At one of the world’s most prestigious fashion shows, Kurdish designer Lara Dizayee presented a collection of traditional and modern Kurdish clothing that captivated international media.
Dizayee explained that the collection was the result of nine months of continuous work and featured 30 designs, each telling a story drawn from the history, culture, and national symbols of Kurdistan.
“It was very important to begin with a powerful design,” she said. “The Erbil Citadel is a symbol of love for all of us, so we turned it into a mirror of our identity and opened the show with a design worn by a tall and majestic model.”
The audience, which included members of the global media and guests from the United States, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, responded with strong emotions. “I felt many of them were moved to tears, especially when they saw the flag of Kurdistan,” Dizayee recalled.
One of the highlights of the show was a design dedicated to Kurdish women, particularly mothers who lost their husbands to war and raised their children alone. “I wanted to create a strong and respectful design as a tribute to them, because their sacrifices were made only for God,” she said.
Milan Fashion Week, dedicated to the Spring/Summer 2026 collections, brought together some of the most famous designers and brands in the world. Among Dizayee’s contributions was a Nowruz design, representing what she described as “the dance between humans and nature.” Other works were dedicated to Eastern Kurdistan, Queen Ishtar, Hapsa Khan Naqib, and the Yazidi Kurdish culture. The show ended with a powerful design in the colors of the Kurdistan flag, which drew a strong reaction from the audience.
As one of the four main fashion weeks worldwide, alongside Paris, London, and New York, Milan provided an important platform. Dizayee’s official participation, at the invitation of the organizers, marks a significant step in introducing Kurdish fashion to a global audience and delivering a cultural message through design.