Destination: Hamptons
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Tomas Maier
Never a conformist, the German-born, Miami-based designer, who is also the creative director at Bottega Veneta, opened his boutique not on Main Street in East Hampton but in a small, white cottage right off the Montauk Highway in Wainscott. Time will tell whether the location will prove the right one for his breezy minimalist collections. It will surely become a hot spot for East End fashionistas looking for the season’s hottest bikinis.
Albright Samples
Update: This shop has closed.
New York’s Albright Fashion Library is famous among celebrity stylists, fashion editors and costume designers (like the ones on the Devil Wears Prada set) for its collection of both vintage and contemporary couture. With the opening of the Nugent Lane outpost, Hamptons socialites can now rent pieces—at 10 to 20% of the cost—from design houses like Dolce & Gabbana, Alberta Ferretti and Marc Jacobs for the summer benefit season.
Altona
For years, this space on Job’s Lane was occupied by Nancy & Co. But this year, Altona moved in and is now the go-to place for great jeans (Dead Sexy), yummy T-shirts and sweaters as well as caftans from Virginia Whitbeck.
Anya’s
Update: This shop has closed
Like Nancy of Nancy & Co., the owners of Anya’s travel all over the globe scouting out women’s fashion. Their Jobs Lane boutique, which opened two years ago, carries over 60 designers including Milly, Anna Sui, Melissa Odabash and Toca as well as exotic accessories from South America, and some menswear.
Bellhaus
The shopping scene in the tiny hamlet of Wainscott just got a serious boost, with the opening of Bellhaus, a lifestyle boutique that carries luxury fashion, homeware and beauty products, All the big-name designers like Carolina Herrera, Lanvin and Alexander McQueen are represented, but the store also stocks pieces from edgier, less well-known couture labels, including Jitrois, Azzaro and Laurence Decade.
Biba Southampton
Barbara Blatt’s summer-only Biba boutique is always popular with celebrities on the lookout for the latest, hottest fashions. This year the store relocated to a bigger address on 9 Windmill Lane (across from the Tuscan House in Southampton) and expanded its inventory to include menswear. To help keep her collection up-to-date, Blatt hosts a different designer trunk show every weekend. Personal shopping services (in the privacy of your home if you prefer) can also be arranged.
Calypso Christiane Celle
Christiane Celle’s hippie-chic skirts, wrap-dresses and accessories are staples at any stylish beach resort and the Hamptons is no exception. In fact, East Hampton is where Celle herself moved after leaving St. Barth’s, and it is one of the places that inspires her lifestyle brand.
Additional shop in Sag Harbor at 117 Main Street.
Carleen Ligozio
Ligozio, a former buyer for Henri Bendel and Saks Fifth Avenue, has a good eye for fashion. Her Southampton store stocks Allegra Hicks wrap dresses, Susan van der Linde appliqué hats, jewelry by Elizabeth Brady and other wardrobe essentials for the chic Hamptons women.
Cashmere Hampton
With other locations sprouting up in places like Aspen and Palm Beach, Cashmere Hampton, which has its own line but also carries non-cashmere fashions from a variety of designers, is becoming a fixture in resort towns across the U.S.A.
Catherine Malandrino
Provence native and Bridgehampton homeowner Catherine Malandrino is a favorite with celebrities like Brooke Shields, Heidi Klum and Angelina Jolie—a photo of the latter wearing a yellow empire-waist Malandrino gown has been featured in nearly every tabloid. The designer’s pieces are colorful, flirty and feminine and often distinguished by some sort of interesting detail—a large ruffled sleeve, say, or an elaborate stitch or print pattern.
Christopher Fischer Cashmere
Update: Shop is now closed.
English native and Hamptons homeowner Christopher Fischer has been attracting royals and celebrities with his stylish cashmere wraps, dresses and tees for decades. In 1999, he opened his first retail boutique in Southampton (others soon followed in East Hampton, NYC and Greenwich, Connecticut).
