We know we are serious about what we write, but this is our annual non-serious post. Which doesn’t mean that we haven’t put serious effort into searching for the best stuff you can gift. Enjoy!
Undercover: The Shepherd, Chaos/Balance, Grace
Undercover books are a brilliant part of Jun Takahashi’s creative world. And we have been able to finagle a few copies of these collectible tomes, which you won’t easily find anywhere else. ($100)
Naomi Goodsir Bois d’Ascese Perfume
Another Australian on our radar, Naomi Goodsir has quietly created a universe of her own with art projects, leather goods, and fragrances. It’s all just a bit otherworldly, which we obviously love. You can’t go wrong with any of the perfumes, but we favor the very smoky Bois d’Ascese. If it’s not your speed, we also love the Cuir Veloirs, which is less intense and more round. ($185)
Norlan Heavy Crystal Whisky Tumbler
When the designer Sruli Recht puts his singular mind to anything, we pay attention. This is the third iteration of the Norlan whisky glass, this time rendered in heavy crystal. Trust us that it’s no marketing bullshit when we say that Recht has spent a good amount of time rethinking the double-walled glass to optimize your whisky drinking experience, taking into account our senses of smell, taste, and temperature. ($50)
Vincent Van Duysen: Works 1989 – 2009 / Works 2009 – 2018
This year Thames & Hudson is releasing the second book, Works 2009 – 2018, from one of our favorite architects, Vincent Van Duysen. This Belgian master has been on our radar for a while, and we are giddy with excitement for this one. On the occasion of the new book, the publisher is re-releasing the first one, Works 1989 – 2009. Needless to say, you should get both. They don’t come out until December 11, but you can still get them in time for the holidays. ($75)
Zana Bayne Choker and Cuff Set
You don’t need to be lame and wait for Valentine’s Day for this one. Besides, it’s way more subversive to get a little S&M for your loved one for a nominally religious holiday. ($275)
Lumira Tonic of Gin Candle
We usually go for heavier, earthy scents, but this time we decided to switch it up a bit. We found the floral lightness (Murraya, Chamomile and Juniper) of this candle by the Australian brand Lumira quite refreshing. We promise it won’t ruin your goth holiday spirit. ($65)
Nicholas Alan Cope: Whitewash
We have both written about and shot with the photographer Nicholas Alan Cope. He’s come a long way since we profiled him and Dustin Arnold, his sometime photo partner, in our print volume 5 (it’s their image that graces our most iconic cover) having shot catalogs for the Met museum’s fashion exhibits, vintage Ferrari’s for GQ, and sex toys for Document Journal. But one could argue that he broke through with Whitewash, his quietly brilliant book on Los Angeles architecture. Rick Owens wrote the foreword. The sold-out volume is back in print this year, so get it before it’s gone again. ($60)
Aesop x Iris van Herpen Gift Kits
This holiday season Aesop teamed up with the Dutch designer Iris van Herpen to collaborate on a series of gift kits. Van Herpen designed the packaging in her signature fractal aesthetic. The kits also happen to be a good value compared to buying their contents separately ($55-$115)
Grado Headphones
If you are a StyleZeitgeist reader, you are probably into music. And you are probably a person who has everything. Everything except a nice pair of headphones. Admit it – you are listening to music on crappy headphones that came with your phone right now. Shame on you. Now, anything Hi-Fi is notoriously difficult to recommend, because a listening experience is subjective. We wanted to go with an honest headphone maker, and you can hardly go wrong with Grado, a Brooklyn-based family-run company that’s been making headphones since 1953. We like the reference series RS2e model ($495), but if you are hellbent on comfort, they’ve just introduced a wireless model ($250).
Apparatus Candle Blocks
We’ve been following Apparatus for years, and this New York interior duo gets better with each year. Their blackened brass candle blocks tickle our brutalist fancy, and there is something oddly ritualistic about the ability to play with them. ($760)
Kerosene Broken Theories Perfume
The House of Kerosene has been on our radar for at least several years now. John Pegg, its creator, lives in Detroit’s suburbs and before making perfume he painted and fixed motorcycles. He loved the intoxicating smell that went with his work. He took this rough aesthetic and applied it to fragrances – you can especially trace it in the metal-framed bottles and the hand-stamped lettering. And he loves music. One of his fragrances is called Unknown Pleasures – we think all perfumes should be called that. But we prefer the one called Broken Theories, with its notes of Blood Orange, Tobacco, and Sandalwood.
