Brussels Furniture Fair
redazione 7/04/2023

Downtown Design: A platform for Creative Innovation and Business

Preview of the design fair (at its 10th iteration in November), a key appointment for the sector in the Middle East

Downtown Design, held every November in Dubai as the main event of Dubai Design Week, is not a fair like all the others. It is an appointment for business, attracting sector professionals (the region is strategically important on a commercial level), but also a moment of information aimed at the general public. The programme has a focus on design and brings together big names on the international scene and local creativity, conferences and master classes.

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The event brings together the design industry’s key players in Dubai a region that is attracting affluent groups investing in design and real estate and is experiencing a moment of important growth.

For this year’s edition – the tenth – work is already underway, and the names of some of the participating companies are already known: Cassina, Cosentino, Illulian, Kartell, Lasvit. Baituti Home, a major distributor in the high-end design sector, are joining Downtown Design this year with a large scale showcase featuring B&B Italia, Louis Poulsen, Maxalto and Flos.

Talks at The Forum at Downtown Design 2022

Talks at The Forum at Downtown Design 2022

The creative scene in the Emirates region will be represented by a selection of names worth watching (like Omar Al Gurg, founder of the brand Modu, and Aljoud Lootah); there will also be interesting international contributions, like the platform Beit Collective, illustrating products designed and/or produced in Lebanon, as well as Edward Linacre (Australia), Akar de Nissim (Singapore), New Terracotta (Portugal).

Solaire Lounge by Veuve Clicquot at Downtown Design 2022

The Solaire Lounge by Veuve Clicquot at Downtown Design 2022

Downtown Design addresses two worlds, B2B and B2C, combining the needs of both in a spectacular and convivial moment, featuring striking special installations, pop-up concepts and immersive experiences. Last year pop-ups included The Solaire Lounge by Veuve Clicquot and a display from Christie’s auction house.

Slamp at Downtown Design 2022

The Slamp booth at Downtown Design 2022, showcasing Zaha Hadid’s Aria lamp

Control No Control by Studio Iregular at Downtown Design 2022

Control No Control by Studio Iregular at Downtown Design 2022

And there’s more. Direct contact with the public, especially for younger players, becomes an opportunity to develop directly commissioned projects in a spirit of cooperation. A dynamic and stimulating mixture that is hard to find elsewhere. A platform for creativity.

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