Ralph Lauren is honored to support this year’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes on their journey to Paris 2024.
JAMAL HILL · KATIE LEDECKY · CHIAKA OGBOGUSouthampton Village Elegance
This stunning new construction seamlessly blends timeless charm and modern luxury. This meticulously crafted home evokes traditional Southampton architecture while o ering all the comforts of contemporary living. Set on an expansive 0.85-acre south-facing lot, this property boasts seven bedrooms, each with en suite bathroom, gunite pool, pool house, spa, and a detached 2-car garage. A grand entryway sets the tone for the residence’s sophistication. The ground floor features a formal sitting room, a living room with double-height ceilings with floor-toceiling windows. The kitchen and spacious pantry exude functionality and style, equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and ample space for culinary endeavors. Web# H378198
#1 Agent in the Hamptons by GCI, Sales Volume and Rental GCI*
Michaela Keszler
Lic. Assoc. R.E. Broker
O 631.204.2743 | M 631.525.3810 mkeszler@elliman.com
#4 Agent in the Hamptons by Rental GCI*
Paulina Keszler
Lic. R.E. Salesperson
O 631.204.2779 | M 631.946.4785 pkeszler@elliman.com
Waterfront Estate on Meadow Lane
359 Meadow Lane, Southampton | Price Upon Request
This stunning expansive property is located in the estate section of Southampton Village. With over 700 feet of direct frontage on Halsey Neck Pond and spectacular ocean views, Swans Crossing encompasses an approx. 7,000sf home across from the ocean and the Hamptons’ finest beaches. This 5.6-acre sprawling property is perfectly positioned to enjoy spectacular waterfront wildlife, picturesque sunrises and sunsets. The long gated driveway leads to serene private grounds that include the main contemporary 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom home, tennis court with pavilion, pool with spa, poolhouse with a full kitchen, bathroom, 2 changing rooms with showers and two additional detached 2-car garages. Plans and permits are in place to build your own 10,000sf home of your dreams. Web# H373483
E DITOR ’ S L E TT E R RECOVERED TIME
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s important new book The Anxious Generation has finally got everyone talking about the troubling consequences of the “phone-based childhood.” It got me thinking: Why do we wait to have the collective hard conversations until they’ve been voiced and validated by experts? If we’re really honest, don’t we know the dilemma intimately ourselves? After all, we adults live it too, every day. (Admit it, when was the last time you didn’t scroll through social media on the toilet?)
Whether we like to admit it or not, we’ve all made an agreement with technology, one where we ignore the uneasy feeling inside saying, This is too much—too much information, too much distraction, too much of other peoples’ thoughts living inside our minds in exchange for stimulation, “all the latest ideas from everywhere,” and yes, dopamine. Do we dare ask ourselves, in a quiet, screen-free moment, Do the benefits actually outweigh the costs? It’s a good question to ask, and no better time than now. Not only because our kids need us to engage with it, urgently, but because incessant information streams are only getting faster and more addictive as artificial intelligence-generated content hits the online space.
faster content hits for longer-form conversations—podcasts, articles, summits—filled with substance and nuance.
The ’60s had the Summer of Love. Is this the Summer of Reckoning, and of Reconnection? I believe it may be. Do we still want that agreement in place, or do we want to renegotiate it? No need to blame anyone for what happened previously, but given what we are learning now, what do we want to do about it? For one thing, it starts by postponing the age kids receive a smartphone, and laying a new boundary. If we do it together, we can create a new normal.
When it comes to us older ones, let’s be curious and try new things—not judgy! Install the Opal app on your phone to manage and reduce your screen time. Do a phone or social media detox for a weekend (I did it. It’s hard; I survived). And just notice. How does my mind feel now that I’m not checking Instagram all the time? How does my body feel without hundreds of strangers’ comments vying for my reaction? Did I actually miss out on anything important…and what did I do in the time I freed up? We’ve got lots of great ideas in this issue for what to do with those recovered hours. So put away your phone, sink into stillness and enjoy the (slow, cover-to-cover) read!
When Purist Wellness Editor Amely Greeven spoke with Biomancy creator Dr. Azra Bertrand (see page 46), they discussed whether we have reached “peak thinking” collectively—it certainly seems that way, and Bertrand describes it feeding a desire to drop into deep time, to reconnect to our bodies, our senses, to nature, and each other. This does not (necessarily) mean abandoning all online engagement, but rather, rejecting the ever-shorter,
@cristinacuomo @thepurist
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURES
106 SHE’S GOT IT
Iconic tennis star Venus Williams shares insights from her soon-to-be-released book, Strive, a self-help guide for living your best life.
112 MAESTRO SCHNABEL
Artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel comes home to the East End with a retrospective at Sag Harbor Cinema and a Guild Hall art exhibit.
118 THE LIFE AQUATIC
Legendary swimmer and memoirist Diana Nyad arrives in East Hampton for Authors Night.
124 SPLENDOR IN THE GLASS
Step into the magnificent Glass Dune house by Barnes Coy Architects.
Aerin Lauder totes a Mark Cross for AERIN bag.
HEALTH
42 BRIGHT IDEA
A new wellness therapy harnesses the power of light and frequency.
44 BEACON OF WELLNESS
Southampton Hospital Foundation’s new president on community connection, nextlevel care and fundraising
46 DISCOVERING DEEP TIME
An invitation to align with the rhythm of nature
48 CANCER CULTURE
A nonprofit radically transforms ideas about breast cancer through art and creativity.
50 ORAL HEALTH’S NEW HORIZONS
Dr. Gerry Curatola offers a holistic approach to dentistry.
52 THE RECLAIMED WOMAN
How to embrace feminine gifts and connect to your fullest potential
58 ASK THE DR.
Dr. Frank Lipman on how to maintain healthy vitamin D levels
61 INNER AND OUTER BEAUTY
Michael Derrig’ s Hamptonsinspired design
An
Mara
62 PURE PICKS
Unlimited Earthcare’s Frederico Azevedo’s dynamic summertime go-to’s
64 SPIRIT OF DESIGN
Cristina Peffer’ s new design business
66 PURE PROPERTY
Not-to-be-missed real estate in the Hamptons and NYC
GLOW
70 PURE PICKS
Biography founder and CEO
Linda Thompson’ s summer gifting recommendations
72 SHINE ON
Get glowing at SkinSpirit’s seasonal Southampton pop-up.
74 SUMMER SLIM AND TONE
Tightening and beautifying treatments to get you beach-ready
76 PURE PICKS
Celebrity hairstylist Valery
Joseph’s favorites for a chic and comfortable season
WEEKEND
80 ECO CHIC KIDS
Bonpoint lands in East Hampton.
82 PURE PICKS
CEO of Eleventy North America
Geoff Schneiderman’ s fun, functional and work favorites
84 EDITOR’S PICKS
Cristina Cuomo’ s beachready, fun and relaxed favorites
86 HARMONIC CONVERGENCE
Guitar legend G.E. Smith brings
Valerie June and more to his “Portraits” series at Guild Hall.
88 SUMMERDOCS SOAR
HamptonsFilm showcases a stellar roster of documentaries this season.
90 CLASSIC COMBO
AERIN joins forces with Mark Cross for a line of stylish hand-crafted accessories.
VIBRANT
92 THRILL OF THE GRILL
Dr. Stacie Stephenson’s pro tips for a healthier barbecue
FOOD IS MEDICINE
97 WHOLE BODY HEALTH
Kroma Wellness founder Lisa Odenweller on creating vibrant well-being
98 SIPPING THE SUBLIME
An inside look into the production of Casa Dragones’ Reposado
100 MEXICAN FLAIR
Check out Topping Rose
House’s Mexican-inspired summer flavors and workouts.
102 LEAD WITH LOVE
Chef Marcus Samuelsson talks food trends, creative collaboration and his upcoming “Stirring the Pot” series at Guild Hall.
104 PURE PICKS
Juice Press co-founder and creative director Erica Karsch unveils her personal brand favorites.
PLAY
130 BARRE BLISS
Fitness studio Elements finds a new home in Sag Harbor.
132 STAY STRONG
Get fit at any age with help from Lifted’s menopausesupporting offerings.
