Pure and simple
In anticipation of the summer heat and the holy month of Ramadan there has been yet another flurry of activity as everybody apparently scrambles to do as much as humanly possible before the new season kicks in.
Much fuss was made over the launch of the Dubai font – a joint initiative between US firms Monotype and Microsoft. Dubai is the first city to have a font named after it… and this is the first font to be simultaneously designed in English and Arabic. It can be freely downloaded from Microsoft Office 365 software and can be used in 23 different languages. Describing it as a means of expression rather than an expression itself, the font’s chief designer Nadine Chahine worked under the close supervision of Dubai’s Crown Prince, HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the visionary behind the creation of the pioneering new font who said, “This is an important step in our continuous efforts to be ranked first in the digital world,” adding: “We are confident that this new font will be popular around the world and selected for use online and in smart technologies.” It’s estimated that some 100 million users of Microsoft’s Office 365.
For this month’s issue, id has chosen to use the modern and clean san serif Dubai font as our headline and cover line font. We hope that you appreciate its simplicity and purity as much as we do…
Much to my surprise Michael Seum, Grohe’s American Design Director – whom we featured in the May issue – jetted into town for the launch of the new Grohe collections at La Cantine Du Faubourg.
The following day the same venue took on a decidedly French twist for the launch of the new THG Paris collection. The company, which recently opened a showroom in Dubai, plans to make a splash during Dubai Design Week’s Downtown Design in November, when it will present a new tap designed in the UAE… Members of the family company were in town for the presentation of taps created in collaboration with other great French brands including Christofle, Baccarat and Lalique.
One of America’s most popular creators of fine home accessories, Michael Aram has also been in town; he was hosted by Bloomingdale’s, where his handcrafted accessories just seem to fly off the shelves. New York-based Aram took time to personally train the Bloomingdale’s team and to meet media and clients. During his brief stay he also hosted a dinner at the other quintessentially New York icon, Le Cirque, which recently opened in the Ritz-Carlton DIFC… before heading to his second home and atelier in India.
id would also like to welcome the new CEO of Dubai Design and Fashion Council (DDFC), Jazia Al Dhanhani, who has taken the reins from Nez Gebreel. Under the stewardship of Emirati Al Dhanhani, DDFC is expected to engage in a number of significant initiatives, all focused on developing the design and creative sector in the region…
Those who have not yet done so can register to be members of DDFC online by visiting ddfc.ae/register.
This month we officially launch the id Design Awards 2017 programme. We look forward to receiving your entries! For more information visit our website – identitydesignawards.com – where you can download entry forms. Over the next few weeks we will also announce the line-up of our international jury who will be judging your entries…
Over the next few weeks it’s a good time to enjoy the sumptuous iftar and suhoor on offer throughout the city, and to plan a mini-pre-summer escape during Eid…
For those looking for a designer satiation we recommend the newly opened Oberoi Hotel in Ajman. Designed by Piero Lissoni, the new resort oozes elegance and excellence in design. Lissoni has harmoniously blended local design elements into an über-sleek design – definitely worth a visit…
Ramadan Kareem; may the month of reflection be a stimulating and inspirational one…
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