So we're midway through Dubai Fashion Week - and despite being insanely tired from all the late nights that go with it, I have to say that my rapidly darkening under eye-shadows have been totally worth it.

This season, DFW has showcased some of the best collections I have seen in a long time here, and while we are a long way from competing with the big four (that's New York, London, Paris and Milan, sweeties) we're taking baby steps in the right direction. Which makes me tres proud. Fave shows of the week so far? Brazilian design house Barbara Bela (I wanted everything)  Babita M (OMG, jumpsuits to die for) , Aartivijay Gupta (super pretty frocks at every turn) and Hateem Alakeel (wicked structured tailoring) Fab, fab, fab.

Names to look out for? The stars of the emerging talent show were, without question, the girls from Vibgyor, whose edgy collection will hopefully be selling somewhere like S*uce next week - let's just say their gorgeous clothes made me weak with fashion lust. But with two more jam packed days to go, I predict there's plenty more great stuff to come, so I'll be back on the front row this afternoon, scribbling notes for all I'm worth.

And as far as the black circles under my eyes go? Well, let's just say that I can understand why Anna Wintour wears her sunnies on the front row. Pass the Touche Eclat...