Shopping the Hamptons (East Hampton), Part Seven

How do we decide what to buy? Is it how the dress looks in the mirror or the approval of the picture we just posted on our Instagram account?

A new product comes to market, sometimes as the result of a collaboration between the ‘Brand’ team, those people who are already in place: the designers, makers, and marketers, and the balance of a well-supported team. Occasionally the product and the brand are new – is there a need being fulfilled? Has the ‘maker’ heard your call for help, are they coming to your rescue? It’s a tough question to answer and during the research for these articles some facts are evident. Crystal clear in fact!

Traditionally, ‘Lifestyle Brand’ icons tempted the buyer with the privilege of membership. Membership with a price attached, not necessarily paid in dollars but aligned with the possibility of altering your character and integrity. Buy this or that, and you can live the associated lifestyle.

Brand transparency and community involvement have made a difference, change for the better to everyone involved. Yes, you are still purchasing a piece of the ‘good life’ associated with the brand. The difference lies in the core values of the brands in question. It’s not so much about the bragging rights associated with ownership. Today the brand you align with must stand for something you respect. At the end of the day, they must walk their talk.

For the rest of the story stay tuned; we will take a look at what I have learned. Our conversation will explore brands that will work extremely hard to earn your respect. Ralph Lauren, Roller Rabbit, Lululemon, St Frank, J Crew, Tory Burch, and Jimmy Choo are names on my list. Certainly, there are more names to be added to the list. Let me know who makes it onto your list and how they contribute to making the planet a better place to live.

The biggest tell about anyone is the other thing that they do, how their focus changes the world one little bit at a time . . .

OPTYX
10 Main Street, East Hampton NY 631-324-5441

Taking home an Oscar at the Academy Awards, attending Sundance or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, maybe it’s the Golden Globes or the Country Music Awards . . . Fashion starts at the top and – after the hat – it’s the sunglasses that count!

Optyx features all the Brands you will see at the Oscars and on the village sidewalks. Something for every budget and a few tips for outfitting your Sub-Glass Wardrobe.

#1 – Dark Round Frames. Equal parts vintage and modern – they work for men and women.

#2 – The Audrey Hepburn or Cat-Eye Glasses. A truly classic look that shows off the beauty of a woman’s face. Think Julia Roberts in Notting Hill.

#3 – The Aviators says it all. The best and biggest is Tom Cruise as Maverick in Top Gun.

Five of my favorites . . .

Steve McQueen in the Thomas Crown Affair – Persol Tortoiseshell “714”
Cary Grant in North by Northwest – ‘Very Cool’ Tortoiseshell
Michelle Pfeiffer & Al Pacino in Scarface – Cat Eyes & Aviators
Grace Kelly in To Catch A Thief – Simply White Rims
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in Men in Black – Ray Ban Predator Two

Hollywood Events share the ‘Sunglass Show’ with the streets of East Hampton Village. You will need a few pairs for the Hamptons International Film Festival.

J Crew
14 Main St, East Hampton, NY 11937 631-324-5034

What can be said of a brand you know so well? One that becomes a part of your community by caring about those they call their crew. It invites me to ask a question – what is a Lifestyle Brand? Part of the answer to this quandary is found in a description of what J. Crew is all about.

Our CREW says it all about their community: ‘At J. Crew, we’re celebrating the simple, optimistic principle that as unique individuals, we’re also better together. The ones who rally behind you, who have your back, who remind you of who you are, what you can do, the places you’ve been and the places you’ll go. Coming together, doing what you love, wearing what you love.’

Dressing us well since 1983, J Crew started as a catalog merchant. Now, 36 years later, they have become a part of our neighborhood. Their new brand is called Madewell. Madewell is for those who appreciate timeless design or anyone who loves denim and the comfort that puts you at ease.

GIRLS INC. – believes in “inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold”—and we can’t agree more with that. 50 percent of the retail price from the purchase of their exclusive items goes to support the nonprofit’s mission of empowering young women through advocacy and education.

