The Harper’s Bazaar Arabia July / August 2026 Issue Editor’s Letter
Feeling fly…
“Are you here for the summer?” It’s the question everyone seems to ask this time of year. Whether you’re escaping to somewhere far-flung or embracing a slower season closer to home, this travel-themed issue is an invitation to say yes to exploration in whatever form it takes. We’ve curated a celebration of wanderlust, from destination inspiration and effortless holiday wardrobes to the places, people and experiences our team can’t stop talking about. Even our jewellery stories transport you, tracing sparkling histories from the canals of Venice and the French Riviera to Ancient Egypt.
One person who could certainly use a vacation is our cover star, Lebanese actress Valérie Abou Chacra. Currently shuttling between Istanbul and Dubai every few weeks while filming the mammoth 90-episode series Endless Love, she shares the career defining role that’s shaping her next chapter, and the ambition driving her forward.
Travel has a remarkable way of broadening our perspective, but perhaps one of its greatest gifts is reminding us how good it feels to come home. I admit I find the distinctive notes of Emirates’ boarding music both uplifting and soothing when returning to Dubai; FYI it was composed by Christian Saglie in 2012 and is officially known as Emirates Sonic.
In an age when social media feeds can make it seem as though everyone is perpetually boarding another First Class flight, there’s something quietly luxurious about being present where you are. The best journeys don’t always require a passport; sometimes they simply ask us to look a little closer, with fresh eyes, at the life we’ve already built.
From the Harper’s Bazaar Arabia July / August 2026 issue