Where has a year gone? I cannot believe that Dubai Design Week is upon us already. Fast becoming one of Dubai’s most exciting fixtures on the events calendar, the programme for this year looks amazing. The trade show component of the event, Downtown Design, is in it’s fourth year and clearly gaining momentum. The fair takes place at Dubai Design District (D3) which is more developed this year with many shops, studios and cafes. A really cool place to visit with or without a design fair!

Aside from the main attraction, there are also all sorts of events, workshops, exhibitions and installations happening across the city. I am really looking forward to seeing all the newcomers this year and super excited about visiting the exhibits of well established brands such as Carl Hansen & Søn, Rolf Benz, Jotun, and Romi to name but a few.

So what is on my radar this year? Here’s a quick overview of a few things on my personal hit list, but brace yourself, I’m almost looking forward to everything!

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BRAND LAUNCHES

• All Things Artisan
• Wood floors brand unveiling
• Wilson Fabrics
• Haworth Showroom

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Keep an eye our for the installation by Spun seating. Thomas Heatherwick is the designer for the Spun chairs – contemporary sculptures when stationary and comfortable, fun seats when in motion. The Carpets CC Open Studio also looks to be a goodie – you can meet Cecilia Setterdahl, the designer behind the vision, and get an insight to the challenging process of turning a canvas into carpet.

INSTALLATIONS

• Nakkash Gallery Outdoor Living
• Jungle mania
• Spun Seating

POP-UPS

• Tom Dixon Studio
• HAY accessories market (not mentioned in the programme but you’ll find it in Building 7)

TALKS

• Growing Design Communities

OPEN STUDIOS

• Carpets CC
• Reinventing Tableware

THERE’S EVEN STUFF FOR THE KIDS!

Fables Alive sounds really interesting. This series of doll making workshops by Vinny Dolls takes its inspiration from the Kalila Wa Dimna fables’ animals, exclusively developed for this year’s Dubai Design Week. I might have to get the smalls there, my daughter will love this stuff!

• Little Designers DIY Furniture
• Fables Alive
• Faces and Masks

SATELLITE EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY

Local retailers, design brands, galleries, universities and institutions will also host more than 150 events this week. You can create your own itinerary of design week events by signing up to dubaidesignweek.ae (use the log in button top right).

For a full run down of the programme, click here. I’ll see you there!