By J.P. Anderson By J.P. Anderson | October 25, 2023 | Lifestyle, Culture, Guides,
Celebrated for their expert eye, we asked some of Chicago's top tastemakers to share their guide to giving.
Heiji Choy Black has had her finger on the pulse of Chicago style for 20 years, from her early-aughts Wicker Park boutique Hejfina to her fashion editor days at Chicago mag to her of-the-moment sustainable clothing line Jeune Otte, which she launched with Elise Bergman in 2019. Now, as the label’s minimalist sculpture-inspired fall/winter collection flies off the shelves of boutiques like the Gold Coast’s Space519, Black—an avid collector of contemporary art who serves on the boards of the Art Institute of Chicago, Uniting Voices of Chicago, the Renaissance Society and more—takes time out to reveal her top picks for gifting for the 2023 holidays.
For My Oldest Son
“My oldest son loves to cook, and he’s developed quite the knife skills. I know he will love learning recipes from our beloved Lula Cafe.” The Lula Cafe Cookbook, Phaidon
For My Bestie
“This sexy-yet-simple top goes with everything and can be worn multiple ways—I might even gift this to her early so she can wear it for all her holiday parties.” Lucia lace top, Jeune Otte
For My Nanny
“Our nanny loves her coffee, so I know she will appreciate this great-looking travel mug that will keep her coffee at the perfect temperature all day long.” Ember travel mug 2+, Williams Sonoma
For My Daughter
“My daughter will go crazy for these gorgeous and petite diamond huggie earrings designed by my dear friend Catherine. These will for sure only come out on special occasions!” Berceau diamond huggies, Almasika
For My Middle Son
My middle son is interested in fragrance, and I know he would love this lightly woody and musky scent from Chanel.” Bleu de Chanel eau de parfum, Chanel
For My Husband
“My husband and I were obsessed with Succession and are still mourning its end. I know he will love this wool baseball cap that was one of Kendall Roy’s staples on the show.” Cashmere baseball cap, Loro Piana
For All of My Friends
“This is a new distillery in Avondale that is racking up awards for their whiskeys and bourbons. This is a really unique whiskey that is super delicious, and the bottle will look great on the bar.” Red corn bourbon whiskey, Judson & Moore
For Myself
“This bag is a piece of art—a gorgeous and unique bag that I will cherish forever and pass on to my daughter one day.” Mini Medor bag, HermeĢs
For My Parents
“My parents love to entertain, as my mother is an incredible cook and quite an extrovert. This is one of the most beautifully designed carafes out there, and made by the most talented Felicia Ferrone, who is also a professor at UIC.” Flight carafe by Fferrone Design
Friends of Gary Metzner call him “the concierge,” and it’s no wonder: From restaurants to art, fashion, culture and more, the Sotheby’s senior vice president and Midwest region managing director has the most discerning of palates. Who better, then, to ask for his curated list of holiday gift ideas? Here, the River North resident shares with CS several of his handpicked selects.
For the Sun Worshipper
This brand from L.A. makes the best limited-edition sunglasses and regular glasses, and Custom Eyes’ River North location is my go-to. I promise with your rose-colored glasses the holidays will look....rosy.” Apollinaire 2 sunglasses, Jacques Marie Mage
For the Fashion Plate
“Prada is our go-to store. They not only carry the most amazing clothing and accessories...but the Chicago team is just the best. They also support the Art Institute of Chicago, which we love. This vest is perfect for Chicago’s ever-changing weather and is so so soft.” Cashmere down vest in navy, Prada
For the Design Lover
“I’m a big ceramics fan; plus, you can get handmade pieces for not crazy money. There is a great community of ceramicists in Chicago. One place that is a go-to for gift giving is West Town’s Monsoon Pottery. The works are forever changing but here is just one example. And who doesn’t love a gift that’s one of a kind?” Korean celadon serving dish, Monsoon Pottery
For the Art Lover
“One of the highlights of the fall season is the opening of Carrie Secrist Galleries’ new space in West Town; so how about getting ahead of the curve and looking at the work of her up-and- coming show, the artist collaborative known as Hilma’s Ghost, inspired by the late artist I saw at the Guggenheim and can’t get out of my head, Hilma Af Klint? Your art-loving friend should love them and it gives you a chance to see this new gallery, which will be on everyone’s list this fall/winter.” Hilma’s Ghost, "[ORANGE] Creativity, New Opportunities" (2022), Carrie Secrist Gallery
