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The Women of Monaco Club has been launched during a Women of Monaco Lunch at the Yacht Club of Monaco. Founder Sandrine Knoell explains why she’s created this new all-female initiative.
It was during the fifth edition of the Women of Monaco Lunch, on 8th March at the Yacht Club de Monaco, that organiser and CEO of Five Star Events Sandrine Knoell chose to launch her new concept.
More than 50 women of the Principality gathered on International Women’s Day for an event that celebrated female empowerment, creativity, professional mothers, networking and friendship.
“There are three purposes to the Women of Monaco Lunch,” Sandrina Knoell told Monaco Life. “To get together for a good cause and support the Princess Grace Foundation, to gather international women of Monaco who are linked in some way but without regards to any ethnic, linguistic, cultural economic or political differences, and to give merit through the Women of Monaco Awards.”
Raphaëlle Svara, one of the founding partners of the CMS Monaco law firm and who specialises in family law, opened the lunch with an inspiring speech about working mothers.
“Women’s Day is not a name in itself, but a time for society to raise up and focus on the differences between the lives of women and the lives of men,” said Svara. “Men are not asked to choose between their professional and personal lives, but there are many women who are asked to choose between their personal lives and a career. I am lucky enough to do both – work and change my daughters’ nappies – and I believe that taking care of my child and raising her is way more complicated than being a lawyer.”
It is a culture of understanding that runs right through the entire international law firm.
“In our firm we are four women partners, all mothers, and two male partners. We have a team of 20 people, and only three are men. It’s not that we don’t want to hire them, I think we scare them,” she said.
Raphaëlle Svara explained that the Monegasque justice system is now very supportive of women and children, saying, “The majority of judges here in Monaco are women, mothers, professionals, who have the protection of women at heart. We see this in matters particularly related to violence. The repression against men guilty of violence is very severe today and allows women and children – the victims – to feel protected and able to leave the family home.”
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The Women of Monaco Lunch featured an exhibition by Soul Energy Artist Iryna Parepskaya, with works that showcase her unique “stardust blowing” technique.
Guests were also treated to a fashion show by young local stylist Isabel Fargnoli, who presented pieces from her beachwear range. Her designs are exclusively made with sustainable and natural fibers, designed in Monaco and ethically hand crafted in Italy.
Another highlight of the event was the Women of Monaco Awards. Sandrine Knoell, a resident of Monaco for 25 years and graduate of the International University of Monaco, handed the Art and Culture Award to Safia El Malqui, the Image Award to Elisabetta Gregoraci, the Entrepreneur Award to Sabrina Monteleone-Oeino, the Green Award to Ivana Ilic-Labia, the Digital Award to Dame Marie Diamond, and the Charity Award to Francien Giraudi, the founder of the Monegasque association Les Enfants de Frankie. The association, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, supports sick, disabled or disadvantaged children in Monaco and the entire Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region by bringing them comfort and cheerfulness.
“I had a daughter who was born with a kidney malformation and it took me to America for 15 years, on and off, in and out of hospital,” Francien Giraudi told Monaco Life. “We had a very good surgeon who saved her life, but I saw what they were doing in America, what the volunteers in hospital did for the kids to make them feel better. So, I created an association in Monaco and went back to hospital, but not with my daughter, dressed up as a clown.”
Les Enfants de Frankie will celebrate its silver jubilee, under the high patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco, in November at the Opera Garnier.
The lunch was also an opportunity for Sandrina Knoell to announce the launch of the Women of Monaco Club, which is open to any woman who has a connection to Monaco, be it work, children or residency.
“I think it is important for the women of Monaco not to feel alone,” said Knoell. “Many have been here for only a few years, and often don’t speak French, so this is a way for them to connect with other women, to make friends, to enjoy social events together, and to get support if they have problems.”
The club will host “cocktail” events at various locations throughout the Principality, organise shopping and cultural trips outside of Monaco, and provide information and access to support networks.
Women who are interested in joining the club can call +377 97.70.78.75.
Click on the gallery below to see more images from the Women of Monaco Lunch…
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Photo above: Safia El Malqui (Winner of the Art & Culture Award), Francien Giraudi (Winner of the Charity Award), Sophia Vaharis-Tsouvelekakis, Alexandra Ruiz, Sabrina Monteleone-Oeino (Winner of the Entrepreneur Award), Tsouvelekakis Elya, Sandrine Knoell (Founder of the event), Daniela Spanier and Ivana Ilic-Labia (Winner of the Green Award). Source Five Star Events.
A survey of French teenagers has shown a marked drop in in all levels of drug use, with the biggest decline seen in smoking trends.
The ESCAPAD survey on regular use of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis from the French Observatory of Drugs and Addictive Tendencies (OFDT) has shown a marked drop in the popularity of these three vices amongst French teenagers.
Smoking has seen the most dramatic decline, with 15.6% of those polled smoking tobacco daily compared to 25.1% in 2017. Cannabis use has been nearly cut in half, and the number of schoolchildren who have never touched alcohol has risen to one in five.
This is offset by the steep rise in the use of electronic cigarettes, where usage has tripled in the past five years. For girls, the use of e-cigarettes has risen six times in that time frame.
The poll also found that health has worsened in this age group, with mental health issues and disorders like anorexia, obesity and anxiety-depressive syndromes on the uptick. These symptoms seem to manifest more readily in children who are heavy consumers of drugs or alcohol, according to the survey.
