I’m a designer living between London, Paris, and the South of France. The French Riviera is the closest I can get to living in California, with its blue skies, palm trees, and positive vibes! My career encompasses a blend of interior design, event design, and my own complementary lifestyle collection – including furnishings and my scented candle collection, Nicky Summer Bougie. The online magazines I publish showcase brands in the luxury lifestyle sector – mainly events, upscale hotels and interiors…”
Nicky Summer, Designer
Nicky Summer’s career began as an advertising model and 007 actress before she established herself as a designer – first in events, then in interiors – and as the publisher of cityandbeachmag.com. Her company was responsible for the European side of the re-launch of ‘M/V SAVARONA’ in Istanbul, private dinners for members of the Champagne Krug family, an anniversary dinner to celebrate Cartier, and several events on behalf of a private members club fronted by French super-chef Alain Ducasse. Nicky has designed and refurbished private residences around the world, including in California, the South of France, and central London. She’s the name behind THE CITY & BEACH LIFESTYLE INTERNATIONAL BEST DRESSED LIST 2025 and has published the associated online magazine since May 2014. In this discussion, we explore the motivations behind creating the list, as well as her personal lifestyle inspirations…
C&B: “Nicky, what inspired you to create THE CITY & BEACH INTERNATIONAL BEST DRESSED LIST and who’s on it?”
NS: “I can’t say who’s on the list until the full publication in January 2025, however I was inspired by the incredible individuals I’m surrounded by socially and in business. Behind their well turned out appearances, they’re incredibly dynamic individuals – both the men and the women. There is so much more to them than just a pretty face and a nice outfit and I wanted to reveal that hidden side. They’re winners in life, and their accomplishments are all self-made – truly inspirational!”
C&B: “How would you define your own personal style, and how has it evolved over the years?“
NS: “My style has always leaned towards classics, with the occasional striking and memorable outfit thrown into the mix! It doesn’t matter whether I buy from Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace or high street brands, I tend to gravitate towards block colours in neutrals like ivory or blush, as well as red and gold. My skin tone, which is almost always a light tan, looks best with ivory or cream rather than stark white. My style hasn’t evolved much, except that I’m no longer such a big fan of black which is ageing, neon colours which are too young and too garish, or super-sparkly silver sequins – although I do occasionally wear colour, I definitely prefer quieter, warmer shades in a neutral palette…”
The main aspect of being a ‘Bond girl’ – and why it’s such a coveted role – is that the filming itself is fun then you spend a year afterwards being flown around the world first class to appear at all the premieres, on stage with the main stars: Christopher Walken, Roger Moore, and Grace Jones, in my case!”
Nicky Summer, Designer
C&B: “Your time as a 007 girl – what did you wear when filming, and how has that period of your life affected your style moving forward?”
NS: “I learned a lot about decor from movie and commercials sets – styling, lighting, creating an ambience. I absorbed a lot of information on interior design from the fabulous hotels and villas I stayed in during that time – and it’s been vital for all my lifestyle projects since. In the movie, I had a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ piece – not a speaking part, however I’m in the credits. I wore a white dress with a lace ruffle by a designer called by ‘Bastet,’ which was located at that time on Marylebone High Street in London. The main aspect of being a ‘Bond girl’ – and why it’s such a coveted role – is that the filming itself is fun then you spend a year afterwards being flown around the world first class to appear at all the premieres, on stage with the main stars: Christopher Walken, Roger Moore, and Grace Jones, in my case. We attended the world premiere in London, as well as appearances in all the major cities in Japan, the Italian Film Festival in Sicily, Lisbon, Madrid, The Cannes Film Festival, and so on. A select group participates in all the press photoshoots and media interviews to promote the film which taught me a lot about engaging with the media. Grace Jones, looking amazing, wore Alaïa from head to toe – on set and off – and I immediately went out and bought everything from the store on Melrose in L.A. – bodysuits, leggings, a leather jacket, a pencil skirt, a hooded draped jacket, a wide corset belt, ankle boots – the lot! The cut was perfect for my body shape, and the fabrics Azzedine used were fabulous. ‘Once a Bond girl, always a Bond girl’! It’s an iconic brand, so that element tends to rub off on those who are part of it. I’m still asked to appear at openings and in 007-themed shows; look at Britt Ekland and Maud Adams – still going strong years after starring in their movies…”
Did you know The Dorchester had a James Bond/Ian Fleming suite? It’s gorgeous – full of original memorabilia and a Martini bar!”
