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CHRISTMAS WITH…STYLISH STARS
Where will designer Sorcha O'Raghallaigh be spending Christmas? What is celebrity stylist Aideen Feely wearing on Christmas Day? From treasured traditions to best and worst gifts, we’ve spoken to some of Ireland’s most fashionable women to find out how they do Christmas…
AIDEEN FEELY
Q: FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS MEMORY?
A: “The first Christmas I spent with my little boy and now fiancé. It was also the year we got to start our own family traditions, although I think I made Spaghetti Bolognese for dinner that year!”
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR GIFTING GO-TO'S?
A: “While it ‘tis the season to be jolly, it’s also the season I start panicking about what gifts to buy for everyone. That’s where my go-to gifts for Christmas come in handy. When shopping for the girls in my family, Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk On The Go never disappoints. Pyjamas from The White Company are a perfect choice for Mothers and, of course, I can always rely on Tom Ford‘s fragrance for men.”
Q: WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO PARTY LOOK FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON?
A: “For me, it is a little black dress. It's simple, elegant, and easy to accessorise. Plus, it goes with everything from stilettos to boots. So, whether I’m headed to a Christmas party or even a New Year’s Eve Party, an LBD is always a good choice.”
Q: WHAT’S THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
A: “Probably something I picked out myself! This year I’m leaving hints in my WhatsApp groups and hoping someone gift wraps a cosy blanket from Annie Bing and leaves it under the tree for me.”
Q: …AND THE WORST?
A: “A gift that’s unwrapped! Maybe it's the element of surprise, or maybe it's just because I'm a kid at heart - either way, there's nothing like tearing off a piece of paper and getting the first glimpse of what's inside.”
SHOP AIDEEN’S CHRISTMAS WISHLIST…
PAMELA UBA
Q: WHERE WILL YOU BE SPENDING THE FESTIVE SEASON THIS YEAR?
A: “I will be spending Christmas at home with my mom and siblings. This year, it’s going to be a much bigger house to feed as my gorgeous dog Baeby just had 7 puppies! She is a German shepherd Akita mix.”
Q: WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO PARTY LOOK FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON?
A: “I am a total magpie! I love sparkly things so my go-to look would definitely be a nice sequin or bejewelled dress paired with some gold or silver heels.”
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS?
A: “Not in the strictest sense but we will go to mass and have a big dinner after which would include a variety of traditional Nigerian foods. From hollow rice to stuffed chicken or turkey to plantain dodo, these are some of the most amazing Nigerian dishes that would be served.”
Q: WHAT’S THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
A: “I received a gorgeous barbie doll's head where I could do her makeup and hair. It was in a Christmas gift box that I received anonymously from people dropping Christmas boxes into the direct provision centres.”
Q: …AND THE WORST?
A: “I don’t really have a worst because, at the end of the day, it really is the thought that counts and I have loved every gift I’ve ever received.”
SHOP PAMELA’S CHRISTMAS WISHLIST…
SARAH MACKEN
Q: WHERE WILL YOU BE SPENDING THE FESTIVE SEASON THIS YEAR?
A: “This festive season I’ve given myself the early gift of a new sofa, so I’ll be happily ensconced indoors, fire on, trying to decorate my Christmas tree with ribbons (I have a small cat so it will be a challenge), preferably with a glass of something bubbly in hand.”
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR GIFTING GO-TOS?
A: “It’s controversial, but I’m a fan of gifting vouchers for someone’s favourite shop or independent store – give the people what they want! Aside from that, I feel you can’t go wrong with luxurious treats that elevate the everyday: hand cream, a decadent candle, or a flower subscription are all winners.”
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS?
A: “Not so much traditions as prerequisites: swilling Champagne, eating until I burst and vegetating with some retro Christmas movies. Die Hard is a firm Christmas favourite along with A Muppet’s Christmas Carol, and I also love A Very Murray Christmas, the Christmas special made by Sofia Coppola.”
Q: What’s The Best Christmas Gift You’ve Ever Received?
A: “I got an enamel Le Creuset kettle last year (the kind that whistles). I realise this makes me very unexciting but – as a tea lover and homebody – I think it’s just divine.”
Q: …AND THE WORST?
A: “Too many to mention, but I’ll be disowned for bringing them up so I’ll say nothing!”
SHOP SARAH’S CHRISTMAS WISHLIST…
SORCHA O’RAGHALLAIGH
Q: WHERE WILL YOU BE SPENDING THE FESTIVE SEASON THIS YEAR?
A: “I'll be at my mum's house with all my siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews this year. It will be magical and the first time we are all together since Covid so I think it will feel extra special this year!”
Q: WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO PARTY LOOK FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON?
A: “The festive season is the perfect time to whip out one of our tulle feather capes. I pair them with a slip dress or with one of our off-the-shoulder feather bandeau tops with jeans and, of course, stacks of our crystal statement jewellery, hair slides and feathery bags...I love any excuse to get dressed up so it really is one of my favourite times to get glam. ‘Tis the season after all!”
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS?
A: “Probably games night on Stephen's night. We get most of our cousins, aunts and uncles together for games like Scrabble and Pictionary. It's usually just silly fun and a good excuse to drink more wine, eat more cheese and fight over who is cheating!”
Q: WHAT’S THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
A: “A heart locket from my mum!”
Q: …AND THE WORST?
A: “A gift from the universe in Christmas 2010 when I was snowed in, in London, and couldn't get home to spend it with my family. I remember all my siblings were further afield and managed to make it back but literally everything shut down in London.”
SHOP SORCHA’S CHRISTMAS WISHLIST…
TESSY EHIGUESE
Q: FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS MEMORY?
A: “I have a favourite memory from when I was a kid. It was Christmas Eve and my siblings and I were in the kitchen staying up late to help mum cook up some dishes. It’s common practice in Nigeria to stay up cooking all night for Christmas dinner. I remember we were waiting to hear Santa coming down the chimney…this was the year I wanted to prove to myself if he was real or not. I remember hearing a loud thud upstairs and running out of the kitchen, straight up the stairs to my bedroom and seeing a pile of gifts! This experience renewed my faith in Santa but in reality, I failed to notice my mum leaving the kitchen earlier to “use the bathroom.”
Q: WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO PARTY LOOK FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON?
A: “Glitter, sparkles and more glitter! Dresses are my safe haven although I have dressed up as Santa and Mrs Clause in the past!!”
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS?
A: “Every year we set the dining table with the same decorations we’ve had since I was a kid. We’ve loads of ‘special’ cutlery, platters and glasses at home that only get used for Christmas or on special occasions.”
Q: WHAT’S THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
A: “Definitely the Robot Raptor I got from Santa as a kid. It was a toy I really wanted back then.”
Q: …AND THE WORST?
A: “When I made a list of items I wanted and got nothing on it. Instead, I just got generic gifts like soap bars, chocolate and candles. But still, a gift is a gift so I accept anything I’ve been given at Christmas.”
SHOP TESSY’S CHRISTMAS WISHLIST…
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