With an impressive collection of the design world’s latest and greatest, a fascinating series of talks by international design gurus and a list of spectacular co-running features and exhibits, this year’s fair will be a feast for the eyes and soul. Here’s a few of the things that shouldn’t be missed.
Lasvit’s “Alice” mobile glass masterpiece
Designed by Petra Krausova, ALICE is a kinetic bloom of light that opens and closes its gorgeous hand-blown glass petals much like a flower in nature. Drawing on the similarities between glass and nature, Alice in Wonderland’s whimsical world is the eponymous inspiration behind this delicate piece. Each segment of this glass masterpiece is made and assembled by hand to ensure an organic perfection. A Czech Republic company, Lasvit have quickly become one of the world’s most premium glass lighting specialists, combining the finest traditions and craft in innovative Bohemian glass making with world-class research and development facilities.
Eames Lounge and Ottoman by Vitra
One of the most iconic original design furniture pieces of the last 50 years, as timeless today as it was back in 1956 when they were created by the legendary Charles and Ray Eames, the Lounge and Ottoman, produced by Vitra, continue to redefine modern comfort seating. Made using the finest grade material, the chair is a standout investment piece for any home. Vitra continue to be pioneers in design since the creation of their company in 1950 through their goal to create interiors, furniture and accessories that are functional and inspiring.
Sicis– an enchanting Gold Collection
Sicis, the brand synonymous with luxury mosaics gracing the interiors of the world’s finest hotels from the Plaza in NY to Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, will showcase their brand new and exquisite Gold Collection. Each mosaic tile that makes up this collection uses 24-carat gold and shimmering iridescent glass hand-cut by the artists and craftsmen of Ravenna. The result is an ultra-modern marvel of gold-on-gold designs thanks to cutting-edge techniques and all-Italian production that create sophisticated compositions that mix different shades of gold and play on transparencies and textures.
Khatt by Loci
In collaboration with Swedish-based global flooring company BOLON, and emerging from the heart of the Emirates, Khatt is a design-rich ultra-modern stand for the traditional men’s and women’s wear, the ‘kandora’ and ‘abaya’.
Designed with the modern Arab man and woman in mind and made by Loci, a Dubai-based design studio and using the finest walnut, leather and brushed steel, Khatt is the innovative brainchild born from the collaboration of regional designers celebrating local tradition, knowledge and craft with global design leaders. http://khatt-loci.com/product/khatt-woman/
‘Raining Lights‘ by Sahrai
Raining Lights by Sahrai is a beautiful rug made with silk and Swarovski crystals. The rugs have such a refinement that Sahrai opt to display them on mannequins to highlight the sparkle of the crystals used within the rugs raising the concept of flooring to the fabulous heights of fashion.
Like fashion labels, Sahrai design “prêt-à-porter” collections, as well as provide a custom-made service, or couture in fashion speak, which make it possible for customers to personalize rugs in terms of design, dimension and color combinations.
Latvia’s Volcanic Fiber Manu Nest by Maffam
On display for the first time this year, original design masterpieces from Latvian designers. Foremost among them is Freeform, a hanging chair made from volcanic basalt fibers. Each piece is hand-made in Latvia by master-craftsmen that tame the basalt fibers into unique and ornate patterns. Winners of the Export and innovations award 2013 in Latvia, Maffam freeform specialises in the creation of unique hand-made basalt-fiber furniture.
Shadows Collection by Golran
The new Lakes collection by global Persian company, Golran uses clever op-art lenticular techniques to make the carpets seems to change style and colour depending on the angle that you look at them. Although its designs are truly modern, Golran’s industry-leading knowledge has been passed on since the company’s creation in 1898 in the Persian city of Mashad. Focusing primarily on quality has become one of the company's key strengths, enabling it to expand into many countries and become a well-established business and one of the most qualified in the sector.
Innovations by the Royal College of Art and Home of Tomorrow
The Royal College of Art (RCA), the world’s leading postgraduate art and design school, brings to the UAE for the very first time the three top student projects that are among today’s most promising technological breakthroughs: Silk Leaf, the first man-made leaf, turns light and water into oxygen, Stay Plastic is a fascinating conceptual study for recycled-plastic 3D-printed housing and Gravity Sketch is an augmented reality sketch pad for architects and designers. The Home of Tomorrow is a futuristic, interactive showcase of the smart technologies that are changing the way we live. Blending cutting-edge technology with high-end design, Home of Tomorrow turns sci-fi dreams into reality.
Regional designers exhibiting stunning pieces
The Musk and Amber and Harper’s Bazaar International Regional Design Exhibition, which will be curated by Lamia Bousnina Ben Ayed, President of Musk & Amber Heritage and co-owner of Musk and Amber Gallery in Tunisia, will feature an exquisite collection of pieces that are exhibited under the same roof for the very first time. Designers from Egypt, KSA, Kuwait, Lebanon, Iran and Tunisia will present their personal reinterpretations of Arabic aesthetics, spicing up traditional motifs with a contemporary twist that promises to thrill design connoisseurs from the global design scene.
Design experts muse on the past and future of global design
This year’s program invites influential design experts from across the world to generously share their perspectives on the design scene’s latest trends and hot topics. Among them, acclaimed Italian architect and designer Mario Bellini, Curator of Design and Architecture at Hong Kong’s M+ museum for Visual Arts Arik Chen, Head of the Royal College of Art's Interior Design Programme, Ab Rogers, and Vice President of the Achille Castiglioni Foundation, Giovanna Castiglioni.
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