La Dolce Vita for the Ladies Rally Vintage Cars 2021

The sun was beginning to tickle even from the fresh morning and the smell of croissants and coffee arouse the feeling that it was going to be a wonderful day. Like always!  Every September is longing for this feminine energy that accumulates on the place of Cafe de Paris, Monaco. Ladies Rally Vintage Cars was about to set off for its 8^th edition.

A myriad of Italian Dolce Vita dresses and outfits crossed paths on the legendary Place de Casino, on a morning of 5^th of September 2021. Lemon prints, polka dots, geometry on cotton fabrics, heart-shaped cat eye sunglasses, silky scarves, accessorized chic dogs, vivid colours were among the elements that composed the style of the day! All these stylish women were embodying the Femme Fatale reminding me of Anita Ekberg playing Sylvia in La Dolce Vita movie by Federico Fellini. Her image inviting Marcello Mastroiani to battle in the Trevi Fountain resonates with the energy of the place.

"Amore, Amore, Amore!" was like the spell of the day. The felines were ready to roar on their vintage cars that constructed the image of a chic idyllic era. Fluttering dresses, humid heat, the murmur of whispering voices waiting for the adventure, the sound of cutlery clashing, a café on the terrace, the laughter of an Indian summer day, everything was a plunge into another era.

The 8^th edition of Ladies Rally Vintage Cars, perfect match teams

And we set off for the 8^th edition of Ladies Rally Vintage Cars! More than fifty ladies and twenty five cars! On the back of an electric Nosmoke car we could enjoy a different kind of driving experience. A fluttering open air one with strong emotions on board! Turning heads and waving like the Buckingham stars were on the menu! We were a perfect match: our Red Polka Dots dresses and the red chic car!

The Dolce Vita, the silky smooth way of living was the Aladdin's magic carpet we sat on the entire day. The French Riviera background was the perfect canvas to absorb us all in. We were, definitely, in a story where stylish chic women were giving off potions of femininity in the most powerful connection.

Ladies playing golf and enjoying convivial lunch

First stop, the Golf Country Club of Nice where Federico Fellini could easily depict a movie scene with these gorgeous ladies playing golf. It couldn't get more stylish than this! Lunch came as a well deserved pause where ladies did what they knew best: having a fabulous fun chat! Girl power at its peak, blasting energy!

A poetic stop at Villa Ephrussi of Rothschild

The adventure continued with another amazing stop on the French Riviera, villa Ehprussi of Rothschild. A poetic encounter with corners that created the puzzle of the day: modish chic! Tea Saloon was the host for the gifts raffle and the ladies were nothing but giggles and joyful laughter while sipping their tea and having a little sweet moment. I could imagine Audrey Hepburn sitting in a corner, peeking at the ladies, under her cat eye sunglasses, nodding her approval to the ladies style.  The light coming from the West side was penetrating the room, from the big windows, only to caress the beautiful faces and reveal the complete exultation.  We were, without any doubt, in a 60s movie scene that gave off the joy of life. The decor, the fashion, the energy were all there!

The Awards at Port Cap d'Ail

Time for the next and final stop! This year, it was Port Cap d'Ail, at the Lelou boat, for the Awards handed by State Ministers like the Secretary of State, Mister Jacques Boisson, the Minister of Interior, Mister Patrice Cellario, the President of the National Council, Mister Stephane Valeri, and the Deputy Mayor, Mister Jacques Pastor.

A final cocktail brunch with a sip of champagne and strawberry with the surrounding view of the harbour and of the plunging mountains! The boat was receiving each winning team to get the award cup on board. Ladies couldn't get happier than this! The entire setting was perfect!

And the noble cause succeeded in raising more than 12OOO euros for the construction of a school for under privileged children in Cape Town, South of Africa.  

 "We will build a school for handicapped or abandoned children, born from alcoholic mothers" Martine Ackerman, the President of the Association said. "We started eight years ago and we are happy to see little girls in India going to school with uniforms and learning to write and read. "She continued.

There is nothing more beautiful that to create magic. And Martine Ackermann knows best how to do it, each year. To reveal beauty in an aesthetic and fun way, to bring together feminine power and virtuous goals, to link two different worlds like Monaco to India or Africa, it is a gift that few can manage. Martine Ackermann does it all perfectly, and with great heart!

Article by Andra Oprea