Cynthia Rowley
Rowley famously sold her four-bedroom East Hampton house in favor of a smaller, more rustic Montauk cottage, but she kept the East Hampton boutique, which carries playful and sophisticated (as well as playfully sophisticated) designs.
Diane von Furstenberg
“The idea was to create a caravan-inspired space that felt like a nomadic tent that we would set up for the summer,” fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg told Hamptons magazine about her pop-up boutique in Southampton. Expect pieces from the ready-to-wear collections, swimwear and accessories, as well as some beachy exclusives.
Earnest Sewn
Haute denim including Lit’l Earnie jeans for kids as well as discounted older collections are sold at this new summer-only boutique. Like Earnest Sewn’s other locations in NYC’s Meatpacking District and Lower East Side, the interior here is meant to resemble a General Store from the early 1900s and the whole look is industrial-chic with faded brick walls and dark wooden tables and shelves.
Edit Summer
The curated designer boutique from the Upper East Side made its debut on the South Fork with favorites like Derek Lam, James Paige and K Jacques sandals.
Elie Tahari
King of wearable couture and Sagaponack homewoner Elie Tahari has his flagship boutique in East Hampton.
Erin Snow
Update: This shop has closed.
Erin Snow started out designing fashionable ski clothes because she was frustrated by how hard it was to find stylish looks for the slopes. She has since expanded to create an entire lifestyle line, including chic tennis dresses, wonderful resort skirts, well-tailored pants and Hepburnesque jackets. In sum, an updated country club look.
Giorgio’s of Palm Beach
Update: Shop is now closed.
Giorgio’s just opened in Southampton, and is certain to do a brisk business with its cashmere sweaters and crocodile bags in every pastel shade possible. The brand is well-known by those who summer here and winter in Palm Beach, and anyone who has stayed at the Breakers has been dazzled by Giorgio’s vast lobby emporium. All of their signature items from alligator and ostrich loafers with matching handbags to luxurious cashmere wraps, sweaters and blazers can be bought or ordered now in the space just behind the fountain in Jobs Lane’s little brick courtyard area.
Hampton & Co.
Buzz for the new fashion brand—everything is made in the U.S.—is already in the air: chic newcomer c/o The Maidstone used the reinvented classic fashion as part of its staff uniforms and one of the company’s limited-edition Georgica alligator bags was recently seen on Gossip Girls.
Henry Lehr
A jean-lover’s paradise, Henry Lehr carries all the hot denim brands, including Rogan, Chip and Pepper, True Religion, AG, Seven for All Mankind and Citizens of Humanity.
Hermès
The French luxury goods company decided to open this spacious store so quickly that inventory had to be filled from other outposts all over the U.S. This makes for an eclectic assortment of items, ranging from scarves and jewelry to gardening accessories and pieces from the women’s ready-to-wear. Hamptons-specific merchandise includes oversized beach towels in vibrant hues whose labels spell out “Hermès East Hampton.” The seasonal store will be open through September.
Il Sandalo
Another Palm Beach transplant (though originally from Capri), Il Sandalo sells gorgeous bejeweled sandals—a prerequisite for any glamorous resort town. Custom designs are also available. Most days an artisan crafts sandals in the shop, proof that each crocodile thong is hand-made.
Intermix
The trendy fashion emporium showcases both big name as well as up and coming designers. Its two Hamptons boutiques are both bright, airy and beautifully designed, with bamboo flooring and dressing rooms meant to resemble private beach cabanas.
J. McLaughlin
Kevin and Jay McLaughlin’s madras and seersucker shorts and colorful ribbon belts and khakis are perfect for a day at Maidstones or any of the other elite Hampton country clubs. Preppy-chic women also love the quilted jackets, linen pants and modest yet colorful skirts and dresses.
There’s also a Bridgehampton location (at 121 Main Street) and in Southampton, the men’s boutique is just down the road (at 12 Jobs Lane).
