Holiday Gift Guide, FiSF Style

As the saying goes, the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. The heart of the sentiment is about spending time with beloved family and friends. But, undoubtedly, a big piece of all that wonderful is the gifts.

Doing our part to help make the season cheery and bright for everyone on your list, we put together a very fashionable gift guide (and stunning photoshoot). It stars four designers/brands, all of whom have gone through FiSF or other fashion-incubator programs. They include: Love Is Project, Olori, Madison Chamberlain and Ms Amy Taylor.

Learn a bit about each, and then get gifting (fa-la-la-la-la).  

Brand: Love Is Project

Designer: Chrissie Lam

Fashion Incubator: FiSF

Love Is Project's colorful global-inspired bracelets and accessories are the definition of good gifts. They don't just look good they do good. The wrist candy (and all the candy) is sustainably made by female artisans in more than 10 countries. Providing makers with steady employment, fair wages and educational opportunities for their children are core tenants of LIP. In fact, founder Chrissie Lam started her company six years ago expressly to create jobs in underserved communities around the world.

Until last January, LIP was best known for its original red Love Bracelet. That all changed when Lam and her mom/co-founder Gladys Lam appeared on an episode of "Shark Tank." While no sharks, ahem, bit, Lam's time on TV was very much a win: It expanded her brand awareness to a gajillion viewers, including one famous fan—who turned into a collaborator. (Go, Chrissie!)

"Julian Lennon, founder of the non-profit The White Feather Foundation, reached out to us to collaborate on a collection. Fast forward many months, and we couldn't be more excited that we launched TWFF x Love Is Project …exclusive, artisan-made pieces from Kenya, Colombia and Indonesia," says Lam.

But that's not all: On Giving Tuesday, LIP and Kristen Bell's This Saves Lives, a company whose mission is to end severe malnutrition for kids worldwide, will be debuting their collab featuring the original Love Bracelet. 

Take that Mark Cuban and Mr. Wonderful.

// Shoploveisproject.com, @loveisproject

Brand: Olori

Designer: Tomide Awe

Fashion Incubator: FiSF

Gift a beautiful African-inspired Olori tote, shoulder or belt bag to your friend, mom, sister or partner and prepare for a smooch attack. Consider it a thank-you for making the recipient feel like royalty—only fitting as Olori means queen in Yoruba.

Founder Tomide Awe grew up in Nigeria but later moved to England for her studies. There, she became passionate about sharing her rich culture with others. Over the years, the desire to hype her home country continued, eventually meshing with her love of fashion and mission to empower women artists and business owners in Africa. Hello, Olori.

Incorporating traditional African fabrics with leather into modern designs is the essence of the brand. "Our products invite women all over the world to experience the beauty and culture of Africa with an emphasis on craftsmanship, heritage, and legacy. Our goal is to build a brand that represents African cultures on the world stage, making them accessible to women everywhere, starting with handbags," Awe says.

Working with FiSF has been a game-changer for Olori. Without any practical fashion industry experience, learning things as she goes is par for the course. But having access to knowledgeable advisors has been invaluable: "The primary and most important benefit of the program is the opportunity to receive expert advice from people who have been where I’m trying to go with my brand," says Awe.

// Shop beolori.com, @beolori

Brand/Designer: Madison Chamberlain

Fashion Incubator: Philadelphia Fashion Incubator

Wrap up a Madison Chamberlain garment for the girly-girls and free spirits in your life— or anyone with a thing for whimsical and romantic fashions. The decadent and dramatic Rococo Top in blue toile with chartreuse lining, bow sleeves and a peplum (or two) perfectly epitomizes the Philadelphia designer's namesake brand—and her favorite quote: "Being alive is the special occasion."

Just like the Marie Antoinette-inspired top, most of Chamberlain's pieces can be worn in various ways, alone or layered, and bring joy to the wearer. Even better, said wearer isn't likely to come across anyone else in the same look: all of the Philadelphia University grad's handmade designs are produced in small runs.

Along with signature prints, creating slow, ethical fashion that's size- and gender-inclusive is woven into the company's DNA. Chamberlain, who previously worked as a designer for companies like Free People and QVC, was committed to eschewing fast-fashion practices that negatively impact the environment when going out on her own.

To this end, Chamberlain continues to incorporate new ways to become even greener. She uses fabric scraps to make accessories, dead stock material in much of her work, and ensures the perfect fit to lessen the chances of customers throwing anything away.

// Shop madisonchamberlain.com, @madisonchamberlain

Brand: Ms Amy Taylor

Designer: Amy Taylor

Fashion Incubator: Chicago Fashion Incubator

Ms Amy Taylor's Natural Dye Kit makes a brilliant gift. Charmingly packaged in a large mason jar, each kit includes a silk scarf, alum mordant, dye material, and twine for optional shibori. The message it sends: I love you.

The hardest part for gifters: Choosing which of the five glorious colors to go with—bright yellow, magenta, light brown, golden yellow and cream. Whatever shade one decides on, the dye is guaranteed to come from a natural source, i.e., flowers, plants, insects. The other sure thing—DIY types will squeal with delight upon receipt.

You've probably discerned by now that designer Amy Taylor is a natural dyer. Based in Chicago, the textile artist focuses on using eco-friendly materials to create high-quality, one-of-a-kind pieces. She designs everything from zero-waste scrunchies (the once-frowned-upon hair bands are having a moment) to robes, underwear and more.

Bespoke undies, anyone? Y-E-S.

// Shop msamytaylor, @msamytaylor