fb

With a line-up of international and regional design experts, The Forum will offer crucial industry insights.

Featuring thought leaders including Marcus Fairsfounder and editor-in-chief of Dezeen and Patrick Abbattista, the founder of DesignWanted alongside designers who have established global design brands, this year's programme will focus on creative entrepreneurship, brand building and the design community's role as an agent of positive change.

Mirroring the many perspectives that inform the global design scene, The Forum will host a diverse cross-section of industry leaders including: award-winning Spanish designer Tomas Alonso, Indian architect and curator Ashiesh Shah, Paris-based architect Lina Ghotmeh and circular design economy proponent Brodie Neilamongst others.

From exploring emerging design thought to addressing the critical concerns of the design industry, these talks and workshops will provide design professionals and design entrepreneurs with creative and commercial strategies to better navigate the fast-evolving industry. 

Ahead of the launch of a major exhibition in February 2020 at the Palais de la Porte Dorée in Paris and to inspire designers looking to find their own creative identity, internationally renowned designer, Christian Louboutin will talk about how he established his unique design identity.

Acclaimed designers, Greg Natale, Dara Huang and Alessandro Minotti have turned their practices into global brands. In their talk How to Build a Brand, they will share the tools essential to building a globally resonating brand. 

The go-to trends forecaster for some of the region's leading brands, analyst Toni Snyder will project the key trends that will inform both product and interior design for the coming years. She will be joined by Patrick who will lead a workshop on digital marketing for design businesses

Also at the Downtown Design Buyers Lounge, Archana Bhatia, Leadership Trainer for brands such as The Talent Enterprise, The Mindgym and Netexpat, will provide business owners and future leaders the skills to lead without fear or self-doubt. 

Focusing on the growth of contemporary design in the region, Saudi-based Architect Amy Lam will join Pinar Calimano of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Laura Bielecki of Ellington Developers to explore the evolving face of luxury in the residential and hospitality sectors.

The Next Step will bring together some of the UAE's leading industry names on one stage at Downtown Design, to inspire design professionals looking to access the next phase of their career growth. 

For the full programme, please click here