Interview: Dina Saadi on Her DKNY Ramadan Collection

Dubai-based street artist Dina Saadi has built a global reputation for her vibrant murals and layered compositions. Having painted more than 150 murals across the Middle East, Europe, the United States, Asia and Africa, Saadi’s work explores themes of identity, emotional connection and our relationship with the natural world, often expressed through bold patterns and bright colour palettes.

Now, the artist brings her distinctive visual language into fashion through a new collaboration with DKNY. Created with the spirit of Ramadan in mind, the capsule collection translates her signature interplay of organic and geometric elements into wearable pieces. We caught up with Saadi to talk about the collaboration, the inspiration behind the designs, and what it means to see her art move beyond walls and into everyday life.

Now that the collection with DKNY is in stores, what part of the collaboration are you most proud of?

I'm proud of how the visuals came to life through this collaboration. I'm genuinely pleased with every piece the brand produced - the quality and colours are exceptional, and they all look fantastic. The big and small scarves are especially charming for me.

How did the spirit and atmosphere of Ramadan influence your creative decisions across the collection?

Ramadan was the main theme behind the creative direction. I adopted earthy tones, symbolic of calm, self-reflection and the desert, stepping beyond my usual bright palette. The collection includes symbols of generosity, such as Arabic coffee, alongside calligraphy, desert landscapes and magical night skies. Windows appear throughout the designs, reflecting both self-reflection and hope for new opportunities.

Which piece or detail best captures your artistic voice within the final designs?

What best captures my artistic voice, I would say, are the natural elements woven throughout the lines and compositions - inspired by mountains, water, sand dunes, and plants. Nature always grounds me, and it fits this collection’s theme perfectly. You can also see my voice strongly in the coexistence of organic and geometric elements, all interlocking like a puzzle or collage - very much my style.

Was there a specific moment or feeling during Ramadan that directly inspired one of the looks?

The collection wasn’t inspired by a single moment. Instead, the artwork and the entire collection embody the essence of Ramadan for me, drawn from my memories and capturing reflection, community, nature, and the magic of Ramadan nights, and how they make us feel. 

What surprised you most about the creative process when working with a global fashion brand on a seasonal collection like this?

I’ve worked with international brands before on specific products, but this was my first time seeing my work evolve into a full capsule collection. It’s incredible to see my art adapted in so many ways across the pieces. I also really appreciated the creative freedom the DKNY team gave me - when a brand trusts the artist, the process becomes more fun, more creative, and more authentic, and people can feel that. They connect with it more because it’s honest.

How do you hope people feel when they encounter the collection during Ramadan?

I hope people don’t just like how it looks but actually feel something. I want it to reflect the calm and magic of Ramadan nights - the quiet, the celebration, and those moments we sometimes forget to slow down and truly appreciate.

Looking back, what did this project teach you about collaborating across art and fashion at this scale?

This wasn’t entirely new, as I’ve designed fashion products before - both my own wearable pieces and for clients. But each project reinforces how powerful it is when art moves beyond the canvas and becomes something people live with. What I really took away was how much I grow when working with new colour palettes, especially now, as I explore new ways to express my artistic style and experiment with different mediums. It’s a creative challenge I truly enjoy, pushing me to try things I haven’t used before, and it keeps me growing and motivated.

Visit: dinasaadi.com