For a New Yorker, a quick weekend trip to the seaside communities of the Hamptons is as easy and breezy as a New York minute, especially when you hit the road with a Lincoln Corsair.
Summer is in full swing at alice + olivia’s Southampton store!
Amazon treated us to a spooktacular weekend at Gurney’s Montauk filled with treats, ghost stories, a Totally Killer screening and much more to kick off their Now Screaming campaign.
We were in The Hamptons this weekend for the The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation’s second annual Hamptons Garden Gala on August 13th at Patricia and Roger Silverstein’s Water Mill home, which was an intimate benefit, actually more in the nature of a festive dinner party at home with friends and friends of friends.
The heart of the gala which was chaired and hosted by the Silversteins and Vice chaired by Marc Leder, Doug Donaldson, Jean Shafiroff, Susan Shin, Maria Fishel and Pamala Wright along with generous support from Balmain, Ameōn Skincare and Libbie Mugrabi, was Dr. Camillo Ricordi’s briefing on game-changing developments in the fight to cure diabetes as well ground-breaking stem cell research that has far reaching applications for reversing diabetes and fighting other disease aa well as anti-aging protocols.
WATER MILL, NEW YORK – AUGUST 13: (L-R) Patricia Silverstein, Christine Schott, Jean Shafiroff, George Ledes and Roger Silverstein attend the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation Hamptons Garden Gala on August 13, 2022 in Water Mill, New York. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
The gala also featured a touching and inspiring performance by the Chamber Dance Project, choreographed by award winning Diane Coburn Bruning to the vocals of John Lennon’s Imagine. Roger and Susan Shin were the live auctioneers and one item that was highly sought after were tickets to the Balmain fashion show in Paris! However, there was another package that trumped everything and that was a special package to spend the day with Dr. Ricordi at the DRI in Miami to learn about the work they do and after that dinner the lucky bidder will dine with the brilliant and charming doctor.
There was an after party inside the Silverstein’s home at their private “night club” a la St. Tropez, with Roger himself DJ’ing … real estate mogul by day, DJ by night!
WATER MILL, NEW YORK – AUGUST 13: (L-R) Libbie Mugrabi, Susan Shin, Patricia Silverstein, Natalie Lefevre and Suzanne Amini attend the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation Hamptons Garden Gala on August 13, 2022 in Water Mill, New York. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Libbie Mugrabi, flew in from London for this gala, on the heels of her Fashion in Motion opening at the V&A museum, turned DRIF into a verb, writing JustDrif in Glitter on her iconic trucker hats which were gifted to everyone in the gift bags!
Hamptons Fashion Week kicked off their fourth annual show with bang on Friday evening. With designers like Marina St. Barths, Nicole Miller, and Ralph Lauren hosting runway shows, the town of Southampton was the prime destination for all things coastal fashion this weekend.
The weekend began on Friday evening, with a “shop and sip” event at the luxury boutiques lining Job’s Lane – each store had unique treats such as Scott Protein Balls and Hamptons Water Rose for guests to enjoy while eagerly awaiting the upcoming fashion show. As the white chairs appeared on either side of the road, we settled in for the show. Marina St Barth’s collection held the bold colors, florals and long flowy silhouettes reminiscent of a luxury tropical vacation. Five Story debuted next with drapey and loose, yet structured pieces in serene, wearable colors. And finally, Unsubscribed’s relaxed and effortless “cool girl” looks finished off the show.
Saturday held the most excitement with shows from sustainable lines Equal Human and Gloria Lee, and industry standouts Cesar Galindo and Nicole Miller. Many New Yorkers took the bus into town just for this day’s events, so crowds of people decked out in glamorous attire filled up rows and rows of seating.
The day began with sustainable designers. Equal Human’s line featured colorful paint splatters, a mix of girly and edgy loungewear, and cool use of paneling. These details, coupled with geometric patterns, evoked an “art studio” energy from the collection. Gloria Lee’s loose, romantic silk scarf-based dresses gave a sultry, luxurious vacation feel. The use of hair wraps and a signature orange / blue / yellow color combo on silk was elegant and creative.
