But Victoria did pack a suitcase, presumably checked first-class, of “loud Lilly Pulitzer”–esque dresses and floaty cover-ups, perfect for sipping mint juleps by a members-only pool. Bovaird referenced how the society set in Oxford, Mississippi, dress and the lifestyle of “the caftan queen of Birmingham, Alabama,” Susan Dumas. “She and her country club friends love vintage caftans,” says Bovaird, who also designed a resort-ready White Lotus–inspired collaboration with H&M.
Fabio Lovino/HBO
The eldest Ratliff sibling, Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), thirsty for his withholding father’s approval, immediately telegraphs douchebag bro in one of his many Southern Tide polo shirts, wraparound Roger Federer sunglasses, and Gucci loafers sans socks. “His shorts are Brooks Brothers, and they’re just not the cool length,” says Bovaird. Younger sister Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook), who’s seeking spirituality on the island, hints at the burgeoning disconnect from her family with her ’80s-referential Ralph Lauren white lace dress. “She is a little bit more of the pure voice who’s looking for something more meaningful than her very materialistic family,” says Bovaird, who referenced a teenage Brooke Shields for Piper’s demure embroidered and lace-trimmed dresses. “[She’s] a bit more earthy, really wholesome, and a little more covered up.”
Off to the side, a trio of 40-something childhood best friends giggle and gossip at the start of their decadent, and potentially debauched, reunion trip. In their coordinating sundresses, bags, and blonde highlights, they could be a girl group: TV actor Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan) in Alemais and Valentino; Austin socialite Kate (Leslie Bibb) in Paul Smith and Delvaux; and New York City lawyer Laurie (Carrie Coon) in Zimmermann and Loewe—check, check, and check.
Fabio Lovino/HBO
Fabio Lovino/HBO
“They’re supposed to look interchangeable, but Laurie is the one who’s maybe trying to keep up with the girls,” says Bovaird. For the first-night dinner, Laurie dons a vintage Sue Wong watercolor-print jumpsuit, and later cries into her Giambattista Valli chain-link bag. Meanwhile, Kate, in red ruffle-tiered Lanvin, and Jaclyn, in a gold dragon-embroidered ’70s black vintage dress, trade fake, backhanded compliments.
Jaclyn also employs her holiday as an opportunity for designer spon-con. “We imagined that she got a box of resort pieces that Valentino sent over. Maybe Kate grabbed a suit out of Jaclyn’s box,” says Bovaird. “Because that’s true to life—brands want to support actors.” For their first trip to the pool, Kate wraps a black-and-white panther-print sarong from the 2023 Escape collection around the waist of a Valentino hot pink maillot. Jaclyn, who’s regularly recognized by guests, appropriately called dibs on the showier, logo-mania pieces, like an oversized shirt cover-up and a flashy silver-sequined minidress.
