Ultimate Luxury: Our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

ULTIMATE LUXURY: OUR 2021 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

From one-of-a-kind jewels to limited-edition handbags and the softest cashmere, superlative style can be found in these perfect presents

November 16, 2021

Audemars Piguet

Wow moments are effortless at South Coast Plaza, where we’ve curated an exceptional selection of the world’s most celebrated brands. That’s true of the gifts we’ve gathered for the holiday season, a collection that highlights the beauty of craftsmanship while also honoring the heritage of designer houses. If you’re seeking something truly special, a spectacular gift that will be forever treasured, explore these limited edition or one-of-a-kind ideas, many exclusively available at South Coast Plaza.

Valentino

Cartier

Level 2, Jewel Court
714.540.8231

The latest high-jewelry collection from Cartier is Sixième Sens, or “Sixth Sense,” and alludes to the power of a diamond or gemstone to enchant and mesmerize. Among the collection’s one-of-a-kind pieces is the Embruns necklace. French for spray, Embruns describes the movement inherent in this unique piece, featuring square- and brilliant-cut diamonds and sapphire beads, all set in 18-karat white gold.

Audemars Piguet

Level 2, Nordstrom Wing
949.265.7832

Rendered in 18-karat pink gold, the 38.5-millimeter case and open-worked dial of Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon is embellished with 208 baguette-cut sapphires in varying shades of blue to create an ombré effect. Pink-gold hands and a flying tourbillon at the 6 o’clock position add to the artistry and precision of this status timepiece.

Dolce&Gabbana

Level 2, Saks Fifth Avenue Wing
714.668.9142

Few evening bags convey a note of instant luxe like the Dolce Box by Dolce&Gabbana. This Italian-crafted limited-edition minaudière is embellished with opulent details, including multicolored stones amid gold-tone metal, studs around the bag’s perimeter, a padlock closure and detachable strap.

Valentino

Level 2, Nordstrom Wing
714.751.3300

Make an unforgettable entrance in this one-shoulder dress of sequined stripes, from the Valentino Resort collection by Pierpaolo Piccioli. “I wanted to make what is ordinary more imaginative and fantastical,” Piccioli said at the collection’s debut. This glamorous minidress sums up that idea perfectly, from the one-shoulder silhouette that’s a signature of the brand to the modernity of the glittering, hand-sequined stripes.

Baccarat

Level 3, Penthouse
714.435.9600

A highlight of Baccarat’s current collection is the Médicis Vase, a reissue of a historic piece created in 1909 for the International Exhibition of Eastern France. Numbered and limited to just 18 pieces, the cut-crystal vase is produced by Baccarat’s master craftsmen and stands 35 inches tall, which includes its bronze base with lions’ claws.

Tiffany & Co.

Level 1, Between Jewel and Carousel Courts
714.540.5330

One of the world’s most famous jewelry is Tiffany & Co.’s Bird on a Rock, which debuted as a design by the legendary Jean Schlumberger in 1956. Over the years, Tiffany & Co. has interpreted the design to highlight gemstones in a variety of hues for the centerpiece of this clip. Here, the whimsical bird, created with 2.53 carats of white brilliant diamonds and pink sapphire eyes, all set in 18-karat gold, sits atop an exquisite 63.91-carat emerald-cut kunzite.

Gucci

Level 2, Between Jewel and Carousel Courts
714.557.9600

Playful is a word that aptly describes Gucci these days, and that’s especially true of the Geometric G-print backgammon set, among the brand’s exclusive gifts for the season. This piece is inspired by designs from Gucci’s archives and highlights a vintage graphic design in blue, red and white. Among the modern updates: It’s made entirely of animal-free, sustainable materials. The set includes a backgammon board and case, chips, five dice and dice shaker.

Alexander McQueen

Level 2, Nordstrom Wing
657.205.4477

The harness is a signature element of the Alexander McQueen aesthetic, and for the holiday season, the London-based brand highlights the beauty of this detail in a limited edition of the Curve mini bag. A flurry of silver crystals in multiple sizes embellish this black calfskin bag, which features a magnetic double-flap closure and a debossed signature on the adjustable leather strap.

Van Cleef & Arpels

Level 1, Jewel Court
714.545.9500

Sous les Etoiles (Under the Stars) is the name of the latest high-jewelry collection from Van Cleef & Arpels, designed to showcase the beauty of diamonds like stars in the night sky. This Rayons Blancs (White Rays) necklace encapsulates that idea as a brilliant diamond masterpiece set in 18-karat white gold. This necklace comes with a celebrity pedigree: Alicia Keys wore this stunning one-of-a-kind design at September’s Met Gala.

Chopard

Level 2, Jewel Court
714.432.0963

L’Heure du Diamant is the latest timepiece collection from Chopard and was conceptualized to showcase the marriage of diamonds and fine watchmaking. Chopard at South Coast Plaza is the only boutique in the U.S. to receive this exclusive style, which highlights 2.08 carats of pear-shaped rubies and 3.45 carats of pear-shaped white diamonds on an oval case measuring 36 millimeters. A mother-of-pearl dial is adorned with 12 diamond hour markers, while the bracelet – embossed with Chopard’s signature tree bark motif – and the case are crafted in 18-karat ethical white gold, in keeping with the house’s commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing.

Montblanc

Level 2, Jewel Court
714.424.5270

For the Sherlock Holmes fan in your life, an exquisite pen from Montblanc: The limited-edition Sir Arthur Conan Doyle LE97 Fountain Pen is crafted in 18-karat white gold, with a skeletonized pattern to reveal layers of hand-applied lacquer beneath. The resulting motif evokes a London map. The famed author’s face adorns the solid-gold nib, while hidden behind the clip, the user will find a movable magnifying glass.

Hermès

Level 1, Nordstrom Wing
714.437.1725

You can see the heritage of Hermès as a saddle maker in this clever magazine rack, among the exclusives from the legendary French brand’s 2021 gift collection. Part of the Équilibre d’Hermes collection of decorative objects, this conversation piece is crafted by hand from solid maple, natural wicker, brass hardware and fawn-hued calfskin.

Bvlgari

Level 1, Nordstrom Wing
714.751.7833

For Serpenti fans, Bvlgari is offering a stunning exclusive this holiday season: This Serpenti Forever top-handle bag is available only in a limited edition of 10 pieces. This shimmering gold Galuchat bag is handcrafted in Florence, Italy, and requires hundreds of hours to complete, with details that include the hand-setting of the malachite eyes on the gold Serpenti closure. For a finishing touch, Bvlgari also designed a custom box to preserve the shape of the top handle.

Chanel Fine Jewelry

Level 1, Nordstrom Wing
714.754.7295

A ceramic watch icon that is equally sporty and elegant, Chanel’s J12 recently celebrated its 20^th anniversary and introduced a new self-winding mechanical movement, the Caliber 12.2. Limited to 555 pieces, the J12 Caliber 12.2 Edition features highly resistant white ceramic for its bracelet and case, which measures 33 millimeters and is accented with a steel fixed bezel embellished with baguette-cut sapphires and a crown set with one brilliant-cut diamond.

Ermenegildo Zegna

Level 2, Jewel Court
714.444.1534

The softest cashmere and silk are blended to create Ermenegildo Zegna’s Knitted Night Robe in elegant tones of camel and charcoal. Luxurious to the senses, this roomy robe conveys understated but lush style while staying in on chilly nights; details include a shawl collar, ribbed wrist cuffs, and a self-tie belt.