Showcasing creativity from across the region, Downtown Design highlights the depth and diversity of local design talent. From emerging studios to established names or curated exhibits, the fair celebrates the cultural richness, craftsmanship, and contemporary vision contributing to the region’s design scene.

This year’s highlights span from South Asia to the Middle East and beyond; including the debut of an eclectic collection by mother-son duo Saira Ahsan and Yousaf Shahbaz from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia’s Designed in Saudi showcase, an initiative led by the Architecture and Design Commission of the Ministry of Culture highlighting the Kingdom’s commitment to its industrial design sector, the collection launch of Egyptian sister-design duo Doodle & The Gang’s designs for Hands Carpets and from Lebanon BEIT Collective brings a collaboration uniting Lebanese artisans with international designers.

UAE-based talent takes centre stage, with MAKE marking their debut at the fair showcasing the latest cohort of its Athath Fellowship, the Abu Dhabi-based platform for emerging designers to explore furniture design and entrepreneurship. The annual Tanween Design Programme by Tashkeel, promoting sustainable design in the UAE, returns with a new cohort of nine designers for its 2025 edition, and Sharjah-based 1971 Design Space will showcase material innovation from Egyptian designers Lina Ghalib and Nuhayr Zein.

The UAE Designer Exhibition, in its sixth edition, expands its curatorial vision to include mentorship opportunities and increased international visibility for emerging UAE-based  designers, supported by Dubai Culture, and Nada Debs will feature as the headline mentor, providing direct insights to the early-career participants.

A creative Buccellati pop-up concept designed by Lebanese duo david/nicolas, is a refined exploration of craftsmanship and contemporary design, Stellar Works makes its Dubai debut presenting alongside with Calico Wallpaper in a space designed by Emirati architect and designer Omar Al Gurg and Nordic Homeworx will unveil an immersive pop-up conceived by Dubai-based design studio Styled Habitat, spearheaded by Rabah Saied.

Jaipur Rugs will present a curated showcase by Paris-based designer Tatiana de Nicolay and acclaimed Indian designer Vinita Chaitanya, while independent design studios creating contemporary furniture include Jagdish Sutar from India, Dubai-based Studio Obliq and more.

Together, these showcases illustrate how design across the region continues to bridge heritage and innovation, while shaping a contemporary creative identity rooted in cultural richness.