Palazzo Vecchio in Florence that overlooks the Piazza della Signoria.
Text & Photo © JE Nilsson, CM Cordeiro-Nilsson 2008
In the Chanel boutique, holding a Jigsaw Reissue, Piazza della Signoria.
As I witnessed, there were two different levels of artistry (perhaps more, if one considered negotiating over goods at the market square an art) pertaining to just as differing audiences.
To somewhat escape the swelter of the sun, I had found myself seated in the cooly air-conditioned cube of the Chanel boutique, listening to various enquiries from individuals walking in. They were interested in bags, all sorts of models, and accessories. The women stood in front of the mirror and draped themselves with the accessories, not quite deciphering which made them look better. I could not help but observe one lady in particular, go through several long faux pearl necklaces, draping one after another over herself and double checking her appearance in the mirror. And there I thought – was it also not Coco Chanel who deemed that the key to elegance was simplicity? Thereby – take it off – would be key? I needed to double-check that reference after this visit.
That I was seated in a French fashion house in Florence’s largest focal point of the origin and of the history of the Florentine Republic with the Uffizi Gallery just two minutes walk away that houses an immense collection of divine art, was also a point for reflection.