Multi-tasking in the best way, these clutch purses can both protect fragile items in transit and then transition carrying modern essentials on a night on the town. In aluminium, with Rimowa’s trademark ridges, they are available in silver, rose gold and black ($1,170) and echo the styling of the iconic German suitcase company created in 1898 in a wholly modern way.
Springtime is the start of the Mediterranean appreciation of the light, wine based cocktail with soda and bitters that was originally known as the Spritz Veneziana. Never, (in Italy at least) drunk in winter, invariably shortened to just one word, The Refined Spirit, based in Switzerland, pays tribute to this quintessential drink with a collection of clothing, including towels (€40) and swimming costumes (€50), produced to order to avoid overstocks and in ethical factories. And they’ve got you covered if your mom prefers to sip negroni or even a margarita.
Just launched, these wireless earphones (€399) are as versatile as any mother and come with a Scandinavian blend of style and comfort. Light - each weighs just 6g - but powerful, with a 9.2mm driver and adaptive ambient noise cancellation (yes to voices, no to traffic rumbles) and is rain and sweatproof, with four different sizes of silicone tips to ensure a good fit. Designed by Thomas Bentzen, lasting 6-8 hours, with case recharging, you can get up to 28 hours of listening on the road.
A very beautiful crossover between art and fashion, and practicality when it comes to evening temperature dips and air-con extremes. Designer Darshana Shilpi Rouget, who has worked with Tiffany's and Cartier, opened her own artelier in Belgravia, London in 2020. Collaborating with - amongst others - painter Mary Jones, photographer James T Murray, and Shagdarjavin Chimmedorj, the scarves (from £395) are printed in limited editions by a family of Italian artisans on silks, cashmere, and other natural fabrics with handmade gift boxes in Japan, from Paulownia wood.
If getting to the destination is likely to be stressful (and what airport isn’t at the moment?), British-based Kloris has just introduced these transdermal CBD patches (from £48 for 30 patches) deliver 16mg of pure CBD, along with added nutrients turmeric and resveratrol for inflammation and joint health, time-released across 24 hours. No mess, waterproof and fully biodegradable, they are a no-mess, particularly travel-friendly way to incorporate CBD into a vacation.
This venerable French fragrance company was recently given an injection of verve by Victoire de Taillac and Ramdane Touhami, who previously worked for Colette, Liberty and revitalised the Cire Tudron. Mixing heritage products with new riffs, with this plant-based lip balm (€28), using sesame and Vitamin E-rich plum oil, in a case that can be monogrammed, this is Europe’s most stylish solution to dry lips.
The travel friendly Recovapro Lite (£159) from this British percussive massage company comes in a range of colors including rose gold, pale blue gray and black. Weighing 1.45lb, with 180 minutes of charge and four different attachments to really uknot muscles, in an award-winning ergonomic design that can deliver up to 2400 percussions per seconds and a stall force of 40lbs.
Sometimes a trip away is an ideal opportunity for some self-care. This new Swiss dental brand brings environmental awareness to the tooth-whitening game (£157), without the sensitivity that usually comes with treatments but promising to lighten up to ten shades. All the products and packaging are completely biodegradable or recyclable; the toothpaste tube is made from cardboard, the whitening fluid comes in a glass bottle and the mouthwash is peroxide free.
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc backgammon set
Made to order by Alexandra Lloyd with palm trees, and the blues of the Mediterranean and Hotel du Cap’s legendary swimming pool, there will only ever be ten of these backgammon sets (£5,700). With hand lacquered paint, playing pieces are weighty white jasper and turquoise encased in polished brass. with inlaid leather bases, calf leather and suede dice shakers plus casino quality dice.
