UMMER is gone but the memories linger on. The madness of the Hamptons, the sogginess of a New York summer, the glory of the French Riviera, the dazzling beaches, the overstuffed parties, sunny skies, Rose wines—in a word, bliss! Two highlights of summer came back to back on "boats" in St. Tropez. You know how the very rich always call their yacht a "boat"—seems more democratic, somehow.
Well, super hip hop mogul, businessman, entertainer, and renowned party giver Sean P. "Diddy" Combs wowed the blasé crowds on the Riviera. The biggest boat in the harbor! It was klieg lights, laser beams, and all round "lit up" for a party celebrating his hit perfume. Unbelievable!
Diddy, along with John Demsey, global president of Estee Lauder companies, combined their very considerable forces, and brought people from all around the world to celebrate. Four security stops ensured that only the truly invited made it onto the yacht—a "mini cruise ship" in reality. Pretending you were Scott and Zelda in the elegance and sophistication of the French Riviera, it all came true under those starry skies.
The guest list was triple A: John Galliano with Penelope Cruz, Sarah Duchess of York with Princess Eugenie, Ivana Trump with glamorous Ivana, Terry Allen Kramer, Lois and Buzz Aldrin, Anna Anasimova, George Hamilton, Momma Diddy, Janice.
Janice calls her son Sean. It’s a tightly knit family, with Sean's two very handsome young sons wandering the ship looking like young moguls in the making. The evening was unbelievable! You just had to be there. From ship to shore, the hottest disco club, and back on board for breakfast and to watch the sun rise over the Mediterranean — what more could we want from life?
Next evening the fabulous Denise Rich held her newly ordained "annual" party. Docked beside Diddy's boat, although it was large, it couldn't hold the expected 750 crowd, so enterprising planners had created an open-air disco, with dancing girls in cages, for the very spillover crowd.
Many of the same people were in attendance, including Russell Simmons, Diddy, Janice, George, Ivana and Ivanka. A brilliant fireworks display entranced the crowds watching the festivities. Champagne, caviar, fab friends, dancing till dawn...we had it all.
