Dubai Design District (D3) signs partnership with Fuorisalone and Brera Design District

In a landmark move that strengthens the ties between two of the world’s most dynamic design hubs, Dubai Design District (d3), the creative ecosystem developed by TECOM Group PJSC, has signed a strategic partnership with Fuorisalone.it and the Brera Design District—two of Italy’s most respected platforms in global design culture, developed by Studiolabo.

Fuorisalone.it is the main and official information platform for Milan Design Week that provides stakeholders including exhibitors, designers, and participating companies, with event updates, communication channels, and collateral services for the globally renowned event. Brera Design District is Milan’s most iconic design district and an international brand that fosters networking, develops events, and provides consulting services to companies and professionals.

The strategic partnership, officially signed during Milan Design Week, will enable collaboration, knowledge sharing, industry networking, and joint initiatives.  The new partnership elevates the profile of Dubai’s creative economy at the global stage, further strengthening the city’s position as an internationally renowned hub for the design and creative industries. Aligned with the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy, Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’, and the Design Sector Strategy 2033, the partnership also expands gateways for Italian creative talent and businesses to tap into the Middle East and North Africa region with new ideas and opportunities through d3.

“Milanese design lies at the heart of Italy’s renown as an epitome of design, and Fuorisalone.it and Brera Design District are the lifeblood of this vibrant design legacy, as we saw once again at this year’s Milan Design Week,” said Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group. “Collaboration and creating bridges for cultural exchange are at the forefront of d3’s vision, and this new partnership highlights our ecosystem’s growing presence as a valued ally of global design leaders. We look forward to a fruitful partnership comprising a prestigious programme of events and initiatives with Fuorisalone.it and Brera Design District to enable industry excellence and knowledge-sharing pathways.”

“The collaboration with Dubai Design District (d3),” adds Paolo Casati, Studiolabo’s co-founder and creative director, “represents for Studiolabo, Fuorisalone.it and Brera Design District an important growth opportunity in new and strategic markets for the development and internationalisation of the Fuorisalone.it format and the Brera Design District brand. The operation is part of a system of valuable connections that aims to open up new markets for Italian companies in the design/furniture sector and to develop solutions for training, research and development capable of creating virtuous systems of exchange and collaboration between countries. The theme “Mondi Connessi” (Connected Worlds) proposed by Fuorisalone.it for the 2025 edition declares this attitude and the desire to directly relate worlds, cultures, knowledge, experiences, markets and the public, imagining how diversity can always be a new opportunity for design.”

The first element of the new partnership commenced in February with the announcement of Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of d3, as the newest member of the esteemed jury for the Fuorisalone Awards, which honour the most memorable installations and events of Milan Design Week.

The partnership builds on d3’s recent partnerships with Italian design leaders, including with Isola Design Group, which has a base at the district, in 2024. d3 also partnered with the Milano Durini Design Association and the Associazione Italiana Professionisti Interior Design (AIPi) interior design organisation in 2023. The Italian Trade Agency also hosted a special exhibition showcasing its homegrown talent during the Spring/Summer 25 edition of Dubai Fashion Week at d3 in September.