Before the evening shows, the founder of Hamptons Fashion Week, Dina Rivera, presented the Fashion Icon Awards. Gloria Lee won for Rising Star of the year, Constance White won for Fashion Media, Cesar Galindo won for Fashion Trendsetter, and Nicole Miller was warmly introduced by Candace Bushnell and honored with Designer of the Year.
The evening fashion shows had the crowd enraptured. Cesar Galindo stunned with boxy, black, edgy designs. Cutouts and metallics featured heavily, as well as a recurring metallic stripe pattern. Galaxy puffers really made an impression, and my favorite detail were the black strings hanging from the back of straps on dresses – leaving a purposeful yet effortless, unfinished look to the garments. Nicole Miller’s designs featured mini structured dresses, whimsical, sports-inspired americana prints, and geometric, kaleidoscope patterns with sequins.
Sunday finished off the weekend with an elaborate brunch at a Southampton estate. Guests dined on fresh flatbreads, lobster mac n cheese, wraps and sandwiches from The Golden Pear, and fresh juices from Natalie’s. Full on Southampton’s specialty dining and excited by the fashion on display, guests departed the weekend’s event space ready to take their inspiration back to the city.
The second annual Southampton African American Museum Benefit took place at Blu Mar in Southampton, New York on Thursday, July 28th and was co-chaired by Jean and Martin Shafiroff, Aisha Christian and Michael Steifman.
On the scene we spotted Aisha Christian and Jean Shafiroff greeting early arrivals in the garden of Blu Mar Southampton including, Brenda Simmons, NYS Assembly Woman, Rebecca Seawright, Mar Morose, Bill Morose, Judith Kasen-Windsor, Anita Farrington and Noel Blackburn.
A museum tour preceding the benefit was led by executive director and co-founder Brenda Simmons and guests were able to see firsthand the vision of Simmons and the labor that it took to pay tribute to the contributions made by African Americans to The Hamptons…16 years to be exact.
In her remarks, Shafiroff she shared and highlighted the contributions of African-Americans made to the community of the Hamptons. “It is a privilege for me to be involved and the African-American community was instrumental to building the Hamptons to what it is today,” Shafiroff said.
The Southampton African American Museum is the first African American site to be historically designated in the Village of Southampton. Its mission is to promote an understanding and appreciation of African American culture by creating programs that will preserve the past, encourage learning, and enhance the life of the community and is definitely worth the visit.
Last Saturday evening during a busy and eventful Hamptons weekend, the Southampton Arts Center held a party and at that time art lovers came to celebrate and toast three beloved local artists – Deborah Buck, Hal Buckner, and Elizabeth Strong-Cuevas – with the opening of their latest exhibition, Figures Transformed.
Jean Shafiroff, Simone Levinson, Elyn Kronemeyer
SAC Founding Co-Chair, Simone Levinson, told the crowded room, “Our mission has always been to build a community for the talented artists and art enthusiasts of New York’s East End. As I look around and see all of you here, it is a testament to what we do year-round. Thank you to our artists for inspiring us and to all of you for being part of our community. We’re very excited to have this exhibition as the perfect backdrop for our upcoming 2022 SummerFest! Before we’ve even sent out the invitations, we’ve raised over $500,000 and sold over 400 tickets! THAT is community.”
If you are interested in checking this exhibit for yourself, it is available until September 24, the multimedia exhibition displays works that use the figure as central imagery. Deborah Buck uses anthropomorphic and imaginary figures to create an other-worldly environment that beckons us to partake in a world beyond ours.
Hal Buckner utilizes the female figure to empower, celebrate, and alter the art historical canon. Strong-Cuevas focuses on the figure’s head as a representation of the whole, exploring inner consciousness, outer space and communication through space and time. The show is curated by Christina Mossaides Strassfield and sponsored by Sylvia Hemingway and Lana Jokel.
On September 1st the Southampton Arts Center will have their SummerFest event and at that time they will be honoring Helena and Rob Vahradian.
