ChI Shops at….
Recommended boutiques, shops,

•  Maharajah in Super Market next to Radio City in Super Market, just after United Bakery, for shawls, rugs, Kashmiri embroidered silk coats www.alibaba.com  www.maharahahandicrafts.net

•  Illusions, for DVDS (outlets in the back of Super Market, and front side of Jinnah Super Market)

•  Tribal Arts antique furniture shop, at the back of the Blue Area, near the PIA office, in the basement section of the square, for Swati www.travel-culture.com carved wooden furniture paired with wrought iron structures in interesting combinations. Basement Dossal Arcade, 47-W Blue Area, Islamabad. Tel 051 822 965

•  Avant Garde, in King’s Arcade behind the petrol pump in Jinnah Supermarket - (yes this really IS how Isloo Insiders give street addresses!) which has interesting modern design sculptural string and metal highbacked chairs, standard lamps, glass and metal tables etc. tel. 051 265 1496; (Peshawar) 091 570 1924 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

•  Iqbal Jewellers in Super Market, especially for good stones. Ask for Mr. Mohammad Arif. Tel 227 9876

•  Khaadi, just off Aga Khan Road on the way to Kohsar, for women’s dress-pieces, kurta’s, a small supply of tasteful modern silver jewellery www.khaadi.biz

•  British Suiting in the Blue Area, for made to measure men’s suits, beautiful linen for shirts. Just before the junction of Jinnah Ave and 7th Avenue..

•  The adjacent Royal Silk in the Blue Area for imported and other silks. Thailand and India are better though (sorry!) if you get the chance…

Last Minute Gifts for Special Occasions

•  The gift shop at Nomad Gallery, for Taneez silver household items (bowls, silver and agate address books, napkin rings, place card holders), handmade paper to wrap them in (and the paintings in the Gallery, of course!)

•  Maharajah for full-length embroidered Kashmiri silk or woollen coats – supremely elegant

•  “Asmat’s Cupboard” – a true Insider source of supply of beautiful silver objects (book marks, dishes, baby rattles etc) specially brought in from Karachi, designed and made by Arman, and sold only to those who know….email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  tel +92300 856 7037

•  “Aura” lamps by Ilona, handmade paper, collage and painted silk shades, rustic contemporary wooden garden furniture

•  The street stall in Kohsar Market in F6/3, outside London Books, for huge handmade painted clay bowls

•  Khaadi’s silver jewellery cupboard for contemporary designer pieces

•  Ladies, to solve ever-present clothes crises, check out Komi’s designer label, now stocking at Samyna Lakhani’s outlet Melange in F6/1.