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As I look back on another crowded year, I don’t need to consult my diary or my Instagram images, or the thousands of snaps on my iPhone to remember where I have been—because I am surrounded by mementoes of these travels.
Whether I was rediscovering the eternal wonders of Paris and Rome and London and Venice and Athens, or sleuthing the hidden treasures of Antwerp and Croatia and Houston, or curating HOUSE STYLE: Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth, or profiling J W Anderson at home in Norfolk or at work in Madrid, I always tried to find the time not only to sleuth treasures for my fashion collection but also to source evocative local wares.
I thought it might be fun to put together a gift guide, selecting dream pieces worth picking up in each location, any one of which I’d be thrilled to give or receive. Without further ado.
Venice
An animal-print silk-velvet cushion from Luigi Bevilacqua.
And etched palazzo glasses by Gibi.
Umbria
Traditional Renaissance ceramics from Deruta, for instance.
London
I would certainly be delighted to receive anything from the current exhibition of Vases
Vessels at the gallery of tastemeister David Gill, curated by Gianluca Longo.
…and the artist collaborations at Studio Voltaire.
Rome
Cardinal pink or papal scarlet socks from Gammarelli, supplier to the clergy. Perfect for the 2018 Costume Institute gala.
Croatia
In Dubrovnik, I like the traditional gold or silver filigree jewelry work (for myself, I would choose cufflinks).
In Hvar, the contemporary jewelry of Tanja Curin.
Patmos
The traditional local hand-painted pottery is so charming—blue daisies on an ivory ground. Alas, no one makes this anymore, so you’ll have to sleuth out the remaining stock in the stores of Skala, the port village.
Athens
A galleon brooch (traditionally worn by the wives of ships’ captains to ensure their safe return) from the gift shop of the wonderful Benaki Museum—one of my favorite museums in the world.
Chatsworth (England)
Laura Burlington’s flowerpot collaboration with Wedgwood.
And, of course, the catalogue for HOUSE STYLE: Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth (Rizzoli).
Marrakesh
Every time I go to Marrakesh I buy tasseled slippers from Topolina, the inventive menswear boutique of Pierre Henry Ramagetto. His mother has a wonderful womenswear version a few doors away.
And pretty much anything from the bookshop of the newly opened Yves Saint Laurent Museum (the bookshop itself is so chic—it was designed in persimmon lacquer by Studio KO to evoke Yves’ first 1966 Rive Gauche boutique).
Paris
The silk pocket squares and boutonnieres made from the same silk at Charvet (chic website!).
Lisbon
The city’s classic pressed-glass tableware:
Milan
The beautiful bound albums and guest books at Leggatorio Conti Borbone. You can choose your own marbled paper and leather bindings:
Los Angeles
There is always something stylish at Hollywood At Home...
...and Commune.
San Francisco
Something from Hero Shop, the brainchild of ex-Vogue editor Emily Holt. I’m currently loving the paper camellias.
Napa Valley
Alexis Traina’s book, with photographs by her sister Claiborne Swanson.
Sicily
In the beautiful Baroque city of Noto, there are several stores selling the traditional local ceramics: I love the Caltagirone face vases.
Provence
The woven-straw lavender “rattles” to fragrance your flat-stored clothing also make charming house gifts—you can find them everywhere, including online.
In Arles, I love the men’s shirts at Souleiado in reworked traditional Provencal cotton prints.
Antwerp
It’s a sartorial treat shopping in Dries van Noten’s Antwerp emporium, Het Modepaleis, located in a turn-of-the-century haberdashery.
Madrid
If I was really going for it, I would splash out here.
Montreal
I went to the Montreal Beaux Arts Museum earlier this year to see the exhilarating Chagall: Colour and Music exhibition (also at LACMA), and would recommend the catalogue.
Mustique
Lotty B’s swimming trunks at The Pink House!