Editor's note:
Mari Rodríguez Ichaso has been a contributor to Vanidades magazine for several decades.
She is a specialist in fashion, travel, gastronomy, art, architecture and entertainment, a film producer and a style columnist for CNN en Español.
The opinions expressed in this column are solely his own.
Read more opinion pieces at cnne.com/opinion
(CNN Spanish) --
I just arrived from Paris and I'm running to share my impressions!
All decked out for Christmas, the city is more beautiful than ever - and both the city hall and the private business buildings have been as beautiful as ever, and they were so full of lights and with such divine decorations - it was really exciting and I wanted to applaud at every step!
Because my hotel (the Westin Vendôme) is so centrally located—steps away from fabulous hotels like the Ritz, Mandarin Oriental, and Le Meurice—as soon as we dropped our bags off in our room, my daughter, granddaughter, and I headed out to shop! that surrounded us!
Veritable temples of Fashion — and each one more beautiful than the next: the huge new Louis Vuitton, the very fashionable Goyard, the always packed Gucci, the sparkling new Dior store and the exclusive and exquisite Hermès — all true wonders with precious decorations.
And just two blocks away, at the famous 31 Rue Cambon, Chanel's flagship store!
Its Christmas decorations are golden chains with pearls —very Chanel style, “well south”— that wound the several floors of the façade, as if embracing it with pure luxury —and at the entrance we found doormen and elegant employees trained to receive us.
A pearl Christmas tree with a black bow greets us while (if we're going to buy something) they put our name on a special list.
There aren't enough vendors for all the customers, but we can go in and browse the merchandise.
At such moments—admiring the shoe section, the gorgeous handbags, and costume jewelry—the spirit of Coco Chanel seems to hover over the most diverse clientele imaginable!
We are North Americans, Latin Americans, Africans, Indians, Arabs, Asians and Europeans from all countries.
And all served with elegant courtesy by employees rigorously dressed in black from head to toe Chanel!
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The building —which has expanded the space of the store over the years— still has the spiral staircase of pure mirrors, where Mademoiselle sat hidden from everyone, and from there she could see her parades —and the one that leads to the sumptuous apartment private room he had on the top floor.
In the exquisite atmosphere of the "maison", I seem to feel the influence of the talent of its founder in changing the style of fashion 100% at the beginning of the 20th century!
And why Chanel is Chanel?
Precisely because he said "goodbye" to corsets, to rigid and uncomfortable clothing, to dresses that did not allow us to move naturally, to absurd hats, and he said "welcome" to knitted clothing made of jersey, chiffon, lightweight materials and styles that mold to the female body with a fluid and very elegant style.
A fashion that liberated the female body.
Just like the use of wide pants and striped sailor pullovers.
And all adorned with countless golden chains, baroque brooches of rubies or emeralds —and necklaces and more long pearl necklaces, and all pure fantasy jewelry!
And since I love fashion, when contemplating its creativity and super interesting history —in addition to the beauty it keeps— I reflect on that positive aesthetic legacy left to all women by the great (and rebellious and even controversial) French creator Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel.
And I feel a certain 'reverence' to be in that iconic building at 31 Rue Cambon.
Of witnessing history in that narrow Parisian street —where the rear exit of the Ritz Hotel is precisely and where Princess Diana took the car minutes before she died.
An old building that is a kind of Alibaba cave full of treasures.
.. And I find it wonderful to be there and remember and create new memories —and especially to do it on the joyous days of Christmas, when Paris is undoubtedly the City of Light and one of the most beautiful on Earth!—.
