Bazm: Ilái Sarái’s Debut Night

A1 Space, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

On 14 November 2026, Ilái Sarái made its official debut with Bazm, an evening of fashion, live music and performance at A1 Space in Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue. Bringing together friends of the house, artists and collaborators, the night introduced guests to Ilái Sarái and its first collection, WADI:00 QUEST.

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Conceived as a contemporary bazm (meaning ‘gathering’) the evening brought the collection together with live music, dance and performance. Rather than a traditional runway presentation, guests experienced the night across three acts, each revealing the collection through a different combination of sound, movement and dress.

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Bazm unfolded across three acts, moving from the first notes of the tar to voice and choreographed movement, before opening into a final collective celebration.

ACT.I

The evening began with the sound of the tar, performed live by Mr. Dervish. As the first performers entered the space, guests were introduced to WADI:00 QUEST through music, movement and the collection itself, setting the pace for the acts that followed.

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

ACT.II

Act II opened with “O Abshar,” performed live by Mahdi Saki of Kamakan. His voice filled the space as seven dancers moved through a choreography created by Sara Tosic and Craig Arnolds, bringing the collection into motion through a performance built around voice, rhythm and the body.

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

ACT.III

 

For the final act, the tempo shifted. Tabla and Kurdish rhythms brought the performers together as the choreography became increasingly collective, closing the presentation on a celebratory note once Shan Nash took over and Bazm went from performance into the rest of the night.

The World We Created

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

A1 Space was transformed for the evening through suspended fabric, projection, light and shadow. Large-scale draping moved through the industrial space, creating a changing backdrop for the performances and gathering while imagery from Ilái Sarái appeared across the room.

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Friends of the House

Bazm brought together friends, collaborators and members of Ilái Sarái’s creative community, including Amina Khalil and Dana Hourani, to mark the house’s debut.

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Courtesy of Ilai Sarai

Concept & Creative Direction
Ilái Sarái

Choreographers
@toshiceva 
@craigarnolds_official

Dancers
@indirahiayestango 
@kasiakarpey 
@dariaprima
@lka_prod 
@boogie.stylez

Music & Performance
@mrdervish 
@kamakanproject 
@shannashmusic

Graphic design
@atiostudio

 

Set production & Technical Execution
@gosha.buro 
@maruansipert

 

Film
@yadastudio

 

Photography
@fedya_ro