Finasi x ROAR presents – Made in UAE

At Downtown Design, Finasi will present “Dreamed in UAE. Made in UAE”, a concept-driven installation that redefines what it means to design, build, and collaborate locally in today’s globalised world.

Spanning 87 square metres (935 square feet), the stand brings together architecture, fashion, materiality, and narrative to explore the UAE’s design identity. Developed in collaboration with Pallavi Dean, founder of Roar, one of the UAE’s leading homegrown design studios, the space celebrates creative dialogue, cultural expression, and the power of production rooted in place.

“Made in UAE isn’t just a label,” explains Hisham A. Sultan, partner at Finasi. “It’s a green light to experiment, innovate, and be bolder than the rest. This year, we’re presenting a sculptural kitchen, a bespoke wardrobe, and custom furniture, all designed, engineered, and built here in the UAE.”

Here’s a sneak peek behind the scenes of the preparation:

The Carved Kitchen: A collaboration with Pallavi Dean of Roar

The Carved Kitchen, designed by Pallavi Dean, anchors the space with sculptural impact and intentional restraint. At its core is a simple question: How can a rock become a kitchen?

Carved from a solid stone base paired with metal elements and glass bricks made from recycled material, the piece becomes both stage and sanctuary.

“We didn’t want to camouflage materials. We wanted to celebrate them,” says Dean. “The idea really was to create a unit or a little statement that could accommodate everybody’s needs. Modern-day kitchens are very streamlined. They’re monolithic, and I wanted a piece that mimics what happens in nature where you don’t have straight lines. I also wanted a material that’s tactile, but tactile on the eyes, not just to touch.”

Through the fair, the kitchen also features a taste sensory activation by The Host Café, a homegrown Emirati concept founded by six women – serving house-made chocolates and presenting a dedicated live kitchen event on Thursday, November 6th, from 2 to 4 PM, as a nod to reimagined hospitality.

The Dressed Wardrobe: Designed by Norah Hayat, styled by KAGE

Alongside the kitchen is The Dressed Wardrobe, a custom-built walk-in wardrobe designed by Norah Hayat, Finasi’s Technical Design Manager. Crafted with a refined mix of wood, glass, leather, and metal, and highlighted by vibrant orange accents, the wardrobe explores the emotional dimension of custom interiors.

Inside, a curated fashion selection by KAGE, a UAE-born label founded by Basma Abu Ghazaleh, transforms the piece into a lived-in space, bridging fashion and interiors while celebrating self-expression and local creative talent.

Made in UAE: A growing identity

The stand is part of Finasi’s larger mission to redefine what “Made in UAE” means, moving beyond manufacturing into design innovation, material storytelling, and collaborative process.

On Friday, 7 November, from 3-5pm, Finasi will host a live roundtable discussion titled “Made in UAE: Local Craft, Global Standards”, featuring Pallavi Dean, KAGE founder Basma Abu Ghazaleh, and Finasi’s own leadership. The session will explore how the UAE’s design community is reshaping the value of local production on a global scale.

As Dean explains, the design conversations we’re having in the UAE are making waves globally. “And I’m here for it. For someone who’s grown up here and built a business, I’ve loved watching the city grow. But what makes me super proud is knowing you can create polished, world-class joinery right here at our doorstep. We don’t have to import everything from abroad,” concludes Dean.

Visit the Finasi booth B1 at Downtown Design taking place from 5-9 November 2025.