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ENTRY SITE OPEN NOW FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2015 GO TO WWW.PAPERCITYMAG.COM/DESIGNAWARDS TO ENTER. ENTRY PERIOD CONCLUDES FEBRUARY 21, 2015. WINNERS IN 14 CATEGORIES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A COCKTAIL RECEPTION APRIL 7, 2015, AND WINNING ENTRIES WILL APPEAR IN THE OCTOBER 2015 ISSUE OF PAPERCITY MAGAZINE. @ T H E H O U S T O N D E S I G N C E N T E R Now that you've hunted down the perfect gift for everyone on your list, let the inspired team of Robert Torres and Nathan Rinard artfully wrap everything up. Their new concept, The Artful Package, is a clever full-service gift-wrapping company inside David Brown's West Alabama floral atelier. You might recognize the duo from their past lives in retail. Torres is a former floral designer — as evidenced by the lavish mixed-material bows he fashions — who prettied up packages for years at another now-shuttered River Oaks wrapping shop. Rinard, owner of Palmer Packaging, wanted to transition to a more creative retail endeavor; he knows where to find the best wrappings anywhere. Together they'll make our lives easier this holiday season (as well as gift-giving events and holidays throughout the year), starting at just $11 a package. The Artful Package at David Brown Flowers, 3637 W. Alabama, 832.664.0466. Laurann Claridge DECEMBER | PAGE 8 | 2014 KENNON EVETT T hough Cartier's forthcoming Panthère collection could hardly feel more current, its roots trace back a full century. In 1914, Cartier debuted its first panther-spot motif on a show-stopping wristwatch, with black and white onyx and diamond pavé that was a pioneer of the Art Deco style. That same year, Louis Cartier ordered a "Lady with panther" watercolor illustration from French illustrator and painter George Barbier to serve as an exhibition invitation, and the affinity between the House of Cartier and the feline allure of the panther was established. The Duchess of Windsor inaugurated the Panthère tradition among glamorous women of the 20th century when she donned Cartier's onyx-spotted diamond panther brooch? on a 116.74-carat emerald cabochon in 1948. She was followed in her admiration by "panther women" of outsized stature such as Barbara Hutton, Princess Nina Aga Khan and Daisy Fellowes. The new 56-piece collection of modernized Panthère jewels retain the feeling of movement, though they are frozen in an enduring pose. The process of crafting the Panthère rings, bracelets and necklaces made from onyx, black lacquer, garnets and diamonds is as intricate as you would imagine — and even more challenging. Each originates from individual drawings, then are carved from a block of green wax by an engraver. From this, the jeweler makes a metal mold that will be set with thousands of overlaid brilliant-cut diamonds, giving shape to the muscles, paws and head. Some pieces require more than a year's work from start to finish — a stunning synthesis of the sculptural, geometric and graceful, and at the crossroads of influences at once baroque and anatomical, minimalist and structuralist. From $3,000, at the Cartier boutique. Jenny Johnson Panthère de Cartier 18K white-gold bracelet with lacquer, onyx, chrysoprase and diamonds, $272,000 The Purr of Diamonds & Onyx Panthère de Cartier 18K white-gold ring with beryls (aquamarines and emeralds), onyx and diamonds, $282,000 H ermès' mobile app, Tie Break, beckons with digital dancing elephants and knotty savoir-faire about the French label's famed silk cravats. Updated daily, it's packed with great photography, clever quirks and interesting bits of history about men's neckwear. So long, Instagram. Hello, diversionary Windsor knot. Download from the App Store … Salvatore Ferragamo taps into the trainer trend, launching its first sneakers for men this season. Italian élan seeps through the collection, which runs the gamut from luxe full-quill ostrich, crocodile and python high-tops (studded with gold hardware) to subdued monochromatic calfskin low-tops. Most interesting is the color-blocking on lower-key styles. Price upon