Luxurious Dubai Welcomes Antonio Riva Milano

Interview with the Couturier

Antonio Riva Milano makes its debut in Dubai with an exclusive showcase of its haute couture creations (May 1–3).

Alongside high jewelry Maison Gemier—renowned for its elite creations—and Palazzo Eventi, committed to curating exclusive experiences, the Italian luxury brand was invited by Marco Ferra, stylist and image consultant to the most influential Middle Eastern personalities, to represent the excellence of Made in Italy craftsmanship in the Arab market.

Antonio Riva Milano, a brand renowned for its refined attention to detail and timeless elegance, creates garments for a sophisticated clientele who value true sartorial craftsmanship. For this special occasion, the house presents a curated selection of precious gowns—pieces that affirm its mastery in celebrating the essence of femininity at every level.

Through a storytelling approach aimed at captivating and conveying the values of Italian craftsmanship and luxury, the brand seeks to highlight the extraordinary cultural and stylistic sensibility of each woman by blending its signature codes with local traditions.

I am delighted to interview Creative Director Antonio Riva on the occasion of the Maison’s debut in Dubai—an event celebrated in a location, the Members Lounge at the Bulgari Yacht Club Hotel, that perfectly captures the refined elegance of his sartorial creations.

Marco Ferra, Palzzo Eventi, Antoni Riva Milano & Maison Gemier

We could say that Dubai is a captivating metropolis, a major hub for tourism and commerce, offering emotionally rich experiences as it stands at the intersection between futuristic ambition and the timeless charm of Arab traditions. It is a city that enchants not only through its opulence but also through its continuous reinvention—a city that presents to the world a vision of the future where modernity serves beauty, and where every detail—from urban design to hospitality gestures—is executed with passion and precision. Dubai is, ultimately, a promise: the promise of living the present intensely while embracing the future with eyes full of wonder.

How did you personally experience the welcome in this oasis between the desert dunes and the shimmering waters of the Persian Gulf?

AR: Everything was truly wonderful, and the welcome I received was incredibly warm. In Dubai, I met women who showed great interest in my work and my creations. The exclusive luxury that Antonio Riva Milano offers—through refined tailoring expertise, meticulous attention to customization, and the use of precious materials—is especially appreciated in this part of the world, and that became very clear. The styling sessions were organized with the utmost care, designed to offer an exclusive experience to clients with a distinct sensibility for haute couture.

For the Maison, this represents a major milestone—both personally and as a proud ambassador of the most refined and authentic expression of Made in Italy. A milestone, yes—but also the beginning of a new challenge in an international city that bridges Asia and Africa and serves as an important cultural gateway between the West and the Middle East.

Many figures collaborated to make this event a reality, including Victoria Kursova Olivieri of Palazzo Eventi and Marco Ferra, with the special participation of Lara Palmer, founder of World Arabia, Princess Nezha Alaoui, Moroccan entrepreneur and founder of Women Choice, and the crucial support of Stephen PR agency.

Couturier & Creative Director Antonio Riva, Stylist Marco Ferra & Models Dressed in Antonio Riva Milano At The Bulgari Yacht Club

So how did the idea of expanding to the East first come about?

AR: Dubai represents a rapidly growing market, where both the desire to create high-end social occasions and to elevate life’s most important moments are strongly felt. Our ateliers frequently welcome women and friends from the Middle Eastern region. It was for this reason that, about a year ago, while speaking with Marco Ferra and Mahira Abdel Aziz during their visit to Milan for Fashion Week, the idea was born to create an opportunity to present the Antonio Riva Milano brand in Dubai and introduce it to the local jet set. I therefore chose to showcase here a selection of timeless gowns to celebrate the bond between my Maison and this extraordinary international clientele.

I believe both for the Maison and for you personally as a couturier, this marks an exciting opportunity—to explore new ways of expressing Italian haute couture while responding to the stylistic and cultural needs of clients aligned with Modest Fashion.

In this context, you presented Noor, a special capsule collection that blends Italian tailoring with Arab volumes and traditions. Designed to move with the body and interact with the surrounding space, the capsule features archetypal forms of Middle Eastern attire—shaylas, kaftans, veils, and abayas—crafted from the exquisite fabrics that made Antonio Riva Milano renowned: organza, georgette, mikado, crêpe de chine, satin, and silk twill.