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN – America’s largest civil rights organization working to ensure LGBTQ people are safe, equal and free in every community.

CHARITY: WATER – J Crew’s limited-edition pieces give a nod to the organization’s nearly 30,000 projects worldwide. Charity: Water’s mission is to provide clean, safe drinking water to the 663 million people who don’t have access to it. That’s one in 10 humans across the globe.

Now that’s what a lifestyle brand should feel like – people that care.

Premier Gem is a multifaceted diamond & diamond jewelry manufacturer recognized as a De Beers Sightholder for over 50 years. From the rare & significant to every day, our diamonds walk the red carpet, sparkle and shine. Only ethically sourced, conflict-free, untreated diamonds touch our wheels, crafting a long-lasting legacy for years to come.
Precision Set is exceptional jewelry and a commitment to service that excels. Talented artisans, meticulous standards, cutting-edge machinery craft premier product with superior craftsmanship. Precision Set has earned an impeccable reputation as a leading bridal jeweler. They design, manufacture, distribute and support all of their products from under one roof in the USA.

Wendy Yue, a Hong Kong native has spent most of her life traveling, dreaming, and creating. A mysterious person, Yue expresses herself through her jewelry. Wendy is inspired by the symbolic meaning of jewelry, that it has memories and emotions that can be passed down through generations. She found her dream and passion in creating the gift of forever. Her 2008 brand ‘Wendy Yue’ is renowned for intricate workmanship and the story-telling narratives that come alive in each fantastical work of art.
In her eponymous fine jewelry line, Ana-Katarina’s worlds collide with astounding beauty. Throughout her extensive humanitarian travel and profound experiences as a war correspondent, Ana-Katarina Vinkler-Petrovic has been driven by her passion for social justice and inspired by the staggering beauty of the exotic and the everyday. For the wearer, these striking, sensual accessories transcend the category of fine jewelry; they become stunning personal signatures, future heirlooms and treasured talismans worn at every occasion.
Wendy Brandes collection of 18K yellow gold limited-edition and one-of-a-kind designs focused on real-life fascinating women, from the renowned Elizabeth I to more-obscure royalty such as Isabella, “the She-Wolf of France.” The designer’s world-class workmanship is instantly recognizable; as is the unusual heft of her rings and pendants, her warm satin finish, and her use of contrasting blackened gold details. The gold collection often features hidden gems and figures, as well as surprising mechanical elements.

Roberta Roller Rabbit
21 Main Street, East Hampton NY 631-329-5828

What a great name and fable behind the Roller Rabbit name, the tale of a ‘Magical Rabbit’ found on a discarded piece of old cotton fabric in India. That fabled Rabbit launched an entire brand of clothing for the entire family. The exotic block print has also inspired a collection of sleepwear and bedding. You can trust in the Magic Rabbit when you are in need of a restful night of sleep.

Roller Rabbit defines their version of ‘perfection’ as being hand made around the world by artisans, using local fabric, sun-saturated colors, and craftsmanship that allows for a bit of imperfection. In a world of manufacturing, this global team re-imagines how we design and build something very special. In Nepal, Peru, Thailand, and India – artisans in small villages continue what their families have always done. They pass down the skills and the pride necessary to share their world with yours, who is the lucky one is a toss-up. It certainly matters to everyone and everyone wins!

Roller Rabbit is culture and heritage, a legacy handed down through the generations. The only thing better than the legacy of the story is the part we play in the narrative. It is a privilege to be able to add a bit of a twenty country tradition to our wardrobe.

Set Point Tennis
27 Main Street, East Hampton NY 631-324-5881

As a retail store for the tennis enthusiast, SPT curates only the best – top of the line – tennis equipment. Racquets, sneakers, and accessories, are sourced from classic brands and trendsetters in the sport.

