ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE
Dia is a love letter to Southeast Asia. We are a curated platform that celebrates the region's independent designers, artisans, and creators. You can discover Dia online, or at one of our physical spaces in Kuala Lumpur.
Founded as an online shop in 2020, Dia has now evolved beyond a digital platform into a brand that has its own boutique, community and events space, as well as purposeful partnerships with leading hospitality brands around the world.
Unique fashion from Southeast Asia is still at our core. Dia brings together clothing, jewelry, bags, and accessories shaped by craftsmanship and stories for you to shop. We spotlight the real people behind every brand we work with, and you can dive into the Artisan's Notes of every product.
Our name refers to our mission and Malaysian roots. "Dia" is a Malay word meaning "she/he/they" and also references our hope of Directly Impacting Artisans. As a prefix, "dia-" also refers to going “through, across, between,” which speaks to our goal of bridging the gap between Southeast Asian artisanship and the wonderful people who will appreciate it.
Whether you’re looking for a handmade gift, fashion for yourself, or a meaningful event, Dia is where you’ll find it.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to champion the creative spirit of Southeast Asia. We do this primarily through the lens of interesting fashion, but the arts and community events are also a vital part of the Dia world.
Our purpose has always been to challenge the region's association with mass production and cheap labor, and we do this by bringing you exquisite, unique objects while spotlighting the people behind them. Today, that original purpose remains, and we go beyond traditional retail to pursue it.
THE FOUNDERS
Kylie, Aisha, and Alia are friends from Malaysia who believe wholeheartedly in the multifaceted and stunning region they call home. We've lived across the world and often found that Southeast Asia’s boutique brands and artisanship seemed overlooked on a global stage—so we decided to build Dia.
The founders have worked in government, big data, journalism, hospitality, and market research. We live between KL and NYC, with Dia as a shared lifeline to home and each other. We’ve poured our energy and expertise into Dia to create as thoughtful a platform as possible. This includes a curated shopping experience, sharing meaningful content, and cultivating a vibrant community. Will you join us?