FROM CHANEL TO DIOR: OUR PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

It’s that time of year when we are all crossing our fingers that there is something fabulous wrapped, with our name tag on it, under the festive tree. I caught up with Mark Blansktone and the rest of the team to choose some fabulous gifts – from eyewear, to beauty treats, to the perfect luxury accessories from five of Blankstone Opticians: Chanel, Dior, Saint Laurent, Gucci and Tiffany & Co.

So I’m going to dive right in, as I have asked Mark and the team to handpick five fabulous frames. As for giving eyewear as a gift, if you know the recipient well, you can either choose a total surprise, call into the practice with them, or opt for a Blankstone Gift Voucher so they can pick their own exclusive frames. With so many clients heading off for winter sun breaks, now is the perfect time to refresh their eyewear wardrobe. And yours? It’s totally fine with us to treat yourself!

Chanel 5475Q sunglasses – in black with black calfskin trim and signature logo

The perfect classic Chanel frame for any stylish lover of this infamous couture house.

Dior 30 Montaigne SU – oversized black frames with contemporary CD logo

A huge hit with winter sun seekers, our clients love these poolside.

Saint Laurent YSL M79 tortoiseshell sunglasses with classic gilt logo

Forever frames that will look good with winter neutrals and see you through to Spring/Summer 2023.

Gucci 1076S sunglasses with chain – luxury that makes a statement

For the Gucci lover who likes to stay on trend but also loves a slightly classic look. The matching chain elevates the look to legendary.

Tiffany & Co. 3038B sunglasses – the perfect way to deliver a jewelled gift

These are absolute showstoppers, with that Tiffany sparkling trim and signature blue detailing.

What can you add to complement the perfect eyewear gift from Chanel, Dior, Saint Laurent, Gucci or Tiffany & Co.? I caught up with Gill Tennant-Evans, who knows all there is to know about these beautiful brands. Gill has been part of the Blansktone team for a decade, and like me, is also a beauty fan. (She’s also the team’s queen of Christmas!) I asked Gill to pick her favourite fave beauty and fragrance gifts to pop in with those gorgeous frames – she is pictured here wearing her current Chanel faves.

Chanel Les 4 Ombres Tweed (£67 at www.chanel.com)

‘I am a huge Chanel fan, and their eyewear was on my list as soon as I came to work at Blankstone. For our clients, it is a luxurious treat, and for me, too! I love my beauty products, make-up and fragrance, and the Chanel multi-effect quadra eyeshadow palette is just gorgeous. With that embossed effect finish, this quad comes in a Chanel tweed pouch. Lovely neutral shades housed in the perfect gift for any Chanel fan.’

Dior Addict Natural Glow Gift Set (£59 at www.dior.com)

‘Dior Addict Lip Glow is an iconic product, and so this gift set is full of beauties for a Dior fan who likes to make the most of their pout with beauty products alone. All three Dior Addict lip products help to moisturise and maximise your lips, keeping them hydrated and highlighted.’

Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau de Parfum 50ml & Make-Up Icons Gift Set

(£68 at www.johnlewis.com)

‘YSL embodies French chic for me. I’ve just treated myself to some new-in Saint Laurent optical frames, so fingers crossed I get something to match under the tree!

This set includes YSL’s Libre fragrance, Rouge Pur Couture lipstick and Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils, to create the perfectly glamorous party look.’

Gucci Blush de Beaute Cheek and Eyes Powder (£41 at www.selfridges.com)

‘This is the perfect little gift when we all need a bit of a glow. This pretty pink powder can be swept across the cheeks on winter days to give your whole face a flush of colour. Also, its super long-lasting formula means you can take this with you from spring into summer.’

Tiffany & Co. Love For Her 50ml Fragrance Gift Set (£73.60 at www.johnlewis.com)

‘That blue box is always welcome under the tree. Tiffany & Co. has absolutely flown since it was introduced at Blankstone – there is something about the jewelled eyewear details that are really unique. The Love for Her fragrance is so pretty, and this gift set includes the matching body lotion. This set will have you smelling gorgeous this party season.’

And last, but not least, the most luxurious accessories. Like eyewear, these five pieces from this gift guide’s featured brands are all gift-worthy. Opting for classics rather than anything too trend-led, these are all designer beauties which I would love to unwrap. Are you with me?

The Chanel Lace Up (£1500 at Chanel Boutiques)

These are the OG of boots, and proof you cannot improve on perfection. In signature beige and black, with that famous toe cape, these calfskin quilted wonders also have that wraparound double-C logo detail. Virginie Viard, you know what the Chanel woman wants, every single time.

The Dior Lady Dior Bag (from £2600 at www.dior.com)

First of all, I know this is the height of absolute luxury, but if you are talking about Dior, then this is the accessory that remains timeless. Created in 1995, and renamed The Lady Dior in 1996 after Princess Diana wore it to that year’s Met Gala, and beyond, and it is still an iconic handbag. There are lots of variations, starting with the Micro version, but this classic blag is where it’s at.

The Saint Laurent Chaine et Baton Buckle Belt ( £550 at www.ysl.com)

Belts get a little bit overlooked in my humble opinion, and I’m not a fan of ones with huge logos. However, I do love one that is unusual, with unique details. This embossed leather YSL beauty has a chain bar and buckle embossed with Saint Laurent Paris. Class.

The Gucci GG Wool Jacquard Scarf (£365 at www.gucci.com)

Alessandro Michele has made Gucci a super-brand, and its focus can be hugely youthful. In and among the eye-catching avante-garde pieces are the forever investments. This wool scarf with that double-G detail is fully reversible and a clear classic.

The Tiffany & Co. Lovestruck Heart Tag Bracelet (£500 at www.tiffany.co.uk)

If you want to wake up and see a blue box, we are in the same tribe. Tiffany & Co. has a seriously impressive choice of jewellery gifts, which go straight to the Beyonce budget level. This piece is a little more down-to-earth, but still an investment gift. That heart and logo detail on this silver bracelet adds a pretty touch to a tougher design.

After all of that gift-picking, I feel like I need to put my feet up. I’m hoping, after a certain gentleman in a red suit has called, I’ll be donning those Gucci sunglasses, looking like a classic YSL beauty, and these feet will be wearing those Chanel boots.

Now I just have to work out how good I have been this year. Hang on, how many well-behaved days are left until Christmas?

You can view the Blankstone Chanel collection here: https://www.blankstoneopticians.co.uk/product_brand/chanel/

You can view the Blankstone Dior collection here:

https://www.blankstoneopticians.co.uk/product_brand/dior/

You can view the Blankstone YSL collection here:

https://www.blankstoneopticians.co.uk/product_brand/yves-saint-laurent/

You can view the Blankstone Gucci collection here:

https://www.blankstoneopticians.co.uk/product_brand/gucci/

You can view the Blankstone Tiffany & Co. collection here:

https://www.blankstoneopticians.co.uk/product_brand/tiffany/

To help you choose the perfect eyewear call in to see us at our Derby Square practice. Our Blankstone Gift Vouchers are also a fabulous gift.

Additional image courtesy of Chanel, Dior, Saint Laurent, Gucci and Tiffany & Co.

All prices are correct at time of publication.

This month’s Blankstone Blog is brought to you by our resident style reporter, Nancy Buckland Kirk.