Here’s what to buy for your fashionista friends this Christmas
Whether you love it or loathe it, buying friends and family presents at Christmas is an annual certainty. If you’re sick of buying bog standard socks and novelty mugs for mum and dad, then check out our gift guides for the best arts and cultures gifts for 2019.
Image credit: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Christian Dior Exhibition Book
Tickets to one of the V&A’s fashion exhibitions is a fail-safe gift for any fashion lover, and both Tim Walker: Wonderful Things and the Mary Quant show are on sale now. If getting to London is too much of an issue then head to the V&A’s online shop, a fantastic place filled to the brim with affordable haute couture gifts. A sell-out success of 2019 was most certainly the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition, and the beautiful hardback exhibition book is available to buy online. Filled with beautiful imagery and fascinating illustrations, this book is a retrospective on 60 years of the legendary House of Dior.
Christian Dior (Hardback) costs £25 and is available here. A paperback version is available at £15 here.
Image credit: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Cloud 9 by Tim Walker Poster
Fans of editorial fashion photography will adore a remarkable Tim Walker print, again from the V&A online shop. Grab tickets for the Tim Walker: Wonderful Things exhibition or simply order one of the beautiful prints available online. Tim Walker has been shooting for Vogue since the mid-90s, snapping iconic super models and creating some of the UK’s most unforgettable photo shoots. His retrospective at the V&A features a glorious display of newly created fashion shots (including Cloud 9) and a retrospective of his past career. This bright and glittering shot will brighten up the home of any fashion fan and create a stylish talking point with guests.
Cloud 9 by Tim Walker poster costs £45 and is available here. You can also purchase Box of Delights, Pen and Ink, Lord of the Flies and Illuminations- all £45 and available here.
Image credit: Angels Costumes via Facebook
Behind the Seams Tour for Two at the Famous Angel’s Costumes
Those who prefer to buy an experience rather than a physical gift can find endless ideas on the Virgin Experiences website - including this unforgettable tour of Angel’s Costumes. Located in Brent Park, Angel’s is the largest privately-owned collection of costumes in the world. Whether your fashion fan is interested in regal gowns from Game of Thrones, 1920’s flapper’s dresses from Downton Abbey or mystical capes from Harry Potter - Angel’s has it all. Their ‘Behind the Seams’ experience offers a guided tour of this vast costumes hub and first-hand experiences from the Bafta Winning team themselves.
The tour for two costs £80 and includes a full tour and personalised gift pack. Click here to book.
Image credit: Chilly's Bottles via Facebook
Chilly’s Water Bottle
Nothing says stylish in 2019 quite like saving the planet. From bamboo toothbrushes to metal straws, everyone is expected to do their bit. One of the easiest ways to do this is to make use of a reusable water bottle, reducing the damaging influx of plastic water bottles making their way into our oceans. Rather than opting for a boring old lunch-box water bottle, head to the Chilly’s website and pick out a trendy design or colour. Choose from 49 colours and patterns, including trendy pastels, stylish matte shades, pretty florals and funky tropical designs. Offering both style and substance - these bottles keep drinks cold for 24 hours.
Chilly’s water bottles range from £20 - £30 and are available here. Can’t decide on a pattern? Grab a gift card here.
Image credit: Fashion Tours London via Facebook
Fashion Tours London
Mayfair, St James’s and Soho - three iconic London locations that represent the best of London’s fashion designers. Fashion Tours London offer independent tours and expert personal styling across the city centre, the perfect gift for someone looking to splash a bit of cash! They offer three tours; Unique Boutiques is a chance to discover London’s finest boutiques; Latest in Design guides you in recent collections from Britain’s iconic designers and finally; Ballgowns to Bumsters is a historic tour of fashion production in the UK’s capital. The team also offer 2, 4 and 7-hour styling sessions - perfect for those wanting to jazz up their look.
Tours cost £75 per person, £60 for two or £50 for three or more. Discounts is available for fashion students and Personal Styling sessions start at £200. For more information and to book click here.