Presenting some of the most pioneering international and regional contemporary design brands alongside an insightful talks programme, Downtown Design attracted leading design professionals across the interiors, architecture, retail, commercial and hospitality industries from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
The fair’s sixth edition underscored its position as the destination where creativity meets commerce, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the latest collections and trends, learn, network and create business opportunities.
“This year’s showcase was Downtown Design’s best so far,” said Shweta Parida, Editor of Commercial Interior Design, the Middle East’s leading B2B publication for the industry. “The content and programming were really impressive.”
Alongside the inaugural showcase of the fair’s new section, Downtown Editions, Downtown Design's new blueprint that featured large-scale installations by David Harber and Marc Ange among others, bespoke cafes and bar concepts, indoor landscaped gardens by Desert INK and a pop-up retail destination, marked a new phase of growth and success for the fair.
This fresh creative direction supports the objectives of the exhibitors, allowing them to connect with the regional design industry in a more engaging manner. “Presenting Breath of Light at Downtown Design allowed us to break barriers between Preciosa and potential clients in the Middle East,” said Michael Vasku and Andreas Klug, Creative Directors, Preciosa Lighting. “People who might have felt intimated to approach us earlier felt less conscious and the conversations very quickly moved to ‘What can we do together?’"
Speaking about the fair Matthew McCormick, award-winning international designer said: "Downtown Design is one of the few international platforms I’ve seen that is really working towards a positive change in the design profession. I explored new brands and met an inspiring mix of people with a refreshing lack of pretence. The fair’s team was very responsive and accommodating in making important introductions to my business.”
According to Isabel Pintado, Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa, and Managing Director, Dubai, Wilson Associates, Downtown Design's evolution reflects the region’s growing appreciation for high quality, original design: “As a design professional who has been a longtime resident of the UAE, I feel incredibly proud to have a design fair of such high calibre at our doorsteps. From the quality of exhibitors and the organization to the manner in which the fair’s programme supported networking with brands and colleagues, Downtown Design 2018 set the bar high.”
Apply to exhibit at Downtown Design 2019 here.
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