Hostem Advent Calendar – December 2010
The festive season at Hostem could never be a standard affair. Befitting of the menswear establishment that is shifting the menswear map and rejuvenating the East End’s Redchurch Street, Hostem’s innovative soignée take on the Christmas tradition of advent is individual to the last: introducing the Hostem Advent Calendar.
No trifle of confectionary and commerciality this; Hostem have created a singular, chic way to toast the December countdown, enlisting Shoreditch’s underground bar Lounge Bohemia as a collaborator to supply exquisite, artisan trinkets as part of the gifts on offer. Designers stocked in store have also been brought on board to supply ultra-covetable, unique, one-of-a-kind gifts.
The windows of the Hostem boutique will, for one month, play host to 24 bespoke wooden boxes, each of them housing a unique, covetable gift. Passers-by on Redchurch Street will be able to glimpse the treasures within, with one side of the box exposed to display the riches within and the other side under lock and key.
The gifts on offer veer from the luxurious to the louche, fine jewellery to sportswear. Titans of trainers, Nike have supplied a pair of rare Air Force ones, whilst Belgian conceptual designer and queen of gothic cool Ann Demeulemeester has given a one off necklace erupting with feathers.
Chrome Hearts, gothic inspired jewellery brand famed for their knuckleduster rings beloved Karl Lagerfeld, supply a unisex, sterling silver bracelet dotted with clusters of diamonds.
Italian footwear label MA +, helmed by designer Maurizio Amadei, has created a bespoke pair of reversible leather high-top boots in rich, oxblood leather.
Santa Maria Novella, one of the world’s oldest pharmacies, has supplied an ultra limited edition cologne set resplendent with brass and porcelain bottles, brimming with Old World elegance.
Haider Ackermann, the romantic Belgian designer, provides his lyrical ‘Inspiration Book’, ‘Carnet De Voyages’, created especially for Men’s fashion trade show Pitt Uomo 2010.
Slick emerging London accessories label Curiouser + Curiouser, the label exclusive to Hostem and headed by Alice Waese is renowned for their use of organic materials and intricate craft work have gifted a silver Greek Rhyton, a ritualistic silver goblet designed in ancient Greece for drinking the blood of hunted animals.
Aesop, one of the early pioneers of organic beauty and cosmetic products, offer a special selection of their unique and beautifully packaged toiletries.
Knit brand the Elder Statesman, who create beguilingly simple basics in ultra luxurious fabrics, have given a butter-soft cashmere patchwork blanket in pewter grey.
L.A based designer & cult collaborator Dr. Romanelli, has supplied a collectable bronze figurine from the Dr. Goodfellow set – the spoils of collaboration with ultra-lux sunglasses brand Oliver Peoples.
Introducing to the UK for the first time, traditional luxury American leather brand Parabellum will supply a handcrafted leather iPad case.
Theatrical Brit costume designer Alexandra Mann’s bespoke men’s wash bag also makes for a striking gift, emblazoned with camouflage and playful patchwork cut-outs.
The fruits of the collaboration with Lounge Bohemia are the last word in laid-back luxury. This includes a vintage absinth set complete with a silver sugar box, tongs and a medicinal bottle and a ‘Manhattan Set – 1930s cocktail glasses with an aged Manhattan cocktail to accompany, along with medicinal bottle containing mercury (believed to prolong life). A first edition of ‘Murder in Manhattan’ is perfect for wintry nights when a heady sip of something potent and a-spirit-you-away read is all that’s called for.
Other delectable offerings from Lounge Bohemia include a vintage travel kit including 1930s leather and silver hip flask filled with 30 years old Glenfiddich whiskey and a writing set complete with drinkable ink and edible notepad paper with special instructions to ‘eat after reading secret notes’, for those desperate to indulge in 007 aspirations this Christmas.
As night falls and December winds whip around the East End, small candles placed in each box will glow long into the dark, illuminating the wonders within. Those who opt to purchase the limited edition gifts on each day (and only on the actual day can they be purchased) will be able to collect them on Christmas Eve. Customers will be able to purchase & reserve the gift on the day the box is opened.
Amongst the phalanx of Christmas ephemera and flotsam, the Hostem Advent Calendar brings a sense of the considered, discreet luxury to Yuletide.
