As Valentine's Day swiftly approaches, a wave of celebrity-endorsed collections has flooded the market, each vying for attention with glamorous campaigns, premium pricing, and extensive social media promotion. However, beneath the glittering surface, not all of these offerings are designed to truly kindle romance or capture the essence of heartfelt giving.
The Verdict from the Queen of Etiquette
In an exclusive discussion with the Daily Mail, Laura Windsor, renowned as the Queen of Etiquette and a consultant on Regency-era social graces for the hit series Bridgerton, has shared her expert assessment. She distinguishes which celebrity Valentine's Day gifts embody genuine romance and which fall as flat as last-minute petrol station flowers.
Windsor emphasised the core principles of thoughtful gifting, stating: 'What makes a great celebrity Valentine's Day gift? Thought and time. It should reflect your partner's tastes and interests—something personal and meaningful, and close to their heart. The best Valentine's gifts are unique and unexpected, and a little different from what you'd normally buy for your other half.'
Her critiques span a range of high-profile releases, including Sydney Sweeney's provocative lingerie line SYRN, Kim Kardashian's baby pink Skims pyjamas, and Gwyneth Paltrow's 'Afterglow' body oil from Goop. Below, we delve into Windsor's detailed evaluations to uncover which stars excel in sophistication and which miss the mark entirely.
José Mourinho - The Special One Wine
Football manager José Mourinho's The Special One wine, a luxury red sourced from his favoured region in Portugal, retails at £125 per bottle. Windsor questions its authenticity, noting: 'Yes, it may come from his favourite region in Portugal, and the Douro is undoubtedly famous for producing good wines. That said, there are plenty of outstanding wines from the region without the celebrity branding. This one feels a bit tacky, more marketing gimmick than must-have. We're perfectly capable of choosing our own wine, thank you very much.'
VERDICT: Gimmicky
Sydney Sweeney - SYRN Lingerie
Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney has launched her lingerie line SYRN, featuring campaign imagery shared on Instagram. Windsor acknowledges its appeal: 'Sydney Sweeney's SYRN lingerie proves that lingerie will always be a strong Valentine's Day sell. It rarely comes across as tacky, because tastes differ, just like relationships do. The campaign features an interesting mix of imagery, with lingerie styled in unexpected settings: sprawled over a country basket, worn casually in a cinema. The shot of the model lying on the grass, though… I'm still not quite sure about that one.'
VERDICT: Showy
Rihanna - Savage X Fenty
Rihanna's Savage X Fenty line, including items like the £80 Roselace Balconette bra, offers a broad selection for Valentine's Day. Windsor finds it lacking in inspiration: 'Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Valentine's Day lingerie offers a wide choice for both sexes. That said, do we really need another pair of pyjamas or sweatpants for Valentine's Day? Lingerie makes sense, but some of the more practical pieces feel less inspiring for a day that's meant to be all about intimacy and romance.'
VERDICT: Boring
Gwyneth Paltrow - Goop
Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop features the £35 Afterglow Body Oil in its Valentine's Day edit. Windsor praises its practicality: 'Goop Valentine's Day gift guide features the Good After Glow body oil, and it's easy to see the appeal. The promise of baby-soft, smooth, moisturised, glowing skin sounds like something every woman could use. It also comes with an added bonus: a very good excuse for a massage from your loved one. Everyone wins.'
VERDICT: Practical
Kim Kardashian - Skims
Kim Kardashian's Skims promotes pink pyjamas, such as the £94 Long Sleeve Button Up Set in the shade Bloom. Windsor deems them uninspiring: 'Kim Kardashian's Skims Valentine's Day pyjamas, but who actually needs pyjamas for Valentine's Day? They're perfectly nice to look at, but why choose this particular day to give something so… unexciting and practical? Valentine's is about romance and imagination, and pyjamas just don't quite fit the bill. They're neither tacky nor tasteful. Just bland. A missed opportunity for sure.'
VERDICT: Bland
Kelly Brook - Next
Model and actress Kelly Brook's collection with Next includes a £28 black embroidered bra. Windsor commends its style: 'Kelly Brook's Next lingerie collection is inspired by the Kardashian aesthetic but Kelly Brook is still going strong. The collection could definitely appeal to women and their partners, and is elegantly modelled by Kelly herself, giving it a confident and elegant feel.'
VERDICT: Stylish
Beyoncé - BEYMINE
Beyoncé's Beymine collection features playful items like the £30 Bodyguard Choker and 'Privacy Please' signs. Windsor highlights its innovation: 'Beyonce's Valentine's 'Beymine' collection is playful and confident and offers plenty of ideas for those partners who already have everything. In some cases, practical—the 'Privacy Please' door signs are a good touch for anyone in a house share and makes sense.'
VERDICT: Innovative
Stacey Solomon - George at Asda
Stacey Solomon's collaboration with George at Asda includes budget-friendly items like £35 bed sheets and £3.50 pink mugs. Windsor criticises its lack of romance: 'Stacey Solomon's At Home with Stacey collaboration with George at Asda feels less like Valentine's Day gifting and more like a Stepford-wives home shopping list. Perfectly pleasant, but hardly romantic or inspiring. Where's the sex appeal? It feels more like an excuse to buy things for the home than something that sparks any kind of Valentine's vibe.'
VERDICT: Uninspired
In summary, while some celebrity Valentine's Day gifts, like Goop's body oil or Beyoncé's playful collection, hit the mark with thoughtfulness and appeal, others, such as Mourinho's wine or Kardashian's pyjamas, rely more on branding than genuine romantic sentiment. Windsor's insights remind us that true romance often lies beyond the glitz of celebrity endorsements, in gifts that are personal, meaningful, and tailored to the recipient's heart.
