Lanuuk x Aquarabia - A Milestone Fashion Moment for Lanuuk

On 24 April 2026, beneath the sunset and along the shore of Wave Wadi at Aquarabia, we presented Lanuuk's Spring Summer 2026 collection, Soleil — our first standalone fashion show.

Even now, weeks later, we are still processing the magnitude of what the experience meant to us. What unfolded that evening was so much more than a runway presentation. It was the culmination of many months of planning, collaboration, creativity and trust between a huge number of people who helped bring the vision to life.

From Modest Fashion Week to Our Own Runway

In 2025, we had the honour of participating in Abu Dhabi Modest Fashion Week — an experience that marked an important chapter for us as a modest fashion brand.

But Aquarabia felt entirely different. This was the first time we had led and shaped an entire runway experience ourselves as a single brand. Every detail — from the choreography and soundtrack to the casting, styling and creative direction — was part of a much bigger vision we had been building quietly behind the scenes for months.

What people see on a runway for 15-20 minutes is difficult to comprehend unless you have experienced the machinery behind it. There are the visible parts: the models, the clothes, the lighting, the music.

But then there are the hundreds of invisible moving parts: the production teams, event coordinators, backstage dressers, makeup artists, hair stylists, photographers, videographers, PR agencies, marketing teams, technical crews, social teams, hospitality staff, creative directors and countless others working tirelessly behind the scenes.

The scale of collaboration involved was unlike anything we had done before.

The First Fashion Show in Qiddiya City

Qiddiya represents such an ambitious and forward-thinking vision for entertainment, culture and leisure in the region, and being part of that story — hosting the first fashion show in Qiddiya City as a modest fashion brand — felt genuinely meaningful to us.

Then there was Aquarabia. Presenting Soleil, surrounded by water, movement, light and energy created an immersive experience that felt perfectly aligned with the spirit of the collection. It was bold, joyful, atmospheric and unlike any runway environment we had experienced before.

More Than Swimwear

One of the conversations that emerged throughout the event — and later through the press coverage — was around the importance of creating leisure spaces where women feel both comfortable and represented. That has always been at the heart of why we created Lanuuk and why our exclusive partnership with Aquarabia feels so special.

From the beginning, our goal was never to define modesty for women, but to create options — thoughtfully designed pieces that allow women to participate fully in travel, leisure and water activities while feeling confident, comfortable and themselves.

As new leisure and entertainment spaces continue to emerge across the region, it feels important that women see themselves reflected within those spaces too — not as an afterthought, but as part of the experience from the very beginning.

And for us, that is what made this show feel meaningful beyond fashion alone.

Introducing Soleil

Soleil was inspired by the quiet beauty of early mornings by the sea — that transition from stillness into light.

Our showcase of 24 looks began with grounded earth tones and structured silhouettes before moving gradually into softer pastels and sunlit hues.

Across swimwear and resortwear, we wanted the collection to feel fluid and versatile — pieces designed not just for holidays, but for confidence, movement and ease.

As founders and designers, there are pieces you agonise over endlessly. Tiny details no one else may ever notice become all-consuming. So to finally see those looks move through the space, styled exactly as envisioned, in front of a live audience, was a moment we will never forget.

A Show Created by Women, for Women

One thing we we are truly proud of is how many women were involved in shaping this experience. From the events team at Aqurabia and producers to the models, stylists and helpers behind the scenes, there was something very special about building an event centred around women’s experiences, movement and self-expression.

Looking Back

Fashion shows are interesting because they are over almost as quickly as they begin. Months of planning, hundreds of people, thousands of details. But this experience will stay with us for a very long time. Not because it was perfect (no production ever is behind the scenes), but because it was about being part of a bigger conversation and something groudbreaking.

It reminded us how far Lanuuk has come and allowed us to reflect on our growth. Creatively, professionally and personally.

To everyone who attended, supported, collaborated, shared content, reposted videos or followed the journey online — thank you for being part of this chapter with us. We are endlessly grateful.

- Ayesha & Leya ♡

See More

Explore more moments from the Lanuuk x Aquarabia SS26 runway show across our social channels, including backstage footage, fittings, runway highlights and interviews from the evening.