Triple Treat

Known as the new global destination for international brand launches, events and speakers, the Design Week, Downtown Design and Italian Luxury Interiors hub brought the best established and emerging talent to Dubai.

- Joanne Molina

As proud media sponsor, id was once again thrilled at the success of November’s esteemed Dubai design events. Vibrant and dynamic, the third edition of Dubai Design Week (DXBDW) saw more than 200 activities staged in locations across the city – including a programme of over 90 events that took place at d3, the hub of Dubai Design Week.

The six-day event included the fifth edition of Downtown Design – the design trade show which this year doubled in size – as well as the Global Grad Show, the ‘Oscars’ of graduate design and innovation that featured over 200 projects from 40 countries worldwide.

Abwab was back from another year with 40+ projects from across 15 countries within the MENASA region. It was housed in a spectacular temporary pavilion designed by UAE-based Fahed + Architects, which used recycled bed springs to feature 45 products by regional designers.

The most extensive talks programme to-date was headlined by Sir David Adjaye, one of the world’s top architects; Mauro Porcini, PepsiCo Chief Design Offier; Elmar Mock, inventor of the Swatch watch; and Sass Brown, founding dean of Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI).

Original events and exhibitions were staged by over 80 businesses, designers and organisations at venues across the city, including Etihad Museum, DIFC and Hamdan Bin Mohammad Heritage Centre.