Dubai Design Week is upon us as it is set to showcase the ultimate in design and creativity and host over 200 events that cover a number of design disciplines including, product design, interior design, architecture, multimedia and graphic design.
DDW has opened on the 11th November and will come to a close on 16th November at Dubai’s infamous D3 (Dubai Design District). The annual event which draws in thousands of creatives and enthusiasts, will be held under the patronage of the Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Free to attend, Dubai design Week will play host to workshops, panel talks, competitions, installations and exhibitions as well as entertaining and interactive activities. Three key events will take place in the coming week – Abwab, Downtown Design and Global Grad Show.
Abwab has been a popular attraction at DDW over the past few editions, and consists of an exhibition that is renewed every year and dedicated to bridging the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia with a view to encourage dialogue across cultures. In 2019’s edition, the theme is entitled, “Ways of Learning,” and the designers involved have been briefed to create classrooms of their own cultures. The designers participating in this initiative are, WAL(L)TZ by T Sakhi Architects from Lebanon, Qissa Ghar by The Busride Design Studio from India, and Sa’af by Azaz Architects from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Visitors will also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the interactive experience.
The second noteworthy event is Downtown Design; the initiative is a pioneering design trade fair which will be running from the 12th-15th November and will host designers and artists from 30 different countries. Not only that, there will be 100 new brands that will be exhibiting along with those who return every year. Some of the brands people are most likely to be excited about include, Arper, Zaha Hadid Architects and Atelier Swarovski.
The newbie designers joining the established brands we know and love, are Vicalvi, an Italian brand who specialize in luxe eco-friendly floor and wall coverings, Tasca 4D from Japan, who will highlight collectible furniture, Moser – a brand that will etch customized vases at their stand, and Pedrali, another Italian brand known for their contemporary design furniture, just to name a few. There will also be a strong focus on local talents, and there will be designers whose works are dedicated to the Middle Eastern culture. Some of these talents will be exhibited by the likes of, the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, who will display objects created in collaboration with Emirati craftswomen, Hajar Abdallah, whose collection pays homage to the locale’s equestrian culture and bespoke rug studio, Hands, will unveil a piece inspired by works of art created by children.
Lastly, the DDW Global Grad Show; featuring 150 graduate submissions from 100 universities worldwide, the event is committed to highlighting the future generations of pioneering innovators.
