell stories, celebrate identity, and push creative boundaries. I see it as both a proud achievement and the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my creative journey.
Mohamed Alowais
What was the starting point for Ethereal Being?
It actually started from something completely different from where I ended up. At first, I wanted to work with local flowers, since flowers were part of the required themes. I experimented with distorting and abstracting the flower imagery and imagined it printed all over the dress.
Eventually, I dropped the idea because it started to feel forced. I went back and looked more honestly at what I had actually been consuming, the world around me, and what felt true to my own design language. That shift is really what led to Ethereal Being.
Being part of this ADMAF initiative, in partnership with Dolce&Gabbana, has shown me how a creative interest can grow into a more serious pursuit.
How has this experience shaped what you want to do next as a designer?
This experience gave all of us as finalists an amazing platform and made the idea of pursuing fashion feel much more serious and real. For me, it pushed it beyond being just a hobby.
I would really like to study fashion abroad and eventually pursue a master’s degree in fashion design. Securing a scholarship would be essential for me, and I know it will be difficult because of the financial side, but it is something I genuinely want to work towards.
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Fakhra Almansoori
What inspired Lace Mirage, and what did you want to express through it?
Lace Mirage was inspired by three elements: the dunes of Liwa, Dolce&Gabbana’s iconic lace, and the timeless silhouette of the traditional Emirati abaya. I wanted to bring these influences together in a way that reflects my artistic vision and cultural roots. The design explores the relationship between heritage and artistic expression, using layers of black fabric, white pleated silk, and lace. The inner layers appear through three slits as the wearer moves, creating a mirage-like effect. Through this piece, I wanted to express how different influences can coexist in one design while preserving the essence of the traditional abaya.
What has being recognised by the award meant to you and your ambitions?
Being recognised by the Dolce&Gabbana x ADMAF Design Award is a meaningful milestone in my creative journey as an Emirati artist and fashion designer. It has given me the opportunity to share my artistic vision and a part of my creative world with others.
Through Fakhra Concept, which I founded in 2017, I aim to explore ideas that bring together different influences, from Emirati culture to European historical and gothic aesthetics, across fashion, fabrics and fragrances. My vision is to build a distinctive creative world that draws from my Emirati roots while allowing me the freedom to experiment, challenge myself, and evolve creatively. I see this as the beginning of a much longer journey, and I intend to continue pushing the boundaries of my work, building a brand that is unmistakably my own and creating designs that challenge expectations and leave a lasting impression.
I’m particularly appreciative of ADMAF’s efforts to create platforms where Emirati creatives can develop their ideas, connect with international expertise and bring their own perspectives into the wider fashion conversation.
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