Whether you’re shopping for your girlfriend, sister, or best friend, we’ve found the year’s hottest gifts to please every gal on your list. From a super-slick smartphone to pretty pocket-size wireless speakers, we reveal the nine hottest gadgets she’ll love this holiday.

Samsung GALAXY Note

When it comes to smartphones, the GALAXY Note is quite possibly the best out there. Not only does it have the world’s first 5.3-inch HD Super AMOLED screen, which provides an incomparable high-resolution viewing experience, it also comes with an 8-megapixel camera complete with photo and video editing, and the advanced S Pen to personalize everything you do. If you really want to wow her this holiday, grab one of these.

Samsung Series 9 Notebook

Built with the same material as an advanced aircraft, this Samsung notebook is twice as strong as aluminium yet weighs less than three pounds. Plus, it features a backlit keyboard, brilliant LCD display screen, and a large multitouch clickpad. All in all, a pretty sharp package she’ll love.

Nintendo 3DS

Girls are gamers too—and the Nintendo 3DS is something at the top of any gamers’ list this holiday. The 3-D screen is best in class and doesn’t require 3-D glasses—a real breakthrough in portable entertainment. If she likes gaming, she’ll love this.

Native Union Pop Phone

This funky retro handset is ideal for anyone who loves all things vintage. Featuring a classic look with a contemporary edge, the handset plugs directly into a mobile phone, computer, or tablet for an old-school chatting experience.

Polaroid Instant Digital Camera

Recapture the magic of instant photography with this new Polaroid camera. Using the latest inkless printing technology, you can instantly transform digital photos into fun 3-by-4-inch photos that can be shared spontaneously. And inkless printing means no messy ink cartridges to worry about!

Juicy Couture Faux-Fur Earmuff Headphones

There’s no better gift for a stylish, tech-savvy woman than these super-cute faux-fur headphones. Not only will she be impressed that you’re familiar with fashion label Juicy Couture, she’ll love that she can rock out to her MP3 player in high style.

Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch

If she’s always reading a new novel or browsing her favorite weekly mag, we bet she’ll adore Barnes and Noble’s second-generation Nook. This upgraded e-reader is faster, lighter, and thinner than its predecessor—and boasts a two-month battery life (that’s an entire month more than the Kindle!). And with its library of more than 2.5 million books, she’ll never run out of titles to download. 

Jawbone Jambox

No more cords or docking systems: The chic-but-powerful Jambox speaker is wireless, small enough to fit in your hand, and mighty enough to fill even the largest room. And with 10 hours of battery life, it won’t die as the party peaks. 

Sony 3-D Bloggie HD Camera

This sleek handheld camera shoots in astonishing 3-D HD sure to impress any recipient on your gift list this year. Bonus: The LCD screen features 3-D playback—no special glasses needed!

Check out our Techie Holiday Gift Guide for Him here.

You can’t avoid it any longer—it’s time to start thinking about holiday shopping. But this year, skip the traditional go-to gifts of sweaters and boxers, and instead impress your family and friends with cutting-edge gadgets and gear. From the latest and greatest smartphone to the best handheld gaming system, we reveal the hottest gifts of 2011.

Samsung GALAXY Note

Samsung has taken the smartphone to a whole new level with the GALAXY Note. Featuring a large and immersive screen, best-in-class mobile input ‘with a touchscreen and the advanced S Pen, a full suite of features including built in photo and video editing capabilities, this is must-have for your most discerning gift recipients.

Samsung LED 8000 Series TV

This incredible television is something everyone should experience: From its visually stunning LED HD picture to its Smart TV capabilities with a solid collection of apps including Facebook and Skype, it’s a must-have for anyone who’s a gadget lover.

Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch

The latest generation of the Barnes and Noble e-reader is faster, lighter, and thinner than its predecessor. And we haven’t even gotten to the best part: The new Nook has a two-month battery life (that’s an entire month more than the Kindle!). With its library of more than 2.5 million books, this is a dream come true for any book lover.

Samsung LED 8000 Series TV

This incredible television is something everyone should experience: From its visually stunning LED HD picture to its Smart TV capabilities with a solid collection of apps including Facebook and Skype, it’s a must-have for anyone who’s a gadget lover.

