You Are Here – London Gold Outline

It seems that the capital of Great Britain had a special place in the hearts of Starbucks designers, because the You Are Here London Gold Outline is yet another prototype created for the city that unfortunately never reached store shelves. This example appears to be exceptionally rare and could very well be a one-of-a-kind surviving piece. Unlike the regular London mug, which uses the familiar bright You Are Here palette with solid blocks of red, blue, green, and gray, this prototype keeps much of the same overall composition but adds thin metallic-gold outlines around many of the shapes.… Read more

Discovery Series – Tainan

The Starbucks Discovery Series Tainan mug takes us to one of Taiwan’s oldest and most historically important cities. Tainan was the island’s political center for more than two centuries, first under Dutch rule and later under Koxinga and the Qing administration. That long history left the city with an exceptional concentration of forts, temples, old neighborhoods, and traditional industries. At the same time, Tainan is just as famous for its food, coastal wetlands, festivals, and local crafts, giving this design plenty of material to work with.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Ecuador

The Starbucks Discovery Series Ornament Ecuador condenses several of the country’s most recognizable landscapes, animals, and landmarks into the smaller ornament format. Ecuador is one of South America’s most geographically diverse countries, stretching from the Pacific coast across the Andes to the Amazon rainforest, while the Galápagos Islands add another completely different environment. That variety has shaped the country’s wildlife, agriculture, food, and culture.

Here are some of the landmarks, animals, and symbols featured in the design:

– The large marine iguana is one of the most distinctive animals of the Galápagos Islands.… Read more

Discovery Series – Salvador

The Starbucks Discovery Series Salvador mug highlights one of Brazil’s most historically important and culturally distinctive cities. Founded in 1549, Salvador became the first capital of colonial Brazil and remained the country’s political center until 1763. Its location on the Bay of All Saints helped turn it into a major Atlantic port, while centuries of African, Indigenous, and Portuguese influence shaped a culture that remains especially visible in the city’s music, religion, food, architecture, and festivals. Today, Salvador’s historic center, coastline, and Afro-Brazilian traditions make it one of the most recognizable cities in the country.… Read more

You Are Here Ornament – Dubai

The You Are Here Ornament Dubai is another never-released prototype, and an especially interesting one because Starbucks never produced You Are Here ornaments for the individual emirates. The released ornaments covered the UAE as a country instead, so a Dubai-specific version would have been something quite different within the series. This prototype was made in China, which also explains the glossy hanging string seen with many of these samples.

Dubai’s modern history is closely tied to the Creek and to trade.… Read more

Discovery Series – Kaohsiung

The Starbucks Discovery Series Kaohsiung mug highlights Taiwan’s largest southern city, a place shaped by its harbor, subtropical climate, strong transportation culture, and close connection with both the coast and the mountains farther inland. Kaohsiung grew from a port and industrial center into a major modern city, while districts such as Cijin, Cishan, Yanchao, and Maolin add beaches, agriculture, wildlife, and distinctive local traditions to the wider municipality.

Here are some of the landmarks, foods, activities, and symbols featured in the design:

– The Cihou Lighthouse is one of Kaohsiung’s best-known coastal landmarks.… Read more

Discovery Series – Chihuahua

The Starbucks Discovery Series Chihuahua mug highlights Mexico’s largest state, a region known for vast deserts, dramatic canyons, Rarámuri culture, ranching traditions, distinctive foods, and the famous railway that crosses the Sierra Madre Occidental. Chihuahua also played an important role in the Mexican Revolution, while communities such as the Rarámuri and Mennonites continue to give the state a particularly diverse cultural identity. From the desert in the east to the forests and deep canyons of the Sierra Tarahumara, the landscape changes dramatically across the state.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Taipei

The Starbucks Discovery Series Ornament Taipei focuses on a handful of symbols connected with the city’s culture, major events, landmarks, and food. Taipei developed rapidly during the 20th century into Taiwan’s political, economic, and cultural center, while still preserving historic neighborhoods, temples, museums, parks, and seasonal traditions. The ornament keeps things fairly simple, using just a few recognizable references rather than trying to cover the city too broadly.

Here are some of the landmarks, events, foods, and symbols featured in the design:

– The Taipei Azalea Festival celebrates Taipei’s official city flower each spring.… Read more

Discovery Series – Porto Alegre

The Starbucks Discovery Series Porto Alegre mug highlights the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, a city shaped by its location on the Guaíba, strong gaúcho traditions, European immigration, football, and a distinctive connection with parks and outdoor life. Porto Alegre was officially founded in 1772 and grew from a small settlement into one of southern Brazil’s major urban centers. Its identity is closely tied to the wider culture of Rio Grande do Sul, especially traditions such as chimarrão, churrasco, regional dress, and music.… Read more

You Are Here Ornament – Moscow

Another interesting find is the You Are Here Ornament – Moscow, an unreleased prototype dedicated to the Russian capital. Even though it was never officially released, a certain number of copies were produced, which gives collectors a rare opportunity to acquire a genuinely unusual Starbucks piece. The city itself was first mentioned in 1147 and gradually grew into the political and cultural center of Russia. Over the centuries, Moscow became known for its Kremlin walls, grand squares, historic churches, and impressive public architecture.… Read more

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