Highlighting the UAE's insatiable appetite for customisation, the rather fabulously named leather brand Victims of the Desert has already sold out its first collection. In case you missed it, Victims of the Desert, which only launched in September, is a UAE label specialising in beautifully pared back leather goods that can have names or initials added to them. Seemingly taking a leaf out of car moghul Henry Ford’s book, VOTD offers its goods in any colour, as long as it is black. Offered in sleek saffiano leather, which is known for its suppleness and quality, the range includes tote bags, wallets, phone cases and key rings. All can be personalised. The brand was founded by Australian Chantelle Rutter, who set up the label when she realised that, in spite of the large number of bag brands on offer here, no one was offering well designed goods at an affordable price. “As Australians hailing from Melbourne, we set up camp in the UAE desert last year. We soon realised there was a niche in the market for homegrown Melbourne brands who have organically created trends in the southern hemisphere. We drew inspiration from the street style of Melbourne and adapted it to the UAE lifestyle," says Rutter. With the first tranche already sold out, orders are now being taken for deliver by November 15. Thankfully. _________________________ <strong>Read more:</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/fashion/halima-aden-deconstructing-the-somali-american-model-1.784316">Halima Aden: deconstructing the Somali-American model</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/fashion/joan-jett-and-vivienne-westwood-the-new-films-about-the-original-ladies-of-punk-1.784357">Joan Jett and Vivienne Westwood: the new films about the original ladies of punk</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/wellbeing/face-value-why-i-gave-up-on-cleansing-balms-1.782994">Face value: Why I gave up on cleansing balms</a></strong> __________________________
