Photography by Annie Peel
Christmas in Ibiza isn’t too different from other places in Spain – of course it’s a tad warmer than Madrid and the parties are (obviously!) better, but there are also plenty of families strolling about checking out the Christmas lights and Nativity scene in town, frequent visits from friends and family and everyone indulges in a big dinner on Christmas Eve.
As an expat however, the main difference between Christmas here and abroad is the presents – for starters the gifts don’t happen until January 6th, but even then people don’t go overboard, buying bigger and better presents for everyone and anyone, which makes it rather more relaxing than it is back home.
Judging by the onslaught of glamorous television commercials, the Christmas-gift-of-choice in Spain is a bottle of perfume or aftershave. In the run up to Christmas last year, we counted 21 different perfume commercials in just one ad break, so now that we are officially doing things the Spanish way, it seems asking for a pair of Christian Louboutin heels would probably be a waste of time (sigh). But let’s face it – in Ibiza, they’d only get ruined in the sand come summer!
A sexy scent is definitely a great gift though, and we think choosing a perfume that’s out of the ordinary, rather than the latest reality TV star’s offering is the way to do it. And this, dear friends, is where Comme des Garçons comes in.
The Japanese fashion label (which you may not have realised judging by its French moniker, which translates to ‘like boys) was started in 1969 by Rei Kawakubo, a lady who does not do anything ordinary or by the book – she was also responsible for London’s über-cool Dover Street Market. Comme des Garçons style is ironically ‘anti fashion’ – often dark and deconstructed with unfinished edges, holes and an asymmetrical shape. You can get all that at All Saints these days but certainly not back in 1981 when Rei trail blazed the Paris runways with the now acclaimed look.
Comme des Garçons were the pioneers of the ‘guerrilla’ or ‘pop-up’ shop concept – stores that appear in unexpected locations, cause a stir and then disappear quickly before the excitement fades. Rumour has it they have just done their last guerrilla venture, as the concept is catching on everywhere else. Clever.
They’ve done collaborations with many unusual partners, from Speedo and Monocle magazine to H&M and Barbie (look out for the amazing Comme Barbie Dress, due out very soon) and there are now over 200 Comme des Garçons stockists around the world including reVOLVER here in Ibiza. Not bad in anyone’s language.
Getting back to the smellies though, in 1994 Comme started a line of unisex scents, some of which are more cutting edge than others. The ‘anti-perfume’ Odeur 71 uses scents never before used in a fragrance (probably for a good reason – dust on a hot light bulb or lettuce juice, anyone?), however the original is said to ‘work like a medicine and behave like a drug’. Sounds like music to our nostrils! For Christmas 2009, the whole range comes perfectly packaged in a chic and sleek gift box (take note, lazy boys – no need for gift wrapping!) available exclusively in Ibiza at reVOLVER.
Hmmm, and considerably much cheaper than those Louboutins on my wish list too…
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