Lifestyle Edit: French Riviera

By Poppy Cory-Wright on 23/5/2020

Cannes Film Festival, with its sun-drenched glamour and grand cinematic flourishes, was supposed to take place this month. The world would watch as stars and critics from across the globe flocked to the Riviera town to indulge in impossibly exclusive screenings, parties and photocalls. But, like many of the world's most prestigious cultural events, Cannes is postponed until autumn 2020.
That said, with London basking in the beginnings of summer's warm glow, and lockdown forcing us to slow the pace of our daily routines, there's no better time than now to embrace the sleepy, summery spirit of the French Riviera. From the classic novel to read to the linen suit to buy, we've rounded up 12 ways to channel the j'oie de vivre' of this idyllic region.

Style Muse....

... Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief

From this lemon-hued swimsuit to an ice-blue chiffon gown, the ten outfits Grace Kelly wears in Alfred Hitchcock's 'To Catch a Thief' - dreamed up by legendary costume designer Edith Head - are the perfect portal to vintage Riviera glamour. We're recreating Kelly's beach look with these Loewe cat-eye sunglasses and this Oceanus Swim one piece.

Wear...

... Linen

This natural fibre is chic, timeless and breathable in a way that most man-made fabrics can only dream of. This beige and ivory Zimmerman linen two-piece is a nostalgic nod to Riviera elegance.

Click here to purchase wide leg trousers, £530

Click here to purchase blazer, £1050

The print...

... Hotel Cap du Eden Roc by Slim Aarons

Guests by the pool at the Hotel du Cap Eden-Roc, Antibes, France, August 1976 captured by lauded American photographer Slim Aarons.

Click here to purchase for £350

Picnic...

... with Anthropologie's Rattan Wine & Bread basket

The perfect picnic awaits with this rattan-crafted basket that fits two bottles of your favourite wine and a gourmet packed lunch.

Click here to purchase for £68

Sip...

... Domaine de Triennes Rosé

Enjoy the taste of Provence with this delicate, dry and astonishingly well-priced rosé from superstar winemakers Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, and Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac. We like ours chilled, al fresco and by the bottle. Our wine merchant of choice is Vin Cognito, who deliver across London, and the whole of the UK.

Click here to purchase for £12.95

Read...

... Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Published in 1934, Fitzgerald's alluring and lyrical portrayal of the south of France in the '20s is utterly transportive. It is the tragic tale of a young actress, Rosemary Hoyt, and her complicated relationship with the glamorous American couple Dick and Nicole Diver.

Click here to purchase for £12.51

Spritz...

... Chanel Paris-Riviera Fragrance

A light, fresh fragrance with a radiant floral trail that evokes the sparkling atmosphere of the Côte d’Azur that Gabrielle Chanel famously loved.

Click here to purchase for £99

Art fix...

... Matisse's paintings of the South of France

Henri Matisse spent much of his later life in Nice - eating, drinking, canoeing and, of course, painting his favorite places. From sensuous landscapes to the lavish interiors, we adore his renderings of the sunkissed south of France.

The sunhat...

... Jacquemus Valensole Oversized Straw Hat

From micro-bags to asymmetrically-cut loungewear, French fashion brand Jacquemus is arguably pushing the largest amount of cult products in the industry right now. None, though, carry the same status as this outrageously large sunhat. For extra joy, make sure you're following the brand on Instagram - a summery, aesthete's dream.

Click here to purchase for £295

Sunbathe...

... on Hammam towels from The Conran Shop

These elegant, honeycomb hammam towels from The Conran Shop can be used as a picnic rug, a towel to sunbathe on, an outdoor tablecloth on or even a makeshift sarong. They are the perfect addition to your home this summer - lightweight and fast-drying, while stylish enough to be seen on the glittering shores of the Côte d'Azur.

Click here to purchase for £37.50

Accessorize...

... with gold jewellery

Chunky gold chains are back for summer 2020, and are a good way to elevate your swimwear, whether pool-side or garden-bound. We love Missoma's chain collection.

Click here to shop Missoma's Chain Collection