From November 5 to 9, the 11th edition of Dubai Design Week will once again be a meeting point of creatives, engineers, and general public, being the much-needed arena for a regional and world-wide dialogue. The meeting point will be Dubai Design District (d3) Waterfront Terrace.

At the heart of the Design Week lies Downtown Design — not simply the fair, but a leading platform for high-quality contemporary design. Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the event unites international design houses and regional innovators in an ambitious showcase of creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship.

To have it at the top of the article — facts!

This year’s edition blends global icons like Kartell, Poltrona Frau, and Vitra with fresh creative voices from across the UAE and the wider region. Expect to wander through immersive installations, discover bespoke furniture and lighting (the usual), and experience artful pop-ups — from the gleaming Buccellati showcase by design duo david/nicolas (so excited about this one) to the chic Veuve Clicquot Sun Club Lounge, designed for socialising in style.

Art collectors and design lovers will find inspiration in Editions Art & Design, a curated section featuring limited-edition ceramics, photography, and sculptural pieces from international and regional creators. Meanwhile, The Forum brings together some of the world’s leading design minds — Tom Dixon, Lee Broom, and David Hicks — for conversations on innovation, sustainability, and the future of design.

But how about we let you in for a moment, before the fair has started? Yes, we are magicians that have some sneak peek onto the city’s most awaited design event.

This is our desert for breakfast! Personally, the most awaited installation — the scandi home.

Nordic Homeworx has built its reputation on delivering premium, sustainable wood flooring that combines timeless design with environmental responsibility for both homes and commercial spaces across the region.

At Downtown Design 2025, the brand will present ‘Nordic Cabin’, a creative collaboration with Styled Habitat, the acclaimed Dubai-based interior design studio known for its warm, tactile approach to modern living. The immersive pop-up draws inspiration from the serenity of Swedish forests and the architectural rhythm of the UAE, celebrating the natural beauty and versatility of Kährs’ wood surfaces.

Blending Scandinavian minimalism with Middle Eastern craftsmanship, the installation highlights shared values of sustainability, sensory storytelling, and design that evokes emotional connection — a seamless dialogue between two design cultures rooted in nature and authenticity.

Making its debut at Downtown Design 2025, Buccellati unveils an enchanting pop-up installation created in partnership with david/nicolas, the acclaimed Beirut-based design duo known for blending modern creativity with a deep respect for heritage and craftsmanship.

Guided by the themes of fluidity, balance, and marine grace, the installation transforms these ideas into a sensory environment that reflects the brand’s signature elegance. A composition of smooth woods, reflective surfaces, and softly radiant hues envelops visitors in an atmosphere of understated luxury — a poetic tribute to Buccellati’s enduring spirit of artistry, hospitality, and Italian refinement.

Stéphanie Coutas, the rock star. She is a Paris-based interior designer, renowned for her distinctive aesthetic that marries French sophistication with global influences. Since founding her namesake studio in 2005, she has become synonymous with the art de vivre à la française, creating exquisitely tailored interiors for private homes, yachts, and hotels across the world.

At Downtown Design 2025, Coutas will debut the third triptych from her studio — an arresting wall composition that measures 2.75 metres by 1.20 metres. This piece invites viewers into a tactile dialogue of mineral depth and emotional resonance, where a hypnotic micro-mosaic blooms with emeralds and semi-precious stones, surrounded by shimmering tones of turquoise and topaz. It is a poetic expression of her enduring pursuit of beauty, texture, and craftsmanship.

Collectional — the global design platform celebrated for curating and commissioning exceptional pieces from around the world — will showcase the visionary work of the iconic Draga & Aurel, a multidisciplinary studio where art, collectible design, and craftsmanship converge. This is a centrepiece for every home and a true expression.

Draga and Aurel have earned international acclaim for their innovative use of materials and distinctly artistic approach to design, seamlessly blending creative experimentation with refined contemporary aesthetics. This is art.

This one is a must-stop-at for all of us, doing a renovation. Also, if that is the case check our tips on furnishing.

Fronteriors are your saviours — they offer a curated range of doors and panels crafted to integrate effortlessly with IKEA’s modular kitchens, wardrobes, and storage systems. Blending premium craftsmanship with accessible design, the brand’s self-assembly concept invites design enthusiasts to transform everyday furniture into bespoke, design-driven pieces that reflect individual style and personality.

Just imagine your personal eternal sunrise — isn’t it a dream?

For the first time, Halo Edition is landing in Dubai, debuting at Cover Interior at Downtown Design 2025.

Look at these fun shapes! Jelly sculpture, cabbage lamp (I need this one), water lily table — this is a poem to nature, rather than furniture pieces.

Strata is the creative mother-and-son duo of interior designers, bringing over two decades of experience in crafting bespoke interiors and handmade artisanal furniture that blend heritage techniques with contemporary design.

Every piece is envisioned by the Strata studio team and meticulously produced in their Lahore-based workshop, where artisans employ an array of traditional methods — from intricate hand carving and inlay work to metal casting — preserving craftsmanship as an art form.

Their latest showcase includes three signature lines:

And this is a surprise cake! Guess the theme — of course, fiesta!

Interiors from Spain, an initiative by ICEX Spain Trade and Investment, champions the country’s vibrant design industry — from furniture and lighting to textiles, ceramics, and decorative accessories. The program highlights Spain’s unique blend of craftsmanship, innovation, and Mediterranean flair, bringing together brands that define contemporary Spanish design.

At Downtown Design 2025, ICEX will present a curated showcase featuring leading names such as Punt Mobles, Lladró, Marset, APE Grupo, Ondarreta, LZF Lamps, iSiMAR, Nanimarquina, Oiside, and Ogo Furniture — each reflecting the vibrant soul (I’m just trying to avoid the word “vibe”) of Spain through design.