For the Person Who Has Everything
“We adore restaurants, and gift cards are perfect for friends who have it all. Lucky for us, a new favorite is not from our home in River North. In a wonderful freestanding home right at Huron and Wells, Asador Bastian is presenting a high-end twist on Spanish cusine. We have been multiple times and our friends are all loving it.” Gift card to Asador Bastian
For My Husband
“Scott is a huge watch person; He’s always looking for the next hot watch or something vintage. I have to give a shout-out to Sotheby’s, where I’ve worked for 26 years. We have a buy-now luxury division where you don’t need to wait for an auction for holiday gift. You can buy vintage watches like you were buying from a store.” Air-King Reference 14000, Rolex
For the Party Giver
“We love to have people over for cocktails then go out to dinner. These cocktail napkins are at a great price point and make the perfect gift. Made of fibrous spun lace material in Italy—toss your regular paper cocktail napkins away and you’ll never go back.” Florentine yellow cocktail napkins, Vietri
For Anyone
“I’m a bit of a chocolate snob—and I am certainly the best customer of L.A. Burdick’s first store out of the East Coast right on State Street in the historic Tree Studios, and their most famous product, these chocolate mice. I mean, as cute as they are delicious. And with a little card that says ‘Not a creature was stirring,’ you can’t go wrong.” Signature chocolate mice, L.A. Burdick Chocolates
Author, style consultant, agency veteran, cultural curator—when it comes to creative hats, Teresa Surratt has worn them all. The project she’s most passionate about these days? Camp Wandawega, the impossibly chic, fastidiously curated property in Elkhorn, Wis. that she created with her husband, David Hernandez, on the site of a former church camp and which has evolved into a hot spot for local and national creatives. As the dynamic duo unveils a spate of new offerings—from a new coffee shop to two new rescued Girl Scout cabins and the launch of Wandawega Seed Co. kits— Surratt takes a moment to offer her must-gift items for the upcoming holiday season.
For the Husband
“Letherbee is the best gin— full stop. Plus the labels are always rad.” Letherbee gin
For the Art Lover
“Because Cody’s work can still be acquired. He’s one of those artists that we’ll look back on and say, ‘I should have snagged that piece when I could.’ Invest in art.” Cody Hudson, "Rapid Onset, Intense Effects, and a Relatively Short Duration of Action (Machine Elf Window Sculpture Still Life)" (2023), Andrew Rafacz Gallery
For the Architecture Nut
“This book is the bible for anyone who follows Jeanne Gang and her work. I get inspired every time I crack the cover.” Studio Gang: Architecture, Phaidon
For the Music Nerd
“Because every Chicagoan should own this album. Also, they are great human beings.” Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Wilco
For the Cultured Connoisseur
“Every show I see at the Joffrey Ballet blows my mind. The sets, the story—I leave feeling inspired and can’t wait to go back. I want somebody to buy me this for a gift.” Tickets to Studies in Blue, Joffrey Ballet
For the Dad or Uncle
“It’s the go-to gift for anybody who cherishes their bourbon. The one flask you keep forever.” Wandawega glass flask, Clayton & Crume
For the Design Freak
“This is the only time you can get a piece of Frank’s work from my favorite place he ever designed— the SC Johnson campus in Racine.” Frank Lloyd Wright Racine signature utility table, Steelcase
For the Mid-Century Modern Fan
“Florence Knoll is an icon. You’re gifting an heirloom when you give them one of these.” Florence Knoll Model 31 Lounge Chair, Knoll
For the Sports Lover
“It’s a handcrafted work of art. You won’t even want to shoot it, even though they are indestructible.” Cedar shaft arrow, Wandawega
For the Health Nut
“It’s literally the gift of health. And fun. You give one of these and you’re making a date to ride together.” Bicycle, Heritage Bikes & Coffee
Photography by: FROM TOP: PORTRAIT BY HEATHER TALBERT; PORTRAIT BY KEVIN PENCZAK; FOOD PHOTO BY HSING CHEN; OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRANDS