On 8 November 2025, Dubai hosted Russian Design Forum 4, an international professional event that brought together Russian-speaking interior designers, architects and related suppliers working in the Middle East. The forum became the only specialised platform in the region focused on the development and integration of the Russian-speaking professional community into the international design context.
The event was held as part of Dubai Design Week, which emphasised its importance for the professional environment of the UAE and strengthened the forum’s position on the international agenda. The Russian Design Forum became a meeting point for the local and international design community.
The forum was organised by Olga Melnikova, founder of DUBAIDESINT, a Russian-speaking community of interior designers, architects and related suppliers, and a practising interior designer with international experience. The event was held at Embassy Suites by Hilton Dubai Business Bay, which provided a comfortable and professional environment for business communication and exchange of experience.
International expertise and practical experience
The Russian Design Forum 4 programme brought together world-class experts representing the fields of interior design and business development.
Speakers at the forum included:
— Pierre Gonalons — french designer, ranked in the AD Top 100, founder of Studio Pierre Gonalons, known for his collaboration with leading international brands and fashion houses.
— Pavel Gitelman — CEO of the digital agency R:TA, business speaker and author of educational programmes, who has spoken at more than 120 professional events and is the author of the TEAM training programme.
— Oleg Torbosov — entrepreneur, developer and founder of educational projects specialising in investment, real estate and business scaling.
— His Highness Sheikh Ali Al Mualla — a respected representative of the UAE, public figure and visionary in the field of culture, art and sustainable development.
The speakers’ presentations focused on practical case studies, real business models and current challenges faced by designers and architects working in international markets.
The forum’s partner ecosystem – leading brands
Russian Design Forum 4 was implemented with the support of leading brands in the interior design industry. Angel Home was the general partner of the forum, and Salon-interior was the information partner. The forum was also supported by Colors of Living, Provicon, Interni, Obegi Home, Al Paintura, FINEX, Superbia Domus, TaskForce/BEMD, TOGAS, Al-Futtaim Engineering × TOTO and Wood You Believe.
The forum’s partners had the opportunity to present their brands to a professional audience of designers and architects, give presentations on stage, and establish direct business contacts through live networking. The participation of partners became an important part of the forum’s ecosystem, contributing to the development of cooperation between designers and suppliers of interior solutions.
DUBAIDESINT and the role of the professional community
The community of Russian-speaking interior designers, architects and related suppliers DUBAIDESINT, founded by Olga Melnikova, continues to play a key role in consolidating Russian-speaking interior designers, architects and related specialists in the Middle East region. The Russian Design Forum became a logical continuation of the community’s work, providing participants with a platform for sharing experiences, professional growth and forming long-term collaborations.
Olga Melnikova is also the founder of OL interior, a company specialising in the creation of premium residential and commercial interiors. Under her leadership, more than 350 projects have been implemented in nine countries around the world, allowing her to develop deep expertise in working with international clients and multicultural markets.
A look into the future: the anniversary Russian Design Forum 5
The next anniversary Russian Design Forum 5 is scheduled for 10 April 2026 in Dubai. It is expected to be an even larger event for the Russian-speaking design community, expanding the forum’s international presence and creating new opportunities for professional growth, knowledge exchange and intercultural cooperation.