In The Hamptons: Jean & Martin Shafiroff Host Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Summer Party Kick Off
It was another busy weekend in The Hamptons, but we made time to be with New York philanthropist and author Jean Shafiroff, and her husband, vice chairman of wealth management and investment banking firm Stifel, Martin Shafiroff, as the pair hosted the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Summer Party Kickoff at their beautiful Southampton home on July 29th.
Among the many notable guests were: fashion icon Fern Mallis, Presidential award recipient and former Vicar General for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Fr. Alex Karloutsos and his wife Xanthi; Media Personality and TV Host, Valerie Greenberg; TV personality and property developer Harry Rubin, former creative director for H by Halston and TV personality Cameron Silver; celebrity photographer and columnist Patrick McMullan; NY State Assemblyman Fred Thiele; Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, Chief Administrative Officer of Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, Robert Chaloner, philanthropists and Hospital trustees Laura Lofaro Freeman and Allison Morrow.
“My husband Martin and I are so pleased to be able to support the hospital in every way we can. The Summer Party is the hospital’s biggest fundraiser and all proceeds go to the Emergency Departments in both Southampton and the new East Hampton facility. Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is the only hospital on the South Fork and provides first class healthcare services to our community. The Hospital is essential for everyone who spends time here, as no one wants to live in a community without access to excellent healthcare,” says Jean Shafiroff.
“It is wonderful to see so many of our loyal and generous donors together again and to be able to thank so many of them in person for all they do. Our Summer Party, the longest and most successful fundraiser in the Hamptons has been a ‘gala in your garden’ in host-at-home format for the last three years. Next year, for our 65th anniversary, we are planning to be back in person,”adds Robert Chaloner.
Guests enjoyed the beautiful waterfront patio and gardens, as well as delicious catering by Cornelia Guest Events all donated by Martin & Jean Shafiroff. Alex Donner donated the entertainment. In a town of excess and beauty, it is reassuring to know that many people are committed to providing affordable healthcare for all.
Bradford Rand and his team at the world-renowned events company RAND Luxury produced a private charity brunch & concours in collaboration with Ferrari of Long Island. The exclusive, Invitation-Only concours was Sold Out weeks in advance and was hosted at the private Bridgehampton estate of Kenneth & Maria Fishel.
The Event benefitted The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), which is dedicated to finding cures for cancer, and the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF).
The annual event showcased one of the largest gatherings of collectible spectacular vintage and new Ferrari Motorcars the Hamptons has ever seen and the collection of vehicles present was estimated in value over $50 Million. A series of automotive connoisseurs and celebrity judges reviewed nearly 70 handmade Italian masterpieces in the concours led by Chief Judge Glenn Simon. In addition, The Hamptons Concours also featured new vehicles from luxury brands Including Aston Martin, McLaren, Porsche, Lamborghini and Bentley.
BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY – JULY 16: Brent Martini attends RAND Luxury Hamptons Concours at 900 Lumber Lane on July 16, 2022 in Bridgehampton, NY. (Photo by Sean Zanni/PMC)
The invited guests were greeted with “Ferrari” sparkling wine courtesy of Palm Bay, fine cuisine from Lessings and hand-rolled cigars from Cohiba.
Notable Attendees: included Rebecca Minkoff, New York Giants Mario Manningham, Dina and Ali Lohan, Ian Duke, Maria and Ken Fishel, Chloe Malas, Brian Mazza, Bianca Peters, Leesa Rowland, Ann Liguori, Frank Cilione and Çağrı Kanver.
Situated between the more suburban hamlet of Bridgehampton and the rugged, cliffy town of Montauk is East Hampton, last in the strand of Hamptons towns. Remarkably, as those places have changed, East Hampton has stood as a rock of resistance, committed to its farm-and-stock legacy- some aspect of high Bohemia in an otherwise summer colony scene.
Vast stands of trees, carpets of moss, tables of ferns, and busts of stray sand contain years of ecological history. The climate offers a calm humidity and the sun is intercepted by ocean mist, providing a glassy warm light making everything in view practically glow. Even to this day, some roads remain unpaved and unkempt in the most organic manner.
