This week, we are spending plenty of time looking at things — and possibly taking a few home. Dubai Design Week returns to d3, Downtown Design opens its doors, and &Again brings vintage fashion to Alserkal Avenue. In between, there is an exhibition to slow down with at Bayt AlMamzar and an architectural coffee stop in DIFC.

Where? Dubai Design District (d3)

Give yourself time to wander around d3 as Dubai Design Week returns with installations, exhibitions and workshops. Start with Abwab’s group exhibition, In Other Words, which explores how language is communicated, interpreted and remembered, then head outside to discover the installations across the district. This is a good day to bring someone who enjoys stopping every few metres to look at something.

Where? Dubai Design District (d3)

Back to d3 — this time for Downtown Design, opening on November 4. The fair brings contemporary design into focus, with furniture, lighting and objects offering plenty to investigate up close. Come to discover designers, collect ideas for your own space or develop a very specific attachment to a chair. The fair runs until November 8.

Where? Bayt AlMamzar

At Bayt AlMamzar, for now, in between orbits brings together London-based artists Hyun Ah Kwon and Kirsty Sim with Dubai-based artist Hadeyeh Badri. Across installation, sound and photography, they consider perception, time and grief — the things we drift away from, return to and never quite hold still.

Curated by May Alqaydi, with exhibition design by Abdullah Khouri, the show runs until December 24. Take your time with it.

Where? Gooder, Alserkal Avenue

Friday calls for a little rummaging. &Again returns to Gooder with vintage Cavalli, Jean Paul Gaultier, Mugler and Gucci, alongside pieces from the wardrobes of Mimi and Dania Sawedeg, Tamara Farra, Hala Abdallah and others.

There is plenty beyond the clothing rails: California Love Curated brings vintage jewellery, Milya London has statement and vintage eyewear, and Kawaii Art supplies the Y2K finds. Come with time to try things on — the piece you leave with might be the one you would never have searched for.

The pop-up runs November 6–8, from 10 am to 7 pm.

Where? TULIP, DIFC

After a week of looking at design, have your coffee inside it. Designed by Lasovsky Johansson Architects and inspired by their PETAL concept, TULIP brings the shape of a flower in bloom into DIFC.

The idea is simple: a place to pause, meet and spend a little time over coffee. Make it your Saturday stop, preferably with someone you have been meaning to catch up with.

Where? Julith at Thara, Sharjah

Big news! Julith just opened at Thara in Sharjah, giving us a fresh address to visit before the week is out. Open daily from 7 am to midnight.