Hailing from California, Miami, Spain and even the North Fork, a slew of indie brands and retailers have spread their wings to the Hamptons. So whether you’re about sun and surf or swanky soirees, Southforker’s curated list of need-to-know boutiques, retail concepts and temporary pop-ups has got you covered.
For that eclectic, international vibe:
Alex Vinash, 25 Hampton Road, Southampton, 646-402-3676
Even if you’re already familiar with Alex Vinash’s vivacious North Fork boutique in Greenport, his South Fork location takes things up a notch. “The Hamptons will be a bit upscale because I will include gowns and exclusive one-of-a-kind kind pieces such as special embroideries, shoes and bags,” says Vinash, whose vibrant aesthetic is Ibiza-meets-St.-Tropez-by-way-of-Barcelona-and-Paros. A former professional ice skater (and skating costume designer), the Buenos Aires-born Vinash lived in Europe for 20 years—Spain, Italy, Greece, Russia, Germany, England and France—and it shows in his striking apparel designs and curated mix of internationally made accessories.
Come to the Southampton store for its unique merch, disco music, palm trees and eclectic décor; stay for the lively chats with Vinash who promises to “be there all the time.”
For that chic Mommy & Me look:
Ramy Brook, 144 Main Street, Southampton, 631-353-3346
Ramy Brook’s new Southampton boutique is the perfect spot to shop for eye-catching colors and prints for that summer soiree, and your Insta will thank you if you have a daughter to go matchy matchy. With exclusive items just for the Hamptons location, look for maxi and mini dresses, swimwear, striking tops and denim (the designer actually created the line in 2010 because she couldn’t “find the right tops to wear with jeans”), plus new kid’s apparel and swim. Jingly gold costume jewelry and swag chain belts (in partnership with Kenneth Jay Lane and Sequin) are the perfect accent.
“Our previous pop-up was a great experience,” says Ramy Brook Sharp, president and creative director, about seeking permanent digs. “Southampton is home to many brands in our contemporary category, so it only makes sense that we’re here too!”
For that perfect jewelry stack:
Gorjana, 19 Main Street, Southampton, 631-209-7146
Don’t let the light glinting off the waves be the only things sparkling on the beach. Gorjana’s delicate gold-plated and fine gold jewelry with “approachable diamonds,” opals, sapphires and other stones can go anywhere you go. “With the beach, the sunshine and summer fashion trends, we couldn’t be more excited to bring a little piece of Laguna Beach to our first Hamptons store,” says Gorjana Reidel, the brand’s co-founder. Gorjana’s delicate rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings from the Southern California brand are meant to be grouped, layered, stacked and interchanged with your mood (there are 10,000 ways to combine multiple chains from their selection!), so ask an in-store stylist to help curate your personal style.
For that laid-back California vibe:
Aviator Nation, 87 Main Street, East Hampton, 631-604-6431
Known for its 70s-inspired, feel-good California vibes, Aviator Nation is right at home in its first permanent East Coast boutique. “I used to go out to The Hamptons when I would visit the city to catch a few waves in Montauk,” says California artist, fashion designer and businesswoman Paige Mycoskie, who created the brand in Venice Beach, California almost 20 years ago. “I am so stoked that we now have a spot to call our own. The Hamptons lifestyle is definitely an Aviator Nation lifestyle and I hope we will become the new go-to comfy set for all the locals and visitors out there.”
Visit the colorful, beachy store— Mycoskie designed the murals herself—for exclusive merch like Aviator Nation Hamptons totes, denim shorts and more, all which are Made in the USA. Elevate your mood with repeat smiley prints, vintage rainbows, lightning bolts and racing checkers on everything from sweatsuits to swimsuits to Funboy x Aviator Nation pool lounges.
For that one-of-a-kind shoe (from upcycled scarves!):
Respoke, 99 Jobs Lane, Southampton, 631-204-6262
Beautiful scarves and espadrilles are major obsessions in the Hamptons, and Respoke marries the two—with a sustainable twist. Hand-crafted in La Rioja, Spain from repurposed designer silk scarves, the shoes are the vision of designer scarf collector and author of the best-selling book Bringing Home the Birkin Michael Tonello. Respoke’s espadrilles, platform mules, slides, sneakers and high tops are literally one of a kind, as each uses different parts of the scarf (the silk is bonded to cotton canvas for durability). Bucket hats, jackets and knitwear round out the store’s mix. Retail: $545.
For that unique retail experience:
CURIO x Project Hamptons, 2183 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton , 631-296-8508
For a truly unique shopping experience, visit CURIO, a first-ever “summer residency” of fashion designers housed among 3,000-square-feet of indoor and 5,000-square-feet of outdoor space. Shop luxury items alongside scheduled trunk shows, runway shows, celebrity book signings, charitable events and more. Want to hit a fitness class on the premises before opening hours? You can do that too.
The CURIO concept, created by fashion industry veterans Danielle Licata and Jeff Lasota, headed north from Miami’s Faena District, featuring 100+ international brands from Eres to Etro to take you from pool to party. “Our overall vision is to continue the joy we have brought to the Miami shopping scene with a new curation with a Hamptons twist, bringing men’s and women’s clothing you can rarely find or have only seen online into a physical space,” says the duo.
For that dose of retail therapy:
Madhappy , 66 Newtown Lane, East Hampton
Sure, hoodies and tees make you happy, but can they really promote positive mental health? Madhappy says yes! The design collective has been focused on tackling mental health issues and wellness since its launch, with slogans like Madhappy and Local Optimist, not to mention 1% of proceeds from every sale going to The Madhappy Foundation™ funding research and positively impacting the mental health movement.
Their new store in East Hampton will offer hats, sweats, tees and totes, plus an exclusive in-store collection tailored to the aesthetic of the area. “We built Madhappy as a way to spread optimism through goods while fostering meaningful connection,” says co-founder Mason Spector. “The East Hampton community has always been good to us, and we couldn’t think of a better place to open our first seasonal shop of the Summer to kick off the warmer months ahead.”
For that perfect hostess gift:
Ram Design Home, 181 N. Ferry Road, Shelter Island, 631-749-5067
Whether you’re seeking a gift for a friend’s home or feathering your own nest, Ram Design Home has abundant furnishings, accessories, art and ceramics. Interior designer Cristina Peffer calls Shelter Island her “favorite place on Earth,” and now shoppers can immerse themselves in curated works from local artisans and her overall design aesthetic.
With its heavy focus on “unique, emotionally resonating handcrafted art pieces,” the store features ceramics by Lora Lomuscio and Lily Hoffman, blown glass by Malcolm Kriegel, artwork by Alex Bilu and Margaret Garrett, photography by Luciana Cavalcanti, and hand-knit pillows by Nancy Winarick. “We love supporting local artists and showing off their work,” said Peffer, adding that the store will also host events centered around its artists.
“This year we spent a lot of time carefully picking out lots of great items for the home and the beach,” says Peffer, noting colorful beach blankets and teak beach umbrellas. And those tasteful hostess gifts are sure to get you invited back!
For some sand in your streetwear:
Streetwear hits the sandy shores as Paper Planes, Jay-Z’s lifestyle streetwear brand, opens its first-ever Hampton’s pop-up shop (through July 4th weekend) at Gurneys in Montauk. The lifestyle apparel and accessories brand includes graphic tees, pop-collar camp shirts, snap-back hats, terry cloth bucket hats and visors, sling bags, and cropped tees and jacquard terry cloth sets for women. Surfers, feel free to splurge on an exclusive Paper Planes Sketch Print Surfboard, as well as matching swim trunks.
