What used to be a patch of desert near the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, on the banks of Dubai Creek, is now the city’s thriving centre of fashion and design.
Dubai Design District or d3 is an urban hub dedicated to the fashion industry as well as other types of creative design and hipster events.
It is a centre for inspiration and innovation and home to emerging designers as well as international brands. Since its opening in 2015, d3 has reinforced Dubai’s new status as a Unesco ‘Creative City of Design.’
As part of Dubai’s ‘smart city’ strategy, d3 has been cultivating small-to-medium enterprises. After all, most design enterprises by their nature are small, entrepreneurial businesses that rely on a peer support system.
Fashion designer Furne Amato, who is well known for dressing up celebrities such as Katy Perry, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Shakira, J-Lo and Ariana Grande, is one of those who moved his flagship boutique showcasing pret-a-porter collection to d3.
He told Khaleej Times: “d3 is a dream turned into reality. It is the fruition of the government’s vision to set up a community where we can express artistry, produce creative works, discuss artistic ideas in one district.”
“For me as a fashion designer, d3’s role in shaping Dubai as the regional centre of fashion, arts, and design is integral as the region embarks on a journey to becoming one of the fashion, arts and design capitals of the world,” he added.
As a fashion hub, d3 also attracts big brands to set up their headquarters and provide interaction with up-and-coming local designers to reach new levels of design.
“In recent years there has been a rise in the number of local designers, brands and home grown concepts that have been established here in Dubai,” d3 CEO Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi told Khaleej Times.
“At d3 we aim to provide a unique platform where young designers can unite, co-create as well as establish important links with businesses across the design industry.” “We are committed to supporting design talent in many ways including education through workshops, industry talks and offering cultural exchange programmes,” he added.
Al Shehhi noted that there are many designers from across the region based at d3 and its home grown events like Dubai Design Week help “provides, exposure and progressive direction for the regional design industry”.
“Dubai is strategically positioned to be recognised as a global design destination and a creative centre,” he added.
Russian expat and designer of faux fur, Tzarina Ollia, said: “d3 is a place where things are really happening. It attracts artistic people and makes them happy and inspired to create,” added Ollia who counts American singers Christina Aguilera and Toni Braxton among her clients.
A short drive away from urban hubs like The Dubai Mall and The Dubai International Financial Centre, another major draw at d3 for tourists and residents alike are its hip pop-up cafes and hip events.
Andy Rosario, Filipino expat and a sneakerhead (a sports shoe enthusiast) is a regular at d3 especially during the annual Sole DXB, a three-day festival dedicated to hip-hop, art and design, and the culture surrounding sneaker design.
“With d3, Dubai has really put its best foot forward in the design industry,” del Rosario said.
“I always attend Sole DXB because it is celebration of street culture – from fashion to music, art and sport.”
“I also love going to d3 because it’s a place where I can escape, relax and unwind. There are recreational facilities, including a skate park, wall-climbing areas, basketball and volleyball course and more,” the filipino resident added.
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