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FROM A LAND OF SILVER

Creativity in design, art and fashion is back on the agenda in Buenos Aires. Six years after the financial crisis of 2001, when the peso crashed overnight and there was rioting on the streets, Argentina's capital has bounced back in style and the city is experiencing a cultural renaissance. It is now throbbing with a new generation of self-confessed patriots, keen to export their ideas and talent. Amidst the many bars, boutique shops and restaurants that have sprung up in recent years, the city could easily be mistaken for a magnificent throbbing European metropolis.

That's a whole lot of throbbing going on there. But at least the bad days are over now that the boutiques and bars are back. Even if they are run by self-confessed patriots. (This is, incidentally, almost as close to an acknowledgement of politics or economics as you'll find in the whole of the magazine.)

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[About diamonds, and how they're used to fund armies]

For the new breed of ideological consumer that is emerging, shopping for diamonds can be done with a cleaner conscience than ever before. But as the campaigners say, 'One conflict diamond is one too many', and with Hollywood on the case, it may be some time yet before diamonds can fully resume their reputation as the ultimate feelgood purchase.

Darling, it's all about you - and what a shame about those poor little black people shooting each other for your sparklies?

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NEW LUXURY

Our relationship with luxury is changing. After a long love affair with the superficial, we are starting to feel uneasy, dissatisfied even, and exploited. We can't quite put our finger on it, but something's wrong. The luxury goods we once craved aren't offering the high they used to; they've lost their power, their tempting sparkle, and seem somehow shallow.

Well, quite. Especially when you stop to think about those black people and their silly diamond wars.

But this is not, in fact, about questioning luxury and consumption. Oh no. It's all about becoming better at it - more concerned, more thoughtful, even more artistic. For example:

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PERSONALISATION

Commissioning personalised items demonstrates a confidence and awareness. Ordering 'off menu' changes a person's relationship with a brand and provides the opportunity for a unique collaboration between 'patron' and 'artist', where both are inspired to learn more about each other and make a greater investment in their relationship.

So - who's in the mood for a one night stand, or perhaps a lifetime of wedded bliss, with Sony or Coca Cola? Anyone?

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RESPONSIBILITY

Once the preserve of treehugging environmentalistas [sic] demand is rapidly growing for those elusive products which marry virtue with desirability.

The creative challenge for this generation of designers and thinkers is to to combine style and sustainability in a way that will inspire us to vote with our red [credit] cards.

Good news! Your plastic can save the world!

To be fair, in amongst this oozing putrescent viral outbreak of narcissistic vapidity, there are occasional signs of intelligent life. Next month's article on fair trade in the Sudan makes some sensible points - although the subtext of 'Aid is bad, so perhaps we should stop sending it' has libertarian and right wing resonances that may raise a few hackles among those silly bleeding heart liberals.

And a feature about 'We psychology' - actually the psychology of ego maniacs - is well worth reading. (Although how well it goes down with the beautiful diamond people throbbing away in Buenos Aires is something we'll probably never discover.)

Still - you have to wonder about the detachment and lack of self-awareness of all of the self-styled 'entrpreneurs and global travellers' involved in writing and editing this brightly coloured pile of paper.

Being ethical is a valid lifestyle choice. By implication, not being ethical is also a valid lifestyle choice. It's not that one is better than the other. It's about how being able to choose makes you so very, very special.

I expect Sublime will do very well.