EDITOR’S TRAVEL DIARY: SOUTH OF FRANCE EDITION, STYLED BY ZALANDO
editor MARIA MOTA
Summer’s finally here! Coming from a warm country and now living in the ever so moody Amsterdam, each year I find myself craving this season a little more. So when the opportunity for a long weekend getaway came along, I didn’t think twice. Destination: South of France.
I turned to Zalando to find my looks, booked all the activities I had planned, and made this weekend exactly what I needed it to be. So if you, like me, enjoy the sun, good food, art, and cute outfits, here are my confessions from “just a girl on holiday.” At the end of the day, we all need some downtime, too.
DAY 1
After arriving at Nice airport, I headed into the hills and checked in at Fondation CAB, where I stayed for the next couple of days. I had lunch at their café-restaurant, SOL, and wandered through the current exhibition, Partenaires Particuliers.
Curated by Hugo Vitrani, the exhibition showcases works from the Supports/Surfaces movement—an avant-garde painting movement from the 70s where artists experimented with everything but the classic brush, paint, and canvas. Brushless paintings, mop paintings, frameless works, folded or burned canvases, stamped prints, dotted patterns… there were no rules.
First confession (or just a fun fact): staying here was the highlight of my trip. The stars truly aligned because I had the chance to stay at the iconic Prouvé House, which is an art piece in itself. Everything about it is just perfect. Design, stillness, and that gentle, quiet luxury. (It absolutely deserves a love letter of its own, and yes, one is definitely in the works.)
When I’m on holiday, I like to take things slow. So I spent the rest of the afternoon simply enjoying my surroundings, the sounds of nature, and relaxing. To beat the heat, and feel as comfortable as possible, I styled this flowy Seafolly dress with a polka dot Ralph Lauren scarf. Second confession: I choose comfort over everything. (Thank you, linen.)
As evening rolled in, I started getting ready for dinner. I wore this stunning MAISONÊTRE silky dress (which quickly became my favorite), paired with Alohas heeled sandals I could walk in for hours, and my go-to sunglasses: classic WAYFARER Ray-Bans.
I love a late summer dinner, and this dress was the perfect choice for when the sun went down. Confession number three: I don’t like jackets. Unless it’s a big, cozy, dramatic winter coat, I don’t want it. This look made me feel effortlessly elegant – ideal for a night out at Côte d'Azur, and yet warm enough if the air turned cool.
Dinner was at Sophie Feu de Bois, in Vence. An intimate spot where everything is cooked on an open flame. Cannot recommend it enough! The night ended with a moonlight walk through the town’s winding cobblestone streets.
DAY 2
Confession number four: I’m obsessed with the classics, which is exactly what my morning consisted of. Coffee, a croissant, orange juice. Havaianas. Ray-Bans. Why mess with perfection? Styled together with my minty green vintage dress turned into top, and black capri pants.
After my breakfast at another classic, Café de la Place, I wandered Saint-Paul de Vence, taking in its tiny alleys, hidden galleries and bumping into art pieces everywhere I turned.
One quick outfit change later, I headed over to Maeght Foundation or, as some might remember it, the place where Jacquemus held his SS24 show.
Overlooking Nice, the foundation is home to 13,000 works of 20th-century modern art. Joan Miró, Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Alberto Giacometti, Henri Matisse, and Raoul Ubac all contributed to the design of the building and its gardens. Their works, along with many others, are perfectly curated throughout this dream museum.
I fell in love with the garden, how the pieces, the shadows, and the shapes came together. Almost as if they’ve always belonged there.
My outfit: a deep V-neck tee from Zadig & Voltaire, white wide-leg jeans from Abercrombie & Fitch, flip flops, Ray-Bans, and a raffia AllSaints tote. Very me. I love a monochromatic look.
For dinner, we headed back into town and to a local restaurant overlooking the hills. Since this is a space for confessions: Sure, ponchos are cozy! But I never thought I’d enjoy wearing a poncho as much as I did. Ugly Betty knew something we didn’t. Worn in a more refined chic way, less boho, less indie sleaze, I paired it with black capris, Alohas open-heeled sandals, and Ray-Bans.
DAY 3
Went to Cap d’Antibes for a sunny beach day. I took my mini dress and AllSaints tote that fits in everything I need. Stopped for some ice cream along the way at a very local stand, Gelateria l’Albert 1er, before spending the next hours under the sun.
And just like that, it was time to go back home. To feel the most comfortable at the airport, I put on an oversized Victoria Beckham tee. Chic no?
This was really fun xx
See you next time!!