GRAZIA Gazette: The Hamptons, Issue 11, 2022

SUMMER 2022

HAMPTONS

GAZETTE

GRAZIA

VOLUME ELEVEN

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

GOOD GIRL

P.23

For Rain Spencer, it's The Summer I Turned It Girl.

On streaming and at the Tribeca Film Festival, the rising star makes a splash.

P.29

Austin Butler takes summer by storm in Baz Luhrmann's ELVIS, with plenty of hip shakes along the way. PLUS: The King in Nassau.

HAMPTONS WHODUNNIT

P.41

It was the East End's slipperiest heist, with A-listers from Steven Spielberg to Martha Stewart under suspicion.

chanel.com

©2022 CHANEL®, Inc.,

6

®

Collection Métiers d’art 2021/22

6

VOLUME ELEVEN

52 MAIN STREET EAST HAMPTON GRAZIA USA

7

SUMMER 2022

THE SCENE & The Seen

As the world continues to reopen, the event circuit finds its new “normal”—and GRAZIA has an inside look.

PRESENTED BY

THE NEW YORK FASHION TECH LAB CELEBRATES AT ZERO BOND

The NYFTLab commemorated the work of five women-led start-ups: Dress X, Greenlist, Window, Digital Village, and Squadded, who completed the 12-week program to bring innovative ideas to the fashion industry with a dinner at Zero Bond, co-hosted by SVB and GRAZIA USA.

Farm to Shelf CBD www.plant-power.io

PHOTOGRAPHS BY RANDY CASTILLO.

Clockwise from top: Natalie Buford Young; Cyril Cohen, Roshan Varma; Maria Eliason; Natalia Modenova, Maya Suresh, Jess Owens; Jackie Trebilcock, Kay Koplovitz

GRAZIA USA

VOLUME ELEVEN

A-LISTERS CHECK INTO H&M’S HÔTEL HENNES FOR GRAND OPENING

H&M’s Hôtel Hennes flips its “No Vacancy” lights on in Manhattan’s Lower East Side as the fashion set and A-list celebrities from Cynthia Nixon to Emily Ratajkowski, Irina Shayk, and more fill the new pop-up hotel. For its grand opening, guests checked in to dive into the immersive experiential rooms for photo ops, each with a different theme — followed by a welcome party at the trendy cabaret club, The Box. PHOTOGRAPHS BY MADISON MCGAW, ANGELA PHAM FOR BFA

Clockwise from left: Clockwise credit: Nicholas Braun, Irina Shayk, Ellen von Unwerth, Taras Romanov, Cynthia Nixon

8

9

SUMMER 2022

Clockwise from left: Clockwise credit: Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Richie Shazam, Emily Ratajkowski, Aquaria, Irina Shayk, Katie Holmes, Sasha Lane

Book Your Summer A Reese’s Book Club Pick and Instant New York Times Bestseller!

“A designer handbag scam as brazen as it is foolproof. Clever, catty fun.” —People, Best Books of Summer 2022

A Good Morning America Book Club Pick! “A sweeping novel, unflinching and evocative in its engrossing study of love, motherhood, sex, Mexico, journalism and more.”

—Washington Post

The Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller! “[A] light, sexy beach read transforms into a thoughtful exploration about identity.”

—USA Today

A luminous, spirit-lifting blockbuster for readers of The Midnight Library.

“Perfect for book clubs.” —Marie Claire

NOW IN PAPERBACK. “With this tip of the hat to Stephen King’s Misery, Dream Girl is funny and suspenseful, with a dread-worthy final twist.” —People

International Bestseller!

A suspenseful mystery novel perfect for readers of Louise Penny and Anthony Horowitz.

Escape

WITH THESE GREAT BEACH READS

“A book begging to be read on the beach, with the sun warming the sand and salt in the air: pure escapism.”

—Kirkus

A captivating summertime escape set along the sparkling shores of Lake Michigan, where a woman searches for clues to her secretive mother’s past.

“[A] poignant tale of opportunities lost and regained . . . This emotional romance is an easy choice to throw in the beach bag.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Heartwarming, life-affirming, pageturning . . . I can always count on Novak to make me weep, laugh and fall in love!” —Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author

In this debut rom-com, a Puerto Rican chef and an Irish American whiskey distiller are forced into a fake engagement by their scheming grandfathers.

“A sizzling emotional romance with a generous helping of family and culture.” — Kirkus Starred Review

“A dazzling novel about the stories we tell to stay alive and the secrets we keep to protect ourselves.”

—Nancy Jooyoun Kim, bestselling author of The Last Story of Mina Lee

12

VOLUME ELEVEN

FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES

JOSEPH ERRICO EDITOR & CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER BRIAN CAMPION

Our coterie of Hamptonites who embody success, culture, change, and the art of living well

EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR CASEY BRENNAN EXECUTIVE EDITOR AT L ARGE AARON RASMUSSEN EXECUTIVE EDITOR AT L ARGE DIGITAL DIRECTOR Colleen Kratofil ST YLE EDITOR Ty Gaskins

SALVATORE PIAZZOLLA

KRISTINA BLAHNIK

As the CEO of her family’s eponymous luxury footwear labels, Blahnik helps to steer Manolo Blahnik, playing a pivotal role in the creative process and shaping long-term goals for each collection.

The New York native had a vision for bringing glamor back to sunbathing and his Hampton Sun line of SPF and sunless tan is now the hottest summer product out East.

FASHION MARKET EDITOR Shelby Comroe SUSTAINABLE FASHION EDITOR Anna McFillin HEAD OF ENTERTAINMENT Jaclyn Roth ST YLE WRITER Hannah Militano CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Maggie Kim ART DIRECTOR Alexandra Sexton

DIGITAL INTERNATIONAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jessica Bailey DIRECTOR, E-COMMERCE Karli Poliziani

SOFIA CROKOS

JENNY LJUNGBERG BAKER

Not only is Crokos the co-owner of Bridgehampton’s popular Elaia Estiatorio restaurant; but now, she also has an eponymous event design and lifestyle brand.

Since taking over the iconic Maidstone hotel in East Hampton in 2008, Ljungberg has helped restore the property and made it a go-to destination in the process.

FASHION DIRECTOR Charlotte Stokes FASHION WRITER Grace O’Neill FEATURES WRITER Rebekah Clark BEAUT Y EDITOR Emily Algar

STEVE KASUBA

CONTRIBUTING BEAUT Y EDITOR Kate Lancaster

A self-described “PR raconteur,” Kasuba has been the man behind the scenes at the hottest spots in the Hamptons for more than two decades. He also specializes in strategic PR planning for clients in NYC, Miami, and at major events like Sundance and NYFW.

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION & MULTI-MEDIA Sean Kravit CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rebecca Friedman Haley Gunn Carly Tennes Katherine Tinsley

HEADQUARTERS 100 BROADWAY, 11TH FLOOR,

IN The Issue

NEW YORK, NY 10005 • PHONE (917) 231-8680 • EMAIL CONTACT@GRAZIAUSA.COM Printing: Earth Enterprise. Grazia USA, 100 Broadway, 11th Floor, NY, NY 10005 (graziamagazine.com; UPC 0-74820-40390-7) is published quarterly by Pantheon Media Group LLC, a company registered in the U.S. Audit pending by BPA Worldwide. © 2022 Mondadori Media S.p.a. All rights reserved. Published by Pantheon Media Group, LLC, with the permission of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.a. and Mondadori Media S.p.a. Reproduction in any manner in any language in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

Advertising inquiries: sales@graziausa.com. Press inquiries: press@graziausa.com. General inquiries: contact@graziausa.com. For syndication, email contact@graziausa.com.

