When you really think about it, the pioneers of exceptional design have always been the Egyptians. Pyramids, temples dedicated to ancient Gods, and the Great Sphinx of Giza are both architectural and design marvels that we still celebrate today. And now, Egyptian design is looking towards the future, with the third edition of its regional fair, Cairo Design Week (CDW). Running from November 20–29 across three districts, Heliopolis, Zamalek, and Downtown, this fair has been the region’s fastest-growing platform for merging art and design.
The new campaign puts design at the centre of the conversation and sets the tone for CDW 2025. “Design, So I Can See You” plays on Socrates’ line, “Speak, so I can see you,” turning design into a way of talking, a way to build culture, connect with people, and show who we are. Hisham Mahdy, CEO of Cairo Design Week, notes the importance of this campaign, stating, “This is a landmark moment for Cairo Design Week. Our first campaign, ‘Design, So I Can See You’, is both a promise and an invitation. It promises that this year will be CDW’s most powerful edition yet, and it invites designers and creatives to step forward, be seen, and shape the cultural dialogue around design… Cairo Design Week is not just an event, but a movement that shapes how design is experienced in Egypt”.
Putting forth the notion that design is not simply decoration but is meant to be experienced, lived in, and felt, the campaign alongside CDW 2025 will further embody that concept by celebrating the human spirit behind design.
They will be doing so by turning Cairo into a citywide design playground, activating streets, landmarks, and public spaces with installations, exhibitions, pavilions, trails, and live experiences. Visitors can also expect talks, workshops, and cultural programmes that focus on both Egypt’s design heritage as well as its contemporary innovations. Whereas CDW initiatives will spotlight emerging talent, offering young designers opportunities and exposure to etch their work on Egypt’s heritage-led tapestry.
Since its inception in 2022, CDW has steadily grown a presence within the MENA world, becoming one of the region’s most diverse cultural gatherings. Just last year, the 2024 edition featured over 100 designers, 150 exhibitors, and 80 speakers. This year’s edition aims to expand on that momentum and increase the lineup. This dynamic expansion only proves one thing—that with the right platform, you can hear voices loud and proud, opening perspectives to new creative exploration.
