Design fever grips Downtown Dubai

Conceived by the same team behind the Art Dubai and Design Days Dubai, Downtown Design will feature the best in furniture, lighting, accessories, flooring, textiles and new technologies — all brands handpicked for their emphasis on quality, innovation and research.

“The show will seek to highlight contemporary — yet timeless — values in a creative atmosphere to an audience keen to understand design,” says Cristina Romelli Gervasoni, fair director Downtown Design.

“Despite Dubai being a global design destination with some of the world’s greatest architects, engineers and interior designers setting new benchmarks here, till now there has been no design trade show in the region focusing on quality and heritage of the brands it exhibits.”

Much as the show, that will bring some of the world’s coveted brands to a purpose built venue at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, is aimed at design trade, design lovers are sure to come back inspired and more appreciative of the value of good design.

Quality design has the power to get people thinking. The show sets itself apart by creating a unique atmosphere where exhibition will be held; the venue is designed in such a manner that visitors can really experience the core values of the brands.

Built around three cornerstones — learning, experience and discovery — it will also host a series of talks aimed at demystifying design and educating visitors about the worth in design. More than 30 talks and seminars designed for trade professionals and visitors have been planned. World-famous designers such as Ora Ito, Ludovica+Roberto Palomba, Pauline Deltour and Giulio Cappellini are scheduled to talk. “The daily series of talks from the exhibiting brands will reveal the stories behind the products, bringing them to life and underlining their importance on a global stage,” says Cristina.

The Temporary Museum for New Design — one of the main highlights of the Milan Design Week — steps out of Milan for the first time and visitors to Downtown Design will be able to feast on works of up-and-coming design stars.

With some of the world’s best known design brands such as Vitra, Republic of Fritz Hansen, Gaggenau, Discipline, Cappellini, Cassina, Preciosa Lighting and Melogranoblu among others set to wow, what is Cristina most looking forward to?

“A particular favourite is the Craftsmanship Corner at The Workshop, a live installation by Danish brands — Carl Hansen, Fritz Hansen and Louis Poulsen — which will see a craftsman build the classic Wishbone Chair at the event itself!”

Downtown Design is open to public from October 29 through November 1, 2013 from 5pm-8pm (till 31st October) and noon-6pm on November 1.

Pratyush Sarup edits DESIGN CARROT — a Dubai-based interior design blog. Visit Designcarrot.com

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Downtown Design is open to public from October 29 through November 1, 2013 from 5pm-8pm (till 31st October) and noon-6pm on November 1.

— Pratyush Sarup edits DESIGN CARROT — a Dubai-based interior design blog. Visit Designcarrot.com