On the surface, the designer seems like a hard dad to shop for. He’s discerning because he knows what to look for, but he isn’t picky because he’s set in his ways. Find products that utilize quality materials, feature considered details and employ simple designs. And if that still feels too tricky, well, have we got the list for you.
Whiskers Laces
A designer knows that it’s the little things that can make a product special, which is why a subtle upgrade to something as simple as shoelaces can make all the difference. Whisker Laces, which come in a myriad of colors and patterns, are capped with premium aglets that come in either silver or copper finishes. They even come mounted on a wooden spool because, again, it’s all about those special little touches.
Buy Now: $15
Naoto Fukasawa: Embodiment
This 288-page coffee table book is an extensive review of famed Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa’s work, which is vast, ranging from furniture to phones to wristwatches. Embodiment features more than 100 of his best designs, detailed through illustrations, photos and Fukasawa’s own perspectives on design.
Buy Now: $53
Christopher Ward C5 Malvern 595
Christopher Ward’s latest timepiece is a minimalist masterpiece. At just under 6mm thick (despite housing a Swiss-made mechanical movement), it’s one of the thinnest watches in its price bracket, and the cleanly-arranged dial is devoid of any features inessential to telling time.
Buy Now: $680
DSPTCH Utility Brief
DSPTCH’s new Utility Brief is designed entirely with functionality in mind and can be carried like a brief, a satchel or even a backpack. It can accommodate laptops up to 15 inches, a water bottle and has a luggage-compatible sleeve to mount on rolling luggage. A handsome, twill-like finish doesn’t hurt, either.
Buy Now: $228
Bellroy Work Folio A4
An excellent way to keep the designer’s sketches and notes organized and secure. The Work Folio’s rich leather exterior protects A4-sized notebooks, as well as a pen, a phone, a tablet and up to six cards.
Buy Now: $299
Native Union Drop Charger
Can a phone charger be beautiful? If it’s from Native Union, then yes. This wireless charging pad has a remarkably thin profile and stips of silicon grips that are laid out in an aesthetically pleasing, almost hypnotic way. It’s a performer, too, designed to prevent overheating and provide charge through phone cases up to 3mm thick.
Buy Now: $60
Melanie Abrantes Cork Hanging Planter
Potted plants are the kind of accents that turn a house into a home, and Melanie Abrantes makes some of the finest planters around. Turned by hand, made from cork, and finished with leather hanging laces, this planter features an incredible amount of handiwork. And since cork is naturally porous, antimicrobial, and hypo-allergenic, it’s particularly suited for sustaining plant life.
Buy Now: $110
Vipp Pedal Bin
The designer tends to appreciates excellent design in craftsmanship even in the most unexpected places. So yes, this is a trash can, but it’s also a fixture in MoMA’s permanent design collection. Vipp’s handsome bins today are made by hand, as they were when they were first made back in the 1930s, and has an air-tight closure and a smooth-closing lid.
Buy Now: $249
Garrett Leight Bentley 51
Garrett Leight is the son of Larry Leight who founded legendary eyewear brand Olver Peoples, and naturally, he learned a thing or two about making high-end glasses from dear old dad. These are crafted from beautiful semi-transparent brown acetate and have a lightweight and balanced design that will look at home on most face shapes.
Buy Now: $PRICE
Sunspel Sea Island Cotton Sweater
Author Ian Flemming was, apparently, a big fan of super-soft Sea Island Cotton and would regularly wear it in Jamaica. That’s the inspiration behind this sweater, which has a simple silhouette and a soft, breathable build perfect for wearing during chilly summer nights.
Buy Now: $285
Hudson Valley Print
This serene shot of Hudson Valley is a beautiful addition to any home or office. It’s an archival digital C-print and can even come pre-framed.
Buy Now: $29+
Gear Patrol Issue Six
A love for good design is just one of the few themes you’ll find in our latest ode to quality products, the people behind them and the culture that encompasses them. Of particular interest to the designer is an in-depth interview with Toru Tsunoda, president of Muji USA and the man responsible for bringing the brand’s charming minimalism to America.
Buy Now: $20
