What's On Dora Maar Founder Lauren Wilson's Holiday Wish List?

'Tis the season to deck your closet with festive frocks!

As the Founder of Dora Maar, the go-to curated marketplace for pre-owned luxury fashion and archival runway pieces, Lauren Wilson has quite the eye for haute holiday finds. 

This month, in the spirit of giving, the site has launched their first partnership with Rodarte and acclaimed Costume Designer Charlese Antoinette, creating a stoppable closet of pieces to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Ohio's Broadway Club. Merry and chic for a cause!

So, curious what's on the style staple's holiday wish list this year?

Us too!

How do you celebrate the holidays?  
The holidays are always such a whirlwind, especially running an e-commerce business. The team and I are busy making sure we have special and unique items for customers to purchase for their loved ones, and wanting to give back to our community–– which is why we are so excited about the partnership between Rodarte x Charlese to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Ohio’s Design YOU program.

Beyond that, I am always a sucker for NYC in the holidays–– the cheesier the better! I live in the E. Vill and there is a kitschy pop-up Miracle on 9th Street which is a Christmas themed bar, I love going with my girlfriends to get fun cocktails. 

Where will you be this season?  
While I love NYC during the holiday season, I usually go back to spend time with my family in Scottsdale, AZ –– the sunshine and the heat are much needed for me! I always try and sneak in a spa visit, either at The Sanctuary or The Camelback Inn. The desert scenery is so calming after hectic city life. This year will be a bit different, my best friend is throwing a fun and unconventional Vegas wedding the week between New Years and Christmas. Let’s just say the reception will be at a karaoke bar, I am so excited to get dressed up in my sequined Marc Jacobs mini and celebrate with friends. 

Are you a last-minute or way-in-advance shopper?  
I wish I were a way a shop in advance person, but I’m always so last minute. My dad, brother and I have a tradition of hitting the shops on Christmas Eve, it’s become a fun tradition for us. My mom, on the other hand, is ready weeks in advance.

What's the best gift you've ever given or received)?
Best gift I’ve ever received was from my little brother years ago. It was during the time when Tiffany’s heart tag bracelets were all the rage— I was 11 at the time and my brother was ninr. He’s a stellar gift giver and used all of his saved birthday checks and coin bank to go to Tiffany’s with my mom and get that sterling silver heart bracelet for me— it still is the sweetest thing imagining a 9 year old purchasing from Tiffany’s with his coin bank! 

Best gift I’ve ever given? A few holiday seasons ago was very special for my family as my mom was recovering from surgery on her brain tumor. Carole King is one of my mom’s favorites and it was on her bucket list to see her BEAUTIFUL the Carole King Musical. I bought her the tickets, and that spring, her and my dad were able to fly out to NYC where we could all go to see the musical on broadway, followed up dinner at Augustine at the Beekman hotel (miss that place!). 

What's your go-to hostess gift?
You can never go wrong with a bottle of wine. But two of my favorite things are embroidered cocktail napkins from Hibiscus Linens or, in line with our namesake, the Muse candle from Jonathan Adler–– chic, minimal, and I love the delicate scent.

Favorite spots to shop?
As a small business owner, I try to support other small businesses during this time. One of my favorite places to search is actually Etsy. There are amazingly talented artisans that make such personalized gifts for loved ones. 

What's on your list to get?  
I’m embarrassed to say it but growing up I used to make my Christmas lists into a full on fashion magazine— I was very dedicated to my industry of choice since I was a kid! While I’m a little older now, my gifts are a bit more practical. 

Every year I say I’m going to get into cooking, and this year I mean it, so some kitchenware from Caraway in a fun colorway is on the list. 

I also love a Christmas matching pj set and have my eye on the classic patterns and shapes from Sleepy Jones. And if we are dreaming, I am traveling to my best friend’s wedding in Vegas with this Mark Cross Trunk in hand (from the closet of our Muse, Lauren Levison). Check out her full page here - so many gems!

What's on your list to give?
I’m all about giving a gift that gives back! We recently launched a partnership with luxury brand Rodarte and acclaimed costume designer, Charlese Antoinette Jones where Rodarte is consigning past season runway and archival pieces with Charlese serving as the 'Muse' for the partnership. Rodarte's commission from the sale of these items will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Ohio's DESIGN YOU program, which was built in collaboration with Charlese and the cast of ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ to benefit the under resourced children in the area that the film was shot in.

I'm most coveting this gold sequin belt, polka dot belt, striped blouse and gold ribbon hair clips!