All of this in mind and it becomes clear why, in 1975 Jack Lenor Larsen, chose East Hampton to create a microcosm of what he treasured as a world-renowned textile designer. You can watch the PBS “Craft in America: Visionaries” series on Jack Lenor Larsen here. At the 16-acre LongHouse Reserve, there is a deep dive into an organic soul, with every inch of its territory not only preserved, but reconsidered and critically respected. LongHouse Reserve is a remarkable integration of nature, art, and design. Unpredictable, extensive, unlimited in inspiration, its gardens present entire landscapes as an art form.
EAST HAMPTON, NY – JULY 23: Atmosphere at LongHouse Reserve 2022 Summer Benefit at LongHouse Reserve on July 23, 2022 in East Hampton, NY. (Photo by Patrick McMullan/PMC)
While awe-inspiring scenes of stillness can define the experience of Longhouse Reserve, the Reserve tends to be bustling with activity on any given day. Under the leadership of interim director Carrie Rebora Barrat, a former deputy director at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and former president and CEO of the New York Botanical Garden, Longhouse Reserve has become a dynamic place to be, with all sorts of events take place all through the year.
Sound and Silence led by Adrianna Barone at LongHouse Reserve
To this end, Longhouse Reserve has become a meeting place for creative people who appreciate the environment and arts. The events schedule this summer is extremely robust, including a well-received conversation series which has included the likes of Lee Skolnick, Bjorn Amelan (whose work is now on view at LongHouse Reserve), and Michele Oka Doner, whose Florida-based childhood was the fuel for a lifelong study and appreciation of the natural world. The talks, situated under a shade tree and near a pond, offer an inspiring sense of clarity and ritual to attendees.
Just this weekend, LongHouse Reserve supporters celebrated with ONWARD, LongHouse Reserve’s annual summer benefit which managed to raise over half a million dollars for the garden. The likes of actor Nathan Lane, sculptor Alice Aycock, fashion executive Fern Mallis came together to support the East Hampton institution with dancing, food, and an opportunity to experience the LongHouse Reserve after hours.
EAST HAMPTON, NY – JULY 23: David “Mr. Starcity” White and Duo Lin attend LongHouse Reserve 2022 Summer Benefit at LongHouse Reserve on July 23, 2022 in East Hampton, NY. (Photo by James Bayrami/PMC) *** Local Caption *** David “Mr. Starcity” White;Duo Lin
The summer benefit is LongHouse Reserve’s largest event of the year, with all proceeds going towards the mission of teaching living with art in all its forms; including diverse educational outreach, community programming, and maintenance of the grounds.
“Botanical gardens across the country have invested huge resources over the past 10 years only into bringing art to their properties because they recognize that the combination of arts and nature draws more people.”
– Carrie Rebora Barrat
Global travels and art defined Larsen’s legendary practice (with works now in the collections of MoMA and the Louvre, among so many others) and they are fully reflected in the territory of Longhouse Reserve. Today, it includes the house, a tranquil and human-oriented interpretation of an A-frame design, and the extensive grounds filled with roughly 60 contemporary sculptures, a combination of pieces on loan and permanent works, including Buckminster Fuller’s “Fly’s Eye Dome” and Yoko Ono’s giant, monochromatic chess game, “Play It by Trust.” The Pavilion is set at the end of Peters Pond, which accepts the sun with joy and lily pads stage against grand Dale Chihuly works.
LongHouse Reserve
The grounds are intentionally divided by privet hedges, offering “rooms” to explore, with some areas featuring human-made art (particularly immersive is the Sol LeWitt sculpture) while others indulge in the beauty of the environment (The Dunes and Grass Garden, for example). Wherever you walk, elements of surprise and amusement are baked into the experience. Less anticipated is the sense of oneness and control in the environment, delightfully rare by today’s standard. And that’s just in the daytime. LongHouse Reserve can be illuminated to provide an entirely new experience by night.
LongHouse Reserve is located at 133 Hands Creek Road, East Hampton NY 11937. Learn more and reserve tickets here.
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