Downtown Design 2025: When Dubai Becomes the World’s Design Crossroads

Every November,  Dubai Design District (d3) transforms into the beating heart of creativity, and this year’s Downtown Design—the anchor fair of Dubai Design Week—is shaping up to be the most compelling edition yet.

From the 5th to 9th of November, the Waterfront Terrace will once again host a global showcase where craftsmanship, concept, and culture converge.

A Stage for Design, Dialogue, and Discovery

Under the patronage of HH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and in partnership with Dubai Design District (d3) and Dubai Culture, Downtown Design 2025 cements its role as the region’s most influential design event. “Dubai is playing an ever-greater role in shaping a more collaborative, innovative, and inclusive future,” says Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior VP of d3. This year, the fair expands its reach—from emerging regional studios to global icons—creating a truly human-centric design experience.

The Big Names and the Bold Ideas

Returning international powerhouses include Kartell, Poltrona Frau, and Venini, joined by first-timers Roche Bobois, Draga & Aurel, Desalto, and Porada. Expect immersive concepts like Obegi Home’s luxury showcase, Huda Lighting’s large-scale exhibition, and Buccellati’s contemporary pop-up designed by david/nicolas. The Solaire Lounge by Veuve Clicquot, realized by Studio Marcel Poulain, adds a touch of champagne to the creative mix.

From the Gulf to the Globe: Regional Talent Shines

This year puts UAE-based and regional designers front and center. MAKE debuts with its Athath Fellowship, championing Emirati innovation, while Tashkeel’s Tanween Design Programme returns with new sustainability-focused creations. From Sharjah’s 1971 Design Space to Lebanon’s BEIT Collective, the fair celebrates material experimentation and artisan collaboration.

New highlights include Pakistan’s Strata by Saira Ahsan and Yousaf Shahbaz, Egypt’s Doodle & The Gang, and Saudi Arabia’s Designed in Saudi showcase—proof that the region’s creative dialogue is only getting louder.

Immersive Spaces, Infinite Stories

Downtown Design has always blurred the line between exhibition and experience. This year, visitors can step inside Stellar Works’ debut installation with Calico Wallpaper, curated by Emirati designer Omar Al Gurg; sip through Cosentino’s Art Deco-inspired 1930 Lounge by Etereo; or unwind in Universal Design Studio’s sculptural sand-block landscape.

Even the café becomes part of the show—creatorandcurator reimagines One Life Kitchen into an art-meets-architecture social hub, proving that in Dubai, even coffee can be conceptual.

Talks That Matter

The Forum at Downtown Design continues to anchor the fair’s intellectual pulse. Expect insights from global legends like Marcel Wanders, Tom Dixon, Lee Broom, and David Hicks, alongside regional voices Pallavi Dean, Abdalla Almulla, and Rabah Saeid. Designed by Roula Salamoun, the Forum’s tactile, organic space itself will be an experience in material storytelling.

Where Creativity Meets Community

“Every year, Downtown Design grows in layers,” says Mette Degn-Christensen, the fair’s Director. “It’s become a human-centric space to discover, evolve, and connect.” This year’s edition mirrors Dubai’s growing confidence as a true design capital—one that bridges continents, disciplines, and dreams.

From the industrial beauty of Kartell chairs to the delicate poetry of Arab artisans, Downtown Design 2025 isn’t just about objects. It’s about how we live with them.

Cover: Caspaiou/ Gallotti&Radice Draga & Aurel Tratto 2025 Collection

Downtown Design 2025
🗓️ 5–9 November 2025
📍 Waterfront Terrace, Dubai Design District (d3)
🌐 downtowndesign.com | @downtowndesignd | #DTD2025