The annual Style Issue explores how architecture, interiors and design become expressions of identity, heritage and belonging, featuring the first-ever exclusive look inside Elie Saab’s remarkable Beirut home as he opens its doors to Architectural Digest Middle East
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 10 August 2026: Architectural Digest Middle East today announces the release of its August/September 2026 Style Issue, headlined by an exclusive cover story with internationally acclaimed couturier Elie Saab, who opens the doors to his extraordinary new home in Beirut for the first time.
The cover story, The Art of Belonging, offers an intimate look inside Saab’s meticulously restored residence opposite Beirut’s historic Sursock Palace. The feature reveals a home where heritage, craftsmanship and deeply personal storytelling come together, reflecting the designer’s enduring relationship with the city that shaped him.
Reflecting on the philosophy behind his home, Elie Saab told Architectural Digest Middle East: “I’ve spent my entire life collecting things. Every piece means something to me and has a reason for being here. It’s not by chance.”
Rather than reinventing the historic residence, Saab embraced its architectural legacy, preserving its original character while introducing thoughtful interventions inspired by Islamic geometry, Lebanese craftsmanship and his lifelong passion for collecting meaningful objects. The result is a home that celebrates both Beirut’s rich cultural heritage and Saab’s own vision of timeless elegance. Reflecting on his design philosophy, he also shared: “When you go classic like this, the rooms must be rich. You need to honour what the home already is.”
Commenting on the issue, Aidan Imanova, Head of Editorial Content at Architectural Digest Middle East, said: “This year’s Style Issue is about looking beyond aesthetics and exploring the stories, places and people that shape the way we live. Walking through Elie Saab’s Beirut home revealed not only an extraordinary residence but a deeply personal expression of heritage, craftsmanship and belonging. His home is, in many ways, a love letter to Beirut and a reminder that architecture, much like fashion, is ultimately an act of optimism. Across this issue, we celebrate spaces that preserve history while embracing the future, and the creative voices redefining what style means across the Middle East.”
Throughout the feature, Elie Saab reflects on the philosophy that has shaped both his homes and his career, revealing that for him, the true beauty of a home lies not only in its architecture or design, but in the people who bring it to life. As he shared: “To me, there’s no point in having a beautiful house if it’s empty. I love a home that’s full of warmth, full of people and full of love.”
Beyond the cover story, the August/September Style Issue explores how style is expressed through architecture, interiors, travel and creative identity, celebrating the people, places and ideas shaping design across the Middle East.
Architectural Digest Middle East’s August/September cover story is available now on http://www.admiddleeast.com.
