Curator W
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NAVIGATING GLOBAL LUXURY
DECEMBER 2013-JANUARY 2014
A Adorn
A Accelerate
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For events, adventure, travel and work, four watches that will never go out of style.
From a Honda hybrid to the Rolls-Royce Wraith, four very different cars with value in common.
Six ways to support good causes while buying inspiring gifts for your loved ones.
Three extraordinary cigars paired with unique products designed to complement them.
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Adorn
What: FO U R C L A S S I C WAT C H E S
Timepieces that will never go out of style. ▼
For Dress: ChopardL.U.C XPS Designed and produced entirely by Chopard, the L.U.C XPS is the perfect dress watch: thin, elegant and equipped with a Chopard-manufactured movement. “L.U.C” stands for Louis-Ulysse Chopard, the company’s founder, and XPS is a certified chronometer, the standard in precision.
For Action: Ball Engineer
Price: $16,780 Contact: Anja Vacca, 212.223.2304, chopard.com
Price: $4,499 Contact: Wes Burke, 727.896.4278, ballwatch.com
Hydrocarbon Black The first Ball watch to use black diamond-like-carbon coating, this timepiece has all the attributes of a Ball (tough and shock-resistant; luminous through the use of gas tubes that do not need to be charged by light; COSC-certified precision) in sporty yet classic styling. This is the watch favored by Alex Honnold, the world’s premiere rock climber.
For Travel: Louis Vuitton
eVolution GMT Chronograph This new offering from Louis Vuitton combines the two complications most helpful for travel: a GMT, which displays a second time zone, and a chronograph, which combines a stop watch with a display watch. Using the Tambour case, reinterpreted for men at 45mm, this timepiece comes in steel or pink gold.
For Work: Carl F. Bucherer– Patravi ChronoDate The Patravi ChronoDate has a big date display to keep you on schedule, and the chronograph helps to time daily tasks. You can read the highly legible time at a glance, and because the Patravi ChronoDate is not the watch everyone else is wearing, it adds a touch of individuality.
Price: $11,000 (steel), $43,500 (pink gold) Contact: Mike Jones, 212.758.8877, louisvuitton.com
Price: $6,300 Contact: Emily Stoll, 800.385.4306, carl-f-bucherer.com
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Dress
What: M A X M A R A S U I T, C A R T I E R S C A R F, M OY N AT R É J A N E HANDBAG, LEVIEV NECKLACE
Elegant choices for the sophisticated woman. ▼
Price: $000,000 Contact: Name Lastname Company or Brand Address, 000.000.000, website.com
1 MaxMara Suit MaxMara’s minimalist theme is rendered in monochromatic pairings of bold colors for spring 2014. The line’s strong silhouettes define sleek sophistication for the professional woman. The jacket, skirt and top shown here are 100 percent linen. Price: Jacket, $995; skirt, $535; top, $450 Contact: 212.879.6100, world.maxmara.com
2 L’Odyssée de Cartier
3 Moynat Réjane Handbag
4 Leviev’s Pink and
Silk Scarf Inspired by the nickname Lady Panther given in 1933 to Jeanne Toussaint, Cartier’s director of jewelry, the Panthère Collection exemplifies her creative spirit and whimsical character.
Moynat’s Réjane celebrates the long connection between the French luggage atelier and the theater. Named after a Moynat client, GabrielleCharlotte Réju, the Réjane honors the versatile spirit of the Belle Epoque actress.
