Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of Dubai Culture, Extends Patronage to Downtown Design

Dubai, UAE – Sept 29, 2014 – Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) announced today the extension of her patronage to Downtown Design, taking place from October 28-31, 2014 at the foot of the iconic Burj Khalifa in Emaar’s flagship development, Downtown Dubai.
 
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed’s patronage of the fair, organised by the team behind the Art Dubai Group, is testament to its emerging role as a catalyst for the design scene in the UAE and the region, supporting the transformation of Dubai as a design hub that will create opportunities and jobs and encourage new talent and entrepreneurs to explore the sector.
 
“We are honoured to again have the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Through its events, the Art Dubai Group’s mandate is to nurture and develop the cultural scene in Dubai and create viable business opportunities for the creative community.   Events such as Downtown Design demonstrate the commercial benefits of operating in Dubai and the huge potential the entire region holds for international brands.  Downtown Design offers a platform for design brands to capture the significant real estate developments recently announced in Dubai and the region, including preparation for Dubai Expo 2020 which offers the design industry countless opportunities,” said Benedict Floyd, Co-Founder and CEO of the Art Dubai Group.
 
By focusing on upscale interiors, the fair is aligned with the current resurgence in the GCC construction sector. The property market in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar is expected to record an average growth of 9-10% in 2015, with USD 1.53 trillion worth of projects under construction in the GCC between now and 2025, according to industry experts.
 
Now in its second edition, this year’s fair has adopted the theme of ‘Original Design.’ Featuring a curated selection of the world’s trendsetting brands, that all share what fair
 
Director Cristina Romelli-Gervasoni calls “originality in the quality of materials, the attention to detail, the superior craftsmanship and the thoughtful design that distinguish an original piece from an imitation.”
 
Visitors to the Downtown Design can enjoy a carefully curated selection of exciting original pieces as well as experiential installations that integrate heritage with technology-driven innovations. The programme will include an expanded series of talks, workshops and interactive spaces that encourage collaboration between developers, architects and designers and offer design enthusiasts a unique opportunity to interact with the world’s design leaders.
 
The Fair’s 2014 edition runs from October 28-31, 2014 in Downtown Dubai, the city’s fast-emerging cultural hub described as ‘The Centre of Now.’
    
For more information, visit www.downtowndesign.com or Facebook at www.facebook.com/downtowndesign