The FAIRE Gift Guide
For the person who has everything
What do you buy the person who has everything?
I have two people in my direct family who fall into this category and every year it is a bit of a brain scratcher.
Fortunately for me, they have both started collecting very specific things in recent years. My father collects corkscrews for example - so throughout the year when I’m trawling the French flea markets I will always keep my eye open for a really gorgeous old corkscrew as there are so many - and luckily I have the Musee du Tire Bouchon in the village next to ours so I can go and research each corkscrews provenance. My stepmother, on the other hand, collects antique jugs so again if I happen to come across a really special 18th century or antique faience water jug I know I’ll have a gift crossed off my list.
Antiques are a really great gift if you are looking for something extra special and one of a kind and you can usually not go wrong with a lovely old rustic faience bowl, or a set of silver teaspoons, or a beautiful old linen tablecloth.
Here are a few of my favourite French antique dealers online:
La Grosse Toile, exquisite linens with history
Marie Enes - I’ve found some of my favourite pieces of furniture with Marie Enes.
Odile Bouscarat - for paintings, textiles, old books and treasures
Molde UK - wonderful rustic handmade ceramics
Gervaise - just outside Lyon, a treasure trove of antiques
But if you can’t get to a flea market and you are looking to source something really special for either the holidays or a birthday present here are a few FAIRE favourites.
A bespoke Western hat crafted by hand by Jon Cha of Agave Road Hats
A multi-faceted creative, JonCha is a French composer, playwright, actor, writer, and most recently, hatmaker. After living and working in Stockholm and Paris, in June 2020, he (along with his partner Anna and son Sonny Lou) relocated to the wild Camargue region of France, home to the world’s original “Gardien” cowboys. Here, inspired by the rugged “Wild West” landscape, he creates his one-of-a-kind Western-style hats, sending each one into the world with a life and a story.
Prices start at €300
Love Life, by Fiona Cribben - literally a life-changing book by an extraordinary artist.
Fiona Cribben was an Irish artist with metastatic breast cancer who created art, for the living and for the dead. For the last few years of her life, Fiona wrote a journal as a form of meditation and therapy to help her cope with her diagnosis and pain. When Fiona died in November 2019, her close friend Leonie Henson gathered Fiona’s words together with her artistic works, her poetry and her positive outlook on life. Leonie designed, created and published them as a beautiful book, LOVE LIFE—a guide to cherishing every moment in life, to honor her friend and share her story. Fiona was an explorer, a weaver of life. Her journey started outward to far-off places, through a journey of creative expression, and finally to the most important and challenging journey, inward to the soul. In Issue 1 of FAIRE, we were honoured to share excerpts from LOVE LIFE, in Fiona’s own words as a celebration of her life and work.
€35.00
Am embroidered portrait by artist Michael-Birch Pierce.
“Michael-Birch Pierce’s embroidered portrait practice was born from a desire to find authenticity in machine production. Guiding fabric by hand under a standard home sewing machine, each portrait is one-of-a-kind, stitched live, with the subject watching. In a matter of minutes, their face is replicated by a mix of handcraft and technology in one continuous line of thread. Each portrait facilitates an intimate relationship between artist and subject, studying their face, staring into their eyes, tracing every line and curve with a clunky piece of machinery as the conduit. In these moments a conversation is engaged, learning about the subject’s day, their history, and plans for tomorrow. It is this connection that is the crux of art and performance. The physical result is just an artefact from this moment. The real art lies in those fleeting five minutes where something fantastical is born from something so familiar.
POA
These seriously cool sunglasses by artist Maryam Keyhani
Black and off-white sunglass frame, dark-brown lenses
€200,00, Shipping Included
Another great gift is this yearly planner/diary by Japanese brand Hobonichi which has earned a cult following and has become a global lifestyle icon since its conception 20 years ago.
Finding France with Kate Hill: Le Weekend Workshops
Sign up or give a gift membership to join cook and author Kate Hill in her 18th Century Kitchen in Gascony for a year of live online cooking workshops and video classes. Yearly memberships and individual Le Weekend Workshops are available now.