134 AT A GLANCE
July Hamptons events calendar
136 NUMEROLOGY
A by-the-numbers look at
actress Kate Hudson, whose debut album is out now
EDITORIAL
Founder + Editor Cristina Cuomo
Executive Editor Ray Rogers
Features Editor Jim Servin
Assistant Editor + Photo Editor Jenna Lebovits
Senior Wellness + Beauty Editor Amely Greeven
Beauty + Fitness Editor Beth Landman
Wellness Editor Fernanda Niven
Contributing Health Editors Dr. Jeffrey Morrison,The Morrison Center; Tapp Francke Ingolia, STANDwellness
Copy Editor Michèle Filon
Research Editor Jill Malter
Editorial Interns Adelaide Heldman, Aislinn MacArthur
Contributing Food Editor Peter Som
Special Project Editors Jenny Landey,TR Pescod
Contributing Fashion Editor Gretchen Gunlocke Fenton
Contributing Writers Dr. Samantha Boardman, Isaac Boots, Donna Bulseco, Candace Bushnell
Alina Cho, Camille Coy, Chris Cuomo, Dr. Gerry Curatola, Donna D’Cruz
Dimitri Ehrlich, Melissa Errico, Pamela Fiori, Marisa Fox, Dr. Sudhir Gadh
Steve Garbarino, Sharon Giese, MD, Kara Goldin,Vivien Goldman, Dr. Limor Goren
Erika Halweil, Seth Herzog, Laura Hine, Nancy Kane, Chris Kiely, Dr Gail King
Dr. Frank Lipman, Dr Lea Lis Michael Mailer, Martha McGuinness, Myles Mellor
Kevin Menard, Roxanna Namavar, Dr Eunice Park, Dr. David Perlmutter
Annelise Peterson, Kelly Posner Gerstenhaber Dr. Christina Rahm, Leora Rosenberg
Tracee Ellis Ross, Hal Rubenstein, Dr. Naeemah Ruffin, Katie Shapiro, Jim Shi
Brooke Shields, Biet Simkin, Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson, Dr. Carder Stout, Julia Szabo
Abby Tegnelia, Edwina Von Gal,Tess Weaver, Regina Weinreich, Ali Wentworth
Constance C.R. White, Christy Whitman, Lee Woodruff, Sarah Wragge
DESIGN
Contributing Design Director Ben Margherita
Contributing Art Director Mikio Sakai
Contributing Designer Seton Rossini
Web Managers Tarin Keith, Aubrée Mercure
Contributing Photographers Melanie Acevedo, Camilla Akrans, Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca, Frederic Auerbach
Lachlan Bailey, David Bellemere Justin Bettman, Cass Bird, Brian Bowen Smith
Natalie Chitwood, Bob and Dawn Davis Gregg Delman,Victor Demarchelier
Mikey DeTemple, Sophie Elgort, Francine Fleischer, Floto + Warner, Marili Forestieri
Diana Frank, Morgan Maassen, Roberto Matteo Marchese, Mary Ellen Matthews
Peter McBride, Miller Mobley, David Molle, Ryan Moore, Nino Muñoz, Patrick O’Keefe
Matt Sayles, Peggy Sirota, Simon Upton, Cathrine White
ADVERTISING
Publisher Helen Cleland, helen@thePURISTonline.com
Chief Revenue Officer Andrea Greeven Douzet, andrea@thePURISTonline.com
Head of Partnerships Nicole Levy, nicole@thePURISTonline.com
Executive Sales Directors Tova Bonem, Michelle Johnson, Eden Williams, Rosalind Zukowski
Luxury Art Sales Director Lisa Rosenberg
Aspen Publisher Alexandra Halperin
Aspen Media Consultant Cheryl Foerster
MARKETING
Director of Marketing Ilene Frankel
Client Relations Director Jen Brown
Marketing Intern Jamie Maroof
OPERATIONS
Chief Financial Officer Caryn Whitman
Production Direction Digital Workflow Solutions Purist is distributed in New York City, the Hamptons, Aspen, Miami, Palm Beach, Los Angeles, and now in Chicago and Scottsdale. For advertising inquiries, please contact sales@thePURISTonline.com
For editorial inquiries, please contact wellness@thePURISTonline.com
For production inquiries, please contact production@thePURISTonline.com
Follow us on Instagram @thePurist and Facebook.com/puristonline www.thePURISTonline.com
CONTRI BUTORS
DONNA D’CRUZ, who offered a spiritual ode to summertime (page 30).
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SUMMER WELLNESS RITUALS?
“Mindful technology use (set boundaries so you can be present), sleep ritualization (creating a consistent bedtime routine) and bath rituals (light pure aromatherapy candles, use bath salts or plant oils). By incorporating these tools into your summer routine, you can enhance mindfulness, reduce stress and enjoy a peaceful season.”
Born in India and raised in Australia, D’Cruz is a globally renowned DJ and meditation teacher called the “rockstar teacher of meditation” by Well+Good. Recently, she launched “Sleep Beditations: A Modern Sleep Solution,” and releases “Daily Dip Into Bliss” meditations on YouTube, offering modern meditation to all that need it.
TAPP FRANCKE
INGOLIA, who wrote about the power of light with photobiomodulation and medicinal mushrooms (page 42).
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FIREFLY SUCCESS STORY?
A client who experienced a traumatic brain injury a few years ago, which left her with significant memory issues, started Firefly, and within the first couple of sessions she was remembering things from her honeymoon and from when her children were little that had been lost before. She has literally gotten her life back.
DIANA FRANK, who photographed Juice Press’ Erica Karsch (page 104), and Cristina Cuomo (pages 12 and 84).
WHO ARE SOME PHOTOGRAPHERS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR WORK?
Sally Mann and Ryan McGinley. They have both inspired me to look for the magic and to base my art and imagery on the feeling that it evokes rather than sticking to the confines of society’s ideas of what defines a beautiful portrait or piece of art. Frank is a photographer, artist and philanthropist who splits her time between New York City and Bridgehampton. After a global modeling career that spanned over two decades, Frank’s passion for creative expression led her to establish a successful namesake studio that showcases the many facets of her creativity. In her work she captures moments of uninhibited reflection, light play and pure magic.
DONNA BULSECO, who wrote Splendor in the Glass (page 124).
WHAT KINDS OF ARCHITECTURE ARE YOU MOST INSPIRED BY?
I love buildings that sit beautifully within nature, such as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pennsylvania, and Shangri La, Doris Duke’s home, designed by Marion Sims Wyeth, that’s now the Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design in Honolulu.
Bulseco is the editor of Intima: A Journal of Narrative Medicine, an online literary journal about health, healing and the importance of empathy. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, W, Self and The New York Times
Francke Ingolia is a certified clinical nutritionist and founder of STANDwellness, an integrative health center in Water Mill. She has been guiding clients for over 10 years on how to make informed health choices.
LEORA ROSENBERG, who interviewed inspirational thought leader Mara Gleason Olsen (page 38).
WHY ARE SIMPLE MINDSET SHIFTS IMPORTANT?
Baby steps are key in life, so even little simple mindset shifts have a huge impact. Upon opening your eyes in the morning, thanking God for a new day can shift everything. Rosenberg is a former Hollywood motion picture agent who worked with high-profile actors, writers and directors. The South Africa native is a former U.S. top-ranked rhythmic gymnast.
MINDFUL
This season, focus on the abundance of summer light. Even waking up five or 10 minutes earlier than usual leaves room for a peaceful outdoor meditation.
DIVINE GUIDANCE
In the second part of Purist’s interview with MaryAnn DiMarco, the celebrated author and Long Island medium talks about spirit guides, the ego, fear and how collective positive energies can create magic. BY CRISTINA CUOMO
CRISTINA CUOMO: I read and loved your book, Medium Mentor When did the mission to guide people to their higher purposes awaken in you?
MARYANN DiMARCO: It was a natural progression in my readings. When I first started out, even before I was doing readings, I had a really hard time for many years finding anybody who could teach me how to do this. I started hearing my guides direct me to teach people, wake them up, be the psychic’s psychic, be the mentor. I was hearing that request over and over again and I happily answered. It just felt natural to me to do it.
CC: It’s pretty incredible—you’re paving the way. You’re not just helping people with your gift by accessing spirits who want to communicate with the living and vice versa, but you’re teaching people to really be their best selves, while figuring out how they can help others.
MD: Thank you. I hope it leads them to a state of authenticity with themselves, because this is part of all of us. The second part of that was wake them up, wake them up. That’s what led me to write Medium Mentor. What can I give to people who don’t have access to me? What wasn’t there for me that I can put out to the world? Spirits absolutely helped me find that. I’m thrilled to do this part of this work. I love it. It’s exciting.
CC: It’s accessible and authentic. You also made it safe. How do you guide people to that safe place?
MD: After years and years of doing this work, I’m so grateful that spirit gives me the words to serve, and I’m able to come up with guidance so that others can find a solution in their own fear. Because it’s really very personal why they’re feeling the way they do. It becomes a really cool, cathartic space that you’re working in along with your guides. They’re working through me, and together we cocreate solutions that help you find a way to more of a peaceful moment with these parts of yourself.
CC: So, if we’re all connected by these threads of light or at least we’re connected to our spirit guides and certain
spirits within our immediate sphere, how do you explain this low vibration of spirit that’s happening right now in the world?
MD: Some parts I leave unknown, answers to where they’re coming from, the whys behind them. I prefer to focus on where my guides want me to go in the midst of all of this, whether it’s personal, whether it’s global. How can my soul work through this in a productive way? How can I give over to others? How can I lend a hand? How can I extend good light? What can we put in the world through conversations and energy that will help heal? My guides have shown me the ways we can go down rabbit holes, and it can actually be a distraction. But we must understand these heavier parts. We must get to work, because that’s the only way. When you see darker energy going on in the world, you have to acknowledge it in order to see the light, in order to come together collectively and help one another. Everything for me is about learning and using. It’s perception. How are you looking at it, what can I learn from it, and then how can I give it over to others? Everything I learn I teach. Everything I learn I give. That to me is the healthiest perspective that I can have to any type of understanding of what goes on in the world that I can’t quite wrap my brain around.
CC: Everything I learn I teach. Everything I learn I give. I can relate to that as a mom.
MD: Yes, as a mom, as a woman, as a wife, as a sister, as a daughter of the world and parents. I mean we’re just all kind of trying to chug along, aren’t we? And to me, spirituality in the way that I have it in my own life is a tool, not my answers. It’s a tool to get to those answers and that in itself I think brings great self-awareness.
CC: You talk a lot in the book about the ego. It’s always getting in the way. How do we keep our ego in check?
MD: I had a friend say to me that the ego is in check, if we are aware that the ego needs to be in check. I really speak about the ego. I don’t ignore it. I acknowledge
ego is showing up, and then I ask my guides to help me navigate an understanding of why it’s there. I express gratitude for learning the lesson that I need to learn, and I move forward—in spite of the ego—with authenticity.
CC: And intuition? That intuitive voice, the spirit.