Casio Tryx Camera

There always seems to be a snazzy new handheld camera hitting the market—but this one rises way above the rest. The insanely flexible 12-megapixel Tryx can turn, twist, hang, and stand unassisted to get shots you never thought possible.

Sony HD 3D Camcorder

Sony’s new camcorder isn’t the first to tout two lenses—but it is the first to have two imaging sensors and two processors. What does that mean?  Unbelievably clear playback and the ability to seamlessly go from 3-D to 2-D HD and back.

Jawbone ERA Bluetooth Headset

Want to really impress him? This is the only headset on the market equipped with military-grade noise-cancelling technology to ensure the least amount of background noise possible during important phone calls. The design is really cool too.

Garmin GTU 10 GPS Tracker

This lighter-size tracker combines a Web-based tracking service with GPS technology so you can keep an eye on children, pets, or personal property. View the location of your tracker from your computer or, if you prefer, your mobile device. Perfect for the person who can’t get enough James Bond.

 Livescribe Echo Smartpen (2GB)

Not only does this pen create digital backups of handwritten notes (when used with special paper), it also can record up to 400 hours of audio. Did we mention it has a camera too?

Nintendo 3DS

In the landscape of handheld gaming devices, the 3DS might not have the deepest selection of game titles. But what it lacks in selection it more than makes up for in its incredible, all encompassing 3-D experience (minus the glasses!). Once you play it, you’ll never put it down.

Nike Plus Sportswatch GPS (Powered by TomTom)

When Nike partnered with GPS powerhouse TomTom to create the Sportswatch GPS, we knew greatness would happen—and we weren’t disappointed. The watch tracks your time, distance, pace, and calories burned and seamlessly connects all this info with the NikePlus website to help you manage your running. Pretty slick.

DESPITE BEING TECHNO ADDICTS WHO DEPEND ON OUR IPHONES TO KEEP EVERY MINUTE OF OUR DAY IN CHECK, WE STILL SEEM TO FIND SOMETHING QUITE ROMANTIC AND NOSTALGIC ABOUT A HANDWRITTEN NOTE REMINDING US OF AN IMPORTANT DATE OR LISTING THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO OR GET.

It’s not often that we find something so stylish that we could consider giving up our reliance on our smart phones, for a little while anyway.

Arwey’s beautiful notebook collection combines function with style. Each notebook includes interior pockets for documents and notes, perforated pages to make them easy to tear out and flexible spines which allows you to fold the pages all the way back and completely flat. Exterior is made from different materials, either fabric or leather. All notebooks are available for purchase individually or as a set.

www.arwey.com

FOLLOWING PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE LIKES OF RAF SIMONS, RICK OWENS, CHRISTOPHER SHANNON AND GASPARD YURKIEVICH, BAGMAKERS EASTPAK CONTINUE THEIR HIGH END COLLABORATIONS WITH THEIR LATEST COLLECTION BY KRIS VAN ASSCHE.  THE COLLECTION IS A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL BLEND OF VAN ASSCHE’S UNIQUE BRAND OF SOPHISTICATION AND THE UNCONVENTIONAL SIMPLICITY OF EASTPAK’S OWN PHILOSOPHY AND WAS LAUNCHED DURING VAN ASSCHE’S FW11 SHOW IN PARIS IN JANUARY 2011.

The Belgian fashion designer brings his expertise in the field with a line of bags featuring backpacks and oversized shoulder bags in three combinations of materials and colours echoing the black/grey/natural colour pallet of Van Assche’s own FW11/12 collection. Indeed, the bags also reflect certain other recurring themes in the fashion designer’s own work such as suppleness and sobriety, internal structure and pure lines.

The EASTPAK KRISVANASSCHE collection will available in selected stores from July 2011. Each creation bears a metallic seal engraved with the two collaborating brand names.

Check out Eastpak’s recent collaboration with AGENT2 favourite, Rick Owens here and their Quinze and Milan sofa project here.

www.eastpak.com

READ FULL ARTICLE | FIND ITEM

The 9-piece capsule collection for men and women features everything from tiny shorts and ultra-skinny jeans to roomy boyfriend styles.

