Before influencer mansions or Instagram clout, there was Louis XIV’s palace, Versailles — the world’s first Hype House. And spoiler: it reeked.

In this episode, Shallon Lester unpacks how The Sun King used glamour, gossip, and pure spectacle to keep France’s elite under his control — all while forgetting one tiny detail: plumbing!

Versailles was a feast for the eyes...and a nightmare for the nose.

But behind the wigs and perfume lies the real lesson: when you’re busy performing someone else’s idea of greatness, you end up choking on the stench of imitation.

Trendsetters build empires. Followers just clean up the mess.

Let's go to Italy! History comes alive on my 5-star European getaways custom crafted for luxury and sisterhood with alpha females from around the world! ⁠Check out my new Rome & Amalfi trip for 2026 ⁠ 🇮🇹 🍋