Price: $410 Contact: 800.CARTIER, cartier.us
Price: Mini Réjane, about $4,400 (€3,200); Réjane, about $4,820 (€3,500) Contact: 33.1.4703.8390, moynat.com
White Diamond Floral Drop Necklace In Leviev’s delicately beautiful holiday offering, handcrafted in platinum and rose gold, nine diamond flowers hang on a string of diamonds. Another five briolette-cut diamonds alternately accent the flowers for a total 116.57 carats. Price: Upon request Contact: Patrick Toth, 212.763.5300, leviev.com
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Dress
What: B R I O N I S U I T, D E A K I N & FRANCIS CUFFLINKS, D AV I D A U G U S T S H I R T, ST E FA N O R I C C I T I E
Enduring fashion for the well-dressed man. ▼
3 Stefano Ricci Geometric Jacquard Tie Stefano Ricci’s silk ties are known for their distinctive patterns. The designs are hand-sketched from 700 possible color combinations, delivering 60 to 70 looks for each collection. The pieces are then made using an antique loom that produces only two ties per hour. At the end of each collection’s production, the tools used to design the patterns are destroyed to ensure that the looks remain unique. The Geometric Jacquard tie features a Swarovski stone on the keeper as well as three on the back tip. Price: About $340 (€250) Contact: 212.371.3901, stefanoricci.com
1 Brioni Double-Breasted Suit The films of 1950s Italian director Luchino Visconti are the inspiration for Brioni’s spring 2014 collection, which features shorter jackets and slimmer pants to create lean silhouettes. Geometric patterns on a canvas of silver gray update the classic double-breasted look, allowing an easy transition from day to evening. Price: Upon request Contact: 212.376.5777, brioni.com
4 David August Black Label Shirt Collection Southern California-based clothing designer David August is known for creating clothes that cater to every aspect of its clients’ lifestyles. The company’s service includes a wardrobe book, with the pieces numbered and categorized, for clients to use as a reference. New for spring 2014 is the Black Label shirt collection, which combines Old World master-tailoring techniques with contemporary designs. 2 Deakin & Francis Sterling Silver Steering Wheel Cufflinks English silversmith and jeweler Deakin & Francis has been designing cufflinks since 1786. The company’s pieces, handmade in its Birmingham workshop, are playful but exquisitely crafted.
Price: Starts at $245 Contact: David August Heil, info@davidaugustinc.com, 714.545.SUIT (7848) or 800.546.SUIT (7848), davidaugustinc.com
Price: $430 Contact: 44.12.1236.7751, deakinandfrancis.co.uk
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Explore
What: OUTDOOR GEAR
Seasonal items for the adventurous. ▼
1 Zai for Bentley Skis Working with Bentley’s styling team, Swiss ski manufacturer Zai created a run of 100 pairs this year that come in either white or green. Zaiìra, a composite material made mostly of carbon fiber, is used on the skis’ top layer in combination with natural rubber in the core and carbon fabric and chrome steel in the torsion structure— all designed to maximize power and acceleration. The skis come with a bag and lightweight, reinforced poles. Price: $9,800 Contact: zaiforbentley.com
2 Jones Carbon Flagship Snowboard The Carbon Flagship free-ride board from Jones is shaped like a scalpel to help it carve out surgical-precision turns under myriad conditions. The carbon top-sheet and carbon stringers, which offer the core greater elasticity and strength, combine to produce a light and agile product. Price: $849 Contact: jonessnowboards.com
3 Brunello Cucinelli Mountain Boots Made in Italy, these men’s ankleheight boots from Brunello Cucinelli feature side-stitching detailing, a body composed of two types of brown leather—oiled calfskin and oiled suede —and a lug sole with tank treading. Price: $1,120 Contact: boutique.brunellocucinelli .com/us/
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Dwell
What: L I B R AT O N E S P E A K E R , P E N D L E T O N B L A N K E T, L G T V, R A L P H L A U R E N P I L L O W
Ingredients for a cozy evening at home. ▼
1 LG OLED Curved TV LG’s new 55-inch OLED TV offers HD viewing from a streamlined, super-thin design. A mere 0.17 inches thick, with a weight of just under 38 pounds, the TV has a gently curved screen and full HD 1080 pixels that deliver a homesize IMAX-like viewing experience. The TV features LG’s 3D cinema capabilities accessorized with 3D glasses specially created by French eyewear designer Alain Mikli.
Smart TV Included The LG platform provides access to apps and content services such as Netflix and Hulu Plus via Magic Remote and Voice Recognition.
