Louise Pascal Holiday Gift List

Louise Pascal is a French actress, lyrical singer, model and artists muse who splits her life between Paris and Provence.

You can follow her on Instagram

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Here is a list of Louise’s gift ideas for this Christmas Season

Ledger, a poetry book by Jane Hirshfield.

I can't live without poetry and my mum is upset I always ask for books, and Jane Hirshfield has saved my sanity a few times during a tough Fall 22 Ask for it at bookinbar.com

L'Usage de l'Imparfait a book by Maxime Hortense Pascal.

My mum is upset I like books too much but she herself is an author. You know what they say about apples and trees…

The Great Tales Never Ends: Essays in Memory of Christopher Tolkien

The Bodleian commissioned this book as a tribute to Christopher and the work he did on his father's unfinished books. When he passed, the eulogy my mum wrote for his funeral was translated by his wife Baillie and added to the book. A must-read if you love Tolkien's works. A dear memento for me.

Not a book! A pair of shoes from my friend Nomasei.

They created their brand just three years ago, in partnership with a leather factory in Montopoli, Italy, and they make the BEST shoes, from design to quality to a very low impact on the environment, they also are the most comfortable shoes I own. Special mention to the Adora in Bronze, perfect to dance in style. Also, their previous job was at Chloé, if you have any doubt about the quality of design we talk about it here!

A pair of earrings from Cécile Boccara.

Cecile has created jewellery for Schiapparelli, Lacroix, Valentino and almost every big couture house in Paris. Walking into her shop in Le Passage du Grand Cerf à Paris is like walking into a dream, everything is made by hand in the atelier upstairs. Do you want the most beautiful crown or a pair of whimsical flower earrings? She has everything and more.

A cashmere top by Luxe Provence.

I modeled this, so I'm well placed to tell you that this is so comfortable and warm! Pair it with the Jamie Beck skirt collab and you will be the belle du village.

An overall from Bourgine.

Bourgine and I became friends because her atelier shop is in the street that I took to go work at the Théâtre de l'Odéon, and she had a tapestry overall and a black cat in her window. Needless to say, it wasn't long before I entered, and many dinners at Casa Bini dressed in fantastic clothes all made by hand in Paris followed. Thank you Norma Rae (her black cat). Now I have new friends and the coolest outfits.

Confronting Images, Georges Didi Huberman.

This French author is alas not often translated into English, but Survival of the Fireflies is, and this is one of the first books my theatre master Jean-Pierre Raffaelli gave me to read when I started his lessons, and it's been a pillar in my practice as an actress. Confronting Images is an excellent introduction to his works, especially if you are interested in visual arts.

A music score from Bjork

Music students assemble because this is both a score AND Poetry. Also, each score has been designed to reflect the spirit of the song, it's a fantastic job, it's not your regular music book and it's just so precious.

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A lipstick by Dries Van Noten.

Dries just launched his beauty line this year and I couldn't be happier. You can choose from four fabulous refillable cases and two different finishes. It smells like roses and has good taste. If you can go buy it in the Quai Malaquais Boutique in Paris as this is such a fancy boutique you can't take pics inside, because of the original art on the walls. My shade is Antwerp Vermeil in Satin but I'm also eying Ottoman Brown for this winter.

A perfume by Dries Van Noten.

Listen, each bottle is so special I can't even choose one. Get the Discovery set. Or choose your favourite bottle. It's a work of art. And everything smells like heaven. My personal favourite bottle is Soie Malaquais, in real porcelain. My personal perfume might be Santal Greenery.

A cleansing bar from Casa Brava.

My friend Victoria just launched her new brand, and she is a magical alchemist. Clean, curated products, marvelous recipes, a grand lifestyle and artisanal makers... what's not to love?

Candles from apiscera.

My friend Charles makes beeswax candles in a village nearby. Do you want to be instantly transported to Provence ? Try Mireille, a lavender infused candle.

The Past Present, a photography book by Justine Tjallinks.

I discovered her work at Paris Photo 2021, and this year I stayed so long in her gallerist’s booth I was nicely asked to leave. Inspired by Flemish Old Masters, the modernity of her work transcends modern beauty.

A velvet blouse from Thierry Colson.

Thierry consistently breaks my heart with the beauty of his sleeves. But now, you can also wear them in winter, because these are embroidered velvet! My gosh the colours, the softness the patterns!!!

A necklace by Samuel François Jewelry.

I've modelled his first collection and became so obsessed with it, it took me three years to finally choose a piece. Inspired by Antique Rome and Greece, his pieces are all one of a kind and made in his kitchen. They are the most powerful pieces I've ever worn.

A ticket to go see The Burnt City, from Punchdrunk.

If you live in NYC and I tell you "Sleep No More" you know. If you don't - think a labyrinth of rooms and corridors, actors/dancers jumping from everywhere and performing intense numbers, the craziest set you'll ever see, the Fall of Troy, gods and goddesses, tragic fates... and a hidden bar. Oh and masks. A lot of masks. Immersive theatre at its peak. I'm going back in January.

And last but not least, my lovely dearest darling Jamie Beck’s book ‘An American in Provence’.

What can I say? I've seen Jamie work relentlessly on this for two years, photographing everywhere, including in my shabby garden, writing down all her feelings, I even took one of the Polaroids in the book (find which one, insta-nerds ), and I am just SO DAMN PROUD. I love you, Jamie. Bravo. Read her book. It's the physical embodiment of a work of love and a bright bright soul.

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