Nicky Summer, Designer
C&B: “Besides Alaïa, which fashion designers are your favourites, past and/or present?”
NS: “I buy a lot of Ralph Lauren – particularly their cashmeres, silk tops, fine cotton prairie-style embroidered shirts, tweed jackets, and printed jeans. Unfortunately, they’ve stopped producing their waisted cable-knit cashmere sweaters in a V-neck that I bought in every single colour – it was a style that suited my body shape so well; I’ve started a campaign in every store in every European city to bring them back! Lindka Cierach and Louise Kennedy are both fantastic for classical elegance. I love James Perse in LA for casual wear; I go to Donna Ida for jeans; Pink House Mustique creates beautiful silk resort wear, and there’s a small shop in Chelsea called ‘MUSE KINGS ROAD’ where the owner/buyer is brilliant – they stock some fantastic evening wear, including Valentino. I love Melissa Odabash for bikinis and Elizabeth Hurley Beach for kaftans and cover-ups! For bags, belts, and purses, I love Louis Vuitton, Aspinal of London, CHANEL, and Hermès. I still adore certain pieces from the new Alaïa collections. I’ve invested in a lot of designer labels over the years; however, I love picking up random pieces wherever I go. For example, I bought a full length dress with cutouts at the waist by an obscure Italian designer in a small boutique in Sorrento to wear at a lunch at Le Sirenuse in Positano this past summer…”
C&B: “Often small boutiques can be the source of incredible finds! Can you name a few of your own style inspirations from the fashion or entertainment worlds?”
NS: “Salma Hayek – I like almost everything she does and wears plus we have a similar body shape; then there’s Elizabeth Hurley, Zendaya, Carla Bruni, Amanda Wakeley, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Ricky Lauren – always polished and elegant!”
C&B: “What’s your favourite piece in your wardrobe right now, and why?”
NS: “My favourite piece right now is a very fine knit wool caramel-coloured three-quarter-length sleeved top that I can wear equally well with a long satin evening skirt or my shorts at the beach. It’s warm enough on cool days but light enough to feel ‘breathable’…”
C&B: “When you think back over the years, which outfits have been your favourites?”
NS: “I always feel my best in an outfit that I can simply put on and forget about – so that would be my gold Prada dress with embossed floral detail. I can wear it to cocktails, to dinner, or to a party… I always feel great in it. My Alaïa leather jacket was divine. I also once had a burgundy-coloured wrap-around wool top by Kenzo that I adored. And my silver coat with leopard-print silk lining by Dolce & Gabbana. Plus, there was a silk jersey dress that Versace loaned me to wear to a Cartier event…”
My black Gucci boots have such a high (8cm) heel they’re impossible to walk in and therefore totally impractical!”
Nicky Summer, Designer
C&B: “Which events have you planned or attended that required you to wear something extra-special?”
NS: “One of the most special dresses I’ve ever worn is the ivory satin full length evening gown I designed for the launch of the M/V ‘SAVARONA’ super-yacht in Istanbul. The word ‘savarona’ means swan, so I had swans embroidered in clear iridescent and ivory beads on the bust area, each of the tails of the bow at the back of the gown and on the matching earrings, bag and shoes. It was all made for me in four weeks by a dress maker in Istanbul; I still have that set – it’s gorgeous. I’ve also kept a gorgeous bronze coloured knee-length dress with gold clasp by VERSACE that I wore to a dinner event I organised for 100 international guests in London. I have a blush pink silk wraparound dress by Prada which is gorgeous to wear in the summer. Another gown I loved wearing was in very pale green chiffon by VERSACE which I wore to the opening of a private club fronted by Alain Ducasse. Once you’ve worn a dress structured like that, there’s no going back to ‘normal’ clothes!”
C&B: “What are your ‘must-have’ style accessories that you’d never leave home without?”
NS: “My teardrop diamond stud earrings; I wear them all the time, day and night. I always have a pair of oversized sunglasses with me because I suffer from hay fever, and they keep pollen and dust out of my eyes. I prefer eyewear in aviator styles, such as my ones by Mykita and Ray-Ban. I also like Gucci, Chanel, and Armani styles; I shop around for the best shape and fit. In the winter, I wear cashmere-lined gloves that I buy from a little shop in Venezia. Additionally, I carry my black patent leather Dior card holder, which was given to me as a gift by a girl friend years ago and still looks like it was bought yesterday – it pays to invest in even the tiniest details!”