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Price: $9,999 Contact: 201.816.2000, lg.com
2 Libratone Loop Libratone Loop is the newest wireless speaker from Copenhagen-based audio company Libratone. Stylish, compact and versatile, the round speakers can be wall mounted or seated on furniture, and use FullRoom technology to ensure high-quality sound distribution throughout a room. Libratone Loops don’t rely on your home network, instead forming a direct WiFi connection with compatible devices. Interchangeable covers, made of Italian wool, come in a rainbow of colors. Price: $499 Contact: Available at select Apple stores, apple.com and Design Within Reach studios across the U.S., libratone.com Price: $000,000 Contact: Name Lastname Company or Brand Address, 000.000.000, website.com
3 Ralph Lauren Leather Trim
4 Pendleton Woolen Mills Crater
Cashmere Pillows Taking design cues from the equestrian world, Ralph Lauren Home Collection pillows combine the softness of 100 percent cashmere with brown leather-tipped corners and piped borders. The pillows are offered in cream, black, navy and tan.
Lake National Park Blanket This blanket features one of the first designs from 150-year-old Pendleton. Its colors and markings pay homage to a time of frontier trading posts. The blankets are woven of 100 percent virgin wool and available in full and queen sizes.
Price: $595 Contact: 888.475.7674, ralphlaurenhome.com
Price: full, $198; queen, $218 Contact: 800.649.1512, pendleton-usa.com
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Play
What: TIMELESS TOYS FOR C R E AT I V E K I D S
Gifts designed to nurture growing imaginations. ▼
Soft and Tall Measuring over 29 inches high, the hand-stuffed animal is made in Germany and covered in soft woven fur.
1 This Little Piggy Rocker All swine, no whine: This plush little piggy is awfully cute, but it’s also built to take a beating. The porcine body is constructed of soft polyester fleece and polyfill and secured to a birch-and-alder wood frame. Price: $129 Contact: The Land of Nod, customerservice@landofnod.com, 800.933.9904, landofnod.com
2 Mushroom Night Light Egmont Toys, a Belgian company founded in the mid ’90s by Egmont Le Compte, is known for its whimsical toys designed under the direction of in-house artist Gaëtane Lannoy. Believing that computers kill the creative process, she has conceived her pieces using only pencil and paper. This dreamy mushroom nightlight casts a warm, upward glow—the perfect bedside companion. Price: $124 Contact: Oeuf, 800.691.8810, oeufnyc.com
3 Studio Elephant More of a decorative keepsake than a hands-on plaything, Steiff’s standing studio elephant promises to spark a child’s curiosity while growing in sentimental and monetary value as your child grows up. Price: $795 Contact: 888.978.3433, steiffusa.com
Good Lineage This Little Piggy is designed by artist and Wee Wonderfuls founder Hillary Lang.
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Safe and Strong The silver-plated spoon, with soft contours for tender gums, can be engraved, and the colorful bowl is made of break-resistant porcelain.
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4 Galaxie et Confetti Bowl and Spoon Part of a new Christofle line for babies designed by Stefany Bellamy, the pieces are meant to evoke the story of a mouse named Galaxie and its rabbit friend Confetti. Price: $295 Contact: pavillon.newyork@christofle .com, 212.308.9390, christofle.com/us
5 Horseshoe Curve Freight Set Sure to appeal to both kids and parents, this Horseshoe Curve set from Lionel, the king of model trains, packs impressive power generated by an 80-watt transformer. The kit includes a lead Berkshire steam locomotive and tender with headlight and puffing-smoke unit, a four-bay hopper, reefer, double-door boxcar, a porthole caboose with interior lighting, engineer and fireman figures and enough FasTrack rail (20 sections) to create a full figure-eight layout measuring 40 inches by 90.5 inches. Price: $480 Contact: 586.949.4100, lionel.com
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Smoke
What: FINE CIGAR PAIRINGS
Three noteworthy cigars and the products created to complement them. ▼
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One of a Kind Davidoff's first ever pure Nicaraguan cigar was developed by Henke Kelner, the brand's much admired cigarmaker.
