For the Festivities
A gift guide is a sacred thing to write. To influence the decisions that lead to joy should not be trifled with. With each year, I’ve picked the best of the best of the annual tests and trials; however, this year, I choose to share my deepest desires for under the tree. For these are not necessarily things that have passed my desk, but those that I sincerely wish to come into my world.
'Mudd Club' candle, by Discotheque Fragrances
I was first introduced to Discotheque upon its launch, spring of ‘23, and this is still my favourite candle of all time. Gourmand, but not cloying. Fruity, but not synthetic. Heady, but not overpowering. Top notes of milk, almond and coconut meet heliotrope and marzipan, with base notes of honey, vanilla and whiskey. It might just be flawless.
The Essentials Edit, by Westman Atelier
Whilst I relish a hard-working basic with an almost-perfect formula, these days, I rejoice in form. So, when a brand can deliver on both aspects, it's a delightful thrill. This customisable edit contains five curated pieces for a capsule makeup bag, from her renowned second-skin foundation to velvety blush and a gloss-meets-balm tinted lip treatment.
I continue to admire the homage to 18th-century French perfumery by the house, whilst maintaining a modern feel to each composition. The opening of orange, pear and petitgrain essence makes way to the heart of ylang-ylang, with jasmine, sambac absolute and orange blossom, and a dry down of amber, vanilla, and sandalwood, to create a creamy, oriental floral. It’s a luxurious and sophisticated scent, reminiscent of the best details of ’90s style.
A new scent to fill the now iconic curves, created by their previous head of design collaborations, Chris Cooke, to invoke the famous wings. Top notes of violet leaf and cardamom meet a touch of cocoa for a fresh opening; the heart brings notes of soft leather, smoky papyrus and earthy patchouli gayo, bringing ambric woodiness. A grounding dry down of ambergris, vanilla and sublimolide—a magnetic macrocyclic musk—creates an arcane second skin scent.
Shapeshifters Necklace, by Loren Lewis Cole
My hands are already regularly graced by a couple of Loren’s intuitive pieces, hand-carved and created using lost wax casting, with metals encircling colourful stones. The Shapeshifters necklace is inspired by her son’s imaginative illustrations of animals, creating a chain of animals that appear to dance in unison. The panther follows the bird, the bird follows the goat, the goat follows the wolf, and so on, forever. I delight in its celebration of primitive gestures.
Palissy Weekend Bag, Carl Friedrik
A beautiful creation that caught my eye the moment I saw it. Available in smooth or grained Italian vachetta leather— the Cognac colourway has my heart—the smooth lines are visually impactful, a timeless statement piece. Sized for a work trip, dirty weekend away, or wedding guest jaunt, but working in tandem with your CF case too, if 2025 rolls by another year without this that I have longed for for so long to my disposal, I will be taking out my credit card.
'Oud For Happiness', by Initio Parfum
I am not one to abide by a single fragrance; whilst for some it’s an identity, for me, I find it positively bland. Another on the wish list, after falling for ‘Rehab’ some years ago, I love the house for their mood-altering, addictive scents. This soothing blend seeks to, and succeeds at, energising a traditional oud, with a unique accord of ‘freshly-cut narcotic grass’, bergamot and ginger. Softened by heady liquorice and vanilla and grounded by cedar and musk, the overall effect is a woody-spicy contemporized oud.
Eye Wardrobe Edit, Victoria Beckham Beauty
It’s the brand even beauty editors are clamouring to get their hands on. Another customisable bundle (it seems the luxury brand has noted that the consumer will always find something unused in a festive coffret) combines the award-winning Satin Kajal Liner, Future Lash Mascara, the Buff & Smudge brush, and her famed eyeshadow palette curation, the Eye Wardrobe. I highly recommend leaning into the Bordeaux colourway, seen everywhere in AW25 catwalks.
Youth Essentia Collection Plus, from Environ Skincare
Forever my favourite skincare brand, forever welcome under the tree. Taking you through a comprehensive routine that I wholeheartedly stand behind, there's their Hydra-Intense Cleansing Lotion, Vita-Peptide Toner and C-Quence Serum, Defence Crème Plus and the Revival Masque and Hydrating Oil Capsules. Not only proven to be effective in renewing and refreshing skin, but it’s also a simple routine to make a solid habit.
Partnered with skincare Pelegrims for their polypehnol-rich by-products (whose limited edition Etna Sicily Hand Ritual should be snapped up too), to me, Westwell is home of the funky, intuitive and exploratory. Bright and aromatic, and fruit-forward, the 2023 Pinot pressings and 2024 Chardonnay musts give notes of candied peel, jasmine, green apple skin, lemon sherbert and salt.
Liposome Advanced Repair Bundle from Decorte
Whilst trying different skincare is a large part of my job, there are some items I hold as routine, and some items I reach to for a little luxury, and this is both. Liposome microcapsules contain Bifidobacterium-fermented and HPA Yeast Culture—to promote collagen production—in a microstructure shown to enhance the delivery of key ingredients. A serum that calms and deeply repairs, and a rich and intensely nourishing night cream that cushions skin. It’s quite honestly an immaculate introduction to a brand I hold dear.
