This year I stayed with Denise Rich on her boat Lady Joy in the new port at Cannes. The bad weather this year tried to interfere with Cannes Film Festival activities, but the show must go on. Friday night was the opening of The Great Gatsy, Leonardo DiCaprio’s new movie. On Saturday the pouring rain did not stop Jean Pigozzi’s annual lunch party, which is hosted at his home in Cap d’Antibes. Later that night Len Blavatnik hosted a party on his boat. Guests included Mick Jagger, Denise Rich, Michael Douglas and Johan Eliasch. Sunday night we attended a dinner party hosted by Eva Longoria and Ella Krasner in the ballroom of the Carlton hotel. The Gypsy Kings band performed, while Jane Fonda gave a speech.
To kick off the next week, we attended the red carpet and screening of Alec Baldwin and James Toback’s new movie Seduced and Abundant. After the screening Denise Rich gave a private dinner for 50 people on her boat to celebrate the opening of the movie, followed by an after party, also on the Lady Joy, for 250 people. Among the guests were Brandon Davis, Paris Hilton, Fawaz Gruosi, James Toback, Taki Theodoracopulos, Jean Pigozzi, Brett Ratner, Michelle Herbert and Michelle Rella.
Tuesday night was my favorite annual event – the De Grisogono party, which is always held at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc. Sharon Stone was the women of the night and hosted the event, which started with a red carpet, followed by cocktails, a fashion show and a 650-person dinner. The after party continued on into the wee hours, with a 20-minute fireworks display to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the De Grisogono company. Guests included Leonardo DiCaprio, Ivana Trump, Harvey Weinstein, Paris Hiton, Stacy Keibler, Monica Beluci, Flavio Briatore, Ornella Mutti, Mila Jovovich, Chris Tucker and Naomo Watts.
On Wednesday night Eva Cavalli hosted her annual party on her boat. Guests included Sharon Stone, Adrien Brody, Heidi Klum and Denise Rich. On Thursday night was the traditional closing celebration of the Cannes Film Festival – the great AMFAR Gala. On Friday some people left Cannes for Anna Marie Graff’s annual lunch party in Monte Carlo (for the kickoff of the Monaco Grand Prix), while others headed off to Venice for the Biennale, where François-Henri Pinault, Christina Juffali and Andrea Dibelius were giving the dinner parties at their gorgeous palazzos.
What a great beginning of the summer!
Photos by Alisa Roever.
