The Most KNOTORYUS Xmas 2020 Gift Guide
Despite the universe’s best attempts, nothing is going to take away our holiday cheer! We may be spending the festive season blowing party horns at our phone screens, however, there will still be heartfelt packages shining on your loved ones’ doorsteps. To inspire you to give better this year, we’ve listed a sampling of lovely gift-giving ideas in all price categories, supporting your favourite Belgians and international Black and Indigenous POC creators. That’s that real Black Friday!
Thee gift of 2020! “I’LL WEAR IT UNTIL I’M DEAD - THE SONG FASHION ARCHIVES” is a future-classic fashion monograph spotlighting over 350 pages of the most exceptional independent designs and creators ever to exist.
It’s partially an intimate and first-ever look into the inner sanctum and Holy Grail-filled archives of independent Viennese fashion, art and design store ‘SONG’, as well as an anniversary celebration enriched by contemporary fashion's ‘most fearless protagonists’. Written by KNOTORYUS’ own Dominique Nzeyimana, edited by SONG founder Myung-il Song and brought to tangerine-clad life by master graphic designer Paul Boudens, the tome contains ‘21 years in the life of a leading-edge clothing store’ talked about, shot, illustrated, made fun of, cried over, lauded, railed against, referenced and explained by Myung-il Song, Dirk Van Saene, Maison Martin Margiela, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten, Bernhard Willhelm, Stephen Jones, Kei Ninomiya, Paul Harnden Shoemakers and more’.
Containing exclusive interviews, notes and conversations with, by and from Martin Margiela, Dries Van Noten, Kaat Debo, Paul Harnden, Stephen Jones and Dirk Van Saene.
It’s the absolutely unparalleled meld of brilliant minds for me. An instant-hit fashion gift!
Shirts with art by King Owusu (left) and Nico Kartel (right)
If you know and love an art fiend, the amazing Marie Gomis-Trezise, friend of The Most podcast has launched a terrific holiday store for you. Marie’s Galerie Number 8 is working with Nataal on an advent art sale offering limited edition posters, T-shirts, hoodies, totes and unique gifts in collaboration with over 50 artists (including Mous Lamrabat, Djeneba Aduayom, King Owusu, David Uzochukwu, Kvvadwo, Sami Ziadi and many more). Shop a unique present while raising funds for imporant causes and supporting BIPOC artists.
(c) DELOVIE PHOTOGRAPHY - ‘Anna’ from the series ‘The Quingdom’
(c) Nico Kartel
As soon as miss Pfizer gives us the go-ahead, we’re booking a flight! The best-selling ABC Travel Green Book is here to aid Black and POC travellers find kinship wherever they want to travel, countering any possible misgivings about a lack of local diversity when picking out a destination.
This travel book was created to celebrate Black culture and connect the African diaspora globally in an accessible and fun read. You and your globetrotter bestie deserve a copy.
Available in paperback and for e-reader. Get it here.
Image c/o Omroep ZWART
As you heard on The Most podcast Episode 26 with Brian Elstak, Omroep Zwart is a crucial, crowd-sourced Dutch initiative working towards the creation of a truly inclusive new TV network. Becoming a member helps the Omroep Zwart team bring their vision to life and only costs a tenner a year.
Give this gift to your friends in the Netherlands, for yourself, for your future kids.
Omroep ZWART needs as many members as possible before December 31st 2020. It matters.
Do it here.
Image: John Edmonds /Telfar
I grew up on Caribbean Christmases, so soca and parang music always herald the Yuletide in our home. Machel Montano’s ‘Soca Santa don't want to ride no sleigh / In ah big time Toyota gallivanting all day’ is such a holiday classic and I imagine the 2020 version of Soca Santa would prefer a crimson Telfar durag over a mink-lined red hat anyday.
Get it here.
Image Comme des Garçons parfums* & Jordan Hemingway
A Comme des Garçons fragrance never misses. They’re known for their standout scent patterns and bold, surprising choices. The latest offering to emerge from the Kawakubo Labs (I envision black, ruched lab coats) is ROUGE. As I am no where near a ‘nez’ or master perfumer, let’s let the experts explain: “ROUGE is an encounter between seductive incense and vegetal roots, a mixing of spicy pink peppercorns, Indonesian ginger, fresh beetroot, and Egyptian Geranium leaves. The archetypal associations of the colour Rouge are seen and subverted through the distinctly disruptive gaze of Comme des Garçons.” Subversive luxury, you already know who this is perfect for.
Buy it at your local parfumier.
Image c/o Comme des Garçons parfums* & Jordan Hemingway
Polaroid by Cooper Kizito Blontrock
The ever-prolific author, activist, playwright, amazing human and OG Guest of the The Most podcast Dalilla Hermans presents a new book you will want to add to your library with the quickness. Co-created with Ebissé Rouw, this (Dutch-written) book is an important anthology of modern literature from the African diaspora, showcasing the ‘power, vitality and diversity’ of Black literature in the Netherlands and Belgium. ‘AfroLit’ consists of recent fiction and non-fiction by 18 authors, each with their own style and repertoire. Dalilla even designed the cover herself. Featured poets, opinion leaders and scriptwriters include Avery Bertrand Iradukunda (BE), Babs Gons (NL), Carolina Maciel de França (BE), Chris Polanen (NL), Esther Duysker (NL), Grâce Ndjako (NL), Hasna Ankal (BE), Lisette Ma Neza (NL), Malique Mohamud (NL), Nyiragasigwa Hens (BE), Rachel Rumai Diaz (NL), Sayonara Stutgard (NL), Sesa (BE), Sulaiman Addonia (BE) and Tracy Bibo Tansia (BE). The ideal surprise for your auntie, brother, cousin who appreciates the power of a well-written word!