The pairings, layering, and garment interchangeability offer Emirati women a rich spectrum of personal creativity, uniquely fulfilling a wide range of needs.

The visual and sensory experience of your creations continued in Ras Al Khaimah, where Marco Ferra and Sheika Fatima Al Qassimi hosted a special styling session.
Thanks to their creative flair, Antonio Riva Milano designs were the stars of an exclusive soirée of couture, culture, and timeless Italian style—featuring the Maison’s signature elegant, three-dimensional bows, architectural silhouettes, fine lacework, sheer textures, and unique silk fabrics that define its iconic aesthetic through both historic and contemporary inspiration.

Could you share more about how the Maison envisions blending Italian style with Modest Fashion? Might a dedicated collection be in the works for the future?

AR: My creations are generally designed to enhance the female silhouette while respecting the values and cultural context of each woman. For this particular occasion, I presented garments that celebrate the cultural and stylistic sensibilities of Middle Eastern women, blending the brand’s signature codes with local traditions. Each look, personally styled by Marco, was complemented with traditional pieces featuring soft volumes and vibrant colors, crafted in the iconic fabrics of Antonio Riva Milano. In this way, the collection evokes a sense of understated sensuality, always in deep respect of the stylistic and spiritual culture of this region.

Antonio Riva Milano’s gowns were beautifully complemented by the dazzling creations of Maison Gemier. Sparkling details frequently appear in your dresses and accessories.

Models Dressed in Antonio Riva Milano At The Bulgari Yacht Club

Do you believe this encounter with Maison Gemier in Dubai could lead to deeper collaborations in the future?

AR: The encounter with Maison Gemier provided a unique opportunity to unite two excellences that share a deep commitment to craftsmanship and savoir-faire, with the goal of offering truly exclusive creations. As for potential future collaborations, we can certainly revisit the idea together in due course.

To mark the debut of Antonio Riva Milano in Dubai’s luxury landscape, in collaboration with Marco Ferra and Palazzo Eventi, you prepared an exclusive gift for your esteemed guests. Immortalizing such a significant event with a meaningful gesture that captured the soul of the Maison was a thoughtful idea.

Could you tell me more about the message you wished to convey through your gift?

AR: I wanted to leave our guests with a lasting token that fully embodies the essence of my Maison: a silk scarf featuring my exclusive peony print—an iconic motif that recurs throughout my collections and one I always envision as a refined finishing touch to complete a look

The mission of Antonio Riva Milano is to dress women with garments that bring a dream to life—something they can experience and live fully. As you know, we share the same philosophy: a beautiful, naturally elegant woman embodies grace not just for herself, but for the world around her.

Through your creations, you tell stories of joy, strength, femininity, love for life, and the self-empowerment of all women. Often—if sometimes discreetly—women play a central role in society, and Dubai is no exception.

Over the course of these two intense days of exclusive events, you had the chance to meet several remarkable women, including, as guest of honor, Ms. Khadijai from Dubai Design District, Lara Palmer, founder of World Arabia, Princess Nezha Alaoui, entrepreneur and founder of Women Choice, Mahira Abdel Aziz, and Sheika Fatima Al Qassimi.

What can you tell me about them and the energy they brought to the events?

AR: They are truly radiant personalities who brought a remarkable allure to the events. What I appreciated most was not only their sensitivity and love for beauty, but also their deep knowledge of Italy and the profound respect they hold for Made in Italy—something they expressed through their genuine appreciation for my work and for the positive energy I always strive to infuse, as a defining signature, into each of my creations. I’m very much looking forward to welcoming them to Italy in return, to show them our craftsmanship firsthand and to deepen my understanding of the customs and preferences of the women of Dubai’s society.

The event concluded in perfect style with a gala dinner at the Bulgari Resort Dubai, organized by The World Club of Lara Palmer and gracefully hosted by actress and TV anchor Mahira Abdel Aziz.

These were intense, emotional days. Now that you’re returning to Italy:

What are you taking home with you—an inspiration, an object, a memory, or a feeling?

AR: Right now, I feel truly enveloped by the images, sensations, scents, and wonder of this experience. Choosing just one moment or image is difficult. Perhaps the sweetest memory I’ll carry in my heart is the many warm smiles and kind words I received from the extraordinary women I had the pleasure of meeting. They will remain a cherished source of inspiration for everything that lies ahead.