His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai announced the creation of Dubai Design District, dedicated to developing the Emirate’s fashion, design and luxury sectors.
The “Dubai Design District” will be adjacent to the Business Bay area of Dubai. The district is expected to become a full service commercial hub for design industry-related organizations, brands, and supporting enterprises within the value chain. It will feature a custom built creative community that will encompass purpose built commercial and retail facilities for established and emerging designers, design institutes, waterfront promenade, convention centre and event venues and related academic institutions.
Located a short distance from Dubai’s arterial highways and the Emirate’s two international airports, the district is in sight of the Creek, Dubai’s historic trading epicenter, the “Burj Khalifa”, the world’s tallest building, and “Dubai Mall”. It is expected to be the most connected fashion district in the world, with Dubai being only 8 hours flight time from 90% of the countries in the world.
The district will be operated by TECOM Investments. The new fashion, design, and luxury goods district builds on Dubai’s strengths in tourism, which is expected to double the number of visitors to 20 million by 2020, and in retail, which is estimated to grow to AED151billion in the next two years. These strengths coupled with Dubai’s strategic location and business-friendly environment, have encouraged major industry players like Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Ralph Lauren to set-up operations in Dubai.
Dubai Design District will be a vital part of the process as we look to deliver against the objectives set out in our Tourism Vision 2020, and it will provide an additional key element in Dubai’s bid to host Expo 2020.
UAE nationals and expatriates alike are showing a keen interest not just in consuming fashion, design, and luxury goods and services, but also in the development of their own design and creative skills. One indication of this emergent trend is evidenced by rapid growth in enrolment rates on fashion and design courses at institutions in the UAE. The talents of the UAE’s home-grown designers, from those who have already made their mark on the international stage to the stars of tomorrow, will be the vital spark driving this community. The new district seeks to increase the number of local and regional designers who are currently attaining international distribution and accolades.
The UAE also holds the second position in the 2011 Apparel Index, driven by a population with a high disposable income and immense fashion consciousness.
To Cyril Zammit, Design Days Dubai Fair Director, the numerous and sizeable developments being built in Dubai offer the design industry countless business opportunities at a time when traditional markets are slowing down. Dubai’s geographic position, accessibility and outstanding facilities make it a natural hub for design - a natural progression for a city that has already established itself as the cultural centre for the region. This is best illustrated by the success of Design Days Dubai. Only in its second year, it became the world’s most diverse collectible design fair with participants as far afield as Mexico City and Melbourne all reporting strong business results.
More NEWS
