Details of the first Dubai Design Week, which will take place from 26 – 31 October 2015, have just been announced. Dubai Design Week will be a citywide event which will place Dubai on the map as the emerging design capital of the world.

Established by Art Dubai Group (ADG) in partnership with d3 (the new Dubai Design District), Dubai Design Week will coincide with Downtown Design, the region’s leading, quality-driven design trade fair. Dubai Design Week will encompass culture, education and entertainment with key initiatives spanning multiple disciplines of design – from graphic and product design to architecture and industrial design. The focus of activity during Dubai Design Week will take place in the newly established d3 which has just completed its first building phase. The district will become a hub for creatives working in the field of design, fashion and luxury.

There will be six distinct elements which make up Dubai Design Week: Global Innovation Design, Destination Dubai, Abwab, Education Programme, Iconic Installations and Take Part Of It

Global Innovation Design

This exhibition, to be held within d3, will feature some of the most innovative projects coming from postgraduates of the world’s leading design universities.

Destination Dubai

This is a unique alliance with six international design weeks: San Franciso Design Week, Abierto Mexicano de Diseño (Mexico City), Helsinki Design Week, Istanbul Design Week, Beijing Design Week and Melbourne Design Week Dubai. Each design week will give exposure to emerging brands from the participating countries.

Abwab

Participating countries from the region including Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the UAE will showcase emerging and established talent within individual pavilions. Made from locally sourced materials, the pavilions will be integrated into the walkways and open spaces of d3. The theme for 2015 will be Games: The Element of Play in Culture

Education Programme

Dubai Design Week will offer a programme of educational talks, lectures and workshops which will cover an extensive range of topics related to design that will educate, support and promote local talent to an international audience

Iconic Installations

Placed in landmark locations across the city, a series of world premiere installations by renowned international, regional and local designers will transform Dubai throughout the Design Week. The installations will challenge convention and explore innovation, illustrating Dubai’s creative diversity.

Downtown Design

At the centre of the event will be Downtown Design - now in its third year – which will move into a new, purpose-built, exhibition hall in the centre of d3, the new Dubai Design District.  Downton Design is the sole platform for contemporary design in the Middle East exhibiting products, trends and concepts new to the region.  Downtown Design, which runs from 28 October – 1 November, is the only fair in the Middle East dedicated to original and quality design, exhibiting products, as well as new trends and concepts. Downtown Design 2015 plans to bring together an eclectic mix of the world’s most innovative and cutting-edge brands in furniture, lighting, kitchens, bathrooms, accessories, textiles and new technologies to create a unique business platform dedicated to original design.

Cyril Zammit, Fair Director, Design Days Dubai, said: “Dubai has already started building its reputation as a global hub for design through the success of events such as Design Days Dubai and Downtown Dubai. Now is the time to build on that success and introduce Dubai Design Week – an opportunity for the creative industries to engage with regional and international audiences.”

Nez Gebreel, CEO of the Dubai Design & Fashion Council, said: “The inaugural edition of Dubai Design Week is a tangible step towards our commitment to raising the profile of Dubai as the emerging capital of design. This initiative marks a pivotal point in establishing a world-class design community in Dubai and being the catalyst that elevates the emirate’s design industry to the international stage. We look forward to creating a key gateway that brings together regional designers with creative thinkers from around the globe.”

Dubai Design Week is held under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Co-Chairman of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

Further information about the 2015 Dubai Design Week will be available throughout the summer via a regular programme of press releases.

dubaidesignweek.ae