DIA Diwan, the insider’s guide to what’s hip and happening in the Middle East, has joined forces with the US-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research to raise breast cancer awareness during the month of October.
Dia Diwan is an online portal created in 2008. It focuses on the region’s largely unknown creative potential, reporting on the latest fashion, culture and lifestyle trends. The site’s added bonus is its “Global Souk” an online retail shop, selling an edited selection of products with a Middle Eastern twist.
Dia Diwan is launching a fundraising campaign for the Partnership, with the specific objective to raise the necessary funds to support the development of materials as part of an awareness campaign targeting younger women throughout the Middle East. The campaign materials will be made available to more than 20 partner organizations throughout the region.
Helping to lead the fight against this disease in the Middle East and beyond, renowned and visionary designer Georges Chakra has teamed up with Dia Diwan offering readers the opportunity to win a gift certificate worth $4,500 to shop for Georges Chakra’s Limited Edition Fall/Winter 2009 Collection. (Raffle tickets are worth $15 each and are available on www.diadiwan.com.) In addition to the raffle, five special-edition ‘pink’ items from the “Global Souk” have been selected, with net proceeds going to the campaign.
More than just a fashion brand, Emme is an expression of a woman’s vision of beauty and comfort. Acclaimed Lebanese designer Marie Carmen Fallaha draws her inspiration from everyday life, ensuring that every woman’s basic needs are covered. For October, she has created her signature ‘must-have’ pink sequined ballerina shoes ($100 each).
Dinz: Rima and Dina, raised in Spain, have their hearts in the Middle East. Both sisters love to make fashion statements, and had trouble finding exactly what they wanted to wear ... and so started their own design label, encompassing casual wear for both men and women. Dinz have created a one-off ‘ghutra’ style with a pink ribbon ($80 each).
London-based designer Mimi Bijoux creates magnificent pieces from vintage and antique discoveries resulting in customized and contemporary jewelry encrusted with exquisite gemstones. Each a unique piece of art, handcrafted and finished with 18 or 24 carat gold, semi-precious stones and diamonds, justifiably leading to her celebrity following. This month, Mimi has produced a pink Hamsa charm bracelet which wraps around the wrist several times, ensuring you feel like a million dollars, and of course, timelessly elegant ($1,350-$2,000 each).
Sally K Bold, feminine, fun and flirty, pushes the boundaries of art and defining women, artistically creating expression through large eyes, full pursed lips and wild hair. When passing her artwork, you will only stop and stare due to the visual attraction, the sheer size and vibrancy. Sally K is now creating handmade bespoke clutches based on original paintings, with an irresistible charm of its own. These bags range from the most eccentric to the most classy, each piece slightly different from the other ($325 each).
Reem Al-Khalifa and Green Bar have created a range of treatment oils that moisturize and care for your body and face naturally, like no other. Damascus Rose Tone Water is free of preservatives and additives, and relies simply on plants’ natural goodness and the finest cold-pressed oils. Each special blend contains aromatic ingredients to uplift your spirits. Made and bottled in the Middle East, it is the first of its kind.
Apart from these items, the site said that 10 percent of all revenue from other products on Dia Diwan throughout October would also be going to raising funds. It will also be highlighting content about breast cancer, featuring inspirational stories about individuals and organizations that are part of the Partnership’s network and helping to lead the fight against this disease in the Middle East and beyond.