Fashion Design Competition in the UAE 2026: Win a Fully Funded 6-Month Internship in Italy

The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) invites applications for the Dolce&Gabbana x ADMAF Fashion Design Award, a competition for emerging Emirati designers creating abayas. The selected winner receives a six-month internship in Italy, and submissions must be made by November 16, 2026.

About the Dolce&Gabbana x ADMAF Fashion Design Award

This edition focuses exclusively on fashion, specifically abayas. Applicants may submit designs under one or more of five themes: flowers, lace, patchwork, hand-painted work, and embroidery. Every submission must be an original design created by the entrant. It must not have been published, exhibited, submitted to another competition, or sold, and it must not infringe any third party’s intellectual property rights.

A jury comprising representatives of ADMAF and Dolce&Gabbana, alongside individuals from the creative and cultural industries, will select three finalists and then choose one winner. Entries are assessed for originality, ingenuity, and craftsmanship. The jury’s decision is final and binding. Workshops with Dolce&Gabbana in Abu Dhabi are scheduled for early January 2027. The timeline lists a winner announcement on January 31, 2027, and also separately lists the winner announcement as April 2027; the source does not explain the difference between these dates.

The award includes a six-month international internship with Dolce&Gabbana in Milan or Legnano, Italy, starting in January 2028. The precise internship dates will depend on the company’s scheduling requirements. The winner’s work will also be displayed at Abu Dhabi Festival 2027 and at a selected Dolce&Gabbana boutique in Abu Dhabi.

Who Should Apply

The competition is for emerging Emirati artists aged 18 to 35, including current students and recent university graduates. It is suited to applicants with a strong interest in fashion design who can demonstrate creativity and skill through an original submission. Entries must be individual; group submissions are not accepted. Employees, contractors, and representatives of the organisers, sponsors, or affiliated partners are excluded unless the terms explicitly state otherwise.

Key Highlights

• Competition category: fashion design, with a focus on abayas.
• Design themes include flowers, lace, patchwork, hand-painted work, and embroidery.
• The winner receives a six-month internship in Milan or Legnano, Italy.
• The internship package includes economy-class flights, accommodation, and a monthly allowance of 600 Euros.
• Submission deadline: November 16, 2026.
• Abu Dhabi workshops are planned for early January 2027; the international internship is scheduled to begin in January 2028.

Applicants must submit the online application form, a mood board and technical design as high-quality PNG, JPEG, or PDF files, and a downloaded, completed release form uploaded with the application. The guidelines also call for a detailed description of the work, technical specifications, and an artist’s statement. Find more competitions and awards, or explore opportunities for Arab applicants.