MD: It never lies. Every time I go against my intuition, that’s the ego getting in there. Even though my inner gut never lies, in hindsight I knew I shouldn’t have done that. My gut knew it. Some of my students have been with me for a while, and sometimes they think they’re not in touch with their intuition anymore because they’re just doing it instinctively. It becomes automatic, just like smelling and hearing and being and all the other senses. It’s just part of ourselves, and when you really fine-tune that tool, you sharpen that ability and it works instinctively.
CC: What’s the difference between the mind, the spirit and the imagination?
MD: Sometimes the mind wants to get in the way with lowvibration thoughts of ‘I can’t do this,’ thoughts of ‘Not me.’ Spirit works with your imagination to create manifestations, connections with your loved ones on the other side, visions within, your meditations. Imagination is one of the greatest ways to access your third eye.
CC: This is from your book, under “The Power of Positivity.” I’m going to ask the questions back to you. What happens when a whole bunch of people awaken to the divine guidance available to them and truly feel supported? What is possible when we get out of the scarcity mindset, releasing comparison and really start cheering for others?
MD: Magic happens. Powerful collectiveness happens. We clear space for everything that we dream is possible. We’re holding onto things like scarcity. We’re holding onto things like judgment. We are holding space for things that no longer serve us. When we release those false storylines, we open up a whole cleared area for everything that we want to welcome into our lives. I truly believe this. And to me, that is the most magical part of this work, for yourself and for others. You realize that if we just say yes and let go and surrender to things that no longer serve us, we have an understanding of why they were there in the first place, and can start to really open ourselves up to everything that could be magical in our space.
CC: And living your truth.
MD: I just got off a call with a student, and I was talking about how freeing it is to live in your most authentic truth, because not only does it feel good, but you then clear space for other people who honor that, who walk into your life and say, Oh, I see you and I’m really cool with that. I love that about you. But you have to be prepared for people walking out of your life as well, and that’s OK.
CC: You must be really healthy, MaryAnn.
MD: Sometimes I’m the teacher, but most of the time I’m
the student. I’m still learning, just like everybody else. And I think the only difference that I learned, maybe really in the past 10 years, is the more that I lean into my own truth and Ilove that part of myself—good, bad or indifferent—the more I have welcomed really wonderful things into my life. And if something isn’t wonderful, I’m prepared to sit and understand why. I never want to give the perception that because I’m on the spiritual side I’m floating on cloud nine and everything is great. I’m healthy because I found a level of contentment within myself that I know spirit has led me to and helped me discover. But I’m very aware that I’m here to learn lessons just like everybody else, and that some of those lessons are really hard.
CC: Caroline Myss talks a lot about health being like this. You have to have spiritual hygiene, essentially, if you want to be healthy.
MD: You do.
CC: You have to live your truth, and if you’re out of alignment and you’re doing something that isn’t inherently your heart’s desire, you’re not aligned with your soul. Your body keeps the score, essentially.
MD: Your body is so telling. The physical self doesn’t lie. If it’s gotten to me physically, then I know I really must be dropping the ball. I hope that through this work, spirit can help remind people that it’s a huge, important part of yourself, and being authentic to that is a game changer.
CC: We’re so overprogrammed and we overprogram our kids. We don’t make space for ourselves or them to learn about quiet time, meditation, sitting still, and putting your phone down.
MD: Meditation, peacefulness. A big one is it’s OK to be wrong. It’s OK to not be perfect all the time. It’s OK to have disappointments. Tomorrow is a new day.
CC: This is a question for me, personally, as I believe I sometimes feel like I’m experiencing someone else’s dream, like I’m in one of my kids’ dreams. Have you ever dream-shared?
MD: Yes, I love that question. I never get asked that question, and I think it’s one of the most miraculous things, so I’m glad you asked me that. Yes, I’ve actually been dream-sharing ever since I was a kid with my mom.
CC: Oh, wow.
MD: Yeah, and I remember going to my mother and saying to her I had a dream that my grandmother—I didn’t say this part to my mom —but I had a dream my grandmother was there. I often dreamed of my maternal grandmother, and she was looking young in a chic black dress. She looked fantastic. I really noticed the black dress; it was so gorgeous. And the next day I woke up and it was so vivid. I said to my mom, “I had a dream about Grandma last night.” And she said, “In the black dress?” maryanndimarco.com
Embrace the power, beauty and healing energy of the season.
SOAK UP THE SUMMERTIME
Drink the wild air. BY
Mary Oliver, in her poem “The Summer Day,” captures the essence of mindful appreciation: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
This question invites us to consider how we might use the power, beauty and salubrious joys of summer to enrich our lives and cultivate a sense of purpose.
Summer, a season resplendent with warmth and vitality, offers us a matchless blend of power, beauty and healing. From an Aristotelian perspective, summer can be viewed through the lens of Nicomachean Ethics, where Aristotle explores the concept of eudaimonia, a philosophy that argues that seeking happiness is the principal aim of human existence. Are you ready to sign up? Yes, how about now? Hedonism, often misunderstood, aligns with the pursuit of pleasure as part of a well-lived life. By embracing the delights of summer, we engage in a balanced hedonism that nurtures our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Aristotle posits that true happiness arises from the cultivation of virtue and the fulfillment of our highest potentials. Summer, with its long, hazy days and abundant energy, provides the perfect environment for such flourishing. The warmth of the sun can be seen as a metaphor for the inner light of the soul, illuminating our path toward self-actualization.
The power of summer lies in its ability to rejuvenate and invigorate. The sun’s rays, which help create vitamin D in our bodies, have been scientifically proven to boost our mood and immune system. This natural phenomenon aligns with Aristotle’s belief in the importance of physical well-being as a foundation for a happy life. “In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous,” he observes, highlighting the interconnectedness of health and happiness.
The beauty of summer is unparalleled, with nature in full bloom. This season offers a sensory feast:
DONNA D’CRUZthe vibrant colors of flowers, the soothing sound of waves, awakened romances, new adventures. These experiences can be linked to the hedonistic appreciation of pleasure. However, Aristotle warns against excess, advocating for the “golden mean,” a balanced approach to pleasure that avoids both deficiency and excess. “Virtue,” he writes, “is a mean [middle ground] between two vices, one of excess and the other of deficiency.” Enjoying summer’s beauty in moderation allows us to savor its gifts without succumbing to overindulgence, including overthinking.
Healing, both physical and emotional, is another profound gift of summer. The longer days and increased exposure to natural environments have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. This aligns with the Aristotelian concept of catharsis, a cleansing or purging of emotions. As Aristotle states in the Poetics, “Through fear and pity, affecting the proper purgation of these emotions.” Summer’s embrace facilitates this emotional release, allowing us to confront and heal from the past. Does this resonate with you? It deeply does with me as I reflect on a year of tumult, great loss and unwieldy, unexpected learnings.
Summer embodies the Aristotelian ideal of a well-lived life, offering a harmonious blend of pleasure, beauty and healing. As we bask in the warmth of the sun and revel in nature’s splendor, we are reminded of the profound connection between the external world and our inner journey towards happiness and fulfillment.
In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air’s salubrity.” Let us cherish the power, beauty and healing gifts of summer, allowing them to nourish our souls and inspire our lives.
Tune in for weekly Dip Into Bliss meditations every Thursday at 5PM with Cristina Cuomo and Donna D’Cruz on Instagram, @donnadcruz1 and @cristinacuomo; donnadcruz.com
Pop—up Southampton
— 31 July 2024 Join us in Southampton for a Tablescaping experience with special guests showcasing our timeless dining collections and Royal Limoges editions.
WHAT WELLNESS MEANS TO ME
Pro surfer and new mom Quincy Davis tells Purist how she rides the waves of motherhood, and finds balance on and off the board.
Health has always been the most important thing to me. Being out in nature and surfing has not only been a great source of fitness but has also helped me stay grounded emotionally. There’s nothing like being in the water, feeling the fresh air and the sand beneath my feet. Now, with a baby, my schedule is very different, but with Lilou just starting to sleep through the night, I’m finally getting more restorative sleep that is so vital for my mental well-being.
Adjusting to motherhood and the intense hormonal changes has been challenging, so simple breathing and movement routines that keep me grounded are more important than ever. The key is consistency—a little “me time” every day. Being a mother is absolutely the most fulfilling and rewarding thing I have ever experienced and I love seeing her experience everything for the first time.
I can’t wait for our family beach days—surfing, playing in the sand and spending entire days together by the ocean. These moments remind me of my own childhood, and I’m thrilled to create similar precious memories with my own family. She already caught her first wave at 7 months old!
GUIDED BY BIET
Breathe your way to a more peaceful state of mind.
Spiritual teacher, bestselling author and contributing columnist at Purist Biet Simkin is also the creator of a new breath work system. We sat down with her to learn more about this system, the centerpiece of Breathwork: 30 Breathing Practices to Enhance Your Everyday Wellbeing, a new deck of tarot-esque cards out now under a Hachette imprint.
What led you to develop your own breath work system?
Fifteen years ago when I got sober from drugs, I decided I wanted to live a life that was extraordinary, but I also missed the euphoria and bliss I used to get from drugs. So, I set out to create a life where I could dip into a euphoric state whenever I wanted. This led me to develop a new breath work system, one where everyone could access this transcendent bliss state. I think the key thing that separates my new system is that you don’t need an hour to reach this peak state. With my method, you can get to an altered bliss state in a little under four minutes. You have a kind of natural pharmacy inside you, if you’re willing to access it
Why a breath work deck?
The idea of this deck is that you can pop a little bit of breath work into any busy day. The deck is so easy to use. It has step-bystep instructions and you really only need to do one card to change your state. You know, just pick a card at random and just try it. In particular, my signature breathing practice only takes a few minutes to completely dip into a euphoric state. This deck is great for people who are busy and living a fast-paced life.
