The 10th edition of Dubai Design Week, held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, in strategic partnership with Dubai Design District (d3), celebrates a decade of innovation and cultural impact in the Middle East’s design landscape. From November 5-10, 2024, Dubai will host over 500 designers, brands, and creative leaders from 40+ countries, offering a platform for emerging talent and established names alike to showcase their work through installations, exhibitions, and interactive mediums.
Among the key highlights is the UAE Designer Exhibition, now in its fifth edition and curated by Omar Al Gurg, which will spotlight the works of UAE-based emerging designers. Supported by Dubai Culture, this exhibition underscores Dubai Design Week’s mission to cultivate regional design talent and promote cultural dialogue. Also debuting this year is Editions, the Middle East’s first fair for limited-edition art and design, alongside Downtown Design (Nov 6-9), the region’s premier design fair on the d3 Waterfront Terrace.
Showcased at the UAE Designers Exhibition 5.0 is a diverse lineup of creative talent. UAE-based exhibitors include Sketch and Space with Studs 2.0, Alya Alhosani with Bench-er, Anwaar Abdullah with Mudkhar, Hessa Alghandi with Shibriya, Shaikha Alazeezi with Shams, and Wafa Al Falahi with Sprouts.
International participants feature Aya Moug from Egypt with The MOOY Collection; Chafic Mekawi from Canada with the Nasab Bookcase; Chinara Darwish from Kazakhstan with Onyx; Cole + Cinder from England with Taper Trails; Dana Karash from Germany with Object 2.0; Deepak Jangra from India with POST and BEAD, joined by Moori Interiors, also from India, with The Shift Chase; Hadeel Subahi from Sudan with HADU; Karim+Elias from Lebanon with Desert Drops; Lina Ghalib from Egypt with Karab; Nada Hassan from Egypt with Earthenwater; Nazgol Babaei from Iran with The Sirocco; Pol Domenech from Spain with Altum; Pots and Pines from Iran with StackSpire; Sara Bokr from Palestine with Tabi Rack; Sarah van der Loo from Sweden with az/buki; Soheil Farahani Rad from Iran with Stone Flower; Somaya AbdulMuhsin from Afghanistan with EquiLoad; and finally, Jamal Hamsho from Syria with JHC.
As Dubai Design Week 2024 reflects on a decade of growth within the GCC’s $26 billion interior design industry, it cements Dubai’s status as a vibrant hub for design and creativity, fostering cross-cultural engagement and advancing the city’s global design footprint.
Interview with Omar El Gurg
How has the UAE Designer Exhibition evolved over the past years, and what new elements can we expect in this edition?
Every year we see brand new talent come in and showcase their ability to design innovatively, and I think that because technology is advancing is such a fast way, the designers take advantage of that and use it to develop brand new articles that keep testing the limits of what good design in the region could achieve. People are now being bolder with their forms and colours and are developing a great aesthetic for their own individual designs.
Can you tell us about the emerging designers featured this year and how their work reflects the UAE’s growing creative landscape?
The designers this year come from so many different backgrounds, and are bringing in parts of their culture into the exhibit, which I think can be a great opportunity for them to be able to learn from each other. A lot of the development and growing landscape is because we as creatives are able to network with one another and learn different skills and techniques that stem from different backgrounds, so I hope the work this year can reflect the versatility of their craft in the UAE.
How does the UAE Designer Exhibition contribute to nurturing local talent and promoting design innovation within the region?
The UAE Designer Exhibition really gives emerging designers a chance to shine. It’s a platform where they can show what they’re capable of, not just to a local audience but to people beyond the region. Plus, it allows designers to blend traditional elements with fresh, modern approaches, which keeps the design culture here constantly evolving and dynamic.
What role do initiatives like this exhibition play in positioning the UAE as a global hub for design and creativity?
Exhibitions like this are key to putting the UAE on the global design map. Every year, they showcase the diversity and innovation that the region has to offer. These events not only spotlight local talent but also attract international attention, leading to collaborations and exchanges of ideas across borders. Over time, it builds a reputation for the UAE as a place where creative minds can thrive, experiment, and find new inspiration.
