Dahlgren Duck & Associates (DDA) – experts at detailing the cabin environment, through the addition of crystal, china, flatware, linens and luxury amenities – celebrated 30 years of business in the Middle East at this year’s MEBAA 2016, held in Dubai, UAE, on December 6-8, 2016.
Since its first commission with the Royal Family in Abu Dhabi, DDA has worked with hundreds of Middle Eastern clients, created countless tailor-made dining, flatware and crystal sets, and fashioned several individually designed works of art. DDA has styled a variety of jet types from small business jets to wide-body aircraft.
DDA has supplied a number of head-of-state fleets in the UAE and throughout the region with bespoke dinner services, luxurious bed linen and throws, sterling silver artwork, bathroom amenities and everything in-between.
Recent projects for Middle Eastern clients have seen the creation of a lapis dinner service with lapis placemats, a triangular china and crystal collection to reflect a trio of brothers; a flatware design inspired by a shell found lying on a beach; a dinner service inspired by a mosque in Morocco; and champagne flutes that light up to highlight the bubbles. “These are not easy to produce and its our unique black book of contacts, our network of artisans and our experience that enables us to provide what will ultimately one day be museum pieces” said Scott Ritter, CEO at DDA.
Ritter said that design requests have not changed much during the three decades: “Clients still like the traditional decorated china with precious metal trims, along with the sterling and silver plated flatware. However we’ve noted that the next generation is beginning to combine contemporary themes and styles with the traditional look and feel.”
December 20, 2016
