Gift Guide with a Twist

For The Ultimate Fashion Family

This time of year, we’re all faced with a barrage of well-curated gift lists, a helpful tool to be sure. Last year, I didn’t even post my own, deferring to those well-established sources. I’m also not thrilled about adding to the frenzy of consumerism that the holiday season has become or about promoting additional wealth for some of the world’s wealthiest people. I’m at the age where my closest friends and I don’t even exchange gifts anymore. We’re fortunate to have everything we need and have difficulty, in my case anyway, of housing all the stuff we do have.

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As I get older and the years fly by with increasing speed, it becomes clear that time is the greatest gift of all. It’s the most valuable commodity we have; it’s finite and cannot be bought. Instead of dedicating too much time running around like a maniac trying to find the perfect gift for everyone, I want to spend time with the people I love, enjoying the spirit of the season. In that spirit, I’ve devised my first-ever What Looks Good gift guide. I’ve kept the prices reasonable and focused on things that are either useful or beautiful enough to cherish and enjoy for years to come before handing them down to the next generation. I’ve also focused on independent brands to support small businesses and artisans.

My regular readers know I love telling the stories of fashion greats and style makers who have influenced the course of fashion. To make this gift guide interesting, I decided to inject a bit of fantasy and fun into it by devising the ultimate gift list for fashion’s legendary family: Yves Saint Laurent and his chosen family.

Chances are, you have someone on your list who fits the profile of YSL’s nearest and dearest.

In this family, there are two patriarchs and a matriarch. Yves Saint Laurent, the extraordinary talent who made history at the age of 21, when Christian Dior named him his successor days before his death in 1957. His debut collection for Dior was a sensation. In 1958, He met Pierre Bergé. They became partners in life and business, establishing the house of Yves Saint Laurent in 1961. Bergé’s business acumen matched Saint Laurent’s creativity. Together, they built an empire and started their chosen family that would be with them until the end.

The matriarch, Catherine Deneuve, first approached YSL in 1965 to commission a dress for a meeting with the Queen of England. In 1967, he designed her costumes for the iconic film Belle du Jour. From then on, they were close friends and collaborators. During YSL’s lifetime, she was a loyal friend to the house and an ambassador, in love and admiration, not for a hefty fee as we have now.

Saint Laurent was the consummate aesthete. He lived for beauty and surrounded himself with it in his work and homes.

We all have that person on our list with exquisite taste, easy to appreciate, but intimidating to buy for. Delight them with unique gifts of beauty that elevate common objects to please even the most discerning eye. A magnifying glass with a coral handle, a charming box of wooden matches to light the Fornasetti candle with, a colorful cashmere scarf, and a hand-marbled, leather-bound notebook.

Pierre Bergé was the brains behind the business. He worked tirelessly to protect Saint Laurent’s fragile psyche from the realities of running an empire. Surrounded by a colorful cast of characters, he remained buttoned up and in control, a true father figure to the merry, sometimes wild, band of creatives he surrounded himself with.

For the traditionalist in your life, give them comfort and practicality in subdued colors. A wool throw adorned with sailing knots, cufflinks featuring the mechanisms of a once-working automatic watch, would delight the watch fanatic on your list, an elegant wine carafe, a silk pocket square, and an artfully striped cashmere scarf in muted tones.

Catherine Deneuve, a legendary beauty and the embodiment of the refined elegance of YSL. Organically, she became the face of the house and matriarch.

For the Grand Dame on your list, uncomplicated luxuries that blend seamlessly into their well-curated life. Leather opera gloves, because she does go to the opera, a clear tray engraved with her name, a hand-blown bud vase for her bedside, embroidered linen cocktail napkins, and luxurious collagen-rich night cream and firming serum (on sale), because she always looks her best.

The younger baddies in the family were Saint Laurent’s muses and friends, Luolou de la Falaise, who also worked with YSL in design, and Betty Catroux. Loulou’s husband, Thadee Klossowsky, was a bon vivant and the son of the painter Balthus. Betty was married to Françios Catroux, the handsome interior designer to Europe’s elite. The two couples couldn’t have been more different in their styles, but together they rounded out the family and kept the inspiration flowing.

Loulou and Thadee were known for their free-spirited style and legendary parties. Why is it that the bohemians are always the most fun? Maybe because they’re guided only by their own creativity and heart.

For that fee spirit that brings joy into your life, Byzantine-style pearl drop earrings, the whimsy of a Fornasetti plate is sure to please, a love letter to Africa in a fragrance, (and a personal favorite), the gold muse candle sets the mood, Charming hand embroidered napkins, and hand-blown candlesticks, because there must always be an abundance of candlelight.

The reigning It-couple of Paris for decades, the Catrouxs had it all, astonishing good looks, and they ushered in a brand new modernist aesthetic that came to define the cool side of the 1970s. Betty was all hair and legs and made androgynous dressing a thing. Françios, perpetually tan with movie star looks, was the interior designer of choice to the jet set.

Without excess embellishments, it’s the skin and hair that do the talking for the modernist. This serum is the best on the market. Hair à la Betty can be the best accessory, for fullness and shine, I swear by this leave-in conditioner. Anyone with hair will thank you for it. This classic modernist light was designed in 1971 and is now wireless and available in multiple colors. A marble cube bowl makes a great desk accessory. This hand-blown crystal carafe would please even the most discerning modernist on your list, and this trio of cosmetic travel bags are as sleek as they are functional.

Switching gears, I would be remiss in not mentioning a few important sales that are happening now.

Elemis 30% off site-wide, November 15th to December 2nd

Charlotte Tilbury 50% off iconic beauty kits

Annie Bing up to 40% off

I hope my first-ever gift guide was fun. Who doesn’t love a little fantasy? But most of all, I hope it inspired. Let me know your thoughts and how you approach the holidays. I’m learning to let go and not even try to make everything perfect in favor of enjoying time with family and friends; that’s what matters most. I always look forward to your comments. If you liked this post, please give a like or even a restack; it helps enormously!

xxx Jolain