GRAZIA USA

15 THE NEW & THE NOW

19 MOST WANTED

23 LOOKING FORWARD

29 COVER STORY

46 WHAT’S IN MY BAG?

Wine, © 2022 Moët Hennessy USA, Inc., New York, NY Please Drink Responsibly

NO MORE COMPROMISES. ONLY RESULTS. www.maikainutrition.com

15

THE NEW & THE NOW SUMMER 2022

HOUSE of Dreams

Chanel brings a touch of Parisian glamor to a new East Hampton pop-up.

F

or many Hamptonites, summers out East are filled with tennis, surfing, horseback riding, and other athletic pursuits. For a subset, though, there’s one other sport that kicks into high gear each season — and that is the shopping.

As the summer crowds descend, so too do pop-ups from major international brands, offering a vibrant playing field for those who love fashion. This year, though, there is one particular pop-up that deserves a prime placement on your shopping spree circuit: Chanel.

The iconic luxury French fashion house opened a temporary boutique on June 24, bringing a touch of classic Chanel glamor to East Hampton. There, a nearly 2500-square-foot traditional, gray-shingled house has been transformed into a light-filled “Parisian summer fashion fantasy,” outfitted with decor that has been infused with the codes of the House of Chanel, of course.

The matte black floor and white walls tap into the brand’s signature color palette, while the tweed rugs and graphic accents are influenced by Gabrielle Chanel’s Parisian apartment salon at 31 rue Cambon.

On the first floor, shoppers will find Ready-to-Wear, accessories, watches, eyewear, shoes, and Fine Jewelry pieces. There will be offerings from the Métiers d’Art 2021/2022 collection, which includes evening options and diamanté-trimmed suits with the line’s hand-spun gold embroidery and glittering appliqués.

Of course, there are summer-ready outfits from the Coco Beach collection, with swimwear and coverups, plus other sporty seasonal essentials such as printed jersey bikinis, cycling shorts and totes. The 2022 Coco Beach collection is all about the “freewheeling vacation spirit,” perfectly captured by its pink and blue lightweight tweed pieces. There also are a variety of sunglass options from the Summer and Fall 2022 Eyewear collections to top off your look.

Feeling the urge to splurge? Expect the 11.12 and 2.55 handbags, as well as the latest accessories from the Spring-Summer 2022 Ready-to-Wear show, including the Chanel 22 bag at the boutique. The store’s timepiece selection will feature the J12, Première, Code Coco and Boyfriend watches, and jewelry pieces from the Coco Crush Fine Jewelry collection.

The second floor is reserved for private appointments and evokes a relaxed, at-home feel with its linen couches accented with white and gold Chanel tweed throw pillows. There is also a “quintessentially glorious Hamptons” garden outside the house that the brand will use for entertaining throughout the summer.

Whether you need to refresh your summer essentials or feel like investing in a few timeless pieces, now’s the time to take advantage. Unlike some other Chanel locations, no appointment is necessary to shop the first floor, making it the perfect place to pop in between beach days, lunches, and the occasional tennis match or surf session. 26 Newtown Lane, East Hampton, NY 11937; chanel.com – COLLEEN KRATOFIL

GRAZIA USA

16

VOLUME ELEVEN

FROM MADISON AVE to Madison Street

St. John hits the Hamptons with a pop-up at Sage & Madison in Sag Harbor, in partnership with LA’s acclaimed Decades boutique.

SPIN CYCLE If you’ve been there, done SoulCycle, Peloton, and all of the rest, it’s time to check out freebeat. The company’s new Swissdesigned and -engineered at-home bike, Lit Bike x Klarna, provides the high-intensity, heart-pounding ride you demand, by way of a variety of HIIT classes and cross-training workouts. The motivating instructors on your 22-inch, 180-degree rotating display and gamified challenges will leave you feeling even more energized with every cardio session. What’s different about this bike that goes nowhere, though? The freebeat Smart Saddle Detection+ senses when you’re riding in or out of the saddle, generating more accurate metrics and pushing you to new PRs. Plus, automatic electromagnetic resistance technology takes the resistance out of your hands – literally – leaving you to just shut up and ride. It doesn’t get better than that. freebeatfit.com – COLLEEN KRATOFIL

FUELING STATION

Equinox x Hamptons is back — and so is healthy food fave Bonberi. The luxury fitness brand is hosting Bonberi at the Beach at its Bridgehampton location, offering health-conscious clients the chance to pick up cult favorite plant-based dishes like the Dulse Caesar, Chickpea Tuna Niçoise, or Coconut Ceviche. In addition, you can’t miss kitchen staples like the Knead Love gluten-free sourdough, or Brutus Bakeshop Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies, all of which are best washed down with Grass Roots organic cold-pressed juices.

While you’re there, check out this summer’s popups from brands including Monse, Rhone, and more.

Equinox.com – ANNA MCFILLIN

GRAZIA USA

This Summer, American luxury fashion house, St. John, renowned for timeless knitwear, will be setting up their new Pre-Fall 2022 collection for a popup at Sage & Madison in Sag Harbor Village. The assortment, available from July 28 – August 1, will help show the St. John brand’s multi-generational appeal through unexpected layering of the precious and the informal amid nostalgic memories of American dynasties dressed in St. John. The location was chosen in partnership with Cameron Silver of the Los Angeles-based Decades retail store, who will be at Sage & Madison for a month-long residency with his own selection of vintage, preloved, upcycled and exclusive pieces from luxury brands. “For decades, our clients have appreciated the timelessness of St. John, opting to pass down looks from generation to generation,” St. John Deputy CEO, Andy Lew, tells GRAZIA Gazette, “Mixing these heirlooms with modern pieces creates an aesthetic that showcases the brand’s true American heritage.”

A summer escape to Long Island’s swanky East End was the right fit for the iconic brand — especially in advance of a milestone anniversary. “As we approach our 60th anniversary, we selected one of America’s most beautiful destinations for a summer celebration.

Surrounded by all things luxury, the Hamptons was our ideal setting.” To schedule a private shopping appointment between 9am – 6pm at the Sag Harbor pop-up shop, contact events@sjk.com.

31 Madison Street, Sag Harbor, NY 11963 – CASEY BRENNAN

SHHH…We’ve got a juicy secret

This summer, celeb gossip lovers can leave the tabloids at the checkout line thanks to the world’s first-ever all-digital subscription magazine and newsletter: POP LIPS. Dubbed ​​“pop culture for smart people,” POP LIPS aims to disrupt and ultimately replace the traditional weekly entertainment magazine model. Instead of picking up a gossip mag at the supermarket, readers of POP LIPS will find a highly curated collection of gossip, cultural analysis, and exclusive reports, delivered straight to them every week: in their phones, tablets, desktop computers, and email.

Emailed directly to subscribers every Friday at 6 AM ET and available thereafter on all digital platforms, the newsletter-first brand will compete with readers of America’s ten weekly magazines and become the email Hollywood wakes up to. It comes from the minds of some of the industry’s most renowned editors and we can reveal that some juicy scoops are incoming…

Weekly, monthly, and annual subscriptions are available. Don’t miss out! www.PopLips.com

SUMMER 2022

PRESS PL AY The multi-hyphenate DJ, director, and designer, Vashtie Kola (Va$htie, to fans), sets the tone of the season with her ultimate summer playlist.

Crank up the volume at your next poolside party or beach day with these mood-boosting

SUMMER Chic

The Maidstone hotel offers new summer happenings to boost anyone’s mood.

S

ummer in the Hamptons means the beach, rosé, and easy luxury. This year, The Maidstone is taking those vibes to the max with a new summer program that simply can’t be beat.

