Monaco’s Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo saw more than just fine dining and high fashion on 14th October. The Women of Monaco Lunch, now in its 13th edition, brought together a diverse cross-section of women for a purpose-driven afternoon that balanced elegance with meaning, and raised €13,700 for the Princess Grace Foundation in the process.
Created by Sandrine Knoell and produced by 5 Stars Events, this year’s event was anything but formulaic. Women from across Monaco’s cultural, professional and social circles gathered in the Salon Méditerranée — some leading businesses, others raising families, many doing both. The dress code was green, a visual thread that tied the room together, but the real cohesion came from shared intent: conversation, contribution and community.
This isn’t a gathering built on status or job titles. It’s about proximity — bringing people into the same space who might not normally cross paths. An investment adviser might be seated next to a gallery curator, or a new resident might be discovering her place in Monaco’s rhythm for the first time. That mix is by design, and it’s what gives the event its edge.
A showcase of local creativity
This year’s lunch also included a fashion presentation by Allure Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, featuring incredibly curated pieces from Elie Saab, Brunello Cucinelli, and Magda Butrym. Models, styled by Cool Bay Monaco, moved through the space without fanfare, an understated interlude that blended into the rhythm of the day rather than pulling focus.
Guests were also introduced to NOA Fine Jewellery, with founder Frieda Kaplan Gross presenting pieces that reflect both craftsmanship and character.
The pieces felt less like statements and more like companions — subtle, enduring, wearable.
Art, finance and the questions that still need asking
Supported by Barclays Private Bank, the lunch struck a balance between refinement and real conversation. While the tone remained elegant, the content went deeper, touching on finance, art, and the value of visibility. A standout moment came from Bérénice Antoinette Robaglia, founder of the FAMM Museum
(Femmes Artistes du Musée de Mougins), who posed a pointed question to the room: “How many female artists have sold works for over €30 million?” The answer—just three, compared to over 100 men—cut through the buzz of the afternoon, shifting the energy from admiration to reflection. It was a moment that reminded everyone present why these gatherings matter: they make space not just for celebration, but for honest recognition of what still needs to change.
Reframing what gatherings like this can be
As ever, proceeds from the event support the work of the Princess Grace Foundation, but the deeper takeaway was about what these gatherings represent. In Monaco, where glamour is often expected, Women of Monaco Lunch offers something a little different: a reflection of how women in the Principality are creating space — for ideas, for community, and for each other.
See more in Cassandra Tanti’s video below…
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All photos courtesy of Five Stars Events. Photos credit: Christophe Giraudeau