With the holiday season in full swing, here are some of Jing Daily’s picks for the best in Chinese design, perfect for gift-giving:
Yi Zhou x Gripoix Poured Glass Pineapple Cuff (US$968, couturelab.com)
‘Pineapple’s Secret’ marks the first time that famed French jewelry house Gripoix has worked with an artist. Multi-disciplined Yi Zhou (Jing Daily interview) created an avant-garde collection that blends conceptual ideas with couture design.
Shanghai Tang Mongolian ‘Snake’ embossed cow leather hobo ($882, shanghaitang.com)
The ever-popular Shanghai Tang Mongolian hobo bag is re-imaginated for Autumn/Winter 2012 in a variety of colours and finishes: a snake-embossed fine cow leather available in an exciting orange or a classic taupe.
CHairEYES “Warhol” Brown-Green Sunglasses ($223, Taobao.com)
Shanghai native Chair Yuan focuses on creating high-quality frames, with handmade details that more sophisticated buyers in China are finally beginning to appreciate. Made by a small team of craftsmen in Fukui, Japan, Yuan’s eyewear is some of the best in quality and design currently coming out of China.
Double Happiness Cup Set (US$69, Bundshop.com)
“Made from the best white clay of the mountains of Jingdazhen and stamp-carved with red glaze, this set of Double Happiness cups was carefully constructed to wish newlyweds and lovers the best of luck on their journey together. The character for happiness is engraved on the bottom of each cup. The characters are traditionally doubled throughout Chinese history as a symbol for double prosperity and luck, and the characters are considered the luckiest in the Chinese language. This set is a perfect wedding gift, a lovely wish for good fortune hidden underneath pristine simplicity in presentation.”
Bao Bao Wan Diamond & Gold Coin Necklace ($996, matchesfashion.com)
Inject a subtle dose of sparkle into your new season ensembles with this diamond and 18ct yellow gold Coin necklace by Bao Bao Wan. Wear with your sleek evening ensembles for effortless sophistication.
Vega Zaishi Wang Deep Blue Overcoat ($514, Taobao.com)
Part of Beijing-based designer Vega Zaishi Wang‘s Autumn/Winter 2012 collection, “Jaran Zagaan Aduu” (“六十白骏”), this deep blue wool jacket balances form and function, insulating against the winter cold while keeping intact Wang’s unwavering, simplified aesthetic.
Seagull 1963 Chinese Air Force Watch ($193, watchunique.com)
Unique hand winding chronograph originally created for the Chinese Air Force in 1963. The dial mentions “21 zuan”, Chinese for “21 jewels”. The symbols on the lower half spell “China – Tianjin Watch Factory”.
Triple-Major Leather Wallet ($112, triple-major.com)
Wallet by Triple-Major, multi-brand pioneer with locations in Beijing and Shanghai. Unisex/Available in Black or Blue/100% Nappa Leather/Made in Beijing
Silver Heights Emma’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($189, everwines.com)
Powerful and voluptuous with layers of dense, ripe dark berries,stacked with toasty oak characters, licorice and spice which explodes on your palate and continues to broaden and resonate in flavor. A combination of delicacy, power, richness and elegance – the essence of Ningxia. Aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak. 2009 marks the first vintage of this wine released in magnum bottles only; limited to 150 bottles. (Note: Emma’s Reserve refers to winemaker Emma Gao — Jing Daily interview)
Chen Man: Works 2003-2010 ($44, amazon.com)
Beijing-based artist Chen Man (Jing Daily interview) is the leading photographer of her generation. This unique publication is the first comprehensive survey of Chen Man’s career and covers the spectrum of the artist’s photography, from her earliest cover shoots for ‘Vision’ magazine, which she made while still a student at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, to new, to as yet unpublished work made in 2010. ‘Chen Man: Works 2003-2010’ is published as a limited edition of 2,000 individually numbered copies.
G.O.D. Cardholder ($15, god.com.hk)
Switch it up with this retro cardholder from venerable Hong Kong lifestyle brand Goods of Desire (G.O.D.).
“Boys Climbing Ropes” T-shirt ($25, twinhorizon.com)
Limited to 100 shirts, this tee was designed by Twin Horizon for the band Boys Climbing Ropes, which landed on the Chinese music scene in 2006 and quickly established themselves with their unique brand of energetic, hard-hitting indie rock.