Quality Design at the Forefront
This year’s edition of Downtown Design, the region’s only trade fair dedicated to premium design opens its doors to design professionals and patrons on October 25 at a bespoke, 6,000-square feet marquee at Dubai Design District.
Hosting over 100 brands divided into 15 categories from sustainable furniture and energy-efficient lighting to biodegradable accessories and the latest in kitchen and bathroom technology – chosen for their quality, originality and relevance to the region – the fair yet again seeks to highlight the provenance, skill and innovation behind some of these luxury brands.
Supplementing regional awareness on quality, Downtown Design is laying the foundations for an educated, sustainable growth of our creative industries.
“As the commercial centrepiece of Dubai Design Week, Downtown Design provides a platform for new-to-the-market and iconic design brands,” says Rue Kothari, Fair Director. “By April this year, we had already run out of exhibition space and have begun to allocate exhibitors for the 2017 show. I think that is an authentic gauge of the success of the fair.”
Regional prowess
Another gauge is the growing participation of regional brands. This year, 10 regional exhibitors will participate, including Dubai-based architect, Tarik Al Zaharna who will present an installation in collaboration with the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC). The sombre cocoon which will serve as a space for visitors to rest, interact and reflect is constructed from sustainably sourced ash and tulipwood. The installation will be monitored by AHEC for its durability in the regional climate and its long term effect on the environment. Born from Dubai-based Cecilia Setterdahl’s passion for art and design, the d3 based atelier Canvas Carpets Cushions will present handcrafted soft-furnishings and the canvasses that inspired them. Abu Dhabi-based designers Fouad Mirza and Ritchie Nolasco, founders of NM Collection will present a new collection inspired by antique bohemian jewellery. Featuring mother of pearl, bone and ebony inlay design, the collection brings local Arabic artisanal design and craftsmanship to the forefront of furniture and design.
Exclusively in Dubai
Making its regional debut is India’s haute brand KLove which specialises in custom lighting solutions. The award-winning brand’s signature, that ranges from neo-classical to contemporary, is coveted by residential and commercial project designers the world over. Downtown Design darling Lasvit will unveil its latest collection of four lighting sculptures, including Intergalactic by Petra Krausova and Libor Sostak. Samovar, the Kuwaiti carpet label brings a refined collection to this year’s fair with pieces representing traditional and timeless beauty with a modern twist. Transcending the mundane into extraordinary experiences is another Indian brand on show, Apical Reform. Known for its spirited approach to ‘functional art’, it will present the Sinuous Betula chair.
Destination
This year’s edition of the exchange project in collaboration with Dubai Design Week will showcase brands presented by international design weeks from Addis Ababa, Barcelona, Beirut, Reykjavik and Taipei. DesignMarch, the annual design festival in Reykjavik, organised by Iceland Design Centre, will present works by 1+1+1, an experimental collaboration between designers from three Nordic countries – Hugdetta from Iceland, Petra Lilja from Sweden and Aalto+Aalto from Finland. The project examines and reimagines objects by having each studio design an object consisting of three distinct parts and then mixing the parts up into unpredictable combinations. Amongst other regional brands, Beirut Design Week will showcase Muriel Kai’s innovative material made from a mix of wasted fruits and vegetables – Fruit Leather.
Icons of design
Manifesting the brands mood boards in the third dimension, allowing designers and design lovers an intimate glimpse into the craftsmanship, designs will be on show in a curatorial format. Italian label Moroso, known for statement furniture by ace designers such as Ron Arad, Patricia Urquiola and Ross Lovegrove amongst others, will present the Armada seating collection by Doshi&Levien and Daniel Libeskind’s sculptural Gemma collection. With an updated edition of Edward Van Vliet’s Sushi Collection, Moroso also re-imagines the fair’s public area as a design installation. Carl Hansen & Son will present the iconic Wing, Wishbone and Shell chairs. The brand’s portfolio boasts designs by many revered Danish master architects.
In 1966, Manuel Alorda began Kettal. This year, the Spanish brand celebrates 50 years of creating timeless outdoor furniture that reflect contemporary living with an exhibit featuring designs by the Bouroullec brothers, Rodolfo Dordon and Jasper Morrison amongst others. Atelier Swarovski will deploy its A-list roster of collaborating designers – Aldo Bakker, Fredrikson Stallard, Kim Thomé, Tomás Alonso and the late Zaha Hadid. De Castelli, Italian masters of metal work will bring their stunning consoles and cabinets. 16 Italian labels spread over 700 square meters will showcase their best of class at the Italian Luxury Interiors pavilion.
Eye on sustainability
In addition to AHEC, the fair features a healthy dose of design brands rooted in ethos of green design and sustainability. Dubai-based brand Green Road, known for bespoke wall decoration made from real, naturally preserved plants will present innovative means of including nature in our living spaces. Handmade by local artisans using vegetable-tanned leather, Toru from Barcelona is known for preserving skills while creating modern design furniture. For the fair, the brand remains true to its straight-lined, sleek aesthetic. Inspired by her childhood memories of watching her father sipping coffee while reading the newspaper, Paola Sakrm, the Lebanese product designer presents Morning Ritual, a series of biodegradable containers made of coffee grounds and newspaper waste. Known for their cradle-to-crate approach, EGE Carpets, a sustainable carpet manufacturing establishment will present Tom Dixon’s Industrial Landscape collection. Inspired by high-energy, characterful London, the collection marks the Dixon’s debut as carpet designer.
Downtown Design runs October 25 to 28 at Dubai Design District. For more information visit downtowndesign.com.
