The Hamptons' Ultimate Guide: The Best Women Owned Places and Brands 😎
Prada and Chanel are great, but have you seen these independent women owned business?
Hi there,
Before I start: if you’ve been here for a little while, you know I used to host salons, but took a pause to make sure I could recover from surgery. I’ve missed our community, and I’ve been planning a few special gatherings this summer and Fall. Maybe we can also gather casually for lunch or coffee somewhere? If you like that idea, send me a note at rsvp@matriark.com. In the meantime, I will send more info about future activations here soon - for now, save these dates: August 19th (TBC) and October 6th - great gatherings are coming!
OK, let’s move on with this week’s programming.
Every year, so many articles get written about the Hamptons, and most of them are about the eccentricity and excess of billionaires and celebrities. You know the drill: the finance bros comparing the size of their yachts, the influencers bringing their special lighting for a beach picnic, the white parties…
Thankfully, this beautiful place is a lot more than glitz and cheese, but when it comes to shopping and entertainment, there’s been a massive influx of large luxury brands since Covid, and it’s gotten a lot harder for small, independent businesses to thrive in such an expensive area while squeezing a year’s worth of sales into three months. It’s a lot of pressure. So today I’m rounding up my favorite women-owned businesses and brands you can visit and support while you’re out east, with my favorite piece form each of them (scroll for the edit below). There’s nothing wrong with picking up your Pradas or your Chanels, but make a little room to support these women too, so that every summer you come back, they’re still here, giving this ridiculous, beautiful place its actual character and soul!
Enjoy! Sending love,
Patricia
The Best Women Owned Places and Brands in the Hamptons, and my favorite pieces from each of them
Sag Harbor
I live here, so I’m doing Sag Harbor first :)
Anita Somayaji: I have a family crest pendant necklace by my friend Anita Somayaji, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been stopped and asked where it’s from. Anita is going to have an atelier in Sag Harbor soon, so for now, please contact her via her website if you want to get info on the crest (it’s not on the website) and get on her mailing list to get a notification of her new shop location soon. She is known for her constellation necklaces and Taylor Swift, my fellow Sagittarian, has one of her pieces too :)
Leallo: this is a great shop to get all your everyday basics. I just visited Megan Chiarello’s shop, and got her beautiful silk pants in this blue color that I plan to wear at home and also out to a casual dinner with a tee and a flip flop or a sweater. I also got the matching cami, and I’m going to get the black ones for Fall.
Doen: one of my favorite brands for feminine cardigans and dresses. I love this delicate short sleeve cardigan, and this super light dress inspired by Victorian-era underpinnings.
The 1818 Collective: the entire house is a dream and decorated by The 1818 Collective Founders, Interior Designers Kristin Fine and Analisse Taft-Gersten. I always stop by to check their vintage pieces, and I have my eye on these stem planters for my garden. I’m also in love with these sconces (they remind me of my Elsa Peretti’s silver bone cuffs).
Tutto Il Giorno and Urban Zen: love the food at Tutto (also love their cafe in East hampton) and this draped top is quintessentially Donna Karan.
TWP: I was trying my favorite pieces on last week, and found this beautiful book about TWP & Onna House - and my friend and artist Bastienne Schmidt (who we fatured in the past HERE) was featured inside. TWP’s cropped shirts are now a staple in many women’s wardrobes as they are in mine, and I’m really considering this buttery soft suede trouser and shirt (or cropped shirt) for a set that is casual enough but can also double as a modern suit. I can think of 1,000 ways I can wear them separately too, including with the cotton cropped shirt.
Amagansett
E-E Home: one of the chicest home stores in the Hamptons, they don’t have a website so you have to go there and check it out. Here is a little taste from their Instagram - but it doesn’t do justice. My favorite is their cookware - unbelievable design, unique pieces very hard to find anywhere else.
La Garçonne: I have shopped at La Garçonne for many years, and I’m happy they opened a store in Amagansett. Love this Comme des Garçons bag (and it’s on sale), and I’m intrigued by this Simone Rocha mule with faux fur for Fall. They also sell The Row, which has their own stand alone store in Amagansett too (I was there last week but sadly the service was quite terrible. I can’t stand the snobbery).
Il Buco Vita: besides eating at their restaurant, my favorite thing to do when I’m in Amagansett is to grab a latte at their cafe and browse their home products. From their rustic and whimsical Pig Casserole, to their vivid terracotta serving dishes, and their painterly floral collection, and most specially their fine art that are beautifully displayed all over the shop, it’s impossible to choose just one favorite.
Amber Waves: this is a special farm and I’m a huge fan of what they have been doing. Besides producing their vegetables and flowers, Amber Waves also trains their farmers (mostly women!) and hosts educational classes for adults and children. A non-profit place to have eat, shop, have fun and to support! Last weekend they had JonnyPops there, who was distributing free popsicles and if you liked them, they would give you a free box in a cooler bag to take home. Not woman-owned, but kudos for focusing on families and offering healthier organic choices.
