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Lacoste has enlisted furniture designer Tom Dixon to be the first creator in its new Holiday Collector's Series. Better known for his use of sheet metal and plastic than for cotton, Dixon is exactly the type of fashion outsider that the brand had in mind to revamp its traditional polo, packaged below.
Dolls
Usually thought of as playthings for little girls, dolls take on a much more artistic function as interpreted by the artist Alexander Girard, who died in 1993. The Wooden Dolls, above, originally made by Girard in 1963 and inspired by his love of folk art, have been re-created by the design firm Vitra. More of a decorative item than a toy, the colorful and slightly kooky figures delight.
Dyson
For cleaning fanatics, a vacuum can mean only one thing: Dyson. Since the company's inception in 1993, James Dyson has strived to create innovative machines superior to anything else on the market. Now comes his latest invention, the Root 6, above, a handheld vacuum that won't lose suction, never clogs and has a lithiumion battery. And with its space-age good looks, it's nice enough to leave lying around the house.
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Elephant Camp
Combine one of the most luxurious and accommodating hotel chains in the world with a little do-gooder, save-the-animals mentality and you get the elephant-rescue program at the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, below. Guests at the Thai resort have the opportunity to adopt, interact with and tend elephants that have been saved from city streets and placed in the care of the Four Seasons.
Etro Menswear
Maybe it's the unmistakably Italian sensibility of its fashions, or maybe it's those paisley patterns the company is so famous for. Whatever the appeal, Etro is enjoying a fresh wave of popularity this season. For its fall/winter menswear show, models strode down the runway, below, in confidently coordinated looks, mixing and matching colors and textures. With styles so distinctive, it's no wonder the name has achieved classic status.
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Felt
Perhaps thought of more as a fabric for hats or billiard tables, felt worked by London-based Finnish designer Anne Kyyrö Quinn becomes sumptuous art for the home. Her sculptural wall panels, throws and pillows have a bold, modern look. Based in the landmark Oxo Tower Wharf in London's South Bank, Quinn uses wool and industrial felt, weaving and twisting them into intricate designs. The raised relief on her flower pillows and three-dimensional dot pillows makes a bold statement on any sofa. Quinn will even customize the pillows to match your décor. De Beers has used the designer's wall hangings in its London store as a backdrop for its diamonds. Fashionable English restaurants use her felt panels to create a warm atmosphere, and they have the added effect of damping down noise in dining rooms.
Fragrance
Joining the ranks of other designers, like Marc Jacobs and Yves Saint Laurent, who crossed over from frocks to fragrance, Tom Ford introduces his first women's scent, Black Orchid. Inspired by his fascination with the elusive flower, it has top notes of black truffle, ylang-ylang, bergamot and black currant. The perfume, sold in an Art Deco bottle with gold nameplate, below, heralds the launch of the Tom Ford Beauty collection.
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