Dior & Villa Reale di Marlia

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Villa Reale di Marlia

11 Bedrooms – 22 Guests

From EUR 210,000 per week to price on request

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What unites Dior’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, the iconic socialite Anna Laetitia “Mimì” Pecci Blunt, the stunning Villa Reale di Marlia, the historic Teatro della Cometa, and the legendary Bal Blanc soirées? The inspiration behind the Dior Cruise 2026 masterpiece.

Who was Mimì, the woman behind the legend?

Anna Laetitia Pecci Blunt, known as Mimì, was a prominent figure in twentieth-century cultural life. Born in Rome in 1885 and the niece of Pope Leo XIII, she made Villa Reale di Marlia her home from 1923, where she now rests.

Deeply attached to the villa, she used it as a stage for her personality, a place to host illustrious guests, and to savour the pleasures of life. Mimì carefully restored the villa, reviving its Napoleonic heritage by acquiring original furnishings from the First Empire.

Some of the most vibrant chapters of her life unfolded within these walls. Today, a rich archive preserves her legacy and offers a glimpse into the elegance and creativity she brought to every corner of her world.

Want to experience the same magic? You can organise your own Bal Blanc parties inspired by “Mimì” at Villa Reale di Marlia, open only for a brief time each year.

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Why the Bal Blanc Parties Were So Iconic

Mimì Pecci Blunt’s legendary Bal Blanc soirées took place in her Parisian residence, where everything from the décor to the dress code was white. Though held in Paris, these events reflect the same refined taste and artistic spirit she brought to Villa Reale di Marlia, her beloved Tuscan retreat.

Bal Blanc parties followed one striking rule: everything had to be white. Guests arrived in white clothing, dined at white-covered tables, and moved through gardens filled with white flowers and soft candlelight.

Mimì welcomed artists, aristocrats, writers, and musicians from across Europe. The evenings often began with outdoor dinners in the formal gardens, followed by music, poetry, or spontaneous performances inside the villa.

There was no fixed schedule. Each gathering flowed with ease, combining culture, conversation, and charm. The Bal Blanc parties were not just social occasions. They were an expression of Mimì’s taste, imagination, and love for beauty.

Maria’s Encounter with Mimì’s Legacy

Maria Grazia Chiuri’s first encounter with Contessa Mimì’s archives happened in 2023, when she visited a temporary exhibition dedicated to her life and legacy at Villa Reale di Marlia.

The exhibition was curated by the cultural association Associazione Napoleone ed Elisa: da Parigi alla Toscana and was titled “Mimì. Anna Laetitia Pecci Blunt: her soul in an archive.” It celebrated this extraordinary patron and cultural figure. Due to the remarkable interest it sparked among visitors, the temporary show has since become a permanent part of the villa’s museum.

During a quiet, unannounced visit, Maria discovered a rich collection of photographs, documents, and personal objects that offered an intimate glimpse into Mimì’s passion for art and culture.

The museum includes Mimì’s personal records, magazines, her ethnographic collection, and memorabilia from her great-uncle Pope Leo XIII. These items reveal not only Mimì’s eclectic interests and intellectual vitality but also her clear affinities with Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, sister of Emperor Napoleon.

Intrigued by what she saw, Maria Chiuri also purchased the exhibition catalogue, which features additional materials not displayed in the main gallery.

A Deepening Interest

Villa Reale has always maintained a close connection to everything related to Mimì’s name. Over time, it came to light that the historic Teatro della Cometa, a theatre once owned by Mimì, was undergoing renovation.

Interestingly, the new owner was Maria Grazia Chiuri herself, who took on the restoration. Located in Rome, this beloved theatre is known for its exclusivity and as a gathering place for art lovers.

“This theatre is born from a great passion for Mimì’s art — the same passion that Rachele and I share, and everyone in the family. She truly followed her passions. Beyond restoring the theatre, there is also the desire to tell her story.”

— ON WHY MARIA BOUGHT THE THEATRE

The picture became complete in the winter of 2024 when Maria’s team formally approached Villa Reale with a keen interest in exploring Mimì’s archives further.

This was motivated by plans to inaugurate the renovated Teatro della Cometa with a special exhibition, while at the same time, Maria sought inspiration for her Dior Cruise 2026 collection from the elegant evening gatherings that Contessa Mimì once hosted at Villa Reale and in Paris.

This marked the official start of her deeper collaboration with the villa. She also brought her daughter and the Dior team to document the visit.

