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Beauty

Culture Whisper's editor shares her wishlist and gift suggestions

By Eleonore Dresch on 20/11/2023

In an unsustainable era of overload, the end-of-year celebrations, be it Christmas, Hanukkah or Diwali, come with mixed feelings.
Should we give in to the joy of shopping – particularly tempting during the Black Friday Weekend – or should we decide once and for all to spare the planet?
I am more torn than ever, getting depressed at buying more stuff, yet the idea of an austere Christmas fills me with dread. I love decoration, I love tablescaping, and I love a Christmas morning filled with presents.
Editing a gift guide is a fraught affair. But perhaps it can almost be justified once you manage to get it right.
So below is my attempt to strike a balance, selecting gifts from brands with sustainability at the core, one-of-a-kind collaboration, or currently highly desirable objects and products.
I also asked many people around me from different backgrounds and generations. I hope you find it helpful and inspiring.

STOCKING FILLERS

Small in size but with various prices, stocking fillers can often be useless stuff unless...

ADIDAS X WALES BONNER

Anything from Wales Bonner's collaboration with Adidas is both exclusive and cool.

Adidas X Wales Bonner stretch-jersey sock – SHOP HERE

JIA JIA

Jia Jia is an American jewellery brand 'inspired by the wisdom and the beauty of our earth' and believes that crystals are a vessel of energy.

These pairs of earrings – wear a different pair each month – promise to keep you in a positive mood.

Jia Jia Birthstone 14-carat gold multi-stone earrings – SHOP HERE

PORTER YOSHIDA & CO

The cult Japanese bag brand is known for its love for perfection.

Founder Kichizo Yoshida said that 'heart and soul go into every stitch' of his product. Looking at these bags close up, you have no choice but to believe the master craftsman.

HOWL Helmet Mini Bag Navy – SHOP HERE

CHANEL

Small luxury can come with a touch of red and sustainability. Chanel's 31 Le Rouge glass case can be filled with 12 shades of red.

31 Le Rouge – SHOP HERE

BREDA

Vintage style meets modern watch design at an affordable price.

Revel Tethered Gold Plated Watch – SHOP HERE

Cosmydor's ethical skincare creams range consists of hydrating face creams of floral and shea butter persuasions, clay and almond scrubs, and masks based on ultra-concentrated formulas with more than 99% naturally derived ingredients.

BAUME LÈVRES KISS -– SHOP HERE

DAPHINE

Daphine is a small jewellery brand that offers timeless pieces at an affordable price.

Every piece is handmade in their Jaipur atelier, with 18-carat gold laid over recycled brass that is Responsible Jewellery Council certified. The methods they use produce a resilient layer of gold that doesn’t easily wear away

RITA RING 18ct Gold Plated Ring with Tiger Eye Stone –

SHOP HERE

ALL THE GLITTER

Christmas is about shining in the dark and partying. And there's nothing more mood-lifting than a touch of gold in the deep winter.

RACHEL COMEY

Indie designer Rachel Comey is one of today's hot NY fashion creatives -– see her latest collaboration with the New York Review of Books. Her brand has been committed to sustainability from day one.

Some pieces of her latest collection in the UK can be found at Couverture & the Garbstore.

Harley Pouch Crossbody Bag Bronze – SHOP HERE

COS

COS' Luxury collection has been utterly inspiring over the past two seasons – unmissable Scandi design paired with fine fabric at an affordable price. The high-street brand still has a long way to go when it comes to sustainability, but its commitment has improved greatly in the past couple of years.

Straight-leg crinkled satin trousers – SHOP HERE

RABANNE

The Spanish brand that recently hit the hall of fame with its collaboration with H&M remains the uncontested winner when it comes to glitter.

Sparkle nano shoulder bag – SHOP HERE

SOCQUE

This new shoe brand, founded by two Parisian women, makes headway in France and beyond – currently Leandra Medine Cohen's favourite.

Abbey Silver – SHOP HERE

SLOW LANE

For those who wish to stay away from the noise of social media and overconsumption.

SMYTHSON

Smythson diaries, with their blue pages, are an all-time favourite and a great way to avoid checking your mobile for a rendezvous.

Chelsea textured-leather diary – SHOP HERE

LEACH POTTERY

Founded in 1920 by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, the Leach Pottery, St Ives, is among the world's most respected and influential potteries. All pieces are handmade and carefully crafted.

Mug – SHOP HERE

BIRKENSTOCK

To keep your feet warm when you turn your heating down.

Arizona Shearling Sandals – SHOP HERE

EARL OF EAST

The Hackney fragrance brand has become an international fixture and scores relatively high on sustainability. All of their products are hand-poured in their warehouse in London. They source as much material from within the UK as possible, produce with 100% eco-vegetable wax, use sustainable materials, including glass vessels, and develop refill systems for their products.

Earl of East Japanese bathing ritual hand wash – SHOP HERE

TOAST

This traditional Japanese wrapping cloth, tied and neatly knotted to transport gifts and food, is both sustainable and beautiful.

