Bazaar Arabia Spends 24 Hours With… Diala Abu Issa
The Qatari-Palestinian founder of The Bridal Atelier discusses clean living, statement essentials and indulging on experiences not things
6:30am
I’m a natural early riser, and enjoy quiet mornings, even on weekends or holidays. My bedroom is a clean, airy and calming space. I love crisp hotel-style bedding, especially from Frette or The White Company.
6:45am
I wake my four kids up, get them ready for school and then pour myself a coffee – usually a flat white with oat milk or, if I’m on the run, an Americano. We have a toy poodle called Lola, unfortunately I don’t get to take her out for walks as much as I’d like.
7am
We’re out of the house for the school drop-off. The car ride to school is my quality time with the kids, time I will forever cherish.
8:15am
I do strength training religiously three times a week at RightFit in DIFC and I try to walk as much as I can. For breakfast, I focus on high protein, such as eggs, avocado with rice crackers or a protein shake with banana, dates, chia seeds and cinnamon. I have an amazing nanny who cooks for the entire household, as the kitchen is definitely not my forté.
9:45am
My morning shower routine takes around 45 minutes. I’m a ‘less is more’ kind of person and focus on having healthy skin and natural make-up. I keep it very simple with Augustinus Bader The Cream, Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint and Giorgio Armani concealer. My outfit depends on my schedule for the day. I like to look polished but always prioritising comfort, and I love women who make simplicity look luxurious and effortless. For work, I like matching neutral colour sets or a blazer with wide legged trousers. I usually buy from The Row, Max Mara, Toteme, Loro Piana and Khaite, as their pieces are timeless and well-tailored with great craftsmanship. To accessorise, I wear my Rolex Daytona, rings from De Beers and Cartier, and statement earrings. I have a big collection from Tsikis Paris and Ysso, and I find the best pieces when I’m travelling. I rotate bags between my YSL tote bag or my Prada Triangle Logo tote.
11am
I’ll jump in my Tesla and head to The Bridal Atelier in Al Quoz and call my family or listen to The Diary of a CEO on the way. No one day is the same at the office. Team meetings come first, then emails and phone calls. I like to be organised so have very little on my desk – just my laptop and my Moleskin diary – it’s the one thing I have with me at all times. I’m a team player and always try to empower my team. There are 32 of us The Rich Cream, Dhs1,150, AUGUSTINUS BADER. Suit, MAX MARA. City, NEW YORK. Tote bag, Dhs7,800, PRADA. Pillow Talk lipstick, Dh170, CHARLOTTE TILBURY and I value them a lot. I love being able to grow the business in different ways and keep learning new things.
3pm
I usually have a late lunch once work is finished – such as salad and protein. I try to keep a balanced diet during the week and let go at the weekend. I love my deserts, but my favourite food is my mother’s vine leaves stuffed with rice. I also travel a lot – a few times a month for business but mostly for pleasure, as it’s a huge part of my personal life. I indulge in experiences, such as staying in beautiful hotels and visiting new places. I love walking around cities and finding little boutiques with unique pieces and designers, like SoHo in New York and El Born in Barcelona.
4pm
Once I leave the office around 4pm, I spend time with my kids and husband, but an afternoon nap is my guilty pleasure.
7pm
After the children are in bed, I recharge for a bit flicking through my phone. I’m very selective about going to work events and prefer hosting small, intimate gatherings at home. My favourite evening is just at home with my husband. We’ll watch shows like the White Lotus or Succession, but I do also love being outdoors, whether it’s a walk around our neighbourhood or by the beach. People often associate luxury with possessions, but for me luxury is time. Time with my children, time to travel, time to grow my business and time to simply sit quietly and think. The older I get, the more I value freedom, experiences and meaningful connections over anything else.
10pm
I need to 7-8 hours of sleep. The secret to waking up refreshed is having enough downtime without my phone or TV, so just before bed, I’ll usually review my day, then read a little to disconnect. I’ve currently got Living Untethered by Michael Alan Singer and The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel on my bedside table. I like comfortable sleepwear from The White Company, but I’ve also just discovered homegrown brand One of a Kin, which I love. I really value my sleep, so then I just let myself unwind with my thoughts and… fall asleep instantly.
Diala’s picks
Images Supplied
From the Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Bride Summer 2026 Issue