This is holiday gifting guide is for those who wish to get their dear ones not only the latest or just the brightest, but presents which speak of a discerning taste and a personal touch
As the season of merry making and mirth continues, this holiday gifting guide will keep you in the good books of your near and dear ones, as we suggest some novelties, off the beaten track, catering not to ‘him’ and ‘her’, but to the personalities that we espouse. So, it could be a friend who is a corporate jetsetter but a gadget lover at heart, or a home maker who loves to read, or a traveller friend who wants to keep up with style, we have all fronts covered with the selection of fine giftables.
We will start with the TASCHEN’s SUMO-sized David Hockney monograph, A Bigger Book, which is as spectacular in format as it is in scope and the perfect present for the book lovers and curio collectors. Comprising of a repertoire of the artits’works over 60 years, it includes a range of his works, from drawings, photo-composites, multi-perspective collages, stage designs, multi-camera video works, to iPad drawings, and text based on the artist’s own writings and other reviews. The book is a masterpiece as it unfurls across each colourful page, charting the artist’s astounding growth story from his teenage days at the Bradford School of Art, through his breakthrough in 1960s Swinging London, life by Los Angeles pools in the 1970s, up to his recent extensive series of portraits, iPad drawings, and Yorkshire landscapes. The limited collector’s edition comprises 9,000 signed copies, each with a Marc Newson bookstand, while the four Art Editions, each limited to 250 signed copies, are accompanied by an iPad drawing and a Marc Newson bookstand. Price – US$ 2,500, available from taschen.com
For those who love to play, and not just in the boardroom, here’s a gift which is sure to win their mind and then the heart. Inspired by the American visual artist, Man Ray’s, abiding friendship with avid chess player and fellow artist, Marcel Duchamp, is this specially designed chess set, a re-edition of the 1920s Wooden Chess Set, which is a singular piece of beauty and design, with abstract geometric chess pieces designed by Man Ray himself and the matching board later created by a specialty game manufacturer. The pieces are made of beechwood and carefully finished by hand, while the board, also in beech, is carefully crafted and finished to match the pieces. Price – $590, available from dwr.com
And for the adventurer at heart is the Ticino 8D in Racing Green is packed with bike brand Electra’s superb design details, like the vintage, hammered-finish alloy fenders, classically-styled alloy crankset, touring pedals and a brilliant chrome-plated stem. With unique reverse-hinged bar-end levers operating retro-style brakes, it has cantilevers on the men’s and center-pulls on the ladies’ bike. A bike lovers’ dream, this looks every bit fashionable on the road and in your backyard. Price – $930, available from electrabike.com
As wearable tech becomes all the rage, we have the Michael Kors Access smartwatches making Android Wear totally glam. While Bradshaw is the more feminine model which comes with eight different bezel designs and straps to choose from, there’s also the additional options of switching between thousands of watch faces, access applications and more. A truly good looking accessory for the wrist, this wearable watch is a multitasking beauty. Price – $395, available from michaelkors.com
