Marking another landmark edition, Downtown Design 2025 featured the latest collections, innovative products and immersive experiences, reflecting Dubai’s pivotal role in shaping the region’s contemporary design landscape.

This year’s edition of the fair drew over 25,000 visitors across five days, attracting industry leaders, buyers, architects, designers and design-curious audiences from around the world. With more than 330 exhibitors from 35 countries, the fair offered a curated cross-section of contemporary design—balancing emerging voices with global brands and regionally rooted creativity.

The exhibitor mix reflected a vibrant and growing regional ecosystem:

• 200+ international participants
• 125 regional designers and brands from Turkey, India, Pakistan and beyond
• 100+ UAE-based studios, spanning emerging talent to established names

This interplay of global and regional perspectives created a sense of momentum, discovery and dialogue throughout the fair.

The fair welcomed returning names such as Huda Lighting, Kartell, Kohler, Poltrona Frau, Obegi Home, and Venini, alongside new participants Roche Bobois, Stellar Works, Calico Wallpaper, Porada, Desalto, French designer Stéphanie Coutas and design duo Draga & Aurel, presented by Collectional. Highlights included Huda Lighting’s immersive installation of advanced lighting concepts, Kohler’s new product launch designed by Marco Maximus, and Poltrona Frau presenting a curated collection blending Italian tradition with contemporary innovation.

Regional showcases celebrated local and emerging talent, with BEIT Collective presenting handcrafted objects from Lebanon, Pakistani designer Yousaf Shabaz debuting his Strata collection, and Sharjah-based 1971 Design Space highlighting material innovation by Lina Ghalib and Nuhayr Zein. The annual Tanween Design Programme by Tashkeel returned with the 2025 cohort, unveiling multidisciplinary projects by promising UAE-based designers, while the Athath Fellowship by MAKE in Abu Dhabi made its fair debut, spotlighting early-career creatives. The ‘Designed in Saudi’ initiative by the Design & Architecture Commission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture showcased contemporary Saudi talent, underlining the fair’s regional engagement.

Returning for its sixth edition, the UAE Designer Exhibition, supported by Dubai Culture, expanded its curatorial vision to focus on mentorship opportunities and increased visibility for over 30 emerging UAE-based designers. Nada Debs served as the headline mentor, offering guidance and insights to early-career creatives, while installations highlighted the use of locally sourced and sustainable materials, aligning with the fair’s commitment to future-focused design.

The Forum at Downtown Design gathered global and regional thought leaders, with Tom Dixon making his Dubai debut, delivering a keynote on material innovation and design evolution. Mare Wanders, Lee Broom, David Hicks and regonl leader such as Rabah Saeid, Pallavi Dean and Omar Al Gurg joined the programme, sharing insights on contemporary design, creativity, and industry trends. The Forum space, conceived by Lebanese architect and designer Roula Salamoun, combined material experimentation with organic forms inspired by landscapes, creating an immersive environment for discussion and discovery.

Downtown Design 2025 successfully reinforced its position as the region’s leading platform for contemporary design, connecting international and regional design communities while celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and collaboration in a truly immersive and inspiring environment.

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