Ystyle Gift Guide: Fantasy Edition

MANILA, Philippines — If money were no object, YStyle rounds up its list of presents, products and experiences for this year’s wish list. Welcome to the YStyle fantasy gift guide 2018.

JEWELRY : Annoushka x The Vampire’s Wife

You’ve seen those dresses online — frothy and flounced; of a polite Edwardian motif yet nipped at the waist and cut close to the body — designer Susie Cave’s oeuvre of ultra-flattering sheathes have been dubbed Vogue UK’s “Dress of 2018.” As seen on the backs of Florence Welch, Kate Moss, Tilda Swinton and Keira Knightley (just to name a few), The Vampire’s Wife (launched in 2014, as a nod to Susie’s rockstar husband Nick Cave) has become a global brand known for its immaculately cut dresses infused with a distinct gothic charm. But for this year’s fantasy gift guide, we’re dreaming of something shinier: in a collaboration with British fine jeweler Annoushka Ducas, the duo put together a fine charm bracelet with each trinket corresponding to a particular song from Nick Cave’s discography. And the result? Thirteen delicate charms in a somewhat spooky-heirlooms-meets-whimsical-magpie way; expect a mélange of yellow golds, diamonds and precious gemstones. Playful, tongue-in-cheek and retailing upwards of $28,000  — you're sure to make someone’s Christmas (read: mine) with this gift. — Martin Yambao

OBJECT: Hermès “Savana Dance” surfboard

2019 will be my year of trying new things and gifting myself with the Hermès “Savana Dance” surfboard from the current collection will be the best encouragement. The decorative image is dye-sublimation printed so the Zulu symbolism of the regal leopard and the mischievous monkey, the artichoke-like blooms of the King Protea, and Amazumpa motifs by artist collective Ardmore won’t be “wiped out” anytime soon. As a beginner, I’m going to need all the help I can get. Its hull is shaped for stability and agility, the surfboard is covered with a printed maple veneer enrobed by fiberglass and then glazed with a transparent resin on the top and colored resin on the back, and its two wooden fins are also reinforced with a maple veneer. The vintage shape inspired by Mini-Simmons surfboards from the late ‘40s and ‘50s give me Endless Summer feels. A custom scent with hints of juniper and pear is infused into the accompanying surfboard wax so the necessary chore becomes a treat. Land-bound gliders can also consider the skateboards in store now at Greenbelt 3. — Marbbie Tagabucba

MILLINERY: Custom Hat from Philip Treacy

 Some are obsessed with copping the latest “it” shoe; others hoard designer bags. But me? I love wearing hats. Berets, newsboy caps, straw boaters, fedoras, fascinators… these toppers really add character to a look and highlight the transformative power of fashion. When it comes to couture chapeaux, award-winning Irish milliner Philip Treacy, whose highly imaginative designs have made runway appearances at Chanel, Valentino and Alexander McQueen, is the head master (heh-heh). A custom hat from Treacy would be an absolute dream come true. —MJ Benitez

BATH: Yalong Bath Tub

If you found yourself entranced by stones and crystals in 2018, then this onyx tub should be on the top of your wish list — it’s no secret that it’s on mine.

Apart from the tub being the statement piece of your bathroom, onyx is known to soothe nervousness and anxiety, as well as give one emotional strength and fortitude. The onyx stone tub is available in pink, white and bamboo onyx and is available for made to order. —Francine Gacrama

ART: Hajime Sorayama

Japanese illustrator Hajime Sorayama is known for his precisely detailed, erotic portrayals of femininized, biomechanoid robots, as well as his design work on Aibo, the original robot dog created by Sony. Sorayama’s designs are a blend of fine art, illustration design, developing his unique style of superrealism. Recently, the artist collaborated with Dior’s artistic director Kim Jones to create a larger-than-life 36-foot installation for the brand’s pre-fall 2019 menswear show in Tokyo. —David Milan

RESTAURANT: Alinea

Chalk it up to all the food shows I’ve been binge-watching on Netflix but chef Grant Achatz and restaurateur Nick Kokonas’ vision for Alinea, their Michelin 3-star restaurant and part of this year’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants, really struck a chord with me. Unconventional, cerebral and wildly creative, Alinea challenges the traditional notions of cooking and fine dining. From edible floating helium balloons and clear pumpkin pie to the Lamb 86 (lamb cooked three ways and served with 86 accompanying flavors), it’s all about the multi-sensory experience… and mouthwatering food, of course. —MB

