Kate Moss at the Ritz Paris
Vouge Issue April 2012
photographed by Tim Walker
Fashion Editor: Grace Coddington
Bellhop Nicolas Deschamps balances a Roger Vivier silk-and-feather pump on his cap.
Like the neoclassical crimson satin sofa, a dramatic tiered evening dress (Dior’s finale look) adds a jolt of brilliant color to the hushed palette of an Imperial Suite salon. Dior Haute Couture silk dress.
“I drink the French 76: vodka, sugar, lemon juice topped up with champagne; it’s the best drink ever, but it only tastes like that in the Hemingway Bar,” says Moss, here in L’Espadon. “Colin [Field, Ritz Paris head bartender] made it for my wedding. It doesn’t taste at all strong—and then, whoa, whoops-a-daisy!” Alexis Mabille Haute Couture burnished lamé dress and hat.
A cornflower-blue dress by Sarah Burton, reminiscent of 1950s couture, plays on proportion and contrast: nipped-in waist and voluminous skirt; flat jacquard against exploding lace. Alexander McQueen lace bustier jacquard dress and lace boots, made for Vogue. Van Cleef & Arpels diamond necklace. Headpiece created by Julien d’Ys.
Karl Lagerfeld took over the first-floor-spanning Imperial Suite, seen here, for his 1996 couture collection. Chanel Haute Couture embroidered organza flower coat and pumps.
“When I was with Johnny Depp, he always stayed there. I had an apartment in Paris at the time, but he said, ‘No, we’re staying at the Ritz,’ so he came by and swept me up to the Ritz—he didn’t want to “When I was with Johnny Depp, he always stayed there. I had an apartment in Paris at the time, but he said, ‘No, we’re staying at the Ritz,’ so he came by and swept me up to the Ritz—he didn’t want toslum it in my apartment!” Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci silk organza blouse with paillettes and crystals, silk knit tank, silk cady skirt with zipper detail, and crystal jewelry. Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci gloves.
In the Flower Room, a team of five florists overseen by floral designer Djordje Varda is charged with, among other things, selecting and arranging 10,000 blooms for the hotel each week.
Sprigged dresses in the Imperial Suite, inspired by Marie Antoinette frolicking at the bucolic Le Petit Trianon, took up to 1,200 hours to make by hand. On models Sigrid Agren, Patricia van der Vliet, Josephine Skriver, and Mirte Maas: Valentino Haute Couture taffeta dresses. Lace headpieces created by Julien d’Ys, using Mokuba ribbon.
Moss, in the bathroom of the Coco Chanel Suite, wears a petal-like cocktail dress and cape, inspired by a 1960 design, from a pink-and-silver cloque lamé created by Cristóbal Balenciaga. Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière dress and cape, made for Vogue, and ankle boots. Boucheron bracelet.
The Ritz Paris kitchens, once headed by the legendary Escoffier when the hotel opened in 1898, house a team of 80 chefs and staff, who prepare meals for the two–Michelin star L’Espadon, the Bar Vendôme, and room service.
“Gianni’s [Versace] shows were amazing—and sooo convenient. Walk downstairs, go to work: Love that!” says Moss, with housekeepers Khadidja Fakri and Lollie Bacete (standing). Dior Haute Couture embroidered silk dress. Headpiece created by Julien d’Ys.
For three decades, Coco Chanel called the hotel her home. Here, the bedroom of the suite named for her. Armani Privé sequined embroidered flared bustier dress.
Giambattista Valli sent out a cinched draped-shoulder goddess dress in “a color so deep, so intense, you can almost smell it—like bougainvillea on the Mediterranean coast.” Giambattista Valli Haute Couture silk dress and necklace.
(Images from Vouge)
Little Cloudy Dreams 