A high-end couturier and self-described ‘countess of confection’ has unveiled the dazzling bespoke Christmas presents she has created for her millionaire clients.
Debbie Wingham, who is based in the UK, has made a name for herself designing lavish outfits, accessories, artworks and novelty gifts for wealthy clients all over the world.
She made headlines in October when it was revealed she had planned a £21.5million virtual birthday bash for a billionaire client, complete with a bejewelled dress that cost £20million.
Now Debbie has spoken to FEMAIL about the one-of-a-kind gifts she has created in for Christmas, many of which incorporate fabric from her clients’ designer pieces that are damaged or would otherwise be ‘sitting in the bottom of the closet’.
Gifts fit for a millionaire! Debbie Wingham, who is based in the UK, has made a name for herself designing lavish outfits, accessories, artworks and novelty gifts for wealthy clients all over the world. Pictured, Debbie with the presents she’s made, including the £250,000 toy soldier
Baby’s first Christmas: A Russian couple commissioned the 5ft toy soldier to mark their first child’s first Christmas. Right, a giant Chanel/Louis Vuitton perfume bottle costing £25,000
Better than a handbag! Debbie also created a series of sculptures dubbed ‘Money Bags’, pictured, made from reclaimed metal moulded into the shape of Hermès’ signature Birkin bag
Among the highlights from the gifts, which have taken eight months to create, is a towering 5ft tall toy soldier valued at £250,000.
‘This was made for a Russian couple celebrating their first-born child’s first Christmas,’ Debbie explained. ‘They wanted something special to mark the momentous occasion.’
The main body of the soldier is made from more than 300 vintage toy tins, sourced from around the world at a cost of £4,000.
It is decorated with Louis Vuitton logo leather fabric, re-purposed from a dented suitcase costing £5,000, and painted with a combination of diamond dust paint and matte lacquer.
Adding to the luxury, the soldier is encrusted with more than 5,000 flawless white pointer diamonds valued at £62,000 and a 7ct flawless blue sapphire costing £80,000.
Centre of attention: The main body of the soldier is made from more than 300 vintage toy tins, sourced from around the world at a cost of £4,000. It is decorated with Louis Vuitton fabric
King of bling: Adding to the luxury, the soldier is encrusted with more than 5,000 flawless white pointer diamonds (left and right) valued at £62,000 and a 7ct flawless blue sapphire costing £80,000 in the middle of the drum. Right, vintage Chanel buttons on the shoes
The uniform is decorated with an assortment of vintage Chanel buttons costing a total of £1,000.
The pièce de résistance is a £95,000 custom diamond, emerald and onyx tiger from Cartier that adorns the tin soldier’s hat.
Debbie said: ‘It’s my favourite piece because I’m a self-confessed “Christmas queen” and the transformation of this piece from all the upcycled toys was incredible.
All the elements were repurposed, or “reborn”, as I like to say, even the Cartier piece, which was the client’s first piece of jewellery her husband bought her.
‘Including that in the art installation figure seems so special; it’s like the story of there relationship so far, and it’s now being used on their first child’s, first Christmas gift.’
Debbie also created a series of sculptures dubbed ‘Money Bags’, made from reclaimed metal moulded into the shape of Hermès’ signature Birkin bag.
The pieces, largely made for clients in the Middle East, cost between £10,000 to £100,00 for a bag decorated with 7ct diamonds.
Among the more unusual items is a set of giant perfume bottles crafted by Scottish carpenter Marti Mcvey and decorated with everything from fish skin to upcycled Chanel jewellery.
The bottles are valued at between £3,000-£25,000.
Bags of fun! The £100,000 ‘Money Bag’ sculpture, complete with platinum and diamond hardware (left). Right, the matte gold bar Birkin contoured with micro pointer diamonds and hand painted gold bars
The standout piece is a breathtaking blue ‘bottle’ emblazoned with the Louis Vuitton ‘LV’ logo and decorated with 24ct gold tiles in a mosaic effect by Manchester-based artist David Arnott.
The corners of the bottle are covered in leather patches from Louis Vuitton luggage and finished with diamond accents.
The final pieces in the extraordinary Christmas collection are a set of four place mats and four coasters made from remastered Louis Vuitton leather and edged with pointer diamonds. The entire set costs £8,000.
Luxury dining: The final pieces in the extraordinary Christmas collection are a set of four place mats and four coasters made from remastered Louis Vuitton leather and edged with pointer diamonds. The entire set costs £8,000
Feast for the eyes: The set will make even the most luxurious Christmas tables sparkle
Debbie said creating one-of-a-kind pieces is a passion because ‘no two days are ever the same’. However she admitted working with new materials presents constant challenges, as can her desire to source materials that can be re-purposed.
Working with wealthy clients also poses its own issues, she explained.
‘Most of the time they don’t really tell me what they want,’ she said. ‘I get a bit of background on the client, like their favourite things or what their family life is like, and then I have to conceptualise something.
‘It can be a lot of pressure to get it right but I’m known for my outside the box thinking which seems to be of interest to my client base.’