Furoshiki Table Gifts – SHOP HERE

DAYLESFORD

A great alternative to the Birkenstock…

Women's wool slippers – SHOP HERE

AMBER GUINNESS

You don't need to travel to Tuscany any more. Trust Amber Guinness to share her best tips and recipes that combine British art de la table and Italian cooking.

A House Party in Tuscany by Amber Guinness – SHOP HERE

PAPIER

I have followed a devotee's advice and started journalling regularly in the morning. The benefits are countless: it's an efficient way to eliminate stress and negative thoughts and much better than starting the day scrolling Instagram.

Joy Gratitude Journal – SHOP HERE

A SUBSCRIPTION TO MUBI

In a world where you can pretty much watch everything, MUBI’s films curation is a blessing.

MUBI – SHOP HERE

GEN Z

What to give your favourite Gen Z? Tight trousers are out, gender-free is in. The below has been thoroughly researched and checked by people in the know.

ASTRO TAROT

In a world lacking a moral compass, could tarot be the answer?

Russell Grant's Astro Tarot and guidebook, Vintage tarot deck, Pre-owned – SHOP HERE

BRAIN DEAD

Gen Z-approved brand.

Videosphere Hoodie Black – SHOP HERE

BALA

To be used while spending time on TikTok.

Bangles 0.45kg/1lb Wrist and Ankle Weights, Blush – SHOP HERE

BACKBONE

This one comes with mixed feelings. A portable Playstation that comes highly recommended by any Gen Z representative to their unconvinced Gen X counterparts.

One PlayStation® Edition – SHOP HERE

HATCH

This one also comes with mixed feelings. Highly recommended by Gen X representatives to their unconvinced Gen Z counterparts.

Hatch Restore 1 – SHOP HERE

PLEASING

Those drops will reset your teen skin from the effects of stress and pollution.

Acid Drops lucid overnight serum 30ml – SHOP HERE

GEAR4MUSIC

Karaoke fans rejoice.

Shure BLX24/PG58-K3E Handheld Wireless Microphone System – SHOP HERE

THE MILLENNIAL EDIT

NEW BALANCE

NB remains a 30-something fixture. While the Aimé Leon Dore collab is perhaps a tad too 2022, this more classic version is in my opinion, a very safe option.

MT580RBL GTX Sneakers Kombu & Black – SHOP HERE

TOAST

Muehlbauer Needlecord Cap – SHOP HERE

SUQQU

Founded in Japan, Suqqu takes its name from the Japanese word for 'posture with attitude'. Its skincare range is based on the principle of inner composure and serenity. The fact is they are just extremely good.

Eye & Lip makeup remover 100ml – SHOP HERE

BYREDO

A vegan, gender-free fragrance that is inspired by the spirit animal within!

ANIMALIQUE – SHOP HERE

ULTRA HUMAN

Smart rings are said to change your life. They tell you about how you sleep, about your fitness, and also have a menstruation predictor. They even warn you when you appear to be heading towards burnout

Ring AIR – SHOP HERE

A.P.C. X JW ANDERSON

The perfect collab for the urban millennial.

MANTEAU COLIN - DUFFEL COAT – SHOP HERE

FOR THE GEN X BOY

ELMER

If you are set on offering gloves, try this pair, designed in Japan.

Joh Gloves Khaki – SHOP HERE

ASUS

This portable projector is getting rave reviews. Could it be the solution to watch movies en famille finally?

ZenBeam L2 Smart Portable LED Projector – SHOP HERE

VEGER

Bound to please anyone…

Portable charger – SHOP HERE

BENNETT WINCH

This small company makes all their luggage in England.

Suede Weekender, Storm Grey – SHOP HERE

APPLE

The latest Apple Watch Edition is here.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 – SHOP HERE

AARKE

Goodbye San Pellegrino!

Carbonator 3 – SHOP HERE

DR BARBARA STURM

I have only recently discovered Dr Barbara Sturm's anti-ageing products, and I can only say that it works. Hello, smooth, glowy skin and goodbye, puffy eyes. I hear the men's creams are pretty impressive, too.

Men super anti-ageing set – SHOP HERE.

IT FASHION ACCESSORIES

Following the success of PhoebePhilo.com's latest fashion release, there's still an appetite for very specific and seemingly hard, hard-to-get fashion items. Some of them are super expensive, others, surprisingly not. The challenge, of course, is not so much to buy them but to find them.

COS

We've mentioned the COS quilted bag at length. This is because it is affordable, and fashion experts approve. It also has a quiet luxury seal, meaning you can wear it for years.

QUILTED MINI BAG - LEATHER – SHOP HERE

LOEWE

Loewe's handbags are quietly becoming the big thing among fashion cognoscenti. Their very soft leather, discreet branding and 70s shapes may be the reason for their popularity. The Squeeze bag is one of the season's most popular items, but sadly almost impossible to buy. Unless you are one of the lucky ones…

Small Squeeze bag in nappa lambskin – SHOP HERE