dubai's downtown design returns for 2021 as global design reconnects

downtown design fair returns to dubai for 9th edition

with over 130 leading international and regional brands from 25 different countries, downtown design is set for a vibrant return at dubai design district as the middle east’s foremost fair. from LEMA and minotti furniture pieces to sanitary fittings by villeroy & boch and lighting by LASVIT, dubai’s waterfront is soon to become a diverse oasis for design, manufacturers and enthusiast once again. the november 2021 edition is a chance to see the latest collections make global public debuts. as well, a packed program of activities enrich engagement for participants and visitors even further, from interactive discussions to presentations and even special networking events.

don’t miss the chance to visit the downtown design 2021 edition- register your ticket here!

(above) illulian

(banner) samer bou rjeily

boutique exhibitions, experiential installations & networking forums await

stands from italy, france, spain, austria and hungary enhance the european presence at dubai’s downtown design 2021, while ‘editions’ – the boutique of limited-edition and bespoke pieces – welcomes famed regional artists like aline hazarian, art de vivre, the line concept and zieta studio alongside emerging talents including ARE from syria and roham shamekh from iran. these individual exhibits are further complemented by a range of showcases uncovering the latest in design from the middle east, including ‘the beirut concept store’ that features 50 established works from lebanon.

crowd gathering at the major exhibition

several leading design studios have spent recent months busily creating unique, interactive installations and entertainment venues for all visitors to experience and enjoy throughout the fair. set to amaze, these include a dramatic, multisensory main entrance at the trade hall from NIU studio; an elegant restaurant inspired by virginia woolf and her bloomsbury set contemporaries from lulie fisher design studio; an eclectic, stimulating bar inspired by the dubai landscape and vista created by broadway interiors; and the forum’s innovative amphitheater designed by ema.

sorted pixel seat by ARE

a sense of design community is key as engagement amongst the visitors and participants is another of the exhibition’s key qualities. staged in an amphitheater specially designed to promote interaction, ‘the forum’ becomes a space where professionals can observe and engage in energizing and candid design dialogue. the afternoon series of live interviews and discussions between leading regional and international architects, interior and product designers includes panelists and speakers like sebastian herkner, elliott barnes, gregory gatserelia, massimo iosa ghini and adrien gardère. in addition, micael calatrava, CEO of calatrava international LLC, aims to give particular emphasis on the creation of the UAE and qatar pavilions at expo 2020 dubai.

designkraft hallucination collection

as architects and designers come together, the specifically refined ‘trade connect’ programme promises to provide a suite of exclusive events paired with networking and product sourcing opportunities. these special visitors gain access to the fair’s preview, pre-arranged 1-2-1 business meetings, hosted lunches and connections to top designers. it guarantees an even more intimate exhibition experience at the design show.

visitors engaging at downtown design 2019