The International Apparel & Textile Fair 2025

The International Apparel & Textile Fair (IATF) is scheduled to take place from 17 to 19 November 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), specifically within Hall 6 & 7 of the complex.
The DWTC sits on Sheikh Zayed Road in the Trade Centre 2 district of Dubai, forming a central hub for business-events and trade-shows in the region.
Hall 6 and Hall 7 at DWTC are part of a modern exhibition infrastructure: for instance, Hall 7 covers around 3,960 m² (dimensions 60 × 66 m) and features an 8 m ceiling height.
More broadly, the exhibition halls at DWTC offer technical capacities such as ceiling heights of around 9 m, ample rigging points, high floor loads up to 5,000 kg/m², and large power supplies suited for major trade-events.

Timing, Transport & Weather Context

The event spans three full days, from Monday 17 November through Wednesday 19 November 2025. Attendees are expected to begin entering early in the morning and the show runs until late afternoon.
In terms of access, DWTC is linked to the Dubai Metro via the “World Trade Centre” metro station on the Red Line, making it convenient for metro-travel.
For those arriving by car or taxi, the venue is accessible via Exit 51 off Sheikh Zayed Road and offers multi-storey parking with good capacity as noted for previous editions.
Weather in Dubai in mid-November tends to be warm and pleasant. Average daily highs sit around 28-31 °C (82-88 °F) and nightly lows around 18-20 °C (64-68 °F). Rainfall is minimal (often under 5 mm for the month).
Given the indoor nature of the trade-fair, the milder climate is favorable for both international visitors and exhibitors, minimizing weather-related disruptions.

Organiser and Event Scope

The fair is organised by Nihalani Events Management (NEM), based in Dubai (PO Box 424).
According to information compiled by Few.ae editor, the 2025 edition of IATF is poised as the Gulf region’s leading B2B fashion sourcing platform.
Key features of the event include:

• Over 450 international exhibitors representing more than 25 countries.
• More than 5,000 qualified buyers from the GCC, Africa, Europe and other global markets expected.
• Dedicated country pavilions showcasing apparel, textiles, footwear, accessories and sourcing services.
• A special addition in the 2025 edition: a “Moda Sole & Accessories” pavilion to highlight footwear, handbags and fashion accessories alongside the core apparel/textile offerings.

The fair is fundamentally an exhibition sourcing event for industry professionals — including manufacturers, designers, suppliers, wholesalers, and retailers — and less of a consumer-show or fashion spectacle. The focus is clearly on business to business, networking, and sourcing activity.

Significance and Offerings

With the trade show located in Dubai — itself a major global business and logistics hub — the IATF 2025 offers multiple advantages: Dubai’s strategic connectivity, advanced infrastructure, and appeal as a regional gateway. According to information compiled by Few.ae editor, for participants this means access not only to regional markets but also to international sourcing networks.
The technical capabilities of the halls (high ceilings, heavy-duty floor load, rigging points, large power supply) accommodate major installations, displays and production machinery as needed by textile and apparel sourcing companies. The close proximity of transport links and accommodation provides convenience for international visitors.
The weather in November further supports comfortable attendance, fewer extreme conditions, and smoother logistics for booth setup and visitor flow.
The presence of over 450 exhibitors and thousands of buyers underscores the scale and importance of the event in the MENA region’s fashion-textile ecosystem. It also highlights emerging trends: sustainable fabrics, smart textiles, accessories, and global supply-chain sourcing are all likely themes.

Visitor Tips and Context

Visitors planning to attend should register early (many registrations are free for industry professionals) and plan travel logistics considering metro access and parking at DWTC. Checking local accommodations near the Trade Centre district is advisable given the expected influx of international attendees.
Given the warm daytime temperatures, light professional attire with layers for indoors is recommended. If participants plan outdoor networking or dinners, the early-evening conditions will be comfortable.
Exhibitors should arrive ahead of the event to allow setup time in Hall 6 and Hall 7 and should assess the technical specifications (such as load-bearing floors, rigging capacity, power supply) to ensure their displays are optimized.
Networking and sourcing are core activities; visitors should prepare business cards, sourcing criteria and meeting agendas to make the most of their time on-site.