Business France, the national agency supporting the international development of the French economy is gathering 17 artists, design experts and innovation specialists on the French pavilion at Downtown Design to exhibit an avant-garde and iconic expertise.

Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the 7th edition of Downtown Design will be the opportunity to showcase French creativeness, aesthetics, elegance, quality and know-how, on a high-potential market through an unique catalog: furniture (sofas, armchairs, chair), creative musical instruments & equipment such as accordions or vintage radios, reinvented objects such as smart telescopes or e-bike, high end electrical equipment and appliances, glass solutions for interior fittings, dressing accessories, obsidian art stone, fashion collection, brand services and consultancy services to connect between selected art professionals.

In France, design is a dynamic market generating up to 24 billion euros in revenue each year through the know-how of the art trades, deeply rooted in French heritage (porcelain, crystal, glassware, cutlery).

The sheer riches of its history and the wealth of culture tend to grant the added value of French products and to represent a way of life. It also offers design products made of innovative materials, contemporary styles, vintage looks that are ever on the rise, multi-functional furniture embedded with new technologies, as well as products for the luxury hotel and restaurant industry.

The unprecedented enthusiasm for the decoration and design market in the UAE explains the success of Downtown Design, a new design hub in the Middle East. Through the French Exhibition, visitors will then be able to discover for themselves the latest innovations from France, many of which are backed up by generations of know-how matched with boundless creativity.  Some of these companies draw their inspiration from unique objects to French culture but which have sometimes disappeared from the market trends, to bring them back and give them a new life.

Company not to miss :

Meljac, the leading supplier of high-end electrical fittings, will be exhibiting its designs for the first time in the United Arab Emirates (area A05). Players from across the local market (designers, home designers, etc.) will have the opportunity to discover the French expertise for which the brand is famous, including in particular its signature solid brass Classic Collection.

Switches, power outlets, reading lights… As well as discovering Meljac’s wide range of solutions, visitors will also be able to see a few of the custom designs that are the brand’s undeniable asset.

The French pavilion is designed by renowned scenographers from the Parisian event agency Allegria and supported by Aubaine (Chalhoub Group).