J.Crew at the Beach
The selection here has been edited down to contain only those J. Crew items deemed Hamptons-worthy. Thus, you’ll see linen jackets and pants, elegant silk dresses, shell jewelry and bikinis and pieces from the (more upscale) J. Crew Collection. In 2009, the East Hampton boutique moved into a gleaming, massive new space on Main Street.
Jackie Rogers
Rogers, a former model and actress, learned design from her mentor Coco Chanel, and has dressed everyone from Jackie Onassis to Nicole Kidman and Courtney Love. The garden party set should love the seersucker suits and dresses from her new Gin Lane Collection.
Jildor
A New-York-based shoe emporium (other locations are in Cedarhurst, Great Neck and at the Woodbury Commons upstate), Jildor carries women’s shoes from designers like Donald J. Pliner, Stuart Weitzman, Jack Rogers and Southampton homeowner Tory Burch. Less expensive brands like Birkenstock and Ed Hardy are also represented and there’s almost always some sort of sale going on.
John Varvatos
The ultra-cool John Varvatos, designs sleek, hip menswear that’s popular with both the Wall Street and the Hollywood set (Ashton Kutcher and Job Bon Jovi are fans). His love of rock n roll is apparent: a new boutique opened at 315 Bowery, once the address of NYC’s legendary CBGB rock club and the brand’s ads frequently feature musicians like Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop.
Lazy Point
The new boho-chic shop of Claudja Bicalho (formerly at Tracy Feith and a longtime East End style setter) is the South Fork’s newest little shop of treasures with a mix of art and fashion.
Leggiadro
Leggiadro has been compared to Lily Pulitzer though there’s something a little less All-American about the brand. The clientele stretches well beyond the preppy set and all the fabrics are selected from top-of-the-line mills in Italy, Switzerland and France. You can also find nice hand-knitted cashmere sweaters and strappy leather sandals here.
Lily Pulitzer
Trendier, more cutting-edge designers come and go but Lily Pulitzer’s preppy paisleys and pinks and greens will never go out of style in the Hamptons.
The Southampton boutique, actually a Splash of Pink store (meaning a few other brands are carried), has been around for a while while the East Hampton one opened in 2008.
Lisa Perry
Sag Harbor became a bit hipper this year with the opening of a Lisa Perry boutique at the American Hotel. The store carries the designer’s ultra-mod, ’60s-inspired dresses and handbags and its white brick walls (just like many of the designer’s dresses) are adorned with big, colorful polka dots. Bedding and vintage jewelry also available.
Malia Mills
At Malia Mills, swimwear “fit specialists” help women of all shapes and sizes find the perfect suit. Mixing and matching is encouraged and cotton cover-ups, tunics, dresses and chrysal monogramming (for “one of a kind behinds”) are also available.
Mulberry
The English leather goods company, best known for its Roxanne and Bayswater bags, sells a variety of leather bags and accessories for both women and men.
Nancy & Co.
Another Hamptons-NYC fashion outlet (there’s also a location on Lexington Avenue on the upper East Side), Nancy & Co. stocks classic cashmere sweater, jackets and pants as well as trendier pieces from up-and-coming designers.
Norah’s
You’ll find every imaginable brand of designer jean here, as well as a hodgepodge collection of casual summery skirts and dresses, Splendid and Free People T-shirts and trendy sportsware like Juicy and So Low. Norah, the owner, runs a tight ship: no ice cream or extra friends in the fitting room allowed.
Roberta Freymann
Visiting Roberta Freymann’s Manhattan boutique was a prerequisite for many fashionable upper Eastsiders en route to the Hamptons: it makes sense then that a store would finally open out east. Freymann is a true global nomad who speaks five language and stocks her store with exotic (yet reasonably priced) clothes and jewelry she picks up while traveling. Gorgeous tunics, caftans and skirts; sequined belts and sandals and handcrafted bags and jewelry are some of the things you can expect.
