So today was the Princes’ Cup Polo.  Fin’s was one of the many esteemed sponsors of the event, which feels incredibly grown-up.  With our name in lights (see yesterday) and our ad firmly printed in the brochure, we set off to the Habtoor Polo Grounds armed with a mountain of shoes and set up our display – right in the middle of the whole event, ready to distract all comers from the polo.

There must be something in the sand here, as the boys seemed to gravitate as if spellbound towards the Fin’s tables.  Unable to control themselves, they ordered 10 pairs at a time: fraught with indecision, they simply bought them all.  All my UK customers should take note: henceforth I would prefer all orders to be frenzied and hysterical, not placed with your customary English reserve.

As well as picking up a gaggle of giggling new Fin’s fans, there were some loyal feet there, sporting pairs old and new, worn and pristine.  Here’s me with uber-dish Ed Harris sporting his Reggie Leather Loafers in Torquay Tan

And both Masters of Ceremonies of the whole day were sporting Fin’s to match their Polo shirts, Tom in his Portofino Yellow George’s and Ed in his Rio Reds.

What a cracking day out had by all.  Fin’s will definitely be flying the flag at next year’s event.  Thanks so much to everyone for wearing your Fin’s with pride, buying your Fin’s with excitement, and fanning Fin through the heat of the day!

The Fin’s launch in the Middle East has been something of a planetary alignment.  The cosmos started moving when I received the call from litch the coolest shop in the Emirates, Boutique 1, wanting to place an order for Spring Summer 2010.  An introduction to Sophie, the sensational creature who would become my Fin’s Girl on the Ground, and an invitation to co-host the Prince’s Cup Polo sealed the deal that a Middle East Finvasion was meant to be.

And so it is that I am sitting in the wonderment that is my suite in the Residence at the One&Only Royal Mirage keeping a diary of my first official business trip to Dubai.

DAY ONE:

Poolside acclimatisation in the morning complete, it’s off to an afternoon of meetings at Boutique 1.  Having heard that it’s the only place to be stocked, I thought it prudent to check it out, and it didn’t disappoint.  Wowee, what a concept store – a huge, multi-layered bonanza of treats from all the best designers and creators ever.  Fin’s will be in very fine company.

A meeting with Louise, the fabulous head honcho of press etc. there, to discuss the official Fin’s press launch in-store on Sunday.  See above photo of me, a good point well made I hope you’ll agree.  Really excited about that, apparently all the best press from the best publications will be there with bells on.

Then a meeting with the big cheese of the Boutique 1 website, a statuesque German beauty called Julia.  Newly launched this week, it is setting the standard for online shopping, and I’m so excited that Fin’s is going to be a big part of the project, as well, of course, as having our own Fin’s Middle East site.