If you’re one of the very few who doesn’t know, The Maidstone — a boutique hotel unlike any other — is located on Main Street in East Hampton. The establishment was popular in the 1920s, but in 2008, hotelier Jenny Ljungdberg Baker and her husband, Jonathan Baker, a writer and movie director, redesigned it to look like a Scandinavian oasis where guests can enjoy the chic Hamptons scene.

Whether guests choose a queen room or private cottage — there are 19 rooms total — their stay will be tranquil and relaxing, as there are plenty of amenities to enjoy: from luxury linens, to Jonathan Baker aromatherapy products, and Hästens beds. “What stands us apart from other hotels is that we are a photo and art haven — our walls are decorated with vibrant colors,” Jonathan, who is the owner alongside his wife, exclusively tells the GRAZIA GAZETTE: Hamptons.

To make the most of your time during your luxe getaway, make sure to stop by the intimate lounge or the refreshing garden, filled with plants, flowers, statues and tables — a perfect spot to take in the gorgeous scenery. You hardly have to leave the grounds, but if you do, the hotel has new offerings to make your stay even sweeter.

First, there’s the Beach Butler Program, where a chauffeur takes guests to the beach with towels, umbrellas, and picnic baskets in tow. Salt water and a cold drink have never sounded

better. Oh, and did we mention there’s a Cadillac involved?

“Our Beach Butler program is like none other in the world, where we take you in our Cadillac to the beach to lay out. We bring branded beach towels, chairs, champagne, food, and we are in contact with you if you need anything for the rest of the day,” Jonathan says. “Nobody does a Beach Butler program like us.”

Additionally, The Maidstone hotel will be partnering with FlexIt, an interconnected health platform, allowing each guest will receive the gift of wellness through a one-on-one live virtual personal training session. In each room, guests can find a scannable QR code that brings them to a free 30-minute session. From there, visitors can create an account and pick a trainer.

If you’re worried about leaving your pet all by themselves while you enjoy all of these offerings, no sweat: Pups are welcome to make themselves at home, too. “We love dogs!

We have a menu for dogs, we have a dog bowl out front, and we have a babysitting service for both kids and dogs,” Jonathan enthuses.

If you’re looking for a summer reset, just walking into the tranquil setting at The Maidstone will transport you away from reality. As Jonathan notes, the 2022 season “is the summer everyone stays local, and what better place to be local than The Maidstone Hotel?”

Beach, wellness, and dogs? Your perfect summer starts now, at The Maidstone. 207 Main St, East Hampton, NY 11937– JACLYN ROTH

SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY Remix (feat. Kali Uchis and Moliy) Amaare, Kali Uchis, Moliy Sweating Alewya

Blå Himmel (feat. Hans Phillip) KESI, Hans Phillip Woman Doja Cat

How Do I Make You Love Me? The Weeknd Mal à Dit Shannon SAOKO Rosalía

...Ye Burna Boy

Listen now on GRAZIA’s Spotify.

A FÊTE Afoot

Manolo Blahnik plans a special shopping event in East Hampton.

Have you put your best foot forward so far this season? Join women’s luxury footwear retailer Manolo Blahnik for a stylish shopping event on July 14 from 5 to 7 pm at its East Hampton boutique on Main Street, and refresh your summer wardrobe with the latest ultra-chic styles from the brand’s Summer 2022 collection.

Marking Manolo’s second summer at its Main Street location, the bash will be hosted by friend of the brand, founder and CEO of skincare label Prakti Beauty, Pritika Swarup – sure to provide a little on-site fashion inspo. Plus, enjoy a special discount just for party guests. Manoloblahnik.com – HANNAH MILITANO Courtesy of Tim Williams for Manolo Blahnik

GRAZIA USA

“The Crown Must Always Win”

The Firm: Blood, Lies & Royal Succession STREAMING NOW

APPLE PODCASTS

SPOTIFY

19

SUMMER 2022

MORE AT GRAZIAMAGAZINE.COM

SHINE ON

FORGET FIREWORKS. SPARKLY STYLES ARE THE REAL SHOW THIS 4TH OF JULY, AND JUST AS IG-WORTHY.

BY SHELBY COMROE

Alessandra Rich choker, $345, fwrd.com

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello earrings, $695, ysl.com

ZEROBONDNYC

ZEROBONDNYC

ZEROBONDNY.COM

ZEROBONDNY.COM

Sorellina ring, $4,800, sorellinanyc.com

VERSACE

VALENTINO

TOM FORD

DAVID KOMA

COPERNI

BOTTEGA VENETA

Dior earrings, price upon request, (800) 929-DIOR

CHANEL bracelet, price upon request, (800) 550-0005

STAR-SPANGLED Celestial accessories that light up any look.

ZEROBONDNY.COM

ZEROBONDNYC

20

VOLUME ELEVEN

LUMINESCENT LIDS

Tom Ford, Cream Color For Eyes, $46, tomford.com

CULTNAKED bandeau, $140, cultnaked.com; Des Phemmes skirt, $547, luisaviaroma.com; Brooke Callahan necklace, $68, brookecallahan.com; Paris Texas sandals, $550, mytheresa.com; Loewe Paula’s Ibiza bag, $1,950; matchesfashion.com.

Oséree bikini set, $226, miniskirt, oseree.com; Jacquemus shirt, $605, luisaviaroma.com; Sylvia Toledano necklace, $229, sylviatoledano.com; Hermès sandals, $660, Hermes.com; Linda Farrow x The Attico sunglasses, $250, us.lindafarrow.com.

Bobbi Brown, Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick, $30

Armani Beauty, Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow, $30, giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com

Alexandre Vauthier bustier, $2,449, farfetch.com; SLVRLAKE jeans, $320, modaoperandi.com; Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello belt, $795, bag, $4,400, ysl.com; Comme Si socks, $28, commesi.com; Adidas sneakers, $100, adidas.com; Ray-Ban sunglasses, $163, ray-ban.com.

Laura Mercier, Caviar Stick Eyeshadow, $32, lauramercier.com

ÉTERNE t-shirt, $70, eterne.com; Paco Rabanne pants, luisaviaroma.com; Pamela Love ring, $200, pamelalove.com; Converse sneakers, $85, revolve.com; Balenciaga bag, $1,900, Balenciaga.com; Gucci eyeglasses, $520, fwrd.com.

Hourglass, Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow, $30, sephora.com

Glossier, Lidstar, $18, glossier.com

Rick Owens dress, $2,525, mytheresa.com; Sauer earrings, $6,980, sauer1941.com; Jacquie Aiche ring, $1,650, jacquieaiche.com; Manolo Blahnik sandals, $725, fwrd.com; Anne Fontaine clutch, $450, annefontaine.com.

GRAZIA USA

The Attico dress, $2,400, luisaviaroma.com; Brent Neale necklace, $6,950, brentneale.com; Amina Muaddi pumps, $884, clutch, $2,305, aminamuaddi.com.

Eolian Basket Bag, Loro Piana, $1,100, us.loropiana.com.

A TISKET, A TASKET L

Loro Piana’s Eolian Basket bag helps you live la dolce vita this summer. oro Piana’s “La Dolce Vita” collection captures the carefree yet sophisticated essence of Italian summer — something that we here at GRAZIA know more than a little bit about. The crown jewel of the collection is the new Eolian Basket bag. Inspired by classic market bags found on Sicily’s Aeolian islands and influenced by the

classic ‘70s straw bucket bag toted by Brigitte Bardot, the Italian fashion house is now giving the iconic summer staple a refresh. The Eolian Basket is a perfect fusion of Italian craftsmanship heritage and modern-day sustainability, made from regenerated organic cotton and hand-woven using the ancient technique of braid stitching. Macramé

handles with knots are a subtle salute to classic nautical traditions. The Eolian Basket is available in two sizes and can be worn as a shoulder bag or handbag. Whether you are sailing the Mediterranean Sea or hanging beachside in the Hamptons, keep this bag close at hand all summer.

