Islamabad, Nov 12: The 10th edition of Dubai Design Week ended on Sunday at the Dubai Design District (d3), solidifying Dubai’s position as a global design hub.
This year’s event was the largest yet, with over 500 exhibitors and creative leaders from more than 40 countries, showcasing the UAE’s commitment to global talent and cultural exchange.
Dubai Design Week strengthens the city’s cultural identity by uniting diverse voices and artistic expressions. This year’s event emphasized multicultural representation, with artists from Palestine, Iran, India, and the UAE.
Dutch artist Linda Nieuwstad, known for her colorful flower sculptures, praised Dubai as a place for cultural exchange. She said art can spread positivity in a negative world. Welsh designer Ross Lovegrove also highlighted the community-focused nature of the event.
Dr. Gnanli Landrou, a Togo-born designer, displayed his sustainable concrete innovations, inspired by his heritage. His participation reflects Dubai Design Week’s focus on sustainable design and innovation.
Dubai Design Week
Dubai Design Week has grown in size and importance, attracting global talent and cementing the city’s reputation as a creative hub. Major design brands like Kartell and Cosentino joined alongside emerging local talents.
The event offers designers opportunities to explore new markets and partnerships across the GCC and beyond.
Downtown Design, the main trade fair of the event, featured top-tier furniture, lighting, and architectural products. Over 25 Italian architectural firms participated, further showcasing Dubai’s role in bringing together global and regional creative forces.
A key trend this year was the representation of designs inspired by local culture. Editions, the Middle East’s first limited-edition fair, featured exclusive pieces with regional influences.
Gulf exhibitors presented designs based on traditional architecture and local motifs, attracting global collectors.
The Urban Commissions competition also highlighted regional design influences. Omani studio Altqadum’s interactive TukTukDum Table combined cultural traditions with innovative design.
Dubai Design Week does play an ongoing role in developing cultural identity and constructing Dubai as a creative hub and an economic powerhouse. It brings together individuals interested in the production of art and culture, as well as designers and entrepreneurs interested in business, into constructive discussions about the future of Dubai as a creative city on the global level.
The event’s focus on cultural representation and sustainability showcases the UAE’s forward-thinking approach to design. Dubai supports diverse artists and fosters the growth of the creative industry in the Middle East. The impact of Dubai Design Week extends far beyond the event itself.
