Gift ideas for design-savvy dads: 5 classic items reissued
Certain products have entered the canon of modern design over the years. These examples, recently reissued by various brands, make ideal gifts for dads with an appreciation for functionality and refined style.
Ultima Thule highball glasses by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala
To mark the centenary of Tapio Wirkkala's birth, Iittala is reissuing several of the Finnish design brand's signature items, including the iconic Ultima Thule glassware collection. First produced in 1968, the drinking glasses from this line have a unique texture that calls to mind winter, ice and the Finnish wilderness. (€39.90/$65 for two)
Juicy Salif citrus squeezer by Philippe Starck for Alessi
Perhaps the world's most recognizable citrus squeezer, created by the most famous French designer alive today, the Juicy Salif is turning 25 this year. Alessi is celebrating the anniversary by issuing a special edition in cast aluminum with a matte white coating. (€60/$100)
As for the anecdote behind this unusual gadget, Alberto Alessi had initially asked Philippe Starck to design a tray. After months of waiting, Alessi received a paper napkin from the island of Capraia, where Starck was vacationing, with sketches of the citrus squeezer. The designer claims he was inspired while eating octopus with lemon.
Coat hook by Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell
Iconic design doesn't always come with an affordable price tag, but luckily there are some exceptions, such as Kartell's reissue of the coat hooks designed by Olaf Von Bohr. In 1979, the item was awarded the Compasso d'Oro, one of the most prestigious awards in the design world. (€21/around $23 each)
Alessandro M corkscrew by Alessandro Mendini for Alessi
Each year, designer Alessandri Mendini offers a new take on his classic Alessandro M corkscrew. For 2015, to commemorate the World Expo currently underway in Milan, he added a miniature replica of the city's famous cathedral, along with a white apron, a nod to the event's food-focused theme. (€65/around $71)
The Vertigo pendant lamp by Constance Guisset for Petite Friture
One of the first designs issued by the French home furnishings brand Petite Friture, the Vertigo pendant lamp is also among its best-selling items. For the fifth anniversary of its founding, the brand is reissuing the Vertigo in two versions: pink and blue. (€695/around $763)