JEWELRY: Toi et Moi diamond ring

Now that Marie Antoinette’s baroque pearl pendant is already off the market, I am diverting my desire to this diamond toi et moi ring. It hails from the estate of the husband of Adele Bloch–Bauer, aka Gustav Klimt’s “Woman in Gold” herself. Over a hundred years later, it appears on the market for the first time in Sotheby’s London Fine Jewels sale, featuring a circular-cut tinted brown and clear diamond weighing 2.19 and 1.85 carats, respectively. It’s a piece of history, a fragment of the opulence of Vienna in the early 20th century, but it’s in a timelessly modern design that I can easily picture becoming one of my staples. Already jealous of who won the bid by now. — MT

SHOES: J.W. Anderson x Chuck Taylors 

I’ve been wearing Chuck Taylors since I was in grade school so when I saw J.W. Anderson’s shoe collaboration with Converse at the spring/summer 2019 show, I was immediately smitten. Straddling the line between bona fide classic and utterly in-your-face, the iconic high-tops are reimagined with the addition of chunky creeper soles. Comfortable? Sure. Cool? Hell, yes. Now that’s my idea of a good sartorial boost.—MB

FASHION: Moncler x Valentino

Sportswear luxury brand Moncler has collaborated with its fellow Italian export Valentino to create a capsule collection of cool, graphic and practical outerwear. The down jacket that is synonymous with the Moncler brand has been reimagined with Valentino’s signature high-gloss glam. The perfect fantasy gift for yourself that goes well with that fantasy ski trip in the Alps you’ve been dreaming of.—DM

FASHION:  Palomo Spain

As far as “realism” can go in a fantasy wish list like this, my down-to-earth fashion dream this Christmas is a silk ruffled top from Alejandro Gómez Palomo’s genderless (yet menswear-leaning) eponymous label Palomo Spain. That, or a feather-flounced brocade coat — you know, something cute and easy for a trip to the grocery. Known for their subversive approach to traditional notions of tailoring and masculinity, Palomo’s muses include the likes of Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus and Beyoncé herself, in an internet-breaking violet floral robe no less. Santa, if you’re reading this — please make my wish come true. —MY

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS: @BRRCHFLORAL

Who doesn’t love flowers? I know I’d like a fresh arrangement flown in every week. If you’re like me, then I’d like to direct your attention to NY-based florist Brittany Asch.

No stranger to the industry as she has collaborated with artists and brands around the world, it’s no secret that her work has shown up in the campaigns of Gucci, and she has produced flower pieces for royalty as well as the 14th Dalai Lama. Her style is uniquely her own: eclectic, imaginative and full of zing.

I guess it’s safe to say that this is farfetched, but a girl can dream, right? —FG

SKINCARE: Kanebo The Exceptional Cream

Now I will need to undo all that sun worshipping. I only really trust in-clinic, non-invasive treatments to do the job, but Kanebo’s The Exceptional cream changed my mind for its anti-inflammation, collagen-rebuilding approach to achieving makeup-free glass skin. Within three days of twice-daily use, I was able to see results close to what I get from my favorite laser treatment (Clarity with Spectra XT from The Skin Inc.) so it’s the perfect complement to sustaining in-clinic results. — MT

DESTINATION: Amangiri

Part of the international group of luxury hotels and nestled deep in the American desert, Amangiri is but one of 33 resort destinations in 21 countries. The word “aman” means “peace, security, safety, shelter and protection” in Sanskrit — feelings meant to be evoked when you see the utter luxury of the hotel, effortless blending into the mesas, slot canyons and gorges of the wild West. A true dream destination worth including on anyone’s wish list. —MY

FASHION: Grace Wales Bonner

Awardee of the prestigious LVMH Prize award in 2016, Grace Wales Bonner has catapulted to super stardom in the menswear arena. Her work encompasses theory, literature and history, making her clothes a collision of cultures. Her work is fueled by her father’s Jamaican heritage, creating an interest in black male identity across history. All these influences has resonated with her beadworks, fabrication and tailoring.—DM

SKINCARE: Vintner’s Daughter Limited Edition

The cult favorite Vintner’s Daughter just released a limited-edition collection with Violet Grey that includes a bottle adorned with gilded botanicals found in the ingredients, as well as a Joanna Czech facial massager, and I’m all about it.

If there’s one thing that I look for in my beauty products, it’s that it be 100-percent natural and formulated without all the nasties. I’m talking about sulfates, parabens and synthetic fragrances. The serum delivers transformative results all in one simple step. Imagine, 22 botanicals and 60-plus bioavailable nutrients working to give your skin that radiance everyone’s lusting for. —FG