Designers Reveal Favorite Childhood Holiday Gifts
They say it’s better to give than to receive—but sometimes the getting is most memorable.
FashionEtc asked top designers (and Hugh Jackman!) about their favorite childhood gifts.
Photos: courtesy of Jason Wu | Patrick McMullan (5)
Clockwise from top left: Jason Wu, Rachel Roy, Hugh Jackman, Pamella Roland, Prabal Gurung, Cynthia Rowley
Jason Wu:
My mother gave me my very first sewing machine when I was 10—it was so special to me because I had always wanted one. I guess it jump started my fashion career.
Rachel Roy:
My childhood gift requests were always so specific and my parents had no money to speak of, so I really don't know how my mom went about tracking down what I wanted—a music box in the shape of a mermaid with legs and wearing a gown. I don't know what I was thinking. In reality, it was probably Little Bo Peep.
Hugh Jackman:
A boogie board. I was about 10 and I body surfed before that. It was good to have an aid to help me not get completely pummeled every time.
Pamella Roland:
One of my favorite gifts as a child was my white gold charm bracelet that I still have today. My grandmother also gave me a cat charm because I’ve always liked cats. It holds so many memories since I always collect a charm along my travels. Each charm still seems to tell its own special story. My husband bought me a charm for our first house. I got a charm when I had my first child.
Prabal Gurung:
My brother and I got plane tickets to India from my mom. My sister had gone there to study and we were very close. That was my favorite thing. I was 14. It was an adventure and this was the first time we traveled by ourselves.
Cynthia Rowley:
I'm still hoping I'll get an Easy-Bake Oven.
For more designer holiday favorites, see what the fashion flock feast on.
