Nothing is simple about a pair of Christian Louboutins, even the inspirations behind them:
Rantus Orlato Flat Pony Version Testa
“I call it Rantus, which is a nickname of a friend of mine, and so it’s all different types of animal print, so the idea is mixing all the different types of wild animals, leopard, zebra … all the animal mix in Africa. It’s very good with a cappuccino, I think.”
Diablo Flat Veau Velours Cendre 2
This shoe is based on the drawings from a 1930s-1940s series of large ceramic vases Louboutin came across in the South of France. “I have a passion for Wedgwood, for instance, so it’s a bit of a Wedgwood thing.”
Toerless Flat Calf Havane
This boot is based on the 1906 novel Les Désarrois de l'élève Törless (The Confusions of Young Torless), by the Austrian Robert Musil. "It's a beautiful, beautiful book about the problem of being a student who is sensitive and who is bullied, basically. I called it Toerless because it reminded me of a strict education ... when you are in a very strict college and things need to be very well-designed and proportioned."
amcqueen@thenational.ae
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
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Kathryn Hawkes of House of Hawkes on being a good guest (because we’ve all had bad ones)
- Arrive with a thank you gift, or make sure you have one for your host by the time you leave.
- Offer to buy groceries, cook them a meal or take your hosts out for dinner.
- Help out around the house.
- Entertain yourself so that your hosts don’t feel that they constantly need to.
- Leave no trace of your stay – if you’ve borrowed a book, return it to where you found it.
- Offer to strip the bed before you go.
