25 brands you’ll want in your Christmas stocking this year
12 days to go.
Today officially marks the 12-day countdown ’til Christmas, and what a scary thought that is.
If you still haven’t begun your Christmas shopping (guilty), all hope is not lost. Yet.
We’re throwing a little inspiration your way in the form of 25 brands you’ll want to invest in this Christmas.
Your stocking awaits.
Afternoon Pick Me Up (pictured above)
There’s no better feeling than gifting someone a really thoughtful present. Afternoon Pick Me Up is helping people everywhere win Christmas, with its offering of lovingly put-together gift boxes. With a focus on health, wellness and design, each box is filled with products from like-minded Australian-made brands. This season, Afternoon Pick Me Up has four specialty Christmas boxes on offer. Featuring goodies like Four Pillars Gin, Posh Plonk Wine, cookies, soap, ornaments and raw chocolate, it’s the perfect way to treat your nearest and dearest. If you’re lucky, they may even share some choccy with you.
Pant Active
Pant Active is the culmination of two passions: fitness and art. Founded by a Melbourne-based brother and sister duo, the label collaborates with artists to produce prints to splash across Australian-made leggings. Think the kind of art you’d see in the streets and laneways of Melbourne. Each design is commissioned for a very limited run and once sold out, it isn’t used again. The brand’s ethos is to make customers feel like they’re wearing something unique and to respect the integrity of each artist’s work. All pieces are constructed to endure high-intensity exercise, but also suitable for everyday wear.
JONNY+JUNE
Our hair is one of the many things we take for granted. It’s constantly bleached, sizzled and dried, which is why you need superior haircare to look after it. Sydney hair salon JONNY+JUNE recently unveiled its own line of vegan shampoo and conditioner, to keep your hair in the best possible condition. It’s paraben-free, using Australian certified organic extracts to maintain your locks. Expect ingredients like aloe vera, macadamia nuts and argan oil to extend the life of coloured hair, as well as increasing hydration and shine. Plus, there’s the added bonus of its citrus scent, coupled with a hint of rose and patchouli. Shop the duo online for $29.95 each, or at JONNY+JUNE’s new salon at 104 Glenmore Road, Paddington NSW.
Creux Automatiq
Inspired by modern architecture and sports luxe design, Creux Automatiq creates a range of luxury timepieces for men. Each Swiss-made watch boasts a sleek aesthetic with an intricate skeletal mechanism. These best-selling designs are also water-resistant and feature 33 jewel self-winding technology. Following the success of its 2016 Ghost release, Creux has launched three new models as part of the series. The Ghost Shadow, Ghost Explorer and Ghost Gen II all have different modifications and are available to pre-order now, just in time for Christmas.
Golden Palm Design
A gift without a card is like a Christmas tree without a star – incomplete. This year, finish your gift-giving with a bang by visiting Golden Palm. The online design studio stocks a range of cards, postcards and art prints, all based on hand-drawn illustrations. Themes include flora, fauna and signs of the zodiac, with a focus on retro prints and pops of colour. Each product is designed to be a keepsake you can proudly display on the mantelpiece. While the studio only launched earlier this year, its product line is expanding for 2018. Watch this space
Betty Basics
Our favourite type of Christmas gifts are ones we can put to use all year ’round. You may be unfamiliar with Betty Basics, but we’re guessing you know its sister labels Sass and Fate+Becker. The standalone label is committed to making wardrobe staples, which are easy to wear and comfortable for all sizes. It produces six limited-edition collections each year – spanning denim, sneakers, puffers and more – alongside a key essentials line of over 25 styles which are available to shop at all times. You can find Betty Basics online, and in over 650 boutiques across Australia and New Zealand.
Inky Editions
Inky Editions produces artwork with a personal touch. It specialises in contemporary map prints, ranging from capital cities to marathon routes and custom locations. Customers can print maps from anywhere in the world, gifting a loved one with a place that hits close to home. There’s even the option to select the map’s colour palette, print size and frame, so every step of the way is personalised. Each design is also printed on 100 per cent cotton rag paper, free of acid, chlorine and brightener, to ensure it hangs on the wall for years to come.
Palmaira Sandals Australia
Palmaira Sandals Australia puts a spin on the traditional Avarca, a sandal design which originates from the Spanish Island of Menorca. The label’s shoes are handmade from genuine leather, with the added option of glitter or cowhide on the upper. You can also choose from zebra, leopard and snakeskin prints on a range of espadrilles and sandals, all designed in Australia by founders Jenn and Gem. Authenticity is guaranteed, with each pair certified by the Menorcan government. There’s a range for kids too, so consider your Christmas gifting sorted.
