31 Rue Cambon: The Infamous and the Insolence
Exclusivity works well in the way it boils up the curiosity.
I have always admired Coco Chanel and the Chanel brand stewards for their ability to cultivate and maintain this emotional draw and desire for Chanel goods, even if/when the goods are in complete opposition to one's taste. Most if not all Chanel suits will make me look like Margaret Thatcher, but I still dream of having one. The Chanel suit is as iconic as it's inventor, Coco Chanel, and will continue to be coveted as a classic couture mainstay, period. And the brilliance doesn't stop there. Chanel pioneered and legitimized the brand extension in the form of parfum (then makeup).
I've been waiting much of the last 5 years to land in Paris and pay a visit to Coco Chanel's infamous day-time apartment at 31 Rue Cambon, which she used as a study and reception room for friends while also functioning as her main Paris boutique. The eponymous fragrance can only be sniffed and purchased at Chanel boutiques, and as a loyal admirer of Coco Chanel's style, vision, history and impact as a cultural icon and a business woman, I have been saving my first experience of this exclusive fragrance for a visit to it's birthplace.
Chanel parfum bottles are architectural tributes to not only elegance, but to life and to Paris.
The classic parfum bottles are shaped to match the shape of Place Vendome where Chanel HQ is, sitting steps away from 31 Rue Cambon. I love the multi-dimesional significance and meaning behind this design choice. Chanel is Paris, Paris is Chanel. And my date with 31 Rue Cambon - Saturday, 11 October 2008 - turned out to be a day that would live in infamy.
The day started innocently enough in that beautiful Parisian way. Hazy sunlit morning on Rue Rivoli, crisp and fresh air occasionally cut with the nutty smoke stream of a cigarette. Leisurely sipping a double espresso, tiny spoon stirring a sprinkle of sugar, little bites of a petit croissant. I would go to Chanel, have the boutique staff spritz my wrist, take a walk while the fragrance developed, then return to purchase a nice large bottle. Then I would return to my hotel, put on a flirty frock, dab the parfum bottle stopper along my collar bone, behind my ears and behind my knees, then meet up with my British boyfriend who would be arriving shortly.
31 Rue Cambon features notes of bergamot, black pepper, patchouli, cistus labdanum and iris. Sounds lovely, doesnt it? It is a part of Les Exclusifs collection that also includes No 22, Gardénia, Cuir de Russie, Bois des Iles, 28 La Pausa, Coromandel, Bel Respiro, No. 18, and Eau de Cologne. But guess what? The parfum 31 Rue Cambon smelled terrible on me - and to me as well. I wasn't wild about it when I smelled the stopper - I dont know why I asked to be sprayed with it as well. I told the salespeopel I would let it develop, then come back. On my way out, I passed the doormen, who made a loud "Oof" and fanned their noses. That was a bad sign.
I went on my way, misery growing as the exclusive scent fully developed on my wrist. I started thinking people were looking at me - smelling me for blocks - all the way to Place Vendome if not further. I'm sure the curiosity in the faces of passers by was more "What was that poor woman thinking, smelling like that in public" and less "I wonder what that fragrance is." Much less the latter. The first order of business was to get back to the hotel and get this off before I met the Brit.
Scrubbed. De-Chanel-ed. Flirty dress yes, Rue Cambon no. Ready for Paris, but guess what...no Brit either. As my dreams of Rue Cambon shattered, so did my dream date. Not a call, not an email, not a word. Not exclusive. QUite the opposite. And that really really stinks.
I have always admired Coco Chanel and the Chanel brand stewards for their ability to cultivate and maintain this emotional draw and desire for Chanel goods, even if/when the goods are in complete opposition to one's taste. Most if not all Chanel suits will make me look like Margaret Thatcher, but I still dream of having one. The Chanel suit is as iconic as it's inventor, Coco Chanel, and will continue to be coveted as a classic couture mainstay, period. And the brilliance doesn't stop there. Chanel pioneered and legitimized the brand extension in the form of parfum (then makeup).
I've been waiting much of the last 5 years to land in Paris and pay a visit to Coco Chanel's infamous day-time apartment at 31 Rue Cambon, which she used as a study and reception room for friends while also functioning as her main Paris boutique. The eponymous fragrance can only be sniffed and purchased at Chanel boutiques, and as a loyal admirer of Coco Chanel's style, vision, history and impact as a cultural icon and a business woman, I have been saving my first experience of this exclusive fragrance for a visit to it's birthplace.Chanel parfum bottles are architectural tributes to not only elegance, but to life and to Paris.
The classic parfum bottles are shaped to match the shape of Place Vendome where Chanel HQ is, sitting steps away from 31 Rue Cambon. I love the multi-dimesional significance and meaning behind this design choice. Chanel is Paris, Paris is Chanel. And my date with 31 Rue Cambon - Saturday, 11 October 2008 - turned out to be a day that would live in infamy.
The day started innocently enough in that beautiful Parisian way. Hazy sunlit morning on Rue Rivoli, crisp and fresh air occasionally cut with the nutty smoke stream of a cigarette. Leisurely sipping a double espresso, tiny spoon stirring a sprinkle of sugar, little bites of a petit croissant. I would go to Chanel, have the boutique staff spritz my wrist, take a walk while the fragrance developed, then return to purchase a nice large bottle. Then I would return to my hotel, put on a flirty frock, dab the parfum bottle stopper along my collar bone, behind my ears and behind my knees, then meet up with my British boyfriend who would be arriving shortly.
31 Rue Cambon features notes of bergamot, black pepper, patchouli, cistus labdanum and iris. Sounds lovely, doesnt it? It is a part of Les Exclusifs collection that also includes No 22, Gardénia, Cuir de Russie, Bois des Iles, 28 La Pausa, Coromandel, Bel Respiro, No. 18, and Eau de Cologne. But guess what? The parfum 31 Rue Cambon smelled terrible on me - and to me as well. I wasn't wild about it when I smelled the stopper - I dont know why I asked to be sprayed with it as well. I told the salespeopel I would let it develop, then come back. On my way out, I passed the doormen, who made a loud "Oof" and fanned their noses. That was a bad sign.
I went on my way, misery growing as the exclusive scent fully developed on my wrist. I started thinking people were looking at me - smelling me for blocks - all the way to Place Vendome if not further. I'm sure the curiosity in the faces of passers by was more "What was that poor woman thinking, smelling like that in public" and less "I wonder what that fragrance is." Much less the latter. The first order of business was to get back to the hotel and get this off before I met the Brit.
Scrubbed. De-Chanel-ed. Flirty dress yes, Rue Cambon no. Ready for Paris, but guess what...no Brit either. As my dreams of Rue Cambon shattered, so did my dream date. Not a call, not an email, not a word. Not exclusive. QUite the opposite. And that really really stinks.