As we enter December, I’m on the look-out for Christmas gifts and will bring some suggestions over the next week or two. Details below.
From top left clockwise: Regular readers will know I love to support small brands and I recently came across a new business making a luxury scented candle just for men: the Seven Scents Man’dle (top left). The Seven Scents brand was created earlier this year at the school gates by two mums looking for a stylish candle made with quality organic fragrance. Produced in small batches in Leicestershire to guarantee the highest quality control, the Mand’le fragrance is a delicious Cuban Tobacco & Oak.
Another interesting company is Jayjee, a luxury British waistcoat brand (middle top) founded in 2016 by Indian fashion designer, Jaysree Pawar who, working together with her husband, aims to inject spice and colour into the British gentlemen’s wardrobe. Jayjee’s flagship product is the double-sided Nehru waistcoat, one side made from beautiful colourful handwoven cotton Ikat fabric and the reverse from the highest quality plain or herringbone English wool. The finest cotton Ikat fabric is dyed in India using a technique dating back to the 12th Century before being hand-made and manufactured in London, England.
I’m also excited by the success of another partnership, Donhall & Bell, the brainchild of Londoners Peter Mulhall and Martin Bell who got together five years ago to offer men a sleek, modern slipper (top right) as an alternative to mainstream footwear.
If you'd like to give a touch of Italian luxury in a Christmas stocking try the rather fetching Carl Friedrik briefcase, (middle) designed with Scandinavian minimalism in mind. Carl Friedrik’s Vallance briefcase comes in a variety of colours and can be matched with wallet and laptop case.
Gift vouchers have the great advantage of allowing the recipient to select their own gift. Peter Macdonald of Empire's Union is a tailor whose made to measure service I've used myself and I can vouch for his care, quality and stylish input into anything he makes. You can make a gift of a voucher (bottom right) for his services. More information at Empire's Union.
I've featured Sarah Gilfillan of Sartoria Lab on the blog before. She's one of the most talented menswear stylists I've come across and a voucher will buy her professional advice for a man (or woman) looking for help with their shopping/wardrobe or styling. Very highly recommended. Sartoria Lab (bottom middle).
Finally, these cufflinks from EDG London (bottom left) are designed and made in the UK.
All these gifts were selected by me - many thanks for the brands for their help in providing images and information