What's Your Fancy? Laila Gohar's Fanciful Essentials for Having a Holiday to Remember

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Laila Gohar has one rule this holiday season: "Dress your table like you’d dress yourself. It’s a good time to be a bit over the top." And who better to turn to for that than her surrealist tableware brand, Gohar World?

The company, which the Cairo-born artist launched in 2020 with her sister Nadia, offers a wide array of whimsical products that are quite literally a feast for eyes. In Gohar World, you can find a fish-shaped lemon squeezer, a metallic cooking apron, a pair of fancy pearl-embellished dish gloves, or even a selection of food-inspired candles that look so tasty you want to take a bite out of them.

And now, just in time for the holidays, Laila has one more scrumptious creation for sweetening up your festive tablescape: a cupcake-shaped candle with a very fitting cherry on top. The delectable design was inspired by a recent 10-foot-installation she created in collaboration with Luxury Collection, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 hotel brands.

"I love large-scale entertaining and professionally, I’m known for food that’s interactive and multi-sensory: six-foot-tall shrimp towers, life-size cake sculptures, and giant topiaries. It’s the dreamer and surrealist in me," Laila, the Global Explorer for The Luxury Collection, tells Town & Country. "The project felt like a natural extension, and it was a really joyful collaboration working alongside designers George [Lewin] and Sarah [Hardy] to realize the concept and bring it to life in the courtyard at Prince de Galles for The Luxury Collection. It felt extra special that my son Paz was there to experience it with me, too."

Ahead, Laila shares more of her fanciful essentials for having a holiday to remember.

Candle, Laila Gohar for The Luxury Collection

"[This candle] is inspired by the 10-foot-tall cake installation I created for Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris back in September. The candles are produced in a family-run workshop in Bari, Italy, which has been operating seamlessly for the last six decades. They work great as a gift (for yourself or your host) or on the table scattered throughout. They’re unscented so they won’t interfere with the food."

Apron with Lace Appliqué, Hands - Metallic

"This is one of the items from Gohar World’s new collection introducing a whole category of silver staples to the table and wardrobe. It’s inspired by the vinyl aprons that fish mongers wear at fish markets around the world. But the metallic gives an air of added glamour. All made in Egypt.

It’s been my hosting uniform for much of the season already. I wore it to a friend’s birthday I was cooking at recently and it received wide acclaim. Perfect for the host in your life, or the friend who loves to cook. But I’d also wear the mini version out dancing. Why not?"

White Bow Ribbon Double Drip Earrings

"Simone is a good friend of mine. I love her designs and am naturally drawn to pearly things. A ribbon or bow around this time of year also just feels right. [I will] probably [be styling them] with one of Simone’s dresses, which are a go-to for hosting and the holidays. I’d also pair with a plain or striped shirt for a more relaxed vibe. The earrings kind of do the talking anyways."

Cayla Mule

"My footwear of choice. These have been a great investment in my wardrobe, are extremely comfortable, and work well for all seasons. [I love to] pair with thick woolly socks."

Sea Salt Chocolate

"I think dessert is important. A lot of my art sits on the sweet side, from 15-meter-long tarts and tiramisu to chocolate busts and semifreddos. I’m both a proud consumer and collaborator of Casa Bosques, an artisanal chocolate brand which puts history, craftsmanship and artistry at the fore. They collaborate with a bunch of different artists on new product ideas.

Last year, Nadia and I made a hazelnut chocolate sculpture in the shape of one of our Gohar World’s Lace Hands. It came wrapped in a beautiful red box designed by Savvy Studio, the in-house design and branding practice who also designed the new Gohar World store."

Mezcal

"Yola Jimenez inherited a mezcal farm from her grandfather who had been experimenting with different recipes since the late 60s. She started out selling small batches and it’s since launched into a very successful company, run alongside musician Lykke Li and chef Gina Correll Aglietti. In addition to being women led, it’s entirely women operated and supports the local community and industry in Oaxaca where the farm is based. The trio also host a series of dinner parties and events throughout the year where drink, music and food flows in abundance. I love to drink it neat."

Eau Triple Sumi Hinoki

"I’m very picky when it comes to scents and hate anything that lingers a little too long. Eau de Parfum is light and subtle. The world of Buly is a failsafe when it comes to cosmetic products or anything to do with self-care. I would recommend visiting one of their stores for a magical retail experience. [I love this] woody scent with notes of smoked cypress, which feels appropriate for winter time."

Sweet Duvet Cover Blue Peony

"Designed in collaboration with Jonathan Saunders, I like the idea that I am laying on a bed of roses at night. [Founders] Bengt [Thornefors] and Nina [Norgren] used to work in fashion and approach their collections with a highly creative, individualized approach. They also have a great understanding of quality so everything is luxuriously soft.

The holidays are a time for eating and also catching up on sleep, and you can’t beat the feeling of new or freshly washed sheets."

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