The Something Curated 2024 Holiday Gift Guide
By Something CuratedWelcome to the Something Curated holiday gift guide for 2024 – a varied list of items, objects, and experiences for loved ones, all selected by friends of the SC community.
Happy shopping and happy holidays.
The Substance Candle – Slime
Recommended by fashion and culture writer Lauren Cochrane.
Anyone who saw The Substance has the last scene burnt into their retina. This candle takes that idea to art object level. One for the armchair pop culture critics in your life.
Besosound A9 speakers
Recommended by Endo Kazutoshi, sushi master and chef-owner at London’s Endo at Rotunda.
I love music and for me, good sound is everything. These speakers are beautifully designed and look like an art piece in your home. There are seven drivers, so the sound is rich and warm.
The Last Sane Woman, by Hannah Regel
Recommended by Freddie Powell, the London gallerist behind Ginny on Frederick.
I’m getting all the artists I work with at Ginny on Frederick, and all my friends, a copy of this year’s best book: The Last Sane Woman by Hannah Regel. It’s incredible, and frustrating in all the right ways. I’m also in love with these Mneme earrings by Wright & Teague, named for the Greek muse of memory. Very gorgeous, and perfect for dancing all year long.
Deana Lawson: An Aperture Monograph
Recommended by fashion designer, Feben.
Either of these is good — for your eyes, brain or heart.
The first, All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks, is perhaps the most intensely personal work of the renowned scholar, cultural critic, and feminist. Skewering our view of love as romance, she offers in its place a proactive new ethic for a society bereft with lovelessness. The second is Deana Lawson: An Aperture Monograph. This tome, by one of the most intriguing photographers of our generation, features forty images that portray the personal and the powerful in Black life.
Ikenaga Works Kakigori Shaved Ice Maker
Recommended by artist Nicole Coson.
Perfect for the sweet tooth in your life, check out this Ikenaga Works Kakigori Shaved Ice Maker, a retro-style machine that allows you to create the classic Japanese summer dessert anytime you like in your own home.
Perfumes: The Guide, Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez
Recommended by Something Curated editor Adam Coghlan.
I owe thanks to my good friend and colleague, Jonathan Nunn, for introducing me to this masterwork on the greatest perfumes in the world. This is a book for anyone interested not just in perfumes and smells, but in the beauty of appreciating our senses. It is also a text which shows us how to write well.
Handcrafted jewellery, by Rockii Studios
Recommended by dancer and Mind Body Spirit Collective founder Cami Arboles.
Rockii Studios’ handcrafted jewellery pieces from Los Angeles and Mexico City, made with freshwater pearls and locally sourced and curated elements. She is the best! And a Latina-owned business based here in LA. She also holds workshops where you can learn how to design your own custom piece using her materials.
Mexican vase, from Seed Archives
Recommended by photographer and archivist Christian Cassiel.
This spherical pot from Seed Archives is inspired by the artistry of Mata Ortiz, a style that originates in the northern Mexican village renowned for reimagining ancient Casas Grandes pottery traditions. Each piece is carved with intricate geometric patterns and organic motifs, reflecting the rich culture and landscapes of the region. Contact seedinservice@gmail.com to order.
LCBA
Recommended by Shuko Oda, chef-owner of London restaurant Koya.
I visited LCBA (London Center of Book Arts) the other week. They have amazing machinery, old and new, and a beautiful selection of materials, books and stationary for sale, plus a gallery. I had such an inspiring little tour of their space, highly recommend!
They offer studio passes as well as workshops in various printing techniques and book binding, and I recently bought one for my husband’s birthday. You get to learn how to handcraft books from experts and take home a set of books and skills in their beautiful peaceful setting.
Sudanese tea biscuits, from Haboaba’s Kitchen
Recommended by ceramic artist Dina Nur Satti.
Biscuits from New York-based Sudanese bakery Haboaba’s Kitchen. Haboaba is the term of endearment for grandmother in Sudan, which is the matriarch who often leads the tradition of making Baskaweet Al-Shai, Sudanese tea biscuits. This tradition is inextricably linked to our culture of hospitality. Guests to a Sudanese house are always first served a cold refreshing beverage, and this is usually closely followed by some tea and biscuits. Contact haboabaskitchen@gmail.com to order.
Gift voucher from Pfeffer Sal for the Three Sixty facial
Recommended by writer and film lover Zoe Dimoldenberg.
Part-luxe skincare experience, part-science lesson, the Three Sixty facial helped me understand my skin on a deeper level and is the perfect gift for skincare aficionados who spend hours researching the best products. Nestled in a quiet mews in Fitzrovia, the expert aestheticians use state of the art technology to investigate the layers of your skin and run through your personal skincare routine to assess whether you are on the right path (dermatologically speaking), before treating you to probably the best facial you’ll ever receive. I got one 2 years ago and I still think about it all the time.
Darband Incense by Paria Farzaneh x Apotheke Fragrance
Recommended by fashion designer Paria Farzaneh.
I’m nominating my own incense as I think they have a very distinct smell and make peoples home feel special and elevated.
Libreria subscription
Recommended by film and culture writer Rida Bilgrami.
For the voracious reader who may be a tad indecisive and open to surprise, east London bookshop Libreria’s subscription offers a monthly subscription of carefully selected fiction or non-fiction book, delivered anywhere in the world.
Harissa Socks
Recommended by film and culture writer Rida Bilgrami.
I also love receiving quirky socks as gifts. These bright socks with red chillies and harissa tins from Tunisian brand Banjer add a pop of colour and some heat to the wardrobe.
The Devil’s Dictionary, Ambrose Bierce
Recommended by artist Leyman Lahcine.
This book was introduced to me by a very good friend of mine. It’s satirical redefinitions of everyday words. Makes you look at words from a mirror perspective and makes you reflect on society, language, and human nature.
The fisher space pen
Recommended by artist Leyman Lahcine.
This pen was designed to write in space. Why wouldn’t you want it? It’s called the Fisher Space Pen. First off is a wicked name for a pen and it’s a pen that NASA actually used on the Apollo missions. And, because it can write in extreme conditions, you could even use it underwater. So if you ever find yourself underwater, your phone’s dead, you can use your pen to write an SOS letter.
Milk chocolate with Norwegian brown cheese from Fjåk
Recommended by writer and musician Luke Pyenson.
Milk chocolate and brown goat cheese might not seem like an obvious pairing, but I love this bar from the Norwegian chocolate maker Fjåk. It’s caramelly and creamy, with just a hint of tang—a conversation-starter, sure, but most importantly it’s just delicious chocolate. And Norwegian. Perfect for the holidays.
Header image: Courtesy of SCRT.