“Recently, however, it has become clear that Paris fashion is less the creative hub of the industry than an isolated universe whose weakness can be sensed even by children. Sometime in the last decade, the industry discovered that fashion was a terrific means to an end — so long as the end was anything but a useful new fashion. It could attract investors, sweeten a hotel deal in Dubai and serve as a communications tool.” Cathy Horyn in one of her surly NY Times reviews of the men’s shows.

There are a zillion hotels opening in Dubai, lots of which are being designed by the likes of Armani and Lacroix. But now, it looks like Karl’s taking the grand designs of the UAE’s fun hub to another level.

Dubai Infinity Holdings just announced that Karl will design 80 residential homes for them, including a limited-edition design (we’re picturing leather glove wallpaper, but we’ll see.)

But here’s the best part: The homes will sit atop Isla Moda, one of the many man-made islands that make up The World, a cluster of islands in the Arabian Gulf meant to be a play land away from the play land from which anyone with about $15 - $50 million can purchase an island (we hear Jay-Z has one.)

The particular island of Isla Moda will be the first island in history to be dedicated to fashion - picture fashion-themed residential villas (what Karl plus a few other as-of-yet unnamed designers are working on), more boutiques than Madison Avenue, style concierges, design consultation services, a perfumery, and we can’t even image what else.

Who else thinks Roberto Cavalli’s next to get in on this?

Abyaar Real Estate Development Co. just announced a partnership with Christian Lacroix.

The designer’s set to build a 38-unit residential tower in the Jumeirah district of Dubai.

With Lacroix’s lace, brocade, glitter and bold prints, he might actually be the perfect designer to take Dubai to the next level in its quest to be the Las Vegas of the Middle East. Though we’re surprised at the Armani-like branding from one of the world’s most respected couturiers.

Personally, we’d rather live in a Christian Lacroix couture gown than in one of the condos he’s designing, but we guess the girl who can afford one can afford the other and just live in a Lacroix-centric world.