Harvey Nichols: The ultimate destination for all your festive needs
From party prep to last-minute gifting, the department store has everything you need to get in the Christmas spirit
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Harvey Nichols
We don’t mean to alarm but there is now just one weekend left until the big day and, if your list of Christmas to-dos is still as long as your arm, we’ve got the secret weapon you need: Harvey Nichols. From in-house beauty treatments to dazzling party outfits and last-minute gifts for even the trickiest people on your list, the luxury department store is a one-stop-shop for everything you need this festive season (even if you will inevitably leave your shopping until Christmas Eve).
Party beauty prep
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From glamorous black tie affairs to your annual festive family portrait, the Christmas season is a seemingly endless parade of events that require you to look your best. Happily, Harvey Nichols is home to a series of in-house beauty experts that will have you party-ready in no time.
Hair in need of some TLC? Book in with salon to the stars Jo Hansford and treat yourself to anything from a seasonal refresh to a complete new look. Hansford, whose extensive client list includes everyone from HRH Duchess of Cornwall to Angelina Jolie, opened a new salon at Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge in November and it has quickly become one of the capital’s hottest spots for a haircut. Welcome to the cut, colour and blow-dry of your dreams.
If it’s a few last-minute touch ups you need before the big day, Harvey Nichols’ beauty emporium has got you covered thanks to Shavata Studio and Nail’d. Founded by ‘Brow Queen’ Shavata Singh, Shavata Studio takes a unique approach to the ancient Asian art of threading to help enhance natural features and accentuate the face structure. Each member of the team is trained personally by Singh to ensure the highest standards for every treatment, with tinting, lifting and lash extension services also available.
Finally, for party perfect nails – we’re talking superior nail artistry and Instagram-worthy manicures – pull up a stool at Nail’d. Another new addition to Harvey Nichols’ beauty offering, great yourself to an express shape and polish, a full set of new shellac nails, bespoke nail art, or really push the boat out with a Knightsbridge Prestige mani/pedi using luxurious Dior Prestige products.
Perfect party wear
’Tis the season to don all things sparkly and get out on the dance floor – even if said dance floor happens to be in your living room. Hosting a black tie affair? Cut in a flattering tailored strapless style, 16 Arlington’s Minelli dress features a fun feather embellishment and, as well as black and pink, comes in a dazzling seasonal emerald. Alternatively, look to the disco-inspired Yuna dress by Istanbul-based brand In The Mood For Love for a shimmering mini that will have you twirling around the Christmas tree all night.
And, when it comes to accessories, the festive season is no time for subtlety. Look to Mach & Mach, the fashion brand founded by sisters Gvantsa and Nina Macharashvili and beloved by celebrities across the world, for high octane heels that sparkle and shine. From crystal-embellished mules to satin slingbacks, these are the definition of party feet.
New Year, new season
If you’re already planning your 2022 look, Harvey Nichols has all the new season pieces you need. Beat the winter chill in a fashion-forward roll neck by Mugler. Crafted from a stretch-tulle with an abstract star print, it’s also a brilliant piece to wear on Christmas Day itself. Courreges more traditional take on the style, meanwhile, sports a ribbed cotton construction and comes in a seasonal Burgundy and pretty light pink that will see you all the way through to spring. Pair with the brand’s vinyl mini skirt and a pair of combat boots for a tougher take on this classic combo.
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And, when it comes to your new season handbag, forget playing it safe and instead invest in Marc Jacobs’ statement Creature Snapshot crossbody bag. Finished with faux fur in vibrant shades of pink and orange, it also boasts a bold slogan strap guaranteed to turn heads.
Sustainable surprises
As much as everyone loves Christmas, there’s no denying that, between the (often unrecyclable) gift wrap, presents shipped in single-use plastic and inevitable food waste, it can be a bit of a disaster for the environment. The good news is you can do your bit to make your giving better for the planet with the help of Harvey Nichols’ sustainable gifting options.
Take, for example, Cocoon: a bag rental service that gives members access to new, limited edition and seriously sought after handbags on a rental basis via a monthly subscription fee – the ideal present for those never seen in the same outfit twice. Alternatively, if you know someone still toting the same designer handbag or slipping on a pair of luxury loafers long after they’ve seen their best, treat them to The Restory experience. Simply drop their overly loved bag, shoes or leather goods off at one of six Harvey Nichols stores across the UK and let The Restory’s expert repair team revive them to as-new condition.
| Discover Cocoon | Discover The Restory |
And, should you find yourself with a handful of gifts that aren’t, to be diplomatic, quite to your taste, Harvey Nichols partnership with circular fashion service Reflaunt is on hand to make sure they don’t go to waste. Founded with the aim of extending the lifetime of luxury goods, Reflaunt allows customers to drop their unwanted items off at any Harvey Nichols store (or arrange for at-home pickup within London) and they’ll take care of photographing, listing and pricing your items for sale across its global marketplace. Once sold you can choose to receive payment in cash or as a Harvey Nichols voucher worth 15 per cent more than the sale price of your items.
Last-minute gifts
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Packing your bags to head to distant relative’s for the holidays and suddenly realised you’ve forgotten to buy a gift for your great aunt/second cousin/sister’s new boyfriend? Don’t panic – all you need is a Harvey Nichols hamper. Whether you’re looking to splash out on an all-singing, all-dancing extravagant foodie feast, indulge their inner mixologist with a few bottles of something fabulous or help them step into the New Year in style with a unique beauty or haircare hamper, there is, quite literally something from everyone.
If you’ve left it so late you don’t even have time to wait for delivery, Harvey Nichols’ gift experiences are the perfect solution. Why not treat them to champagne afternoon tea for two at the Knightsbridge flagship or sign them up for a one-to-one beauty or cocktail-making masterclass? There are also personal shopping and foodie options available and all gift experiences are valid for 24 months from purchase so they’ll have plenty of time to plan their perfect day out.
Christmas dining
Sure, entertaining at home is all well and good but, after passing round the tenth tray of canapés, even the most enthusiastic of hosts could be forgiven for wishing they called in the experts. So, while you may not be able to book a table at Harvey Nichols for the main event, for pre- and post-Christmas festivities make a beeline for the department store, where guests can enjoy a two- or three-course seasonal set menu at its stylish in-house restaurant from £25 per person.
Appetites sufficiently sated, head out to Harvey Nichols’ The Legends Untold Terrace for after-dinner drinks. Created to showcase the splendour of 2021’s Legends Untold Special Release Whisky Collection, which has been hand-curated by master blender Dr Craig Wilson, the terrace has been transformed into a magical winter forest with a menu of food pairings and cocktails designed to highlight each of the eight whiskies in the collection.
