Once the rules are learnt, dressing like the glamorous women of Monaco seems pretty simple: they take the same approach for dressing no matter what the event. Whether it be for dancing on tables in the exclusive Jimmyz nightclub, attending a glitzy charity benefit, or lounging under their cabanas at the Monte Carlo Beach Club, the same rule always applies: “More is More”. The more flesh exposed by the poolside the better (how else to get all-over coverage on the tan?), skyscraper heels are obligatory, whereas bikini tops are most definitely optional. Comfort and practicality are two words not in these women’s vocabulary. In fact, they practically invented the expression, “beauty is pain”: Pools are for lounging beside, not for swimming in and stilettos need never be removed, even during the tricky yacht-to tender-to pontoon-to beach restaurant journey. And perhaps it is due to a perpetual fear of their safes being burgled as soon as they are out of sight, but the women of Monaco seem to wear the entire contents of their jewellery box whenever they leave the house. Although it may be debatable which parts of these Glamazon’s bodies are fake, the jewels are always real. After all, one can never be too tanned, too skinny or wear too many diamonds in Monaco.
Looking the part is just not enough to become a full-blown Cote D’Azur Glamazon, it is where you are seen looking the part that really counts. Obviously being aboard anybody’s SuperYacht gains you immediate credit (although try to make it Abramovich’s ‘Luna’ or Paul Allen’s ‘Tatoosh’) and for those days when you just want to make a quick midday journey from Monaco harbour to Paloma Beach, a Riva SuperAquarama speedboat is the only acceptable mode of transport to be seen on.
S/S10 Salavtore Ferragamo campaign, Claudia Schiffer as Grace Kelly aboard a Riva SuperAquarama (picture courtesy of http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/the-vogue-blog/default.aspx/page,178)
Although the Cote D’Azur Elite are obviously suckers for the big brands, you won’t catch them wasting precious tanning time traipsing around the Place du Casino in town to pick up the latest Vuitton or Dior. They prefer the exclusivity of a small-town or beach-side boutique. The best of which are the boutiques in Club 55 of St Tropez and the Monte Carlo Beach Club, as well as ‘Les Garcons’ and ‘Les Garcons Too’ in the town of St Jean Cap Ferrat. These boutiques offer an edited selection of designer poolside essentials, such as: silky Missoni kaftans, bejewelled Melissa Odabash swimsuits, oversized Linda Farrow sunglasses, and, of course, a dazzling array of jewels.
Here are some of my discoveries: (all photographs are my own, and thank you to my models, Eleanor and Lily):
"Les Garcons" Boutique, St Jean Cap Ferrat:
Bejeweled hair accessories: the only way to keep one's hair back by the poolside:
And a bedazzled bikini to match:
Forget Fedora's and Panama's, the only poolside headwear to be seen in is a Jaques Le Corre hat:
Sequined beach baskets to hold all of your essentials, including, of course, a colour co-ordinated metallic Juicy Couture cap:
Beach essentials: Linda Farrow sunnies and jewels, jewels, jewels...
Playful, sparkly pieces from hot Russian jewelry designer Irina Volkonskii, a favourite of the Cote D'Azur glamazon:
And some stylish poolside-posers I spotted:
This Monaco-resident has matched the intricate red beading on her kaftan with her sunhat, jewelry, lips AND nails to create an eye-catching, very 'put-together' look, completed of course with the obligatory Dior oversized sunnies and a covetable Louis Vuitton handbag.
This chic beach-goer has toned down the megawatt glamour of leapord print and silver sparkles with a pair of casual Karl Lagerfeld white denim mini-shorts and a flower-adorned cowboy hat.
