Local luxury, lust and leather: 14 Valentine’s love gifts

As much as Valentine’s Day is associated with roses; red and violets; blue, it has always been a day of martyrdom from Saint Valentine’s selflessness and ultimate sacrifice of expressing true love.  There is nothing more romantic than wearing one’s January pay cheque on one’s sleeve and splurging on flowers, jewellery and declarations of lust or love. However, this list of gifts is for all types of love and relationships; from scarlet letters and one-night stands to anniversaries.

Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta, roller skates, handmade Italian leather — what’s more playful? Look at the Quilt Rollers priced at   R32,745.93.

Savage X Fenty

Rihanna’s ground-breaking lingerie line is guaranteed to spice up the night of the 14th, and hopefully many nights afterwards. The unisex Valentine’s capsule collection includes boxers, panties, pyjamas and everything in between — celebrating the diversity of love.

Adidas Ivy Park

Beyoncé’s collaboration with Adidas now focuses on love, the love of oneself specifically, with the Ivy Heart capsule collection. The 40-piece collection, including bags, shoes and clothes, will be available on the Adidas website and Adidas Originals stores from February 9. 

Clarins

Nothing says love quite like self-care. My girlfriend (and hopefully Valentine’s date) gifted me Clarins products for my birthday, the Super Moisture Balm has changed my life and rejuvenated my face to prepubescent tenderness. My shaving routine is bumpy at best and the aftershave has been the first product to calm down my neck. Two gifts that made me love myself and project that love onto my partner. Try Nutri-Lumière Luxury Set, ClarinsMen After Shave Soother and Super Moisture Balm. 

Nike — Air More Uptempo

The new colourway of the Nike Air More Uptempo is highlighted with alternating navy and red branding making the shoe a sexy late-night flex.

Air More Uptempo  R2999

LOEWE — Anagram Mohair Sweater 

Honestly, mohair is relationship material. Expressing your love has never been as easy as gifting a luxury jersey, in an appropriately themed colour.

Anagram Mohair Sweater  R13 900

Fields Store - Cotton Tote Bag featuring Catherine Holtzhausen 

Fields Store in Cape Town has become known for its use of local materials and manufacturers — perfect for you to declare your love through ethics and considered consumption. This tote, in collaboration with Catherine Holtzhausen, “pays homage to those bravely challenging hegemonic discourses and replacing them with movements of compassion”.

Cotton Tote Bag featuring Catherine Holtzhausen  R400

Inga Atelier — Uthando 

I always ensure my heart is cute and practical; compact to not be a burden but with a pocket for essentials. The celebrated leather crafts of Inga Atelier have just released a standout bag that is as versatile as it is chic. Made from luxury handcrafted Italian leather, this heart won’t break so easily.

Uthando R3,044.99

*Apartment — The other details were hazy — R1,490

Priorities, perspectives and perfume define trysts and intimacy. The conceptual fragrances of *Apartment allow one to construct a subjective narrative of smell, crafting their own relationship with scent. For Valentines, their “The other details were hazy” is a fragrance eliciting the background hues of violet and dry rose on a dusky, mysterious walk through a midsummer night’s dream. 

The other details were hazy R1,490

Charles Greig — Matching Rolexes

Matching outfits are all the rage, rather than the Blade Runner-chic of Julia Fox and Ye, opt for an understated and oh-so tasteful matching set of Rolexes.

Oyster, 36mm, Oystersteel — R90,600

Oyster, 31mm, Oystersteel — R84,000

Mami Wata —  ‘A Game of Love’ tee and tote 

Show that you’re an active player in the game of love with Africa’s first surf brand, Mami Wata’s tote, tee and crew neck. These functional everyday pieces are locally made with the highest quality cotton.

‘A Game of Love’ tee and tote from R550 

Gucci — Heart necklace and GG ‘Love’ print silk scarf — from R350

Nothing quite says love like high-end Italian brands and a Gucci heart necklace or love themed scarf makes sure your declaration is not lost. The necklace is 925 sterling silver, and the scarf is 100% silk.

Heart necklace and GG ‘Love’ print silk scarf from R350