Am I more a member of the interiors community or the entertainment community? With my background, the answer is definitely the entertainment community – that’s where I feel most ‘myself’ – we all talk the same language and have a very distinct energy that not everyone understands. ‘Your vibe attracts your tribe’, as they say. It’s also a similar area to the one my interiors clients inhabit – Hollywood, publishing, fashion, art, music, hospitality, property, shipping, finance… there’s crossover as we all intermingle. I admire and liaise with all the other top interior designers and suppliers, however after years – since the age of 16 – of travelling the world while modelling, presenting and acting as well as socialising in LA, Cannes and London, that very specific culture is in my DNA. Any time I try to communicate outwith that realm, my body and mind won’t compute; I have to respect that and play to my strengths…”
Nicky Summer, Designer
C&B: “How do you incorporate current fashion trends into your personal style?”
NS: “I don’t do trends at all – not in fashion, not in interiors. In Paris, I had to learn to dress down – ‘just got out of bed hair’, for example and very low key makeup, which suits me perfectly as I don’t like an overdone look. Obviously, I’m influenced by what I see in the stores but I’m not into the graffiti vibe, for example. It’s street culture taken too far and is destroying the classic names in the pursuit of attracting a new crowd and revenue. I believe the very point of excellence in design is that it’s aspirational rather than ‘all-inclusive’. It’s absolutely tragic what’s happening at Balenciaga, for instance…”
C&B: “Can you share any tips for maintaining a stylish yet comfortable look when travelling?”
NS: “I have it down to a fine art, as I travel so often – I wear comfortable shoes, loose-waisted trousers with a matching top, and a lightweight jacket. In my Hermès ‘Birkin’ bag, I carry either a huge cashmere shawl by N. Peal or a heavy silk one by Louis Vuitton – I can drape that around my shoulders if it gets cold, or use it as either a blanket or a pillow. I learned early on that it’s always good to look your best at the airport; the staff on both sides of the gate appreciate it, and you get special attention.”
C&B: “How do you approach sustainable fashion, and are there any eco-friendly brands you love?
NS: “I’m not into disposable fashion so I wear my classics time and time again and have no shame in doing so – even if I buy high street brands, I buy classic colours and shapes then wear the pieces until they drop off me. So, I’m not a massive consumer. My fitness wear is all by Stella McCartney who is probably the most notable name in sustainable fashion. Hotels that stand out to me for their eco approach and genuine care for the environment are Barry Sternlicht‘s 1 Hotels.”
In my purse, I always have a sun block lip balm, a nude coloured lip gloss, YSL touche éclat, a small atomiser spray flacon filled with Eau de Marveilles by Hermes or ‘Sirene’ by Fragrance du Bois, a box with ear plugs – a necessity when travelling.”
Nicky Summer, Designer
C&B: “What’s the best advice you could give someone regarding the care of their designer wear?”
NS: “Always hang your clothes on padded hangers, air them out, and fold tissue paper between the pieces when packing for travel. Also, choose your dry cleaner very carefully – even the best can ruin an outfit by breaking the clasp or completely removing the metallic finish, as they did mine (my bronze Versace dress and my silver-dusted Dolce & Gabbana coat, respectively). And never hand wash an item that should be dry cleaned; I’ve done it myself several times out of convenience while traveling, and I’ve immediately regretted it!”
C&B: “Which places do you recommend for beauty maintenance, fitness and wellbeing?”
NS: “In Cannes, I have a personal trainer and in London I also have a trainer; when I lived in South Kensington full time I was a member of KX Gym & Spa which is excellent and is close to where I live – essential for a fitness club as I’d speed round there daily at 7am; I LOVE exercise! In Paris, the Valmont Spa at Le Meurice is fantastic. For my hair cut and colour, it’s always a last minute rush to get it done so I have to go wherever I can get an appointment – my first choice would be Daniel Galvin in Mayfair, Neville’s in Knightsbridge or Taylor Taylor in Notting Hill, London. For my mani/pedi, I go to Chloe’s Nail Spa in London and Jade in Cannes – both are quick, do a great job and have all the colours I like ie nude, pearlised white – which is very flattering on tanned skin – then there’s a very dark wine colour, ‘Rouge Noir’, by CHANEL for winter, or a scarlet if I’m looking for more impact. Shiseido is great for eyelashes and Bobbi Brown for a cosmetics makeover…”
C&B: “Which are your favourite private clubs/dining places/boutique hotels/exclusive restaurants at home or around the world?”
