This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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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 ring 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 fromTiffany 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!”
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 giftingCostes 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. Grace Lee, Lead Makeup Artist, Maybelline
Having watched Grace do her magic backstage at Toronto Fashion Week for two seasons now, I am still in awe of her makeup skills and her personal style. If you are shopping for Grace this holiday season, her wishlist includes the Grace Coddington Memoir, an iPad mini, and a custom-made closet from California Closets (me too, pretty please!).
For Christmas this year, Grace will be giving some practical presents like Starbucks gift cards, and Baby Lips lip balms from Maybelline (I’ve seen Grace also use them on cheeks!). Additionally, she will be picking up some adorable rings from ByBoe (how cute is that bow ring?!) for her friends and family.
As for her favourite places to shop for Christmas gits, Grace shares that she can never go wrong with Holt Renfrew, Williams Sonoma, and La Di Da Boutique. When asked what gets her into the holiday spirit, for Grace “it’s all about the kiddies. Once the tree, lights and decorations are up, I always feel festive.”
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, Grace – Javier Lovera
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