Interiors designer Thierry Despont assembled a cast of 800 stonemasons, upholsterers, gilders, and painters to bring The Ritz Paris back to its former glory. Actors Anna Brewster (left) and Noémie Schmidt—who appear in the new Ovation drama Versailles—wear Chanel dresses; select Chanel boutiques.

Diamonds as Big as the Ritz

Among its habitués in the early 20th century were Fitzgerald (who haunted the bars), Hemingway (ditto), and Chanel, who lived in the hotel and worked across the street. Miriam Haskell hair comb. Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz earrings and bracelets. Chanel bracelet. Georges Morand gloves

Dangerous Liaisons

Actor George Blagden, who plays the Sun King in Versailles, appears ready to ravish Brewster, swooning on a winding staircase in front of a tapestry of palatial proportions. Gucci dress and rings; select Gucci boutiques. Miriam Haskell earrings.

The Crown Jewels

The high neckline, the mile of tulle yoked by crystals . . . the maximalism of our fashion moment is right at home in this most decadently gorgeous of settings. Valentino dress; Valentino, NYC.

Puttin on the Ritz

“If you’re blue and you don’t know/Where to go to, why don’t you go/Where fashion sits?” Dressing for a gala night in 2016 requires not just ornamentation—embroidery or beading set off on transparent fabric—but an extravagance of length or shape. Alberta Ferretti dress and shoes. Ralph Lauren Collection earrings. Rings by Beladora, Cathy Waterman, the Three Graces Jewelry, and Camilla Dietz Bergeron, Ltd.

Bottoms Up

Oh, the parties the Ritz has seen—maharajas drinking champagne, Elsa Maxwell ordering dinner for 200, Gary Cooper and Audrey Hepburn in Love in the Afternoon. Valentino dress; Valentino, NYC. Dolce & Gabbana briefs. Miriam Haskell brooches.

Photographed by Mikael Jansson, Vogue, July 2016

Editor’s Note ∗
Versailles is a television series (one of my favorite series), set during the construction of the Palace of Versailles during the reign of Louis XIV, that premiered on 16 November 2015 on Canal+ in France and on Super Channel in Canada, in May 2016 on BBC2 in Britain, and on 1 October 2016 on Ovation in the U.S.
Currently you can see the first season on Netflix.