13 brands to add to your Christmas gift list
Image via Tara Whalley
Plan accordingly.
It’s just over a week until Christmas and if you’re anything like us, there’s a high chance you haven’t completed your shopping yet.
To reduce the last minute panic you’ll likely experience in a few days’ time, we’ve put together 13 brands to add to your Christmas gift list.
All you have to do is sit back, start reading and plan your purchases accordingly.
Tara Whalley (pictured above)
You don’t need a trip to the beach to embrace the holiday spirit – Tara Whalley’s summer collection can do that for you (and it won’t get sand everywhere). Tienda Rosy encompasses bold, colourful designs, inspired by the exotic sights and sounds of Guatemala. A standout print from the release features hand-painted fresh fruits and coconuts, capturing the designer’s travels around the country’s lush islands. Find it across T-shirt dresses, kimonos and pants ranging from small to XL, catering to all of the wonderful
women on your Chrissy list.
Charlie Middleton
Choose a gift with a special touch this Christmas, by opting for a handcrafted bag from Charlie Middleton. The brand creates leather accessories that stand the test of time, with every item handmade in its Bondi-based studio. A range of totes, clutches and coin purses are on offer, all with the choice of silver, gold or rose gold hardware. All designs feature high-quality full grain leather, arriving in a variety of colours like tan, navy, blush and more. For the designer-at-heart, order the label’s Bespoke tote and it’ll be custom-made to your liking.
The Horse
While you may be most familiar with The Horse for its line of timepieces, the brand’s offering extends far beyond. A curated selection of premium leather accessories are available online, which are perfect for the person who likes pressies that are as practical as they are pretty. Our pick of the lot is the newly released Double Zip Crossbody bag (pictured). Crafted from premium Italian leather, it arrives in a sleek black or tan colourway, has eight card slots and a large inner pocket to keep everything safe.
Leica
Anyone can appreciate a Leica camera wrapped up under the tree. If you ask us, the brand’s SOFORT is a pretty excellent gift. Arriving in three colourways, the SOFORT (German for ‘instant’) is compact enough to carry with you, so you can print out your memories on-the-go. For those who like to point-and-shoot, the camera has auto and selfie modes which can do the hard work for you. If you take your photography game a little more seriously, it also has a series of manual settings to enable the perfect shot. Shop it now online, or at Leica’s newly opened St. Collins Lane, Melbourne store.
By Charlotte
The best gift is one that’s a little bit personal. By Charlotte’s range of birthstone necklaces are tailored to each month, and inspired by the personality traits thought to go with them. As well as a delicately cut birthstone, each of the 12 designs features a different inscription, designed to inspire the wearer to be the best version of themselves. The gold or silver pendants are also engraved with the label’s signature lotus design, which symbolises new beginnings and embracing your potential.
ONYX INTIMATES
One of the best ways to treat yourself is buying new underwear. So it follows that it’s a great way to treat somebody you love, too. Melbourne-made label ONYX designs lingerie to inspire self-love. Pick from bras, bralettes, robes and cheeky bottoms, handmade in Melbourne from delicate lace and pure silk. With a colour palette of all black (right down to the gift box), they promise to suit everybody’s tastes. If you really can’t choose, you can also pick up a gift card.
Wild Rhino
Born in Melbourne in 1996, Wild Rhino has been delivering casual men’s and women’s footwear across Australia and New Zealand for over two decades. Working on the belief that a great shoe is all about the details, the label prides itself on skilled craftsmanship and use of premium materials. Because of this, there’s no compromise on comfort, style or quality, and every pair is made to last. If your special someone is all stocked up on shoes, there’s also the option of filling their stocking with leather belts and wallets. Get 20% off full-priced items online with the code FJ20.
Sans Beast
This holiday season, get in the good books with the plant-eaters in your life. Sans Beast and Unreal Fur have joined forces on a furry capsule, and the results are heavenly. Inspired by children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, the collab offers up two fluffy styles wrapped in luxe, cruelty-free vegan fur. Pick from a tote with detachable pouch or small hip bag in colourways of Absinthe green, walnut and black. The designs are finished with Sans Beast’s signature branded strap, so everyone knows about your animal-free purchase.
FinerRings
Perhaps it’s time to give a piece that lasts longer than just a season this Christmas. FinerRings has just dropped a divine Summer ’19 collection which heroes baroque pearls. Shaped by the ocean, each pearl is naturally imperfect and completely individual, ensuring the Melbourne-made jewellery pieces are unique to the wearer. All designs are made by hand from anti-tarnish gold and silver, ideal for sensitive ears and skin. Shop the delicate new collection at the FinerRings pop-up shop, 500 Chapel Street, South Yarra, or online using the code FASHIONJOURNAL for 20% off.
HARA The Label
Feeling good in an outfit starts with what you’re wearing underneath, and knowing you’re not harming the planet can be a big part of that. HARA makes bamboo undies and bras using all ethical practices. That means growing crops pesticide-free, using local manufacturing, hand-dyeing fabrics, and treating and paying employees well. The label has also partnered with the Environmental Justice Foundation, supporting the organisation’s work to stop the harmful use of chemicals in cotton production. But all that goodness doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort, because HARA undies are also flattering, long-lasting and super, super soft.
Salt & Ripple
Sometimes, it can be tricky to settle for just one pair of bathers. Which is why Salt & Ripple has created a collection of reversible swimwear. The Byron Bay label’s first range features a series of bikinis with ocean-inspired prints, finished off with solid colours on the reverse side. The idea is to mix-and-match designs depending on your mood, for pieces that change as you do. Throughout the production process, Salt & Ripple uses a sustainable printing method to reduce the amount of dye entering our waterways, while also ensuring low fabric wastage. It’s a win-win.
aletheia & phos
Knowing the person who made your gift did so with love makes it all the more special. The designer behind jewellery label aletheia & phos, Alicia Millan, is equally inspired by her Italian and Greek family, and her childhood fascination with crystals. A love of astrology inherited from her mother is the muse for the label’s latest zodiac collection, Element. With a hand-carved medallion for each star sign and precious gemstones to represent the four elements, the range makes for a thoughtful, personalised gift to keep you connected to the cosmos.
Let’s Face It
With summer officially here, it’s a great time to invest in a solid skincare routine. Thankfully, retailer Let’s Face It is making the process easy, bringing the best of Korean Beauty right to our doorsteps. The online store stocks over 300 skincare and beauty products, from bestselling brands like COSRX, Klairs Missha and more. Everything is gentle and effective on the skin, aiming to treat the root cause of a condition, rather than covering it up. Enter FJXMAS10 at the checkout for 10% off your first purchase.
This article originally appeared in FJ 186. You can read it here.
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