The Perfect Gift List for Melbourne Design Lovers

Christopher Boots often finds his muse in nature – take his crystalline “Sugar Bomb” lights or incandescent quartz, bronze and lapis lazuli room divider, for example. The industrial designer also responds to the energy of his hometown. Here are some of Boots’ favourite things for when you want a little piece of Melbourne. Compiled by Alison Boleyn.

Lighting Designer Christopher Boots' Most Stylish Melbourne Souvenirs

Negroni from The Everleigh Bottling Co.

An elegant bottle from Fitzroy cocktail bar The Everleigh makes a fine souvenir of Melbourne, says Boots – if you “can make it to the airport without drinking it first”.

Ginger Flight Therapy by Aēsop

Boots likes the fact that this skincare brand comes out of Melbourne; he calls its spicy roll-on an onboard essential.

“Karli” Necklace by Daniel Serra

E.g.etal in Flinders Lane represents jewellers from Australia and New Zealand. Melbourne’s Daniel Serra spent more than 90 hours hand-carving this necklace from a single block of Queensland blackwood.

Merciless Gods by Christos Tsiolkas

“More writing like this in our lives combats the clouds of alternative facts,” says Boots of the short-story collection from the Melbourne author of The Slap and Barracuda.

Ghostly Socks

These rocking foot knits from Ghostly are hand-dyed in Fitzroy North and named after classic hits, including “Purple Haze” and “Bad Moon Rising”.

Exercise Clubs from Tarlo & Graham

Boots likes to browse this Fitzroy treasure-trove of art, toys, curios and taxidermy “because we all love a gift that tells a story and shows a history of being loved...”

“Comodo” Bangle by Juan Castro

Melbourne-based Spanish artist Juan Castro is represented by Pieces of Eight, a contemporary gallery in Russell Place with a knockout compass-inspired entrance.