– SHELBY COMROE

TWINKLE TOES

Bottega Veneta pumps, $1,750, bottegaveneta.com

The Attico sandals, $927, mytheresa.com

Aquazurra sandals, $1,350, aquazurra.com

René Caovilla sandals, $1,858, farfetch.com

Paris Texas sandals, $660, mytheresa.com

Amina Muaddi pumps, $1,435, neimanmarcus.com

GRAZIA USA

23 23

SUMMER 2021

LOOKING FORWARD

LET IT RAIN

Meet summer’s hottest new star.

PHOTOGRAPHER KELSEY HALE HAIR FITCH LUNAR LOCATION DECORJOIS

Y/Project top, pants, y/project.fr; Versace shoes, versace.com

GRAZIA USA

24

VOLUME ELEVEN

Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello jacket, ysl.com.

BY JACLYN ROTH

M

eet summer’s hottest new star. The young star is the lead in the gritty movie Good Girl Jane, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City in June. The flick, which also features Andie MacDowell and The OA star Patrick Gibson, is anything but upbeat, as it focuses on the title character (played by Spencer) who falls hard for a charming drug dealer and then becomes involved in his teenage meth ring. Though the role was challenging due to the subject matter, Spencer knew she could excel and persevere.

“The first time I read the script, I fell in love with it,” Spencer exclusively tells GRAZIA Gazette: Hamptons. “I went in for my first audition, and Sarah Elizabeth Mintz, the writer/director, was sitting next to the casting director, which never happens. I told her how much I loved this script and how I connected with it on a deep level. Coincidentally, a few days later, Lauren Pratt, one of the producers, walked into the store I was working at, unknowingly. I started to sell her a necklace, and she said, ‘Are you Rain? I just watched your tape.’ When I got the part, Sarah and Lauren took me to dinner to tell me the good news.”

Since the film features some “crucial moments,” including one where Jane smokes crystal meth for the first time, Spencer was adamant about making

GRAZIA USA

it “as believable as possible” for the audience. “I studied different breathing techniques and went into deep meditations. I trained my body to feel a certain way after a sequence of deep breathing so that when it was time to roll the camera, I could feel high very quickly. It’s very powerful what we can do with our minds and bodies,” she says. “I actually felt insane. I have a beautiful friend who is sober now but struggled with meth in the past. She showed me exactly what happens when you inhale for the first time, and she sent me a song that I played loudly in my earphones right before Sarah called action.”

Spencer admits she “searched hard for Jane’s core wounds” to give depth to the role. While prepping for the movie, she studied the ins and outs of her character — who “doesn’t get the love she needs from her mother and doesn’t even know what she’s feeling at times,” she notes — and ultimately came to understand she’s an “anxiety-ridden introvert.”

Additionally, Spencer kept a journal, which she filled with writings and drawings of her dreams in order to find “as much truth as possible in all of Jane’s relationships.” When the newcomer got onto set —“a very powerful experience like no other” — she relied on music and breathing to tap into what she needed to feel. But, she says, “the most challenging part was enduring the pain that Jane feels at the beginning of the movie before she finds solace.”

All in all, Spencer gushes that the “entire experience was a dream,” and

25

SUMMER 2022

‘IN SHORT, IT’S A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT – AND ONE THAT’S BEEN A LONG TIME IN THE MAKING: AT JUST EIGHT YEARS OLD, SHE TOLD HER MOM SHE NEEDED TO GET AN AGENT, BECAUSE SHE KNEW SHE HAD WHAT IT TOOK TO MAKE IT IN HOLLYWOOD.’

although Gibson and MacDowell were seasoned actors, they helped her avoid imposter syndrome. “Even when I had butterflies, I always felt like I was on the right path. Patrick kept me laughing and in the moment,” she shares. “He made it so easy for Jane to fall in love with his character. I felt so connected to the material and to Sarah from the beginning. I never felt like I was doing it alone. I remember asking a friend after my third callback, ‘Can I carry an entire movie?’ and she said, ‘Of course you can, it’s just one scene at a time.’ I really kept that in mind.”

Right after Spencer’s Tribeca debut, she’ll continue to show off her acting chops in The Summer I Turned Pretty, a coming-of-age series about a love triangle between a girl and two brothers, which premiered on Amazon on June 17.

“My role is the complete opposite of Jane. If they were in a room together, they would absolutely hate each other,” she quips. “They wouldn’t be friends, but I love them both. This project is helping me develop my craft further, and I’ve made such amazing bonds. I couldn’t be more excited.”

In short, it’s a major breakthrough moment – and one that’s been a long time in the making: At just eight years old, she told her mom she needed to get an agent, because she knew she had what it took to make it in Hollywood.

“It’s not the easiest career to pursue, but I never planned on doing anything

else,” she explains.

Clearly, Spencer is motivated, as these two big projects will surely put her on the map — and she is “grateful” for both opportunities. “It’s so important for me to be passionate about what I am putting my energy toward. Knowing how hard it is in the beginning as an actor, I don’t take this for granted at all.

I’m in love with both of these shows,” she declares.

Since Spencer is still just starting out, she knows she may be seen as a role model to other young girls — something that doesn’t scare her in the slightest.

In fact, she’s ready to dole out advice, as she has “so much experience to share.”

“I hope to lead by example. If I can live in my truth, go through the storm, love myself unconditionally — people will see that. That energy is contagious, and I plan to share it with as many people as possible. I want to especially lift up young women and encourage them to support one another rather than judge each other,” she says.

As for what’s next, Spencer is hoping to spark change: She wants to continue to tell stories that have a profound impact, in addition to dabbling in the fashion world. “I’m looking forward to working on great projects, building relationships, and playing characters that have a lot of depth to them. I’m just ecstatic every day that I get to have my dream job,” she states. What could be better than that?

GRAZIA USA

because the future of luxury is vegan leather

FERRONUSA.COM

BY JACLYN ROTH

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

The movie was originally supposed to be released in 2021 but was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

VOLUME ELEVEN

30

Baz Luhrmann's film also features Tom Hanks as talent manager Tom Parker and Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla Presley.

"Austin Butler, who played Elvis is outstanding," Priscilla wrote on social media.

"For a year before we started shooting, I was doing voice coaching," Butler revealed of getting into the mindset of Elvis.

Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler made their red carpet debut at the 2022 Met Gala.

W

hen it was announced that Austin Butler would take on the role of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s film Elvis, it was an interesting choice, as the handsome hunk — who began his career on teen shows — wasn’t alive to witness Presley’s rise to fame, which proved to be a challenge.

Though he grew up listening to Presley’s songs alongside his grandmother, who “was a teen in the ‘50s,” he admits he was unfamiliar with the icon. Butler was also faced with another obstacle: an audition process that took almost half a year to complete until he heard he finally scored the role in the major motion picture, which debuted on Friday, June 24.

The 30-year-old first sent Luhrmann, 59, a tape of himself singing “Unchained Melody” to show off his musical prowess.

“I play the guitar and I play the piano, and my first instrument was the violin,” he previously shared. “I started playing the violin when I was in elementary school. I got a guitar when I was 13 and fell in love. I would play for eight hours a day and that became my obsession.”

The Carrie Diaries alum, who is currently dating Cindy Crawford’s daughter, Kaia Gerber, then flew to New York to meet with the Moulin Rouge director, where they spoke for three hours.

“Then [Luhrmann] said, ‘Do you want to come in tomorrow and read a couple scenes from the script?’” Butler recalled, adding

GRAZIA USA

that he was also asked to sing Presley’s song “Suspicious Minds.”

“We ended up doing that for five months,” he said of the back and forth. “It was unlike any audition.” Fortunately, Butler came out on top, but it was a grueling process for him to turn into the “King of Rock and Roll.”

