In Monte Carlo, fashion and fun have always collided. Once again, beginning on May 23-25, 2025, racing fans in town for Formula 1’s ultimate racing extravaganza will have more than their share of parties and pleasantries to enjoy.
WWD was there in the early days, starting in the 1920s, when the social set began arriving en masse on the western end of the French Riviera to enjoy the spoils of the island — home to beautiful beaches, lush landscapes and its royal family, whose matriarch was the late Grace Kelly. Kelly was already an icon of film and fashion when the city of Monaco began to welcome tens of thousands of guests to the small resort town in the 1970s to rally on the rise of influential Formula 1 drivers —Mario Andretti, James Hunt, Nikki Lauda and winner of the 1977 Monaco Grand Prix, Jody Scheckter.
Jet-setting automobile fanatics, celebrities, fashionistas and fans kept coming. Today, the Monaco Grand Prix, which overlaps for one day with the Cannes Film Festival, continues to play host to throngs of fans eager to experience the “jewel of the crown” in the Formula 1 motorsport championship competitions.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Reginald Gray A fan admiring the Marlboro BRM sponsored race car at the 1973 Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo, France on June 5, 1973.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Reginald Gray Princess Grace Kelly and Prince Ranier and members of the Monaco royal family attend the 1973 F1 Monaco Grand Prix on June 6, 1973 in Monte Carlo, France.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Reginald Gray Count Frédéric Chandon de Briailles (C) and guest stand along the Circuit de Monaco during the 1973 F1 Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo, France.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Guy Marineau Mario Andretti prepares to race the John Player Special during the F1 Monaco Grand Prix on May 24, 1977 in Monte Carlo, France.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Guy Marineau Alana Hamilton, Bianca Jagger and Régine Zylberberg attend a luncheon at the Hotel de Paris during the 35th edition of the F1 Monaco Grand Prix on May 24, 1977 in Monte Carlo, France.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Guy Marineau Racing driver Niki Lauda autographs his self-titled book during the 35th edition of the F1 Monte Carlo Grand Prix on June 5, 1973.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Guy Marineau Spectators at the 35th edition of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix on May 24, 1977 in Monte Carlo, France.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Guy Marineau Guests attend the 35th edition of the F1 Monaco Grand Prix on May 24, 1977 in Monte Carlo, France.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Guy Marineau Racing cars along the Circuit de Monaco during the 35th edition of the F1 Monaco Grand Prix on May 24, 1977 in Monte Carlo, France.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Guy Marineau Guest at the 35th edition of the F1 Monaco Grand Prix on May 24, 1977 in Monte Carlo, France.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Guy Marineau Members of Monaco’s Royal Family (Princess Grace, Prince Ranier, Princess Caroline) award the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix championship trophy to winning driver Jody Scheckter on May 24, 1977.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Guy Marineau Driver James Hunt photographed during the F1 Monaco Grand Prix on May 24, 1977 in Monte Carlo, France.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Reginald Gray Josephine Baker and Marie Bell attend the Monte Carlo Red Cross Ball on August 10, 1973 in Monte Carlo, France.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Reginald Gray Deeda Blair and William Blair attend the Monte Carlo Red Cross Ball on August 10, 1973 in Monte Carlo, France.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Michel Maurou Liza Minelli (R) and Jack Haley, Jr. arrive for the opening of Monaco’s Societe des Bains de mer Sporting and Gambling club in Monte Carlo, France on June 22, 1974.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Guy Marineau Street Style in Monte Carlo, France on August 11, 1977.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Guy Marineau Street scenes in Monte Carlo, France during the 35th edition of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix on May 24, 1977.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Michel Maurou Andy Warhol and Jerry Hall attend a party celebrating the 1979 Monaco Grand Prix race in Monaco on May 27, 1979.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Michel Maurou Andie MacDowell and guests attend a party celebrating the 1979 Monaco Grand Prix race in Monaco on May 27, 1979.
-
Fashion, Fun and Fast Cars at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate Racing Extravaganza
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Count Frédéric Chandon de Briailles and Mick Jagger (R) attend a party celebrating the 1979 Monaco Grand Prix race in Monte Carlo, France on May 27, 1979.