Tradition drives the contemporary at Downtown Design Riyadh fair

Arab News

21-05-2025

RIYADH: Design is always evolving, but at Riyadh's first Downtown Design fair, it is tradition that is shaping the contemporary.
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From elegant, oversized rugs to gleaming light fixtures and bold statement chairs, artisanal pieces line up the exhibition halls at Riyadh's JAX District, showcasing a medley of heritage pieces that are redefining what modern design looks like.
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Trame Paris' collaboration with Maison L. Drucker brings new meaning to Parisian cafe bistro chairs. The 'Enlace' collection utilizes an algorithm to generate unique digital patterns that make every customizable chair a one-of-a-kind piece.
Ismail Tazi, founder of Trame, said they were 'continuing this conversation between technology and craftsmanship.'
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He added that as an Arab he was 'very proud because 'algorithm' is derived from Al-Khwarizmi — a Muslim scholar who was born in today's Uzbekistan.
'So it's really something that represents me today and how I'm looking to balance my own heritage and still be part of this cultural revolution and define a new Arab aesthetic within this digital revolution.'
Iwan Maktabi, a brand that specializes in contemporary takes on antique rugs, displayed a number of eye-catching carpets — particularly a piece called 'The Noorah.'
Made of handwoven wool and silk, the black base of the wall rug stands out with pink, orange, and silver accents, embellished with gold motifs; and is inspired by traditional Saudi Arabic textiles.
Jordan-based Naqsh Collective centralizes the concept of engravings, which is one of the first forms of art.
Blending architecture and design with traditional embroidery methods, their work becomes a mode for storytelling. One of the pieces on display is derived from the embellishments on women's thobes, specifically around the collar.
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Nermeen Abudail, co-founder of the collective, said: 'In this piece, we talk about how the ladies did their embroidery in the backyards. They sat together collectively creating motifs inspired by their flora and fauna.
'Each pattern comes from a region. Amulets, flowers, cyprus trees — each holds a name, comes from a region and tells a story of why it was embroidered.'
Each piece is hand-cut, inlaid, and finished with solid brass on walnut wood.
The four-day event, running until May 23, showcases collectible works and ultra-high-end collections presented by international galleries, independent designers and manufacturers.