Photos by Chrystel Tournier
Bikini, Ralph Lauren, no longer available, LOVE this one // Shades, Aldo // Earrings, Bauble Bar // Bracelets, Hermes // Gold finger cuffs, Maison Martin Margiela // Cocktail Ring, Francesca Romano, old // Bronze Arm Band, Free People // Shorts, American Eagle Outfitters // Shirt, Cloth & Stone *on sale* // Metallic Leather Belt & Natural Oyster Shell Buckle, Swanky Belts c/o // Nails, “Clambake” by Essie // Lips, YSL Rouge Volupte, SPF 15, #11 “Vivid Fuchsia”//
Set on stunning Flammands beach on the spectacular island of Saint Barthelemy, Hotel Isle de France is easily the 8th wonder of the world. A highly protected, coveted, meticulously appointed and upheld jewel in the world of 5 star Caribbean resorts, Isle de France exists perfectly and quietly for those in the know: those who truly understand the barefoot elegance that is so unique to the St. Barths way.
At Isle de France there is unspoken luxury at every turn, with every turn down, and although their turn over rate is large, you somehow feel that the staff arrives each morning just for you and that the pleasure of your personal experience is the only concern of this entire mini-heaven on sand.
I have had the unparalleled privilege to stay at Isle de France over the years but have never truly and fully understood the depths at which this resort and hotel strives for perfection in every way until this past month when I planned a destination wedding for my client there. There hasn’t been a day since it all took place that I haven’t relived the magical moments of that wedding weekend, and missed the incredible men and women I worked with to create the most majestic of all memories for my bride and groom, their family, and friends. I am so grateful for the professionalism, creativity, endless hours of hard work, and passion of the entire staff at Hotel Isle de France who I am lucky enough to now call great friends.
With this look above I was inspired to showcase the beauty of Isle de France, the warm light in the late afternoon, and the cool whites, blues, and natural weathered grays that characterize the chic French Caribbean style in this exclusive setting. I was also thrilled to feature my absolute favorite summer belt from designer Nancy Zylstra of Swanky Belts. The natural pearlescence of the oyster shell buckle paired with her soft metallic leather belt literally looked as if it had be born in the sea, washed ashore one day, and dried to glistening perfection in the sun and sand of Anse de Flammands.
Thank you to my wonderful friend Chris Tournier for capturing these treasured moments, to Romain Vinsot for translating every whim, request, and dream into immediate action, realization, and reality- my gratitude is more than I could ever put into words: I adore you and will forever want to work by your side. To Nancy and Johanna of Swanky Belts, thank you for entrusting me to promote your treasures while on location in paradise.
And above all: to the entire staff at Hotel Isle de France and LVMH family:
~Je tiens à exprimer mes plus sincères remerciements et louanges infinies du fond de mon coeur~
