Christmas gift guide

Scorpion cufflinks, £450, by Stephen Webster These silver cufflinks with red garnet cabochon eyes inject a rock ’n’ roll spirit into a formal shirt. www.stephenwebster.com	Necklace, £6,200, by Pippa Small The rock crystal vial can be filled with scent to give a personal touch to an unusual piece of jewellery. Pippa Small tel: +44 207 792 1292

Sweater, £375, by Moncler With its hint of 1970s skiwear, this retro rollneck works for the slopes or the aprèsski. www.moncler.com	Claret velvet jacket, £925, by Dolce & Gabbana A luxurious addition to any man’s wardrobe: throw over knits for day or add a dapper bow tie after dark. www.mrporter.com

Swimsuit, £295, by Norma Kamali As figure flattering as it gets: this design combines hourglass-enhancing ruching and 1940s pin-up glamour. www.netaporter.com	Flannel shirts, £19.90, by Uniqlo Every off-duty winter wardrobe needs a stack of cosy flannel shirts in colourful checks. www.uniqlo.com

Purple crêpe dress, £1,755, by Bottega Veneta A dress to take you from dinner to cocktails and beyond, in a divinely decadent shade of purple. www.matchesfashion.com	‘Diane von Furstenberg and the Tale of the Empress’s New Clothes’ by Camilla Morton, £8.83; ‘The Sartorialist: Closer’, by Scott Schuman, £12.80 A fashion fairytale and street style inspiration. www.amazon.co.uk

Florabotanica eau de parfum, £53 for 50ml, by Balenciaga New fragrance in the kind of cool, graphic bottle you’d expect from this innovative fashion house. www.boots.com	Mini suitcase, £65, Liberty This versatile case (40 x 20 x 11cm) can be an overnight bag, carry-on or stylish storage. www.liberty.co.uk

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As long as it’s thoughtful

Carole Lim and Humberto Leon on last-minute-gifts

Carol Lim

I want every gift to be special, so I’ve even been known to wait to give presents after the holidays until I find something perfect. Even if it’s last-minute, I’ll always make time to carefully wrap each gift and I always have a stock of Crane & Co stationery as a back-up – it’s elegant and beautiful.

I love to give cookbooks but also include food items to make my favourite dish from the cookbook. Monogrammed items can be great – I’ve received monogrammed Post-it notes, napkins, towels, anything! It is a nice little luxury. Comme des Garçons wallets and pouches come in all colours and prints – and I love to give Santa Maria Novella’s potpourri, which has the most incredible fragrance. Astier de Villatte makes white ceramic plates with different mouldings – they were the perfect addition to Humberto’s ceramic collection.

Humberto Leon

Even small and seemingly insignificant gifts can be thoughtful – you can always get a friend’s favourite food item, wine or books, but it’s about knowing what will be meaningful to them. Carol collects jewellery and charms, so I bought her vintage jewellery from the Kentshire Gallery: their pieces are beautiful and unique. As a fun gift this season we created a set of Kenzo tarot cards with original artwork, and Opening Ceremony has great monogram sweaters in time for the holiday season. Never give anything for the sake of it – it’s better to give nothing at all than something that isn’t thoughtful.

Friends Humberto Leon and Carol Lim are co-founders of the retail concept Opening Ceremony, and co-creative directors of Kenzo

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www.amazon.co.uk

www.boots.com

www.liberty.co.uk

www.matchesfashion.com

www.moncler.com

www.net-a-porter.com

www.pippasmall.com

www.stephenwebster.com

www.uniqlo.com