Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail, and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, is partnering with Jing Daily and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, to co-host a three-day Chinese New Year celebration at Mall of the Emirates, creating a global meeting point for Chinese heritage, contemporary design, and cultural exchange, featuring China’s most influential designers, panel discussions exploring heritage and contemporary design, and a rare cultural performance.
Taking place February 12 – 14, 2026 at Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, the program convenes Chinese designers Yushan Li and Jun Zhou of PRONOUNCE and Susan Fang of her eponymous label, alongside a rare Huangmei opera performance and a curated group of fashion and lifestyle influencers. Kicking off with a VIP dinner at XU Dubai, the three-day program features trunk shows, incisive dialogue, and immersive cultural presentations, and is part of the lineup of events and activities marking the Chinese New Year in Dubai.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of DFRE, said: “Chinese New Year holds a special place in Dubai’s year-round calendar of celebrations, reflecting our commitment to cultural exchange and collaboration with our stakeholders and partners. This unique event brings together heritage and cutting-edge contemporary design, offering something truly exceptional for residents and visitors to enjoy, especially the wider Chinese community in Dubai. We are delighted to partner with Jing Daily and Mall of the Emirates on this initiative to deliver an unforgettable experience that reflects Dubai’s multifaceted, multicultural and forward-looking spirit, while highlighting the UAE’s strong bonds with China, and our ambition to be the best city to visit, live and work in.”
The program reflects Dubai’s growing role as a cultural crossroadsfor Chinese creatives, residents, and visitors, where heritage-led experiences meet global audiences in contemporary settings.
Spotlighting the diversity of Chinese artistry and culture, from traditional Huangmei opera to contemporary designers shaping the global fashion and cultural conversation, the festivities take place at Mall of the Emirates, a leading destination for retail innovation and culture-led, experiential programming.
Since opening in 2005, the shopping and leisure destination has grown to house over 600 stores, including the region’s very first Skims brick-and-mortar store. It is also home to Ski Dubai, the region’s first indoor ski resort, and the New Covent Garden Theatre, Dubai’s premier arts hub with a 600-seat theatre.
“At Mall of the Emirates, we take great pride in being a destination that welcomes people from all cultures and celebrates the diversity that defines our community. As a true multicultural hub, we are committed to curating experiences that honor global traditions and bring people together through craftsmanship and culture. Our Chinese New Year showcase, featuring leading Chinese designers and an exceptional cultural performance, reflects this commitment,”addedKhalifa Bin Braik, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management.
Meet PRONOUNCE and Susan Fang
PRONOUNCE and Susan Fang represent distinct currents within contemporary Chinese luxury fashion.
Founded by Yushan Li and Jun Zhou in 2016, PRONOUNCE has built its reputation on architectural tailoring that nods to Chinese heritage without resorting to obvious signifiers. With a presence in China and globally, the brand has shown at Milan Fashion Week for several years, staged retail pop-ups across Shanghai and Seoul, and collaborated with Pop Mart’s Labubu. PRONOUNCE appeals to consumers who have aged out of logo worship and seek garments that signal cultural fluency and design literacy.
“2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the brand. It is truly exciting to have the opportunity to visit Dubai, a vibrant and energetic city, and engage face-to-face with individuals who share a passion for PRONOUNCE at this significant milestone,” said Li and Zhou.
Fang builds her practice around craft, emotion, and exploration of materials. Her air-weaving techniques and translucent, nature-inspired forms appeal to Gen Z luxury consumerism — the cohort high-end brands are racing to crack. A Central Saint Martins graduate, Fang has been recognized by including in Forbes 30 Under 30, the BoF 500, and the LVMH Prize shortlist. The designer has collaborated with Nike, Swarovski, Zara, Victoria’s Secret, UGG, and Apple.
“Chinese New Year has always been about renewal, family, and carrying forward the traditions that shape who we are. My designs are rooted in those same values — honoring my heritage while dreaming of new possibilities. Expanding into Dubai is such an exciting chapter for us. It’s a place where so many cultures meet, and I love the idea of our pieces finding a home in the wardrobes of women there. Fashion, to me, is about connection — and Dubai represents exactly that spirit of bringing the world together. A heartfelt thank you to Jing Daily for being such wonderful partners on this journey and helping bridge the conversation between Chinese creativity and the global stage,” said Susan Fang about the exhibition.
Alongside Fang and PRONOUNCE, stylists and key voices from China’s fashion scene will attend and engage in creative dialogue. Guests include Angelene Sun, a bilingual Gen Z fashion voice who bridges Eastern and Western aesthetics with a following that spans both markets. As well as Ava Foo, whose 3.5 million Weibo followers represent the millennial luxury consumer segment with purchasing power and platform influence, and front row regular Mark Long.
A live Huangmei opera performance: ‘The Heavenly Match’
A rare Huangmei opera performance, The Heavenly Match (also known as Marriage of the Fairy Princess), will be staged at Mall of the Emirates as part of the Chinese New Year programming. This centuries-old artistic form will be performed live as guests converge at the mall, creating a striking through-line, from traditional Chinese cultural heritage to contemporary creativity.
It is one of the most celebrated classics of the traditional Chinese folk theater form originating from Anhui and Hubei. Known for its lyrical singing, gentle melodies, and emotionally direct storytelling, Huangmei opera is often called “China’s countryside opera,” with The Heavenly Match remaining one of its most beloved and enduring works.
The opera follows the tragic romance between Dong Yong, a humble woodcutter, and the Seventh Fairy Princess, who defies heavenly law for love. Moved by Dong’s filial piety, she descends to the human world and marries him, only for their union to be torn apart by divine decree. Rooted in themes of devotion, loyalty, and resistance to rigid authority, the story endures as a poignant reflection on love, sacrifice, and fate.
Mall of the Emirates leads fashion and cultural exchanges in Dubai
Dubai has become a significant destination for both Chinese residents and travelers. The UAE’s Chinese population now stands at approximately 240,000. This diaspora of professionals, entrepreneurs, and families has reshaped local luxury retail, from Mandarin-speaking staff in high-end stores to seamless Alipay and WeChat Pay integration and programming attuned to Chinese consumer preferences.
Chinese tourist travel has surged. Dubai welcomed 824,000 Chinese visitors in 2024, a 31% increase from the previous year. For Chinese visitors and residents, Dubai offers something increasingly rare: newness and discovery in a welcoming environment that respects and celebrates Chinese culture while offering global luxury retail, as well as diverse dining and world-class experiences.
Serving both a growing Chinese resident community and a rising influx of Chinese travelers, Mall of the Emirates has become a hub for fashion and travel lovers. Now, with its landmark 5 billion United Arab Emirates dirham ($1.36 billion) expansion, Mall of the Emirates is redefining luxury for the region, transforming it into a next-generation global fashion capital.
For the Chinese New Year, Dubai and the Mall of the Emirates serve as a meeting point for cultures, providing a context for cross-cultural exchange that embraces fashion and performance.
The program will unfold as a layered experience: trunk shows where PRONOUNCE and Susan Fang showcase their latest collections, with made-to-measure services available on-site; a rare Huangmei opera performance; and designer conversations moderated by Jing Daily editors that explore the intersection of heritage and contemporary design.
To join Jing Daily and Mall of the Emirates for the CNY showcase, please RSVP to events@jingdaily.com
