For decades the holiday destination of choice
for the wealthy, the famous,
members of royal houses,
Hollywood stars and bona fide celebrities
was the French Riviera (Cote d’Azur).
Situated along the Mediterranean coastline of southern France-
it has been the place to see and to be seen for fun and sun.
…
(image from boat-charters.tv1):
Map of the French Riviera
destination … Fun in the Sun!
…
(image from barrysbest.net):
Boulevard in Nice, France (1950s)
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Yet, the Cote d’Azur
was not always the playgorund of the well-moneyed.
Until the late 19th century,
it was a region little visited and impoverished.
All changed when in 1882, a local paper
published an article declaring what was needed:
“… visitors, more visitors and more visitors.”
(quote from British Airways Highlife Magazine).
…
A little over a month after the article appeared,
the then unknown fishing village of Nice, Cote d’Azur,
hosted a most illustrious visitor: the reigning British monarch-
Queen Victoria.
She would return time and time again.
…
The rest is history
as tourism would blossom into the main revenue-generating source
and the natural beauty of the area would feature in many Hollywood movies.
…
(image from neonscope.com):
On the sands of the Cote d’Azur
a scene from the movie: ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ (1955)
American actress Grace Kelly
sports a sun-kissed yellow backless, print dress
with matching head band and statement white framed sunnies
(In 1956, Ms. Kelly would marry Rainier III, Prince of Monaco)
…
Today the individual towns, among others-
Monaco, Nice, St. Tropez and Cannes (home of the Cannes Film Festival)
are widely known.
The beauty of the area is undeniable:
spectacular beaches, glorious weather, flower-ladden landscape.
…
Holiday-making in this part of the world
sparked a specific brand of fashion: resort wear.
The styling lent itself to the lavish, sun drenched, beach and yachting lifestyle.
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(image from wearona.com):
Yachting, tres chic
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The Fashion and Textile Museum, London
will host a comprehensive exhibition
on the glamourous clothing and styling of resort wear.
From a historical perspective, chronicling resort wear over the last century-
the show features garments specific to the this fashion feel:
bathing costumes, palazzo trousers, boat neck breton tops and more.
…
(image from thefabuloustimes.com):
A young Brigitte Bardot
’50s and ’60s, actress and fashion model
wears the classic Riviera style
boat necked, striped Breton top
…
In addition, the exhibition examines modern fabrication of
current resort wear garments for fit and feel.
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A modern twist
resort wear, s / s 2015
by designer, Vera Wang
(images from style.com):
…
The show is well-timed to inspire one’s own
retro-look or a modern take on Riviera fashion
for this summer season scene.
…
RIVIERA STYLE Resort & Swimwear since 1900
22 May – 30 August 2015
The Fashion and Textile Museum, London
For further details, visit:
http://ftmlondon.org/ftm-exhibitions/riviera-style-resort-swimwear-since-1900/
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