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Shoe Amour: YSL Tribtoos

Hot: Made In India

Why is that we frown upon designer wear if it declares that it's Made In India (and we say declare since we all know only a fraction of the time do designers admit to the actual country of origin if even the smallest part was obtained from somewhere else)? India is famous for some of the world's most intricate weaving and threadwork so why not stand proud for promoting some of India's finest work?

Well that's exactly what Miuccia Prada is doing. While Italy's manufacturers are trying desperately to protect the authenticity of the 'Made In Italy' label, Prada's new initiative revolts against all the Laws of Fashion with their new 'Made In..' capsule collection. It consists of woven straw accessories and dresses using Chikan embroidery from India, kilts using local wool and traditional tartan patterns from Scotland (we presume kilts are making a comeback then - time to dig out Brave Heart for some inspiration), an Alpaca knitwear line from Peru (oooh scrumptious) and hand-dyed jeans from the denim experts in Japan.

Big up to Prada!

Prada's Made In Japan jeans with
handpainted detail

Prada's Made In India traditionally woven ballerina
flats in colours inspired by the festival of Holi

Spotted: Blake Lively in Burberry Prorsum

The lovely Lively on the Gossip Girl set carries off one of our fave pieces from Burberry Prorsum's Pre Collection A/W11 (as seen in our Sneak Peak) with such panache. Always steps ahead, she's teamed the trench perfectly with Louby's Bibi pumps in taupe ostrich (ostrich legs to be precise) and a Mulberry Bayswater bag in chocolate. 

Oooh we're just green with envy.

Mulberry Bayswater

  

Louboutin Bibi pumps

Kick Start: Wish Lists

Having just returned from an extended holiday in Cape Town (click here to see our guest post on Winter in Cape Town @ Kiran's Corner), we're finding it hard to readjust ourselves to the faster pace of life in Dubai. With the lingering taste of gastronomical delights and exceptional wines, it's time to get back to work on discovering those hot new designers from around the world and bring them to your doorstep. Lucky for us then that we spent the better half of our holiday with the fabulous Gillian from Gillian Julius jewellery and the beautiful Ashley Haas - the face of Rebecca Minkoff handbags, giving us a head start.

Some of our faves:

Gillian Julius

Rebecca Minkoff

Blake Lively

Alligator Morning After Clutch (MAC)

Sneak Peak: Ananya London SS11 Collection

Anu Mirchandani's glamourous take on the kaftan puts her label Ananya at the top of the most wanted list of celebs spending their Summers in St Tropez, Capri, The Hamptons or Miami. This sizzling collection includes delicate kaftans and dresses in this seasons' hottest colours, stunning evening wear in warm gold and yellow hues along with numerous styles in shimmering white and ivory. 

Fortunately for us in Dubai, we live by the beach so we don't need to wait till the Summer. Though our Fridays can no longer be spent at the uber chic Shoreside Beach Club lounging on a day bed soaking up some Vitamin D while the men play (who has bigger) Boules, sipping rose' wine and puffing on a Grape Mint shisha.. there's no reason that us ladies can't still look our best at.. hmm well wherever we decide to spend our weekends now.. 

The collection will be hitting the stores this Spring so be sure to get yours before they fly off the railings. 

Some of our faves:

Sneak Peak: Burberry Prorsum Pre Collection A/W11

Who says you can't look fabulous when it's all hail and snow? Design guru Christopher Bailey has yet again knocked us off our heated seats. (Ok we're lying. It might be Winter here in Dubai but you know we're lounging in our Kain Label Ts, Topshop khaki shorts and Giuseppe sandals. But we're empathising with our cold ones in London.) 

So how did Bailey do it? Well he's worked within our winter staple colour palette of earthy tones, brought back old favourites like the leg-lengthening flared trouser, given us even more variations of the trench - decadently embellished and fur trimmed for this season - and presented all of it neatly wrapped up with leather obi belts cinched at the waist.

If only this collection would be available during our trip to London for Fashion Week in Feb... Sigh.

See the whole collection here. Some of our fave looks: