ALL ROADS (AND FLIGHTS) LEAD TO THE SOUTH OF FRANCE… It's that time of year again, when thoughts turn to vacations, and hearts and minds turn to the French Riviera. Playground of the Rich and Famous, it still holds its own when it comes to celebrities, and for a very special reason. It offers a great deal of privacy, which most of the well-heeled crave, except when they come out to be seen by the hoi polloi.
More importantly, you can be anywhere on the French Riviera and you'll bump into friends from all around the world. If you weren't in St.-Tropez, Monte Carlo, or Cannes, you'd think you were in the Hamptons….
The jet set were all there-from Ivana Trump and Rossano Rubicondi to Denise Rich-bringing in boatloads of fun friends, and they all rotated in and out and in again! Real-estate magnate Larry Kaiser was there, and had a horrendous tale of thievery at Nice Airport to enthrall and dismay all. But, the police triumphed and the thief was caught… but not until Larry had to go to Marseilles and get a new passport, and change all his credit cards, and the usual nonsense with stolen identity information.
Claude-Alix Bertrand, famed interior designer on both coasts, was on hand… so were Paola and Arnie Rosenshein, Terry Allen Kramer, Francine LeFrak and Rick Friedberg, and Marcia Levine, who was present for the Marlborough Galleries St.-Tropez Gala Opening. Legendary St.-Tropez hosts Jeffrey Steiner and Tony Murray each wowed the ever-growing crowds at their magnificient estates to the delight of everyone lucky enough to get invitations. Perennial New Yorkers Hormoz, Susannah, and beautiful young Serena Sabet took up their residence in Monte Carlo, and made frequent visits to St.-Tropez for all the festivities.
And adding to the thrill of it all: Paris Hilton and Paris Latsis; Nicky Hilton with beau, Kevin Connolly; and beautiful New Yorker Casey Johnson were in and out of every party, adding their special brand of glamour.
OH WHAT A NIGHT-it was July 28, and Ivana gave the most "exclusive" party of the summer! It was for 100 of her nearest and dearest, but oh so many more wanted to be there. It was fun to watch A-listers hustle to get on the guest list. Ivana chose L'Escale in the old Port for the festivities, and people came from all corners of the world, including parts of the Riviera, to attend the "White Tie, White Dress & Tiara" bash.
Throngs gathered quickly to see the comings and goings of her glammed-up guests. Paparazzi, by the score, added to the excitement of the evening. Among the glittering crowd were international Glamour Queen/actress Joan Collins and handsome hubby, Percy Gibson. New TV Queen Baroness Marianne Brandstetter had the crowds agog as her bodyguards escorted her into the dinner. Lamia Khashoggi was there in all her beauty, and wearing red as a dramatic backdrop to the all-white party.
Eating, drinking, Karaoke, and dancing until 3:30 a.m. was the order of the evening. Then it was to bed for another day of fun, frivolity, and festivities. What a way to live!
Playwright Somerset Maugham captured the essence and spirit of Monte Carlo when he called it a "sunny place for shady characters." It is still a glorious, sunny place, and for me, one of the most beautiful spots on the face of the earth. But, just as Godzilla overtook Tokyo, the tourists are overtaking Monaco.
Still, one of the Riviera's most glittering evenings was a special night this year, Aug. 2, when Madame Danièle Thoma created a gala of great social importance for the Sheba Medical Center's hospital for children in Israel which treats all children of any race or creed.
Madame Thoma is quickly turning this annual event into a must attend for all the visiting dignitaries. Under the Patronage of the new-ruling Prince of Monaco, Prince Albert II, the crowd glittered and glowed on the terrace of L'Hermitage Hotel, which overlooks the old harbor. Dinner was in the Belle Epoque ballroom, surely one of the most glamourous rooms in the world!
The food was fabulous and wine flowed deliciously… and when it came to the auction, pocketbooks were open. In fact, three great New Yorkers were the evening's most generous givers-the beautiful Lily Safra, and Ira and Ingeborg Rennert gave $1 mil to the cause! An additional $900,000 was also raised… and a wonderful evening was had by all.
I could go on and on and on…. It was a feast of seeing old friends in new places, sleeping late, and superb dining-all the experiences that make a trip to the Riviera a dream come true.
Hope you'll make it next year!
