You know those starter pack memes for specific categories of people, like How Long Gone-listening creative director bro or the Essentia-guzzling East Village girl? Well, this gift guide is the perfect encapsulation of a 20-something Bushwick-dwelling freelancer. What do we want? A corset made out of ballet shoes, artisanal olive oil, and a collection of ‘90s rave flyers, duh. We want coffee table books that send signals to our guests, cool clothes from independent designers, for our dogs to be the best-dressed at Maria Hernandez, and for the packaging of our beauty products to be as pretty as the product itself. We want items that will help us with our side hustles and hobbies, whether that be ceramics, crochet, or DJing. I say ‘we’ because although this is a personal holiday wishlist of things I want, it is very applicable to that demographic who maybe can recite their ranking of Lana Del Rey and/or Radiohead albums, has tied ribbon bows into their hair or cowboy boots in the past year, or listens to Nymphet Alumni. This sounds niche, but chances are it’s you or someone you know, so read ahead to get them (or yourself) something lovely.
Artbook
I have been obsessed with Yoshitomo Nara since my parents took me to see an exhibition of his when I was around 9 years old. I especially loved his depictions of young girls expressing rage, and seeing their scowling, adorable faces still feels empowering.
Ballet Shoe Corset
If I were to participate in the balletcore trend, this is how I would do it—by wearing literal ballet pointe shoes as a top.
I have been on the hunt for a pair of Bluetooth headphones that can function both as a device to listen to music and as an accessory. Obviously, good audio quality is the top priority, but I love the look of these as well.
Metal Boots in the Snow Eyeshadow Palette
This palette is called Metal Boots in The Snow and everything about it is gorgeous. I moonlight as a DJ and love an intense eye look, so these metallics are perfect. Also, the packaging is so pretty and reminds me of an oyster.
Paris Rave Flyers
I love browsing old flyers on Are.na, and having a physical book of them to reference when throwing events would be helpful and inspiring. Excellent coffee table material as well!
Collar Set
Does my toy cockapoo need to look like he could get into Berghain? Yes, of course.
Mohair Off Shoulder Jumper
I love everything about this sweater, from the subtle bell sleeve to the off-the-shoulder neckline.
One Year Subscription
I have decided 2024 is the year I get into audiobooks, and I love that Libro.fm contributes a portion of your subscription fee to a local, independent bookshop of your choosing.
Olive Oil Set
I was over at my friend’s house the other night watching Phantom of the Opera for the 237th time, and she made popcorn with a drizzle of bougie olive oil. You know that scene where Emmy Rossum sings for the first time and everyone is stunned by her perfection and the music swells and suddenly the shot transitions to her performing in front of a sold-out house and she finishing the song on that iconic high note to thunderous applause? A similar thing was happening to my tastebuds, and now I’m ready to explore artisanal terrain beyond the cheapest olive oil option from Trader Joe’s.
Deandra Black Boots
To me, the contrast stitching, chunky platform, and rubber toe make these shoes a contemporary update on the ‘90s cyberpunk, raver boots.
Instant Angel Skin Restoring Moisturizer
I have been following Dieux co-founder Charlotte Palermino on TikTok for years, and I am convinced this product could solve my winter skin dryness.
Composition Dress
Eckhaus Latta have proven themselves to be masters of the sweater dress. The asymmetrical hem, the cutouts in the back, the high neck—perfection.
The Scent Sampler
What these scents smell like is a little besides the point—I just really want these exquisite, hand-blown glass vials.
Hand Carved Taper Candle
Thanks to a certain clock app, I have recently gotten into air-dry clay, and one of the only things my clumsy little paws can make are candle holders. So naturally, I need candles to put in them that are cute enough to distract from my sad creations.