Paris

Elie Saab's Russian Dolls

Date: 
11/27/2008
Location: 
Drouot Auction House, Avenue Montaigne

Each year, Unicef organizes a sale of classy dolls, dressed by the likes of Gucci, Fendi and Elie Saab. This year, Saab came up with two Russian dolls" Kalysta and Natalya. hey are available in blue, and pink, wearing the same embroidered strapless dress with silk tulle underskirt encrusted in flowers and crystals accompanied by a bolero in shantung. The design of the dolls is inspired by the ’Diamond’ theme of the Haute Couture Spring Summer 2008 Collection.

Ramadan à la Parisienne

With a sizeable population of Algerians, Tunisians and Moroccans calling Paris home, it's no coincidence that North Africa has left a strong imprint on this city’s landscape. This influence is all the more apparent in the number of stylish North African themed restaurants that have popped up throughout the city. Sporting chic interiors and innovative menus that splice both cultures; Dia Diwan, with the help of its blogger The Polyglot, takes you on a culinary tour of the most dazzling restaurants, best menus, and a few secret dining spots off the beaten track.

Tanjia: 

Shopping à l'Oriental

Why on earth would you want to go to Paris to buy Middle Eastern inspired stuff? Because it’s not the same! Dia Diwan, with the help of its blogger The Polyglot uncovers unique stores, in-the-know designers, and the perfect gifts to take back home; all of which can only be found in the City of Light.

Liwan:

SS09 pret-a-porter Paris fashion week

Date: 
09/27/2008 - 10/05/2008
Location: 
London, UK

The Louvre's Headscarf

For years, the French have had an obsession with the Muslim headscarf.  Endless debates between high profile intellectuals and members of the Muslim community have not helped matters.

Perhaps a museum will.

The Louvre Museum has decided to build a new wing to house its incredible collection of Islamic Art, which until recently, was seldom shown to the public. The extension is called the Veil. According to the British daily The Guardian, it acts as a giant glass Muslim headscarf in the Middle of Paris. A “luminous veil” that will “float’ above the ground, covering two floors of exhibition space, explain its Italian architects, Mario Bellini and Rudy Ricciotti.

Fall catwalk report

Brace yourself, some of those fashion hits of 80’s and 90’s are coming right back at you! Collarless unconstructed jackets, ankle length ‘peg’ pants, midi skirts, gothic black, lace and the all-British tartan. There are also new trends that we welcome with open arms - like glammed-up 70's folklore with rich prints, re-worked rock chick and futuristic tailoring.

It’s a season with something for everyone.

Dia Fashionista's favorite sales

I thought to share my favorite sale shopping hunts with you… Enjoy!

ONLINE:
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Mira Mikati

PLUM is to Beirut what Colette is to Paris. With its first outlet in Saifi Village - recently turned into a kids store - and the gleaming new mega store off Park Avenue in downtown Beirut, repleat with an organic juice bar and an iPod listening station, Plum has managed to attract Beirut's high spending hip crowd. For Dia Diwan, owner Mira Mikati tells us how the store came about, what are the ideas behind the concept and what she carries in that heavy Birkin!

Oum hits the Museum

Whether it's in music, in the arts or in fashion, the magic around Oum Kalthoum certainly hasn't disappeared.

While Oum Kalthoum’s eight row pearl necklace was sold at almost 10 times its estimated value at Christie’s Dubai a couple of months ago, the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) in Paris, is celebrating the Egyptian icon with a beautiful exhibition opening next week.

Elie Saab's Patisserie

Who knew Elie Saab could also make cakes?

Well, we don’t actually know about assembling one, but Saab can surely design one.

When asked by the mythical parisian Café de la Paix, the Lebanese designer obliged with a divine little pleasure, aptly titled 'Podium'.

Designed in the shape of a catwalk, the chocolate based Podium is composed of no less than 5 layers: soft chocolate biscuit on the bottom, chocolate Chantilly, caramelized leaf, red fruit mousse and to top it all off, a wafer thin, dark chocolate sheet signed off by the couturier himself.

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