A curated Gift Guide featuring women-led brands

The word gift descends from Old Norse gipt and Old English ġift, both meaning "that which is given." By the 13th century, it had taken on a second meaning: a natural talent, an ability bestowed.

The duality is encoded in the language. To gift is to give freely. To be gifted is to carry something rare within you.

This season, I'm spotlighting items and collections by women who dedicate their craft and vision to making the everyday more inspiring.

From hand-painted ceramics to fragrances designed for self-expression, objects from these women-led brands celebrate considered, thoughtful gifting that supports wellness and creativity.

@alia.senses

Roxie Nafousi is a bestselling author and self-development figure who founded ALIA to transform how we wear scent.

Rooted in the Arabic word meaning "higher," ALIA invites women to step into their power through fragrance as self-expression and identity. The brand's debut Alter Ego Collection includes three Eau de Parfums: Main Character (cool, grounded, effortlessly self-assured), Scene Stealer (bold, feminine, magnetic, all eyes on you), and Power House (fierce, focused, unstoppable).

Fragrance has always been deeply personal to Roxie as a way to shift her energy, embody her intentions, and express parts of herself that words couldn't capture. She created Alia to give others the same ability to step into their alter egos.

I am inspired by: The cubic bottles with their elemental caps. Such sophisticated design!

@rosanna.corfe

Rosanna Corfe is a London-based artist working across ceramics, textiles, and print.

Her practice centres on hand-painted design, drawing inspiration from nature, memory, and everyday rituals. From her South East London studio, Rosie begins each piece by hand-painting directly onto ceramic or developing motifs that evolve into textiles and prints.

Rosie's ceramics are handcrafted by Italian artisans, prints made on recycled paper, and cushions from organic cotton, all created to bring warmth into everyday spaces.

I am inspired by: The masterful composition of these blue herons!

@sisterly_lab

Jennifer O'Connell, Aoife Matthews, and Louise O'Riordan are three friends who founded SISTERLY with a shared mission to give female health the attention it deserves.

Together, they brought together a team of scientists and nutritionists to develop The Elevator, a smarter supplement designed for women juggling energy dips, hormonal shifts, immunity needs, skin concerns, and digestion.

Crafted with 23 optimized nutrients in a one-sachet solution, The Elevator has garnered cult status, finding its place at Glastonbury, on lounge tables in the Hamptons, and in daily routines worldwide. The formulation is vegan, gluten-free, and made with key hero ingredients like CoQ10, a coenzyme that turns food into energy.

I am inspired by: The attention to addressing hormonal shifts. So real!

@the.ysso

Alexia and Stalo Karides are the creative mother-daughter duo behind London-and-Athens-based jewelry label YSSO.

Stalo, an archeologist and art historian with over 30 years of jewelry-making experience co-designs all YSSO pieces with her daughter Alexia, an ex-corporate lawyer and the brand's Creative Director. Their shared vision seamlessly merges Greek heritage, history, and creativity with cultural influences from their lives in Greece, France, and the UK.

Derived from the Greek word for gold "chrysso" YSSO was imagined as a blank canvas, allowing the designs to become a vehicle for personal interpretation. Here, the Snake Motif Collection builds on YSSO's legacy of blending artistry with symbolism, exploring the snake as an emblem of transformation, strength, and renewal.

I am inspired by: The fluid serpentine forms, with 2025 being the Year of the Snake and transformation.

@iamgialulic

Gia Lulic is a West London-based writer and creative whose work is rooted in illuminating the innate power within every individual.

Driven by a desire to awaken others to the quiet magic woven through everyday life, Gia studies leading voices in personal transformation, weaving their insights into her own lived practice. London itself serves as her vibrant playground, a constant source of inspiration that informs both her creativity and her way of being.

Joyful Journey: A Guide Back to the Wild Self invites readers to unpack the limiting beliefs they've been carrying and become lighter. Through deep wisdom and exercises, the book guides us to awaken to what is alive within us, helping create a life we dare to dream of.

I am inspired by: “Many people associate bliss with the feeling of happiness which, as we have all discovered, is fleeting. Peace, as I understand it, is entirely different.”

@rowanrosiestudio

Rowan Rosie is a London-based abstract artist from Glasgow, creating paintings that explore the natural world, travel, and human emotional experience.

Working with oil and acrylic, Rowan builds layers of colour, light, and gestural brushstrokes that combine depth and energy. Her intuitive approach creates a sense of freedom intrinsic to the work itself, inviting viewers to question how they experience the world and expand what feels possible.

Rosie has exhibited at The Lemond Gallery, the Royal Scottish Academy, and completed an artist residency in Hydra, Greece. Her works are available as original paintings, as well as limited edition giclée prints in medium and extra large sizes.

I am inspired by: The freedom and femininity in the washes of color and varied strokes.

@madeinsoho.co.uk

Daria Malniece is a London-based founder, artist and designer behind MADE IN SOHO.

Inspired by the energy and creativity of Soho, her work is defined by bold brushstrokes, vivid colours, layered textures, and graffiti-like details that give each hand-painted garment a lively, expressive character. Some designs are part of ongoing collections while custom orders allow for truly one-of-a-kind artworks.

Made in Soho includes a recycled fashion line where she paints on pre-loved or vintage garments, breathing new life into existing pieces. Daria also takes bespoke artwork commissions for individuals looking to customize their own items. Many pieces carry philosophical phrases, symbolic elements, and intentional messages added to bring the wearer wellbeing, luck, protection, and positive energy.

I am inspired by: Slow fashion given an after-dark, neon-lit attitude!

@lagom.glassware

Karolina Obroniecka Perez-Maura is a Polish industrial designer born in France, who currently lives and designs in London.

Lagom Handmade Glassware was born from Karolina’s lifelong dream of making beautiful, eco-friendly products that will find a forever place in people's homes. This range of bespoke glassware is the first step to creating a whole homeware collection.

The handcrafted glassware range includes Mini Cocktail Glasses for Martinis and Aperitifs, dinner glasses, Champagne coupes, and carafes, each handmade in Europe, made of borosilicate glass which is 40% more resistant than most glasses, and can be used for both hot and cold drinks. The glasses come in pairs and gift sets for holiday entertaining.

I am inspired by: The voluptuous yet simultaneously structured shapes.

@kubocurated

Founded by London-based Filipina friends Karina Lon and Dianne Tan Nazareno, Kubo Curated weaves sustainable luxury into every piece.

All products are made from sustainably and ethically sourced materials, crafted by artisans who respect local traditions in environments that foster continued livelihood.

Collaborating directly with the T'boli people of Lake Sebu in Mindanao, Kubo works close to the source to create pieces that honour heritage and support livelihoods. Known as the "Dreamweavers," the T'boli have mastered the art of creating t'nalak, a sacred fabric woven from abaca fibers and natural dyes. Kubo transforms this heritage fabric into elegant cushion covers, ensuring that every piece carries the T'boli legacy and craftsmanship into homes around the world.

I am inspired by: The earthy colors and textures echoing my native Philippines.

Lovingly brought to you by Lady San Pedro

Designer and Creative Director building trust and taste in visionary brands.

ladysanpedro@gmail.com for collabs