The artwork on the cards is gorgeous. Yes! This deck is so beautiful. You can place it on your coffee table, your desk at work or on an altar if that’s your thing. It allows you to be fashionable and chic without giving up your higher states. It’s kinda sneaky: You might buy it because it’s pretty, but when you open it up, a wealth of wisdom and tools lives inside. When you mix beauty with transcendent spiritual work, something magical happens. The mixture of the spiritual with beautiful aesthetics and real-life results is what my work is all about. bietsimkin.com
CONNECTING LIVES
Best Buddies empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
BY JENNA LEBOVITSAs humans, we’re wired to connect. So much so that our brains experience loneliness and social exclusion in the same biological way as physical pain. Good friends are good for our health, and the need for friendship is universal across all identities, abilities and groups.
Best Buddies International—a global nonprofit volunteer organization—aims to meaningfully connect children ages 5 and up by facilitating one-on-one friendships, providing teens and adults integrated employment and leadership opportunities, as well as offering inclusive living and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). “We’re the largest global volunteer movement in the world dedicated to ending social isolation for people with disabilities,” says area director of the Roaring Fork Valley Michelle Stiller. Best Buddies’ impact is far-reaching, with over 7,000 Coloradans receiving direct support from its Roaring Fork Valley chapter, and 1,288,010 impacted globally.
Active in 49 countries and 50 states, Best Buddies is the only organization in the world dedicated to fostering direct, one-on-one social connections for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “When you have friends, when you’re included in your community, suddenly you feel courage,” shares Rachael Fischer, Best Buddies state director in Colorado. “You might have the confidence to raise your hand, to participate and to bring your gifts to the table.”
The nonprofit hosts year-round community events, including Friendship Walks, outdoor summer camps and its beloved Starry Night Friendship Ball, which is akin to a high school prom. At this year’s dance, Stiller anticipated
an attendance of 40. “We had about 200. And that’s when we knew that the Roaring Fork Valley was an inclusive place and ready for Best Buddies.” Music, much like friendship, is a universal language. “They want their favorite song,” says Stiller. “They want to dance, even if it’s in a wheelchair or on crutches with an aid, a helper or their mom.” To be the best possible friend and ally for people with IDDs, Fischer recommends the simple approach of person-first (emphasizing the person before the disability). “We all wake up human,” she says.
This year, Best Buddies in the Roaring Fork Valley is gearing up for its inaugural Champion of the Year: Gala en Blanc event, held on July 5 at the Hotel Jerome. The event will highlight members of the local community who’ve shown up for the mission of inclusion. Once nominated, they can choose to accept and are then given a fundraising goal. The event, if successful, will fund the nonprofit’s programs throughout Colorado for the year. In the spirit of playful competition, the Champion candidate who raises the most revenue for the organization will be recognized via press release, social media blasts, and forever included on the national website as a member of the Circle of Champions for Best Buddies.
“I had a parent, a mom who has been isolated, and who has daughters with disabilities, say to me—‘I had no idea there were other mothers like me. I had no idea there’s a community for me,’” adds Stiller. “And her daughter looked around and said, ‘I had no idea there were other people like me.’ And that’s what Best Buddies does; it brings people together.” bestbuddies.org/colorado
HIGHER POWER
The global shift to peace will come from within, says Mara Gleason Olsen, author of the bestselling book One Thought Changes Everything. BY LEORA ROSENBERG
The co-founder of One Solution, an international nonprofit dedicated to solving large-scale global challenges by helping individuals, communities and systems to change from within, Mara Gleason Olsen helps people shift consciousness and thereby tap into new ways of thinking. Olsen, the author of the Amazon No. 1 bestselling book One Thought Changes Everything, has worked with MIT-trained physicists, U.N. directors, U.S. Marines, NHL players, troubled teens and Fortune 500 CEOs.
LEORA ROSENBERG: Tell us about your mission.
MARA GLEASON OLSEN: My goal is to teach people how to understand and shift their minds to create internal peace. We can only create on the outside what we feel on the inside. I truly believe that our world will heal and become a much nicer place to live when we evolve our understanding of what it means to be human, to have a soul, to coexist with all living things. Every human being is whole, and has a deeper purpose in the web of life. If we listen to our deeper knowing, the energy of life will work to create a better life and a better world. I help organizations shift consciousness and encounter new thoughts. This changes everything in their world, from relationships to outlook on life, thus creating a more peaceful existence.
LR: What inspired you to do this work?
work, but a terrifying father and husband. It taught him how to see life from the inside out, rather than always reacting. Witnessing my father’s transformation made me incredibly hopeful about the power of both mental health education and spiritual reflection to give people a new experience of life, and the ripple effect that has on those around them. It was the first time I saw how I might help make the world a better place. I regularly asked my dad questions about what he’d learned, and through my teen years read books that he shared with me. In my early 20s, I got an internship where my father had done his retreat, and that was the beginning of my journey to becoming a facilitator of change.
LR: What was the second pivotal moment?
MGO: I was studying abroad in Argentina, 20 years old, when I was held up at gunpoint by two men on a moped. They grabbed me while I was walking down the street one night. I wrote about this experience in the opening chapter of my book. It’s nearly impossible to put words around what transpired in that moment, but essentially I had what some would call a near-death experience.
MGO: Two opportunities came across my path that were pivotal in leading me to my life’s work. The first one happened when I was 11 years old. My father had gone away for a week to an immersion retreat focused on the then-new psycho-spiritual understanding called “Psychology of Mind,” later renamed the Three Principles. My dad didn’t want to attend the retreat, but he was mandated by his boss, who felt that my dad’s harshness and quick temper were negatively impacting the company. The boss hoped that it would teach my dad much-needed self awareness and stress management skills. The retreat propelled my father on a journey to understand and release deep-rooted anger that was making him not only a bully at
For a brief, but seemingly endless moment, my internal chatter went silent. From within that silence emerged an overwhelming sense of oneness and knowing. I felt the edges of my body dissolve and melt into the energy of the man who had grabbed me, to the tree growing out of the sidewalk, to the entire universe. There was no end and no beginning. I felt deeply OK, and so full of love, in a way I had never experienced before. The man tightly holding my arm was beginning to feel it too. “You’re scared, and that’s OK.” I still don’t know if I said those words, or if they were just experienced, but I know that the man with a gun at my head felt them at the same time, because we looked at each other, exchanged a mutual feeling of awe, and he gently let me go. When I reflect on that experience, the statement “You’re scared, and that’s OK” was almost like a universal message. Something not just for me, or my attacker, but the human race.
LR: Were these experiences the springboard to your book, One Thought Changes Everything?
MGO: I wanted people to feel hopeful about the potential for humans to transform, and in turn transform their families, communities, companies…all because they’d had an insight. Or, as the title suggests, a change of thought. People often overlook how one new thought occurring in the mind, or one unhelpful thought leaving a person’s mind, can change their life. The book is a collection of stories about myself and people I worked with over the years who experienced that internal change, and then used it to positively transform their lives or the lives of others.
LR: What are the most important takeaways from your book?
MGO: The biggest one is the inside-out nature of life. The realization that life is not happening to me but rather coming through me, via my own state of mind in the moment. I don’t see a static, fact-based external world. I see a personalized version of the world that’s molded by the goings-on in my own thoughts and feelings. The second part of that is the realization that this phenomenon is happening for other people as well. They see a world from within their own mind, and that’s not bad or wrong, it’s just how humans work. It’s humbling to realize I’m not right. Others are not wrong. We’re all just doing the best we can with thoughts that look and feel real to us at any moment. The polarization of everyone into different camps is a very disturbing symptom of misunderstanding how humans work. It causes everything from political gridlock and inefficiency to violence and inequality.
LR: How do you spread this message?
MGO: We train guides, facilitators, “light-shiners,” whatever you want to call them, in the workplace and at schools or in organizations. They remind us in the most stressful situations that we don’t need to live in fear and reactivity. I often feel an overwhelming sense that we are so close to living in a level of understanding that allows us to feel whole, connected and at peace within ourselves and everyone around us.
LR: How does the shift in consciousness create inner peace?
MGO: Understanding the mind and how we create our own separate realities eliminates an enormous amount of personal stress and interpersonal conflict if we truly understand that we’re all living in our own versions of reality. You don’t need to get people to agree with you.
You can find peace with our different versions of life. From that peace, you’re actually a lot more likely to influence things in a positive direction.
The other key piece of understanding that really helps decrease anxiety is realizing that I’m much more than just the noisy chatter of my personal mind. When people are willing to hold less tightly to their noise (not fan the flames of it by obsessing, or analyzing or complaining) then this beautiful thing happens—mental space emerges. And in that space, the life force, which is more powerful than our personal noise, can seep through and provide healing, insight and evolution. Also, that quiet beyond our personal noise is where we are one. Beyond my story of right and your story of wrong is just life.
LR: One in four people around the world are suffering from mental disorders, including anxiety and depression. How can your work help?
MGO: It seems that everyone has some kind of mental health challenge these days. I think there are a lot of reasons for that, ranging from the way we live and work, very disconnected from our own life force, our families, to the toxins in our air, water and food…to the pervasive thought system that dominates culture today that I just explained. It’s very outside-in, us versus them, and to put it bluntly, it’s just wrong. It’s not true. That misunderstanding causes enormous mental suffering.
The work we do helps people to see through the myth that somehow we are victims of the outside world, other people and their beliefs. Underneath all that noise, everyone is healthy, whole and connected to an enormous spiritual energy that weaves its way through everything and everyone in this world. Our work helps people to remember that energy. Because it’s always there.
