Todd Snyder, Designer of eponymous label, Bridgehampton
What, or who, are your cultural touchstones in the Hamptons?
Writers, artists, and architects from the 1950s and 1960s. Driving the same roads and seeing where and how they lived fuels my imagination. I grew up in Iowa, so there’s also something about seeing farms and eating fresh produce that tastes like it’s supposed to.
What smells, sounds, and textures do you associate with your life here?
You simply can’t duplicate the sound of ocean waves crashing. Full stop. I love that feeling of climbing over a sand dune in the morning and smelling the ocean for the first time. It’s amazing how much it becomes a part of your life and you suddenly become dependent upon it.
What’s your greatest seasonal indulgence while you’re in the Hamptons?
That’s an easy one. I live very close to Wölffer Estate Vineyards.
What are your favorite local shops?
In Sagaponack, Wyeth has an extraordinary selection of mid-century modern furniture, where I find myself happily lost for hours picking up pieces for my home and stores. On the weekends, I stop by BookHampton to grab my next beach read or catch up on which authors are visiting. Of course, I would be remiss not to mention my favorite menswear shop in East Hampton, Todd Snyder.
Favorite Hamptons-based artist to drop by for a studio visit?
She doesn’t have an open studio in the Hamptons, but I wouldn’t turn down an invite to Cindy Sherman’s house.
Terence Connors, Photographer and Filmmaker, Montauk
What, or who, are your cultural touchstones in the Hamptons?
That list is extensive—it’s one of my favorite things about living out here. Steinbeck, Vonnegut, Capote, Albee, de Kooning, Pollock, Avedon, Warhol, Peter Beard, Lou Reed! The idea of soaking in that history and witnessing the light and sound they were inspired by feels wonderful.
What era of Hamptons living are you most nostalgic for?
Probably the ’60s, when Montauk was an under-the-radar hamlet—driving east and seeing acres and acres of corn and potato fields, and fewer homes.
What’s your favorite restaurant out East? What should we order?
The Dock. Order nachos for the table, a small Bud, and a fishwich.
Any East End art shows you are looking forward to this summer?
I love what Dalton [Portella] is doing with 484 Gallery, bringing local artists together.
Best way to spend a summer evening?
There are a few ways to do it, but a great afternoon surf followed by cooking at home on the fire with friends and watching the sunset sounds ideal.
How has the Hamptons scene changed in recent years?
More options. Businesses seem to be ever-rotating, which is, in a sense, exciting because we’re always looking forward to what might open nearby.
Robert Longo, Artist and Filmmaker, East Hampton
What, or who, are your cultural touchstones in the Hamptons?
Abstract Expressionist artists who used to live and work out East. I feel their ghosts and see their work in nature.
Which East End art shows are you looking forward to this summer?
Julian Schnabel at Guild Hall.
What smells, sounds, and textures do you associate with your life here?
The air is extraordinary. The collision of forest and ocean is unlike any other place.
What era of Hamptons living are you mostnostalgic for?
I came out here regularly to surf when I was young. Forty years later, my wife Sophie [Chahinian]—director of the Artist Profile Archive—has brought me back here.
What’s your greatest seasonal indulgence while you’re in the Hamptons?
Less clothing, slightly more socializing, and more time outside.
How has the Hamptons scene changed in recent years?
It’s gotten harder to avoid the parade of “you are what you have” syndrome.
Bob Colacello, Writer and Editor, Southhampton
What era of Hamptons living are you most nostalgic for?
In the 1970s, Andy Warhol and Paul Morrissey bought their Montauk compound. I was there almost every weekend, hanging out with houseguests like Mick and Bianca.
What’s your favorite restaurant out East? What should we order?
Sant Ambroeus Southampton. Order linguine cacio e pepe.
How do you hope to see the community in the Hamptons evolve?
Not too much.
Favorite Hamptons-based artist to drop by for a studio visit?
Sanford Biggers.
What, or who, are your cultural touchstones in the Hamptons?
The Peter Marino Art Foundation in Southampton. The Church in Sag Harbor. Dia Bridgehampton.
What smells, sounds, and textures do you associate with life out East?
Ocean waves rolling into the beach. Scent of lilacs in spring. Glorious colors of hydrangeas and rhododendrons a little later.
What’s your greatest seasonal indulgence when you’re in the Hamptons?
Driving to Rhode Island via the Shelter Island and Orient Point ferries for a Hamptons break.
Hannah Bronfman, Angel Investor and Digital Creator and Brendan Fallis, Digital Creator and Founder of Fallis Studio, Amagansett
What, or who, are your cultural touchstones in the Hamptons?
Hannah Bronfman: Brooke Garber Neidich is part of what defines the Hamptons for me. Brooke was recently honored by the Whitney Museum; she has been a trustee for years and runs her late father’s jewelry brand, Sidney Garber. She happens to be a second mother to me, and her house in Wainscott is the dreamiest—filled with incredible art, impeccable flowers, and interesting company around an intimate dinner table. Did we even summer in the Hamptons if we didn’t have dinner at Brooke’s?
Favorite Hamptons-based artist to drop by for a studio visit?
Brendan Fallis: Daniel Arsham. He has a garage where he’s customizing his latest Porsche and a bank of all his work. It’s unreal.
What’s your greatest seasonal indulgence while you’re in the Hamptons?
Bronfman: The zucchini bread from Vicky’s Veggies is dangerous. I could eat a whole loaf in one sitting if left unattended. I also love the olive loaf from Carissa’s the Bakery with any sort of tinned fish. Last but not least, I never eat as much pizza as I do in the Hamptons, now that Fini is in town.
How do you hope to see the community in the Hamptons evolve?
Bronfman: I love how many young families are out East, particularly in Amagansett. It’s so nice to head to the Square and see all the little kids running around.
Adam Brown, Founder of Orlebar Brown, Storefront in East Hampton
What drew you to open a store in the Hamptons?
New York has always been very important to us, and it wasn’t a difficult jump to realize that a lot of those customers were going to the Hamptons on the weekends or for vacations. There are just some places that innately reflect a brand. For OB, East Hampton is one of those places.
What smells, sounds, and textures do you associate with life here?
A beach just has that smell. It’s a lovely thing. Saltiness combined with suncream, the wind, the sound of the water, and the soft movement of the sand between your toes.
What’s your greatest seasonal indulgence while you’re in the Hamptons?
Sleep.
What era of Hamptons living are you most nostalgic for?
I first went to the Hamptons in the late ’80s and couldn’t believe such a place existed. There seemed to be a perfect balance between undiscovered and developed, craft and commercial. It was different then—but I’m not someone who resists change. Of course, first impressions are critical to forming any relationship.
Best way to spend a summer evening?
Sitting solo staring out to sea, going somewhere noisy and fun (usually someone’s house), or sitting on strawbales on a Friday night at the Mardersopen-air cinema.