1 Arturo Fuente Gran AniverXario Destino al Siglo and Hublot King Power Arturo Fuente The Arturo Fuente Gran AniverXario Destino al Siglo uses a Havanaseed wrapper grown under sunlight at the legendary Chateau de la Fuente tobacco farm in the Dominican Republic; it comes packaged in an ornate box resembling a hardcover book. While you’re savoring this smoke, keep track of the time with a special wristwatch, Hublot’s King Power Arturo Fuente, a limited-edition timepiece that combines Hublot’s proprietary King Gold case with a matte brown dial and leather strap, evoking the appearance of a cigar. The watch contains an automatic chronograph movement and features Fuente’s Opus X logo on a subdial. Suggested Retail Price: $65 (cigar); $44,700 (watch) Contact: fuenteagedselection.com (cigars); hublot.com (watch)
3 Montecristo Monte and Montecristo Rum
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Lingering Notes The Davidoff XO is characterized by a longlasting aromatic richness.
Dominican-made Montecristo cigars are considered fairly mild, but fans of more fullbodied smokes now have an option in the new Montecristo Monte, which achieves its spicier, more robust flavor with the unconventional use of two binder leaves (most cigars use only one)—Dominican Olor and Nicaraguan Corojo. Topping off the complex blend: an aromatic wrapper from Ecuador-grown Havana seeds and aged Dominican filler. Enjoy one of these with a glass of Montecristo Rum, made in Guatemala using blended spirits from 12 to 23 years old. Aged in American oak barrels previously used for bourbon, the rum has flavors of molasses and vanilla. Suggested Retail Price: $8.50 to $9.50 (cigar); $35 (750ml bottle of rum) Contact: altadisusa.com (cigars and rum)
2 Davidoff Nicaragua and Davidoff XO Cognac For the first time since moving its operations, in 1991, from Cuba to the Dominican Republic, Davidoff has released a premium cigar made solely with tobacco from Nicaragua. The Davidoff Nicaragua, packaged in sleek, black tubes, is a departure from the brand’s mellower white-label cigars, combining a 10-year-aged Havana-seed wrapper with a binder and filler blend from all of the Central American country’s major growing regions—Jalapa, Condega, Estelí and Ometepe—for an intensely rich, peppery profile. Pair the new cigar with a snifter of Davidoff XO Cognac, a complex, caramel-colored brandy produced for Davidoff by Thomas Hine & Co. The spirit has a silky mouthfeel and notes of clove, honey and dried fruits. Suggested Retail Price: $10 to $17 (cigar); $220 (700ml bottle of cognac) Contact: davidoff.com (cigars); zinodavidoff.com (cognac)
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Drink
What: FINE WINES AND PREMIUM SPIRITS
A celebratory selection of exceptional beverages. ▼
1 Cloudy Bay 2013 Sauvignon Blanc This fresh white wine is made from grapes grown in New Zealand’s Wairau Valley. Prominent flavors include ripe citrus, stone fruit and mineral notes. The complete harvest time of this wine was relatively quick, lasting just two weeks, so the fruit had a longer hang-time, resulting in more developed flavors. Suggested Retail Price: $28 per 750ml bottle Contact: cloudybay.co.nz
2 The Balvenie Tun 1401:
3 Krug Rosé Champagne
4 Terrazas de los Andes
Batch 9 This batch of single malt was made of whiskies selected from 11 traditional casks and three sherry butts by Balvenie’s malt master, David Stewart. The combined liquids were then left to marry for several months in Tun 1401, a vessel at the distillery. Stewart describes the whisky as tasting “of opulent sherried fruitiness and mature oak tannins balanced with hints of honey and dark chocolate.”
This light-pink Champagne, created from wines of three grape varieties and several vintages, is left to rest in Krug’s cellars for at least five years before it can be enjoyed. Its most prominent flavor notes are honey, citrus and dried fruit. Suggested food pairings include foie gras, lamb, game and spicy dishes.