Take a deeper dive into the heart of Kate’s country farmhouse, Camont, and experience a year of seasonal live events that begin in January with Camp Cassoulet and continue through the year with: The Fat Duck Foie Gras, French Kitchen Charcuterie, French Farmhouse Tartes and Pastry, Bastille BBQ and Cooking with Fire, Fall French Friendsgiving.
Join Kate Hill and her community of Gascon food producers to learn about all the good food that makes France great. Discover how to Find France in your own kitchen.
FAIRE family Katharina Herold of Heroldian art concepts introduced us to this Instagram creative who makes one of a kind matchboxes but you have to be quick off the mark to snap one up
Travel Club Membership | PRIOR
Join a global community of the world’s most connected and curious travellers. Membership starts at $249 a year and unlocks access to:
Unlimited Editorial: Our PRIOR WORLD weekly publication and Guides offer intel and inspiration at home and on the road.
Extraordinary Experiences: Half and full-day tours, workshops and encounters with chefs, artisans & historians in global destinations.
Group Clubhouses and Voyages: Join members for retreats and trips in extraordinary places, from fire-cooking in Uruguay with Francis Mallmann to camping along Namibia's Skeleton Coast.
Custom Travel Planning: PRIOR’s travel designers craft full-service itineraries around the world. PRIOR WORLD members pay planning fees of $500 per itinerary.
La Bella Figura rare House Curations perfume solids.
“If you know someone that has everything or is an intrepid personality you may consider a bespoke gift like one of our rare House Curations perfume solids. This concept came to me when I recalled my favourite restaurant moment. It was in Barcelona and I walked into a restaurant with no menu. The chef came to the table and said, “I prepare a meal that I’m inspired to make with the freshest ingredients available today. How does that sound?” Needless to say, the adventure and deliciousness of that meal triggered my love for harnessing quality over quantity. You can email us for details about House Curations or developing a product just for you that no one else has.” Words by Victoria Fantauzzi, CEO La Bella Figura
This tweed coat is an absolutely timeless style staple by STABLE of Ireland in collaboration with Irish designer Peter O’Brien
From STABLE of Ireland founder Francie Duff: “Sonia and I have worn tweed coats all our lives and it was a natural step to include a STABLE one in our collections. In order to create a coat with not only great style but also great tailoring and function, it was straight to Irish designer Peter O’Brien to explain the brief and idea and to work with Peter to create the perfect Irish tweed coat pattern. Peter’s exceptional eye and extensive experience in couture, tailoring and design are all over this coat and as a result, it is a pleasure to wear and to admire! With such extra attention to details given to the design and pattern, the coat wears so well on all who try it on. It is a timeless classic that will never date. A lifelong item of clothing that will be passed on to friends and family we expect! We are using Irish woven Donegal tweed and the coat is made in Dublin. The style of the coat is oversize cardigan style with a dropped shoulder, pockets and 3 buttons to the front. It can be worn open or buttoned and belted looks super too. This is a generous open cardie style coat it is not a fitted style coat.”
€795
For those who love to entertain:
Antoinette Poisson Reception book
160 pages to remember your dinner parties, menus and table decorations - themes.
You can also ask for it to be personalised with a hand stencilled monogram on cover.
49,00€
We love these all-natural, 100% Irish beeswax ‘Celebration’ candles by Irish creative company, Woodtown Studio.
Each candle is hand-dipped, by Rachel & Summer and there are 10 candles per pack and about 40min burn-time per candle
€12,95
Brass Meander candleholder by Superfolk
Irish husband-and-wife team Gearoid Muldowney, a craft designer, and Jo Anne Butler, an artist and architect, have created their brand Superfolk as a reflection of their deep connection with nature. Their work is a joyful celebration of the ever-changing vibrant, rich colours and patterns of the wildlife, landscape, geology and seasons of their native Mayo, a county on the west coast of Ireland. In 2021, Superfolk became a member of the 1% for the Planet movement, which is part of a series of commitments that they have made to grow slowly and sustainably, sharing their passion for protecting, preserving and restoring the natural world.
