This milestone partnership coincides with Isola Design Group’s expansion into the Middle East, establishing a new regional headquarters at d3, a hub by TECOM Group PJSC that connects global design innovators and talent. Through “Design Next,” d3 and Isola emphasize their shared commitment to sustainable innovation and celebrate a decade of design evolution in Dubai. The exhibition will highlight pioneering concepts in regenerative design, circularity, and waste reduction, reflecting Dubai's growing role as a key player in the global design landscape.
Khadija Al Bastaki, SVP of Dubai Design District, and team with Isola Design Group CEO Gabriele Cavallaro unveiling Isola's first regional headquarters at d3
Design Next will run as part of the Dubai Design Week program, which is set to take place in strategic partnership with d3 from 5-10 November 2024. The first-of-its-kind exhibition in the UAE will present ideas and concepts from an inspiring mix of independent designers and studios, innovative sustainable brands, and design tech start-ups. The showcase aims to inspire a new mindset in sustainable design and be a platform for promoting environmentally positive changes in lifestyle and consumption habits, presenting sustainable design products, circular furniture, design technologies, and innovative materials.
Beyond the concepts of view to the public, the event will also present a dynamic and engaging platform of panel discussions and live performances to raise awareness for the circular economy and inspire visitors to play a greater part in shaping a sustainable world.
"Great design should prioritize bringing innovative solutions and pathways to the fore," said Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group. "We are always looking to take our design offering at d3 to the next level and grow our contribution to Dubai's Creative Economy Strategy, the UAE's Strategy for the Cultural and Creative Industries, and Dubai's Economic Agenda D33. This new exhibition, in collaboration with our esteemed d3 partner Isola Design Group, does just that. This exhibition will elevate world-class design concepts and perspectives on such an urgent topic as the circular economy. We hope the ideas presented will inspire a reset of mindsets and behaviors and contribute to protecting the future of our planet while advancing Dubai's contribution to the global sustainability agenda."
Isola Dubai DW23. An Iceberg in the Desert ©Isola - photo by Ivan Erofeev
"The many initiatives set by the UAE government clearly show its strong commitment to achieving ambitious sustainability goals. Companies need to come together to imagine a better future, finding practical solutions and working to implement a concrete change in their modus operandi. This collaboration with d3, which has a broad network in both the public and private sectors, especially in the design industry, aims to inspire the design community and beyond on what's needed—and possible—to build a better and more conscious future. Design Next highlights the important role that design can play in this journey of innovation and pioneering approaches to projects," said Gabriele Cavallaro, Co-founder and CEO of Isola Design Group.
The exhibition will highlight five key areas: Circular Design and Innovative Craft, Material Hub, Future of Urban Living, Design Labs, and The Stage.
International participants presenting include Arper (Italy) and Armourcoat (UK), alongside a diverse range of designers and design studios from around the globe, such as Aga Blonska (Netherlands), Anett Papp (Hungary), Chryssa Kotoula (Greece), Ethan Streicher (USA), Grob Design (Turkey), House of Piranesi (India), Jordan Keaney (UK), KeepLife (Italy), Maki Ozawa (Japan), Mattice Boets (Belgium), Masquespacio (Spain), Shape & Shade (Kosovo), Shell Homage (Egypt), VANK (Poland), WKND Lab (South Korea), and many more. The UAE will be widely represented by well-established brands such as Generation 3D and Desert Board.
Isola Dubai DW23 Materialized (Dubai Edition). ©Isola - photo by Ivan Erofeev
Design Next will be the first of many initiatives launched between d3 and Isola Design Group. They will continue collaborating on various events and services to cement the region's flourishing design scene further and support exciting local and regional design talent. Design Next will be a biennial event with the d3 Architecture Exhibition running in the intervening years.
Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group PJSC, is a global creative ecosystem that aims to foster growth in the local creative economy. It represents a dynamic design community of more than 1,000 businesses, ranging from multinationals to start-ups, and is a strategic partner of Dubai Design Week.
Design startups NYXO and Sulmi and the region's first purpose-built material library, Colab, will also showcase innovative works.
Colab is the first purpose-built material library in the UAE, located in d3. Photo: ©Isola Design Group
Isola Design Group provides visibility and opportunities to independent designers, studios, and brands worldwide through two main ventures: Isola Design, a community platform for creative profiles and project portfolios, and Isola Studio, a newly launched consultancy studio for forward-thinking design brands. The Isola Design platform, accessible at www.isola.design, connects designers with industry professionals, curators, journalists, and clients, emphasizing projects that prioritize sustainability, innovation, and craftsmanship. Founded in 2017 in Milan, the Isola Design District quickly became a central hub at Milan Design Week and expanded to host events year-round through the Isola Design Festival, gathering a vast community of exhibitors and visitors.
Since 2019, Isola Design has participated in major design events, becoming the first Italian district featured at Dutch Design Week and later expanding to the Middle East and the UK. Notably, Isola led curated exhibitions at Dubai Design Week’s Downtown Design, the London Design Festival, and Ithra's Tanween in Saudi Arabia, showcasing its commitment to a global design dialogue. With over 1,500 designers from 65+ countries, the platform fosters a collaborative digital community that enables direct interaction and idea-sharing among its international members.
In 2024, Isola Design Group introduced Isola Studio, a consultancy lab dedicated to crafting innovative solutions for design brands and institutions. This consultancy connects emerging talents with companies across sectors like lighting, product design, and creative installations and has curated projects for prominent organizations like iGuzzini in the UAE and The Good Plastic Company in the Netherlands. Looking forward, Isola's forthcoming Marketplace will allow verified designers and studios to sell physical and digital creations, further broadening opportunities for global visibility and impact.
To learn more, visit https://isola.design/studio.
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Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group PJSC, is a dynamic creative ecosystem supporting design, fashion, architecture, and art in Dubai. Positioned as a global hub, d3 fosters an innovative environment where businesses and individuals collaborate, reinforced by Dubai’s status as a UNESCO Creative City of Design. The district offers cutting-edge infrastructure and a business-friendly framework to empower talent, alongside a retail area with boutiques, art studios, and leading design brands. Hosting signature events like Dubai Fashion Week, Dubai Design Week, and Sole DXB, d3 draws global artists and audiences through exhibitions, industry talks, and workshops, establishing itself as a major cultural destination.
Supporting emerging talent, d3 is home to TECOM Group’s in5 Design incubator, nurturing entrepreneurial ventures in fashion and design. The Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), affiliated with MIT and Parsons School of Design, enhances this ecosystem with specialized programs in design and innovation. Additionally, d3’s The Block offers recreational areas along the canal, with sports courts, a skate park, outdoor gym, and climbing wall, providing a unique blend of business and lifestyle amenities.
