Travel

Vintage vacation: 30 times Slim Aarons's camera captured the essence of summer

From Capri, to Acapulco and Saint-Tropez, Slim Aarons spent decades photographing the jet set around the world. We're opening up the archives, looking at some of the best pool parties the 1960s and 1970s had to offer.
Vintage vacation Slim Aarons's swimming pool photos capture the essence of summer
Slim Aarons/Getty
Slim Aarons /Getty

James Pendleton's Beverly Hills swimming pool in 1952

One ordinary Sunday afternoon, the decorator and his wife sip a tea next to the pool surrounded by their friends. From lef to right: Mr and Mrs Pendleton, Leonard Stanley, Mr and Mrs Riley, Mr and Mrs Henry and Miss Jack.

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The swimming pool of a private villa in Acapulco, 1950s

With friend Micki Salle and her brown poodle, Mexican star Dolores Del Rio swims in Acapulco in 1952

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Slim Aarons's own Hollywood pool in 1954

As Christmas of 1954 approached, the photographer immortalized his wife Rita Aarons in their pool decorated with baubles and a Christmas tree draped in garlands.

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The Canzone del Mare pool in Capri in 1954

In this classic summer scene in Canzone del Mare on the Piccola Marina in Capri, holiday-makers gather in the renowned 1950s beach club.

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Winston Frederick Churchill's pool in Palm Beach in 1955

The Churchill family heir and his son Alexander Michael Douglas Dudley, photographed with their dogs in front of the Greco-Roman pool in Villa Artemis, Florida.

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The Fontainebleau hotel in Miami, 1955

One of the most iconic pools in Miami Beach, shaped like a cat. Unfortunately, the pool no longer exists.

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The other pool at the Fontainebleau hotel in Miami, 1955

A bird's eye view of the pool at this Florida hotel.

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The Ocean Club pool in the Bahamas in 1957

One of the most famous pool clubs on Paradise Island, captured in the height of summer.

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Merle Oberon's pool in Acapulco in 1958

Merle Oberon and her husband Bruno Pagliai in their garden in Acapulco. The fountain was designed by the actress herself.

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The pool of a private villa in Kenya in 1958

Travelers sit by their pool in their house on the Kenyan coastline.

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The Tahoe Tavern pool in 1959

On the banks of Lake Tahoe in the US, the Tahoe Tavern pool drew Californian sun-worshipers year round.

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George Newhall's San Francisco pool in the 1960s

The house and garden were inspired by Le Petit Trianon in Versailles.

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Andrew Watson Armour III's swimming pool in the 1960s

The heir of the Armour and Compagny food empire sits beside his pool in Lake Forest in Illinois.

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The Canellopoulos pool Athènes, 1961

A young member of the Canellopoulos family captured next to the pool of her Athenian penthouse in July.

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The Marbella hotel pool in 1963

Somewhere between swimming pool and Mediterranean lagoon.

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The Hilton in Acapulco, 1966

A gem of the 1960s jet set was Acapulco and its pools, especially that of the mythical Hilton, surrounded by palms.

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Hector and Chico de Ayala's Marbella pool in 1967

Named El Venero, this beautiful Moorish villa belongs to Hector and Chico de Ayala.

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Tom Darlington's pool in Arizona, photographed in 1967

Next to Tom Darlington's pool lies a naked woman, soaking up the first rays of April sun.

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The pool of a private home in Bermuda, 1967

Just a stone's throw from the beach, a small swimming pool crowns this Bermuda home.

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Arturo Pani's pool in Acapulco in 1968

The pool of the designer in his home in Mexico.

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The pool of Hotel Il Pellicano in 1969

Holidaymakers at the Il Pellicano enjoy the summer of love.

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Edgar J.Kaufmann's pool in Palm Springs in the 1970s

The creation of Richard Neutra, this magnificent villa is home to an infinite pool, by which Helen Dzo Dzo (left) and Nelda Linsk, the wife of art dealer Joseph Linsk, recline.

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The pool at the Algarve hotel in 1970 On of the most photogenic pools in Portugal at the time.

The Butler's pool

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in the Bahamas in 1971, Allan and Shirley Butler in their villa named 'Jacaranda' in the Bahamas.

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The Villa Nirvana in Mexico in 1971

A beautiful pool with a view over the Acapulco bay.

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Albin Holder's pool in Florida in the 1970s

Albin Holder and friends next to his Palm Beach pool.

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The Princess Hotel pool in Acapulco in 1975

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The pool of Hotel Taormina in 1975

A typical Sicilian summer day.

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A pool in Antibes in 1976

The iconic pool at Eden Roc on the French Riviera.

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Philippe Talien's St. Tropez pool in 1977

The architect is immortalized next to his pool, in the villa baptized "Bastide Grande" in St. Tropez.

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The Meridian Club pool in Turks & Caicos in 1981

Ginny and Bill Cowles's club, on one of the island's most beautiful beaches.