Sag Harbor native Matthew Frisbie’s always had an interest in clothing.
After successfully launching his flagship menswear store, Leonard Frisbie, on his hometown’s Main Street back in October of 2020, the local is expanding east, opening a second location this past May in neighboring East Hampton Village.
“I’ve always been interested in, specifically, the making of clothes,” he says.
About 20 years ago, after college, Frisbie traveled to South America, eventually landing in Peru. After becoming enamored with the country’s culture, the sun and the surf, he met a man producing his own clothing line and quickly entered the world of manufacturing. He founded a boutique in Lima and soon, after spending some time as a freelancer, brokering for the likes of Steve Allen, Barneys and Scoop, started his own line.
“I mean, I had the fabric,” he says.
Upon returning to his Hamptons home in late 2019, and after participating in a few promotional pop-ups across the South Fork during the following summer, Frisbie settled into the current location, tucked away in the Sag Harbor Shopping Cove across the way from Sagtown Coffee.
Described as “laid back luxe,” Leonard Frisbie’s clothes deliver quality staples designed to be worn every day, whether you’re going to the beach or going out for the evening. The pieces are comfortable and casual, can be effortlessly dressed up, and are perfect for achieving that trying-but-not-trying Hamptons-chic look.
“It’s not too formal,” the owner says. “It’s totally geared toward being out here.”
In more ways than one, too. Each style within Frisbie’s collection is named after a close local friend or customer, adding a uniquely personal, and approachable, touch to the brand. Items include sweatsuits, T-shirts, pullovers, jackets, pants, collared shirts, polo shirts, shorts, sweaters and accessories. Although technically dubbed menswear, the clothes are super user friendly and could easily be worn by anyone. Prices range from $58 to $228. Click here to see what they’ve got.
Made from Peruvian cotton, as well as fabrics knit from a blend of up-cycled cotton and recycled plastic water bottles, the clothes are sustainable, relatively affordable and are meant to last a long time.
“Peruvian cotton is special not only for its high quality, but the fibers grow really long and strong,” says Frisbie. “I immediately recognized how it feels on my skin. The fabrics are soft, yet extremely durable, even as they begin to age. It’s like magic.”
For those wondering where the store’s namesake comes from, Leonard was Matthew’s grandfather, an Amagansett local who owned a simple beach house that Matthew grew up going to throughout his life. Originally a stockbroker on Wall Street, Leonard commissioned renowned architect Andrew Geller to design his Amagansett home in 1958, keeping the concept simple, celebrating the natural beauty of the East End, and ensuring the space as a summer retreat for his family. It was here where Matthew spent his summers, where he learned to surf and, ultimately, where the proverbial seed was planted for his future business.
“In a way, he’s the one that started this whole ‘laid back luxe’ thing for me,” Matthew says. “He really shaped who I am as a person, absolutely, and he really shaped my design aesthetic.”
Leonard Frisbie is located at 55 Main St. in East Hampton. The Sag Harbor location is at 78 Main St. #7.
