Here’s the season to be jolly, let’s start the Holiday season with something that brings back my best memories of the year (or my life)…New York. Barneys teamed up with Lady Gaga to create her interpretation of the iconic Santa’s Workshop, which resulted in Gaga’s Workshop, a Willy Wonka-like shop extravaganza. For the first time ever, Barneys will convert an entire floor of its Madison Avenue flagship for this holiday initiative. They worked closely with Lady G under the creative direction of Nicola Formichetti to design a range of Gaga-ish gifts like iPhone covers, stiletto-heel holiday stockings, monster cookies and candy necklaces. And if “recession” or “crisis” doesn’t appear in your dictionary, you can always indulge yourself with the $4,000 heel-less booties.

Barneys New York, 660 Madison Av, New York

Images borrowed from huffingtonpost.com

I love Antwerp, and I love discovering “new” shops. I loved the shop when it was the Yohji Yamamoto flagship and I love it even more now that it is Renaissance. A multibrand shop, bar and restaurant for both man and woman with top brands like Acne, Marc By Marc Jacobs, DRKSHDW, Helmut Lang, Jil Sander Navy, Alexander Wang, Dior Homme, Y3, Bllack Noir, MM6, Raf By Raf Simons, J. Lindeberg…in other words, FASHION HEAVEN, unfortunately way over budget but priceless inspiration!

Renaissance, Nationalestraat 28-32 Antwerp

I remember seeing the Alexander McQueen clutches in the New York Meatpacking flagship for the first time, real pieces of art with skulls, knuckle rings and chrystals. No doubt the H&M tiger doesn’t even compare, but hey, it’s as close as we can get to the real deal. With that in mind it’s a perfect rock ‘n roll clutch for the coming Holiday season, just make sure to ditch that ugly metal strap asap. Lee, we all miss you…

Alexander McQueen Boutique, 419 West 14th St New York, Meatpacking

We build the concept around a consistent, updated style rather than follow fashion trends. Hope’s signature style is low key, raw and authentic. The style shall give a feeling of well-being and integrity. We like to support “an easy move in everyday life” and supply a well dressed and relaxed look.

Four easy moves, available for women in the brand new Hope by Nen Xavier store in Rotterdam.

Hope is a lifestyle concept that exists in the field of fashion with a special liking for original and classic design. Our concept is consistent and recognisable. We like solid and true engagement for all parts included in the making process. We believe that our global customer share similar demand for a well-made concept as we do.

Hope´s design process is untraditional because each product is created to stand on its own rather than being matched according to seasonal trends. Our conviction is that products attract one by one and by that make their way onto you body and into you wardrobe.

Four fatal attractions, available for men in the brand new Hope by Nen Xavier store in Rotterdam.