Design Miami has announced plans to launch a new edition in Dubai in early 2027, in partnership with the Dubai-based cultural enterprise Alserkal. The fair, currently celebrating its 20th anniversary in Miami Beach, also runs an annual edition in Paris, while its Basel show was suspended earlier this year. The inaugural Design Miami Dubai will be led by Vilma Jurkute, executive director of Alserkal, Jennifer Roberts, CEO of Design Miami, and Jesse Lee, chairman of Design Miami and founder of Basic.Space, which acquired the fair in 2023. Beyond the annual event, the collaboration will establish a year-round programme of design talks and educational initiatives.
This expansion underscores the growing importance of the Arabian Gulf as a target market for Western art and design fairs, following similar announcements by Art Basel Qatar and Frieze Abu Dhabi, both launching in 2026. By partnering with Alserkal, a key player in Dubai's cultural district, Design Miami aims to tap into a wealthy international collector base and reinforce design as a global language. The move reflects a broader trend of major art businesses diversifying into the Gulf region, seeking new revenue streams amid shifting global art market dynamics.