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)