HOLIDAY
2.0
ABOUT BESPOKE CUSTOM GIFTS BespokeCustomGifts.com is a distinctive new e-commerce site that offers a fresh, modern take on personalized gifts, curated from up-and-coming artisans and the cream of vendors. The site was founded by Jill Kirchner Simpson, an interior design writer for such style-setting magazines as In Style and House Beautiful; iconic companies such as Ralph Lauren, Eileen Fisher and Martha Stewart; and co-author of ten books for talented designers such as Alexa Hampton and Mary Emmerling. She turned her editorial eye to e-commerce when she couldn’t find a one-stop online destination for custom-made, meaningful, one-of-a-kind gifts. Here are our hot-off-the-presses, newest suggestions for holiday gifts for everyone on your list. Please visit www.bespokecustomgifts.com to see many other great gift ideas for every occasion. Contact: Staci Dolgin-Rubinstein, SDR Communications, 847-549-0712; staci@sdr-communications.com.
COVER IMAGE: ESCAPE & EVASION MAP SILK SCARVES, $180-$260.
Escape & Evasion Map Silk Scarves: These are authentic (not reproduction, unused) silk maps from the British War Office and Ministry of Defense from the 1940s (WWII) and early 50s (still made during the time of the Cold War). These were part of survival kids for RAF pilots to help them evade capture should they be shot down over enemy territory. They were concealed by being sewn inside the liner of a jacket or folded into the heel of a boot. A limited quantity is available only because a cache was discovered in an English warehouse last year and brought to auction. Silk map of Italy that has been cut in two and hemmed to form a long, thin scarf (the map matches up perfectly around the neck, $180; full-size Italian silk maps that still work well as a scarf, $240; and full-size Aegean silk maps of Turkey and Greece for $260.
Megan Fales’ beautiful handcrafted silver jewelry is an elegant, sophisticated approach to silhouettes. The polished sterling silver silhouettes are cast against a dark, matte oxidized silver oval. Readymade silhouette pendants (infant, girl and boy) are $130, including a silver chain; or you can have a completely custom silhouette pendant made from a photo of your child (or pet!) for $450.
These sterling silver map necklaces of NYC, LA, Paris and London are also handmade by Megan Fales. The Paris and London maps are in two pieces to represent the rivers that bisect them, and the NY one has a separate Central Park "puzzle piece." The level of hand detail, called out in oxidized silver on these, is very beautiful (Paris shows the Arondissement numbers; LA shows the freeways). $130-$160
Closed, it looks like a thick white cardboard book, but fully opened 360 degrees and placed over a light, the intricate laser-cut artwork reveals a leafy jungle populated by various animals on different "pages." The Deep Jungle Lamp, designed by Japanese architect Yusuke Oono, and new from Artecnica, slips over an (included) light bulb socket for a magical light fixture for a child's room or for anyone with a sense of whimsy (it can also work as a table lamp). $125 with socket fixture included.
Also by Yusuke Oono for Artecnica: The “In a Cheese” book opens up to reveal mice exploring their yellow Swiss cheese world, and “Sweet Home” reveals an idyllic pink home and garden with children and pets. These can be hung, fully open, as mobiles. $30
Sophisticated personalized pet bowls: These heavy, well-made ceramic bowls come in great colors and a clean, modern typeface, $26-30. The bright, striped leashes and collars can also be monogrammed with your pet's name, $24-$34.
Airport Code Luggage Tags. These sturdy plastic luggage tags (with leather straps) are styled like the airport code baggage tags--choose one from your city, or where you like to travel to most. The image shows only Canadian cities (the company is Toronto-based) but we will be carrying BOSton, LAX, IAD (Dulles/DC), LGA (NYC), CDG (Paris), LHR (London), ATL, DFW, and ORD (Chicago). The reverse side has lines for you to fill out your name, address and phone in Sharpie. $8 each.
On this fun 2014 Mousepad Calendar from indie designer Ecka & Pecka, each calendar page celebrates a classic game, $16.
New Year's Eve Party Resolution letterpress coasters, and Baby shower coasters to fill in with tips for the mom-to-be, $12/set of 8 from Lucky Bee Press.
Area Code glasses from SoLA—available for LA, NYC, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, DC, Hamptons, Seattle, Portland, Houston, SF, Brooklyn. Double Old-Fashioned size tumblers, $44 for set of 4.
Gastronomy Map glass cutting boards, new from Joseph Joseph, feature a colorful map of the US made up of typography of what foods each state is famous for. Smaller ones of England and France are done similarly, $25-$28.
Julie Nolan astrology lockets are pierced with holes that represent the stars for the constellation of each zodiac sign. Place a photo, note or other memento inside the necklace if desired. Gold-dipped brass lockets with 30� chain, $60.