As the festive season approaches, gift-giving becomes a delicate art—made even more so by the desire to choose a present that truly has meaning. For this Christmas wishlist, HEC Stories has brought together ten gift ideas from alumni who create and innovate. Perfume, beauty, books, experiences, fashion, or gastronomy: this selection tells a story shaped by craftsmanship, commitment, and elegance. Here is our invitation to give differently.

1 – Le Foin, the new fragrance by Ning Li (H.04)

After founding Made.com, then Good Brands, one of the most inspiring entrepreneurs of his generation created Typology, a skincare brand that has become a benchmark for its minimalism and transparency in its formulations.

Recently, Ning Li (H.04) unveiled SUJET, his latest venture, a perfume house that celebrates the earth and those who cultivate it.

With this first fragrance, “Le Foin,” he reinterprets the warmth of a freshly cut field. The opening of black pepper and blackcurrant brings a vibrant freshness, the heart blends incense and smoked hay, and the patchouli–vetiver base delivers a woody, soothing depth.

2 – Aroma-Zone, a skincare ritual inspired by nature

Precious face oil, hand cream, lip balm—this year, the brand led by Sabrina Herlory-Rouget (H.05) offers the “Mes cinq pépites de Noël” gift set, a selection of iconic treatments brought together to create a complete ritual—sensory, effective, and 100% natural. A perfect gift for clean beauty enthusiasts.

3 – Jalil Benabbès-Taarji (H.83): the iconic Moroccan weekend to gift

In the heart of Marrakech’s Medina, El Fenn is a legendary address whose doors one must absolutely step through. This arty and refined hotel, blending Moroccan architecture, contemporary design, and a bohemian atmosphere, offers one of the city’s most inspiring experiences: lush patios, turquoise pools, an intimate spa, and a spectacular rooftop with views of the Koutoubia and the Atlas Mountains. El Fenn is a gentle interlude devoted to rest, sunshine, and the beauty of place—ideal for those who dream of escape.

4 – Mauliébris, French luxury craftsmanship in service of hair jewellery

Headbands, scrunchies, hair sticks, and hair clips—simple hair accessories become subtly luxurious and highly desirable when signed by Axelle Raffin (H.13), founder of the brand created two years ago. Handmade in the Jura, these hair jewels are crafted from acetate and gilded brass to create refined hair ornaments. Axelle discovered this universe during her time at HEC’s Junior Enterprise. Among the collections, the Ligne Knot Or quickly established itself as emblematic.

5- Eric Bompard, cashmere as a refuge

An iconic house, now led by its CEO Laurence Lévy (H.05), who continues to uphold the standards, creativity, and textile craftsmanship that have defined the brand for nearly forty years. Each piece is designed as a durable essential, combining fine materials, precise cuts, and incomparable softness. From this wardrobe, one can choose with eyes closed. This cardigan, ideal for the Christmas season, with its oversized cable knit, is an enveloping piece made from 100% cashmere. Ribbed finishes, impeccable knitting, and mother-of-pearl buttons make it a winter wardrobe essential.

6 – La Rosée, clean beauty to give for Christmas

Co-founder of La Rosée, Mahault de Guibert (H.13) champions a simple, natural, and committed vision of beauty. In 2025, the brand unveils its first makeup range: formulas made from 100% natural ingredients that enhance while caring for the skin. Among the new releases, the compact Poudre Soin with organic apricot oil evens out, mattifies, and smooths the complexion thanks to natural pigments infused with hydrating and protective active ingredients. Refillable and made in France, there is no reason to resist temptation.

7 – The beautiful children’s book to slip under the tree

Charlotte Colmet-Dââge Duverne (H.04) has made childhood her entrepreneurial territory. After a formative experience at Gallimard Jeunesse, where she contributed to the launch of Harry Potter, she founded Marcel & Joachim, a children’s publishing house known for its bold design and refined production. Conceived as true art objects—giant formats, vibrant colours, carefully selected papers—the books appeal to both children and parents and find their place in bedrooms as well as living rooms. “Noël à l’envers” (Gallimard Jeunesse edition) is a playful and minimalist fable in which magic unfolds… in reverse.

8 – Vincent Beaufils (H.75): understanding business leaders, a gift to think about the economic world

For forty years, Vincent Beaufils (H.75) has been one of the sharpest observers of French capitalism. Editorial director of Challenges and a familiar figure at Matins HEC, he has spent his career analysing CAC 40 leaders—their strengths, vulnerabilities, and the paradoxes shaping their public image. In his book “Les patrons sont-ils des monstres ?” (Éditions de l’Observatoire), he explores a burning question: how did those who elevated our companies to global champion status become so unpopular? Through investigations, portraits, analysis, and historical perspective, the book offers a rare dive behind the scenes of economic power, far from clichés and close to the mechanisms that govern our era. A stimulating gift idea for those who enjoy understanding the world, carried by an alumnus who has made the analysis of leadership a demanding and passionate art.

9 – Flore des Robert (H.04) and Pauline Laurent (H.04): the hairbrush that takes care of you

Made in France by artisans with centuries-old expertise and designed using responsible, durable materials, La Bonne Brosse is the best-kept secret of French women who know that brushing is the key to a healthy scalp and beautiful hair. A contraction of care and hair, Cair expands La Bonne Brosse’s offering and now designs highly active, clean treatments, combining the most advanced skincare technology with the vitality of nature.

Strengthening serum to stimulate and reinforce, natural shampoo free from sulfates and silicones to cleanse gently, and detangling spray to protect, enhance, and ease daily styling: this targeted, high-performance routine is designed to reveal the hair’s natural beauty.

10 – Alice Tuyet (H.17): the plant-based as an obvious choice

In Paris, Alice Tuyet has given plant-based cuisine a new place. Founder of Daimant Collective, this alumna has built a precise and sensitive culinary universe, nourished by both her Vietnamese roots and an early-acquired rigor. At Daimant Saint-Honoré, her fourth address opened last April, vegan cuisine is expressed without compromise. Here, one bites, savours, and surrenders to the dishes without ever renouncing pleasure or ethics: not a single ingredient of animal origin, but a cuisine crafted with demand and generosity. The plant-based is treated as a noble product, respected in its seasonality, enhanced by precise cooking and delicate pairings. Potato mille-feuille, lacquered oyster mushrooms, signature chocolate mousse—the plates speak for themselves.

The spaces extend this vision with the same restraint. Bright rooms, attentive service, a soothing rhythm: each address offers a coherent interlude, where cuisine is experienced as much as it is tasted. And the cherry on the cake—if you happen to cross paths with Alice… the day is won.

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