Unless you've just been coaxed from a deep coma, you'll know that the iPad2 was finally released on Friday. Curiously enough, one of the most talked-about new features isn’t on the device itself, but rather the optional cases you can buy for it.
Much fuss has been made of the all-new magnetic Smart Cover, which does such handy things as putting your iPad to sleep for you, doubling as a stand, and even cleaning its screen. Now that’s all well and good, but if there's one thing we can undoubtedly fault the new covers for, it’s that they’re just not expensive enough. After all, a gadget like this might just deserve a bit more than form and function. Fortunately, a few designers heard our cries, and have come to the rescue.
1 H by Harris (above)
First up here’s some great work by British designer and stylist Harris Elliott and his brand H by Harris. Continuing the trademark quilted look he is known for, the case is made from soft nappa leather, is lined with cotton and comes in a variety of colours, including the basic black over at Oki-Ni. £165
2 Jil Sander
Getting a touch more expensive, we have a typically minimalist offering from Jil Sander. Made from 100% calf leather, the case is fully lined and embossed with the Jil Sander logo. Available in beige and navy, it comes in at a – relatively – reasonable £180 at Oki-Ni.
3 Hermes
Not quite expensive enough? If you fancy spending more on your case than you did on the iPad itself, then Hermès is here to help you out. Their calfskin HigHtecH cover is available in elegant brown, classic Hermès orange, and eye-catching, ‘Look at my expensive iPad case’ canary yellow (above). Priced at £540, these have been around on the Hermès website since the first iPad, so the brand has recently announced two successors: the Swift, which will be available in even more colours, and the Station (below), which doubles as a stand, is a snip at £930 and will be available shortly.
Words by Gordon McGowan
