Château de la Messardière grounds

After a divine month in France, I began settling back into New York last week. I unpacked, indulged in a few much-needed yoga classes, caught up with friends and on Wednesday night had the pleasure of attending a lovely FIT cocktail soirée at the Upper East Side home of decorator Charlotte Moss. I’m eager to share a few other recent happenings — a fun photoshoot, a Chic in Paris Go-to Guide based on my time there this summer, and so forth…  But first, my report from Saint-Tropez!

I concluded my time in France with a holiday here. This is my seventh summer staying at the Château de La Messardière, and every year I am wowed by their service and gorgeous grounds. Truly best in class. The weather was glorious and I found myself lounging by the pool most days. After a hectic few weeks in Paris, this year was more about taking time to relax and connect with friends. Nothing beats a rosé champagne here at dusk…

Les Palmiers

Of course, I did have my fair share of fun, too!  Les Palmiers is one of my favorite clubs along St. Tropez’s Pampelonne Beach — chic and full of great people. I was there for lunch nearly everyday, enjoying time with Michele and Larry Herbert, Kaya and Ufuk Sevinc, Hermann Bühlbecker, Dara Sowell, and Yael Abbey, among others…

Lunch Les Palmiers (Larry Herbert at left)

Michele Herbert at Les Palmiers

With Kaya Sevinc, Hermann Bühlbecker, Ufuk Sevinc, Dara Sowell, Yael Abbey

Les Palmiers hosts a daily beachwear fashion show that is always fun. The models make their way around the club so everyone has a look from their tables. I really liked the silver bathing suit below. The fuzzy hat was cool, too, but I think it’d work better with a complete ensemble and not just a bathing suit.

St. Tropez has a style all its own, though. Bright colors, wild prints, big jewels …  Anywhere else the fashion wouldn’t fly, but here in St. Tropez, more is more! I didn’t do much shopping this time around, but it’s always amusing to see what’s out there.  These flashy cocktail numbers are very St. Tropez:

Michele and I stopped into one of the cool boutiques at Nioulargo, located behind Kai Largo restaurant. Lots of beads, colors and typical St. Tropez style.

When it wasn’t Palmiers during the day, it was Le Club 55 or Nikki Beach. The scenes at both of these places get wild well before sunset. The restaurants are fantastic, too. I’m a big seafood fan, and dinner at L’Escale Joseph in the old port is delicious. I also dined at The Strand with my daughter, Elizabeth. It’s tucked behind a church in town and the salmon tartare is heaven.

With Elizabeth at The Strand

Dinner turned into dancing at La Brasserie des Arts, and I also enjoyed meals at the Café de Paris on the harbor and Le Grand Joseph. All the restaurants have amazing views, and not just of the town! The women are dressed to the nines and there are some of the most beautiful people in the world here. It’s a feast for the eyes all around!

At the Hotel Byblos with Monika Bacardi, Sylvia Sermenghi, Anette Zinke

Because lunches last for hours, dinner starts around 10:30 or 11pm and then it’s off to clubs or parties that go on until sunrise. Talk about La dolce vita! Monika Bacardi hosted a dinner party at the Hotel Byblos that was glamourous and fun. I met a lot of interesting new people and caught up with old ones. Guests included Sylvia Sermenghi, Anette Zinke, and Stephane Ruffier-Meray.

With longtime friend Stephane Ruffier-Meray

Of course, the VIP Room is always wild — go-go dancers, rappers, etc, etc. I hung out with friends and spotted the likes of Buzz Aldrin, Boris Becker, and who knows who else — it’s so crowded!

VIP Room

VIP Room

Toward the end of my stay, my friend Isabella de Santos and I had drinks on the terrace at Byblos and then hit the Hotel Ermitage.

With Isabella de Santos

The gentlemen of Purple Fashion were out and about, so of course I posed for a requisite photograph with Olivier Zahm and André Saraiva. Wherever they go, the party follows…

André and Olivier, of Purple Fashion

André

All in all, it was a wonderful holiday. A few parties and nights on the town, but also a beautiful respite. I’m feeling recharged and looking forward to several great weeks back in New York. Stay tuned for Chic in New York Shopping reports, New York Fashion Week news, and more.