Neiman Marcus unveils Christmas fantasy gifts at L.A. celebrity party attended by Ted Lasso stars

Neiman Marcus unveiled his latest fantasy gifts, including a $ 6.1 million 30.86-carat heart diamond ring, at a party on the Paramount Studios lot in Hollywood.

Neiman Marcus, who claims to have the most exclusive list of clients, invited a few celebrities for the reveal. Actors Phil Dunster and Juno Temple, who play Jamie Tartt and Keely on Apple TV’s hit show Ted Lasso, were there. So did model and actress Slick Woods and actress, writer and producer Natasha Lyonne, who starred as Nicky Nichols on the Netflix comedy drama series Orange Is the New Black.

The party reflected the motto of the 200-page catalog “Celebrate Big, Love Even Bigger” and emphasized sustainability with gifts that can be passed on and experienced.

“We’ve seen our customers come back and try to lead normal lives,” said Darren “Daz” McColl, Neiman Marcus chief marketing officer. “It was about unveiling the gifts at a party.”

The DJ was Alexandra Nicole Richards, American model, artist and daughter of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and model and actress Patti Hansen.

This is the 95th Neiman Marcus Christmas Book that has a story of oomph and exclusivity. The first catalog appeared in 1926 as a 16-page booklet that was mailed to the store’s best customers. In the 1950s and 1960s, Stanley Marcus and his brothers created the fantasy gifts that made precious minutes on television news programs. Actor Keanu Reeves once drove to an unveiling event on a motorcycle he helped create as a fantasy gift.

The diamond ring is the most expensive item among this year’s fantasy gifts in the 200-page catalog. The buyer is allowed to name the stone with the Gemological Institute, which will forever associate the stone with a family.

The most expensive item in Neiman Marcus' 2021 Christmas book is a 30.86-carat heart diamond priced at $ 6.1 million.The most expensive item in Neiman Marcus’ 2021 Christmas book is a 30.86-carat heart diamond priced at $ 6.1 million.(Halkias, Maria)

Fashionphile, a reseller of fashionable handbags and accessories partially owned by Neiman Marcus, is participating in a fantasy gift for the first time. The gift is a three-part treasure hunt in the closet that comes with an all-access pass to Fashionphile’s inventory.

Fashion-loving experts will rummage through your closet with you before going on a $ 100,000 shopping spree with Neiman Marcus Fashion and Lifestyle Director Lisa Aiken, who will shop with you to replace the old with new. Next up, Fashionphile CEO Sarah Davis helps choose five vintage pieces that you can borrow and swap anytime. The price for a fantasy gift is $ 345,000.

McColl said the closet treasure hunt will appeal to shoppers who value “the 360-degree recycling economy in their closet.”

“Customers have forgotten valuables that may come onto the market for someone else who appreciates the fashion, style and craftsmanship of the products,” said McColl.

The Barrett-Jackson Hummer EV Edition 1 plus VIP access for two to the owner's skybox at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2022 auction is one of the fantasy gifts in the Neiman Marcus 2021 Christmas Book.  The package costs $ 285,000.  The experience includes the chance to drop the hammer on the auction block.The Barrett-Jackson Hummer EV Edition 1 plus VIP access for two to the owner’s skybox at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2022 auction is one of the fantasy gifts in the Neiman Marcus 2021 Christmas Book. The package costs $ 285,000. The experience includes the chance to drop the hammer on the auction block.(Halkias, Maria)

The sustainability message also extends to the all-electric Hummer EV, which offers an experience: VIP access for two to the owner’s skybox at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction in 2022, priced at $ 285,000.

Two fantasy gifts involve traveling to Europe to create something lasting. One is a trip to Portugal, where the recipient can design tableware in the Vista Alegre workshop that will become a bespoke 12-piece place setting. There’s just one of those fantastic gifts that includes luxury travel accommodation for two with multiple excursions including a day on a yacht and special dinners with local chefs. The package costs $ 80,000, with $ 10,000 going to the Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation.

The other European gift is a family trip to London where the children will work closely with writer Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and illustrators to co-write a special edition of Little People Big Dreams. This experience costs $ 35,000.

A lavish 1920s party designed by party planner Bronson Van Wyck for 20 at the Apollo Theater in Harlem costs $ 395,000.

For the first time this year, Neiman Marcus has curated gift boxes that focus on self-care, travel, and gifts for children, which cost between $ 82 and $ 4,458. Buyers can also design their own. In-store gift boxes are set up so customers can make their own gift boxes of items from anywhere in the store.

And Santa will be back too. Some Neiman Marcus stores will offer face-to-face visits to Santa Claus, and virtual get-togethers will also be offered this year.

The Neiman Marcus 2021 Christmas Book fantasy gifts include the opportunity to design tableware at Vista Alegre, a renowned tableware brand founded in 1924. The Neiman Marcus 2021 Christmas Book fantasy gifts include the opportunity to design tableware at Vista Alegre, a renowned tableware brand founded in 1924. (Neiman Marcus)

Twitter: @MariaHalkias

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