A sample of 23,701 young people were polled for the study, with the average age being 17.4 years.
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Photo source: Simon Maage for Unsplash
Filming will soon begin for a TV series dedicated to the story of the late great Karl Lagerfeld, which has found its lead in Daniel Brühl. The six episodes will be shot between Monaco, Paris and Italy.
The mini-series is being created in collaboration with Gaumont and, according to Disney+, will detail the rise of Karl Lagerfeld through the world of 1970s Parisian high fashion. “In 1972, a 38-year-old Karl Lagerfeld aspired to become the most famous French fashion designer, at a time when Yves Saint Laurent reigned supreme. After meeting and falling in love with Jacques de Bascher, a young dandy, he found himself in competition with Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, the head of the most prestigious fashion brand around. Full of clan rivalries and ego battles, partying and decadence, tragic love affairs and magnificent friendships, this is the story of Kaiser Karl, and his frantic quest for recognition.”
The script by Isaure Pisani-Ferry is said to take inspiration from Raphaëlle Bacqué, the author of Kaiser Karl: The Life of Karl Lagerfeld, a 2019 biography.
The exact set locations in Monaco haven’t yet been revealed, but the German-born designer’s connections to the Principality grew in his later years. He spent 10 years living at the stunning La Vigie property at the eastern end of Monaco, was a close friend of the Princely Grimaldi family and particularly Princess Caroline, redesigned the Odyssey lounge and restaurant at the Hotel Metropole, and famously staged the Rose Ball in 2013. In the photo above, he is pictured with Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene as well as Hermann Bühlbecker at the Cinema Against AIDS Gala in 2016.
According to Vogue, “The studio has promised viewers that the show will be on a grand scale, befitting its larger-than-life subject matter: there will be more than 2,200 extras, over 40 sets — encompassing meticulously recreated apartments, fashion show venues and couture houses — and 3,000 costumes dreamed up by French stalwart Pascaline Chavanne.”
Lagerfeld is an icon of the fashion world, but he is not the only great name remembered in this series. Andy Warhol will be played by Paul Spera, Marlene Dietrich by Sunnyi Melles, Paloma Picasso by Jeanne Damas, and Loulou de la Falaise by Claire Laffut.
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Photo from archives
Stage Six of the Paris-Nice cycling race, which would have passed through the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes, has been cancelled due to Storm Larisa.
Powerful winds are currently battering the Côte d’Azur, from the beaches to the hinterland, and after a decision this morning to cancel the first leg of today’s racing comes news that all of Stage Six has been scrapped.
Just before 1pm, Paris-Nice organisers released the following communiqué:
“After reviewing several options for modifying the route and waiting for an improvement in weather conditions in the afternoon, the organisers of Paris-Nice have decided to cancel the sixth stage to preserve the safety of the riders of the 81st edition, in agreement with local authorities. The exceptionally violent winds, which notably caused several tree falls in the region, make the cancellation of the stage inevitable. As a result, sporting action will resume tomorrow from Nice for the seventh stage towards Col de la Couillole.”
Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar maintains the yellow jersey as the race edges towards its final destination.
Pogacar, a Monaco resident, remains in the lead of the iconic race, which travels close to the entire length of France. However, he saw his lead cut during the fifth stage, won by Olav Kooij.
On familiar roads, Pogacar will be looking to retain his slender lead and succeed compatriot Primoz Roglic in winning the prestigious race while fans will be hoping that conditions improve for racing on Saturday 11th March.
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Photo by Petar Milosevic
A vibrant portrait of activist Alice Milliat created by Mr OneTeas and schoolchildren from the Principality, including Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, has been unveiled in a ceremony attended by the Princely family.
100 children from CE1 classes around Monaco pulled out their drawing pens, paints and stencils to help create something truly unique after French painter and graffiti artist Mr OneTeas enlisted them to use their imaginations in designing pieces along the themes of inclusiveness, solidarity, equality and fair play. The result became the colourful backdrop for a painting by the artist that honours sportswoman and activist Alice Milliat.
Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, along with their parents, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, also contributed to the project.
Milliat (1884-1957) was a trailblazer in the women’s sporting world of her era; a time when there were no professional outlets for women. She founded the Women’s World Games, managed an all-female football team, and was pivotal in getting the Olympic Committee to give women at least partial representation at the Games.
Though she never saw the level of equality seen today at the Olympics – that didn’t come about until over a decade after her death – she was instrumental in getting sporting women in the door.
“Sport is a powerful lever to change mentalities and fight against discrimination. It is essential to act with young people to promote a culture of equality and mutual respect,” said Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Chairperson of the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights, at the unveiling.
The painting of Milliat was a wonderful tribute to a pioneering woman on International Women’s Rights Day. This is the fifth consecutive year the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights has entrusted Mr OneTeas to promote the day through his works.
Other events that marked the day were a luncheon chaired by Princess Charlene along with Minister of State Pierre Dartout under the theme of Women in Sport. Several distinguished sportswomen living in the Principality attended, namely Paula Radcliffe, Laura Gramaglia, Charlotte Afriat and Lisa Caussin Battaglia.
Dartout said, “In the Principality, the defense of women’s rights has been at the heart of the priorities of the Prince’s government for many years.” He also went on to pay tribute to women “who, across the world, are fighting for their rights and to make their voices heard, sometimes at the cost of their lives”.
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Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco
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