Dear Santa: Temple St. Clair's Holiday Give and Get List

By Nandini D'Souza
December 13, 2010

Our Series on What Today's Top Style Makers Plan to Give—and Hope to Get!—for the Holidays

For nearly 25 years, stylish women have squealed with delight whenever they received one of Temple St. Clair’s signature dainty, luxe rock crystal amulets. For fall, the art history buff, whose pieces often look like they belong in the Greek and Roman Art wing of the Met, tapped into the richness of the Persian Empire, the city of Troy and the 19th Century trend towards Orientalism. To wit, she crafts precious rubies and emeralds into modern day Evil Eyes and gold amphoras.

While jewelry can sometimes be a tough find online (how can you really gauge cut, carat and clarity from a tiny picture and a few alt views?), St. Clair has nevertheless found some keepers on eBay. “The first item I ever bid on was a piece of Naga tribal jewelry,” says St. Clair. “A brass pendant with the most intricate metal work. Alas, another user also recognized the uniqueness of the piece and outbid me in the final seconds.” Undaunted, though, whenever she gets a free second, she searches for more. “I love scouring the site for drawings by Merce Cunningham and Line Vautrin jewelry for my personal collection. I’m also always on the lookout for amazing Moroccan rugs and Murano glass lamps for my home.”

Previous Next

jewelry by Temple St. Clair

St. Clair, who launched a successful Target collaboration earlier this year, is also known as much for her philanthropic work as she is her boho designs. On her site, right under the white and rose gold options, customers can click on “Help Save Marine Life” and “Support Those In Need,” and elsewhere she promotes Too Precious to Wear, an organization that’s working to preserve the ocean’s coral reefs. All this giving back is right in step with the holiday spirit. So is gifting a jewelry lover one of St. Clair’s starter pieces—charm necklaces that feature miniatures of her classic amulet, moonstone and angel pendants.

We asked St. Clair what was on her own holiday wish list.

What Temple St. Clair Plans to Give (and Hopes to Get) This Holiday Season

Roll over items for details

Ski Racing Helmet

Polaroid Camera

Antique Christmas Ornament

Diptyque Candles

Vintage Monogrammed Napkin Rings

3.1 Phillip Lim Sweater

Burberry Prorsum Military Jacket

Antique Buddha Statue

Apple iPad

Appetizer Cookbook

Dear Santa: Temple St. Clair's Holiday Give and Get List

GIVING

1. Ski Racing Helmet: "New ski racing helmets for my two sons."

2. Polaroid Camera: "Always fun for my nephews."

3. Antique Christmas Ornament: "An Antique ornament tied to a nice bottle of wine for the hostess."

4. Diptyque Candles: "Great to have on-hand for last-minute gift add-ons."

5. Vintage Monogrammed Napkin Rings: "For my dear friend, the newlywed."

GETTING

6. Appetizer Cookbook: "A cookbook featuring great appetizer ideas for entertaining."

7. Burberry Prorsum Military Jacket: "I find myself drawn to the military looks this winter—especially those by Burberry Prorsom. I love the coats and jackets and the idea of layering heavier pieces over more delicate and feminine ones."

8. 3.1 Phillip Lim Sweater: "I love the comfy sweater looks from Phillip Lim. Great in the studio and for travel—can never have enough!"

9. Antique Buddha Statue: "For my Spring/Summer 2011 collection, I found inspiration in the ‘sacred offerings to Buddha.’ I’d love an amazing antique Buddha statue for my studio."

10. Apple iPad

Tags: