Dominican Republic

If I had to choose one word to describe our stay at Celerie Kemble’s most perfect Playa Grande Beach Club it would have to be “bliss!”

We savored every moment of our tropical getaway with gratitude for the glorious way life was unfolding and all the beauty that surrounded us. The luscious landscape and the immaculate architecture are an absolute feast for the senses. And while certainly there are a great number of activities one can arrange to do while there – from horseback riding, to golf and tennis, etc., we were perfectly happy to simply relax and luxuriate.

With the days getting darker and colder back here in the city, we are longing to return to the DR!

Do book a holiday at the Playa Grande Beach Club – there are so few places of this caliber left – and If you go, please share with us here at WIJW, we’d love to hear from you!

For our farewell photo (top) I’m sporting a Prada brown and white paisley print cotton voile shirt, Tom Ford turquoise silk pants, brown leather sandals, vintage straw hat, vintage Rolex, and my fragrance Tom Ford Neroli Portofino.

When planning a trip, I always seek the most elegant of accommodations that truly capture the essence of place, and Celerie Kemble’s Playa Grande Beach Club absolutely delivered in spades.

Once I’ve sorted out a destination I immediately start to consider what to wear – what ensembles would be appropriate and what will help to create the most stunning visual narrative.

For our glorious Dominican Republic respite, I conjured up images of Oscar de la Renta in Punta Cana. My thoughts also turned to my Cuban grandfather, who always looked so chic and impossibly fresh in his freshly ironed and starched gauyabera shirts. I thought a more casual yet still rather dressed up approach for a stay at the Playa Grande Beach Club would be right on target – and the gauyabera, with its Latin chic and Caribbean glamour, simply had to be a key component to this look.

The brilliant Cuban born, Miami based designer Debra Torres has a wonderfully unique take on the classic gauyabera shirt – I’m particularly taken with the “David” model and it can be created in a slimmer fit. I introduced myself to Torres and we reminisced about all things Cuba – and of course I ordered some of her fine shirts. needless to say we’ve become fast friends!

For your own Playa Grande Beach Club getaway, do look up “La Divina” Debra Torres and order your gauyabera shirts!

For today’s image (top) I’m sporting a “David” gauyabera in lrish linen by Debra Torres paired with Tom Ford floral pants, a vintage straw hat, white braided leather sandals by Schettino di Capri, vintage Rolex, and my fragrance is Tom Ford Mandarino di Amalfi.

Fortuitously my birthday coincided with our holiday at Celerie Kemble’s Playa Grande Beach Club…and I could not have asked for a better way to celebrate!

This marvelous confection of a place in such dramatic tropical surrounds was a dream, and the delicious cuisine and delightful staff elevated our stay to rarely experienced heights. Our meals were created from fresh locally grown organic produce. The menu had wonderful touches of traditional Dominican cuisine, and dining was set beautifully on the veranda with views of the beach, pool, and crisply treillaged cabanas. (We chose a different location each night to enjoy cocktail hour). The staff graciously catered to our every whim and welcomed suggestions for what we might want to enjoy!

What a magical week it was. To celebrate my birthday dinner, I sported a Tom Ford ivory linen sateen suit, lavender and white striped shirt and pale beige suede loafers, Etro pocket square, Seaman Schepps cuff links in coral and shell, vintage Rolex, and my fragrance Tom Ford Mandarino di Amalfi.