Stephanie Coutas

Italian Trade Agency returned to Downtown Design on November 6-9 2024 with some of the country’s finest creations in furniture, dwelling space accessories, hand-painted wallcoverings, mosaics, lightings, and many more.

The pieces showcased by Italian exhibitors are true representations of the Italian narrative as a purveyor of culture and design innovation.

Italy’s participation at Downtown Design is realised by the Italian Trade Agency, in cooperation with the Embassy of Italy in the UAE, the Consulate General in Dubai, Confartigianato Imprese and CNA.

An annual platform for the local creative community, the UAE Designer Exhibition showcases emerging creative talent and budding designers in a curated feature situated within the Downtown Design fair, with the aim of enhancing visibility for young UAE designers, expanding their networks and providing commercial opportunity.

For its fifth edition, the UAE Designer Exhibition, curated by Omar Al Gurg, presented a compelling showcase of over 30 emerging talents that redefined the concepts of comfort and functionality. The chosen theme for the showcase explored form, ergonomics, and multifunctionality, offering thoughtful solutions that enhanced living spaces and elevated the user's experience.

Each product served not only a practical purpose but also introduced an emotional dimension, whether through innovative design, playful forms, or the conscious use of materials. The exhibition aimed to foster dialogue—not just between the individual works, but also among the designers themselves.