The Luxe List: December
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THE PLEASURE BRAND:
LBDO
LBDO is a new sexual pleasure brand exclusive to Selfridges. On a mission to break down stigmas and taboos around sex, the Aussie, female-founded wellness label has created an Essensual oil. Designed for solo self-care or partnered play, it's formulated for multi-use, so it's safe to use all over the body for nourished soft-to-the-touch skin.
Visit Selfridges.com
THE PARIS DESTINATION:
Mondaine de Pariso
Mondaine de Pariso is a new experience in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. Claiming to be free of rules and conventions, the venue is set up like an opulent private party straight out of the 70s. Created by Daphné Desjeux, the huge ‘apartment’ has been imagined as a luxurious Parisian bachelor pad. Spread out over two floors, the rooms – including the Smokeroom and the Library – unfold with different experiences throughout night. Menus feature indulgent ingredients such as caviar and lobster, and cocktails will flow all night. A must-book if you’re planning a trip this winter.
Visit Mondaine-DePariso.com
THE POP-UP:
Halfpenny London at Harrods
British Bridal brand Halfpenny London will launch a capsule collection of its iconic pieces exclusively at Harrods from 5th December. With a focus on colour, expect to see the brand's signature femininity reimagined in jewel tones, pretty pastels and classic black. “While my bridal gowns are for the most part exclusively ivory, I am obsessed with colour. My home and atelier are full of rich, bold tones and unexpected accents – and I’ve channelled that playfulness into this new edit of evening gowns and separates,” Kate Halfpenny tells us. If you’re looking to invest in a black dress this season, make it the FoxGlove. The puffed sleeves, square neckline and thigh-high split are a masterclass in refined, universally flattering proportions.
Visit Harrods.com
THE COFFEE TABLE BOOK:
Chloé Catwalk – The Complete Collections by Lou Stoppard
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the iconic fashion house Chloé. Chloé Catwalk offers a rare insight into its history and explores the collections in depth. Each new era in Chloé’s history opens with a brief overview followed by highlights of each collection and the primary influences. The powerful line-up of creatives who have upheld the fashion house are referenced throughout – from founder Gaby Aghion, Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Phoebe Philo and current creative director Gabriela Hearst. The book is illustrated with beautifully curated catwalk images. The Catwalk series, previously featuring the likes of Chanel and Prada, has become a must-have for fashion and luxury professionals.
Visit DauntBooks.co.uk
THE HOLIDAY HOME:
Malting Farm
On the hunt for a fun rental with friends and family? In the village of Little Bentley, near Colchester in Essex, Malting Farm is a working family farm with a collection of cabins in a secluded wildflower meadow. Offering a peaceful, rural break without compromising on home comforts, all three cabins sleep four to six people in two bedrooms and feature hot tubs, decking areas, fully equipped kitchens and feature baths. Cabins come with a welcome pack of locally sourced treats and homemade cake, and guests have access to Malting Farm’s communal areas, including a zip wire, nature trail and honesty shop. Want to truly relax? Home-cooked suppers can be arranged.
Visit MaltingFarm.co.uk
THE CAMPAIGN:
Swarovski
Starring Bella Hadid, Swarovski’s Christmas campaign is a dose of joy, playful glamour and colour. Fashion photography duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott worked with creative director Giovanna Engelbert on the concept, which shows the supermodel – and brand ambassador – wearing the latest collections. Our favourite image is a Tinkerbell-sized Bella, wrapped up in a pink bow, and perched on top of several candy-coloured gift boxes surrounded by sparkling crystal jewellery. Swarovski’s holiday lineup includes the Constella range which comprises sparkling ornaments and home décor, and the Stella collection which features star-shaped jewels.
Visit Swarovski.com
THE TREATMENT:
Verden at Liberty
Natural fragrance brand Verden has launched two spa treatments at Liberty. Both combine deep tissue massage and breathwork to create a deeply relaxing experience. Body & Breathwork Therapy is a 60-minute deep-tissue massage using the Herbanum fragrance collection with guided breathwork to release muscle tension and psychological stress; while Relaxation & Breathwork Therapy is a 60-minute de-stress massage using the D’Orangerie fragrance alongside guided breathwork to reconnect mind and body.
