- Dubai’s creative district extends support to Lebanon’s design industry
- Initiative enables architecture, fashion, design companies to join Dubai Design District, kick-start operations, rebuild their business
Dubai-UAE: 27 October, 2020 – Dubai Design District (d3) is extending support to Lebanese design businesses affected by the Beirut blast with a new initiative enabling startups, entrepreneurs, boutique studios and large-scale companies to restart operations and regain a local and regional footprint.
As part of an ongoing commitment to create meaningful change and strengthen the regional design industry, d3, the region’s largest creative community, has offered co-working spaces to Lebanese startups, entrepreneurs, SMEs and larger companies impacted by the explosion in the port of Beirut, which caused billions of dollars in damages.
Held under d3’s Design for Good initiative, which promotes social change, the three-year programme aims to help companies re-establish their presence with an opportunity to network and collaborate with major international companies such as Dior, Burberry, Zaha Hadid Architects and Foster + Partners, as well as leverage d3-hosted events such as Dubai Design Week.
d3’s co-working spaces will ensure SMEs and more established brands have a base to operate from to restart their operations, whilst maintaining a presence in Lebanon and expanding across the region.
Lebanese startups will have the option to join in5 Design, a business incubator at the heart of d3. The enabling platform for entrepreneurs will provide Beirut-based design startups with access to mentorship, networking and investment opportunities, as well as advanced facilitates and infrastructure to ensure they hit the ground running.
Commenting on the initiative, Khadija Al Bastaki, Executive Director of d3, said: “We were shocked and saddened by August’s devastating explosion in Beirut and immediately started working with our partners on a programme to support those affected and create hope. As the region’s largest community of local and international talent, our ecosystem has benefited significantly from the drive, determination and entrepreneurial spirit of regional and international designers including the Lebanese.
“The UAE has already dispatched humanitarian aid to help people impacted by the
blast, as well as support the economy and limit the spread of coronavirus. Our
initiative is in line with the vision of our leaders to provide assistance to
those in need. We hope this programme will let Lebanese designers enjoy the
benefits of our community, so they can quickly get back on their feet and get
moving again.”
As well as supporting the Lebanese design industry, d3 has also offered a range
of measures to its existing business partners to minimise uncertainty, ensure
continuity and build resilience amid the global health crisis. These have included
flexible payment terms and simplified procedures to strengthen Dubai’s economy
and enhance the emirate’s attractiveness to creative talent and businesses.
d3 boasts state-of-the-art, sustainable infrastructure that enables companies to connect in the region’s largest creative ecosystem, which is home to 385 local and international companies, startup incubator in5 Design and the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, the region’s only university exclusively dedicated to design and innovation.
The community also has an excellent mix of restaurants, office space, showrooms and shops, with its own open-air basketball and volleyball courts, skatepark, gym, rock climbing wall and urban beach.
Lebanese designers impacted by the blast are encouraged to reach out to the d3 team on [email protected] where the team will discuss eligibility and outline the requirements needed to be part of the programme.
About Dubai Design District
Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group, is a business community dedicated to the art and design industries. In line with Dubai’s position as the leading business hub in the region and beyond, d3 serves as a vibrant innovation hub that enables international brands and a growing number of local designers, creative professionals and artists to unite, create and inspire. Strategically located in the heart of Dubai, d3 is a short drive from top leisure and business destinations.
With state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to meet the needs of the industry and a business-friendly framework, the community provides creative talent with the tools to drive innovation that permeates through various areas of Dubai’s economy, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a UNESCO Creative City of Design.
d3 is home to some of the region’s most popular cultural and design events, such as Dubai Design Week, Fashion Forward and Sole DXB, that attract international artists and audiences. The destination also regularly hosts a roster of industry talks, workshops and educational programming, accessible to people of all ages.
The Design Quarter at d3 offers visitors the opportunity to discover a variety of design showrooms and art galleries, indulge in authentic dining experiences, and shop at homegrown lifestyle boutiques, fashion ateliers and international design showrooms. In addition, d3 has over 500 creative partners, including architects, interior designers, photography studios, product and fashion designers, and over 45 retail stores and eateries.
For more information, please visit www.dubaidesigndistrict.com