Watch this.

The Brother's Bloom. Fantastic imagery, storyline, set design and costumes. Rian Johnson, one of my favourite directors who also did 2005's darkly humorous Brick. Perfect inspiration for the upcoming range. Highly recommended.

2011 Preview.

Stay tuned. xx

Sunday 7th November

My crochet specialist has finished with the second samples and we make final detail changes to the measurements and fit and she takes on a new design I’m very excited for. Today, we move our headquarters to the area of Sukawati. I hire a 4WD and we head to the mountains again with the iPhone vs Blackberry GPS. It’s my first time driving in Indonesia and its great fun with manual off-road driving as the villa is located in quite a secluded region that looks over lush green hills and the valley river.

On Monday, I wake up to find a hornet’s nest outside my bedroom door. One sting, and you’ll have a painful gigantic welt for weeks. I discover so many more exotic creatures in the most unwanted places that share the outdoor living space of the villa. I have to meet my knitters again for a second sample approval and we drive back down to Denpasar while being greeted by local kids strewn across the streets on the way. At my leather supplier, I hand pick all the skins ready for the new bag designs in various washed out colourways.

photos courtesy of Richard Olsen

Thursday 4th November

In the morning, we travel to Jimbaran south of Sanur to visit another shoemaker for one more boot design. At 1200 we take a long drive up the mountain to Ubud, home to many different craftsman in the art district of Bali. I meet one of my leather bag makers who has been in the industry for over 20 years now. I was very pleased with the work he had done for me in the past. Just before it starts raining again, we arrive at Warung Muri’s to feast on their famous Nasi Campur with an amazing view of the gully and riverbank. Later that evening, we were invited by friends to see the amazing Les Nubians at Word of Mouth in Seminyak where I met the beautiful Célia Faussart, one half of the duo. It was definitely a treat to catch them live and end the day with such positive music.

photos courtesy of Richard Olsen

Wednesday 3rd November

After a refreshing early morning swim, we head to the knitters to see the first samples. I spend some time there discussing new measurements, changes to finishes and comparing yarn qualities. We have lunch of Masakan Padang and there are images of Mt Merapi erupting again on television, now affecting the regions of Yogyakarta. We had planned on going there earlier for sourcing materials. Back home to Sanur where I will meet my crochet specialist and we discuss designs and motif details.