Interview with Mette Degn-Christensen, head of Downtown Design
By Johanna Nyborg
19.11.2025
This year marks the 11th edition of Dubai Design Week - the Middle East's leading creative festival - where ideas , emerging talents and global pioneers explore how design shapes the way we live, work and connect. Through exhibitions and installations, pavilions and pop-ups, workshops and talks, the festival highlights how creativity can bridge cultures, create dialogue and be curious about what progress is in a region that balances rapid development with deeply rooted traditions.
Dubai's creative district, d3, has developed into an influential design platform in the Middle East, attracting designers, brands and visitors from all over the world. During Design Week, the area provides the setting for exhibitions and installations in the streets as well as in the buildings and spaces within them, as well as the Downtown Design fair.
Mette Degn-Christensen, Director, Downtown Design. Press photo
Downtown Design is led by Danish Mette Degn-Christensen, who has worked and lived in the desert city for the past 8 years, first as director of Dubai Design Week and since the end of 2021 as director of the Downtown Design fair. In total, she has over 20 years of experience working globally from both London and Paris, and most recently now Dubai. She experiences the Middle Eastern creative scene as a place where development, a proactive attitude and community are significant markers. Here, it is not far from thought to action and for major projects to land on even newly graduated or newly started companies.
“In Dubai there is a 'thriving community' where people use their talent and network to make things happen. In general, there is a sense of security and that they dare to do things differently. This means that projects or ideas quickly become reality. Here, the government supports innovation and seeks solutions and initiatives that make the area an attractive place for highly qualified international creative people. In general, there is a lot going on - you are building an entire industry from scratch in a relatively new country. It offers opportunities. Things can happen quickly because there is a go -get attitude .”
Roche Bobois, AQUA Dining Table, Ambiance. Photo: Michel Gibert, Baptiste Le Quiniou. Herdade Do Freixo, DTD 2025
Dubai is often associated with gold and glitter and a place where money flows in the streets. But that is far from the reality Mette Degn-Christensen experiences. She experiences depth and quality, as well as a forward-looking approach when it comes to design and the industry in general. Here, people look for what really matters and want to create durable, relationship-based solutions that also take into account sustainability, well-being and simply good design. An agenda that the director agrees with.
Laufen Alape, Tricolor 2. DTD2025.
“It is important that we focus on why we do what we do - what is the point, and what should I take with me. We must always keep in mind who we are, where we come from, and what solutions we are trying to find. And with that as a starting point, we aim for progress and development in the right way and with the right focus. For example, this could be creating spaces that connect us more than they separate us, or creating an international creative environment that can create development and progress - schools like the Institute of Design and Innovation, several museums and institutions - but definitely also the work we do with Dubai Design Week and Downtown Design, which is precisely about developing the entire creative ecosystem in a dynamic market.”
And here she sees herself as a possible collaboration partner and sparring partner who supports ideas, people and opportunities.
“I see it as my role and task to create opportunities for the creative people we have in the region in this fast-paced industry we find ourselves in. We are a close-knit community where we have a different approach and reality in meeting each other and how we develop our talents. Here we can get to know each other, help each other and move together to create things that are worth putting out into the world. And that is a huge strength.”
Downtown Design 2025. Roche Bobois, AQUA Dining Table. Photo: Michel Gibert, Baptiste Le Quiniou. Herdade Do Freixo.
There is no doubt that Dubai Design Week, including Downtown Design, thinks big, creates opportunities and complete experiences for visitors - both from an experience and communication perspective. Here, design is more than just furniture and interiors - it is concepts and environments, architecture and art, and not least relationships, dialogue and an entrance to new thinking and innovation with only imagination to set the limits.
Dubai Design Week
4 - 9 November 2025