The holidays are almost here, and if like me you still haven’t started your holiday shopping, don’t worry and get happy, because this year, I asked some of my favourite Canadian Fashion Insiders to share their stylish holiday wishlists and gift ideas with us. What will a designer, a model, a photographer, a make-up artist, a stylist, an editor, a blogger, and a PR maven be getting and giving this holiday season? Read on to find out!
1. Ela Kowalewska, Designer, ela Handbags
One of my favourite Canadian accessories designers, Ela is without a doubt one stylish lady. This holiday season, on her wishlist is a gorgeous Cartier Juste un Clou ring (yes, please!), Margiela’s Untitled perfume, and a weekend stay to relax and play at Langdon Hall. As for her Give list…all I can say is her loved ones are pretty lucky, because this season she’ll be giving some pretty sweet presents. On Ela’s shopping list is the editor’s pouch from her namesake line ela, Caudalie beauty elixir (one of my fave skincare brands too!), Byredo Parfums’ Gypsy Water, and Tkees flip flops, among other lovely presents.
As for her favourite places to shop, Ela counts Holt Renfrew, eLUXE, and Chapters as her holiday mainstays. “Aside from spending quality time with family and friends over homemade dinners/cocktails on both sides of the Atlantic a touch of snow (sprinkle will do), a good Christmas market as well as a few laps around the Somerset House skating rink get us into the holiday spirit,” shared Ela.
Not only is Jason one of the most talented photographers I know, I am also obsessed with his personal blog. Chronicling the people he meets, the events he attends (and works), the delicious food he cooks, along with personal stories and helpful tips on a variety of subjects, his website is more than just a blog – it’s pretty much a life guide, and a very helpful one at that.
What more, Jason and his partner Jeff will be setting off on an adventure of a lifetime this December, taking a year off to travel the globe! Appropriately, on Jason’s wishlist this season is a new luggage set from Heys (something durable, that will survive a year of constant travelling), MacBook Air to record his adventures, and a pair of new Persol sunglasses, which he’ll surely need while sipping delicious drinks in Honolulu.
As for what he’ll be giving to his loved ones this holiday season, Jason shared that his go-to host gift is the “super Canadian” Sortilege Maple Whisky, and that champagne flutes from Tiffany never fail – “the blue box is high-impact and exciting, and the glassware is classic.” Jason and Jeff will also be buying a map of the world for their nephews, so that they will be able to “follow us on our travels around the world!”
More after the jump!
3. Natasha Koifman, President, NKPR Inc.
“My favourite thing about the holidays is how happy people are. It’s the season for giving that gets everyone into the holiday spirit – and that’s what life should be all about! Whether it’s the giving of your spirit or just all around thoughtfulness and caring, it should be the holidays all year round.”
Founder of NKPR Inc., Natasha is a PR powerhouse and one very busy (and stylish) woman, so if she can find the time to get her loved ones their holiday gifts, there’s really no excuse for me.
At the top of her holiday wishlist are Renee Lewis’ Black Shake Diamond Heart Necklace, Irene Neuwirth’s Labradorite Pear-Shaped Locket Necklace, and a custom-made ring-to-wrist bracelet from Classic Creations. Natasha is clearly into the luxurious one-of-a-kind statement pieces, and what better time to indulge than the holidays?
As for what Natasha will be wrapping up for her friends and family, Kiehl’s is always a must-give in her books. “This year, Kiehl’s did an amazing limited edition collaboration with the iconic pop surrealist, Kenny Scharf. Featuring his Globo Mundo work on their customer favourite Crème de Corps, Kiehl’s will raise $200,000 for children’s causes around the world. It’s a gift that keeps giving,” shared Natasha. Apart from Kiehl’s, she’ll also be gifting Costes candles (“their ‘Brown’ scent is a touch of Paris with a perfect blend of mahogany, black musk, rum bitter orange skin and paprika that makes for the ultimate holiday gift,” she says), and DAVIDs TEA holiday sets, “guaranteed to spread joy”. She also gave Miss Lanvin porcelain handpainted figurines as gifts in the past…making me super jealous of her friends and family.
This holiday season, Natasha will be shopping online at stores like Shop.ca, Net-A-Porter, and Luisa Via Roma for the rest of her holiday gifts.
4. Ryan Michael Cheung, Online Editor, FLARE Magazine
This dapper FLARE editor sure knows what he wants. Ryan’s simple and classic wishlist items are just as understated and cool as the man himself. So if you are shopping for Mr. Cheung this holiday season, grab him a Casio-inspired Neuvo watch in bronze, a Tivoli Audio Model One Radio, or some letter-pressed stationery from Terrapin Stationers, and watch his face light up.
In turn, Ryan will be giving some pretty kick-ass gifts of his own! “I had my jet-set friend Andrew in mind when creating this bag for the December issue gift guide. I upgraded the classic Banff style with a can’t-miss-hit of oxblood (easy to spot at baggage claim) and preppy monogram to make it personal,” – shared Ryan. And who wouldn’t love a personalized Roots bag?! I know I would! He’ll also be taking a friend to see the Christmas classic The Nutcracker, as well as gifting a copy of Vogue’s latest book – The Editor’s Eye to a “fashion addict” friend.
As for Ryan’s top three places to shop for gifts, he counts Drake General Store, Restoration Hardware, and Club Monaco among his favourites, so take note.
Part Two of the Canadian Fashion Insiders’ Gift Guide is coming later this week. Stay tuned!
Photo Credits: Ela – Adam Moco, Jason – Jason Hudson, Natasha – Norman Wong, Ryan – Jason Hudson
