Yu-Chen's Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Asian Female Founded Brands
This year, we want you to feel good about where you shop, and how you give. But sometimes that can feel like a challenge, with a seemingly infinite number of options to choose from when it comes to holiday shopping. So, we asked our founder, Yu-Chen Shih, to round up a few of her favorite brands and products by amazing Asian female founders. Ahead, we’ve curated gift ideas for all of your loved ones–so you can spend and give thoughtfully.
Amarilo Jewelry
Founders: Stella Simona & Ali Heiss
Amarilo Jewelry is an LA-based jewelry brand that creates classic jewelry pieces with the modern woman in mind. Partners Ali Heiss and Stella Simona design timeless, versatile, solid gold pieces that will be an instant staple in anyone’s wardrobe.
Yu-Chen’s Pick: Mini Nora Pearl Hoops ($210)
“I’m OBSESSED with pearls - you can probably tell from our foundation that features Tahitian pearl extract as one of its main ingredients. These Mini Nora Pearl Hoops are so elegant and timeless. Each piece from Amarilo is made with high-quality, conflict-free materials.”
Emilie Heathe
Founder: Emily H. Rudman
This lifestyle brand by Columbia graduate Emily Rudman creates an array of luxurious products–including makeup, jewelry, and accessories–uses only environmentally-conscious, ethically-sourced ingredients of the highest quality.
Yu-Chen’s Pick: The Vanity Box ($85)
“This vegan leather vanity box is très chic and perfect for carrying your favorite nail polish, makeup, and tool on the go. Feel safe stuffing this into your suitcase as its sturdy walls will keep your most fragile items protected. As a beauty junkie, I can never have too many vanity cases!”
Glow Recipe
Founders: Sarah Lee & Christine Chang
Sarah Lee and Christine Chang grew up doing plenty of DIYS with their Korean mothers and grandmothers, using fresh kitchen-grade ingredients. That heritage is the inspiration behind Glow Recipe, which uses clean, fruit-forward ingredients to create glowing skin.
Yu-Chen’s Pick: Brighten & Glow Double Serum Duo ($71)
“I like to up my glow by prepping my skin with Glow Recipe’s Guava Vitamin C Serum and mixing their Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops with my Come Closer Foundation. Like I always say, the best gift you can give is the gift of beauty!”
JUARA
Founder: Metta Murdaya
Juara is a skincare brand inspired by Jamu, Indonesia's old-world herbal medicine and wellness tradition. They combine Eastern remedies with Western Science to elevate daily routines into meaningful healing.
Yu-Chen’s Pick: The JUARA Body Ritual ($171)
“I discovered Juara’s Candlenut Body Creme ($35) in a tiny NYC spa back in 2014 and it has become part of my nightly routine ever since. It smells PHENOMENAL–the warm and subtly sweet scent transports me back to my childhood home by the beach in Singapore.”
Nguyen Coffee Supply
Founder: Sarah Nguyen
The first specialty Vietnamese coffee company in the US, Nguyen Coffee Supply was founded by first-generation Vietnamese American and daughter of refugees Sahra Nguyen. The brand is on a mission to make the industry more diverse, inclusive, and sustainable. They partner directly with a 4th generation farmer, from Vietnam’s Central highlands, and roast their delicious beans in Brooklyn.
Yu-Chen's Pick: Vietnamese Coffee Lover’s Bundle ($102)
“I got hooked on Vietnamese coffee when I purchased my first Phin coffee filter and Nguyen’s Coffee Bean Trio. My morning ritual now starts with a cup of Nguyen’s Moxy coffee with a spoonful of condensed milk. This bundle is the ultimate gift for a Vietnamese coffee lover!”
Stick With Me
Founder: Susanna Yoon
This team of chocolatiers is led by founder Susanna Yoon out of New York City, and uses fresh, natural ingredients to create local-first, painstakingly-made small batch sweets. Formerly the chocolatier at Per Se, you can now savor her heavenly chocolate bonbons and sweet creations without having to snag a reservation at the Thomas Keller restaurant.
Yu-Chen's Pick: 24-pc Bonbon Box ($88)
“Susanna Yoon’s unbelievably delicious chocolates are inspired by her Korean American heritage and childhood memories cooking with her grandmother in Seattle. My favorite flavors are black sesame & passion mango and matcha green tea. This 24-piece Bonbon box is guaranteed to win over every sweet tooth.”
SENREVE
Founder: Coral Chung
Built to balance the fantasy with the everyday, tradition with innovation, and fashion with functionality, Senreve creates beautiful and feminine bags for women on-the-go. The team is constantly pushing the boundaries of sustainability, but the quality and attention to detail always remains unsurpassed.
Yu-Chen's Pick: Lunette’s Case ($145)
“This vegan cactus leather optical case is the perfect cruelty-free gift for even the most discerning fashionista! SENREVE is the first luxury brand to use this material. The Lunette’s case features a structured, stain resistant micro-suede interior. Available in Saddle and Midnight.”
Té Company
Founder: Elena Liao
This NYC-based tea company specializes in Taiwanese tea and handmade tea snacks. Founder Elena Liao sources their incredible teas directly from small farmers in Taiwan, and has crafted a second-to-none collection in her quaint Manhattan tea room.
Yu-Chen's Pick: Brewing Set ($90); Choicest Tea & Biscuits ($60)
“For generations, my Taiwanese family have built friendships and provided warm hospitality through tea ceremonies. I stumbled upon Elena Liao’s tearoom while walking around in West Village and was immediately enthralled by her collection of quality Taiwanese teas. Té Company’s Brewing Set is the perfect introduction to Taiwanese tea ceremony, while their top grade Oriental Beauty Oolong tea and Pineapple Linzers are sure to wow connoisseurs.”