LR: How does this technique help on a global level?
MGO: It’s so clear to me, after nearly 20 years in this field, that the state of the world is a reflection of our state of consciousness, or said another way, our well-being. Hurt people hurt people. When we are scared, and we don’t know that it’s OK to be scared, we attempt to control others. And this isn’t just someone with a gun in an impoverished neighborhood; this is also our political leaders, or the CEOs of fossil fuel companies that are acting out of fear and hurting those around them, as well as the planet. I know it can sound overly simplistic, but shifting consciousness is the only sustainable solution to our greatest global challenges. onesolutionglobal.org
HE A LT H
A
BRIGHT IDEA
new device combines light and frequency to boost the immune system.
BY TAPP FRANCKE INGOLIAThe new kid on the block in wellness therapies sounds more like a Disney movie than a healing device. Developed by Martin Bales, L.Ac., DAOM, Firefly from Bales Photonics offers the powerful combination of frequency and multispectrum light therapy. Building on technology developed and utilized by NASA, Firefly’s light therapy is used for pain, neurological disorders, immune disorders and pathogen issues. Firefly wields powerful waves of light to penetrate the skin, tissue and surrounding nerves to help treat soft-tissue injuries, reduce pain, promote wound healing and ameliorate chronic conditions.
The combination of light and frequency therapy, known as photobiomodulation, permeates the skin, allowing deep access to the body. This light-delivery system may be able to help boost the immune system, increase nitric oxide, mitochondrial function, blood flow and lymphatic movement, and heal the lining of the gut. Jess Arden, a certified light therapist and a patient of photobiomodulation before she became a practitioner, describes her experience with Firefly as “transformational. I was living with Hashimoto’s disease (chronic thyroiditis) for 10 years before finding Firefly,” she says. “With the help of this device, I was able to bring it into remission.”
Firefly utilizes over eight wavelengths or colors—two bands of near infrared, three bands of red and three bands of blue—making it significantly more powerful than the majority of light devices on the market. Blue wavelengths focus on superficial skin issues such as burns, wounds and cuts; they stimulate the lymphatic system for better flow. The red wavelengths were found to be
good for permeating an inch for subdermal injuries or myofascial use. Near-infrared light has been shown to permeate the skin by around 8 inches, allowing lights to reach most internal organs.
Exciting new data from preclinical studies and small pilot studies indicate that photobiomodulation (including near-infrared) light therapy may be able to reverse the symptoms of central nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Extensive research also documents pain relief from all types of inflammatory diseases and injuries. Additional studies are being conducted to assess photobiomodulation’s effect on traumatic brain injury, as well as its ability to help clear the body of pathogens, parasites, viruses and bacteria.
A Firefly session is simple and painless. First, the patient is scanned using F-scan software. Based on data received, the Firefly light therapy is applied to the gut and then to other parts of the body, depending on need and desired outcome. Most sessions last between 15 and 30 minutes. For best results, patients typically get treatments twice weekly, over a period of four weeks.
Arden’s favorable experience with the device inspired her to become a certified Firefly practitioner and help fellow Hamptonites experience a similar transformation.
“The Firefly may be small, but it’s mighty.” Arden says. “For people with autoimmune issues, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, neurological decline, Lyme disease and long COVID, it can be a game changer.”
Firefly light therapy is available at STANDwellness in Water Mill; standwellness.com
At Amaden Gay, we’ve been insuring fine homes in the Hamptons, and across the U.S., for over 100 years. From homeowner and flood, to auto, valuable collections, and umbrella, our agency can customize a solution to protect your family. We deliver the highest level of expertise and personalized service – including an excellent claims team when you need it.
BEACON OF WELLNESS
Southampton Hospital Foundation’s new president, Julia McCormack, brings a new wave of expertise to support the expansion of medical care on the South Fork. BY CRISTINA CUOMO
CRISTINA CUOMO: You joined the Southampton Hospital Foundation early this year as president. Tell us a little about your background.
JULIA McCORMACK: I grew up spending summers in Southampton, and now am fortunate to live here year-round. My father was a physician, so I have always had the highest regard for health care. My career has focused on the intersection of advancing medical research, education and community life. I have held director positions for both the Leading Gifts and Major Gifts teams at New York’s Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center as well as at the Conquer Cancer Foundation (formerly known as The ASCO Foundation) in Alexandria, Virginia.
CC: You also worked at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Connecticut. What did you find most inspiring about working with a gaggle of young women, and nurturing their incredible abilities?
JM: Women give from their hearts. Much of a young person’s interest—in terms of philanthropy—is developed during their adolescence. It’s coming from the classroom, and from their own experience of the world. Also, I know that girls do better when they’re in the classroom and on the playing field with other girls. I’ve seen that over and over, how it manifested in their adult lives. It’s fascinating to me how many people who live on the East End also went to Miss Porter’s, and also how committed and active they are in their lives.
CC: It seems like you’re tapping into the hearts of the women in this community by appealing to the things that matter to them: self-care and education.
the DanceBody studio in Bridgehampton. We’re hosting our Fourth Annual East Hampton Emergency Department Luncheon at the Maidstone on July 11. Our guest speaker this year is Bobbi Brown. Our 66th Annual Summer Party is on Saturday, August 3.
CC: Can you give us an update on the Stony Brook Medicine East Hampton Off-Campus Emergency Department?
JM: Yes! The construction is on schedule to be completed in the fall and the ED is expected to open in late spring.
CC: What sort of modalities will be provided in this new Emergency Department?
JM: The facility will have a dedicated resuscitation room; cardiac monitoring capability in every exam room; fast-track treatment rooms for general, pediatric, obstetrics/gynecology and ophthalmology patients; two isolation rooms; MRI, CT and X-ray rooms; an on-site ambulance for hospital transport; and rooftop solar panels, a rain-catch garden and native plantings to reduce environmental impact.
JM: Absolutely. We have a series called the Summer of Wellness. On June 22, out at the Wine Stand at Wölffer Estate, Isaac Boots, who has a program called Torch’d by Isaac Boots, leads a fitness experience. Then there’s yoga at Mecox Bay Dairy on June 29. On July 13, at the new Racquet Lounge at Southampton, we’ll be hosting a tennis clinic. Our final activity of the series, on August 10, is called DanceBody, at
CC: What do you love most about living in Southampton?
JM: Walking with my dogs in the village every morning. I also love taking a long drive out to Montauk early in the morning, because there’s nothing more beautiful than seeing the sun come up in Montauk.
For more information about upcoming events or to purchase tickets, visit southampton.stonybrookmedicine.edu/news/ special-events. To learn more about supporting the mission of the Southampton Hospital Association, visit southampton. stonybrookmedicine.edu/giving/foundation-board-of-trustees
The Regional Tick-Borne Disease Resource Center Clinic is now open at the Hampton Bays Atrium for all ages, by appointment only at 186 West Montauk Highway, Suite D-5. Residents and visitors can get expert advice and referrals from Rebecca Young, RN, BSN, by calling 631.726.TICK (8425).
DISCOVERING DEEP TIME
Sync yourself with the nourishing, affirming pace of nature. BY AMELY GREEVEN
Sunsets that mesmerize, swims in the twilight, barefoot strolls on grass lit up by the moon. Sink into summer, and you may find a portal into a profoundly restorative dimension—one that Dr. Azra and Seren Bertrand, creators of an eco-embodiment philosophy named biomancy, refer to as “deep time.”
I dropped into deep time one July in Idaho, volunteering on an organic farm. Assigned to harvest the snap peas, I traversed rows of verdant foliage for hours, my hands moving in hypnotic rhythm, my thinking mind deliciously quiet. My senses were alive to the warm mountain breeze, the smells of damp soil, the murmurs of other pea-pickers nearby. We volunteers ate lunch communally, then washed the peas. The experience felt ancient and peaceful and utterly right—more right, frankly, than anything I was doing in my deadline-riddled daily life. But I didn’t have words for it until I heard the Bertrands describe deep time—also sometimes called organic time, or Gaian time.
“All of the world is cycling, from the movements of the moon and the sun and the planets, to ocean tides, to the clocks in our cells—almost everything in natural, nonman-made reality exists in rhythms and cycles,” says Azra, adding that our biology is entangled with all of it. The rhythms of day and night, the seasons, and the continuum of the moon—and even equinoxes, solstices and eclipses— profoundly affect everything in nature, including us. “We are built out of time, not just physical matter—women in particular,” he says, referring to our “time-coded” experiences of menstruation, fertility and pregnancy. The emerging field of chronobiology, with its description of light’s impacts on hormones and cell energy, describes this materially. But biomancy goes deeper.
“The thinking mind exists in logical, linear time, but our body, nervous system, psyche and dreaming don’t,” says Azra. “They live somewhere different.” These things are nourished by dropping down into Earth and back into our mysterious back brain, the cerebellum, which processes and makes meaning of patterns and rhythms from our environment. Intuition, visioning, dreaming, dancing, communing (and howling at the moon)—the “really important stuff,” quips Azra—come alive from this place, making life feel more magical. But when we live governed by man-made time—with its “indoctrinating, get to work at nine, finish at six, time-is-short hustle”—it
puts us at odds with our own nature. We can experience something biomancy calls “time sickness”— not just the (many) physical conditions that are now being connected to circadian disruption, but the less diagnosable suffering that comes from constantly producing and achieving at a pace that’s not our own.