“The feeling was strong, like, am I going to fail, am I going to let everyone down?” he confessed. “So I redefined that feeling. I called it ‘free energy.’ I didn’t need coffee. I had that.” To make matters worse, the movie, which was filmed in Australia and focuses on Presley’s career and rise to stardom, was put on hold when Tom Hanks, who plays Colonel Tom Parker, came down with COVID-19 in March 2020.

“I wasn’t ready,” Butler shared. “And then suddenly, production

shut down and I had six more months to rehearse. I started to feel like it was me living with it every day.”

To prepare for his role, Butler — who beat out an impressive roster of actors, such as Harry Styles, Miles Teller and Ansel Elgort — took things very seriously: so much so, he watched every Elvis movie, performance video and interview. The California native also loaded songs and interviews to his laptop from specific periods of Presley’s life. “Every day, when I’d drive home from the set, I’d put on ‘Polk Salad Annie,’ ‘Never Been to Spain’ and ‘Milkcow Boogie Blues,’” he revealed.

Though the outfits were glitzy and glamorous, Butler noted that it was sometimes unbearable to get used to moving around in them. “I was strapped into the jumpsuit and my lungs felt constricted. I could only take shallow breaths and it was very hot,” he stated. “It felt very claustrophobic, and I felt a great sadness because I’m sure Elvis felt the same way, that he could hardly breathe. And yet his voice still soared.”

Eventually, Butler nailed down the voice — something he still carries with him to this day. “I’d hear him say a certain word and I would clip just that bit out so I knew how he said that word,” Butler, who also sings in the film, noted. “I created my own archive of how he said every word and every diphthong, and the way that he used musicality in his voice.”

Butler is sure to set pulses racing through his interpretation (just like Elvis did back in the day), but the leading man has

31

SUMMER 2022

Butler posed alongside Elvis Presley's ex-wife Priscilla Presley at the Cannes premiere of Elvis.

always made people swoon when he appeared on Hannah Montana, iCarly and Zoey101 in the ‘00s. However, he didn’t love being typecast at a young age. “I was sort of embarrassed about some of the things that I had to do — but I had to cut my teeth somewhere,” he said. “So I decided to treat each one of these jobs as a way to grow.”

Now, Butler has a pretty impressive resume — from starring on Broadway opposite Denzel Washington to appearing in Once Upon A Time … In Hollywood, Dune and Dude — and it seems like this is just the beginning. Not only are critics praising Butler for his performance, but Presley’s family, including the late singer’s only daughter, Priscilla Presley, and her granddaughter, Riley Keough, are touched by how well the movie was executed.

«I started crying five minutes in and didn›t stop,» Keough said. «There›s a lot of family trauma and generational trauma that started around then for our family. I felt honored they worked so hard to really get his essence, to feel his essence.

Austin captured that so beautifully.»

Clearly, Butler put his heart and soul into this role, and it’s something he will never forget.

“I realized this man was as iconic as they come, and yet he of course was a human being, sensitive and vulnerable, with virtues and flaws, and I got to experience all of that,” he said. “This was an incredible privilege. I was just a detective, trying to find the truth of who he was. Trying to find Elvis’ soul.”

THE KING IN NASSAU When Elvis Presley was at the height of his career, he toured all over the world and the United States, but in 1973, fans of the singer got to witness his greatness when they watched him perform at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York.

The audience was on the edge of their seat as they waited for the “King of Rock and Roll” to make his way onto the stage. As soon as Presley, who wore the “Snowflake” jumpsuit, walked out, a deafening standing ovation began and pictures were immediately taken.

Presley began singing “Oh See, See See Rider” and later played “I Got a Woman” before he greeted the crowd, saying “good evening,” despite it being 3 p.m. in the afternoon. Of course, his hits were played, such as “Love Me Tender,” “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Flip, Flop and Fly.” Believe it or not, the show was only one hour long, but it was one for the books: he concluded the performance by dropping down to one knee and spreading open his cape. One thing is for sure: Presley’s star power was never dull.

GRAZIA USA

Design and Photo © 2022 Le Vian Corp. All Rights Reserved. Earrings MLAA 206

Design and Photo © 2022 Le Vian Corp. All Rights Reserved. Earrings MLAA 206

Design and Photo © 2022 Le Vian Corp. All Rights Reserved. Earrings MLAA 206

Design and Photo © 2022 Le Vian Corp. All Rights Reserved. Earrings MLAA 206

Design and Photo © 2022 Le Vian Corp. All Rights Reserved. Earrings MLAA 206

S U NSNUYN N YE Y LYL EOLW L ODW I AD MIO AN MDOSN® D S ® S U N N Y SYUEN LN LO YW Y EDLILAOMW O NDDI A S ®M O N DSSU®N N Y Y E L L O W D I A M O N D S ® LE V L IEA V NI A PN L APTLI A NT U IMN U CM O LCLOE LCLTEI O CT NI™O N ™ LE VIAN L EP L VA IA TN I NP ULMA C T IONLULM E CCTOI O L LNEL ™C E TV IO I ANN™ P L A T I N U M C O L L E C T I O N ™ LEVIAN.COM/HIGHJEWELRY LEVIAN.COM/HIGHJEWELRY 877-2LEVIAN 877-2LEVIAN LEVIAN.COM/HIGHJEWELRY LEVIAN.COM/HIGHJEWELRY 877-2LEVIAN 877-2LEVIAN LEVIAN.COM/HIGHJEWELRY

877-2LEVIAN

HOME DELIVERY SPECIAL

Today’s news, Page Six® gossip ® and The Best Sports in Town

$

1

A WEEK The biggest bang for FOR 10 WEEKS your buck.

S UB S CR N TO A IB SC E

TO ME DEL I V ER HO Y

Subscribe to Home Delivery NYPost.com/OutEast or call 1-800-552-7678 code:OutEast

Offer valid for new households that have not had New York Post home delivery in the past 60 days. After the introductory period, your subscription will automatically renew at the then prevailing rate for your service area until you cancel your subscription. Sales tax may apply. We reserve the right to discontinue this offer at any time. You must be over 18 years and have a valid address in the promotional area to participate in this offer. Offer expires 7/31/2022.

Effortlessly Chic.

Boldly Empowering.

VOLUME III OUT NOW

HAMPTONS

GRAZIA

GAZETTE

Tory Burch dress, necklace, earrings, rings, sunglasses, cuff, toryburch.com.

38

F

Tory Burch T-shirt, skirt, necklace, shoes, toryburch.com.

or most teenagers, life flipped upside down pretty quickly once the pandemic descended.

Plans were canceled, goals were put on hold, and sooo many TikTok videos were made. For Olivia Ponton, everything switched; only in her case, she skyrocketed to social media stardom.

Just two weeks before COVID-19 lockdowns began in 2020, Ponton signed with Wilhelmina Models at 17 during a spring break visit to New York City. “The day that I left was the day that the whole entire city shut down,” Ponton tells GRAZIA Gazette: Hamptons.

Work was slow at the start of the pandemic, so she did what everyone else was doing: She made TikToks. “I loved sharing what I was doing with my life. During COVID I was trying one new thing a day, whether it was cooking, playing basketball, volleyball, or exploring new places in my hometown,” she says. “I got really positive responses from people about how I made them feel. That was my main motivation to keep going.” She eventually caught the attention of Thomas Petrou, a founder of The Hype House, a home that online content creators live in together.

After she visited the Los Angeles mansion, she moved in for about three months.

Ever since, she’s amassed 7.8 million followers on TikTok and 3.5 million on Instagram. “In the blink of an eye, all of a sudden, I’m in this incredible position,” Ponton shares.

“I would say genuinely, it’s been a little hard to process everything.”

