NOTABLE & QUOTABLE: ANNA WINTOUR

"Value" is in and "too Dubai" is out. Zing.

I don't think anyone is going to want to look overly flashy, overly glitzy, too Dubai, whatever you want to call it. I just don't think that's the moment. But I do feel an emphasis on quality and longevity and things that really last.
- Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of American Vogue

I fully intended to post pics of Dubai's fashionable residents, but have yet to do so . . . not just because it is infinitely harder to take snapshots of random folk here (it's super taboo), but because, aside from the select few, I haven't been particurlarly moved by Dubai street styles. The focus is less on creativity and interpretation of current trends, and more on bling. I could not stop staring the first time I saw a woman, clad in an all-black abaya, with the biggest, goldest, shiniest, most blinged out man-sized rolex I have ever laid eyes on. The combination of the watch, with the huge Gucci bag, lots of makeup (and henna), sky high stilletos, diamonds all over and sunglasses to rival any in Posh Spice's collection is quite typical . . . and understandably so. Many of the Emirati women have to cover up, from head to toe (and sometimes even eyes), in long flowing black abayas, and so they can only make a real fashion statement with their accessories. I'm not mad at them at all. . . but the excess carries over to other women who are not required to be covered. And so, and please know that I'm generalizing here, you'll find skimpily clad women with a big watches, big hair, big bags, big sunglasses, big jewelry and tons of makeup. Many look quite nice, but not particurlarly fashionable.

I'm not untainted. I have certainly opted for the big statement bag in place of the inconspicuous clutch--even when the clutch works better with my outfit. I'm just sayin', I don't want to feel out of place.

Check out the rest of Anna's interview with the Wall Street Journal.