A curated Holiday 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 has always been 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 pieces 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 women's creativity.
1. Roxie Nafousi
Alia Scene Stealer, Main Character, and Power House
@alia.senses
Roxie Nafousi is a bestselling author and self-development expert 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.
2. Rosanna Corfe
Hand Painted Heron Ceramics
@rosannacorfe
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 are made on recycled paper, and cushions from organic cotton, all created to bring warmth into everyday spaces. I have a few of Rosie's pieces from her pop-ups over the years, and here spotlighting the Hand Painted Heron collection in blue.
3. Gia Lulic
Joyful Journey: A guide back to the wild self
@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 and 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. Gia is committed to crafting a life led with ease, joy, and intention, offering her own journey as a living example of what is possible.
4. Alexia Karides & Stalo Karides
Branding and print design for luxury artisan textiles
Manila, Philippines
Logo design and visual identity for founder-led French restaurant
London, United Kingdom
Design and creative direction for children’s literacy
My work has been featured in:
As seen on: Netflix
My logo design is on Netflix! Somebody Feed Phil Season 8 with Phil Rosenthal, featuring Toyo
BRANDED COLLABS FOR SOCIAL
Creative direction Rooted in Design and Cultural Fluency
