Regional designers, artists, speakers hold flag high at Dubai Design Week

Dubai Design Week (DDW) launched its 11th edition on November 5, bringing together more than 1,000 designers, architects and creative practitioners from over 50 countries.

- 

Under the patronage of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and presented in strategic partnership with Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group PJSC and supported by Dubai Culture, the 2025 edition features a programme of commissions, exhibitions, installations, talks and live events.

Regional highlights in Downtown Design include BEIT Collective's objects crafted in Lebanon, the debut of 'Strata' by Pakistani designer Yousaf Shabaz, the 'Designed in Saudi' showcase by the Design & Architecture Commission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture, Sharjah-based 1971 Design Space's showcase of material innovation designers Lina Ghalib and Nuhayr Zein, this year’s cohort of the annual Tanween Design Programme by Tashkeel, and the Athath Fellowship by MAKE in Abu Dhabi, debuting at the fair.

The UAE Designer Exhibition, supported by Dubai Culture, sees Nada Debs featuring as headline mentor, providing direct insights for early-career participants. The Forum features global and regional thought leaders. Tom Dixon makes his Dubai-debut, joined by Marcel Wanders, Lee Broom, David Hicks, and regional leaders Rabah Saeid, Pallavi Dean, and Omar al Gurg. The Forum space year is conceived by Lebanese architect and designer, Roula Salamoun. A highlight of the fair, Editions Art & Design, showcases limited-edition art and design from regional and international creators, spanning photography, ceramics, prints and editions, works on paper, contemporary design, and artist multiples. Highlights include Lebanese-French architect Badih Ghanem's regional debut, Remember Love?