With the idea that the holidays deserve their very own holiday collection, Olivia Kim and the SPACE team created Winter Whites, a seasonal emerging designer shop-in-shop filled with killer gift-worthy accessories, books, housewares and more-and exclusive tweed skirts, rad denim and cotton hoodies from Simone Rocha, Marques'Almeida, Vetements and other top names.

Tulle and ruffles by a Rihanna favorite, Molly Goddard

In an interview about the shop with Vogue.com, Olivia said, "I've always loved all the various interpretations of the holidays and what they mean to so many different cultures. So, by creating a capsule around white, it seemed so fresh and renewing-like a clean slate."

We, in turn, tapped a few of our favorite white-shop designers and got their take on what the season's hottest hue cues up for them and how they approach this season of giving and togetherness.

ON THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR
"This is the best time to revisit family traditions and enjoy your loved ones. My family decorates the tree, and it's so special every year because we reveal ornaments from throughout our childhood. My favorite smell is the gingerbread baking in the oven. Also, I love the smell of the air when it's so cold you can see your breath. My favorite sight is always the first snow of the season; it's magical every year."

ON THE BEST GIFT EVER
"The best thing I ever received was an assortment of handmade candies from Japan. I got them when I was 10 years old, and I've never forgotten how insanely beautiful the packaging was: every fold and layer of wrapping was stunning. The real gift was unwrapping the package, and the candy itself was the bonus!"

ON HOLIDAY SHOPPING
"I have a really big family, so I have to start my Christmas shopping early, which is fun because I love buying gifts! I think it's important at this time of year to think of others-that's what I have to tell myself all the time, otherwise I will end up treating myself, which is too naughty as I have so many gifts to buy!"

ON THE BEST GIFT EVER
"Last Christmas, my boyfriend commissioned a portrait of my favorite teddy called 'DogDog.' It is my favorite thing I own. The artist Peter Jones specializes in painting old teddy bears; they are so beautiful. It hangs on the wall opposite my bed, so I see it as soon as I open my eyes in the morning."

ON DESIGNING FOR THE WINTER WHITES SHOP
"I immediately thought of texture. I thought of animals that are white and thrive outside in the winter.These shoes came to mind within an hour or so."

ON CREATIVE GIFTING
"I traumatized my partner by calling a store where I knew he had just put the last pair of pants on hold that he had been dying for-I called them, and I bought them out from under him. I had the sales associate tell him they went missing. They wereDries Van Noten; they were magic. He literally almost cried. He complained for, like, two weeks. The birthday could not come soon enough. I think we searched eight other stores for these pants. It was actually hell for both of us. But he was elated when I gave them to him on his birthday. Now that I think about it and tell the whole story again, that maybe wasn't a great experience for anyone. Whoops."

ON THE BEST GIFT EVER
"My mom gave me a recipe book I had made as a child. I sat down with my grandmother one day when I was little and made her tell me the recipes for all of my favorite snacks. Twenty-five years later, to get that book from my Mom was so amazing. Someone bought me a car once too. That was awesome."

Jacket and dress by Marques'Almeida

ON DESIGNING FOR THE WINTER WHITES SHOP
"[SPACE buyer] Raul Becerra and I had a lengthy email correspondence about making some white home products with an accessible price point. The question of how to make 'smalls' while still remaining inventive and engaged in the design-this was at the forefront of my mind. He chose a few larger products from my line sheet, which he wanted to make mini versions of, and from there I made a series of bowls, rope vases and jewelry box samples. It was a real challenge to keep that same spirit but in a smaller version. But I think they are very successful and accessible."

ON THE SEASON
"Being from Chicago but now residing in Los Angeles since 2002-it's quite a shift during the winter months. But I've grown to love the mild Cali winters versus the extreme winters of endless snow from my childhood. I used to love the holiday windows on State Street-such a magical world to dive into. These days, my husband and I are giving those memories to our little toddler, Lawrence, with day trips to the mountains and mild fall beach days. Baking with my son is a very winter thing; the smell of banana bread or pancakes in the morning is a classic around our home.

"I don't have a strong association with December holidays. Being a nonpracticing but spiritual Jew, I've had to learn the traditions of my husband's family's culture and learn to create a new culture for our family. The smells and activities are different for me with matzo ball soup and lighting Menorah candles. I'm just getting used to a holiday tree-as long as it's a cool 1960s silver tree with handmade ornaments!"

Skirt and top by Molly Goddard

ON HOLIDAY SHOPPING
"I love shopping but always run out of time! A tight timeframe can help focus, though, I've been known to do all my shopping in a day. I mainly like to surprise people with presents; I always try to get something that they would never expect. I do lists sometimes, but I live close to Portobello Road Market in London, which is full of random market stalls and vintage shops, so I often just go there and end up finding amazing things. I guess it's the one time of year I don't need to make things, so I must admit I like shopping for gifts. I would love to spend time making gifts one year though."

ON THE BEST GIFT EVER
"A couple of years ago, my sister and I got given two baby guinea pigs. My parents just plopped a tiny ball of fur in each of our laps. It was amazing! My boyfriend, Tom, always gets me amazing presents, mostly art for our bedroom walls. It's always a massive surprise."

READ more from emerging designers in these features: Winter White Out and Holiday Fever

EXPLORE our Winter Whites shop | all emerging and advanced designers | our Love, Pop-In@Nordstrom holiday shop

-Laura Cassidy