If you, too, have dreamed of a personal styling appointment with Emily in Paris costume designer Marylin Fitoussi, you’ll love this year’s expertly curated, once-in-a-lifetime Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gifts. Here, Angeleno recaps the exclusive holiday party that presented the luxury picks.
The United Theater on Broadway was this year's venue for the Neiman Marcus 2024 Fantasy Gifts presentation; PHOTO BY MARC PATRICK/BFA
To mark the 65th year of Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gifts, the Dallas-based luxury retailer held a holiday-inspired soirée sponsored by InCircle inside The United Theater on Broadway in Los Angeles.
Complete with all the bells and whistles, the night began with a visit from Santa Claus at the Roe Caviar cocktail hour, followed by a brief unveiling of this year’s gifts and a viewing of the retailer’s storybook-inspired holiday campaign, A Neiman’s Fantasy. Guests were then ushered to the stage to share a three-course dinner on Ginori 1735 plateware, surrounded by good company, surprise caroling and a very special Southern California “snowfall.”
Kathryn Hahn and Allison Janney; PHOTO BY MARC PATRICK/BFA
Clients and close friends of the retailer bustled through the scene, clinking Champagne flutes and marveling at miniature dioramas of the fantasy gifts soon to be disclosed. If you looked closely, you might catch Emily in Paris star Samuel Arnold greeting guests or Kathryn Hahn and Allison Janney posing for a quick picture.
Samuel Arnold and Marylin Fitoussi; PHOTO BY MARC PATRICK/BFA
The party then moved inside the 1927 Spanish-Gothic designed theater where Neiman Marcus chief brand officer Nabil Aliffi and president Ryan Ross took the stage to present the seven nearly unattainable fantasy gifts. Those are as follows: an authentic 18th Century Royal Family Calèche from Gallery Kraemer, a Judith Leiber Couture Crystal Mahjong Set, Miron Crosby Celestial Boots with real turquoise and an Astrological Reading by Rosie Cutter, a Ginori 1735 Fine Porcelain Experience, a Manolo Blahnik VIP London Shopping Experience and a highly-coveted Messika Jewelry and Safari Experience in Namibia. When Marylin Fitoussi’s VIP Shopping Experience was announced, attendees turned their heads to see the designer among them in the audience, adding even more appeal to the remarkable evening.
Nabil Aliffi, Bridget Gless Keller and Ryan Ross smile with Santa Claus; PHOTO BY MARC PATRICK/BFA
“This year’s holiday activation and campaign is an invitation to embrace the magic of Neiman Marcus. The storytelling was inspired by the theatrical traditions and folklore during the period that the brand was founded,” announced Aliffi. “We invite our customers to step into this extraordinary realm where every interaction is an opportunity to experience the excitement of the season, no matter how they choose to engage with us.”
Under the glow of stage lights, guests found their seats at two elegant, parallel tables, where waiters were already busy pouring wine into Mario Luca Giusti glassware. With the setting as a 100-year-old theater, the entire evening felt like a Broadway production, even before a chorus dressed in festive red and green appeared high in the rafters, singing holiday carols to the cheering crowd. The performance ended on a magical note, with paper snowflakes drifting down from the ceiling, a charming way to welcome the holiday season.
"Snow" falls on The United Theater on Broadway at the event's conclusion; PHOTO BY MARC PATRICK/BFA
As the tables cleared and guests left with their copies of Neiman Marcus’ The Book and candles from Ginori 1735, all were reminded of the reason for the season. Giving is an integral part of Neiman Marcus’ Fantasy Gifts, as each sale will result in a philanthropic donation to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation. We certainly expect Neiman Marcus to be on the “nice” list this year!
To learn more about the Neiman Marcus 2024 Fantasy Gifts—or to get a head start on holiday shopping, click here.
Photography by: Marc Patrick/BFA
