Eye Candy Christmas Gift Guide
It’s that time of year again when the nights draw in but the wallets come out and the brainstorming for gifts reaches fever pitch. About this time of year high street products all start to look alike, this year we have made a point of putting together a gift guide for the holiday season that centres around, well, timeless objects. Products that can either be enjoyed for their decadence or enjoyed for the sheer functionality. These gifts aren’t just for Christmas they’re for all year around. From fragrances to travel accessories to well-designed audiophile products, this curation is all about enhancing your lifestyle, not blending you in with the background. Enjoy our list of clean, stylish and thought out gifts. After all, the best gift of all is giving…
Perfume Range | Floraïku (£250)
When is the last time perfume was actually an experience, if ever? High street scents have drowned out the ability for something unique and independent to shine. But one French bespoke perfume has piqued our interest, created by the founders of French fragrance brand Memo Paris, John and Clara Molloy. Luxury perfume line Floraïku offers an innovative olfactory concept directly inspired by Japanese ceremonies and poetry. Currently, the brand is exclusively available at British high-end department store Harrods. We love the unique touch of haikus on the back of each bottle. It’s a truly poetic expression of fragrance.
Fashion Eye City Series | Louis Vuitton (£42 each)
One of the best ways to see the world is through the eyes of legendary icons. Starting in 2016, Louis Vuitton has put together a wonderful collection of coffee table books that detail the wanderlust of specific cities such as New York, Berlin and Morocco via image icons from Sal Leiter, Helmut Newton to Peter Lindbergh. If you ever wanted eye candy but couldn’t fork out to wander over the pond, this is a must. Modestly priced, this series is a must have a collection. Our personal favourite is Miami through the lens of iconic French photographer Guy Bourdin.
ME03 Earphones | Master & Dynamic (£139)
This is still the best audio experience on the market. For people that want style with their listening experience, these little earbuds are worth their weight in gold. Crystal clear sound and comfortable to wear, these are definitely a must if you need something durable and are on the go in the city. These New York-based headphone makers just took it to the next level, teaming up with the Rolling Stones for their new design.
Do you dream about books? Are you an obsessive book reader? Then this book lamp is for you. We searched the web far and wide to find something that suited the design conscious but was also functional. This bedside wonder is made of 5 acrylic pages with white 3500 K dimmable LED lights with a black linen cover. Creator Pascale De Backer said, “Since I was a child, I had always been surrounded and fascinated by books they took me into another world.” Ideal for your apartment or a portable hotel set up.
After Amazon, Google and Apple deluged the market with their own version of AI speakers. Now Sonos gets in on the act with a Play:1 looking speaker upgraded with voice over control. This is the Amazon Echo but with much better sound quality. Sonos One wants to be a multi-platform speaker for the home, much like Play:1 is with its endless offering of music service pairings. Sonos One will add Google Assistant and Apple AirPlay 2 support in 2018. The reviews have been incredible, pick one up now.
Gift Card | IDEA (Price Varies)
There are so many new and exciting art zines and independent fashion and photography publications, so sometimes it’s fun to let someone choose their favourite for themselves. IDEA Books, the legendary publisher and store operating in association with Dover Street Market in London and New York, is the perfect curated mix. Buy their gift card this year and offer a lucky person the chance to delve into their treasure trove of beautiful photography, archive fashion and the latest titles.
Tyson Fleece Anorak | Napa by Martine Rose (£280)
We caught up with Martine Rose earlier this year at her workshop with Nike and Virgil Abloh to celebrate the release of their collab the Ten. This year iconic London menswear designer made a seriously lust-worthy collection with outerwear brand Napapijri, all based around the ‘Skidoo’, their heritage weatherproof anorak combining technical fabrics and comfort. Add in the 90s streetwear influence from Martine Rose and you get the perfect equation for a winter garment. We love this cream fleece version, definitely one for girls and guys.
Curio Sneakers | Primury (£170)
London-based footwear brand Primury has been serving up classic sneaker styles inspired by everything from school gym kit to golfing shoes since 2014. Picked up by Dover Street Market, this is a firm fashion favourite for go-to classic styles. The AW17 collection includes this great Curio, combining the brand’s recognisable rubber sole with an exaggerated 90s-inspired tongue.