International brands and local boutiques are all offering a riot of options this season. Abhilasha Ojha chooses her pick.
VALENTINO, MY FOOT
Price: Rs 24,000-72,000
Sophisticated and classy, that’s Valentino for you. Traditionally, Indians believe that shoes, empty wallets and mirrors shouldn’t be given as gifts. But really, take a look at this shoe from Valentino’s newest collection and tell us this isn’t a fantastic gift option for your beloved. The incredible designs found in the brand’s latest footwear collection spell elegance and boast of fine detailing done in lace, ribbon and leather. The colours are different; from deep purple to dark burgundy and chocolate brown, Valentino shoes are the perfect addition to your wardrobe this festive season.
HP DESIGNS
Price: Rs 53,990
The stylish HP Pavilion dv2800 multimedia Artist Edition notebook PC is powered by 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor. Not a regular notebook, HP Pavilion dv2800 notebook PC also features a remote control giving the user the complete control over multimedia entertainment, allowing a switch between photos, music and videos with just one touch of a button. Other features include an integrated biometric fingerprint reader, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, Altec Lansing stereo speakers and two headphone jacks.
BAGS BY GUCCI
Price: Rs 65,700
With the festive season here, Gucci’s accessories — bags, shoes, accessories and jewellery — are already in demand as viable gifting options. Stylish bags, decadent shoes and chic jewellery, the designs, undeniably, make for a glorious style statement. Their bags, in particular, from the Fall Winter 2008 collection, are replete with beautiful detailing, shimmering in rich colours like gold, bronze and silver. By the way, don’t miss clutch bags, handbags and wallets from other brands like Louis Vuitton, Armani and Bvlgari, now all available in India!
STYLE IT UP
Price: Depends on what you pick up
Moonriver, Moonstruck, Address Home, Zaza, Casa Paradox, Muslin, Gifted Lifestyles... phew, the list of lifestyle stores mushrooming all over India is endless. The good news is that almost all of them have introduced their new range for this year’s festive season. From expensive home linen to dinnerware to designer lighting options to vases to candles in different flavours, boutique stores have an enviable ensemble waiting to be unearthed. Just enter any one of these stores and lose yourself in a world of enviable design where gifts can be picked up not just for friends but also for yourself
TIME KEEPING WITH BURBERRY
Price: Rs 25,000
Take a look at this watch with diamond encrusted stainless steel. This timepiece by Burberry is available in 18 carat gold-plating. While Burberry is just one name in time-keeping, international brands like Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci and our own Titan Raga have announced their new collection for this season too
SMELLS LIKE ESTEE LAUDER
Price: Rs 4,500
Imagine a thousand flowers in a single bouquet. This eau de parfum by Estee Lauder is all this and much more. With a woody warmth and a touch of citrus, Beautiful is a tender bouquet of violets and lilies, roses and lilacs, marigold and orange blossoms. Blended with expertise, this eau de parfum will hit the right notes this festive season
PICTURE PERFECT WITH FRAZER AND HAWS
Price: Rs 10,900
This exquisite photo frame by Frazer and Haws has been painstakingly handcrafted in 92.5 per cent sterling silver. Tracing a brilliant pattern of roses in all their delicate nuances, this has been done with a special technique called “chasing” — where the pattern is drawn first-hand on the reverse of the silver surface and the lines are beaten into a three dimensional pattern. A fascinating gift option, this could be your answer to making it a memorable season for someone close.
SLEEPING PARTNER
Price: Rs 30,000-50,000
Whites of London, a UK-based bedlinen and home decor brand, has come out with its new “Celebration” range for the festive season. Embroidered detailing on rich silks and brocades in bright reds, orange, gold and browns adds a sparkle to the range which has a rich tapestry of artistic designs, including fine pin-tucks, exquisite patterns and embellishment and intricate quilting. Bed linen, duvet covers, pillowcases, quilted coverlet sets, throws... Also take a look at the label Maishaa, in select stores.
LASTING COLORS
Price: Rs 499 onwards
Lipsticks. No lady can refuse these but be careful of the shades. Nude pink on wheatish skin is a no-no, and brown for a taash party at night is a dampner. Select your shade from Estee Lauder, Christian Dior, Lancome, YSNL, Shiseido... ColorBar has some offers this season — buy lipstick and lipgloss worth Rs 575 and get a trendy mobile cover free. There are other freebies too.
DINNER GETS SERVED
Price: Rs 350 per piece onwards
For dinnerware, Address Home, a chic lifestyle store in Mumbai and Delhi, has introduced its festive collection. The service in porcelain has intricate designs in gold, platinum and other metallic colours that have been deemed trendy this season. The line is called Chakra and it can be paired with metallic glassware that’s been specially imported from Poland, also available at the same stores.
THIS IS SHADY
Price: Rs 14,500
Aren’t these zebra stripes funky?Sunglasses could translate into a great gifting idea. Just step into any of the branded stores across the country and you’ll find the perfect pair for yourself and for your friends.
LIGHTING UP PAISLEYS
Price: Rs 495 (set of two)
Devi Design moves into the festive season with its ethnic yet contemporary design of diyas, candle holders and incense holders. Along with paisley-shaped diyas, the brand has also introduced boat-shaped and lotus-shaped diyas and those in beautiful petals shapes. Also, take a look at Devi Design’s dry tree-candle holders and pebble-shaped incense holders.
SITTING PRETTY
Price: On request
Muslin, a lifestyle store in Mumbai, recently unveiled its new range for the 2008 festive season. Home accessories are always a safe bet for gifting and our pick is this beautifully designed piece in the “Hermosa” range. No, you don’t need to pick a pair. Just throw a rug below and slide this piece into a little corner with a casual cushion and you have a perfect corner ready. Prints including “rubani,” inspired by original 1930s archive designs,”kimura” prints with birds, flowers, petals and geometrical designs are the highlight this season.
NOT A CHEAP CALL, THIS
Price: on request
Vertu has launched two special edition handcrafted handsets this year. With special features — including a concierge service at the touch of a button — the collection is available in scarlet, ivory and sapphire colours. Collect, now!
