STYLE ASSEMBLY SPOTLIGHT
Giving the Gift of Luxury
with Nikki Ogunnaike
By Isabelle E, Nov 9, 2021
Meet Style Assembly member Nikki Ogunnaike.
Holiday shopping strategies are never easy, that’s why we teamed up with our eighth Style Assembly member for the month of November. To get a head start on your gifting this year, Nikki Ogunnaike, the digital director of Harper’s Bazaar and all-around fashion veteran, provided her expert insights on giving the gift of luxury and making wise investments this holiday season.
With the holiday season fast approaching and the daunting task of gift-giving right around the corner, we knew we had to collaborate with a long-time fashion expert and editor to assist us with our Style Assembly this month. Who better for the job than Nikki Ogunnaike, the digital director of Harper’s Bazaar? With over a decade of magazine experience under her belt, Nikki is no stranger to recommending the best of best investment pieces. As gift-giving season looms closer, Nikki was gracious enough to take time out of her busy schedule to curate a collection of her favorite Rebag pieces — perfect for holiday gifting — and share her expert insights with us. Scroll on to learn from a pro!
As a seasoned fashion editor, what luxury gifts do you recommend people invest in this holiday season?
Nikki: “Investment piece” doesn’t mean the item has to be a neutral color, you should just be confident that you’ll get a lot of use out of it! That could mean a hot pink clutch or velvet bucket bag. But if you are looking for something in a classic color, a black Chanel bag is always a good place to start.
What is your most memorable luxury holiday gift and why?
Nikki: “From me to me” is a holiday gift-giving motto amongst the Ogunnaike women, so the most memorable luxury holiday gift always comes from me. For a combined, birthday, Christmas, congrats you’re a digital director now, and you made it through 2020 gift I bought myself a Cartier Panthere watch (similar to this one). It feels especially memorable because it goes without saying that 2019 and 2020 were difficult years for all of us. To make it through happy, healthy, and successful felt like a cause for celebration!
What’s trending in fashion this holiday season?
Nikki: Energy is high this season and people’s fashion and beauty choices will reflect that. Bye-bye sweatpants! It’s time to get REALLY dressed again, wearing bright colors, sparkly accessories, and yes even a high heel or two!
What would you say are the perfect handbags and accessories to complete a holiday look?
Nikki: The holidays are an ideal time to breakout your pieces that scream celebration — like one of these YSL bags:
- Saint Laurent Love Heart Chain Bag
- Saint Laurent Classic Monogram Crossbody Bag
- Saint Laurent Love Heart Chain Bag
I like that they are not in colors you’d necessarily associate with the holiday season, but are a fun exclamation point on any look they’re added to.
What handbags will you be carrying around this holiday season?
Nikki: My go-to for parties is always a small crossbody bag (something like this) or a wallet on a chain. That way I can have my phone in one hand (ready to capture moments) and my drink in the other. The holiday season also involves a lot of travel, so a chic, yet durable duffle bag is also a must-have.
What luxury items are at the top of your holiday wish list and why?
Nikki: When I became digital director at Harper’s Bazaar at the end of 2020, I fell in love with watches. I’d love to add this one to my collection. I also really got into jewelry this year! A Cartier Juste un Clou bracelet would look great in the mix.
What are your top five picks from the collection you curated for Rebag and why?
Nikki: My top five picks from my collection all have the same quality: Items that will stand my personal test of time. Some are flashier than others, but they’re pieces I know I’ll love for years to come. As someone who has worked in the fashion space for well over 10 years, I’ve seen a lot (and bought a lot too, hahah) but these are the items I know I’ll want to own 30 years from now…
