Known for all things comfy, from flannel sheets to cashmere sweaters,
Garnet Hill puts out an especially cozy holiday catalog.
Creative director and vice president Charles Pates gives us an inside look at the company's 2009 gift catalog, out later this week.
To evoke the winter holidays, Garnet Hill's team traveled to
Iceland's coast, an otherworldly landscape of basalt pebble beaches and turquoise ice floes. "It's got a magical, Middle Earth quality about it, perfect for holiday gifts," desribes Pates.
There's a practical benefit to shooting in the Land of Fire and Ice, too. Since the photos were shot in summer, "it's either [Iceland] or Mount Hood!" laughs Pates. And with the midnight sun, the crew never had to worry about running out of daylight.
The models are wrapped up in the toastiest of sweaters, often with oversized or cocooning silhouettes. Standouts include decorative hand-knits, bell- and lantern-sleeve styles and a sweeping
ruffle-edge cashmere wrap. There's even a new leopard-print cardigan -- classic with a racy edge.
Several offerings have a cross-cultural bent, like the exuberant
bedding inspired by Eastern European folk art. "We edit the world so you don't have to," says Pates. These global influences tend to be timeless rather than cutting-edge, weaving seamlessly into Garnet Hill's traditional look.
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Garnet Hill - Classic Holiday Gift Ideas 2009
Click through to see the catalog's stylish fashion and home decor picks for this holiday season.
Garnet Hill
New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. Pictures
Marisa Miller in the $3 million 'Harlequin Fantasy Bra' designed by Damiani for Victoria's Secret.. It took a team of 15 designers 800 hours to create the bra which features a 16-carat heart-shaped champagne diamond pendant and 2,350 brilliant-cut white, champagne and cognac diamonds. Marissa complements the bra with 'Sexy Little Things' panty, Damiani jewels, black suede gloves by Pamela Woods and shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti.
Jason Kempin, Getty Images
Alessandra Ambrosio in a custom Victoria's Secret 'Miraculous Bra,' Body By Victoria panty, arm piece by Alexander Koutny and Luck Calf Projects and shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti.
Jason DeCrow, AP
Erin Heatherton in VS 'Shapewear Bra,' high-waisted panty, space suit by Alexander Koutny and shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti.
Jason Kempin, Getty Images
Caroline Trentini in VS 'Very Sexy' push-up, hip-huggers, orbit bustle and shoulder piece by Alexander Koutny, Alexis Bittar cuffs and shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti.
Jason Kempin, Getty Images
Liu Wen in VS 'Biofit' bra and panty, aluminum body piece by Ben Wilkinson-Raemer and boots by Giuseppe Zanotti.
Jason Kempin, Getty Images
Maryna Linchuk in VS's 'Miraculous Bra,' wings by Alexander Koutny and shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti.
Jason Kempin, Getty Images
Sessilee in a VS 'Miracle' push-up bra and 'Lacie' panty, couture
crystal shoulder and hip piece by Jenny Manik Mercian using
Crystallized Swarovski Elements and boots by Giuseppe Zanotti.
Jason Kempin, Getty Images
Ana Beatriz Barros in a VS lace balconet and matching panty, feather trimmed dress by Rosemarie Le Gallais for Swarovski Runway Rocks, Mouawad fine jewelry and shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti.
Jason Kempin, Getty Images
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in VS corset bra and 'Lacie' hip-hugger, couture crystal wings and belt by Jenny Manik Mercian and Marian 'Killer' Hose using Crystallized Swarovski Elements and shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti.
Jason Kempin, Getty Images
Heidi Klum takes the stage in a VS cupped slip and matching panty, corset and half gown by Jane Law, jewelry by Mouawad and shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti
Jason Kempin, Getty Images
The company's designers are also inspired by their own backyard. The new
Buckets of Joy Advent Calendar, for instance, was sparked by the sap buckets that hang from maple trees up in New Hampshire, Garnet Hill's home base. A set of 25 miniature steel buckets hangs from a cord, ready to hold sweet treats in the days before Christmas.
Many of Garnet Hill's items are exclusive, but the company also partners with a few other like-minded designers, such as jeweler
Chan Luu.
Luu's GH real estate has been growing; here she introduces a couple of striking,
oversized necklaces.
Hable Construction's retro-chic designs also fit right in. Fresh, exclusive designs pop up here, ranging from plump
felt ornaments to
long johns to snowball-dusted
wool rugs.
