Lost in Barcelona.

Somewhere between the textile merchant’s place on Roger de Llúria and my hotel, Plaça de Catalunya, I make a wrong turn. Twice.

“Turn right at the corner this time.”

I look up to find my personal Baedecker on a second floor balcony. Rather resplendent, I think, in a brightly embroidered jacket. 

How could she know where I was going? It doesn’t occur to me to ask the question until I’m nearly at my hotel.

I do manage to inquire about the provenance of her jacket (Chennai by way of a vintage clothing shop on Portobello Road).

Our reproduction of it is gloriously spot-on.

Suzani Embroidered Jacket (No. 7039). Dramatic, collarless jacket artfully rendered here in 100% cotton with satin stitch embroidery. Suzani is a large, embroidered textile panel whose name derives from the Persian word for needle: suzan. Falls below the waist. Lined in 100% cotton voile. Attractive V-neckline. Covered buttons. Piped finishing. Sleeves are wrist length. Imported.