Get it at your local independent bookstore.
(c) Uitgeverij Pluim
Image via HYPEPEACE
The revolution doesn’t pause for the holiday season, so get yourself or your passionate peers and friends this future-proof windbreaker made by the good folks of streetwear label with heart, HYPEPEACE. You can wear - and write on - every piece in their latest ‘PROTEST GEAR’ collection to make your voice heard and to protect yourself during protests. The ingenious safety tips, links to resources, emergency contact info space and rewritable areas for slogans emblazoned on this jacket make it a potent tool in the fight against injustice worldwide.
The DEEWEE Store is your one-stop shop go-to if you’ve got a true audiophile on your gift list. Peruse the freshest record label store on the planet for unique vinyl releases, books and deep dives into synths but also the most lush T-shirts and tote bags for the discerning music lover. KNOTORYUS recommends: the DEEWEE tote, DEEWEE038: Charlotte Adigéry Yin Yang Self-Meditation cassette, and the Ill-Studio-designed book ‘INCOMPLETE INVENTORY VOL. 1’.
Also, support your favourite musicians directly by buying their work on Bandcamp!
Image via Nice In Harlem
Before the recipient gets to open this gift, have them press play on Beyoncé’s ‘BLACK PARADE’ or ‘BLACK EFFECT’ and watch the joy take hold. Designed by Tremaine Emory as a ‘canvas for conversation’, this shoe translates the African-American flag into an important message: ‘The future is yours’. Emory elaborates: “Profits from the sale of this sneaker drop are going to Black Voters Matter & For Freedoms in the name of artist David Hammons in respect to the conversation him and I had this summer about what this flag means to Black people, him, myself and America.” These are instant classics.
Buy at Patta or at select retailers before they are sold out.
We’re telling you, every single one of The Most podcast’s honoured guests stays winning. Belgian leader Sihame El Kaouakibi has released a new book titled ‘Coming In’, sharing the story of how she ‘came out’ as a politician, but also her own personal story and what it means to her to stand up for your ideals and learning how to fight your battles. An essential gift to all the people in your life you’re looking to inspire and lift up.
Get it here or at your favourite indie bookstore.
Image: Hood Century
Image via: @hoodmidcentury
If you have an architecture aficionado in your circle, surprise them with this. Jerald Cooper is the founder of creative studio Things We've Made and the person behind much-loved Instagram account @hoodmidcenturymodern, chronicling ‘mid-century modern architecture in the hood’. This pack of flashcards are Cooper’s first collectible release in a future array of educational and lifestyle tools. The cards are drawn by Joe Walsh and will delight any connoisseur of fine home design.
Buy here.
(c) Concrete
You know Walter Van Beirendonck will brighten up any holiday, and even through a laggy Zoom connection you will be able to witness the delight on the face of the recipient of one of his designs. With gifts ranging from graphic socks to collage tees and cyclist tops, the AW20 ‘W:A.R.’ (Walter About Rights) collection spreads joy as well as all-important anti-war and pro all-inclusive beauty messages this holiday season.
Buy at Concrete and other select retailers.
(c) Supercollect
If you decide to keeps these prints, we won’t pass blame. This bold Paul Boudens ‘NOT DEAD YET’ print set contains 3 letterpress prints on heavy-impression paper in a limited edition 100. Each print is also numbered and signed by the artist. It’s almost too good to share, no?
Also, Paul Boudens just released a gorgeous monograph exclusively sold at Copyright Bookstore.
It’s titled ‘INVITATIONS’ and chronicles a career of incredible fashion show invitation design.
Get it here.
Image via Das Mag
Every single book or artwork created by most recent guest on The Most podcast, Brian Elstak, is a bundle of immaculate design paired with important and representative messaging. His ‘Tori’ children’s book series will do just wonderfully for the youngins as well as their parents who undoubtedly are clamouring for something better to read at story-time. Brian’s latest book release is an apocalyptic satire titled ‘De Neukpiet’ and will gladden anyone who’s with you on the Kick Out Zwarte Piet train.
(c) Brian Elstak
Patta AW20 collection
Your friends at Patta always deliver and their AW20 collection offers a cornucopia of designs that you should share with those you appreciate (and really want to see in a good look after no-fit 2020). Patta is all love and you feel it when you wear and share it.
Image: Cosima for Patta by Olivia Jankowska
A virtual gift for a stranger? Here’s how it works. The ‘Choose Love’ store is a new concept selling real products and services for refugees worldwide. Any item you choose to purchase will be delivered to those among us facing winter and the pandemic in the most difficult conditions. From hot meals to rent money, safe spaces for women, mental health support, your gift can make a true and tangible difference to support 135+ projects across Europe, the Middle East and the US-Mexico border.
Start shopping for a stranger here!
Brandon Blackwood IS the moment. The New York designer’s ‘End Systemic Racism’-emblazoned miniature totes in lush colourways have been flying off the racks. These collectibles sell out constantly, so keep an eye out for restocks and snatch one up for the person who will shut down any look paired with one of these.
Buy here.
(c) domyenn444
Our final gift suggestion is one you should give yourself, while simultaneously supporting The Most podcast in continuing to offer conversations about life and career with luminaries and prodigies from fashion, music, art and culture sans paywall. Treat yourself to a Patreon subscription to The Most, unlocking multiple tiers of exclusive offers and access. We appreciate you!
More suggestions? Hit us up on Instagram and share the goodness: @KNOTORYUS