Natelee Cocks | Photography
InteriorIDST Studio Elyah

IDST Studio Elyah

Located in Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi, one of the capital’s landmark shopping destinations, the boutique unfolds as a sequence of walk-through experiences that blur the boundary between retail and ritual.

At its heart, a central mirrored volume divides the space, with reflective rooms on either side extending depth and perception. This mirrored core anchors the boutique while creating a seating zone where infinite reflections invite pause and contemplation.

Drawing inspiration from celestial wonder, the design reinterprets tradition with a contemporary sensibility that feels both timeless and transportive. Subtle contrasts of texture, shadow, and reflection compose a multisensory landscape—an elevated yet intimate setting that reframes the abaya shopping experience through light, perception, and discovery.

IDST is a Dubai-based interior design studio led founded by Hana Akram, delivering hospitality, F&B, and commercial projects across the GCC. Founded in 2020, the studio was born from a desire to slow down the pace of design, removing excess and returning to what truly matters: story, soul, and spatial harmony. Recognised on AD100’s 2026 list of Top Designers in the Middle East and North Africa, IDST brings a strategic, design-led approach to creating distinctive and commercially successful environments.

With a background in Interior Design and Fine Art, and a decade of experience across hospitality, commercial, and retail sectors, Akram built a practice rooted in individuality and depth. Her time with leading studios and a global furniture brand shaped her instinct for balance, material storytelling, and emotional impact.

The studio’s approach is grounded in narrative, material intelligence, and spatial clarity. Art, texture, and composition are used purposefully to shape atmosphere and enhance guest experience, while aligning closely with brand identity and operational requirements.