Held under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-Chairman of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, and taking place for the first time at the Dubai Design District (d3); Downtown Design, the commercial centrepiece of Dubai Design Week, announces the final exhibitor list for 2015.

This years Downtown Design is set to be the largest and most diverse yet, with over 90 exhibitors from 25 different countries, doubling the fairs footprint in its third edition. We are very happy to be welcoming back a large number of brands that exhibited last year, and creating new relationships with those brands keen to make a first foothold in the regional market, to connect with key buyers and to be part of the burgeoning local design scene. As a B2B platform, we want to offer all our exhibitors an opportunity to showcase new products in a curated environment, surrounded by the best names in design, both established and emerging from around the region and beyond, said Fair Director, Rue Kothari.

After a successful fair last year, brands including Hansgrohe and Lasvit will return, along with established Dubai-based distributors like Nakkash Gallery, who will this year showcase pieces by designs rising stars Ginger and Jagger and Munna. Exciting new additions to the roster this year include Kartell, Moroso, Hacker, Lema, Arclinea, The Rug Company and Georg Jensen; all of whom will present pieces selected to suit the regional lifestyle and taste.
Positioned as a fair of discovery, visitors can expect to be inspired by exclusive, neverbefore-seen pieces including furniture by regional exhibitor Etqaan who have collaborated with local design duo, Fouad Mirza and Ritchie Nolasco, to create contemporary expressions of traditional Egyptian marquetry.
This is going to be our first participation Downtown Design, says Tamer Zaki, Managing Partner. We believe that this event is the perfect hub to reveal our new collection. Dubai is becoming one of the most important trendsetting markets, both in the region and the global market. The environment is challenging and extremely competitive, which allows only very creative minds, exclusive designs and art to grow, and to continue setting new trends for generations to come.

Ediciones Jalapa of Mexico Design Festival Abierto Mexicano de Diseo will present a new collection of furniture made from palm leaves a material specially chosen to resonate with the region, while Ben-Tovim Design of Melbourne International Design Week will reveal a unique furniture piece designed exclusively for the local market. Part of the Destinations initiative, six of the worlds leading Design Weeks will showcase a total of 18 emerging brands, all of which will exhibit for the first time in the region. This year will also mark the first time that Italy will officially participate in Downtown Design, with the fairs largest pavilion to date, at over 700sqm, which will showcase a selection of 15 luxury artisanal brands, coordinated by the Italian Trade Agency. The brands will promote the craft, techniques, materials and products that champion the Made In Italy marque.

Downtown Design is becoming a focal point in the international design calendar that attracts industry professionals from around the world. With the increasing pace of development in the region, and a growing number of brands looking to enter the market, Downtown Design is a crucial platform for brands looking to meet key industry players. To further support this interaction, the fair operates a dedicated Buyer Programme to facilitate efficient and productive business networking during the event. Carla Conte, Creative Director of Brand Creative says, Some of our favourite brands such as Bolon, Made a Mano and Christopher Boots (all of which have been specified in our recent projects) will be exhibiting. Clients expect the best from us and in turn we demand the best from our suppliers. Downtown Design is now considered a valuable tool in the overall process, and each year it develops new ways of being inspiring and resourceful to us.

Marie Laurent Wilfred of Marie Laurent Architecture agrees: Downtown Design and the Dubai Design Week present the perfect platform for an architecture and interior design boutique atelier like ours, as it gives added value to our bespoke projects. Downtown Design has become a prominent and promising platform for architects and designers in the region who strive for designs to be bolder, bigger and better. A show like this is essential to gather new ideas, craftsmanship, and quality as well as to present new talents to the region. The expansion of Downtown Design, along with the establishment of Dubai Design District (d3) where the fair will be held as part of Dubai Design Week, will make Dubai a hub for industry and design enthusiasts this October.
Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, COO of Dubai Design District (d3) said: We are honored to be the headline partner for the third edition of Downtown Design, taking place for the first time at d3, a leading platform in the Middle East that has become a focal point of the international design calendar, attracting industry professionals from around the world.

d3 is committed to supporting the sustainable growth and evolution of Dubais design industry and with the support of innovative platforms like Downtown Design, we are confident we will be able to showcase Dubai as a global design hub for design and culture and the global meeting point for the international design community.

Click here for the full exhibitor list.
For more information on Downtown Design, please visit www.downtowndesign.com