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It has become an integral part of Salone del Mobile, drawing more than 100,000 visitors to its location at Superstudio Più in Milan, and now the Temporary Museum for New Design is coming to Dubai to present an event within the event.

With the purpose of educating visitors about the intricate process involved in material selection and the detailed work that takes place in the factories in Denmark, Downtown Design and Ikonhouse have set up 'Craftsmanship at The Workshop' – a live installation for craftsmen to work.

When Nouvelle Vague presented their first show in 2011, its content as well as its name signified a “new wave” of French design sweeping the entire industry.

Ever since 1944, when Wilton Carlyle Dinges of the Electrical Machine and Equipment Company (Emeco) was asked by the US government to make a chair strong enough to withstand torpedo blasts but at the same time was lightweight and weatherproof, Emeco have had philosophy to build things that last.

With stores in Milan, Tokyo, Paris and New York and part of their collection in the Musuem of Modern Art, Cassina is one of the world’s leading brands for design furniture. Producing items of extremely high quality that stay in line with contemporary aesthetics, they show understated sophistication in all their products.

The fabrics and textiles from Lisa Corti are not only rich in colour and texture; but stitched into every one is a story.

With a contemporary range of ethical camel leather products and a newly branded luxury atelier, Al Khaznah Tannery is a local company with a bright future on the global design stage.

Founded in 1950, Vitra have become synonymous with their production lines of classic iconic furniture, many produced since the 1950’s and is globally renowned for its projects such as the Vitra Campus architecture, the Vitra Design Museum, workshops, publications, collections and archives.

The annual site-specific and multi functional space that is often the chosen venue for the most promising start-up designers at Milan’s event has announced they will showcase ten brands

Q. Why did PF Emirates decide to participate in Downtown Design?

Q. As owner of one of the most famous Italian design brands in the world, what are your thoughts on design brands in the Middle East and what success has Cappellini had in establishing itself here?

Harpers Bazaar Interiors will be supporting the launch of Downtown Design

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of DMCC, said: "When we announced the plans to build Almas Tower in 2002, the Middle East's tallest commercial tower and DMCC 's headquarters, the entire office space across 63 floors sold out to DMCC  end users, mostly in the diamond business, in just a few hours. The world's tallest commercial tower and the DMCC Business Park are the next natural steps to ensure we continue to welcome companies to the free zone as demand grows - particularly large regional corporations and multi-nationals - in the near future. The initiative is designed to further strengthen Dubai's position as the global hub for commodities trade and enterprise.

Pinetti creates products that reflect the company, its identity and the people who work there; entirely Italian products with regard to the production, but international in the soul. The design and R & D team, which consists of architects Alberto, Lorenzo and Andrea Pinetti, driven by a constant desire to innovate, has achieved a know-how in terms of prototyping and design that increase the quality and the uniqueness of the objects produced.

Lighting fixtures, where electricity is seemingly not used? Yes, it is possible!  The Czech Preciosa presents a unique set of innovations. LEDs and printed circuit boards are nothing new per see.  However, in a world first, Preciosa designers came up with the concept of using the best that these technologies have to offer together in a single lighting product. "We envisioned ??an all-glass lighting object that has a minimum of metal elements.  We wanted to make a fixture that would have a thoroughly minimalistic and clean design", Jaroslav Bejvl Jr., Chief Designer at Preciosa, describes the initial idea. The result was lighting fixture Element. The atypical, custom-built LED panels, thanks to which the beautifully cut décor on the arms pops, use a printed circuit board as their source of electricity.

The “Dubai Design District” will be adjacent to the Business Bay area of Dubai. The district is expected to become a full service commercial hub for design industry-related organizations, brands, and supporting enterprises within the value chain. It will feature a custom built creative community that will encompass purpose built commercial and retail facilities for established and emerging designers, design institutes, waterfront promenade, convention centre and event venues and related academic institutions. Located a short distance from Dubai’s arterial highways and the Emirate’s two international airports, the district is in sight of the Creek, Dubai’s historic trading epicenter, the “Burj Khalifa”, the world’s tallest building, and “Dubai Mall”. It is expected to be the most connected fashion district in the world, with Dubai being only 8 hours flight time from 90% of the countries in the world. The district will be operated by TECOM Investments. The new fashion, design, and luxury goods district builds on Dubai’s strengths in tourism, which is expected to double the number of visitors to 20 million by 2020, and in retail, which is estimated to grow to AED151billion in the next two years. These strengths coupled with Dubai’s strategic location and business-friendly environment, have encouraged major industry players like Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Ralph Lauren to set-up operations in Dubai. Dubai Design District will be a vital part of the process as we look to deliver against the objectives set out in our Tourism Vision 2020, and it will provide an additional key element in Dubai’s bid to host Expo 2020.

Ludovica+Roberto Palomba are architects and designers who work and live in Milan. They founded Palomba Serafini Associati in 1994.

Premiering 10 November 1400 Hrs (GST), this panel discussion is moderated by Jane O’Neil, the Editor of Commercial Interior Design magazine.