The tenth edition of Dubai Design Week officially opened on 5 November. Reaching this milestone, in a world increasingly full of events dedicated to design, was not a given and is in itself a positive sign that says something interesting for those involved in the sector: as producers, as users, or simply as enthusiasts.
This success is linked to the great dynamism of the region’s real estate market: in 2023 the value of real estate purchases and sales will exceed $172 billion (+20% compared to 2022), with more than 20 million homes for around 3.5 million inhabitants and rental yields reaching 6% in the luxury segment (source: Il Sole 24 Ore), while the furniture industry in the GCC region (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) is worth $26 billion (source: Mordor Intelligence). It is only natural that such an environment should attract ideas.
Beyond commercial interests, what is striking is the desire of the local creative scene (which, it must be said, has limited international visibility) to stand out. And rightly so: the focus is generally on decoration rather than function, but the approach often offers an interesting twist. These young creatives, often with an international background, are connected to the rest of the world and follow its rhythms, combining them with their own culture. And this creates unexpected and valuable short circuits.
Another winning aspect is the formula of the event: an event open to the public, taking place both indoors and outdoors, with installations and the marketplace where the objects on display can be purchased: a clear reference to the culture of the bazaar, a place of encounter and exchange. A desire to bring new formulas to the global design scene: “This year we have focused on sustainable practices and the nuances of vernacular architecture across the region and wider global south,” explains Natasha Carella, director of Dubai Design Week. With one goal in mind: “To show how design can better our common future”.
Side note: in mid-October, the world of collectable art and design met in Paris for Art Basel Paris and Design Miami/Paris. On display at both events, like crown jewels, were two Maisons Démontables by Jean Prouvé. Projects that are essentially practical and cheap (read: poor) have been catapulted into the status symbols of the ultra-rich. Much more interesting to me were the booths of the younger galleries at the fair, which – all of them! – had furnished their office corner with carefully researched pieces between vintage and contemporary creation. Collections made with the wallet alone can be astonishing. Those made with the heart have something to say.
