ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — There is a certain poetry in a fair called Nomad landing at an airport. Beneath a tent-like roof of shimmering mosaic tiles where travelers once rushed to catch flights to distant cities, a different kind of journey unfolded last week as the itinerant design fair known for activating extraordinary architectural spaces made its Middle Eastern debut at the decommissioned Terminal 1 of Zayed International Airport.
The four-day fair brought together leading international galleries and regional talent within the historic terminal designed by French architect Paul Andreu. Opened in 1982 at the behest of UAE founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and retired from service in 2023, the building’s sweeping mosaic ceiling provided a resonant backdrop for the fair’s eclectic programming.
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By the number of visitors the fair attracted, the debut was a resounding success. More than 8,000 visitors attended, roughly double the 3,000 to 4,000 that typically visit Nomad’s first editions in European locations.
“Nomad Abu Dhabi exceeded my expectations in many ways,” said Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte, founder of the fair. “The response from collectors was extremely engaged and curious. Many expressed how rare it is to encounter such a concentration of international design in a setting that feels intimate and deeply connected to place.”
At the heart of Nomad’s debut was “Destinations,” a specially commissioned exhibition by Bottega Veneta celebrating the 50th anniversary of the house’s intrecciato leather weave. Curated by Rana Beiruti, the exhibition featured eight creatives from across the Middle East and North Africa who responded to the signature weave with their own materials and heritage.
Artists and studios including Abdalla Almulla, Amine Asselman, Esna Su, Nader Gammas, Shaha Raphael, Zein Daouk, Sayar & Garibeh and Bahraini-Danish created one-of-a-kind pieces ranging from ceramic sheets and volcanic stone to works inspired by Emirati Areesh and palm-frond braiding.
“Some of the works draw on regional heritage and weaving traditions, while others interpret weaving beyond its physical expression, representing the interlacing of ideas, narratives and cultures,” Beiruti said.
For Bellavance-Lecompte, what stood out most was the emotional reaction of visitors from the region. “For many, Terminal 1 is part of their personal history,” he said. “They grew up traveling through it, or they remember it as their first gateway to the world. Seeing this building reactivated with contemporary design was deeply meaningful.”
He noted that the concept of valorizing a modernist architectural landmark from this period is drastically new in the region, creating a strong sense of nostalgia and rediscovery.
“Terminal 1 has always been a symbol of Abu Dhabi’s connection to the world,” said Mariam Al Badr, vice president of brand, marketing and communications at Abu Dhabi Airports. “Nomad’s activation honors that legacy while reimagining it for a new era. It is wonderful because this building once welcomed travelers from across the globe, and it now serves as a meeting point for creative dialogue.”
Exhibitors created installations reflecting the space. Dubai-based jeweler Kamyen stood out with its immersive installation called “The Amber Hour,” a collaboration between founder Pooja Gandhi and designer Omar Al Gurg of Modu Method. The name evokes the warm tones of amber stone, a color familiar to the UAE’s desert landscape.
“As you walk in you are taken into our world of Arabia in the ’80s, blocking everything outside,” Gandhi said. “The jewelry was not covered in glass or showcases because we wanted it to feel like you are walking into your own jewelry closet.”
Nomad marked the first-time Kamyen presented high jewelry, with pieces ranging from $50,000 for stand-alone earrings to significantly higher price points for statement pieces. It was an unconventional choice to debut at Nomad. The response exceeded Gandhi’s expectations. “We received many VVIPs,” she said.
Bellavance-Lecompte sees the Abu Dhabi edition as the beginning of a long-term relationship. “Terminal 1 proved to be more than a venue,” he said. “The airport becomes a destination in itself, no longer only a place of transit. It offered a unique feeling of contemplating architecture, function and the meaning of a journey, which is very much at the heart of Nomad’s philosophy.”
Looking ahead, he sees potential to collaborate further with local designers from the region and support craft initiatives. “Our aim is to help foster a design culture that is rooted in the Gulf and connected internationally.”
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