Just a few weeks ago, our Wholesale Manager Allie returned from Paris. As the bustle of Fashion Week faded and the leaves turned golden along the Seine, we found ourselves reminiscing on cinematic icons of the past - and one muse in particular who continues to embody timeless glamour and sophistication: the inimitable Grace Kelly.
Freshly inspired to revisit the 'City of Light' and the magnetic Riviera beyond, we invite you to join us in travelling through France, the Kelly way.
Parisian Elegance Begins at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée
For Grace Kelly, Paris was not merely a destination - it was an immersive experience. When she stayed at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée, she didn't just check into a suite; she stepped from the soft glow of Avenue Montaigne and entered into a private world of luxury and opulence that was entirely her own.
It's here, behind the iron balconies of the rose-lined terraces that we imagine her mornings; dressed in a beautifully draped silk robe cinched just a touch, breakfast served on silver trays, a moment of quiet ritual before the city awakens.
Today, the Plaza remains one of Paris' most romantic stays; a haven where the city's rich fashion history and today's vintage fantasy intertwine. For the Scarlett Gasque woman, it's the perfect place to indulge in the joy of dressing up and to revel in the art of the reveal.
Dinner at Maxim's - Where Old-World Glamor Lives On
No Paris itinerary inspired by Grace Kelly would be complete without an evening at Maxim's. The mirrored walls and candlelit decadence of its art nouveau interiors have charmed generations of starlets, aristocrats and romantic dreamers passing through the 'City of Love'.
Kelly was known to frequent this storied Parisian restaurant, savoring its classic French cuisine in a setting befitting royalty. For us, its decadent character serves as a reminder of true elegance in a time that's largely dictated by quiet luxury.
A Riviera Reverie: Cannes, Monaco and Beyond
If Paris was Grace Kelly's stage, the French Riviera was her forever home.
Check in at the InterContinental Carlton Cannes. It was here that Kelly starred in Alfred Hitchcock's 1955 movie 'To Catch a Thief' alongside English-American actor Cary Grant, one of old Hollywood's leading men. To immerse yourself in the signature glamour of the Riviera, book into her light-filled suite on the 7th floor. Remodelled today, it preserves the original focal point of the plagé and the turquoise waters of the marina beyond; its windows framed by drapes swaying in the soft Mediterranean breeze. It makes for an ethereal dressing experience wherever you're headed next, and offers countless photo opportunities too.
Further along the coast, the historic Cathedral of Notre-Dame-Immaculée de Monaco stands as a testament to a love story for the ages. This is the very place where Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III in 1956, assuming her title as the Princess of Monaco. A visit to this iconic location, with its grand stone arches, stained-glass illuminations and golden iconography is a true pilgrimage for adoring fans and hopeful romantics alike.
Somewhere between the glitz of Monte Carlo and the charm of her beloved St. Paul de Vence, you'll discover the France that Grace Kelly adored most. In the quaint towns and villages along this stretch of the coast, blue skies are filled with gentle wafts of fresh lavender and cobblestone paths lead to authentic markets selling local produce, just like Kelly's favored La Condamine Market in Monaco.
Round out your trip with a night at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo. It was here the night before her wedding that Kelly hosted a soirée beneath the opera house's iconic gilded ceilings. Today you can enjoy operas, ballets and recitals; from stage classics, to jazz and orchestral accompaniments to silent movies.
What Grace Kelly Would Wear Today
We couldn't help but wonder, if Grace Kelly were dressing today, how would she stay true to her sartorial reputation for timeless, confident and quietly alluring style?
We like to imagine she'd choose our 'Sovereign' ensemble and Lulu corset. A study in easy elegance, it's refined yet sensual, soft but seductive. That is to say, it evokes the poise of a woman who commands attention without ever demanding it - just like our muse.
Shop the 'Sovereign' set and 'Lulu' corset here.
It'll work beautifully against the backdrop of Paris at night with the Eiffel Tower sparkling somewhere behind you.
A Final Note from Paris
As we unpack from our own week in Paris - invigorated by its ateliers, its architecture, its radiance - we're reminded that true beauty is eternal. Grace Kelly's world was one of refinement and romance, and in that world, we recognize our own reflection.
To live the Kelly way is to move through life with intention; to dress with meaning and to savor each moment, finding beauty in the everyday.