Naming this tension was a small eureka for me, helping me understand why simple labors like tending a garden or stacking firewood feel grounding, happifying and full, while much of modern reality—with constant to-do’s and 24-7 information streams—can feel so fracturing and thin. Further, because we no longer practice the things our ancestors did, like honoring nature’s cycles and organizing rituals and rites of passage around them, we can feel spiritually adrift, deprived of the rooted and embodied “Earth-entangled consciousness” that humans held as sacred until three to five thousand years ago. Life today conspires to make us fall out of deep time at every turn.
But there is a way back, and you don’t have to become a shaman to do it. It can start with what Azra calls “micro practices” that “reweave” your biology back into nature and help you entrain to deep time. Attuning to the lightdark cycles is the easiest first step—biomancy teaches a dawn-dusk breath and movement practice called Sola-Terra, though it’s easy to make a personal ritual from yoga, qi gong or similar. Luxuriating in the peak and ebb of seasons—including the deliciously inwards, yin phase of winter—also courts deep time. Imaginal journeys—a specialty of biomancy—and small, devotional practices done from the heart, can deepen connection with the elements, the trees and the ancestors who walked before you, helping you achieve a “slow flow” that can enhance how you feel and see the world.
“There is profound healing to be found in transforming our relationship to nature’s time,” counsels Seren Bertrand. “Traditional folklore and myth, and now science too, is showing us how deeply we are time beings—we can even use “time magic” in the healing of trauma, which has an aspect of being frozen in time.”
Whether picking summer produce or bathing in starlight, falling back into remembrance with deep time bestows the sweetest gift of all, something that we can spend lifetimes chasing: a homecoming of sorts, a feeling in the bones that I belong. azrabertrand.com, serenbertrand.com
CANCER CULTURE
A vital nonprofit is dedicated to changing the way people think about breast cancer— through art, creativity and openness. BY NANCY KANE
In 2014, artist and yogi Beth Fairchild went for her regular mammogram, which came up clear. One week later, with no palpable lump in her breast, she learned she had Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. She was 34. Her only symptoms were an upset stomach and fatigue.
Metastatic breast cancer, or Stage 4 breast cancer, is the most advanced; it means the cancer has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body, most commonly the bones, lungs, liver or brain.
Fairchild wasn’t surprised to learn that metastatic breast cancer research is underfunded, and the metastatic population underserved. And while she passes no judgment on the Pink Ribbon efforts of many breast cancer foundations, she found them to be the domain of middle-aged white women. She felt something else was needed. Something that spoke to every woman regardless of race, socioeconomic status or sexual orientation.
“We’re the island of misfit toys,” she says of Cancer Culture, a nonprofit dedicated to changing the way people think about breast cancer. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate. We are a place for all women, and some men, to land and feel safe.”
in 2021 as Cancer Culture, a nationally known advocacy group and fundraising organization for people with advanced breast cancer.
Fairchild spoke of the latest retreat at her house where seven women with metastatic breast cancer gathered to connect about life and death. “There is no pity; it’s all understanding. Women are talking about death and dying like someone else would talk about ordering lunch,” she says.
Bonding is at the core of Cancer Culture. “Being able to share stories that are so tragic and scary is healing,” Fairchild says. So is truth-telling. “Most organizations talk about survivability, but that only extends to five years,” says Fairchild. After that, the patients are not tracked. “We don’t want to be fear-mongers,” Fairchild continues. “Women do everything right, but the cancer recurs. The truth is, it never left. Breast cancer is sneaky.”
Cancer Culture evolved from another nonprofit, #Cancerland, which was founded by NY personality Champagne Joy—a colorful character on the New York scene and a tireless advocate for the more than 100 women and men who die every day from metastatic breast cancer—a disease that she herself would die from in 2017. #Cancerland began as a place where cancer patients could find rides to treatments and get help with chores, an online community where those suffering from metastatic breast cancer could find each other and talk. After Champagne Joy’s passing, Fairchild and co-founder Rachel Burns, a singer/songwriter and activist, wanted to continue Joy’s legacy and rebranded #Cancerland
Funding for research of metastatic breast cancer is of paramount importance. Calling themselves the punk rockers of breast cancer, Cancer Culture has been involved in several high-profile and provocative events, including New York Fashion Week and a fashion show in Milan.
Seeing themselves as the intersection of art and breast cancer awareness, they are also planning an event for July 12-13 at the Montauk Beach House and the AB Gallery in East Hampton. Photographer Bill Livingston, who shot portraits of many of the cancer patients, recruited artists to paint over the images. That exhibit will be on display at the AB Gallery; many of the patients will be in attendance.
Fairchild, who was given two years to live in 2014, recognizes the racial disparity in women of color and metastatic breast cancer. Black women are nearly 40 percent more likely to die from the disease than white women, for example. “We need to talk about it to effect change,” she says. “And we need people of power and influence to start listening.” cancerculture.org
The
little things we do every day make an “A”mazing difference
We are honored to have earned the nation’s top distinction for patient safety, an “A” from the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. The “A” recognizes our high standards in patient safety. This “A” grade belongs to every one of our team members, who work 24/7, year-round, to ensure our patients’ safety.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is an elite designation from The Leapfrog Group, a national, independent watchdog that sets the highest standards for patient safety in the United States.ORAL HEALTH’S NEW HORIZONS
Understanding the microbiome with Dr. Gerry Curatola. BY CRISTINA CUOMO
With over 40 years of experience, and dental practices in New York and East Hampton, internationally acclaimed restorative and cosmetic dentist, bestselling author, pioneering researcher and humanitarian Dr. Gerry Curatola is often referred to as the “father of biologic dentistry,” and is a leading expert on the new science of the oral microbiome. Purist joins him to learn more about his dental philosophy and his groundbreaking research.
PURIST: For a good part of a professional career that has spanned more than 40 years, you have promoted what you call a “biologic approach” to dentistry. How does this differ from traditional dentistry?
DR. GERRY CURATOLA: Like most dentists, when I graduated from dental school, I felt very prepared to be a good “mechanic of teeth” instead of a physician of the mouth. Biologic dentistry is a philosophy and approach to practice that raises our consciousness and awareness of the mouth as both a mirror and a gateway to health and disease in the entire body. For example, I love doing cosmetic dentistry, and the ability to improve a smile and selfimage of a patient. However, the bonding materials we use in that procedure may often contain BPA (bisphenol A) resins that can disrupt the endocrine system and are also linked to a possible higher risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. As a biologic dentist, we use materials that are safe and compatible (eg., BPA-free) with the human body, understanding that over 80 percent of toxicity and inflammation may originate from the mouth.
PURIST: What is the oral microbiome?
GC: In the mid-aughts, our entire understanding of what it means to be “human” changed with the emergence of research from the Human Microbiome Project, launched in 2007. We discovered that there is a symbiotic relationship between man and microbe that is foundational to our ability to stay alive and thrive with countless bodily functions. In the mouth, this unique community of mostly bacterial organisms,
known as the oral microbiome, is an intelligent, semipermeable membrane that performs vital functions to help keep mouths healthy—from mineralizing teeth to oxygenating gums and strengthening the systemic immune system.
PURIST: You have been a pioneer in the research and development of oral care formulations that respect the new science of the oral microbiome. This resulted in your development of Revitin toothpaste. How does Revitin work?
GC: I’ve spent over 15 years in the development of Revitin, the world’s first prebiotic toothpaste that nourishes and supports the essential and beneficial ecology in the mouth known as the oral microbiome, and promotes it in a balanced state. We found that prebiotics are far more effective in the mouth than probiotics, which have less efficacy as the oral microbiome is as unique as our DNA. Prebiotics make it inhospitable for good or bad bacteria to “set up shop.”
PURIST: What are some of the new advanced technologies in dentistry that enable the detection of disease?
GC: The three most important new advances in disease detection (diagnosis) are the 3D Cone Beam computed tomography (CBCT), the WatchPAT home sleep study and the Viome RNA-analysis salivary test. The 3D Cone Beam has made conventional 2D dental X-rays obsolete. The WatchPAT home sleep study provides a great deal of information for the diagnosis and treatment of OSA, which is often related to inadequate airway space in the nose, mouth and throat. Viome, a leading scientific research company, has developed an RNA analysis technology with 95 percent specificity for the early detection of oral and throat cancers. Early RNAanalysis detection enables over 90 percent survival when detected early. For more information or consultation with Dr. Curatola, go to rejuv-health.com or call 212.355.4777. Follow Dr. Curatola on Instagram @drgerrycuratola, @rejuvenationhealth or @revitin.
Discover the elegant sophistication of Boatman House.
10 BR | 13 BA | 1 HALF BA | Approx. 11,000SF $52,000,000
Perched on 5.5 acres bordering on Taylor Creek in Southampton, New York sits a one-of-a-kind property with unique architectural appeal. This idyllic waterfront home of almost 11,000 square feet includes a heated outdoor pool and private pool house, private dock, and manicured gardens. First time on the market.
THE RECLAIMED WOMAN
In an excerpt from her just-released book, author Kelly Brogan, M.D., invites readers to discover and liberate feminine gifts and personal potential.
What is a Reclaimed Woman?
I define a Reclaimed Woman as one who is as devoted to herself as to God (insert your preferred term), to her man (and men), to her children (inner and outer), who exudes her heart wisdom and energy in every moment. A Reclaimed Woman is one who feels safe to fully express herself because she knows how to give herself that safety. She knows how to self-husband and set a strong masculine container for her feminine to dance, create and answer the wild call of her soul— what she actually came here for!
I learned the phrase “selfhusband” from my erotic coach, Whitney Lowery, and a caveat may be in order. I am a woman. I have no idea what it is to be a man, to experience reality through the distinct biology of a man’s vessel. When I refer to an inner masculine, it is, in most ways, a rhetorical strategy to allow for the identification of certain inner energetic signatures associated with particular thought forms and behaviors. The father introject, or masculine dimension of a woman, is what Carl Jung calls the animus, a projected aspect that we reclaim and integrate through our lived experiences with men.
while standing in fierce alignment. What follows is all about your personal reclamation as a woman, designed to help you shed your struggle, choose yourself, and experience the specific pleasure of who you are. My commitment is to lead you home to you.
