Hasta La Ideas

Four gifts she’s sure to love from vintage-inspired watches to handcrafted scarves

Men often wonder what women truly want. Love is definitely on the top of the list, but a gift once in a while wouldn’t hurt. Here are some ideas to inspire a surprise for your lady.

Timex Traveler Watch

For their most recent collaboration with iconic American watchmaker Timex, J. Crew has just launched their first ladies wristwatch inspired by 1960s. The Timex Traveler watch will wear well on a laid-back, well-heeled woman, incorporating contemporary crafting techniques with vintage details. This watch has no age or occasion, it fits in anywhere at anytime. This item is currently available at J. Crew for $98.

Band of Outsiders scarf

Shield her from the cold with the Wool and Alpaca scarf by Band of Outsiders. Practical and pretty—we love the handsome gray-on-white pattern—this is a wrap to ensure a pleasant entry into winter. The triangle scarf is made in Italy and is available at Band of Outsiders for $180.

Warby Parker Shades

For a gift that will make her feel good for both its style and charity—and one that won’t break the bank—Warby Parker sunglasses are a prime pick. The high-quality shades come in a range of styles, and for each pair purchased, a pair of optical glasses goes to a person in need. Find all women’s styles at Warby Parker’s website.

Lomography Bundle

If your woman is a photography lover or just loves the way the Plastic Fantastic cameras look, the Lomography Standard 2 Bundle is the ideal gift for her. The Bundle includes four of their most famous cameras: Fisheye No.2, Supersmapler, Colorsplash and Holga available online at the Lomography website for $224.

Geometric-patterned scarves and throws by two Montreal textile designers

Pairing mathematics with craftsmanship, the textile designers behind Montreal label String Theory weave quality yarns into beautifully-patterned super-soft scarves and throw blankets. The two-person team behind the brand works closely with small-batch manufacturers, allowing for wide experimentation with techniques. This artful combination of tradition and innovation results in everyday accessories with Modernist geometric appeal.

Though the designers recently played around with a beautiful blue tone, currently String Theory’s Euclidean designs come in simple black and gray motifs, using mostly Alpaca, cotton and bamboo. Initial designs include intricate String Theory 101 scarf, which mimics the weaving process, and the Big Mess throw, an elegantly scrambled composition.

String Theory sells online, ranging from $120-320.

Versatile scarves meld Japanese fabric and American ingenuity

For a contemporary spin on the traditional wrap scarf, check out Los Angeles label Symmetry. Function balanced with quality make up this emerging accessory brand’s latest collection.

Drawing on their shared affinity for scarves, the husband-and-wife design duo first launched their accessory brand in 2010. After a well-received first run, Symmetry has kept it simple, continuing to focus on premium textiles and usefulness.

High-quality Japanese fabrics (some organically produced) are cut and sewn in L.A., which gives the scarves a nicely handcrafted feel. Symmetry plays on the innate versatility of scarves by adding supple leather strips that connect by clasp to leather-backed grommets, allowing the user to their own imagination in wearing the piece. Possibly the most versatile piece in the Spring 2011 collection is the Dixon, which, like the Japanese all-purpose fabric Furoshiki, easily turns from a scarf to a large tote bag.

New for Spring 2011, the collection has grown to include some small leather goods as well. Each are made by hand and feature custom-cast brass hardware. For a better look and to get your own check out Symmetry’s online shop. Prices start at $155.

This bicylce helmet designed by Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin erupts from its hiding place inside a scarf when triggered by abnormal movements.

Called Hövding, the product is worn as a scarf and an airbag folded into the collar inflates to cover the whole head before impact.

The scarf is a removable shell that covers the airbag inside and can be changed for different designs.

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Here’s some information about the product:

HÖVDING – AN INVISIBLE HELMET FOR BICYCLISTS

After several years of research and development, a new Swedish invention has been launched. Hövding – a bicycle helmet unlike any other currently on the market. A bicycle helmet that is not even placed on your head. The founders and inventors Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin showed the world novelty at the Technical Fair in Stockholm on the 19th of October.

– We wanted to make a head protection for bicyclists based on the demands that was presented through our surveys. Among other things the protection should keep the sense of freedom that goes with bicycling and not ruin your hair. It feels amazing that our research and development has led up to this day when we can finally show Hövding to everyone, says Terese Alstin who is one of the inventors.

Hövding is a collar for bicyclists, worn around the neck. The collar contains a folded up airbag that you’ll only see if you happen to have an accident. The airbag is shaped like a hood, surrounding and protecting the bicyclist’s head. The trigger mechanism is controlled by sensors which pick up the abnormal movements of a bicyclist in an accident.

– The actual collar is the visible part of the invention. It’s covered by a removable shell that you can change to match your outfit, and we’ll be launching new designs all the time. Hövding is a practical accessory that’s easy to carry around, it’s got a great looking yet subtle design, and will save your life, says Anna Hupt.

For six years Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin have developed Hövding which is based on advanced technology and research. Both are educated Industrial designers and it was during their master thesis that they came up with the idea that laid the foundations for developing Hövding. Today they are twelve people working full time with Hövding.

Despite alarming accident statistics, most cyclists on the road aren’t wearing helmets. Every year about 40 people die and about 30,000 are injured in bicycling accidents, and that’s just in Sweden. One in three bicyclists who are injured suffer head injuries.

Despiten these alarming accident statistics, the vast majority of cyclists on the road aren’t wearing helmets. This is partly because helmets are bulky and impractical to carry around when you’re not on your bicycle, but it’s also because people think bicycle helmets look hideous and make them look silly. For most people, bicycling isn’t a sport. They’re just using their bicycles to get from A to B, bicycling to work, into town or to go out in the evening. Despite this, almost all the traditional bicycle helmets on the global market have a sporty design.

– In our opinion the range of bicycle helmets available is extremely narrow, they all look the same and the lack of variety results in very few people wearing them. Hövding is the solution to the problem, it’s subtle and blends in with what else you are wearing. And it doesn’t ruin your hair, says Terese Alstin.

You can pre-order Hövding now on the company website, www.hovding.com, at a special advance price. Hövding will be available in stores in spring 2011.

See also:

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Smoker Bell by Florian Brillet Architecture	Safe Cuddling by Helge Fischer	Urban Camouflage by Aya Tsukioka

Multifunctional Shibori-dyed garments from a nascent Brooklyn label

Inspired by “Lindsey Thornburg’s capes, complex geometries, Aboubakar Fofana, Suno, and the old rolling hills of upstate New York,” the indie brand Upstate’s latest collection continues to explore the controlled chaos of tie-dye.

Where the Brooklyn label’s debut collection was limited to items like scarves and sarongs, their upcoming season sees multifunctional garments, like an asymmetrical poncho and a racerback vest, all hand-dyed using the ancient Japanese technique of Shibori.

The upshot is a series of pieces perfect for layering and draping, instantly making any basic look show stopping with their gorgeously blue-and-white patterns.

Sold at a few select specialty boutiques (check Mohawk General Store for online availability) with prices starting at about $100, buying Upstate is a great way to support a small, homegrown label while upping your fashion quotient too.