As we prepare for potentially the weirdest holiday season in our life, our desire to be amazing gift givers feels more important than ever. The hardest people to shop for are often the coolest people in your circle because they just seem to be five steps ahead of everything. This is when you look in the mirror and say to yourself ‘Wait, YOU are also a cool kid,’ and then channel your own cool girl sensibilities as you embark to find rad finds. As a result of following my own advice, I put together this Ultimate Cool Girl Gift Guide with, in all honesty, everything I would love to unwrap this Holiday season. Get inspired and get gifting!

JACQUEMUS LE BELLO TEXTURED-LEATHER BAG ($405)

Oh, the love for a Jacquemus handbag abounds. This vivid green ‘La Bello’ bag kicks your whole look up a notch with a textured leather design to wrap around your body. Such a bold stylish addition to any wardrobe and a direct hit on a stand-out style.

INTERVIEW: 50 YEARS ($250)

Assouline delivers 50 years of ‘cool kids’ featured with some of the best documentary photographs and words as seen in Interview magazine, which Andy Warhol started in 1969.

What makes this so phenomenal is that Assouline teamed up with VRAccelerator to create a digitally interactive experience that highlights the magazine’s exclusive archival issues direct to your digital device. Welcome to the future.

BALENCIAGA TRACK 2 LOGO-DETAILED SNEAKERS ($895)

Trainers have been holding rank in the high-fashion world for quite some time now and continue to be more and more accepted as appropriate footwear for any occasion. These ‘Track 2’ mesh and rubber, detailed sneakers are a wonderful subtle upgrade from their ‘Track’ delivery last Fall. With a cage-like construction, silver accents and signature chunky sole these kicks achieve covetable sneaker style.

PYER MOSS SANKOFA DUSTER ($300)

Award winning designer Kerby Jean Raymond’s label Pyer Moss continues to deliver some of the most coveted apparel with gems like this black Sankofa Duster with waist tie and signature logo back detail. This all over Sankofa print is pure wardrobe magic and the type of layer I could literally live in.

FENTY DON’T BE SQUARE SLINGBACKS 105 ($700)

FENTY’s second shoe collection, co-designed with Amina Muaddi, features this gorgeous ivory square-toe heeled slingback pumps in nappa lambskin. The 105mm metallic reversed cone heel is the delicious icing on the cake.

BIJULES WIRELESS FINE JEWELRY AIRPOD ($350)

As an ode to athletic training and pre-match style, Bijules created Wireless Fine Jewelry Airpods, and I, for one, have this at the top of my personal list. You have a choice of a classic hoop and 2 carat gem stud. Stocking stuffer anyone?

BOY SMELLS x GANNI PARK LIFE SCENTED CANDLE ($39)
Aromatherapy is truly medicinal. Get into some scented healing with this exclusive Park Life candle thanks to the collaborative goodness of Boy Smells and GANNI. A warm blend of ginger, basil, fig, sage, clove, tonka bean, and sandalwood simulates the outdoors while indoors. The best of both worlds, right? There’s more! This candle is made from organic coconut and responsibly harvested beeswax with no paraffin or petroleum, and recycled glass.

OLYMPIA LE-TAN MONET APPLIQUED BOOK CLUTCH ($1330)

Paris-based designer Olympia Le-Tan continues to deliver her highly popular bookstore inspired clutches. For the stylish art aficionado, this hand-appliquéd rendition of the Monet’s ‘Water Lilies' series nails it in the gift giving department.

OSKLEN GRAFFITI PRINT SCARF ($292)

This Osklen Graffiti Scarf is print perfection. A wonderful juxtaposition of floral motifs and handwritten graphics makes for a statement accessory worthy of giving. Level up on the classic holiday scarf gift this year.

ANISSA KERMICHE L’EGG CERAMIC TEALIGHT HOLDER ($148)

With everyone spending so much time indoors, giving presents for the home is one of the most sensible ideas of the year. L’Egg Ceramic Tealight Holder, by Anissa Kermiche, is a bold decor move with a shapely woman’s silhouette for the true art collector.

HORUS CUTICLE RING BY AZIZA HANDCRAFTED ($145)

What is cooler than a cuticle ring? Not much. Aziza Handcrafted has a full collection of said rings with Horus being one of the new kids on the block. This nickel free ring comes with the option of .925 sterling silver, 18k Gold Vermeil or 14k gold.

FRANCES GREY NY ANGIE FEDORA ($355)

ANGIE is one of the best-selling chapeaus in the Frances Grey collection with 12 colors to choose from. Featured here is the mustard color as this is one of the hottest hues this season. This hat is designed with plush velour felt and is hand blocked into a wide brim fedora style with knotted tassel cord trim. Just pure millinery gold.

SECOND WIND DETACHABLE CHUNKY CHAIN IN TAN MARBLE ($40)

Since we live in masks these days I am so thankful for a way to glam up something so mundane. Second Wind’s Detachable Chunky Chain is 16 mm, 23 inches in length and lightweight for easy wear. As ‘they’ always say… make it fashion. Elevate your mask!

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PAT MCGRATH MOTHERSHIP MEGA CELESTIAL DIVINITY: EYE & HIGHLIGHTING DUO ($122)

This is one for my beauty girls and guys. Does Pat McGrath ever miss? The Celestial Divinity: Eye & Highlighting Duo says NO! Cosmic color dreams have come true with this out of this world palette packed with galaxy glamour for all the extraterrestrial style mavens. Add intergalactic gift options to your list this year.

LOEWE PUZZLE COLOR-BLOCK LEATHER CARDHOLDER ($265)

Loewe’s ‘Puzzle’ cardholder features color-blocked leather with stamped logo detail, middle compartment, and four card slots. This is a kin to their signature bag with the same motif. Consider this a perfect luxe yet practical gift.

BOTTEGA VENETA TRIANGLE BUCKLE THIN BELT ($320)

A little 80s flavor is always a winner in my book. A sleek pop color triangle buckle thin belt by Bottega Veneta is such a sweet accessory and killer addition to any cool girl wardrobe. This is the waist cincher sure to rank you a rad gift giver.

THERAPY FUND FOR BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS

There is without a doubt nothing more glam and ultimately cool then giving back. This season is not so festive for all and many are still struggling through an intense year, so consider a donation to your favorite charity on behalf of someone as a gift that keeps on giving. I choose the LoveLand Foundation this season as this year has been especially eye opening and taxing on mental health specifically for Black women and girls. As a Black woman this speaks most to me but dig deep and find what speaks most to you! Guilt free spending always comes in the form of a monetary donation to a worthy cause.

Article by Ayoka Lucas, Contributing Fashion Editor, PhotoBook Magazine
Instagram: @ayokalu

WANT! Ultimate Cool Girl Gift Guide

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