Woman Up
I’m a big believer in the Maya Angelou quote, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” Part 1 of this book is in service of knowing better, and the rest of the book is about doing better. In Part 1, we’ll smoke out the societal shadows that have been keeping us stuck in the throes of victim consciousness. Spoiler alert: It’s all by design. At the same time, only you hold the keys to free yourself and coronate yourself the queen of your story. From there, we’ll take it into aligned action, which is where your self-initiation officially begins. Like any good archetypal journey, we’ll start with your no so that you can find your fully embodied yes.
No
Because it is my experiential credential, I am speaking to feminine essence women who are confused about how to be a woman. I’ve walked these grounds myself, and learned that my personality was a mask, that I was living a sweetly well-intentioned lie, that the ways I thought I was keeping myself safe were actually keeping me stuck, and that my essential power was in what I thought was a shameful weakness. We will move through mommy issues, daddy issues, “conspiracy theories” and embodied experiences, ultimately giving you the tools to navigate claiming the gems from your cave, learning what you want and how to ask for it
Part 2 is all about your no. When you become aware of the fact that you have been self-abandoning, betraying and rejecting this whole time, imagining it was others doing it to you, you reclaim your power of choice and your capacity to say no. But to truly refine this capacity, you must meet all the parts within that you have rejected and welcome them to the table. Your “no way in hell” matures into a “that’s not for me, thanks,” and you learn how to play with the darker flavors of your raw erotic essence: your inner Medusa, your inner Kali, your inner dark witch. I like to see your no as the combination of your dark feminine inner power that destroys anything less than love, plus the light of the matured masculine discernment of a seasoned martial
artist who decimates his opponent with nothing more than a glance.
Yes
In Part 3, we move into your yes. Your yes is the light of the feminine: play, creativity, pleasure, receptivity. This is where you tap into your wellspring of creatrix power and get to design your life around your desire and pleasure. By the end of your heroine’s journey, you’ll feel excited and curious about challenges and adversity in your life, because you’ll know that you came here to dance and play, and that there is nothing more exhilarating than the experience of meeting your full self. Together we will lay the groundwork for you to recognize and seize all the ripe opportunities you are being presented with to end your suffering. This is a process of discovering and celebrating the polarity within while bringing your inner masculine and feminine into mature, actualized harmony. You’ll finally feel like a well-resourced adult, not a secretly flailing child.
Of course, your reclamation experience does not need to look anything like mine. You might not pole or twerk in your journey—but also, try it. This is about helping you reconnect to your desire so you can follow that force of attraction wherever it takes you. You’ll finally be giving your unhindered inner child a voice, whether she wants to make jewelry, run a farm, wear exquisite hats, live by the ocean or stay up late giggling with her friends.
One more thing, before we begin—I want you to take a moment and feel the huge field that you are stepping into. The thousands of dogma-defying women who have risen in and through my field, the medical history-making outcomes through my self-care protocol Vital Mind Reset, and the courageous humility that has worn this path so that it can feel softer for your beautiful feet. I attract powerful babes, and you are one of them. Huge energy is holding your capacity to step out of victimhood and ease into the practice of self-alignment. Feel us all at your back. We’ve got you, and soon you’ll feel that you’ve got you, no matter what.
And just because it’s fun to imagine, offer yourself some audacious “what if’s” from where you sit now. I love to open my containers with these prompts, and the responses always bring tears to my eyes because we are remembering, together, to dream into what is possible. So, what if you walked away from chronic illness? What if you healed your relationship with your son? What if you started dancing and became a choreographer? What if you started painting again? What if?
Courtesy of Skyhorse Publishing. Publication date: June 25, 2024
WOMAN TO WOMAN
A closer look at the ideas in The Reclaimed Woman, in conversation with its author, Kelly Brogan. BY AMELY
GREEVENHolistic psychiatrist Kelly Brogan has a passion for helping women live their most authentic lives. In her new book, The Reclaimed Woman, she dives into the intricacies of womanhood, identity and self-empowerment with uncompromising honesty and a generous dose of daring. Amely Greeven speaks with her.
AMELY GREEVEN: Your book audaciously challenges conventional notions of feminism, then invites a woman on a journey of confronting our shadows and embracing our desires. I found it provocative, at times challenging, and also gripping—the juiciest kind of read! I came away wondering, is this ultimately a book about how to fully love myself?
KELLY BROGAN: Well, I am a problem and solutionoriented kind of gal. I’m not even sure what “fully loving oneself” means! The conundrum I’m addressing is the hollowness and disappointment that many women feel even after “making it.” Why don’t I feel happy? Why am I bitter about what it took to get here? Why do I have so many hot-button problems in my relationships, or with my own body? This is a not uncommon story for the modern woman; it can become a kinked-up way of being that becomes a body shape, a rigid posture, and it hurts! But we become habituated to it, and become disconnected from our sensitivity and our vital force, which is the energy of creation. Our relationships suffer. But we have an opportunity to progress beyond that.
AG: You describe how in order to enjoy more of our inherent, powerful eros, or life-force, we also want to offer ourselves containment. You’ve called it selfhusbanding. That’s new to me, and intriguing as someone who struggles to tap into that energy.
KB: I’ve been interested in feminine power my whole life. I’ve done the righteous, angry fighter; I’ve watched
1. East Hampton Village Estate
$12.595M | 0.95± Acre | 6,150± sf
6 BR | 5 Full + 2 Half BA Elegant, Sophistcated Living Spaces Manicured Grounds | Heated Gunite Pool 77JerichoRoad.com
José (JB) DosSantos 516.901.7017 | jdsantos@bhsusa.com
2. Modern Masterpiece | Water Mill
$9.75M | 4.89± Acres | 8 BR | 10.5 BA 9,460± sf Including Finished Lower Level Top-of-the-Line Finishes | Heated Gunite Pool + Spa | Pool House | Tennis Court 357EdgeOfWoods.com
John P. Vitello
516.315.6867 | jvitello@bhsusa.com
Iwona Rokosz 631.655.9737 | irokosz@bhsusa.com
3. New Build on 3 Acres | Bridgehampton
$9.25M | New Architectural Masterpiece
3± Acres | 10,195± sf | 7 BR | 7 Full, 2 Half BA Infrared Sauna + Cold Plunge Heated Saltwater Gunite Pool + Spa 662MillstoneRd.com
Christopher J. Burnside 516.521.6007 | cburnside@bhsusa.com
Aubri Peele 631.252.5434 | apeele@bhsusa.com
4. Designer Furnished Luxury Country Living | Water Mill
$10.5M | 1± Acre | 9,400± sf | 7 BR 7 Full and 2 Half BA | Fully Remodeled and Expanded in 2023 | New 55’ Heated Gunite Pool | 1,000± sf Porch | Gym Sauna | Offered Fully Furnished 37TiffanyWay.com
Lillian A. Holtzclaw 646.623.6464 | lholtzclaw@bhsusa.com
5. New Construction | Water Mill
$8.75M | 1.03± Acres | 7,372± sf 7 BR | 8 Full, 2 Half BA Styled by Greg McKenzie Design 20’ x 50’ Heated Gunite Pool 321NoyackPath.com
John P. Vitello 516.315.6867 | jvitello@bhsusa.com
Iwona Rokosz 631.655.9737 | irokosz@bhsusa.com
6. New Luxury | Southampton Village
$5.85M | 4,000± sf | 6 BR | 7.5 BA Exceptional Details | Gym Heated Gunite Pool | Poolhouse 30BellowsLane.com
Christopher J. Burnside 516.521.6007 | cburnside@bhsusa.com
Aubri Peele 631.252.5434 | apeele@bhsusa.com
“A Reclaimed Woman is one who feels safe to fully express herself because she knows how to give herself that safety. She knows how to self-husband and set a strong masculine container for her feminine to dance, create and answer the wild call of her soul—what she actually came here for!”
the chasing femininity thing rise, too—go to goddess circles, wear dresses, you’ll feel like a queen! Both can leave us flailing and confused. There’s a different energetic signature we can orient toward, a maturational opportunity where we learn to selfregulate, shift out of stress physiology and learn emotional self-containment. We learn to honor our nos and we start to offer ourselves safety, not wait until a strong, trustworthy partner appears for that to happen. Then we become the custodians and stewards of our eros, our feminine energy, and it bubbles forth. It makes manifest.
AG: The book includes an archetypal tale of a woman “journeying home to herself.” It reminds me of Women Who Run With the Wolves, and author/ psychoanalyst Clarissa Pinkola Estés’ description of feminine “soul hunger” or “susto.” You say the journey must involve “walking through the dark”— meeting our shame, giving up victim stories, seeing reality with sober eyes and even playing with our inner villain. It’s full-on inner work!
KB: It is! When you decide not to ignore your little nos any more, it creates a rupture. You might feel, as I did, “I can’t live this story any more without there being grave consequences to my soul!” But it’s not like you did something wrong. You’ve arrived at the cliff, knowing your old story is ready for retirement. And then you must leap. Taking the road through and beyond victim consciousness will make you sit in the cave of discomfort. It’s an apprenticeship of emotional alchemy, always entering into the upsets you have with others to see what’s in there for you. But the dividends are worth it.
AG: You’re transparent about your own journey in the book, especially your shift from being an ardent “fix the world” activist to a soulful, embodied woman taking radical responsibility for her experience. You also share movingly how real reclamation occurs in the company
of other women. It’s not a solitary endeavor.
