I've written before about my love for Alber Elbaz and the Parisian luxury label, Lanvin. What I didn't tell you was that I can get a little obsessed about the Maison's draped dresses and leather-soled shoes; didn't want to seem too cookoo-bananas for fashion.

But let's throw all caution to the wind, because the man himself has confirmed that Lanvin is indeed teaming with the fast fashion brand we all privately haunt on a regular, H&M!

The collection will hit US stores late November, and if I remember correctly, H&M is supposed to be launching their online store soon, which could mean there'll be heavy traffic at their stores and on the online shop.

Especially if the Lanvin set is to be made available online as well.

So what does this all mean?

It means that you've got to get those ballet flats and credit cards in order for quick sprints to the racks and the checkout counter! Start getting your legs and bank accounts in shape, ladies. And gents, because there's going to be a men's line as well.

I think I'm going to find a piggy bank to put on my work desk.

Labelled "Lanvin" of course. For inspiration and motivation...

NB Images by H&M

I didn't mention it on August 31st, but I'll say it today - Happy (belated) Independence Day, Trinidad + Tobago! I'm forever in a love-hate relationship with the country I was born in, and grew up on; some things are aggravatingly slow, backward, nepotism-fueled or just plain strange.

But then, there are other, glorious things that are simply magnificent about the lil twin-island state, like having fantastic cuisine from the street vendors, right up to the top restaurants, definitely like the Carnival celebrations, or those bushy valleys and green mountains, or like all of Tobago.

And of, course, I've got to mention the burgeoning fashion scene and it's ace designers like the lauded Claudia Pegus, above.

Pegus was awarded the Chaconia Silver Medal at the annual Independence Day National Awards on Tuesday night, and I must say, she totally deserves the recognition.

So here's to you, Claudia - Congratulations!

NB Image courtesy Claudia Pegus

So, these are not the kind of purses you'd want to grab for a run to the market, unless you're living in some Fellini fantasy world of your own making. But for those real-life moments that require a touch of star-power, an Aranaz bag should more than do the trick nicely.

Started nearly 20 years ago by Becky Aranaz and made for the most part in Manila, the pieces incorporate indigenous materials (Mother-of-Pearl, shells etc) and local crafting techniques in the construction, resulting in designs that are worthy of rack space in any fancy-pants 5th Ave boutique.

And designed by the self-professed fashionista, graduate of Milan's Istituto Marangoni and daughter of the founder, Amina Aranaz, the bags are sumptuous little things that reminds me a bit of the gem-riddled, beyond-gorgeous pieces designed by fellow Filipina designers, Bea Valdes. and Celestina Maristela-Ocampo with her eponymous collection

Which also seems to be an issue: We're certainly not confirming or verifying anything, but a quick round of net research and digging around revealed an eyebrow-raising, slanderous article accusing Aranaz of frequently creating handbags and purses that were too reminiscent of popular designs already on the market.

Very unfortunate, I know...

Whether this is true or false is yet to be seen, but at any rate, there's no denying that Aranaz's pieces are divine. And if you're still on the fence about the brand, a quick browse of Rosanna Aranaz's style blog, Little Miss Dress Up, should suffice in the meantime.

The designer's stylish younger sis has a knack for layering the coolest feminine pieces, blogging daily with friend and Edinburg-based style pal Hanna Choa Yu on shopping finds and fashionable happenings in The Philippines and Scotland

They often give sneak-peeks into the behind-the-scenes action at Aranaz Bags, so maybe you'll get the real deal on the brand there. Or at least see  some more sweet handbag designs!

NB Images courtesy Little Miss Dress Up and Aranaz Bags

This twelve-year old label deserves all the accolades it's been receiving of late, especially since that stellar S/S2010 showing at New York Fashion Week!

Launched by Nigerian designer Folake Folarin-Coker after years of travel and living in Europe, Tiffany Amber Nigeria melds a bold, ethnic flair with a well-crafted, worldly sensibility that's evident in those floaty dresses and punchy prints.

Clearly a designer with a light touch, Folarin-Coker's pieces are just the thing for making one of those brazen, hair-flying-in-the-wind, look-at-me entrances into a shindig. Or more realistically, for just chilling out during these last days of summer with a drink in hand.

The collections may not be available for purchase online (always a bummer) but if you're ever in Lagos, do pop around to the Tiffany Amber boutiques and cop one of those dramatic-chic caftans; trust me when I say you'll be wearing it for years to come...

NB image courtesy Tiffany Amber Nigeria

A good friend of mine casually posed this question to me recently, and I've been thinking about it ever since: Where are the handbag and shoe designers of the West Indies? I've been turning the question around and around in my mind, and still, I can't seem to come up with an answer...

I mean, there's K. Jacques, the sandal maker based on gorgeous St. Barths. There's the chic Bridget Sandals line from Jamaica. There's even the earthy-cool, Trinidad-based Drag Bros. collective who used to design basic, hand-tooled leather sandals and slippers. And there are a handful of other brands scattered here and there.

But what about women's high heels, rain boots (which would actually be a practical solution for protecting your feet during the dreaded Caribbean rainy/hurricane season) wedges, et al? Where are those brands of the Louboutin, Skovgaard, and Kirkwood variety?

And what about the Botkier, Louis Vuitton and Coach-esque handbag makers of the Caribbean? Another friend (God bless her) semi-teasingly/proddingly suggested that I could probably be considered a Caribbean Handbag/Shoe designer, amongst other things.

Well, that was her suggestion before I gently reminded her that I've only designed a select few pieces on a made-to-order basis, and that probably doesn't count. Although I am doing a few new designs for general showing through The Studio and on Au Courant: Distilled...

Anywhoo, maybe it's just that I'm not familiar with such designers from the diaspora. In which case, please do elucidate me and send their contacts our way, asap!

Or maybe - and I'm beginning to suspect that I'm unfortunately right in this regard - there are no such designers.

Even if I broaden my range and ask, "Where are the Pan-African handbag and shoe designers," I'm still left scratching my head...

So let's hear it: What say you on this?

NB. images Courtesy Net-a-Porter: Click individual shoes for Brand Info