Single Parcel Gift Pack Terrazas de los Andes is a highelevation winery in Argentina that specializes in several grape varieties: torrontés, chardonnay, malbec and cabernet sauvignon. For the holiday season, the company is offering a wood-boxed gift set of two bottles—a grand cru approach to its celebrated malbec, which was carefully sourced from the Terrazas Mendoza estates’ bestgrowing blocks for this edition.
Suggested Retail Price: $250 per 750ml bottle Contact: us.thebalvenie.com
Suggested Retail Price: $330 per 750ml bottle Contact: krug.com/en/ store-locator
Suggested Retail Price: $200 (includes two 750ml bottles) Contact: 54.261.488.0058, terrazasdelosandes.com
5 Jefferson’s Chef’s
6 Donum Carneros Estate
Collaboration This small-batch Kentucky bourbon-rye blend—a collaboration between Jefferson’s master blender, Trey Zoeller, and awardwinning chef and restaurateur Edward Lee of Top Chef fame—was created to be particularly food-friendly.
2010 Pinot Noir Produced from grapes grown on Donum’s 47 acres of 23-year-old Carneros vines in the Sonoma Valley, this well-balanced pinot noir has an earthy flavor with hints of fresh fruit.
Suggested Retail Price: $50 Contact: 646.356.0222, jeffersonsbourbon.com
Suggested Retail Price: $72 per 750ml bottle Contact: thedonumestate.com
7 Glenmorangie Pride 1981 A 28-year-old single malt, this whisky was released in a limited run of 1,000 bottles— actually Baccarat crystal decanters housed in wooden cases designed by the Dutch artist Wouter Scheublin. Bottled at 113.4 percent cask strength and nonchill-filtered, the whisky tastes of exotic fruits and spices and has a long and complex finish. Suggested Retail Price: $3,600 Contact: glenmorangiepr@ mme.net, 44.186.289.2477, glenmorangie.com
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8 Antica Terra 2011 Aurata Chardonnay Antica Terra’s vineyard covers 11 acres in the Eola-Amity Hills of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where the soil is unusually rocky, forcing the vines to struggle through a mix of sandstone and fossilized oyster shells, and yielding a more concentrated flavor. Named for the golden, metallic glow of a Cetonia aurata beetle, this big wine goes well with hearty food. Suggested Retail Price: $75 per 750ml bottle Contact: info@anticaterra .com, anticaterra.com
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Accelerate
What: CARS OF UNCOMMON VALUE
Four vastly different cars that share one essential attribute—outstanding value. ▼
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Velocity The Wraith blasts from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds.
1 Rolls-Royce Wraith
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Look Up In the ceiling, 1,340 specks of fiber-optic light mimic a starry sky.
Frugal-minded car fans might chuckle, but those who know the pleasure of owning the best will take note: The fastback, coachdoored Wraith, aside from being the most rakish Rolls in many years, is the sportiest and most technically advanced in the company’s storied history. This opulent coupe wafts on 624 horsepower from a 6.6liter, twin-turbo V-12. GPS navigation data helps pre-select gears—it actually knows when a steep hill is on the horizon—and the cabin’s bespoke offerings include opengrained wood. Base Price: $284,900 Contact: customer.relations@ rolls-roycemotorcarsna.com, 877.877.3735, rolls-roycemotorcars.com
2 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray It reads like the stuff of a $100,000 or even $200,000 sports car: an aluminum chassis, carbon composite hood and roof, and road-sensing magnetic suspension. Add to that a zero-to-60 mph blast in less than four seconds and a top speed beyond 190 mph. Yet the reborn, Ferrari-baiting Stingray starts at around 50 grand. The price isn’t the only value proposition that reads like a misprint: The lightweight Corvette, whose 455-horsepower V-8 shuts down half its cylinders to save fuel, delivers up to 30 highway mpg. Base Prices: $51,995 and $56,995 (for the cabriolet) Contact: 800.950.2438, chevrolet.com
3 BMW i3 BMW’s tall-roofed hatchback EV combines a petite exterior footprint with a surprisingly roomy cabin and sprightly performance. With its aerospace-style carbon-fiber structure, this 170-horsepower city car checks in at barely 2,700 pounds even with the lithiumion battery sandwiched below the floor. An optional, tiny 34-hp gas engine about doubles the BMW’s 80-to-100 mile driving range. Sustainability extends to more than fuel savings; the interior features responsibly sourced wood, recycled materials and leather tanned with olive leaves. Base Price: $42,275 Contact: customerrelations@bmwusa.com, 800.831.1117, bmw.com
