the region is protected from development as a nature preserve, while a significant portion is protected for traditional agricultural uses, such as rice fields and salt ponds. Restrictive development regulations were installed purposefully by the Herdade da Comporta and the municipal governments to both preserve the natural landscape of the region and ensure its exclusivity. The region of Comporta is located within 3 freguesias (civil parishes) within the Alentejan municipalities of Alcácer do Sal and Grândola: Comporta, Carvalhal, and Melides. The following towns and villages are located within the region: Comporta (village) Carrasqueira Possanco Cambado Pego Carvalhal Brejos da Carragueira Torre Melides Muda Pinheirinho Sesmarias Beaches Praia da Comporta Praia do Carvalhal Praia do Pego Praia dos Brejos Praia da Raposa Praia do Pinheirinho Praia da Galé Culture The development of the region by the Herdade da Comporta into a high-end destination in the 1990s, under the leadership of the Espírito Santo banking family, intentionally sought to attract notable artists, designers, and celebrities to the area, with the aim of building an exclusive artistic community for the jet-set. Notable artists and designers that reside in the region include fashion designer Christian Louboutin, architect Philippe Starck, painter Jason Martin, and art curator Marc-Olivier Wahler, among others. Comporta hosted an edition of the Wings for Life World Run in 2014. Christian Louboutin shot his 2013 collection at the Cais Palafítico in Carrasqueira. British painter Jason Martin established two art studios in Comporta in 2018, one in the village of Melides and the other in the middle of a natural reserve within the Herdade da Comporta. Comporta style The Comporta style, sometimes known as "Hippie Chic", is a local architectural and design style, developed by various architects and designers since the 1990s. The style is heavily influenced by traditional vernacular architecture of the Alentejo, ecological design, and regional arts and artisanry. Typical motifs include thatched roofing, straw plaiting, and Arraiolos rugs. Notable residents Christian Louboutin, French fashion designer Monica Bellucci, Italian actress and model Nicolas Sarkozy, former President of France Carla Bruni, Italian-French supermodel and singer Andrea Casiraghi, member of the Royal Family of Monaco Charlotte Casiraghi, member of the Royal Family of Monaco Philippe Starck, French architect Princess Diana de Cadaval, Portuguese princess and author Noemi Marone Cinzano, Italian countess & Cinzano heiress Marc-Olivier Wahler, Swiss art curator Jacques Grange, French interior designer Albina du Boisrouvray, French countess and Patiño heiress Pierre