Bridgehampton:
Annabel The Shop (there are many cute pieces there, one of my favorites were this light blue slip dress, this fun necklace, and this bonbon bag)
L’Epicuriste is not women owned, but they brought in Carole Bamford’s line this year, and it’s worth shopping for. She is the queen of the Cotswolds, and her gorgeous candles, bath products and geranium scented items plus a few home pieces from her Daylesford Farm are all for sale at L’epicurist this summer. They smell subtle, herby and delicious.
Relax Bridgehampton: I bought this fun and affordable Cherry bag, and I always love their pajamas, especially the pointelle styles from Polkadot England)
Sundaes On Main for the kids and everyone with a sweet tooth
Malia Mills + Hoare and Hoare Antiques:
For a few years now, the beautifully curated Hoare and Hoare Antiques has been sharing the space with Malia Mills in Bridgehampton, and it’s always a treat to go visit Zoe Hoare. Besides her iconic swimsuits, I love this Malia Mill’s tunic that you can wear as regular clothing and also as a cover up. And I have my eye on Zoe’s vintage Swedish Trestle Table, vegan grape hanging soaps (a perfect hostess gift) and so much more - you have to go see her in person, her shop is magic. She pop-s up in many places too, so contact her to see where she will be next.
East Hampton
Though most of East Hampton is populated by famous luxury brands, they still have a few great options.
Ma-Tine by Marie Christine: my friend Marie Christine is a very talented interior designer, and her shop is so chic. You'll find vintage pieces she collected over the years, and my favorite items are this 19th century French comode, this pair of lounge chairs and these beautiful vintage brass ashtrays. You can shop her items online at Charish, but going there in person is more fun!
The Hedges Inn: this is probably the most charming luxury hotel in the Hamptons. The new owners, husband and wife Andrew and Sarah Wetenhall also own The Colony in Palm Beach, and their renovations truly gave justice to this local institution, started with the Hedges family in 1652.
Nili Lotan: an easy choice for elevated every day pieces, I have my eye on this jacket, delicate crochet top, and bag.
The Monogram Shop: besides their obvious ability to monogram most items in store, I tend to like their tongue in cheek (and very specific) pieces like this Love Means Nothing tennis hand towel, or Make Good Choices key rings (from moms to kids), or their Blow tissue box covers.
Clic Home and Clic Fashion: 2 well curated shops, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from the former Founder of Calypso - remember that? Now that gardening is my new obsession, I want to get this beautiful basket, this gorgeous watering can, and these strawberry gardening gloves. And while the weather is still hot, my pick is this fun shirt with swimmers all over.
Montauk:
Road to Nowhere: I like the more casual boho look of this shop and their selection, an I loved these linen jacquard pants and shirt for the guys in your life.
Utilitaria Montauk Outpost: they don’t have a website so you need to get out there and shop! My favorite items are by my friends Ashley Himmel (I just got this sweater and it’s very cute) and Lee Berzack’s Pantoffel (I have 2 of her slippers and live in them!)
The Surf Lodge: I know this place sometimes gets crazy but kudos to its Founder, fellow Brazilian Jayma Cardoso, who has been working and succeeding in the entertainment and hospitality industries for such a long time. Montauk was my family’s “first love” in the Hamptons, and I have amazing memories of our kids when they were little, soaking up the sun and eating outside at Jayma’s restaurant. Her shop is small but super well curated and worth the visit.
Southampton:
Elyse Walker: a like her edit in Southampton, and my favorites are Sir’s Striped Pant and Scarf Top, and these chic yet fun bathing suit and
Jenni Kayne: though I usually buy a lot of her sweaters, I do love this easy and chic Broderie Dress and I want this fluffy cozy throw.
Plain-T: Tatiana’s Teixeira’s best selling tea Detox Cistus Incanus is sold out, but worth the wait: it’s known for its strong antiviral properties, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, detoxifier, immune system booster, cardiovascular supporter, and a natural tick repellent. She sells to Provisions and other health store, so maybe they’ll have them!)
Veronica Beard: I got many blazers at Veronca Beard but this summer I’m eyeing this Benny Tailored Vest and this adorable gingham dress.
Watermill:
AIREM (Dr. Eunice Park is my dermatologist in the Hamptons, and in addition to her treatments, I love her sheet mask and Crysalis Arnica Gel).
Calissa Hamptons: for their delicious Greek food! And you can also reserve a table to watch the World Cup matches too :)
Shou Sugi Ban House: there is nothing I don’t like here, but I’m partial to their massages. I want to book a retreat for the Fall and pend a few days as a staycation. A dream!
I’m counting on you to come out to support these amazing women and keep this place soulful and full of independent businesses! Love,
Patricia