Dubai:Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, visited Downtown Design yesterday. The event, held at Dubai Design District (d3), was a highlight of the 12th edition of Dubai Design Week, featuring more than 300 brands and designers from over 35 countries.

According to Wam, during his visit, Sheikh Nahyan explored contemporary design works and collections from a variety of brands, designers, and studios both local and international. The exhibits showcased a range of products, including furniture, lighting, ceramics, and glasswork, with several pieces reinterpreting traditional crafts through a contemporary lens.

Downtown Design is recognized as the flagship event of Dubai Design Week, bringing together new collections from international design houses alongside works by independent designers and emerging studios. Notable local contributions featured pieces developed by UAE-based designers through Tashkeel's Tanween Design Programme and furniture prototypes from the Athath Fellowship by MAKE in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, Sila Collective presented a project commissioned by Sharjah's 1971 Design-Space.

The fair also included talks from over 50 design and architecture practitioners from across the globe. These discussions covered topics such as the use of materials in design, the importance of craftsmanship in product development, and how design can adapt to the evolving needs of living and working spaces.

The Dubai Design Week, now in its 12th year, was conducted under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. It was organized in strategic partnership with Dubai Design District (d3) and supported by Dubai Culture. The program encompassed exhibitions, installations, and workshops, including the UAE Designer Exhibition, Inherited Futures, which displayed works by 30 UAE-based creatives, curated by Emirati architect and designer AlZaina Lootah.