COVER guide to Dubai Design Week

This November the design capital of the Middle East will come alive with Dubai Design Week

This November the design capital of the Middle East will come alive with Dubai Design Week, 11-16 November. A curated programme of more than 200 events will take place across the city, offering guests exclusive access to events, exhibitions, installations, competitions, talks and workshops, involving makers, designers, brands and galleries from around the world. Key events include the region’s leading design fair, Downtown Design; Global Grad Show that brings together works from 100 of the most innovative universities across the world; and Abwab, the curated and interactive project containing original design from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. Staged in partnership with Dubai Design District (d3), the fifth edition of Dubai Design Week has much to offer in terms of contemporary textiles:

DESIGN FAIR

Downtown Design, 12-15 November

d3 Waterfront in Dubai Design District (d3)

Capas by Mathias Hahn for Nanimarquina

At the heart of Dubai Design Week is Downtown Design, the leading fair for high-quality and original design in the Middle East. After its successful launch last year, Downtown Editions, the fair’s dedicated section for limited-edition and bespoke design, will continue to present the next generation of regional talent. Exhibiting textile designers include CarpetsCC, showing the geometric shapes and bright colours of Cecilia Setterdahl’s paintings in handwoven form; India-based Hands Carpets introducing their latest hand-knotted wool rugs and hand-tufted carpets; and internationally renowned Italian rug company Illulian with pieces from their luxury handmade collections. Joining the fair from Spain, Nanimarquina will be launching several new collections including Outdoors, Wellbing, Capas, Tres and Shade which are new to the UAE, while Samovar’s specially designed showroom invites visitors to explore their collections in a gallery setting, concrete floors and moving walls provide plenty of space to admire the woven masterpieces.

EXHIBITIONS

Abwab, 12-16 November

Dubai Design District (d3)

Abwab: Eastern Provinces of Saudi Arabia supported by Ithra | Sa’af by Azaz Architects

Translated as ‘doors’ in Arabic, Abwab is an architectural installation that offers a platform for design talent from across the Middle East. In its fifth edition the designers selected from India, the Eastern Provinces of Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon will be challenged to recreate the local classrooms of their cultures through the ‘ways of learning’ theme.

The Eastern Provinces of Saudi Arabia, supported by Ithra, is represented in a research-led project that works to safeguard the craft native to the land: palm frond weaving. Shahad Alazzaz founder of Azaz Architects collaborates with local craftspeople to develop innovative textiles and experiment with their application, each textile being an interpretation of a process and story, interlocked as a symbolic representation of community.

WORKSHOPS

Gift Wrapping with Fabric – Lifestyle Edition by Maska, 13 November

One Life Kitchen and Cafe, Building 5, Mezzanine Floor in Dubai Design District (d3)

Gift Wrapping with Fabric – Lifestyle Edition

This workshop will give participants a quick introduction to gift wrapping with fabric. It will also explore exciting ways to wrap everyday items such as planter pots, casseroles, other home objects to give as gifts (or use to decorate your own home). Participants will leave the workshop with knowledge of different fabric wrapping techniques, complimentary fabrics to test out their skills back home, and a few other gifts.

Fees: 185 AED

Limited spaces. Register at info@maskawraps.com

Fabric Maché by Dumyé, 12 November, 10.00AM – 12.00PM

One Life Kitchen and Cafe, Building 5, Mezzanine Floor in Dubai Design District (d3)

Fabric Maché by Dumyé

Learn how to upcycle and give new life to leftover bits of textile through fabric maché in this workshop hosted by Dumyé. Using scissors, glue, water, and fabric, participants will be able to create a new artistic object for their home. Upcycling never looked or felt so good!

Fee: 75 AED

Slot 1: Tuesday 12 November, 10.00AM – 10.45AM

Slot 2: Tuesday 12 November, 11.00AM – 11.45AM

Limited spaces. Register here and please specify your preferred time slot.

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