FIT has long been a laboratory and breeding ground for creative entrepreneurs, many of whom design, manufacture, and sell beautiful and useful products. This year, the Hue team selected six handcrafted, sustainable accessories, jewelry, and food items, created by FIT alums, that we think will make fabulous holiday gifts.

OLIVER WALLET

1974 Leather

$138, 1974leather.com

Beth Dryden, Display and Exhibit Design ’00

This simple, striking card wallet features contrasting colors of natural leather and an elegant wave pattern on the inside. The wallet contains six slots for cards, including two larger pockets for cash. Dryden handcrafts each one to order in her Atlanta studio.

COTTON THROW BLANKET

Made Here New York

$175, madeherenewyork.com

Karyn Scherer Villante, Production Management: Textiles ’83

These soft cotton blankets, crafted in small factories in the Bronx and on Long Island, feature creative knit structures and gorgeous patterns. They’re available through West Elm, but order through Villante’s website and she will pack the box herself and even enclose a personalized card upon request.

ORGANIC COFFEE SUBSCRIPTION

Inti Coffee

$25/month, inticoffeeusa.com

Judy Greco, International Trade and Marketing ’17

During a family event in Ecuador, Greco and her boyfriend met a third-generation coffee farmer whose family-centered ethos and sustainable practices inspired them. Greco’s collaborative business model seeks to move “beyond fair trade” by partnering with the farmer and connecting customers with the source of their beloved brew. Together they sell their award-winning medium-roast beans in compostable bags directly to consumers.

SCENT TOWER

Apotheke

$175, apothekeco.com

Chrissy Fichtl, Fashion Buying and Merchandising ’97

Simply pour one of Apotheke’s fragrance oils into this high-tech electric diffuser, and it emits a fine mist that bathes a room in long-lasting scent. Fragrance options, blended in Brooklyn and sold separately, include canvas, white vetiver, hinoki lavender, and charcoal.

Precious Gemstones Necklace

Zaafar

$1,016, zaafar.com

Saadia Zafar, International Trade and Marketing ’03

Zafar received a patent for the process of blending textile and jewelry techniques to create her “artwear”—heirloom-quality statement pieces with an appealing density and natural gravitas. Each creation is hand-embroidered by a Pakistani artisan.

Blooming Cactus cat tree

Vetreska

$180, vetreskanyc.com

Donald Kng, Fashion Merchandising Management ’15, and Nico Li, Advertising and Marketing Communications ’15

Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honorees Kng and Li met at FIT and founded Vetreska, a source of adorable and stylish pet decor stocked by MoMA Design Store and Le Bon Marché in Paris. This cactus-shape jute cat tree includes a flower pedestal where your favorite feline(s) can curl up for an elevated nap.

Want to be considered for next year’s gift spotlight?

Email us at [email protected].