OUT OF OFFICE: LET'S TAKE UP OUR SUMMER QUARTERS
With the summer season upon us, the acronym 'OOO' is flourishing on post-its frantically stuck to workstations that are now vacant or is proudly displayed on social media to show absence from the office. Finally, OOO!
Synonymous with holidays and relaxation, the expression Out Of Office was coined in the 1970s with the boom in the use of automatic answering machines. "I am currently Out Of Office, please leave a message after the tone!”
Invented in Anglo-Saxon countries, it grew popular worldwide as holidays became a way of life. OOO is an expression that invites us to explore holidays, their origins, and their evocative power, which has not failed to inspire designers.
Where do holidays come from?
Of Latin origin, the word "vacantia" means freedom and availability. Initially used to refer to periods of relaxation during which normal activities were interrupted – “put down your chisel, it's vacantia!” - the meaning of the word evolved over time to refer specifically to periods of leave, often associated with rest, leisure, and travel.
The modern holidays we know and appreciate today emerged at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, mainly in Europe and North America. France, which pioneered paid holidays in the 1930s, paved the way for a new era of rest and leisure. Working to live or living to work? The introduction of paid holidays by the Front Populaire in 1936 triggered a paradigm shift. Jean Patou seized on this change and that year launched a fragrance called "Vacances", a clever rebound on current events! Created by French nose Henri Alméras, this green floral fragrance blends notes of mimosa, lilac and musk. Even today, the olfactory power of the "holiday fragrance" instantly transports us. Sometimes it's our best ally when we return to our homes to remind us of sunny beaches or mountains: one breath, with our eyes closed, will be enough to take us back there...
Where to go on holiday?
In France, the enchanting beaches of the Mediterranean, such as those on the Côte d'Azur, appeal to lovers of gentle shores and summer pleasures. Some might have spotted Fred Samuel strolling lightly along the Promenade des Anglais, past the legendary Hôtel Negresco. Did he know the legend? Rumour has it that the building's pink dome was inspired by the breast of Henri Negresco's mistress...
Lovers of history and architecture may opt for a city break, in European metropolises such as Paris, Rome, Barcelona or London, which offer captivating urban attractions.
Wherever you choose to spend the summer, the story of your holiday will be shaped by your aspirations, from idleness to culture, from the exotic to the local. Leaving, whatever the destination, is already a luxury to be savoured without moderation.
What to pack?
With the summer season just around the corner, it's a delicate task to prepare your suitcase for your chosen destination. In 1928, Jean Patou already offered its clients a suitable solution: a "weekend" suitcase made up of 17 modular pieces, including a floral dress.
From simple, lightweight summer dresses to denim shorts and tropical shirts transporting to exotic lands, the clothes give a foretaste of the carefree atmosphere of a holiday. To complete the summer ensemble, accessories are a must, starting with a hat, the ideal companion for elegant protection from the sun's rays.
In his day, Hubert de Givenchy understood the essential nature of this accessory, which he used to sublimate for his muse and friend Audrey Hepburn. As in the romantic comedy Funny Face (1957), where the actress wore a straw hat with a pink bow with a magnificent white blouse, or a wide-brimmed hat with a magnificent floral dress by the designer.
Whatever the outfit, summer is a time to indulge your fantasies: flashy colours, bold prints, heady scents - it's time to take your freedom!
A harbinger of the summer season, the three Os in Out of Office invite us to take a well-deserved break, and hint at the sunny stories to come.