What should you know about Design Days Dubai:

• The world’s most diverse design fair dedicated to collectable design
• Sixth edition held from 14 – 17 March, 2017 at Dubai Design District (d3)
• The largest number of exhibitors to date, 50; record UAE participation
• Range of prices appeal to both next generation of collectors and seasoned collectors
• Returning exhibitors point to a maturing in design appreciation in the UAE

 Returning for its sixth edition in a new location at Dubai Design District (d3) with the largest number of exhibitors to date (50), Design Days Dubai is the Middle East and South Asia’s only annual fair dedicated to collectable modern and contemporary design works.

Positioned as a fair of discovery and with a primary focus on contemporary creations, the fair’s unique format provides an international platform for the region’s emerging design studios and solo designers to debut their furniture, lighting and design objects, featuring them alongside a diverse mix of the world’s design galleries. Known for its eclectic global selection of design and range of price points (from below US $500 through to upwards of $75,000), Design Days Dubai appeals to the aspiring next generation of collector and seasoned collector alike and is proud to retain a loyal following amongst visitors, exhibitors and the international design community. 

“Reflecting Dubai’s unique position as a global meeting point, Design Days Dubai showcases design from around the world and we keep design diversity as one of our main features this year. There is exciting, and often experimental, work being produced by designers who aren’t necessarily represented by galleries and the fair offers an opportunity for solo designers and independent studios to exhibit at an international level. For design enthusiasts, Design Days Dubai is an annual fixture to meet designers from all over the world and acquire collectible design not seen anywhere else,” said Rawan Kashkoush, Head of Programming.

A record number of design galleries and studios based in the Emirates, GCC and wider region will exhibit in March. This year’s first-time regional exhibitors are: Ayah Al Bitar, AYKA Design, CarpertsCC by Cecilia Setterdahl, Jafar Dajani, Michael Rice and Nader Gammas (all from UAE), Apical Reform (India), Aperçu Designs (Jordan), Marie Munier (Lebanon), and Dahr Design (Saudi Arabia).

As a notable symbol of the growth and maturity of the design landscape in the UAE and beyond, additional strong regional representation can be seen through the high number of returning exhibitors, including: Aljoud Lootah, Cities, Fatima Bint Mohamed Initiative, MB&F M.A.D. Gallery and Nakkash Gallery (all from UAE); Nisreen and Nermaan Abu Dail of Naqsh Collective (Jordan).  Iwan Maktabi and Vick Vanlian (both Lebanon), Coalesce (Pakistan); and Aisha Al-Sowaidi (Qatar).

And, for the first time since Design Days Dubai’s launch edition, vintage design will be presented, by specialists in mid-century modern, MCML Studio (UAE): “Our objective is to become a must in the GCC region for any 1950s to 1970s design amateurs and collectors. All our pieces have been carefully selected, are unique or exceptional and represent great names of this creative post-war period. Design Days Dubai, as the focal point for international design in the region, is definitely the right event to showcase these antique pieces,” said its founder, Patrick Rochette. 

Design Days Dubai manages and supports initiatives that focus on a brand new generation of UAE-based designers. These include partnerships with Van Cleef & Arpels (the fifth edition of Van Cleef & Arpel’s Middle East Emergent Designer Prize), Audi (Audi Innovation Award), art and design organisaton Tashkeel (the fourth season of Tashkeel’s successful design programme, Tanween), and Dubai Culture and d3 (the third Urban Commissions competition).

Alongside its diverse exhibitor line-up, is an incredibly popular programme of special projects, talks, workshops and guided tours (details to be announced beginning of March);  

Design Days Dubai is owned and managed by Art Dubai Group and is held under Art Week, an umbrella initiative bringing together the UAE’s arts and culture-centered happenings in the month of March with the aim of promoting the cultural activities of the region to both residents and visitors.
For more information about Design Days Dubai, please visit the website, designdaysdubai.ae. Supporters can also keep up-to-date via social media channels: FacebookInstagram Twitter Pinterest