She not only became a social media star; but also, started racking up serious modeling credits, too. Indeed, her next career milestone was a full-on pinch-me-moment. Earlier this year, Ponton was named a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie and was featured in the 2022 issue. “When I got the call for SI Swimsuit issue, I didn’t believe it happened for weeks. I was even on set shooting in Montenegro, and I was just like, This isn’t real. Olivia, snap out of this. This is a dream. You’re going to wake up tomorrow morning.”

Rocketing to fame so quickly at a young age could be tricky to navigate for anyone, but for Ponton, it’s possible to stay grounded by working out, eating healthy, and focusing on “all those little basic self-care hacks.” The other half of her mental health equilibrium involves ignoring the “insane” amounts of negativity that’s online. “There are hundreds of thousands of people saying things to you that are not very nice,” she explains. “And for a while, I didn’t want to do it anymore because I was like, I can’t handle people being mean to me 24/7.”

Instead of quitting — because as she puts it, she “does not quit” — Ponton decided to deliver the type of uplifting content she wants to receive. (She’s known for sticking Postit notes with positive quotes and affirmations around her home.) “Everything is about karma. What you put out is what you get back,” she says. “I decided I’m just going to post my happy content and make other people happy.”

Of course, Ponton’s only human, though. Something is bound to trigger self-doubt or impostor syndrome when she’s scrolling through her feeds. (It’s a pitfall no matter how many followers one has.) Still, she’s mastered channeling negativity into something positive.

“When I do catch myself getting into that rabbit hole — stalking girls and looking at Pinterest and getting into

MODEL BEHAVIOR Olivia Ponton reflects on her meteoric rise and finding herself along the way.

BY COLLEEN KRATOFIL PHOTOGRAPHER KAT IRLIN STYLIST JOSEPH ERRICO HAIR WALTON NUNEZ MAKEUP CHRISTOPHER ARDOFF

GRAZIA USA

“EVERYTHING IS ABOUT KARMA. WHAT YOU PUT OUT IS WHAT YOU GET BACK. I DECIDED I’M JUST GOING TO POST MY HAPPY CONTENT AND MAKE OTHER PEOPLE HAPPY.”

Tory Burch top, skirt, earrings, ring, sneakers, sunglasses, toryburch.com

SCAN FOR BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO!

40

VOLUME ELEVEN Tory Sport pullover, shorts, bag,

sneakers, sunglasses, toryburch.com

a whole comparison game, Why don’t I look like this? Why don’t my outfits look like this? Oh, my body. It makes me sad, and I’m not a sad person. I don’t like being sad,” the model shares. “The moment I catch myself doing that, I literally breathe and say, Out of my head and into my body. And in that moment, I check with what my body needs. Am I hungry? Have I showered? Am I ready for the day tomorrow?

Am I doing what I need to be doing in this exact moment?

Every time I start doing something that is positive for me in that moment, it takes me away from my phone and now I’m focused on myself rather than the pretty girls that are on social media.”

This strong mindset and focus on mental health helped propel Ponton forward into another realm of self-realization: Last year during Pride Month, Ponton announced that she was bisexual, an experience that she says “immediately” felt like a “weight lifted” off her shoulders. Afterward, “I could breathe,” Ponton recalls.

But that was Instagram. Reality? She describes the first few months after as “hard,” especially with those she loved.

“Coming out is not the easiest thing,” she shares. “In the past year, the biggest accomplishment I’ve had is accepting me for me and figuring out the type of people that I liked, what I liked.”

By Pride of this year, she announced she is “pansexual and proud” in a rainbow-filled post on social media. Says Ponton, “I have a very emotional connection to a person rather than based on looks. I think that’s something that’s been beautiful that I’ve been able to realize.”

She continues, “Sometimes people are scared to put labels on things and I’m right there with you. I absolutely love when other gay or lesbian couples come up to me and they’re talking about how I helped them. I’ve talked with a lot of girls about being hyper femme, and I honestly thought I was the only person that was struggling with that.

It makes you feel even more a part of the community.”

Ponton has already achieved impressive career milestones and inspired millions – during a global pandemic, no less. When asked what’s next, she says she just wants to keep going. “This is a dream. Working with brands that I absolutely love, magazines that I love. Honestly, I’m just genuinely grateful for anything,” Ponton says. “I’m so young; it’s hard to even tell you exactly where I want to go, but I just love working. I’m like, Book me seven days a week.

I do not care. I’m kind of a workaholic.”

She says she looks up to the careers of models Josephine Skriver and Leyna Bloom, but she’s ready to forge her own path — even if she’s not sure where it will lead just yet.

“I’m just being open to anything. I think when people have one certain route that they want, it sometimes gets a little toxic for your head. I have a mood board about a hundred places that I go. I wouldn’t be mad if I went towards any one of them. Whatever comes to me is obviously meant for me.”

HOMETOWN HOTSPOT While the North Fork of Long Island is often referred to as “the fork less taken,” a new low-key, full-service bayside property in Southold is helping to change all that.

Owned by a group of longtime local residents, The Shoals — named after a community of fish that swim together — opened in April, on Peconic Bay just across from Shelter Island.

“We are set apart from other properties by location,” explains partner Johnny Donadic of the first “boatel” of its kind in this picturesque hamlet known for oenology, aquaculture, and agriculture. “During the summer months, from dawn until dusk, you can see the movement of boats and sails in front of our marina and beyond” as guests arrive from land and sea.

At The Shoals, designer Thomas Juul-Hanson and architect Andrew V Gimbertone honored the area’s maritime culture through thoughtful design choices, such as — in a nod to New England modernism — using cedar shingles to clad the building and playing up waterfront views. Inside, The Shoals’s 20 expansive suites come equipped with working kitchens, dining areas, living rooms, and private patios that leave guests feeling completely at home.

GRAZIA USA

A group of North Fork locals have launched a new waterfront getaway just in time for summer.

For those taking a vacation from cooking, The Shoals Food Truck — parked to the side of the lawn and lorded over by Italian sculptor Oriano Galloni’s towering sculpture, Rise of Mars — serves guests a nice range of bubbly and wines. Also on the menu: lobster rolls, Caprese sandwiches, and oysters from the on-property, female-owned Little Ram Oyster Company.

Every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the summer months, Little Ram Oyster Company flips The Shoals Food Truck into a “Shuck Truck” and hosts an oyster happy hour, allowing those lodging at the hotel as well as the general public to slurp up oysters and drink in the coastal views with their wine.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to share The Shoals with guests in the light that we experience it,” Tibett says. “We've set out to create a space that is sophisticated yet unpretentious.”

He adds, “Being Southoldians, we love this special place, and our hearts are full of appreciation for it."

Visitors to The Shoals and beyond will likely leave feeling the same way. The Shoals, 61600 Main Rd, Southold, New York 11971, 631-765-5121. theshoalsnorthfork.com – AARON RASMUSSEN

East Hampton’s Georgica Pond transformed overnight — and A-listers were caught in the cross-hairs.

BY MELISSA CRONIN & AARON RASMUSSEN

42

VOLUME ELEVEN

W

ith lilting birds, sunset views, and plenty of prime real estate, Georgica Pond is perhaps the most exclusive neighborhood in the Hamptons. Few summer people are aware, however, that the 290-acre body of water has been the center of unending controversy — and the scene for more than one whodunnit — over the past century.

It all started back in 1686, when the governor of the province of New York (and errand boy for King James II), Thomas Dongan, granted a board of trustees nearly absolute power over East Hampton’s beaches and bodies of water. The declaration — or, “patent,” officially — lives today on a vellum scroll at City Hall, and also enables trustees to purchase land from “Natives Indyan Proprietors.” More than three centuries later, the Trustees of the Freeholders and Commonalty of the Town of East Hampton remain in power — even though Georgica Pond residents have long dreamed of fomenting revolution.