request, at the Salvatore Ferragamo … Raf Simons collaborates with Adidas on a special-edition run of Stan Smith sneakers. Simons' designs are minimal and masculine, modifying the original design by replacing the brand's customary three stripes on the shoe's side with a perforated "R" and offering two color ways, solid orange or white with green accents. $475, at mrporter.com … David Yurman continues to explore the materials men find precious. Last spring, the designer looked to the skies, incorporating meteorite fragments. For its fall collection of rings, necklace tags and keychains, the key element is forged carbon, an exceptionally lightweight substance found in aeronautics more often than in fine jewelry cases. From $375, at the David Yurman boutique … Nothing defines sartorial distinction more than 18K gold buttons from Coléoptère, in impeccably low-key recycled precious metals in all sizes. (The ascendant California jeweler even offers a golden needle with which to sew them on.) I'm dreaming of a bespoke navy blazer outfitted with these indicators of discernment. From $1,025, at coleoptere.us … Cartier's new Louis Cartier men's gusseted duffle bag is perfect in every way, from its simple finishing and minimal hardware to its technically demanding production, which requires two hides, 300 hours of labor, 100 different operations and 15 meters of thread per bag to create. $4,050, at the Cartier boutique … Louis Vuitton's backpacks are a refreshing dose of luxurious utility. New designs include four versions in Damier canvas (in new gray and traditional brown), the famed monogram and supple Taurillon leather. From $2,780, at Louis Vuitton … Navy is officially having a moment — witness these timepieces from Omega and Hublot. With both blue faces and straps and quiet silver bezels, the palette feels comfortably sophisticated. Prices upon request, at the Omega and Hublot boutiques … We love 200-year-old English silversmith Deakin & Francis' witty cuff links, with iterations ranging from quail and propeller planes to black-diamond pavé skulls with Mohawks and beaming ruby eyes. From $300, at Deutsch & Deutsch and Zadok Jewelers … We may be in Houston, but our feet are in Chelsea. Sid Mashburn's Chelsea boots in mocha suede exude an irresistible cosmopolitan cool when effortlessly paired with jeans or suit. It's a style that suddenly feels most appropriate. From $595 at Sid Mashburn. Seth Vaughan The Raffish Rake Raf Simons x Adidas Stan Smith collaboration David Yurman's Forged Carbon accessories Coléoptère's 18k gold buttons Cartier's 24 Hour bag Louis Vuitton backpack Salvatore Ferragamo's sneaker collection Deakin & Francis propeller plane cuff links Chelsea boots from Sid Mashburn Omega's Seamaster Aqua Terra Master Co-Axial Hublot's King Power Special One Wrap Stars K iran's, that wonderful Indian restaurant owned by chef Kiran Verma, also serves a brilliant afternoon tea every Saturday, 2 to 4 pm. With the soothing sounds of a harpist in the background, settle in for a multi-course tea affair that begins with champagne or, my favorite, a flute of fresh mint lemonade. Leisurely proceed through a parade of delicate British bites that Kiran infuses with the piquant flavors of her homeland. The Indian start brings forth her extraordinary mélange of five tea varieties (and spices) she's dubbed Kiran's Daughter Chai Blend (it's packaged for sale, too) and a hot samosa stuffed with roasted mushrooms and feta with homemade fig chutney made from the figs that grow on the perimeter of her bayou home. Then the savory round of open-faced tea sandwiches begins. From Waldorf chicken salad with India spice-laced mango chutney and vindaloo deviled eggs to the traditional cucumber sandwich (this one layered with avocado and watercress). Sum up the afternoon with warm fruit-studded scones with clotted cream and homemade berry preserves, as well as petite pastries brought forth buffet style. $35 a person, private parties welcome, at Kiran's, 4100 Westheimer Road, 713960.8472, kiranshouston.com. Laurann Claridge Did You Know … Afternoon tea ritual at Kiran's Hermès Tie Break app