4 Honda Accord Hybrid In a fantasy of the best possible car value, it would be hard to top a Honda Accord—that perennial blue-chip family sedan—that had mileage akin to a Toyota Prius. Now it’s real: The Accord Hybrid offers 50 mpg in the city, besting every other four-door sedan in America, and 45 mpg on the highway. Though the Accord is quiet and comfy as a passing cloud and stuffed with technology and safety features, Honda holds its base price below $30,000. Base Price: $29,945 Contact: 800.999.1009, honda.com
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Give
What: PHILANTHROPIC GIFTS
Six thoughtful presents that help people and the planet. ▼
1 Filson + Apolis Philanthropist Briefcase Apolis, which aims to bridge commerce and economic development in underserved regions, partners with Seattle luggage manufacturer Filson to make this black cotton-canvas briefcase. The Philanthropist comes with a brass zipper, bridle-leather handles, two outside pockets, two interior pockets and a leather shoulder strap. The cotton used to create the bag was grown, milled, woven and dyed in Uganda, contributing to that nation’s local economy. Suggested Retail Price: $396 Contact: 213.613.9626, apolisglobal.com
2 Woodzee Oak Wine Barrel Sunglasses The frames of these special-edition shades, the result of a partnership between winemaker Robert Mondavi and Northern California eyewear designer Woodzee, are constructed from the Private Selection winery’s used oak barrels. For every pair sold, Woodzee will pay to plant a tree through Trees for the Future. The company will also give 1 percent of all profits to the 1% for the Planet organization. Suggested Retail Price: $120 Contact: customerservice@woodzee .com, 877.370.1777, woodzee.com
3 Signature for Good LeGrand Fountain Pen This black precious-resin Meisterstück pen from Montblanc features a cap-top ring designed with a rectangular brick pattern symbolizing the company’s goal of providing impoverished children access to better schools. For every Signature for Good item sold before March 31, 2014, Montblanc will donate 10 percent of the retail price to support UNICEF’s education programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Suggested Retail Price: $805 Contact: 800.995.4810, montblanc.com
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Different Shades Woodzee lenses are available in blue, blue-green, dark gray and light brown.
4 Volunteer Vacations Biosphere Expeditions is a not-forprofit volunteer organization that plans one- and two-week conservation trips. Participating travelers work with expert guides to support endangered wildlife and natural resources in places such as the Azores (whales, dolphins, turtles), Namibia (leopards, elephants, cheetahs) and Slovakia (wolves, lynxes, wildcats). Suggested Retail Price: varies Contact: uk@biosphere-expeditions.org, 44.870.446.0801, biosphere-expeditions.org
5 Elit by Stolichnaya New Zealand Edition Following up on last year’s Himalayan Edition, Stoli turns its focus on New Zealand to create this 300-bottle series of premium vodka. The spirit is crafted using water filtered over hundreds of years through the pumice in the Mamaku Ranges, which is then distilled at Latvia’s historic Latvijas Balzams. Each bottle, handmade by French crystal studio Royale de Champagne, is wrapped in a leather cuff, galvanized in jewelry-grade palladium and boxed in a Kauri wood case. A portion of the profits will benefit Oceana’s efforts to clean and protect the world’s oceans. Suggested Retail Price: $3,000 Contact: elitbystoli.com
6 Troubadour Headphones Each pair of LSTN Troubadours is handmade using reclaimed beech, cherry or ebony wood recycled from the discarded scraps of flooring and furniture manufacturers. The headphones feature a nylon-wrapped cable, gold-plated plug, in-line microphone and adjustable metal headband. For every pair sold, LSTN helps restore hearing to a person in need through the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Suggested Retail Price: $150 Contact: lstnheadphones.com
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