Formed by a glacier, Georgica Pond is thought to have been named after the Montauk Indian Jeorgkee, who is said to have made the pond’s shores his home in 1679 and “assisted the settlers with their beach whaling,” according to a 1922 report in the Times Union newspaper.

One hundred years later, the first A-lister moved in: Revolutionary War hero John Dayton, who bought his

GRAZIA USA

70-acre plot for $0.70. Roughly 100 years after that, the Tile Club — a group of NYC artists including Stanford White and Winslow Homer — descended and formed the invite-only Georgica Association, which persists to this day. The Tile Club lent a certain cachet to the marshy land, and in the decades to follow Georgica Pond became a clubby neighborhood of the Manhattan elite.

That hasn’t always sat well with the locals. For one, the hordes of incoming summer people made for a brutally competitive real estate market (nothing new under the Hamptons sun). Second, the village of East Hampton has allowed the pond residents to restrict access to locals, forcing boaters or fisherman to go the long way around to gain entry.

Above all, however, the pond has seen the fiercest battles over a seemingly insignificant issue: the pond’s water level. Way back in the time of Jeorgkee, Native Americans cut a “release valve” of sorts into the sandbar separating the pond from the ocean at intervals throughout the year to lower the water level. As early as 1900, the white settlers had made it an official process: On November 2, 1900, the Times Union newspaper out of Brooklyn reported, “a channel to the ocean has been cut across the beach to Georgica Pond,” in order to “freshen its stagnated water, improve the fishing, and lower the water level.”

Especially after the disastrous hurricane of 1938 flooded most of East Hampton and killed 600 people, the twice-yearly “letting” of the pond was seen as a prudent and ecologically sound tradition that would keep the flora, fauna, and fancy people equally happy.

Alas, that wasn’t to be.

As early as 1962, a snarky report in Newsday pointed to bubbling tensions between the Georgica Pond residents and the keepers of the water level, the trustees.

“An old problem caused by a picturesque pond in this town — a problem that has been known to stir bluebloods to civic combat — is again generating heat…” the breathless report began. “It’s a question of how to best make the pond less sloppy and less smelly.” It was quite the conundrum for home owners: “Too much water makes the surrounding land messy and floods cellars; too little makes the neighborhood smelly.” The homeowners even offered to give the town $30,000 to build a self-regulating pipeline at the time, an offer the trustees resisted. The traditional letting process, they insisted, was carefully calculated to have maximum benefit for the delicate coastal biome — and not the human inhabitants and their summer plans. Some explicitly claimed to be carrying on the traditions of the Native American forebears they had essentially deposed.

The spring and fall letting continued.

43

In 1985, the standoff exploded when Hurricane Gloria brought the pond to precarious levels. Former Congressman Stuyvesant Wainwright complained to the New York Times about “the smell of rotten eggs” caused by overflowing cesspools. Writer and Georgica Pond resident B.H. Friedman blamed the trustees for refusing to act: “It’s as if they resented the people who settled on the pond,” he told the Times. “It’s the old town and gown syndrome.”

Artist Alfonso Ossorio agreed in an interview with Newsday: “There is vindictiveness here. They hate the money values.”

Town Supervisor Judith Hope brushed away claims of class warfare in an interview with the Times. “If it is a class conflict, I’m sure it’s an unconscious one,” she said, while admitting, “They are an independent lot historically. I couldn’t get anywhere with them.’’

Indeed, Stuart Vorpahl, the clerk of the Board of Trustees and a professional fisherman railed to the Times, “The same nonsense with people complaining about the pond being too high or too low has been going on for 200 years.”

And while the summer people may come and go, he said, the trustees had the institutional knowledge to make the right decisions for the pond and its aquatic inhabitants. “We’re going on more than 200 years of

SUMMER 2022

tradition,” he intoned. “We’ve been learning about the management of a coastal pond since 1650 when the trustees held their first election. There is no better knowledge.”

Fellow trustee Cathy Lester offered a similar argument in Newsday: “The Indians used to open the ponds in the spring and fall. This knowledge of when to open the ponds is handed down from bayman to bayman as far back as I know. If we changed the times of opening, it would change the entire ecology of the pond.”

That sense of stewardship (and superiority?) was on display when one homeowner sicced his attorney on the trustees during a meeting over the 1985 flooding.

“You don’t seem to realize that the pond is on my client’s lawn,” the attorney told the trustees in a courtroom scene recounted in the East Hampton Star.

One trustee responded smugly, “And you don’t seem to realize that your client’s lawn is under our pond.”

Needless to say, the homeowner was left to deal with the flooding on his own.

Four years later, one of the first out-of-season drainings took place in mid-July 1989, when the trustees approved a special undertaking to relieve water levels “after dozens of homeowners complained of flooded basements and washed out cesspools,” Newday reported at the time. But homeowners would quickly find that such concessions

would be the exception — and not the rule — from the trustees. As the years went on, the board became ever more set in its ways and determined to maintain the twice-yearly schedule — no matter what the Pond people wanted.

Accustomed to getting their way in all other areas of life, the Georgica Pond crew decided finally to throw their money and power at the problem by way of a lawsuit. In spring 1991, they filed a class action lawsuit against the trustees, demanding “a permanent solution to the chronic overflow of the pond, because it damages our property, ruins the environment, and is a public health menace.” Ultimately unsuccessful, it was the first of many such suits brought by disgruntled homeowners.

Finally, at least one homeowner decided to take matters into their own hands — literally.

On March 27, 1994, Newsday announced “An LI Whodunnit” that had left the Hamptons in an uproar.

Imagining a wanted poster that had “a middle-aged man in a Polo shirt, his khakis rolled up above his ankles, a shovel in his hand and a Rolex on his wrist,” the paper reported how someone — presumably a Georgica Pond homeowner — had dug a 50-foot channel to the ocean in order to lower the pond’s water level. The trustees offered a $1,000 reward, but the culprit was never nabbed.

Perhaps emboldened, someone struck again just four

GRAZIA USA

Dream Big. Let Me Take Care of the Rest.

113 Parsonage Lane, Sagaponack $11,500,000 | 6 BR, 7.5 BA | elliman.com | Web# DE13849

Kelly Killoren Bensimon Lic. R. E. Salesperson O 212.352.3400 M 917.803.8766 kelly.killorenbensimon@elliman.com #TheNextMoveIsYours

226 Ocean Drive, 7F/7G, Miami Beach $6,650,000 | 4 BR, 2.5 BA | elliman.com | Web# A11207017

575 MADISON AVENUE, NY, NY 10022. 212.891.7000 © 2022 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

45

SUMMER 2022

'HOWEVER, WHOEVER DID THE DEED WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE WAY THAT THE POND WOULD REACT. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE DIG, THE WATER FILLING GEORGICA POND RUSHED OUT WITH SUCH FORCE THAT THE OPENING EXPLODED TO AN ESTIMATED 150 FEET WIDE. AS A RESULT, MOST OF THE POND’S WILDLIFE WAS SWEPT OUT TO SEA.' years later: “Georgica Pond Leak No Accident,” a July 31, 1998, headline in Newsday trumpeted.

According to the paper, in the early morning hours of July 27, “someone let about half of the water escape into the Atlantic Ocean,” making the pond “more mud bath than waterway.”

“The leak was caused by someone digging a trench through the sand barrier that lies across the inlet connecting the pond to the ocean,” the report continued, noting that trustees had offered a $1,000 reward yet again for information leading to the identification of the culprit.