What Superfolk say about this beautiful candleholder
“The meandering river is the embodiment of all that is simple and beautiful in nature. The river gently navigates the landscape. Its path is constantly improving and evolving. It is calm and restless at same time. Superfolk wants to bring the beauty of nature into the home. The meandering product range echoes that soft search for the sea, the gentle journey of water from the source to the coast.” Gearoid
160.00 euro
Con alma board ‘Tabla Mallorca’
Álvaro and Maria Antònia left behind the bustling life of London for the village of Binissalem, Mallorca, in search of a slower, better way of living. They have made a commitment to building their lives together, raising their children and founding a fulfilling creative business. Their design company, Con Alma, was created in 2013 as a way to fuse Mallorcan craft traditions and contemporary design with sustainable creative processes that are kind to nature.
€36,30 - €80
For loved ones who love to get outdoors
into nature and tend their gardens
A beautiful hand-carved ‘Reconnector’ sculpture by Norwegian artist, Jannik Abel
“Imagine walking in the forest as the day breaks. Light is hitting only the lowest of land.
Passing willows and pines. Joining the gentle wind playing with the leaves.
You know exactly what these trees look like on the inside.
What they feel like.
How oak is heavy, stringent and so incredibly solid.
How pine is the smoothest and surprisingly flexible.
That juniper smells and how alder binds the riverbank.
The Reconnector project guides you into this world.
Where you know natures as well as it knows you.
This world is possible.”
Jannik Abel
NOK1,500
An Opinel-Nomad Cooking Kit available at Superfolk
Irish husband-and-wife team Gearoid Muldowney, a craft designer, and Jo Anne Butler, an artist and architect, have created their brand Superfolk as a reflection of their deep connection with nature. Their work is a joyful celebration of the ever-changing vibrant, rich colours and patterns of the wildlife, landscape, geology and seasons of their native Mayo, a county on the west coast of Ireland. In 2021, Superfolk became a member of the 1% for the Planet movement, which is part of a series of commitments that they have made to grow slowly and sustainably, sharing their passion for protecting, preserving and restoring the natural world.
“Perfect for summer picnics or even longer camping trips, this kit is lightweight enough to stow in a backpack yet contains enough tools to prepare a feast. It’s the perfect companion for summer adventures.” Jo Anne and Gearóid, Superfolk
€80.00
A one of a kind botanical sculpture by French artist Luce Monier who weaves and plaits wheat, rice, and Camargais grasses, to explore the symbolic story of Arles.
POA
Wintering, The Power of Rest & Retreat in Difficult Times, Katherine May
Earthed by Rebecca Shiller
Cut & Dry, The Modern Guide to Dried Flowers from Growing to Styling, Carolyn Dunster
Repotting Your Life. Reframe Your Thinking, Reset Your Purpose, Rejuvenate Yourself Time and Again. Frances Edmonds
For the loved one who is mindful, holistic and a little bit witchy
Offer 3 Sources Membership - a monthly subscription that gives you 24/7 access to Rachel Bakers library of holistic wellness offerings.
Offer these beautiful ‘Wonder Cards’, 31 illustrated daily affirmation cards by Irish artist Paula McGurdy to bring some light and love to your day.
“Choose a card to read & take a mindful moment to enjoy the light & love you’ll receive, let the words sink in and keep them with you throughout the day. There is wonder in words and if we choose to believe in them, they have the ability to transform.
They come beautifully packaged & would make the perfect gift for either yourself or to share the love with someone else.”
€33.00
'Gratitude Scarf' Electronic Sheep x Fiona Cribben
"When I am thankful there is nothing else that can enter into my orbit" Fiona Cribben
€154.00
An Auro Somo reading at the Mii Amo Spa in Sedona.
If you want to learn more about the Language of Color and how we can harness our intuition and self-awareness with Auro Soma then I highly recommend you hightail it to listen to artist Lindsey Callas’s beautiful podcast Archaeology of the Journey - episode two talks to Aura-Soma practitioner, Bhakta
A ‘Rather light’ yoga mat by hejhej’, The first closed-loop yoga mat
The hejhej-mat is the first sustainable yoga mat whose entire product life is designed in an ecological and fair way. So not only the production process is considered, but also what happens when you can no longer use your hejhej
€129,00