Online Love

They say love can be found online, and it certainly can, in the form of gorgeous gifts available via online shopping.

If you are rushing around, and haven’t found time to get a special something for a special someone for Friday, or fancy treating yourself to a special gift this week, here are ten good online gift ideas from the V&A’s curated range of romantic gifts for him or her. Including irresistible designer jewellery, limited edition prints, books on the themes of love and a range of quirky yet romantic gift cards.

For Her:

Marina Callis red flower bud stud earrings

Marina Callis creates textile jewellery, exploring ideas around volume and repetition. Intense detail goes into each piece, with particular attention paid to the colours – some styles explore a chromatic range, others focus solely on one colour. Many of the textiles Marina uses are vintage Argentinian designs, so many pieces are made in very limited quantities. These are sewn by hand.

£35

Love Lariat necklace by Philippe

Designer Philippe Salaam has been a part of the New York jewellery scene since the mid 1980’s. His ‘By Philippe’ collection combines a graphic sensibility with a fashion forward use of materials. 14 carat gold fill.

£50

Heart Earrings by Mirabelle

A pretty vintage heart motif was the inspiration behind this simple pair of earrings.

Mirabelle founder Veronique Henry has travelled extensively throughout her life, gaining a unique perspective in creating and sourcing jewellery. The daughter of a Parisian silversmith, Véronique’s jewellery is characterised by its easy, chic aesthetic and timeless quality.

22ct gold plated brass, fair trade
£40

Faith Ring by Bill Skinner

Fashion jeweller Bill Skinner’s jewellery combines exquisite detailing and design with a very British sense of wit. During his career he has worked with companies such as Van Cleef and Arpels, Garrards and Asprey.

These two clasped hands signified love and fidelity and rings such as these were given and worn as love tokens and were associated with marriage.

£28, from £70

Heart Card Range

£1.75-3.50

Lovely heart range of cards. Blank inside for your own message.

Postcards from Vogue

A collection of 100 postcards, each featuring a striking Vogue cover. From early aspirational illustrations to modern celebrity photography, this is a stunning selection of Vogue’s most dazzling images.

£14.99

For Him:

Limited edition V&A beer mats

Exclusively designed for the V&A by A Two Pipe Problem Letterpress (AKA Problem Press) which was started by artist Stephen Kenny, from his workshop in Walthamstow, East London, in 2007.
£3

David Bowie Plectrum

Created exclusively for the V&A. Double-sided guitar pick featuring a session photograph for Aladdin Sane by Brian Duffy from 1973, as well as a pattern redrawn from the original fabric from a jumpsuit worn by David Bowie on the cover of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
£0.75

V&A Fish design wash bag

Created exclusively for the V&A, the lovely pattern on this bag is based on a furnishing fabric designed by Rhona Park under the direction of the Central School of Art and Design, London, 1951
£6.50

Pearl Cufflinks

Classic, smart white pearl cufflinks.

The V&A has worked with pearl specialists and designers to bring together a unique collection of jewellery in celebration of our major Autumn exhibition ‘Pearls’. Sourced from around the world, all our pearl jewellery pieces are authentic. From freshwater pearls to South Sea and Tahitian pearls, whether a classic design or a contemporary take, our pearl collection aims to inspire and delight, and to suit every taste, occasion and pocket.

£125

Limited Edition Map of the London Thames

Oarsman’s and Angler’s Map of the River Thames, c.1893

This lovely folded cloth map with slip case starts with the River Thames from it’s source to London Bridge.

Printed with pigment ink on to archival paper and laid on to cloth, it is fade resistant and light fast.
£15

It’s not too late:
Last order date in time for Valentine’s Day is Tuesday the 11th February on the V&A website.
http://www.vandashop.com

If you are feeling extra cultural the V&A is open til 10pm on Valentines Day, and have a Champagne friendly bar open in the entrance!

Read full article here, published in Macs Magazine February 2014 http://www.macsmagazine.com/2014/02/valentines-online-love/