NS: “I’ve always loved Annabel’s, especially now in its new iteration; also Hertford Street and Loulou’s in London. In Paris, my favorite lunch spots are Ralph’s jardin on Boulevard Saint-Germain, Loulou at The Louvre, Café La Perouse designed by Cordelia de Castellane on Place de la Concorde, and the terrace at Hôtel Particulier in Montmartre, which was the former mansion of the Hermès family. The Dorchester Collection has a knack for leading the way in new concepts, as evidenced by their support of Cédric Grolet at Le Meurice. Anything by Wolfgang Puck or Alain Ducasse is guaranteed to be exceptional. In the south of France, I like the Martinez Beach Club and Ecrin Plage during the day and Hyde at night. I also like the temporary clubs that open during the Cannes Film Festival, such as Terrasse by Albane. I enjoy Restaurant Louroc at Hôtel du Cap in Cap d’Antibes and in Saint-Tropez, Pearl Beach Club and Club 55 are great for a fun lunch on the beach. In Monaco, a trip up the mountain to The Maybourne Riviera is compulsory – the views are spectacular and the hospitality is beyond compare. In Italy there are just too many fabulous places to mention – the hotels, restaurants and beach clubs around Forte dei Marmi, Positano, Portofino, Lake Como, Capri! I cried at the beauty of Portofino. In Los Angeles, I love classics like The Ivy and Malibu Farm; in San Francisco, I have a particular fondness for La Mar by Gastón Acurio – one of my favourite types of cuisine is Peruvian fusion, especially ceviche, as approximately 80% of my diet consists of raw vegetarian and pescatarian dishes. I gravitate towards places where the ambiance is cool, where I feel relaxed and comfortable, where other guests share a similar mindset, creating the best memories with friends and family who are incredibly dear to me…”
C&B: “Anything else you’d like to add?”
NS: “I’d like to thank those featured on our CITY & BEACH LIFESTYLE INTERNATIONAL BEST DRESSED LIST for taking the time to collaborate on it and, more generally, all the magazine sponsors and advertisers who support our features throughout the year. We look forward to a fantastic 2025!”
My favourite flower? The peony; it’s the base of ‘PARIS – chateau’, one the most popular scented candles by Nicky Summer Bougie. I’ve always loved them!”
Nicky Summer, Designer
IMAGES, TOP TO BOTTOM OF PAGE:
- Nicky wears a gown by Linda Cierach on stage at a 007 themed fundraiser event organised by Eon Productions in London; a press clipping of Nicky wearing an ivory satin dress of her own design in Istanbul.
- Nicky wears a floral print dress by an Italian designer in Positano; Nicky wears an aqua two piece silk outfit by Louise Kennedy when filming at The Berkeley, London.
- Nicky wears a red dress by Mije in the James Bond suite at The Dorchester
- Nicky wears an ankle length chiffon skirt and Gucci boots with Versailles backdrop; Nicky wears Versace at Wolfgang Puck’s ‘CUT’, 45 Park Lane.
- Nicky wears Zara and CHANEL sunglasses at Villa d’Este on Lake Como; Nicky wears eyewear by Mykita and an evening dress from MUSE KINGS ROAD. Background: A luxury bespoke rug by Top Floor By Esti.
- Nicky wears a navy silk top by Mije and a belt by Hermes at ME London (with Mario Testino); Nicky wears a grey dress by James Perse in Beverly Hills (with Maud Adams and Britt Ekland).
- Nicky wears Ralph Lauren at 1 Hotel Mayfair; Nicky’s nails in Rouge Noir by CHANEL by Chloe Nail Spa in London, gloves from Simonetta in Venezia.
- Nicky wears a gold dress with flower motif by Prada at KX (with friends); Nicky wears Stella McCartney in Malibu, CA.
- Nicky wears Louise Kennedy and a bag by Aspinal of London at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park; Nicky wears VERSACE and jewellery by Cartier in Chelsea; Nicky wears Mije with eyewear by Dior at Plaza Athenee Paris.
WEBSITE: http://www.nickysummer.com
