Luberon, basking underneath a perfect Mediterranean climate, which, for centuries, has kept both its cultural and natural assets, is an idyllic region of Provence –perfectly intact. In fact so immaculate and picturesque is the Luberon area in this highly revered region of Provence that since 1977 it has been a listed Parc Naturel Regional.

There have however been criticisms made by locals of the Luberon area, that the Italian-born fashion designer Pierre Cardin has turned the unspoilt area of Provence into one of the most expensive places in France.

In recent years the world famous fashion designer has bought 23 properties in the area, including a splendid castle that aristocrat and writer Marquis de Sade once owned.

In buying so many homes in villages such as Lacoste, the so-called medieval gem of the Luberon and home of the castle which used to belong to the notorious Marquis de Sade, locals are accusing Cardin of turning their one rural village retreat into an enclave for the rich and famous, and having made house prices soar in the area.

Although surely if one owns a property in an area, one would be grateful to anyone or anything that resulted in the value of their property being increased? A family home in the Luberon typically cost well over £1 million and £4 million villas are common.

The 89-year-old fashion designer has also converted several of his properties in Lacoste into art galleries, an act that has led to many locals believing that Cardin is transformed the Luberon from ‘traditional’ to ‘trendy’.

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The Cote d’Azur may have become renowned for being a popular spot for aristocrats to muse the days away, but when the legendary rock n roller’s The Rolling Stones found refuge here in the summer of 1971, the region was catapulted into a sanctuary for legendary yet somewhat anguished stars.

Exactly 40 years ago, The Rolling Stones, battling with drug addiction, constant harassment by the British authorities and financial problems, went into exile in the South of France.

The troubled rock band spent the summer at Villa Nellcote, a sixteen-room mansion on the waterfront of Villefranche-Sur-Meron on the Cote d’Azur. It was during their time at Villa Nellcote, that the group recorded sessions in the basement of the villa, for their classic 1972 album ‘Exile on Main Street’.

The Rolling Stones are reported to have been inspired immensely by their temporary residence on the Cote d’Azur. Their stay at Villa Nellcote, granted reciprocal notoriety for both the Stones and the venue itself, the former for producing arguably their most celebrated and storied album, and the latter for becoming a practically world-known venue almost overnight.

Villa Nellcote was built in the late 1890s by Eugene Thomas, a former banker. The villa was built imposingly, decorated elaborately framed by iconic columns made from marble. In 1919, the “Amicitia Castle” as it had become known, was rechristened as “Nellcote”.

This almost baroque house on the Cote d’Azur provided the perfect solution for the band to avoid having to pay 93% income tax if they had stayed in the UK. The ingenious solution was thought up by the Rolling Stone’s financial advisor, Prince Rupert Lowenstein.

But asides from being a pragmatic ‘business’ reason that saw the Stones say ‘goodbye’ to London and ‘bonjour’ to the south of France, the British rock band had a relaxing, peaceful and stunningly beautiful spot to write and record what was arguably their most legendary album.

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Global interest in the Duchess of Cambridge and the death of Alexander McQueen appear to have increased London’s fashion profile.

According to a survey by Global Language Monitor, London has now overtaken New York as the world’s fashion capital for 2011. The Texas-based trend analyser tracks the frequency of words and phrases across print, electronic and social media.

The city has experienced a significant increase in media interest, and it is speculated that this was fuelled by the suicide of British designer, Alexander McQueen, and also the interest in Kate Middleton following her wedding to Prince William in April this year.

She is now considered as a global fashion icon, and is even featured on Vanity Fair’s 72^nd Annual Best-Dressed list. She is continuously praised for her signature style – a mix of higher and lower end fashion, which was brought to the media’s attention during her first royal trip across Canada and North America.

Alexander McQueen still continues to steal the headlines over a year after his tragic death, as a retrospective exhibition of his work in New York is ranked as one of the 10 most visited exhibitions in the Metropolitan Museum’s 141-year history. There has also been a strong public opinion that the exhibition should be brought to London – McQueen’s home and inspiration.

Of course, these two popular public figures were also united when Kate’s eagerly-anticipated wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton – McQueen’s right-hand woman and the brand’s head designer after his death. The dress also proved to be Buckingham Palace’s main attraction since opening to the public last month.

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A collection of the late actress’ jewellery, art and clothes are to go on display around the world, before eventually being sold at auction in December.

Taylor’s possessions will be exhibited on a tour beginning in September.

This will include stops in Moscow, London, Dubai, Geneva, Paris, Hong Kong and Los Angeles, before ending in New York. This is where the items will be displayed at Christies’ gallery space at the start of December.

The auction itself will be held in the middle of December, just in time for Christmas. The proceeds from the auction will go to The Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation.

Elizabeth Taylor died in March, aged 79, and was estimated to be worth around $1 billion at the time of her death.

Her jewellery collection alone was valued at $150 million in 2002. This includes her most prized possession – La Peregrina pearl, whose previous owners include Queen Mary I of England. This coveted piece was a present to Taylor from Richard Burton on Valentine’s Day during their first marriage.

Marc Porter from Christies says that the tour “will be a window into the world of a true icon”.

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