Racquet specialists can offer advice on your choice of new equipment, strings and grips. They can also tune up your current favorite racquet to improve your play. Information on tennis tournaments and professional tips will keep you feeling like a pro. You can also schedule lessons with the best instructors to take your game up a level or two! A selection of trendy athletic fashion will keep you looking your very best on the court – as well as afterward while having a celebratory cocktail or two!

Vilebrequin
30 Main Street, East Hampton, NY 631-644-5790

The bright and sunny days of a St Tropez summer are alive with activity – just as it was in 1971 when a passionate fan of motor racing, Fred Prysquel, took a seat at the Café terrace to watch the world go by. Moorea Swimwear was founded in the sunlight of St Tropez.

The colors and motifs of that initial 1970’s design, conceived in Saint Tropez, have been constantly re-imagined. Today, the Moorea cut is a Vilebrequin classic, a legendary style that has led its admirers through changing times and fashions.

Vilebrequin travels and tells stories, their brand visits beaches everywhere. This story tells it all for me: it’s about 1963 and the surfing scene. A time that the Moorea Shorts were about – sun, surf and beaches . . .

Pulsating with positive vibes, this season is an ode to the sun and the magic of live music. Legendary concerts, cult festivals, and impromptu superstar jam sessions. Join us with your guitar or some flowers in your hair. The atmosphere is going to be electric!

A wild show . . . In 1963, California is the place to be. The Golden State epitomizes the American dream: that of earning your place in the sun. San Diego, Newport Beach, LA, and Santa Cruz are crawling with sun-kissed, beach-haired, barefooted teenagers wearing nothing but swimsuits and surfboards. It’s the dawn of a new lifestyle, surf culture. For two years already, as night falls, 19-year-old Angeleno Dennis Wilson has been swapping his surfboard for his drum kit and joining his two brothers, cousin, and neighbor for rehearsals. Surf pop is born and the band becomes the embodiment of surf culture. Their name? The Beach Boys. At the time, surf was a religion in three places around the world: California, Hawaii and Australia. When promoter Harry M. Miller organizes the highly anticipated tour revolving around this new art of living, The Beach Boys are at the apex of their career and Australia, naturally, is one of the first stops on the tour. Teenagers along the Gold Coast also live to surf. Nat Young, 16 at the time, will become two-time world champion and Peter Drouyn, 14, a true Australian icon of the ’70s surf scene (he is now a she).

The Surfside ’64 tour opens in Sydney on 18th January 1964 and boasts the biggest stars of surf music and rock and roll: The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, The Surfaris, Paul & Paula and local Australian band Col Joye and the Joy Boys. The tour is a success: “Festival Hall last night nearly lost its roof… after what was the wildest show it has ever had” reports the Brisbane Courier Mail. “Fun, fun, fun” Brian Wilson allegedly commented.

Lululemon
35 Main Street, East Hampton NY 11937 631-324-4192
https://www.eu.lululemon.com

It might seem that building a retail chain of clothing stores based on cutting edge technical athletic gear designed for yoga would be a unique concept on its own. Rejuvenating the body and calming the mind through meditation, both as a way of giving back to the local community, would certainly be another challenge. Lululemon is all about yoga, right down to the core of its being. So much so that every week each store turns into a yoga studio, the stores are cleared out, yoga mats are unrolled and local instructors lead complimentary classes. Currently, thousands of years old yoga is still an evolving art, many styles designed to suit the athletes, children, and seniors that devote their bodies and minds to its pursuits.

Lululemon – ‘Our vision for our store was to create more than a place where people could get gear to sweat in; we wanted to create a community hub where people could learn and discuss the physical aspects of healthy living, mindfulness and living a life of possibility. It was also important for us to create real relationships with our guests and understand what they were passionate about, how they liked to sweat and help them celebrate their goals.‘

No matter your athletic preferences, Lululemon has the gear to make you look and perform better. Technical fabrics, innovative construction techniques, strategic fits, and features, create extremely functional garments. This is engineered sensation at Lululemon.

There is still more to come. Until next week, unless we see you sooner . . .

Gary

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