AGENT2 has ours already and we are guarunteed to make heads turn at the rodeo the next time we step out in these.

hervia.com

THEY’VE CEMENTED THEIR HIGH-FASHION CREDENTIALS WITH COLLABORATIONS WITH SOME OF THE TODAY’S EDGIEST FASHION DESIGNERS INCLUDING AGENT2 FAVORITES: RICK OWENS, RAF SIMONS, CHRISTOPHER SHANNON AND GASPARD YURKIEVICH AND  NOW EASTPAK HAVE CROSSED INTO THE WORLD OF FURNITURE WITH ITS LATEST PROJECT.  THEY’VE JOINED FORCES WITH EDGY BELGIAN DESIGN COMPANY QUINZE & MILAN TO CREATE A RANGE OF  SOFAS INSPIRED BY THE UTILITARIAN QUALITIES OF EASTPAK’S OWN COLLECTIONS.

This is a collaboration like it should be done: take the best of both sides and combine. They’ve taken two classic designs by Quinze & Milan (the Club Sofa 01 and Primary Pouf 02) and added the typical EASTPAK element to it. Lots of little zipped pockets have been added to the seats and provide storage for your knik-knaks such as remote controls, laptops and your latest copy of AGENT2 Magazine.

The project is called BUILT TO RESI(S)T and it certainly lives up to its name giving design and functionality in equal measures.

Both pieces are produced in exclusively numbered limited series, and prices will start at £1941 and are available from www.madeindesign.co.uk

Words Graham Gartside-Bernier

www.luisaviaroma.com

There are only 1500 copies being printed and each cover is wrapped in gold brocade reminiscent of McQueen’s S/S 10 collection. But wait, there is an extra little surprise. The pages are made from seeded paper, which will sprout wildflowers once planted signifying the ongoing legacy of McQueen.

www.visionaireworld.com

The affordable range, which is aimed at students, renters and fashionistas, includes cushions, bedding and towels that incorporate key trends such as pastels and florals, from as little as £2.99-£59.99.

And if that wasn’t enough, according to Retail Week, customers will shop the homeware range using a unique magnet system, adding magnets to a board to represent products. Boards are then taken to the till and products chosen paid for and collected.

The range, which was launched successfully in Europe last year, is expected to eventually be rolled out to all H&M Stores across the country.

The collection will be available in the Oxford Street flagship store and online.

hm.com

Words Graham Gartside-Bernier

Just when AGENT2 thinks we have really rinsed out the phrase “I want”, along comes this showreel from our favorite accessory designers over at COTEetCIEL.

The showreel showcases their latest lust-worthy products included their newest additions for Apple’s ipad.

coteetciel.com

Produced by Studio Tonino for Slide, the frame of this 80 x 80cm mirror is made of polyethylene, produced to replicate pixels so beloved of old arcade games.

If you just have to have one of these then you can find them at madeindesign.co.uk for the very reasonable tag of £297.00.

We are very partial here at AGENT2 to things that seemingly have no other purpose than to look beautiful.

This is one of those things.  The intricately crafted ‘Merry Go Round’ clock from the guy’s over at Haoshi Design Studio is a great addition to your ‘why did I buy that – oh, ‘cos it’s beautiful’ collection.

haoshi.com.tw

AGENT2 is doing a spot of decorating this summer and to finish off our newest look we are getting our hands on one of these beautiful, hand-made sofas from Bolton company, Abode Sofas.

These beautiful, wood framed sofas will stand the test of time and the price will stand the test on your pocket.

abodesofas.com

The Brothers Quay have been enlisted to produce this delightfully arty, stop-motion animation about a man who “loved trees more than words could say.”

In expected CDG fashion this is a promo-video turned on its head as we are taken on a trippy journey through the woods with woodpeckers, sprites and a haunting sound track that will leave you clinging to your mind.

UNIFORM WARES WATCHES

Uniform Wares produces objects and apparel intended for everyday use by individuals with an eye for meticulous design details.

Their products have an intentionally pared down form that is characterised by distinct colour. The colour of each product helps design its purpose, how it is used, what for and by whom.

