A former model, Spanish Charo Ruiz is the daughter and granddaughter of dressmakers, who grew up in her native Seville.
Starting her career as a model in Barcelona during the late seventies, Charo moved to Ibiza to create her own studio with the idea of renewing fashion on the island. Now boasting a thirty-year career, more than sixty collections, four owned stores, a flagship store in Ibiza, and a presence in more than two hundred multi-brand outlets all over the world, Charo Ruiz Ibiza is the leading Ibizan fashion brand worldwide.
Her resort-wear inspired pieces reflect the warmth, colours, and textures of the island, are effortless for summer holidays, and represent a free-spirited adventure. Here we delve into Charo’s most memorable trips and dream destinations.
What’s been your most memorable trip and why?
I started making transoceanic trips when I was a model in the seventies, and I remember the special impact that countries like Lebanon and Japan had on me. Since then I have not stopped. I love travelling, but if I have to choose, I would choose Salvador de Bahia, Trancoso, and Arraial in Brazil, because I have spent many winters there with my family.
Where or what is your escape?
Places surrounded by nature, warmth, light, and peace. Silence is also important. A vipassana meditation retreat in India is a good definition.
View this post on Instagram
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve taken from your travels?
That despite cultural, social, and political differences, human beings are an unpredictable, wonderful species, with more things uniting us than separating us, and that the universal language is love.
If I could go anywhere tomorrow I’d go to:
Not far. I’d take a trip to my roots: Andalusia, the old town of Seville; the beaches of Cadiz; the Alhambra in Granada; the gardens of the Generalife; and the tablao flamenco of Sacromonte.
How would you spend an ideal afternoon in your home city?
I love spending time at home with family and friends. My house is very well prepared for it; living in Ibiza is synonymous with sharing good times with your favourite people. Going out sailing until sunset is what I like the most.
What’s your idea of a luxury holiday?
Good company, delicious food, sea views, and mild temperatures. I can’t stand extreme temperatures anymore.
Where do you get your holiday inspiration?
I don’t have to go far to get inspiration, on this island I meet people from all over the world and have friends who suggest new places to discover.
View this post on Instagram
If you could sit next to anyone – dead or alive – who would it be?
Marilyn Monroe, because of what she has meant for the female universe, and her mark on universal pop culture. I would like to ask her so many questions.
How do you recover from jet lag?
I don’t usually suffer too much from jet lag, I adapt quickly to new scenarios in general. But I always resort to lymphatic and relevant massage treatments to cope better.
Your flight’s delayed an hour and your phone’s out of battery. How do you pass the time?
Reading. My phone is never my first choice.
Favourite hotel?
I have a real soft spot for the Hotel Sevilla in Havana. It’s in the old town near Malecón. Cuba is a country with very genuine energy and, during my stay, I felt like I was travelling in time and space.
Favourite airline?
Singapore Airlines.
What’s on your travel playlist?
A lot of flamenco and bossa-nova: Camaron, Paco de Lucia, Enrique and Estrella Morente, Cahetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Luciana Souza, Toquinho.
Where next?
Miami. I’m going to spend the Christmas holidays there with my family, it’s been a long time since I’ve been and I’m looking forward to rediscovering it.
What are your must-have travel picks?
My Osteomat (a magnet therapy mat with which I treat various parts of my body), matte lip liner and lipstick, comb, mirror, and lately Mojito-scented hydroalcoholic gel.
FIRST THING THAT COMES TO YOUR MIND…
Hand-luggage essentials?
Flash ampoules with immediate lifting effect, from “Ocean” by my dear friend Mar Saura.
Pack: roll or fold?
Folding: some of the garments in my voile collection are designed for it, I like the wrinkled effect on the cotton.
Inflight book or inflight film?
Film.
Music or podcast?
I’ve never listened to a podcast in my life.
Time killer on a long-haul flight?
Magazines, books, airport shopping.
Holiday tipple of choice?
Old fashioned. Always with Bourbon.
Bucket list destination?
A tour of Brazil, ending in Fernando de Noronha.
Best shopping gem found abroad?
A vintage silk kimono in Japan.
Beach or city?
Always the beach.
Ultimate holiday treat?
Gold on my skin.
Any Questions or Tips to add?