INTRODUCING DIA DIWAN

Imagine a group of hip Middle Easterners, scattered around the globe. They grew up in one city, studied in another, worked in a third and yet there’s still only one place they call home – that's the Middle East.

This group of twenty and thirty somethings decided it was high time for the Middle East to get its daily fix of what’s hip and cool. With this agenda in mind, Dia was created to showcase all the interesting things going on in the region, whether it's a new restaurant, a boutique, an artist or a designer. But that was only part of the story. Dia also wanted to make sure that every cool product with a link to the Middle East could be bought online. After a lot of work and passion, Dia went live in the spring of 2007.

Our name was chosen carefully. “Dia” actually means several things in several languages; light or brilliance in Arabic, day in Spanish and diamonds in Latin – so there you go! The word "Diwan" was added, not only because it sounds good, but we also hope it gives our readers a feeling of being amongst friends in a cozy environment.

Each and every section was designed with a Middle Eastern audience in mind. So while it’s fine to know what's happening in New York, Paris or London, why not also focus closer to home?

Dia Daily

The legion of Dia Daily reporters will bring daily news from the Middle East's major cities: whether it's a new designer in Jeddah, a spa in Amman, a restaurant in Beirut or an art gallery in Kuwait – we'll be talking about it!

Dia Style

We may be a land rich in shopping malls but you can't always find what you want in stores. Nor can you browse the way you can on your computer screen at 2am (hello shopaholics!) Dia’s in-house stylists will make sure each week is different, with the best selection of international and regional fashion.

Global Souk

We might have great designers and boutiques in the Middle East, but why are they so absent from the web? Fret no more, Global Souk strives to bring the best boutiques and designers to your screens – whether in Beirut, Jeddah or New York. Each month, we will showcase one store and one designer, selling a selection of their items online. We will then deliver anywhere in the Middle East – quite a feat if you know anything about the region and postal addresses!

Blogs

We’ve invited some of the region’s experts to blog at least twice a month on topics we know will interest our readers. Whether you’re a foodie, a shopaholic, a design freak or a new mom – you will love these impromptu stories. Next, get addicted to our serial bloggers, Ms. Mishmaoul and Mr. X, who dish about being single in the Middle East today – a “He said/She said” exchange that will make you smile. Last but not least, the blog section is where the Dia Diwan team shares what they’ve been up to and what ideas they might have up their sleeves.