4 Tastemakers Share Their Gifting Wish Lists
Whether buying for themselves or their loved ones, these stylish women know the secret to finding the perfect gift. Here, they share the pieces topping their festive-season shopping lists
Phoebe Lettice Thompson, stylist
Are you the type to have gifts planned and wrapped early, or do you thrive on the thrill of last-minute shopping?
“I like to take inspiration from trips or jobs and buy gifts as I go throughout the year, but I have also been known to panic-buy in central London on Christmas Eve.”
How are you planning to treat yourself this year?
“I have been very good this year, so I have a few things in mind for some self-gifts. I am going on safari in January, and I have been eyeing up a leopard-print skirt from Khaite [to wear in the evening]. I tried on an Isabel Marant jacket last week and am obsessed with the fit, and how light and warm it is. Last but by no means least, I’ve had Christian Louboutin pumps in the studio a lot this season and have really fallen in love with the shape.”
Have you dropped any hints on what you’d like from your partner or loved one?
“My wife is the best at buying gifts, but I would love to find Alaïa’s shearling vest or Saint Laurent’s ‘Francoise’ knee-high boots under the tree.”
What will you be buying for your friends?
“I have been living in this McQueen scarf, and a few friends have expressed their need for one. They might also get a crystal-embellished Rabanne bag, if they’re lucky. I also think bag charms, such as Chloé’s pendant style, and brooches make such beautiful gifts.”
ISABEL MARANTLeather biker jacketCA$1,656.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock
KHAITELoxley leopard-print calf hair maxi skirt
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTINCassia Nodo 100 bow-detailed grosgrain-trimmed satin-crepe pumpsCA$1,370.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size35.5 - out of stock36 - out of stock36.5 - out of stock37 - out of stock37.5 - out of stock38 - out of stock38.5 - out of stock3939.5 - out of stock40 - out of stock40.5 - out of stock41 - out of stock41.5 - out of stock42 - out of stock
ALAÏAShearling vest
Adot Gak, model and writer
How are you planning to treat yourself this year?
“I will be gifting myself Cartier’s ‘Tank Française’ watch. I’ve been eyeing it for a few months now. It’s so elegant and timeless.”
What will you be buying for your friends?
“Heels! You can’t go wrong with a pair of heels. My friends are all shoe fanatics, so a pair of Christian Louboutin ‘Kate Clawmax’ pumps is perfect.”
Have you dropped any hints on what you’d like from your partner or loved one?
“I love diamonds, so a pair of David Morris’s ‘Frozen Kiss’ earrings in 18-karat white gold would be awesome.”
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTINKate Clawmax 100 spiked patent-leather pumpsCA$1,755.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size36.5 - 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 stock41.5 - out of stock42 - out of stock
DAVID MORRISFrozen Kiss Drop 18-karat white gold diamond earrings
YVES SALOMONCropped feather jacketCA$904.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - out of stock42 - out of stock44 - out of stock
SAINT LAURENTGaby Vanity large quilted leather shoulder bag
Monica de La Villardière, writer
Have you dropped any hints on what you’d like from your partner or loved one?
“My husband and I normally give each other trips as Christmas gifts. This year, I’m planning a road trip through Scotland for us and the kids. I’m hoping he takes the hint on my obsession with visiting Lapland in the snow sometime soon… Either way, I reckon I’ll be needing this Bottega Veneta down jacket.”
How are you planning to treat yourself this year?
“I’m not saying I need the ‘Totemic Devotion’ Alighieri candlestick in my life, but I don’t not need it either. The definition of a functional art piece, is it not?”
What will you be buying for your friends?
“My best friend since I was two is the author Emma Knight – yes, I brag about her at every opportunity; everyone go read The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus if you haven’t yet. Anyway, she also writes cookbooks and throws the most incredible dinner parties. Therefore, I feel she deserves an excellent serving-plate set by La DoubleJ.”
Are you the type to have gifts planned and wrapped early, or do you thrive on the thrill of last-minute shopping?
“I love the tradition of wrapping presents – it’s very nostalgic for me. I will spread them all out on the living room floor and listen (while singing aloud) to old-school Christmas carols, maybe with a glass of wine. My husband thinks I’m nuts, but I will do it as often as possible, once the kids are in bed, over the entire Christmas lead-up. ‘I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In!’… I even do the descants. Heaven.”
BOTTEGA VENETAQuilted intrecciato leather-trimmed padded cotton-shell down jacket
ALIGHIERIThe Totemic Devotion gold-plated candlestick
LA DOUBLEJSet of eight gold-plated painted porcelain charger plates
KHAITELucerne Fair Isle cashmere scarf
Shini Park, photographer
How are you planning to treat yourself this year? “I figure I have all year to shop for functional pieces, so during the festive season, I always gravitate towards picking up something sparkly for myself that makes my inner child happy. I have my eye on a particular Clio Peppiatt number this season, or Yvonne Léon’s onyx and diamond ring…”
What will you be buying for your friends? “Whenever I see a trinket or object that reminds me of a symbolism that I share with a friend, I will buy it for a special occasion. I have a friend who is redecorating her closet in the theme of the night sky and constellations, and the celestial marbled finish of Jia Jia’s amethyst jewelry box makes it a perfect fit – as is Jennifer Behr’s velvet bow hair clip for a friend who is watching Gossip Girl for the first time and loves Blair Waldorf.”
Are you the type to have gifts planned and wrapped early, or do you thrive on the thrill of last-minute shopping?“I don’t necessarily plan the gifts, but I do let myself happen upon them serendipitously across the span of the year, which I then keep stored in a cozy hiding spot until the festive season. Everything is then wrapped altogether when the time comes.”
JIA JIAAmethyst jewelry box
JENNIFER BEHRMargaret pearl-like embellished velvet bow hair clip
FOURTH STREETDrip set of nine gold-tone candleholders
STELLA MCCARTNEYOne-shoulder chiffon-trimmed sequined tulle gownCA$2,337.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size34 - out of stock36 - out of stock3840 - out of stock42 - out of stock4446 - out of stock48 - out of stock
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