In the heart of Paris, the holiday season commenced with a touch of cinematic glamour as French film icon Catherine Deneuve presided over the annual unveiling of the Christmas window displays at the renowned Printemps department store. The ceremonial ribbon-snipping on Thursday marked the beginning of the city’s festive shopping season, with Deneuve lending her star power to the celebrated Boulevard Haussmann store.
Printemps, a symbol of Parisian elegance and style, transformed its storefront into a captivating holiday spectacle. Fluttering tags adorned the awning, while whimsical paper-crafted seagulls and owls animated the windows amidst a backdrop of wish lists piled high. Deneuve, reflecting on the store’s enchanting decor, described it as a “very poetic idea,” embodying the essence of holiday magic and wonder.
This year’s holiday season arrives at a crucial time for European retailers, who have faced challenges due to an unusually warm September impacting winter collection sales. However, with the arrival of cooler weather in October and November, a resurgence in sales has been observed, offering a hopeful outlook for the end-of-year period. Stephane Roth, the General Manager of Marketing, Communication, and Architecture at Printemps group, affirmed this positive sales trend, noting a rebound in customer interest and purchases.
At the age of 80, Deneuve, renowned for her timeless grace and enduring screen presence, continues to captivate audiences. Her recent role as former French First Lady Bernadette Chirac in the satirical film “Bernadette,” released earlier this year, adds another facet to her illustrious career. Amid her professional endeavors, Deneuve shared personal insights into her holiday preparations, revealing a preference for spending the festive season in the countryside with her family.
Despite the early onset of the holiday season, Deneuve admitted to not having started her own preparations, remarking, “It’s only November.” She divulged her fondness for traditional holiday decorations, maintaining large boxes of ornaments to adorn a Christmas tree that reaches the ceiling in her home. In terms of holiday dining, Deneuve advocates for classic dishes, highlighting foie gras and chestnuts as staples of her festive menu.
Deneuve reminisced about the joy of opening presents with her three sisters during their childhood, fondly recalling a particular Christmas when she received a small pink desk. The memory, imbued with wonder and delight, resonates with the universal experience of holiday surprises and cherished family moments.
As Paris embraces the holiday spirit, Deneuve’s participation in the Printemps window unveiling not only signifies the start of the season’s festivities but also reflects the deep-rooted traditions and enduring charm of the French capital’s winter celebrations. Her personal reflections and anecdotes add a layer of intimacy to the grandeur of the season, bridging the worlds of celebrity and everyday holiday experiences.
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