For its second edition, Downtown Design’s operative theme, Original Design, promises more than just an exhaustive line-up of the best interior brands you can invest in. “In addition to having more brands exhibiting, we have more experiential installations and special features that talk about great design in a wider perspective,” said Cristina Romelli-Gervasoni, the fair director.
Providing impetus to the regional design industry, the fair will exhibit works by designers from the Middle East. “Opening our doors to regional and local designers with a special exhibition helps us integrate the best of the region into our overall design showcase,” explained Romelli-Gervasoni. Exhibiting alongside international names, Arwa Hafiz (KSA), Nanu Al-Hamad (Kuwait), Cherif Morsi (Egypt) and Mohammad Hossein Ghaderi (Iran), among others, stand to gain exposure and a better understanding about the design industry.
With so many design fairs being organised around the world, what makes Downtown Design special? First, as a curated interiors and furniture fair, it offers an excellent chance for people to network, meet, get behind the brand stories and do business in an inspiring environment. More importantly, the fair’s reach does not start and end with the fair. “We have a programme that extends throughout the year with talks and other forums that bring the local and the international design community together.”
Given its successful debut last year, to say that the biggest interior brands shall be present is to state the obvious. Yes, the lighting gurus Lasvit are participating as are Gaggenau, Fritz Hansen, Vitra and Carvane. Normann Copenhagen, De Castelli, Blumohito and ergonomic design pioneers Herman Miller are also set to make you fall in love with their detailed, stunning pieces.
I am more interested in the workshops, talks and special projects that promise to bring people closer to the fascinating world of design.
FASHION COMES TO DOWNTOWN DESIGN
Some of the top runway brands joined forces with leading interior brands, tipping their hat to the symbiotic relationship between fashion and interiors. Fashion maestro Christian Lacroix’s collaboration with Sicis, the Italian mosaic brand, led to reimagining the Theodora Armchair and Theodora Pouff with Lacroix’s trademark play with embellishments and hues. Swedish woven flooring innovators Bolon’s collection with the label Missoni results in a directional, colourful collection of flooring solutions. Seletti worked with the haute high-street Diesel to create a home collection for the lifestyle brand, introducing a range of industrial-esque homeware to the market.
ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART BRINGS DESIGN FUTURE TO DUBAI
Downtown Design has pulled a coup, inviting the RCA to exhibit three of their students’ latest innovations in design that have the potential to bring great change in the way we design, build and live. The augmented reality based Gravity Sketch — a collaborative effort by the designers Guillaume Couche, Daniela Paredes Fuentes, Pierre Paslier and Oluwaseyi Sosanya — that allows designers and architects to visualise their drawings in 3D as they draw, is not mere conceptual projects but a viable industry tool. Personally, I am looking forward to Julian Melchiorri’s Silk Leaf — a revolutionary technology that mimics the natural process of photosynthesis, producing oxygen when provided with light and water.
EXPERIENCE DESIGN FIRST-HAND
Through a series of live demonstrations, visitors can get a peek into craft that goes into creating that singular product that we hold in our hands. The Czech lighting company Preciosa will reveal the artistry behind cutting crystal for their lights. Bang & Olufsen’s booth will give a stage-by-stage breakdown of the production of their coveted speakers while water-world legends Hansgrohe will be bringing to life its unique “Water Dream” bathroom concept.
I strongly recommend you head to Montana Møbler A/S and let them help you design your own custom storage units in their trademark vibrant colours. And if you want a glimpse into the home of our future, do not miss the tech-savvy “Home of Tomorrow” installation that blends cutting-edge home automation technology with high-end design.
Downtown Design is running from October 28 to 31. Visit downtowndesign.com for more information.
— Pratyush Sarup edits the design site designcarrot.net. You can follow the site on twitter @DesignCarrot.