Kumo
Kumo is a Melbourne-made women’s clothing label, inspired by modern Japanese aesthetics. It brings together the best of Australian and Japanese design, creating pieces locally with fabrics sourced from Japan. You can expect pops of colour, like polka dot prints, pastel clouds and waves, splashed across flattering dresses, knee-length skirts and tees. High-quality natural fibres are also a hallmark of Kumo’s collections. It’s all available to shop online, or you can check it out in person at Northcote Town Hall’s Kris Kringle Night Market, December 14 and 21.
Miss Maya
Our skin is the largest organ in the human body, but often we don’t give it the attention it deserves. Thankfully, Micellar Water has become our skin’s saving grace, and Miss Maya is allowing us to support an Australian business on our quest to a perfect complexion. The brand’s hyaluronic acid cleansing water eliminates the need for a long list of skincare products, acting as a makeup remover, cleanser, exfoliator, toner and moisturiser all in one. It’s suitable for all skin types, containing Pentavitin, cucumber extract and citric acid to remove the day’s make-up while also firming your skin.
Von-Röutte
The holidays are upon us and that only means one thing: it’s time to pack up your bags and escape the daily grind. But you won’t find us throwing our clothes into any old suitcase. Local leather label Von-Röutte makes practical pieces for both weekend adventures and everyday use. Drawing on Scandinavian design principals, founders Gus and Marina are committed to making accessories which are simple, functional and beautiful. Jump online to find a selection of modern wallets, backpacks, totes and weekenders – all ready to join you on your next trip. For 20% off, use the code FASHION.JOURNAL
Kooreloo
For the person that’s got everything, a gift that no one else has is the perfect solution. Kooreloo is a Greek accessories brand, crafting handbags out of traditional woven rugs. Each one is handmade in Greece, with no two bags the same. The aim is to blend contemporary artistic elements with local traditional weaves, making each piece a true work of art. Kooreloo expanded to Australia earlier this year, meaning it now distributes to over 27 countries. With a tick of approval from the likes of Adriana Lima, we’re expecting big things.
Joab
Nothing compares to the quality of a handmade shoe. Especially one that has five generations of shoemaking under its belt. Joab is the label offering handcrafted leather espadrilles made on the Syrian border. Each style is produced in Turkey, in a workshop employing refugees displaced by the Syrian conflict. Its range for men and women has just launched in Australia, so you can finish your Christmas shopping while helping someone in need. For an added bonus, each pair of Joabs is tanned in traditional tanneries, meaning no two pairs are the same.
Sage&Luna
If you’re buying for a mother or mother-to-be this Christmas, consider gifting something practical. For mums, a bag that’s functional yet good looking is a rarity. Sage&Luna’s solution is a line of baby bags which are convertible and fashion-focused. You can select from handbags, large bucket bags and backpacks crafted from natural grain leather, with plenty of space in each. All styles come with a wipeable nylon interior, waterproof changing mat and straps large enough to hang on a pram. Plus, for every item sold, Sage&Luna will donate a birthing kit to a woman in a developing country.
Lilly & Lime
For women with bigger busts, shopping for swimwear often gets put in the too hard basket. Lilly & Lime is out to challenge that notion, with an offering specially made for those with D+ cup sizes. Aiming to make women feel more confident in a swimsuit, the label makes a supportive range spanning size 28D to 40HH in tops and 8 to 22 in bottoms. Free shipping and vouchers make gifting easier and to take the worry out of shopping online, there’s free exchange and a size check to ensure the perfect fit.
Seven Islands Skincare
Anne Marshall doesn’t believe in just taking a break come December 25. Her philosophy is that our skin deserves a permanent escape from parabens, chemicals, pollution and stress. Marshall has been a beauty therapist for 20 years and began Seven Islands as an alternative to unnatural and unethical skincare. The Seven Islands range spans face and body care products made with the highest-quality ingredients from natural sources. Gift it to someone you love, or treat your skin to that fresh holiday feeling all year long.
