I was watching the news this morning and I am genuinely caught up in the populist revolution taking place in Tunisia right now — and the overflow into Algeria, Egypt and Yemen. And then, being me, I start to think things like "I wonder what Azzedine Alaïa must think about this."

Alaïa, one of this generation's most popular and talented designers, is of course Tunisian by birth, an African designer who has found favour both with the bureaucracy of the Parisian couturiers and the American showbiz A-listers. This is an accomplishment for anyone, but especially for a farmer's son from a small north African nation.

And while a part of me will always be gripped by socio-political issues, what brings it home is the people. And the people who love our people. Like blog favourites Michelle Obama and Victoria Beckham — and most recently Gwyneth Paltrow wore pale pink Alaïa to an event last week.