Vogue Arabia’s bilingual Vogue.me platform has launched digitally, marking the company’s long awaited move into the Middle East market, with a print launch slated to follow in spring.

Brands to advertise on the digital launch include Chanel, Dior, Saint Laurent and Fendi among other, participating in display and narrative actions.

“The Arab world has always been a source of enchantment, dreams, mystery and beauty,” said newly appointed Vogue Arabia editor-in-chief Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz, who has gained a reputation as a “beacon of fashion” in the region.

“As we experience a creative renaissance with technology at its core, we aim to raise the bar, providing the region with authentic, bespoke and carefully curated content. Vogue is built on heritage and storytelling. So is Arabia.”

Featured pieces include a video chat with Lebanese designer Elie Saab, an interview with International Vogue editor Suzy Menkes on fashion in the Middle East, as well as a video exclusive with Gigi Hadid.

“This is a landmark step in the evolution of the fashion and media landscape in the Middle East and beyond,” commented Nervora chief executive officer and publisher of Vogue Arabia Shashi Menon.

”The decision to launch digital-first is a bold, declarative statement we are making on the future of publishing, and consistent with Vogue’s long history of reinvention. We are thrilled that Vogue, the world’s foremost authority on fashion, is launching in the region and we look forward to further shaping the regional fashion ecosystem.”

Vogue Arabia is the twenty-second edition of the magazine worldwide. Vogue is published in the US, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Russia, Japan, China, Taiwan, Mexico & Latin America, Korea, Brazil, Australia, Portugal, India, Turkey, Thailand, the Netherlands and the Ukraine.

“The launch of Vogue Arabia is an exciting and genuinely historic moment,” added president of Condé Nast New Markets and editorial director, brand development, Karina Dobrotvorskaya.

“With this digital-first debut, we are reinventing Vogue not just for a new audience, but for a new generation. The launch of Vogue.me brings together the ancient heritage of the Arab world and the unassailable fashion authority of Vogue in a new and contemporary vision.”

Earlier in the month, AOL’s global sales chief Jim Norton joined Condé Nast in the most senior commercial role.