2025 Finalists - La La Land
We are delighted to spotlight La La Land, a finalist in the Fashion Accessories, Textiles & Jewellery category at this year’s Gift of the Year. As a brand that champions artists and creativity, La La Land has made its debut in the UK retail market with their Italian Summer Textiles Collection, a vibrant, hand-painted range inspired by the sun-drenched landscapes of Italy. Led by Creative Director and Co-founder Elie Azzi, alongside Head Artist Murilo Manzini, the collection is a celebration of bold design, rich storytelling, and artistic craftsmanship.
We spoke to the team at La La Land to hear more about their journey, the inspiration behind their finalist product, and what’s next for this exciting brand.
Company Name: La La Land
Product in the Finalist: Italian Summer Textiles Collection
Congratulations on being a finalist! How does it feel to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year awards?
Since this is our first year entering the UK retail market, we are so thrilled and honoured to have made it as a finalist for the Gift Of The Year Awards! A very exciting start to 2025.
Can you tell us a little about your brand and the inspiration behind your successful product?
La La Land is a home and lifestyle brand that champions artists and focuses on creating collections that inspire happiness and creativity through our illustrated designs.
Guided by a passion for art and storytelling, Creative Director Elie Azzi and Head Artist Murilo Manzini embarked on a journey across the Mediterranean, chasing inspiration under the Italian sun.
Murilo, with his signature artistic touch, translated these experiences into Italian Summer, a hand-painted collection that captures the heart of Italy.
What makes your product special, and why do you think it stood out to the judges?
Our Italian Summer collection showcases over 20 hand-painted motifs, each meticulously crafted by our Head Artist, Murilo Manzini. With intricate details and striking colour palettes, every piece is designed to captivate and transport you. By weaving together rich patterns and evocative illustrations, this collection offers a uniquely enchanting experience, one that invites you to indulge in the beauty and vibrancy of Italy.
Who is your product designed for, and what kind of reaction have you had from customers so far?
Our products are designed for the woman who refuses to blend in. For her, fashion is more than just style, it’s self-expression. She embraces bold design, vibrant colour, and statement pieces that reflect her personality and creative spirit.
What trends or themes do you think are shaping the gifting industry right now?
Nautical and coastal themes continue to make waves, while the allure of travel remains stronger than ever in both fashion and gifting. The idea of escaping to foreign places still resonates deeply, inspiring designs that transport and captivate. Food is also a big trend we're noticing and dialing into so watch this space!
How has being shortlisted, and now being a finalist impacted your brand so far, and what do you hope to achieve from the awards?
As La La Land has only just entered the UK retail landscape, it has been great to have new eyes on the brand. We hope this bit of exposure will attract new fabulous stockists who align with our mission to stand against the ordinary.
What exciting plans do you have for the future?
We are hoping to grow our UK community of retailers and eventually introduce more products from our Australian catalogue. We can't wait to share what we have planned for Christmas 2025, we think its our best collection yet!
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received (or given), and why?
Our National Sales Agent gifted Elie a giant hand-painted resin corn, which functioned as a stool and it's his most asked about item at home. "I love that it's a little tribute to the great pop artists like Jeff Koons and Claes Oldenburg. It's from Australian brand Third Drawer Down."
It’s been an exciting journey for La La Land, and being named a finalist is a testament to their dedication to unique, art-inspired design. With plans to expand further into the UK and introduce even more of their signature collections, the future looks bright. A huge congratulations to the team, we can't wait to see what they do next.