The Uniform Wares aesthetic has been tailored with longevity in mind, we believe that a product should have a practical permanence. Each product is designed at Uniform Wares’ London headquarters.

uniformwares.com

PAUL SMITH FOR STELTON

Arne Jacobsen’s Cylinda-Line bar accessories have been around since the 1960s and the latest incarnation of the design is courtesy of Paul Smith, who has turned the classic set into “a gorgeous fantasy in black.” Titled simply ‘Statement,’ Smith gave the steel a black titanium finish and accented it with his own personal statements, engraved so the letters shine through the titanium in contrasting steel script, that say inspirational things like “take pleasure seriously” and “start something new.” The Statement bar set is available in limited edition and includes a cocktail mixer and spoon, shaker, ice bucket with tongs, a two-litre jug with strainer, small glass coasters and a serving tray.

stelton.com

THE 7L REMINDER – KARL LAGERFELD

The 7L Reminder is simply one of those really useful books. While traveling the world Karl Lagerfeld has, time and again, unsuccesfully searched for the perfect address/notebook.

So he conceived his own private notebook: with sufficient space for all those numbers one nowadays has to take down in order to communicate.
To satisfy his aesthetic needs he has equipped the book with a photo sequence by Japanese photographer Okada Kuwabara. Thus daily usage of the notebook turns into a perfect pleasure.

Printed on a light elegant paper — perfect for any writing implements — bound in soft dark blue leather, Smyth sewing for longevity, and covered in tissue paper, this is a must have luxury item.

steidlville.com

HAOSHI DESIGN ANIMAL JEWELERY

Haoshi Design studio wants us to acknowledge the small joys in life–that the existence of things such as animals, fruit and everyday objects are important. To honor their ideals they create collections of jewelery that will help us remember what they stand behind. Check out some of our favorite rings and necklaces from the Animal Series below or take a look at the whole collection here.

haoshi.com

COMPLEX GEOMETRIES HOODY

Complex Geomotries might not be a name you have heard much of (yet!) on British shores but we can assure you the only complicated thing about this Montreal based label is how to get your hands on more of it! The beautiful monochrome colours coupled with sharp, oversized geometric shapes certainly won’t leaving you looking square. AGENT2’s personal favorite is the oversized square hoody pictured here. Only decision left to make, do you get it in black, black or black?

COMPLEXGEOMETRIES.COM

MASTERPIECE BAGS

We love style and we love functionality here in the AGENT2 office. When these two things come together in perfect harmony it brings a joyful tear to our eyes. When we saw these amazing bags from Japanese label Masterpiece we were truly moved. These urban styled bags are durable, functional and are noted for their interesting use of materials, but, above all they will make heads turn whether you are in the city or on the mountain.

OKI-NI.COM

GARETH PUGH LAPTOP SLEEVE

Finally. The company who brings us the best Apple product carriers and protectors, Incase, has partnered with the bi-annual culture glossy, AnOther Magazine and the uber cool Parisian boutique, colette to release onto the world a collection of cases for people that, like me, love technology and appreciate the finer things in life. The sleeves that compile the collection are all designed by the fashion designer, Gareth Pugh and are detailed with bold graphic artwork.

The highly limited edition includes a 13″ MacBook Pro Sleeve and iPhone 3GS Slider Case. At £55.00 for the iPhone Sleeve and £76.00 for the laptop case, the pieces are available now from the AnOher Magazine shop.

ANOTHERMAG.COM

DSM FRAGRANCE

Exclusive London store Dover Street Market has this month launched its own, self-titled fragrance and the AGENT2 nose loves, loves, loves it.

The fragrance for both men and women is a modern construction of a classic woody perfume while the unique packaging created by Comme des Garcons, Rei Kawakubo includes an inside-out looking design with a bottle that is decorated with the DSM logo, printed sideways.

The fragrance is available now at the London store, while a worldwide release will follow this month at all Comme des Garçons shops and various other outlets.

DOVERSTREETMARKET.COM

LOMO LC-A+ SPECIAL EDITION

It’s been 25 years since the iconic LOMO LC-A graced the analogue world with its colourful, extraordinarily beautiful pictures framed with vignettes! To celebrate this special occasion, LOMO bring you the first ever LOMO LC-A+ special edition – LOMO LC-A+ 25th Anniversary Edition! Get your hands on one before they are gone for snapping your pictures with some retro-chic style.

