The holidays bring us closer to those family members we try so hard to avoid and what about the aromas of people packed elbow-to-arse in the airports? Nothing makes Christmas more official than the experience of flipping through the pages of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. This year’s edition features a selection of fantasy gifts and experiences, including a limited-edition Aston Martin, Indian Larry’s “Wild Child” Motorcycle, and a Forevermark Diamond Experience. With all this running amok, it is the small things that make this yearly ritual so worth waiting for.
Every extraordinary gem has a history, but rare is the opportunity to trace its provenance. As the owner of this 25-carat rough Forevermark® diamond, you’ll travel deep into the heart of Africa to discover where your stone began its journey more than one billion years ago. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure starts with a trip to the De Beers headquarters in London. Once there, you’ll receive your exceptional diamond in its rough and uncut form, name your diamond, learn about the unique inscription it will receive, and meet the master craftsman who will hand-cut and polish it to perfection. A private tour of The Crown Jewels and dinner with De Beers CEO Philippe Mellier and Forevermark CEO Stephen Lussier in the Tower of London follow. Your journey continues on a vessel off Namibia’s coast, where your diamond was discovered deep within the ocean floor. You’ll then explore rough-diamond sorting houses and a children’s community project, where the local population benefits from Forevermark’s responsible sourcing of diamonds.Upon returning to the United States, you’ll meet with New York jewelry designer Maria Canale to design the ring that will exhibit your exceptional diamond.With the purchase of the Forevermark Ultimate Diamond Experience, Neiman Marcus will donate $10,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation.
($1,850,000; page 43)
INDIAN LARRY’S “WILD CHILD” MOTORCYCLE
Handbuilt in Brooklyn, New York, for the Discovery Channel “Biker Build-Off” series, “Wild Child” is considered by many to be the pinnacle of Indian Larry’s artistic achievements. It features his signature dished tank, root beer metal flake paint, twisted down tube frame, and a truly unique engine with a shovelhead front cylinder, panhead rear, and jockey shift. An open belt drive is emblazoned with the “Wild Child” name. Brass accents and a handcarved leather seat in Indian Larry’s likeness complete the picture of this motorized masterpiece. In 2003, Larry rode “Wild Child” from St. Louis, Missouri, to Sturgis, South Dakota, where Larry’s bike was named the winner of the Build-Off, one of three unprecedented consecutive wins for the chopper enthusiast. A second gift offered by Indian Larry, “Question Everything”, is modeled after Indian Larry’s famous “Daddy O,” featuring a twisted springer front end, a handmade Indian Larry wishbone frame with a signature mustang tank, 93 cubic-inch shovelhead engine, and hand-painted platinum-leaf flames. With the purchase of “Wild Child,” Neiman Marcus will donate $7,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation.
(Indian Larry’s “Wild Child” Motorcycle $750,000, page 46; Indian Larry’s “Question Everything” Motorcycle $80,000, information available online only)
good read!!