The inaugural fair opened its doors this week to begin a new movement in the Middle East's design industry.
Held under the patronage of HH Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the inaugural fair opened its doors this week to begin a new movement in the Middle East's design industry.
The opening of Downtown Design, a new furniture and product design trade fair in Dubai, features a packed programme of talks and workshops. Exhibitors have been announced and are featuring some of the world’s leading designers, architects and industry leaders. Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,Head of the ‘Higher Advisory Committee’ of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the event is taking place between 29 October and 1 November at ‘The Venue, Downtown Dubai,’ at the base of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, which anchors Emaar’s thriving lifestyle destination billed as “The Centre of Now”.
The fair brings many “firsts” to Dubai. Organised by the visionary team behind Art Dubai and Design Days Dubai, and in partnership with Emaar and the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Downtown Design aims to be a catalyst for establishing Dubai as a global hub for design in years to come.
Amongst the names of iconic brands showing for the first time in a design fair in the region are: Vitra, one of the world's most respected manufacturers of iconic design products; Cassina, who will present a unique Karl Lagerfeld photographic project; and Emeco, the world-renowned chair manufacturer. In addition, brands such as Poltrona Frau, Fritz Hansens, GAIA&GINO and Cappellini will give talks on the skills behind the manufacturing of their products. The fair is also hosting an exhibition of the Temporary Museum of New Design, the cornerstone event of Milan’s Design Week, which has chosen Dubai as a location to exhibit for the first time outside Milan. Nouvelle Vague, the platform that showcases up-and-coming French designers will exhibit in the Middle East for the first time as well, in collaboration with UAE-based designer Khalid Shafar. Additionally, Danish craftsmen will demonstrate the detailed work that takes place in their factories in Denmark by producing two iconic chairs live during the week.
Downtown Design Fair Director Cristina Romelli Gervasoni says: “To have such iconic brands and exhibitions come to an inaugural design fair testifies to the positioning of Dubai as a meeting point for the creative industries. The diverse nature of what is on show will both entertain and educate all the visitors on the latest international design trends”.
Complementing the exhibitions will be a full programme of talks and workshops that will give visitors the opportunity to hear from the world’s leading designers and architects including: the iconoclastic artist, Ora-Ïto; one of the world's most talked about female designers, Pauline Deltour; and international award-winning architects, Ludovica+Roberto Palomba.
Giving visitors an insight into the regional market opportunities will be: Robert Booth, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Dubai Real Estate who will give a talk on how Emaar has been shaping landscapes and lives in the Emirate since the company’s inception in 1997; Simon Chambers, Partner of GAJ who will share insights into contextual architecture in the UAE; and Daniel Hajjar, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager of HOK, who will examine the effects of today’s technology on delivering design on the global stage. To close the week, Ben Evans, the Co-Founder and Director of the London Design Festival will talk about how London evolved as a design capital and the opportunities he sees for Dubai.
Ben Evans, Co-Founder and Director of the London Design Festivalsays, “I am delighted to be part of Downtown Design’s programme, which promises to be a landmark event in the Middle East design scene. The line-up of exhibitors and speakers has already established Downtown Design as a world class event”.
Downtown Design is set to become a key design show on Dubai’s creative landscape, fulfilling His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, recent decree of increasing the overall contribution to the creative sector to Dubai’s GDP.
The four-day event will be free for trade visitors and industry professionals between 12pm and 8pm daily, and will also be open to members of the public from 5pm to 8pm on 29 to 31 October and 12pm to 6pm on Friday 1November.
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