At least one local thought that this time, the Secret Service was to blame, noting that the lower water level “would make it easier to keep waterborne gawkers away” from the home of Steven Spielberg, where President Bill Clinton was making a visit. Martin Walsh, head of the Secret Service on Long Island, insisted, “We had nothing to do with draining the pond and we would do nothing to hurt the environment.”

Indeed, the stealth digs would continue years later, long after Clinton and the suits had left. In summer 2003, George W. Bush was President when the Georgica Pond shovel crew struck again.

Sometime on the evening of July 1, 2003, or early morning hours of July 2, the Georgica Pond was swept out to sea, leaving a sea of muck and a handful of stranded sailboats in its wake — and it didn’t appear to have been an act of nature. By all appearances, it seemed that a frustrated homeowner, a coterie of locals, or their hired hands had taken matters into their own hands — literally — and dug a channel to drain the pond.

According to one city official, the clandestine canal was likely 50 feet in length and anywhere from 1 to 3 feet deep to start. Local police noted the absence of machinery tracks, suggesting it was created using shovels.

However, whoever did the deed was unfamiliar with the way that the pond would react. Due to the nature of the dig,

the water filling Georgica Pond rushed out with such force that the opening exploded to an estimated 150 feet wide.

As a result, most of the pond’s wildlife was swept out to sea.

Snapping turtles, blue crab, flounder, minnows, killifish, eels, and perch that normally called the pond home all vanished. The 70 species of bird that normally made a meal off of the fauna were disrupted as well, including the stateendangered piping plover and the state-threatened least tern.

“It’s an ecological disaster,” attorney and Georgica Pond homeowner Michael Kennedy told Vanity Fair at the time.

The trustees were quick to confirm that this draining had not been of their doing. Soon suspicion turned to others who could be blamed for causing the pond’s water level to plummet. Nearly everyone, it seemed, was suspect.

Stuyvesant Wainwright, who was at the forefront of the 1985 pond kerfuffle, was one of the early suspects. His lawn had flooded and the head of trustees, James McCaffrey, told Vanity Fair that Wainwright had been making angry calls. Coincidentally, his home was located across from the normal site of the inlet. In addition, he was one of the only locals to have resided at the pond during each of the stealthy shovel attacks. (Wainwright died in 2010.)

Philanthropist Arthur Ross was one of those who’d been fighting the trustees for decades, too, and he also came under suspicion. Former trustee Stuart Vorpahl called to mind the catch phrase of the 1985 faceoff as he recalled to Vanity Fair, ‘“One time he wanted to impress on me how high the Georgica Pond had flooded his lawn. He gave me a pair of galoshes with buckles.… I said, ‘Mr. Ross, I believe you have things backward here: your lawn is in our pond.’ ” Both Wainwright and Ross fervently denied any involvement. Indeed, although letting out the pond was not a violation of village code, those who fell under suspicion were quick to protest their innocence — in some cases doing so even before their names were thrown into the mix.

Although Stephen Spielberg’s caretaker had reportedly called the trustees to complain about pond conditions in the past, he insisted that he had no motive as his home had not been one of those affected

by the flooding. In fact, the draining of the pond had not impacted his property. So, the director insisted, he had no motive. (He had his own history with the trustees, though: In 1995, they threatened to remove a dock he’d built at his estate due to a missing permit.)

Others pointed the finger towards Calvin Klein. His thenwife, Kelly Klein lived in an oceanfront home that had a boathouse perched on Georgica Cove’s mouth. The designer reportedly shipped in 4,000 square feet of pine trees and 70,000 dune grasses to make the home just-right. Were the Kleins driven to vandalism upon the sight of their greenery submerged in brackish pond water? They insisted no.

What about Martha Stewart? She certainly could have ordered her staff to arm themselves with shovels in an attempt to protect her property on the northeast shore, Georgica Pond’s lowest-lying area. Stewart claimed at the time that she would never do anything of the sort due to her proenvironmental stance.

Besides, she pointed out, she barely spent time at the home due to her own personal feud — not with the trustees, but with neighbor Harry Macklowe.

Another of Stewart’s neighbors, Ron Perelman, also reportedly raised a few eyebrows since he and those on his payroll were known to repeatedly complain to officials whenever pond levels rose too much and threatened his 57acre property, the Creeks. In fact, the previous owner of the property was forced to build a retaining wall in a bid to keep the pond’s water away. Yet, he denied it too.

The days and weeks ticked by without answers, and the chances of authorities nabbing whoever was responsible for draining Georgica Pond evaporated like the pond itself — for at least the third time. Still, one thing was certain: As the sandy barrier reformed and water levels in the pond slowly rose thanks to springs and groundwater, the rumors, like waves, kept rolling in. They still do, and likely will for decades to come.

GRAZIA USA

46

VOLUME ELEVEN

What’s In My Bag? ROCKY BARNES

PHOTOGRAPHER DON PENNY STYLIST TY GASKINS

“As every wife and mom knows, your purse is never fully your own,” says model and entrepreneur Rocky Barnes. “I am always carrying stuff for the whole fam and prepared for everything!”

With snacks and a trusty arsenal of her essential beauty items stashed in her Prada Symbole–or as she now refers to her bags these days, a “Mary Poppins” bag — Barnes is always prepared.

Her current staple items include Tower28 Beach Please Blush, Touchland hand sanitizer, and De La Calle Desierto Prickly Pear Cactus probiotic beverage.

GRAZIA USA

• Prada Symbole Mini Tote, $2,500, prada.com • Touchland Hand sanitizer, $9, touchland.com • Merit Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Concealer Stick, $38, sephora.com • Tower28 Beach please blush, $20, tower28beauty.com • De La Calle Desierto Prickly Pear Cactus, $2.50, instacart.com • Summer Fridays Heavenly Sixteen All-In-One Face Oil, $55, summerfridays.com

CHAIRMAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & PUBLISHER MELISSA CRONIN

GRAZIA

DYLAN HOWARD

HAMPTONS

The Next

GAZETTE

PRESIDENT, CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER ANDREW LEE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FASHION & LUXURY Maria Eliason

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MARKETING, BRAND STRATEGY, & COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIPS Emily Sigman

SALES DIRECTOR, BEAUT Y Koko Drechsler

DIRECTOR OF SALES, WEST COAST, USA Nancy Cooper

DIRECTOR OF SALES, FRANCE, GERMANY, SPAIN, SWITZERL AND, UK Guglielmo Bava

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, EDITORIAL & INTEGRATED MARKETING Ilaria Svitic

SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Gabriella Zurrow

VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS Camilla Jones

CHIEF WRITER, DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Dominic Utton

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA & AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Jeff Mazzeo

OPERATIONS MANAGER Richard Vallejos

HEADQUARTERS 100 BROADWAY, 11TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10005 • PHONE (917) 231-8680 • EMAIL CONTACT@GRAZIAUSA.COM

SUBSCRIPTIONS • PHONE (917) 231-8680 • EMAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS@GRAZIAUSA.COM WWW.GRAZIAMAGAZINE.COM/US/SUBSCRIBE

GRAZIA is a trademark registered and owned by Mondadori Media S.p.a.

MONDADORI MEDIA S.p.a.

Chief Executive Officer Carlo Mandelli; Vice President & Artistic Director Carla Vanni; Managing Director International Business Daniela Sola; Head of International Platforms Marne Schwartz; International Marketing Manager Fashion & Design Francesca Brambilla; International Advertising Manager Daniella Angheben; Photos & Rights Manager Melania Landini. For further details, please write to graziainternational@mondadori.com © 2022 Mondadori Media S.p.a. All rights reserved. Published by Pantheon Media Group LLC with the permission of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.a. and Mondadori Media S.p.a. Reproduction in any manner in any language in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

LIKE A ROLLING STONE WHEN MICK AND THE GANG TOOK OVER MONTAUK'S MEMORY MOTEL