LOMOGRAPHY.COM

ANTHROPOLOGIE CANDLE

Stylish and quirky home emporium hit London’s Regent Street last month and we can safely say we want everything they have to offer. Reality check though, since we can’t have everything all at once we’ll start with these slightly macabre bust candles that come atop a resin holder. Mr. Rabbit is on our ‘must have’ list but his dog and horse companions Sir Rowf and Noble Steed are going in our bag as well.

ANTHROPOLOGIE.COM

For Emma Hill, Creative Director of Mulberry this collaboration is a dream come true as she is a self-confessed fanatic of all things Mac stating, “Apple products are too beautiful to reside in drab bags! Apple and Mulberry share a legacy of craftsmanship and I’m thrilled that we were asked to be Apple’s first luxury collaboration”.

So what can fans of Mulberry and Apple expect?

As far as 13″ Macbook sleeves are concerned, these leather ones are firm favorites here at AGENT2. The Mulberry Bayswater Sleeve in Blue and the Mulberry Daria Sleeve in Black; both are priced at GBP350 each are to be equally as coveted. And no, these are not the only colours available; check out the Daria Sleeve in Neon Pink or the Bayswater Sleeve in Coral below.

MULBERRY.COM

Made from high-grade neoprene and free of zippers or any other unnecessary bulk, Côte et Ciel’s laptop sleeves are our new favorites here at AGENT2  for toting computers, phones and MP3’s. Engineered to fit Macs, Iphones and Ipods, the ingeniously simple construction uses the stretchiness of neoprene for a snug fit that, with the aid of a small pull, allows the laptop to slide in and out of a narrow opening at one end. It’s a design that prevents computers and phones from accidentally slipping out (yes, we’ve had this happen) and makes for a impressively slim profile allowing for easy stowage.

COTEetCIEL Showcase AW09 from Florian Ertelt on Vimeo.

COTEETCIEL.COM

At AGENT2, we have waited for this collaboration with baited breath and we can quite happily say that now it is finally here we are not dissapointed.  Eastpak has unveiled its most innovative collaboration to date as the Paris based designer and master of darkness, Rick Owens creates this latest inspired collection for the famous outdoor-wear brand.

The collaborative project is co-branded “Drkshdw Eastpak” in consideration of Owen’s Drkshdw denim brand.  Owen states:

“One of the reasons I always lived around Hollywood Boulevard when I lived in L.A. was the energy and allure of the packs of wild kids that lived on those streets then.  They were such a world away from the safe conservative town I’d come from.  They were reckless, dyonisian, cunning, exotic.  The colour that I call Drk Shdw comes from the layers of faded army surplus clothes and backpacks they dyed black and wore.  Every once in a while I’d feed one until it let me pet it, but it usually just ended up being more trouble than it was worth.  It became satisfying just watching them play and wash in the fountain on Highland Ave and Sunset Blvd when I would be driving home at dawn.  The memory of those kids and how I felt about them is what I was thinking about when I did these bags with Eastpak…”

AGENT2 are queuing for ours as we speak.  Be sure to get yours.

EASTPAK.COM

HORSEMEAT DISCO

AGENT2 likes to strut its funky stuff with the best of them and arguably the best place to do this is Horsemeat Disco that regularly sets out its glitter ball at the Eagle in Vauxhall.

Now you can get your disco fix at home as following the label’s acclaimed ‘disco not disco’ and ‘disco italia’ releases during 2008- 9, strut teams up with London’s leading disco collective, for their hotly anticipated debut compilation release. Horse meat disco deliver a killer mix on the 1st disc followed by a second disc of full tracks in their unmasked, hard to find, rare glory!

MYSPACE.COM/HORSEMEATDISCOLONDON

CDG 2 GLITTER

You’ve no doubt heard the saying, “don’t judge a book by its cover”? Well, throw that out of the window and DO judge Comme Des Garcons latest, limited edition fragrance by its striking new packaging.

Out now, CDG’s most popular fragrance Comme Des Garcons 2 is coated in one of this seasons hottest colours, purple.  If that’s not enough to catch your eye then they’ve covered it from head-to-toe in glitter – this edition is certainly no shrinking violet

With notes of Cumin, Amber and Chinese Cedarwood and the more unusual ‘Ink’, this is certainly a ‘must-have’ for the avid fragrance lover.

Boy’s, get your sparkle on!

AVAILABLE AT SELFRIDGES & CO.