Roberta Freyman opened a pop-up store of Roberta Roller Rabbit on Job’s Lane in Southampton for the summer of 2009.
Roberta Roller Rabbit
The sister store to Roberta Freyman in East Hampton, this branch carries the designer’s stylish and colorful resort clothing, accessories and home furnishings. ““Summer is my season,” says Roberta Freyman. “The pop up store concept was a huge success in Los Angeles and we are excited to bring it to the East Coast.” Roberta Roller Rabbit will be in Southampton for three months.
Screaming Mimi’s Montauk
Montauk, the quirkiest of Hamptons town, is a perfect fit for this funky vintage emporium, whose New York flagship has long been a favorite with stylists, models and celebrities.
Stubbs & Wooten
Stubbs & Wooten is best known for their uniquely embroidered slippers, which are perfect for padding around the house in on long weekend mornings. Designs range from palm trees and Prince of Wales plumes to skulls and crossbones and donkeys and elephants—to represent the Democratic and Republican Parties respectively. Women can also find a wide variety of summery sandals and espadrilles.
Theory
Theory’s blazers and pants are well-cut and comfortable (most contain lycra), making them extremely popular with stylish businesswomen summering in the Hamptons. Though both the East Hampton boutique and the smaller Southampton one have a few trendier pieces, most come for the simple, monochromatic basics that can be worn season to season. Only the East Hampton location carries men’s clothing.
Tory Burch
Burch’s T-logos are as ubiquitous on Hampons streets as they are in Manhattan (both downtown and on the upper east side) so it makes perfect sense that this designer and Southampton homeowner would have an outpost here. Hamptonites clearly couldn’t get enough of the signature hippie tunics, mod ’60’s dresses and Reva ballet flats (which Tory named after her mother); the East Hampton store recently expanded to three times its original size.
Tracy Feith
Designer Tracy Feith may be your typical surfer dude (he’s got the tan, the blond curly locks and rides the waves regularly at Ditch Plains beach) but his boho-chic dresses and wraps have gained a following among fashionistas on both coasts (he also has stores in New York and L.A.). He opened in Southampton two years ago but just this year another boutique opened, fittingly at the new Surf Lodge. There shoppers might see the designer coming in, still wet from hitting the Montauk waves. In addition to the women’s line, Feith carries surf boards and colorful shirts and patterned board shorts (a hipper alternative to Vilebrequin) for men.
Update: The Southampton branch has closed.
Trina Turk
Following the trend of summer pop-up stores, like Hermès down the street, LA-based designer Trina Turk opened this colorful boutique, which will be on East Hampton’s main street through December. Expect dresses, tops and skirts in vibrant prints, swimwear and some items, including furniture, for the home.
Urban Zen
After Donna Karan’s husband died of cancer, the designer and East Hampton homeowner founded the Urban Zen Foundation, a philanthropic organization that, among many other things, aims to bring Eastern-based practices like yoga into the Western medical paradigm. She also opened Urban Zen, a lifestyle boutique that carries clothing from a variety of designers (including herself) as well as Balinese furniture, antique jewelry and a collection of books on wellness and healing, in NYC’s West Village. This Memorial Day weekend, Karan opened an outpost in Sag Harbor, already home to a number of yoga and health studios, that does double-duty as a space for rotating art exhibits. Like the one in NYC, the Sag Harbor boutique gives a portion of all sales to the Urban Zen Foundation.
Vilebrequin
Vilebrequin first launched in St. Tropez in the 1970s. Since then the brand’s patterned bathing trunks have become the preppy guy’s beach uniform at resorts like Palm Beach, Nantucket and the Hamptons.
Yigal Azrouël
The Israeli designer—known for his unique, feminine fashions—opened his first boutique in a gritty, industrial building in New York City’s Meatpacking District. For the second, he chose a former carriage house in Water Mill. In the quaint, whitewashed house you’ll find both men and womenswear as well as a collection of Azrouel’s favorite odds and ends, including D&L candles and vintage eyewear.
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