Words by Allegra Salvadori
Luxury design and interiors specialist Dhow returns to the region’s premier design showcase, Downtown Design Dubai 2025, with a remarkable installation titled “The World of Vitra”. The project marks Dhow’s second year at the fair and underscores the company’s role in bringing globally significant design brands and narratives into conversation within the Middle East.
Within the installation, visitors are invited to explore a series of rooms, each styled to present a distinct atmosphere — from expansiveness to intimacy — through long sheer drapes, carpeted floors and sculptural plinths. The mood is elevated by signature lighting from Louis Poulsen and Artemide, whose contributions anchor the space in both elegance and innovation.
At the heart of the exhibition is Season 2 of the Vitra Eames Collection, which revisits the seminal designs of Charles Eames and Ray Eames in new finishes, fabrics and materials to meet contemporary needs. The Swiss brand Vitra was originally founded when its founder Willi Fehlbaum encountered the Eames chairs during a trip to the United States. Since then, Vitra has become synonymous with modern furniture, collaborating with world-renowned designers and contributing to the design canon.
Lighting forms another key narrative in the installation — the limited-edition Louis Poulsen PH 3/2 Table Lamp is being offered as a collector’s piece available only until the end of 2025, making it a rare opportunity for design enthusiasts. Launched originally in the late 1920s and redeveloped in later decades, this iconic lamp uses a three-shade system to direct light downward in a soft, glare-free glow.
Meanwhile, Italian lighting house Artemide, founded in Milan by Ernesto Gismondi and Sergio Mazza in 1960 (with roots in 1959), has long embraced the philosophy of “The Human Light” — integrating technological innovation with design and wellbeing.
“As a long-standing partner to some of the world’s most iconic furniture and lighting brands since 2006, Dhow has been at the forefront of delivering exceptional design solutions across the region’s most prestigious projects,” said Joe Chidiac, CEO of Dhow International Holding. “As we expand our footprint in the UAE, our participation at Downtown Design in collaboration with Vitra and other leading brands marks an exciting milestone. Downtown Design provides the ideal platform for Dhow to celebrate the design excellence and innovation that define our portfolio. It is an opportunity to engage directly with architects, designers, and clients who share our passion for timeless, high-quality design and craftsmanship.” continued Chidiac.
Founded in 2006, Dhow Architectural Solutions supplies lighting, FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) and building technologies for residential and large-scale developments across the GCC, delivering curated design experiences via a network of showrooms and project offices.
Visit Dhow at Booth C20 during Downtown Design Dubai to experience “The World of Vitra” firsthand — a space where design history meets contemporary living, and where the heritage of icons is reinterpreted for the modern era.
