Louis Vuitton goes global

If you thought Louis Vuitton was just about those iconic brown-on-brown Speedy handbags, think again.

The French brand has got more luxury goods — from bags and shoes to luggage and womenswear — than you can shake a gold-plated fountain pen at, and they're packing them into a brand new, nearly 700-square-metre "global store" at Dubai Mall.

Some of Louis Vuitton's most famous and stylish fans hit the store on Sunday night for a glittering opening and the first peek at the Peter Marino-designed store, which is the first in the region to carry all of the label's product lines.

Bollywood hottie Lara Dutta, who's banking on a big-screen hit with her underwater movie Blue, was the centre of attention at the opening, wearing a pair of super-tight trousers designed by Marc Jacobs, the compulsively-creative director of Louis Vuitton's fashion lines.

Dubai's most stylish residents buzzed around the former Miss Universe, who told tabloid! she'll be heading to Abu Dhabi on Tuesday for the Middle East International Film Festival to hit the red carpet there with her Blue co-star Akshay Kumar.

Celebrated Lebanese director Nadine Labaki — who scored big with her film Caramel, about life in a Beirut beauty salon — revealed she's working on a new film, "But I can't tell you anything about it — it's a surprise."

Another surprise? The adorable pink ruffle poking out the back of what at first glance appeared to be a simple black suit by Louis Vuitton.

Labaki was joined by Yasmine Hamdan, a musician who works traditional Arabic styles into electronic beats.

The newcomer showed her red carpet style in the evening's must-have look, a pair of multicoloured print leggings.

Her look? "Well it was improvised. We started with a pink dress then we ended with this and I love it. It's fabulous," she said.

Lara Dutta's feeling Blue:

What do you think Blue will do for your movie career?

First and foremost I hope it makes some money at the box office. It's a big movie for me.

You've admitted to a fear of water in the past. How did you cope with the underwater scenes?

It's superb, coming a really long way for me. I came onto this project without even knowing how to do a stroke. I had to learn to swim and certify as a diver.

Apart from all that swimming, how do you stay in shape?

I work quite hard on it! Nothing comes easy. I don't really diet but I do a combination of cardio and weight training and yoga.

The must-have item inside your LV handbag?

My Louis Vuitton car key holder so I can get home!

Nadine Labaki

The must have item in your LV handbag?

Because it's very tiny, the must-have item is my phone. I need to be in touch with Beirut because my son is there.

Dubai specials:

Dubai loves Louis Vuitton, and they thought they'd return the favour. For the launch of the flagship store, designer Marc Jacobs has created six unique items that are available in a limited number from the Dubai store only.

tabloid! loves the gold Summit Drive handbag and the nine-centimetre heels in red suede.

Yasmine Hamdan picks her favourites:

The must have item in your LV handbag?

Eyeliner! I do my own make-up.

What's your current musical inspiration?

It's very funny because I'm listening to a lot of Gulf songs — I used to live in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait. I'm Googling and finding a lot of old songs that I used to listen to when I was a kid and a lot of Iraqi and Kuwaiti singers.