Visit LibertyLondon.com
THE DECORATIONS:
Scribble & Daub
Scribble & Daub is a stationery and illustration studio founded by Caroline Kent in 2012. Previously a curator of contemporary art, Caroline now uses a traditional dip pen and brightly coloured inks to create her distinctive designs – she’s worked with everyone from Alex Eagle, British Standard and The Conran Shop to Dior and Hermés. Fresh for Christmas 2022, she’s created a set of fun hand-painted decorations. We’ve got our eye on a set of her margarita designs.
Visit ScribbleAndDaub.com
THE HOMEWARE COLLAB:
Cressida Jamieson X East London Cloth
This season sees the beginning of a partnership between embroiderer Cressida Jamieson and seamstress Gemma Moulton of East London Cloth. ‘Family Linens’ includes a range of personalisable, hand-embroidered tablecloths, café curtains, pillowcases and napkins. Each piece will be made to order and entirely personal, with the option to share distinctive handwriting or free-flowing drawings. The collection is made with soft Irish linen and a choice of embroidery colours and techniques. We see future heirlooms in the making.
Visit EastLondonCloth.co.uk
THE SCENT:
Matiere Premiere
Created by master perfumer Aurélien Guichard, Matiere Premiere is a French fragrance brand that’s just launched in Selfridges. Of the collection, we love its hero scent Crystal Saffron. Habanolide musk gives the fragrance a contemporary, genderless character while Somali incense oil accentuates the vibrancy of the saffron notes. We’re fans of its bottles and packaging too – they’d look great on any bedroom table.
Visit Matiere-Premiere.com
THE PLAY:
A Little Life
Famed stage director Ivo van Hove's world premiere of Hanya Yanagihara's bestselling novel A Little Life is set to open in the West End in March 2023. Van Hove will direct James Norton (Jude), Luke Thompson (Willem), Omari Douglas (JB) and Zach Wyatt (Malcolm), the novel’s unforgettable central unit, in a long-awaited production that we’re sure will – like the book – be unforgettable. The adaptation will land at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 30th March and tickets are on sale now.
Visit ALittleLifePlay.com
THE MUST-READ:
Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait by Gyles Brandreth
This intimate biography of the late Queen Elizabeth II tells the story of her remarkable life, reign and times. Gyles Brandreth writes the Queen's tale candidly and sensitively, from the view of someone who met her, talked with her and kept a record of those conversations. Told with authority, a refreshing dose of humour and moving honesty, Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait is the must-read biography of the longest-serving monarch in English history. We predict this will be found under many a Christmas tree this year.
Visit Waterstones.com
THE SUSTAINABLE LAUNCH:
Anya Rental
Anya Hindmarch has launched a rental service to give everyone access to her iconic bags. Anya Rental will put sustainability at the forefront and encourage us to rent, wear, return and repeat. The service offers the fashion thrill of something new without the impact on the environment. Choose from practical everyday bags, crafted woven bags, totes and of course the iconic Crisp Packet clutch. “Anya Rental will be like having special VIP access to our stock cupboard as needed, and this edit includes some of my favourite pieces,” Anya tells us.
Visit ReAnyaHindmarch.com
THE DRINKS LAUNCH:
Easy Liquor
Lockdown Liquor has launched its first range of canned cocktails, Easy Liquor, just in time for the festive season. The set of four includes a 'Margarita' made with El Sueño tequila, real pressed lime juice and Scrappy's Grapefruit Bitters; a 'Rum Punch' crafted with Cut Spiced rum, mango, coconut, lime and cinnamon cordial; a 'Ginger Cosmo' using 58 & Co vodka, cranberry, lemon and ginger cordial; and an 'Espresso Martini' made with 58 & Co vodka, cold brew coffee and coffee liqueur.
Visit Lockdown-Liquor.com
THE BEAUTY DESTINATION:
Ffern Flagship
Fragrance brand Ffern has opened its flagship on Beak Street in Soho – a multisensory space that’s 100% plastic free. To bring its vision to life, the brand worked with House of Grey, a British interior design studio focused on regenerative and holistic design. Design highlights include a striking screen made from a new seaweed biomaterial, plinths of hand-carved Somerset stone and a large hand-built-Norfolk terracotta diffuser that fills the space with each season's signature fragrance.
Visit Ffern.co
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