Riviera Revels by Devanshi Mody

This is where you hob nob for a fortnight with the Who’s Who of film, fashion, music, royals, tycoons, socialites, porn stars, wannabes, gatecrashers. The outrageously extravagant celebrity parties in Cannes and Monte Carlo have assumed legendary notoriety. Never mind that stars are paid to wear and porn stars to bare at these parties... As long as the champagne doesn’t run out, guests will grin and bear...

The paradigm for all parties perhaps is the annual de Grisogono gala. This year’s “Absolutely Fabulous” party was indeed fabulous. The fabulous Fawaz Gruosi is as renowned for his savoir faire in the dazzling world of haute joaillerie as for his savoir vivre in the rarefied realms of haute société. Little wonder then that he annually hosts Cannes’ most exhilarating soirée.

The setting was the enchanting Eden Roc at the legendary Hotel du Cap, exclusive abode of the stars. A hundred million photographers clogged the entrance as the super glam set traversed four security barriers to enjoy cocktails on the waterfront terrace gardens.

It was indeed a case of Le Rouge et Le Noir as the gardens were adorned with mammoth black vases exuding red flora. With fresh fruit peach bellinis and raspberry rossinis served with exquisite canapés, dinner didn’t start until 11 pm... Then, Cannes’ most beautiful people processed up to the gorgeously decorated dining area for a sumptuous three course supper.

Fawaz Gruosi was flanked at supper by bosom buddy flamboyant Flavio Briatore and the inimitable Naomi Campbell who hogged the limelight and the host. Hard to miss was the excessively blond Victoria Silverstedt. More discreet were Don Johnson, Quincy Jones, the Duke and Duchess of Bourbon. Kid Rock rocked whilst Ivana Trump trumped with her latest little acquisition.

The sparkling jewels on the guests and on display in glass cases were offset but by the sensational fireworks display, which outshone the one given by the official organisers of the Film Festival.

Nothing quite rivalled the concert that followed as Kelly Rowland and the Golden Singers had guests captivated, whilst a certain notorious gatecrasher unabashedly danced with the singers....

The champagne didn’t run out until 5.00 am and neither did the guests. Needless to say, Cannes’ regular gate crashers (including minor royals, aristocrats, socialites and bankers) not only managed to transgress the high security barriers but were obviously the last to leave... The endearing Fawaz Gruosi is a non-stop party. So chez de Grisogono, it’s party, party, party!

You can bet that this year the after premier party to be at was the Martini Ocean’s 13 After Premier Party at Baoli, Cannes’ glitziest nightclub. You saw stars, quite literally, as George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia gravitated around the centre of the universe who pouted a while in a blazing yellow gown. Yes, it was Angelina Jolie, queen of the evening...

The gamble paid off as Martini managed to bring together the cast and crew of the blockbuster film. Alas, the sun set prematurely on the party though, as the queen retired early with all her entourage. But guests and gatecrashers stayed on for tasty tit bits and Martini cocktails, shaking and stirring to the DJ’s beats.

Angelina Joli’s co-star Archie Panjabi was awarded the Trophé Chopard for the best new comer of the year, an honour she shared with Nick Cannon, for his performance in Bobby. Jude Law escorted this year’s laureates and their masterfully crafted trophy, a 24 carat gold role of film to the sensationally hyped Chopard “10 Golden Years with the Festival” Anniversary soiree.

Midas touched the Golden Sea Terrace of the waterfront Roseraie in Port Canto as everything turned to gold for the glam gala given in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Chopard’s participation at the Cannes Film Festival. The very lovely Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, glittered in a golden gown amidst the extraordinary gold drapery, gold busts and gold statues which triumphantly declared “Ten Golden Years.” Everything that glittered was indeed gold at this soiree d’exception.

The evening began tamely as the Sheufeules, Naomi Campbell, David Furnish, Harvey Weinstein, Keneith Cole, Afef and other VIPs lounged on gold-draped sofas overlooking the legendary La Croisette. There was no dearth of glamorous personalities, but the pregnant Eva Herzegova, usually a permanent fixture at Chopard events, was sorely missed.

The finger food supper was interrupted as Bond Girl Rosamand Pike announced the private concert with which Sir Elton John, intimate friend of Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele, treated guests, who continued to drain Palmes d’Or champagne magnums. Supper resumed with finger food lobster, foie gras, crayfish, truffles, and pastries, all coated with 400 Gold lamellas

The renowned stripper Dita Von Teese didn’t strip. But the 30 gold-draped models presenting the haute joaillerie fashion show were draped in little other than exquisite Chopard jewellery. Alas, no stripper popped out of the giant gold-coated birthday cake emblemising Chopard, which Mme Caroline was gifted for her sponsorship of the Festival. Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele proved her weight in gold as she graciously took time away from her VIP guests to spend time with her staff who adore her and then got changed into party gear to dance along with guests.

The after party continued in the Dôme de Lumière with DJ Bob Sinclar and Grey Goose cocktails until late, but most set off for the throbbing D&G party at Baoli next door.

Then, everyone head straight to Monte Carlo for Grand Prix weekend. After a weekend of ultra lavish parties in villas and yachts, the most expensive weekend in the international social calendar culminated in Grand Prix Day. The legendary Hotel de Paris on the famed Place du Casino is the adresse incontournable for watching the Monaco Grand Prix- unless you’re in the VIP box with Prince Albert of Monaco or on a private yacht, like Laxmi Mittal’s Indian Princess.

Everyone wants to see and be seen on the Terrace of the Hotel de Paris. Ivana Trump strutted as always around the lobby and also had frequent recourse to the ladies room- either she has an extraordinarily small bladder or wished to exhibit her dress sense (or the lack of it) to the rest of the women.

The Graffs graciously graced the hotel. Gordon Ramsay was there too. But nobody cared. You generally don’t when you’re adorned in diamonds the size of a planet (not a small one, either) and can afford about 2000 euros/head on lunch and about 10,000 euros at the hotel’s Bar Americain after the race. Don’t be surprised at guests, generally Americans, dancing on tables, doing splits and summersaults, throwing bottles around et al as high society stoops low.