All year round, we give you the dope on the latest luxury launches but this one time no mere launch can cut it. Correct, ladies? Which is why we decided to take it a notch up in the countdown to V-day, first with our pick of gifts for the man who has everything and now this.
Even though I hate to admit it, it’s hard not to be under the influence of the Valentine’s Days and The Notebooks this time of the year. So while I’d take my real life Ryan Gosling to see a movie at Angelika or for a nice meal at any Joe Bastianich restaurant on any given day, this time, I find myself thinking a trip to Japan would be nice! How I wish to be “Lost In Translation” à la Scarlett Johansson or be even better, live out my own version of Murakami’s Norwegian Wood. But until that day comes, I could keep it Parisian with this latest Lady Dior in Black Box Calfskin.
Its pale gold tone metallic handles and silver tone jewelry make it better than the clichéd blingy presents while the badges on the handbag call for much statement-making at any occasion. This fashionista favorite and all its must-have glory cost $7,000 and are available at select Dior stores only. If your woman, however, is a believer in function over fashion then you could get her this latest la Pavoni cappuccino machine to take care of her caffeine fixes. A coffee junkie myself, I love how the Stradivari Gran Romantica uniquely combines style, quality and reliability.
In addition to making an espresso “just as you want it”, its plinth-punctuated beauty makes it a great eye-catching kitchen piece. Said eye-catcher is also available online at a price of $1,800. And since we are on the subject, here is yet another stunner that is functional yet striking, the Fujifilm X100S. For the modern-day woman who has many indulgences, this premium, lightweight camera can satiate one with its “anywhere anytime” compact-ness. Featuring a 16 megapixel APS-C-sized X-Trans CMOS II sensor and an EXR Processor II image processor, it provides high quality imagery and exceptional camera performance at a price of $ 1,300. It is also available at Amazon.
Looking for something more personal? Garance Dore might just give you the perfect thing to gift your woman. The iconic French photographer and illustrator’s Le Glamour is a great gift for any woman who appreciates art and fashion. The glamorous sketch first appeared on her blog in 2012. On sale now, it is one of her favorite illustrations that she did for Dior Parfums in 2010. The limited edition of 75, signed art prints is available from her blog at a price of $400.
If, however, you wish to go back to basics and woo your woman the old school way with chocolates, then there is only one place you should go and it’s called Fauchon. The French food house is offering the Made in Fauchon gourmet gift box packed with romance and chocolates. A lovers’ bestseller, it is one of the best things from among their various V-day offerings, for a little Paris in your living room. What makes it even better is that its 25 bonbons come accompanied by whole duck foie gras and champagne. Christened a “gastronomic classic”, this is also the classic Valentine’s Day gift, available at the Fauchon store and website for $170. P.s.: red roses are not passé.
