Dubai Design Week 2025 wrapped up last week at Dubai Design District (d3) after transforming the city into a global stage for creativity and dialogue. Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and in partnership with d3 and Dubai Culture, the 11th edition explores design as a connector; a medium that bridges disciplines, communities, and histories. With over 30 installations, exhibitions, and talks across d3, the festival invited visitors to reflect on how design can shape collective experience and address the social and environmental urgencies of our time.
At the heart of the programme is Abwab, Dubai Design Week’s annually commissioned pavilion. This year’s edition, titled Stories of the Isle and the Inlet by Bahraini architecture and design studio Maraj, responded to the theme In the Details. Drawing inspiration from ornamentalism and local craft traditions, the installation explored the ecological and cultural layers of Nabih Saleh – a small island between Tubli’s wetlands and Sitra’s industrial zone. Through layered mesh textiles embroidered with native flora, fauna and oral histories, Maraj transforms ornament into a language of memory and preservation. Presented as a single commissioned pavilion for the first time, Abwab 2025 allowed for deeper engagement with the theme, offering an immersive reflection on craftsmanship, ecology, and storytelling.
Another key highlight was Editions Art & Design, dedicated to limited-edition art and design. Returning to the d3 Waterfront Terrace from 5–9 November, the fair brought together regional and international exhibitors presenting ceramics, photography, furniture, and collectible objects. This year’s programme welcomed new participants such as Bureau of Innovation, Latina Dsgn, and Hilton Contemporary, alongside regional voices including Asateer, Wadi Finan Art Gallery, and Zawyeh Gallery. The fair also featured solo presentations by artists like Ila Colombo and Antilla Di Lauro, with activations linking design to community and accessibility, including a collaboration celebrating Arabic Sign Language through jewellery and live sessions.
Anchoring the week, Downtown Design returned as the region’s leading fair for contemporary design. Showcasing international brands such as Kartell, Poltrona Frau and Vitra alongside regional initiatives like Tashkeel’s Tanween Design Programme and MAKE’s Athath Fellowship, the fair reinforced Dubai’s growing role as a global design hub. Complemented by immersive pop-ups, keynotes by Tom Dixon and Lee Broom, and curated lounges, it captures the evolving landscape of design in the Middle East – one rooted in dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.
Location: Dubai Design District
Date: 4 until 9 November 2025