PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum THE SECOND EDITION OF DOWNTOWN DESIGN OPENS TODAY IN DUBAI Downtown Design sees an increase of 300% in registrations. The much anticipated contemporary design fair opened its doors today with a packed programme. The second edition of Downtown Design is held under theme of Original Design and is set in a unique location under the sponsorship of Emaar Properties and Dubai Culture The fair runs from 28 31 October 2014 Dubai, UAE 28 October 2014 Held under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the second edition of Downtown Design, the Middle East s platform for contemporary, quality design, officially opened its doors today at The Venue at the foot of the world s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa Emaar s flagship development in Downtown Dubai. In just its second edition, Downtown Design has established itself as the only platform in the Middle East where the world s most established and recognized international design brands are able to showcase their latest creations and connect with the region s trade professionals and key influencers, helping establish Dubai as a global hub for design. Organized by the Art Dubai Group and themed Original Design, Downtown Design will run until October 31 with over 50 design brands exhibiting, an increase of 20% on the inaugural edition. Welcoming trade professionals and design enthusiasts alike, the fair is a curated programme that links historical design with the future; international with regional, and innovation with imagination and allows visitors the chance to network and learn about the latest trends from world experts. Downtown Design contributes to further establishing Dubai as a global hub for design and supports the growth of the creative industries. The event highlights the new trends in design and contributes to further strengthening artistic collaboration that will contribute to the city s cultural scene. We are confident that aspiring designers will find inspiration here, and will be
encouraged to develop their own design concepts and brands in Dubai and the region, said Mr. Khalil Abdulwahid, Manager of Visual Arts, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority. The business of design takes centre stage throughout the fair with exhibitors looking to create new business opportunities and brands choosing Downtown Design either for their debut entry into the GCC market or to unveil their latest creations. With the considerable growth of the region s construction sector, many of the luxury hospitality and residential developments are looking to differentiate themselves through design-infused interiors, features and furnishings, which will be well represented at the fair. Exhibitors returning to this year s fair include De Castelli, Emeco, Fritz Hansen, Gaggenau and Vitra, that are joined by brands that include Lasvit, who has brought their kinetic glass sculpture to the region for the first time and Sicis that has a stunning display of mosaic craftsmanship. In addition to the trade exhibitors, there are a series of special projects that include fashion and design collaborations; exhibitions on innovation with the Home of Tomorrow and projects from the world s most influential postgraduate design college, the Royal College of Art; a workshop on glass cutting with Preciosa and the Musk and Amber and Harper s Bazaar Interiors exhibition of the best of regional designers. Alongside the 4-day fair, Downtown Design will feature a must-attend talk series named Original Talks held in partnership with Dubai Design District (d3), that offers brand perspectives, business insights and keynotes designed to provide valuable insights into the industry s hottest topics and trends. Keynote speakers include Mario Bellini, multiple awardwinning architect and global design icon; Aric Chen Curator of Design and Architecture at M+; Giovanna Castiglioni, Vice President of Achille Castiglioni Foundation and Ab Rogers, Head of Programme for the interior design course at the Royal College of Art, London. In addition, visitors will be given the opportunity to understand the business of design from leading international authorities including Philippe Zuber, Chief Operating Officer, Emaar Hospitality Group; Stefania Lazzaroni, Altagamma s Secretary-General who will present key data and trends from the hot off the press Bain & Company s Luxury Goods Worldwide Market Study and Claudio Luti President and Owner of Kartell and former President of the Salone del Mobile. Downtown Design s Fair Director, Cristina Romelli Gervasoni commented We are thrilled to have such global and regional ambassadors in the design industry coming together in Dubai at Downtown Design to share ideas, build partnerships, and provide a glimpse into the future of
design. Building on its successful debut, Downtown Design provides a unique platform in the region for the world s leading design brands to connect with the region s trade professionals and build successful business partnerships in one of the world s fastest growing markets. For a full programme and exhibitor listing, please visit www.downtowndesign.com Downtown Design is open to industry professionals and trade visitors every day until October 30 from 12.00 20:00 and to the public from 17:00 daily. October 31 is open all day to the public from noon onwards. About Downtown Design --ENDS Downtown Design is an industrial design trade fair of select quality brands exhibiting products, trends and concepts never-before seen in the region. Downtown Design is the Middle East s leading business platform where brands connect with trade professionals and key influencers in one of the world s fastest growing markets. Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Head of the Higher Advisory Committee of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and sponsored by EMAAR, it is a curated Fair showcasing a selection of the worlds most innovative and original design companies. Its boutique style and size is the ideal environment to build meaningful relationships and foster open communication around all things design topmost this year is this concept of originality. Organized by the visionary team behind Art Dubai and Design Days Dubai - two of the region s most successful annual fairs - Downtown Design is the premier venue in the Middle East to showcase the very best in furniture, lighting, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring & carpets, accessories and new technologies. Emphasizing quality, innovation and research, the fair aims to highlight contemporary, yet timeless, values in a creative atmosphere to a captive audience. Providing a unique platform to give international brands access to the rapidly growing market of the Middle East, Downtown Design is a place where design professionals can enhance their business and design enthusiasts can meet, collaborate and find inspiration around what s best and what s next in the world of design. Through an extensive programme of seminars, face-toface meetings and special events, Downtown Design brings key regional decision-makers, business partners and international design companies to the table to examine market trends and to strengthen trade in the region.
About Dubai Culture & Arts Authority: The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) was launched on March 8, 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Dubai Culture plays a critical part in achieving the vision of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 of establishing the city as vibrant, global Arabian metropolis that shapes culture and arts in the region and the world. The organisation has announced several initiatives that strengthen the historic and modern cultural fabric of Dubai. These include: The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards: The first of its kind initiative in the Arab world honouring individuals and organisations who have made financial or in kind contributions through sustained support to visual arts, performing arts, literature and film in the region; Dubai Art Season: The city s premier umbrella arts initiatives which encompasses of Art Week (Art Dubai, Design Days Dubai, and SIKKA Art Fair), Middle East Film & Comic Con, and Gulf Film Festival, to highlight the Emirate s growing creative landscape within the international circuit; SIKKA Art Fair: An annual art fair aimed at promoting Emirati and local artists in the UAE; Dubai Heritage Season: A sixmonth long initiative that aims to bring the city s heritage to the forefront through an array of cultural activities; and Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre: An annual festival that celebrates and fosters the art of theatre in the UAE. About Emaar Properties PJSC: Emaar Properties PJSC, listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is a global property developer and provider of premium lifestyles, with a significant presence in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. One of the world s largest real estate companies, Emaar has total assets of nearly US$19 billion and a land bank of more than 226 million sq m in key international markets. With a proven track-record in delivery, Emaar has handed over 37,500 residential units in Dubai and other global markets since 2001. Emaar has over 690,000 sq m of recurring revenue generating assets, and 12 hotels and resorts, with over 1,900 rooms. Today, over 60 per cent of the company s revenues come from its shopping malls & retail and hospitality & leisure subsidiaries and international operations. Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, and The Dubai Mall, the world s largest shopping and entertainment destination, are among Emaar s trophy developments. www.emaar.com
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