Cleo Harper
When the festive season is over, you’re going to need some extra motivation to sweat out all those Christmas kilos. And new activewear may be just the thing. Cleo Harper is a luxe activewear label for women, focusing on premium fabrication and feminine cuts. The label has just released its latest collection, Haze, full of mix-and-match items like bralets, leggings and tanks. Each piece is formed from moisture-wicking fabrics, which are also breathable and antibacterial. You can shop the 12-piece collection as separates, or buy the whole collection in bulk at a discounted price.
Ziani Beauty
Ziani Beauty is the home of natural health goodies, housing an exclusive collection of organic beauty products. Its focus is on providing a range free from toxins, with each item selected for its beneficial ingredients. The offering spans skincare, haircare, cosmetics and more, all chosen by a dietician and a naturopath, so you know you’re in good hands. Think brands along the lines of Eco Tan, Salus, Living Sea Therapy, Keeko Oil and more. The online store also offers fast next-day dispatch, making it the perfect place to start (or finish) your Christmas shopping.
United Bracelets
United Bracelets stocks a curated range of sterling silver jewellery and handmade bracelets. The affordable accessories label offers options in silver, gold and rose gold colourways, across varying styles of rings, earrings and necklaces. For its range of handcrafted bracelets, super fine thread from South America is woven and paired with a mini charm of your choice. The brand also donates 10 per cent of its profits to local charities, so you can tick off your Christmas list and do the world a favour at the same time.
IKO Apparel
A long-held dream to create beautiful and functional pieces for every day led to the beginning of IKO Apparel. Founded and made in Melbourne, an all-female team produces wardrobe staples that can be worn throughout the seasons. Small scale production is at the heart of IKO, with every piece crafted in small runs from high-quality natural fibres. The first collection, which was released late last month, includes linen pinafores, silk and cotton shirts, tee dresses and culotte-style pants, perfect for the warm weather. Buy now for pre-Christmas delivery.
KAVALRI
Men’s accessories are often limited to the extremely practical. Melbourne-based KAVALRI however, is setting about to change this perception with its range of fashion accessories that merge function and form. The brand’s current collection includes made-to-order wedding rings in tungsten (a hardy grey steel), titanium, black zirconium and gold, as well men’s bracelets, cufflinks and necklaces. Whether you’re looking for something casual, smart or formal, KAVALRI has options for every man in your life. You can shop KAVALRI’s extensive range of gift ideas online or via a growing list of stockists.
Sarah Jean
Applying false lashes has never been an easy feat and that’s what led Sarah Jean Baker to create a lash glue that’s a little different from the rest. Designed as a hassle-free solution, Sarah Jean’s glue swaps the usual fine tip for a mascara wand. Simply brush the latex-free adhesive onto your real lashes and then apply your fake ones on top using her handy applicator tool. The vegan formula is also water soluble, ensuring easy removal that doesn’t do any damage. Making this stocking filler better yet, score 15% off using FJ15 at the checkout.
The Raconteur
There’s a simple sentiment behind The Raconteur: what you choose to purchase says a lot about you. The bespoke fragrance brand is inspired by unique Australian botanicals and their native locations. It began with an offering of soy wax candles, with scents drawing on flora in Bondi and Melbourne. Expanding its gift-ready range, the brand recently unveiled its first unisex fragrance, Raconteur X. An ideal gift, its aroma pays homage to summer love in Sydney. Expect lush green and citrus notes of fig leaf, galbanum and Australian lemon, with spicy undertones of Tasmanian blackcurrant bud. Only 100 bottles have been produced, each date-marked and hand-numbered.
Molli Voyage
Everyone knows there’s no better place to nap than on the beach. Molli Voyage is a lifestyle brand merging travel cases with convertible pillows. Genius, we know. Appealing to those who like to get their shut eye anytime, anywhere, the brand’s handheld attaché features two zip pockets and a side strap. When sleep comes your way, just flip your Molli to the flat side and enjoy the Zs. A perfect gift for the friend who enjoys both travel and napping, Molli comes delivered in a premium matte black gift box, so there’s no need to get out the Christmas wrap.
Alannah Hill
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a loved one this Christmas, Alannah Hill has made the process a whole lot easier. The label has put together its own curated gift guide, featuring stocking-worthy pieces ranging from under $50 to $250. Online, you’ll find delicate lace dresses, sequinned shoes, accessories and more, conveniently grouped by price range. There’s even a dedicated Kris Kringle section for those in need of extra inspiration. Shop the edit for your holiday outfit, or increase your reputation exponentially by spoiling someone else.
This article was originally published in Fashion Journal 175.
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