The leading fair
FOR CONTEMPORARY
& QUALITY DESIGN
IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Announced as one of the headline speakers of the 2024 programme at The Forum is iconic architect, designer and scenographer, India Mahdavi. Held every November at Downtown Design, The Forum lends its stage to leaders of the Global design scene at, addressing key topics in the Middle East’s design landscape.

The Middle East’s first fair for limited editions art and design launches 6-9 November, sitting alongside Downtown Design. Editions will showcase +50 galleries, design studios and collectives, exhibiting works exclusively in the fields of photography, works on paper, prints, ceramics, and contemporary design.

Presented in the Middle East by Dhow Architectural Solutions Group, The Conran Shop will mark its online launch in the UAE with a pop-up concept at the heart of the Downtown Design fair, featuring a curated collection of innovative and contemporary furniture, lighting and home accessories.

The Designed in Saudi exhibition - an initiative by the Design and Architecture Commission of the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to highlight the Kingdom's creative talent- returns for its second iteration at Downtown Design, featuring carefully selected pieces by 9 design studios that have received the Designed in Saudi seal, representing quality and distinctiveness in design.

The Italian Trade Agency returns with a dedicated pavilion, featuring 25 made-in-Italy brands and manufacturers, showcasing furniture, lighting, interior solutions, accessories and homeware.

An annual showcase at the heart of Downtown Design, the UAE Designer Exhibition features emerging local talent. With a focus on design that offers comfort and functionality, guest curator Omar al Gurg has selected works by over 30 UAE-based creatives.

Showcasing innovative works of independent designers and studios, Isola are back with a unique exhibition setup inspired by Aldo Rossi and crafted with cutting-edge 3D printing, and a curated selection of innovative designers and studios from around the world under the theme ‘This Future is Currently Unavailable’, inviting reflection on design’s role in shaping our collective future.

Every November, The Forum hosts live keynotes, panel discussions and masterclasses, lending its stage to global thought-leaders, in an annually reimagined setting designed to foster meaningful connections and open exchange, in a fast-growing market. This year, The Forum is designed by Thomas Trad, taking cues from minimalist, Japanese-inspired aesthetics.

Iconic hand-painted wallpaper brand de Gournay joins Downtown Design this year, with a pop-up concept featuring their signature and bespoke interiors that blend timeless craftsmanship with modern elegance.

This year, Veuve Clicquot has teamed up with renowned Studio Marcel Poulain for the lounge and sun-soaked terrace at Downtown Design, capturing the vibrant energy of the French Riviera.

Marking the entrance to Downtown Design 2024, Dutch artist Linda Nieuwstad’s oversized floral sculptures, skillfully crafted from recycled everyday materials, from truck tarpaulins, cotton uniforms or old wool blankets, blends traditional forms with a modern edge.

The dates have been set for Downtown Design’s inaugural KSA fair, taking place at the Arena Venue Riyadh, 27-29 May 2025.