3 Tastemakers Share Their Best New Year’s Eves Spent In Dreamy Destinations
While some choose to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home, others take the opportunity to spend the holiday in a bucket-list location, ringing in the new year in style. Here, three creative tastemakers share their most memorable NYE ever. By KATIE BERRINGTON
Laura Jackson, founder and presenter
“One of the best New Year’s Eves I’ve ever had was actually the whole week surrounding it. It was 2019 and I was in Sri Lanka. My daughter Sidney was nine months old, and we had our first successful holiday with a baby in tow. We went with some really great friends and rented a house near the beach in a lesser-known part of Sri Lanka. The time we spent there was magical. The people were incredibly hospitable, and my memory of it is more about the way I felt – carefree, happy, with saltwater in my hair. On New Year’s Day, we surfed (me: not so well), and then went back to the house for sundowners, followed by an epic Sri Lankan feast. To toast the new year, we wandered down to the beach for cocktails. It was one of those moments where you felt entirely present and extremely grateful. That was the last time I spent NYE somewhere hot and it really changed the game for the year ahead. For 2025, I am planning on a sunny, vitamin D-filled festive break. Destination unknown…”
ZIMMERMANNAcacia belted silk midi dress$576.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size00 - out of stock0 - out of stock1 - out of stock2 - out of stock3 - out of stock4 - out of stock
CHLOÉMae buckle-embellished leather slides$472.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size35 - out of stock36 - out of stock37 - out of stock38 - out of stock39 - out of stock40 - out of stock40.5 - out of stock41 - out of stock
DIOR EYEWEARDiorSignature B8U oval-frame acetate sunglasses
JACQUIE AICHE14-karat gold opal anklet
Sophia Roe, cook
“The best New Year’s Eve of my life was in 2016. I was in Cape Town, South Africa, with my then-boyfriend on a very spur-of-the-moment trip. He was a film-maker and had been hired to direct a very last-minute commercial there. I booked a ticket on a whim – then, on the way there, my phone was stolen and my luggage was lost. Normally, I’d have been super-stressed, but the idea of being on a different continent with nothing tying me back to home or work was completely magical. We ended up walking through the town, exploring the shops, eating local foods and really immersing ourselves in the city and culture. It was easily the most spontaneous NYE I’ve ever had.”
TOM FORDParadise cutout suede sandals$632.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size36 - low stock36.5 - out of stock37 - out of stock37.5 - out of stock38 - out of stock38.5 - out of stock39 - out of stock39.5 - out of stock40 - out of stock40.5 - out of stock41 - out of stock42 - out of stock
SOPHIE BUHAISmall Spear vegan leather, carnelian and silver necklace
CHLOÉKerala 25 leather shoulder bag
TOTEMEThe Sport suede and twill sneakers$700.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size3536 - low stock37 - out of stock3839 - out of stock4041 - low stock42
Marjon Carlos, writer and journalist
“The best New Year’s Eve I’ve ever had was two years ago, [when] I got on a flight to Grand Cayman to stay at the Palm Heights hotel, and thought I was cutting it way too short – would I have missed too much of the festivities by the time I got there? But as soon as I landed, I was immediately swept up in the vibes. After a dip in the ocean to wash off the city, I got dressed up in a beautiful, beaded crochet Diotima number for the big seafood dinner on the beach. Practically the whole island of Cayman was there, and I was surrounded by friends – new and old. We took in the fireworks at midnight, a fantastic drag performance by my friend Dakota, and danced amongst a crush of people to amazing DJs. I made my way to the beachside bar and had the best conversations with people, and then wound up in the hotel’s secret lounge with all my friends, partying until 5am. In moments like that, where you just flow with the energy and the people in the most beautiful setting, you’re reminded that you’re really alive. Even better? I wasn’t hungover the next day – so I spent it at the spa and worked on my mood boards for the new year. ’Twas blessed.”
DIOTIMA+ The Vanguard Medusa open-back crocheted cotton-blend dress$791.00View Product DetailsSelect a Sizex small - low stocksmall - low stockmedium - out of stocklarge
LOEWEPaseo Small leather-trimmed raffia tote
ST. AGNIWoven leather sandals$263.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size35 - out of stock36 - out of stock37 - out of stock38 - out of stock39 - out of stock40 - out of stock41 - out of stock42 - out of stock
LIDOOttantasei twist-front bandeau bikini$139.00View Product DetailsSelect a Sizex small - out of stocksmall - out of stockmedium - out of stocklarge - out of stockx large - out of stock
