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Read identity magazine's January 2025 edition on ISSUU or grab your copy
With each new year comes a renewed sense of promise and renewal. For architects and designers, however, the future holds an even greater challenge: envisioning and creating the next space. How does one design for the future? In this issue, we explore this concept and what lies ahead for the visionaries shaping our environments.

On the cover is the remarkable Pallavi Dean, founder of Dubai-based Roar, which has made a significant contribution to the industry for more than 12 years. Born and raised in Sharjah, UAE, Pallavi has recently expanded her studio’s presence to Saudi Arabia. For the cover shoot, we knew we wanted to pay homage to Pallavi’s connection with Sharjah. Dean suggested Mleiha, reflecting her love for the desert. Inspired by themes of flow and reflections, we sought to capture the designer’s dynamic essence. In our feature on page 22, she opens up about her journey, sharing insights into how financial acumen fuels creative freedom and revealing her cleverly coined ‘10 C’s’ of success.

identity is also thrilled to be a media partner at this year’s highly anticipated Maison&Objet in Paris, France. With its theme of Sur/Reality, the event promises new design innovation and discoveries. From 16 to 20 January 2025, we’ll bring you highlights from the fair, sharing stories that connect the Middle East’s design narrative with a global audience, and vice versa. Follow our social media on @identityae for updates.

In this issue we also explore what’s new in home décor and spotlight the technological innovations shaping the industry, with Gensler’s insightful design forecast offering a fascinating glimpse into the latest trends and innovations.
Here’s to designing a future full of possibilities.
We take a look at how Nammos Dubai translated the spirit of Mykonos at its outpost at the Four Seasons Resort at Jumeirah Beach
Emirati founded and owned interior design studio Lodge completes two distinct majlises
Porada’s Ortensia was showcased at Salone del Mobile 2026, demonstrating the company’s expertise with wood
We interview the founders of the collectible design house in an exclusive interview prior to their launch
Luca Vigliero, XBD Collective’s new Executive Director shares exciting developments for the studio’s expansion
We take you through the finest showcases at the exhibition in collaboration with the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX)
Art has the power to illuminate histories and tell human stories across time and geography. At the newly opened Black Gold Museum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, it does just that
At DLR Group, collaboration across teams is key. We speak to Henrique Dias, Principal and Middle East Hospitality and Mixed-Use Director, and Vaida Buchrotaite, Principal and International Interior Design and Operations Director, on how the group shapes hospitality projects across the region
The UAE design-and-build studio delivers a Japanese-inspired coworking destination at Reem Mall, spanning 22,000 sq ft
Chattels&More explores the timeless elegance of wood in its latest collection
The brand's latest Laser Evo offers over a million design options.
Read identity magazine's June 2026 edition on ISSUU or grab your copy