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In a breathtaking adventure that quickly turned into an exceptional visual spectacle garnering millions of views within hours, Dubai once again proved that it is a city that not only creates scenes, but continually redefines them.
A video shared by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum on his personal account, celebrating the 15-year anniversary of Skydive Dubai, delivered a striking moment: A young woman in a red dress swinging on a swing suspended high above Dubai's iconic landmarks, blending bravery with art, and danger with beauty.
Belgian skydiver Magali Folkner Braff, one of the most prominent figures in the world of freefall skydiving, spoke to Annahar about the experience, which she described as “beyond words.”
Discover exclusive details about Magali Faulkner’s daring aerial leap above Dubai’s iconic landmarks, an experience that blends adventure and art in the sky and has garnered millions of views@MagaliBraff
— Annahar English (@AnnaharEn) December 15, 2025
For more information visit EnAnnahar website https://t.co/GEPHxOIC7m pic.twitter.com/GX4w3xGTrH
For her, flying is "a feeling that's hard to describe. It's absolute freedom. A moment where you can't think of anything else. If you're flying with professionals, I say: Do it. Do it. It's the best feeling you can experience."
A Childhood dream… fulfilled in Dubai’s sky
Speaking about the initial spark behind this unprecedented idea, Magali said: "Honestly, it’s every little girl’s dream to swing above a beautiful city while wearing a dress. The Skydive Dubai team invited me to be part of this project, and I was incredibly proud to participate."
Her involvement was far from symbolic. She was asked to design the dress herself, a challenge in its own right: "I wanted to create something feminine and dynamic in the air, in a sport and world predominantly masculine. What we do remains a dangerous sport, and it's very challenging to be elegant and graceful in the air while practicing an extreme sport. So, I was very grateful to be part of this project."
When Dubai's Crown Prince shared the video...
As soon as Sheikh Hamdan shared the video, it went viral, amassing millions of views within hours. About that moment, Magali said: "I still feel like my head is in the clouds! I can't believe what happened, because the scene was so beautiful. I had the chance to work with a professional team to the highest standards, see the result, and see the shots on His Highness's post... was simply indescribable."
She adds with clear gratitude: "I can't find the words to express my gratitude for the whole city of Dubai. It's not just a project; it's all of Dubai. I am very grateful that I could work with them and present something special."
Dubai... The only possible place
For Magali, choosing Dubai was no coincidence: "Dubai holds a very special place for me. Skydive Dubai is known for its professionalism, innovation, and ability to evolve. There's no other place in the world that could execute a project of this high quality while adhering to all safety requirements."
She continued: "Celebrating Skydive Dubai’s 15th anniversary means a lot to me, because I was here 15 years ago, when the very first jumps took place. That means so much to me… it’s beyond words."
Calculated fear...
She revealed the emotions that accompanied her during preparation: "I was, of course, excited, scared, and focused. I was nervous. I tried to imagine everything that could go wrong and how to solve it quickly. All these things are part of the adventure and the journey. Designing the dress itself was a real challenge."
As for choosing the red color, the matter was settled: "Red was chosen because it is the Skydive Dubai color. It stands out in the sky and can be seen clearly. We tried several colors, but red was the most prominent, and there couldn't have been a better choice."
Alone in the sky… yet not really
Magali describes the most powerful moment: "It's hard to describe this feeling because you are alone in the sky. You have one view in front of you: the sea and Dubai’s skyline. You see the sun rise and awaken this incredible city. Every second the light changes, the reflections on the buildings shift."
She added: "I was alone without a phone, just me and the swing, activating all my muscles to maintain balance. And when I lifted off the ground, I said to myself: ‘Oh my God… this is real. I’m actually living it.'"
She also revealed an emotional moment after landing: "When I landed for the first time, I cried. It was deeply emotional: relief that everything went as planned, joy that we succeeded, and exhaustion because it was extremely demanding on my arms and body. That’s why I’m grateful to the entire team, what happened was truly a collective effort."
Between danger and beauty
On the relationship between danger and art, she says: "What looks beautiful on the ground is very technical in the sky. The fabric, the winds, the different speeds... All of these are challenges. Some parts were indeed dangerous, but we always focused on safety first, even if it slightly compromised aesthetics."
New record in the UAE
After what she described as an “exceptional” year in 2025, during which she broke several records, Magali confirmed that what lies ahead is just as ambitious: "My mission is to show people that the dream of flying is accessible to everyone. In 2026, there’s a new record planned in the UAE with Skydive Dubai, and I’ll definitely be there."
A Partnership behind the scenes
Behind this precise aerial achievement stands a human and professional partnership that formed the cornerstone of Magali Folkner Braff’s career, represented by her husband Steve Braff, whom she describes not only as a life partner but a true mentor in the world of freefall.
She said: "He’s the reason I became who I am today, because he introduced me to freefall skydiving. He has extensive experience in parachuting and BASE jumping, and he’s guided me throughout my entire journey since the moment I started practicing this sport. He’s always by my side."
She added: "He was present during every flight. He wasn’t on the swing with me, I was alone up there, but the moment I landed, he was the first to greet me, evaluate the performance, and say: ‘Next time, you should do this this way, and that that way."
She concluded firmly: "It’s team spirit. Yes, it’s a whole team."
The video was not just an impressive shot but a visual message about Dubai, which always aims further, and about a woman who turned danger into art, and the sky into a stage for dreams.