In Search of Inspiration at Villa Reale

Upon her arrival at the majestic Villa Reale, Maria Grazia Chiuri wanted to see the garden first. In Contessa Mimì’s time, the garden served as an open-air café where artists and creatives would gather.

Many photographs from that era show guests enjoying lively moments at the villa. Some swam in the pool, like Salvador Dalí, whilst others, such as Jacqueline Kennedy, relaxed nearby. Now it was Maria’s turn to draw inspiration by soaking in the villa’s atmosphere and archives to shape her Dior collection.

Next, she visited the Green Theatre, the oldest outdoor theatre surrounded by vegetation. Mimì had used this space for her events, and Paganini once played the violin there for Napoleon’s sister.

This theatre became a key source of inspiration for Maria and helped her envision the theatrical experience she planned to offer guests at the Dior show in the renovated theatre Teatro della Cometa.

The tour continued to the museum dedicated to Mimì, where Villa Reale gave Maria rare behind-the-scenes access to areas normally closed to the public. Later, they made their way up to the Clock House – where something remarkable happened: she discovered a Dior coat that had once belonged to Mimì.

The visit was intense as Maria absorbed as much as she could. She found not only the Bal Blanc archives but also materials related to the theatre she had bought, including the first invitation to a theatre show, the opening night poster, and photographs of attendees. Mimì had carefully collected all these treasures at Villa Reale, making the discovery a wonderful surprise for Maria.

The Creative Result: Mimì’s Influence on Dior

Thanks to the inspiration drawn from Mimì Pecci Blunt and the archives at Villa Reale di Marlia, Dior’s creative director brought Mimì’s spirit to life through two remarkable projects.

First, following the recent reopening of the Teatro della Cometa, Maria Grazia Chiuri organised an exhibition dedicated to the countess. The display featured carefully selected materials from the archive “Grönberg – Villa Reale di Marlia” and recalled the tableaux vivants that Mimì once hosted.

To celebrate the theatre’s inauguration, Chiuri presented an artistic performance directed by Lorenzo Salveti, inspired by the legendary 1930 Bal Blanc party held at Mimì’s Parisian home.

This event was immortalised in Vogue and other international magazines. The Villa Reale team provided all the archive materials for this unique occasion, which was marked by an exclusive Dior fashion show attended by VIP guests.

Building on this, Chiuri also looked to Mimì’s legendary 1930s soirées as the creative foundation for Dior’s Cruise 2026 collection. The collection was unveiled on 27 May 2025 at Villa Albani Torlonia in Rome during a grand fashion show attended by cinema stars and other distinguished guests.

Through both projects, Mimì’s elegance and creative legacy continue to inspire and captivate new audiences.

Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Creative Vision

Maria Grazia Chiuri’s deep connection to Rome, where she once shared the creative direction of Valentino with Pierpaolo Piccioli, has played a defining role in shaping her artistic vision. As the first female creative director of Dior, she has transformed fashion into a bold conversation with art, history, and identity.

Chiuri weaves stories and culture into every stitch, working closely with artists and artisans to create collections that feel fresh, soulful, and rich in meaning. Her approach reimagines tradition with fearless creativity, celebrating strength, beauty, and imagination.

An Exclusive Villa Experience

Nestled in the heart of Tuscany, just north of the charming city of Lucca, Villa Reale di Marlia offers a truly unique stay. This historic estate, with roots dating back to medieval times, has been lovingly restored by Henric & Marina Grönberg since 2015.

Their careful work has brought the villa back to its former glory whilst adding modern comforts for today’s guests.

What makes this property truly special is its extraordinary 16-hectare park, which tells the story of five centuries of history. As you walk through the gardens, you’ll discover different areas from different time periods.

One section preserves the original 17th-century design with formal hedges and flowerbeds, whilst another follows the English garden style with winding paths and shaded groves. The park is famous for its stunning camellias, some of the most beautiful in the Lucca area, along with magnificent cedar, pine, and oak trees.

The villa operates as a museum most of the year, but for just a short period annually, it becomes an exclusive private retreat. During your stay, the property closes to the public, giving you complete privacy and tranquillity. Even Dior chose this remarkable setting as inspiration for one of their grandest fashion shows.

Your exclusive experience includes access to a private outdoor pool, helicopter landing area, golf cart, outdoor dining spaces, and the historic park with its fountains and water features. You’ll also have access to terraces, courtyards, and even a private chapel, all within the fully walled estate.

During your stay, you can even recreate the magic of Mimì’s legendary Bal Blanc parties in the same formal gardens where she once hosted artists, aristocrats, and cultural figures from across Europe, following her elegant tradition where everything was dressed in white.