KB: Women co-regulate with each other. We offer each other containment. When we share our stories of transformation, of playing in permission fields that we didn’t think would ever be afforded us, we discover that we can do this. We can experience transformation in our lives quickly. When we show each other how to stay in our lane and do the work—because there is plenty of that to do—all our relationships can change, without the other people, be it our men, our parents, our children, even being involved. We are that powerful. And then we can chart our way back to a world that involves harmony, peace and a restoration of men and women loving, respecting and trusting each other.
AG: After reading this book, I went to a country-western line dancing night, where previously I might have bailed and kept working. It was euphoric! I found my eros! I saw how my joy rippled into my marriage, and mothering, making both easier. But why do we so often just not go to things that would enliven us?
KB: Because we’ve normalized self-betrayal as women! Your intuition comes through your preferences and wants— through your little yeses. I want to go dancing tonight. But we put a pile of nos on those little seedlings—You’ll be the only beginner. It’ll be weird. You’ve got to do taxes—it’s self-abuse! And we normalize not listening, and then we experience these dynamics on the outside, too. Betrayal, rejection, feeling like we live in an unfair world. So, let’s do something about that! You can juice up that relationship so that you are a devotee to your desire—which is not to say you are unattuned to the desires of others. It’s acknowledging that aligning with what it is that you want— even if it sounds irrational—and honoring it, and really making it matter is the new flex.
kellybroganmd.com
ASK THE DR.
Seven physical and mental benefits of “vitamin sea”—and how to get yours.BY DR. FRANK LIPMAN
Vitamin D supports healthy bones, teeth, immune function and more
There’s no shortage of reasons to love the ocean and the time spent in and around it After all, we did emerge from it millions of years ago so, in a way, the ocean is literally a part of us. Not surprisingly, it retains the power to calm and rejuvenate. In fact, time spent by the sea (or even by other large bodies of water) confers a raft of physical and mental health benefits. Think of it as the therapeutic treatment you should take advantage of now while the days are still long—and then continue into the fall and winter when our light-starved bodies and psyches may need its healing energy even more. Here’s how to harness the power of the ocean and (metaphorically) drink in its benefits:
“TLSea” supports better mental health.
The siren call of a day trip to the beach or a vacation by the sea in summertime is almost primal. In winter, when temps drop and daylight is short, the pull is felt perhaps even more acutely—when all one can think about is escaping to a sunny tropical isle. It’s as if your body and brain are telling you explicitly that they need some “TLSea”—and they are. Research shows that folks who live in close proximity to coastal waters report substantially better health, both mental and physical, than their land-locked counterparts. Even just a visit to,
or a view of, a “blue space,” any body of water, can have a positive impact on mental health, particularly on depression—so indulge in this natural treatment courtesy of Mother Earth. And, as an estimated half of all Americans live within 50 miles of the coastline, and many more live near a blue space, chances are that access to this drug-free mental health elixir is within reach.
Beach time boosts vitamin D levels.
When you head for the blue spaces, aka the sea, the lake, the river, it’s likely good weather, when sunshine is plentiful. Soaking in a few of those warm rays, sensibly and responsibly—no burning allowed—is an excellent way to get a natural dose of vitamin D, which is not only essential for strong bones and teeth, but to support immune function and to help reduce the risk of infection, as well as other major health-destabilizers like autoimmune diseases, heart disease and multiple sclerosis.
Time by the sea upgrades your sleep quality. If your sleeping skills leave something to be desired, then a dose of blue space may be just what the doctor ordered. A daytime dose of bright sunlight (dancing artfully on the water’s surface) helps reset your body clock by
Breathing in salt air can aid with pesky allergies and asthma.
reconnecting it with the natural rhythm of light and dark, entraining our bodies to release the wakefulness and sleep hormones, cortisol and melatonin, as well as neurotransmitters (brain chemical messengers), at the right time, which, in turn, helps make falling asleep much easier. A daily dose of bright sunlight will really keep your sleep/wake cycle humming, and time by the water is a great, relaxing way to restart that process.
Sea breezes are an antidote for respiratory problems. Struggling with asthma symptoms or respiratory ills? Allergies a frequent irritation or worse? Breezes from the sea can help here too. Sea air, in addition to smelling fresh and invigorating, carries along with it magnesium, iodine and salt, which can help tame symptoms and help you breathe a little easier. For allergy sufferers, ocean breezes can help blow away irritants like pollen and spores, while the sea air’s negative ions can also make breathing easier by improving our ability to absorb oxygen.
Watery places give your brain a vacation.
According to the European Centre for Environment and Human Health, blue spaces, like nature’s on-land green spaces, also have a positive effect on well-being, reducing feelings of stress, de-stimulating the brain and increasing feelings of calm—which is great for so many systems in your body, especially the cardiovascular system and the brain. Why do we feel calmer when we’re near the sea?
The thinking is that in a watery or beachy environment, our brains get a chance to replenish themselves, getting a much-needed respite from the intense focus of everyday life tasks. The brain switches over to a state of “soft attention,” where the mind can relax and wander freely. All that staring out to the blue horizon changes our brain wave activity, slowing them down and putting the brain in a light, meditative, more blissed-out state. What else do those sea air ions do? By some estimates, they help boost electrical functionality of the brain by roughly 47 percent—which is all to the brain-health good!
The view—and all that blue—connects with your senses. Time by the water engages all the senses—sight, smell, touch, sound and the pleasant tastes of salt in the air you get when being near it and breathing it in. According to a study published in the American Association for
the Advancement of Science’s journal Science, the color blue is associated with feelings of calm and increased creativity—and when you’re staring out at an ocean of it, the feeling is magnified. Then there is the soothing, hypnotic sound of the waves lapping the shore or the gentle rush of water running down a river or waterfall, which helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which further enhances feelings of calm, as does the feel of water on your skin and warm sand between your toes. The sea does everything in its power to make staying tense close to impossible—and whether you’re beachside for a week or just a day, the effects are powerful and wonderful from head to toe.
Enjoy movement and connection at the water’s edge. Being by the sea is an invitation to two massively important good habits: movement and social connection. When it comes to movement, the opportunities to do it are plenty, and they come naturally. Walking along the shoreline barefoot and physically connecting with the natural world (aka grounding); playing with your kids in the sand; swimming in the surf; working on your beach volleyball moves—it all counts as movement, which is another boost for well-being and better sleep at night. By grounding (or earthing) with walks in the sand, you may also find yourself feeling less pain and more energy, thanks to the physical connection of your feet to the Earth’s surface electrons— so take advantage! And in addition to making the physical connection with the world, you’ll also make more memories by connecting with your tribe as you spend a lot more time playing, chatting and interacting, and a lot less time staring at electronic devices, straining your neck and tiring your eyes—and that’s worth a trip from anywhere!
Get your dose—anytime—even in winter.
Time by the sea or in a blue space brings with it so many good things for body and soul, it’s a shame to think it can only be enjoyed in summertime. Every season by the sea has its charms, with fall and winter being a spectacular time to enjoy the benefits with few crowds. Bundle up and enjoy the winter light, the sound of seagulls, the crashing waves and the wind. Stroll along the water’s edge or take some time to just sit and be still, stare at the sea, meditate and take a few moments to feel gratitude for the beauty of the sea and the natural world. drfranklipman.com
SPACE
“You can’t alter nature. There is no wrong design, no color palette that needs a tweak, no reason to change a layout or rushed time table. It’s authenticity defined. It’s perfection in layers. It’s functionality above all else.”
—Kristen Farrell, owner of Kristen Farrell & CoINNER AND OUTER BEAUTY
Luxury builder and landscaper Michael Derrig brings inspired design to Hamptons homes and gardens. BY
JIM SERVIN“Both landscape architecture and architecture are closely related. They need to speak to one another,” says Michael Derrig. The owner of Landscape Details and Building Details, the premier landscape and luxury construction firms in the Hamptons, has mastered the art of communication between majestic lawns, poetic gardens and spacious, confidently constructed homes. A wellbuilt structure provides the perfect vantage point from which Derrig can experience what he calls “felt balance,” calming design bringing forth architectural strengths and thoughtfully curated residential flora.
“I built my first house when I moved out to the Hamptons 25 years ago,” says Derrig, charting his crossover journey from outdoors to indoors. “After completing landscape projects, clients started asking me to build for them. I’d eared their trust. As Landscape Details matured, I found I could spend more time focused on building custom homes. I had assembled such a talented team, I thought it was the right time to launch Building Details in 2018.”
Today, at 103 Montauk Highway in East Hampton, Derrig cuts a casual, impactful figure in khaki shorts, sandals and a green hoodie with a Grateful Dead logo on the back as he leads a tour of the Building Details and Landscape Details headquarters, along with the home he’s renovating, his own, just behind it.
In contrast to the beamed office, a serene, streamlined environment, the back lot is abuzz with activity. A fleet of workers are readying the 4,500-square-foot five-bedroom and surrounding yard—including an open pavilion with a fireplace and a zero-edge pool—for the wedding of
Derrig’s 26-year-old daughter, Hanna, in October. Later, Derrig will drive out to other sites he’s working on: There’s the 100-year-old home on 11 acres, lined with mature copper beech, London plane and black walnut trees. “It was easy to put my touches on this,” he says, surveying the estate. “It was all there. When you come to a site that has constraints—grade changes, a poor roadway—you can transform those challenges into opportunities.”
Derrig’s design approach, an instinctive process he calls “vernacular, on the spot,” is in demand. “Somebody’s always coming out to the Hamptons to build their dream house, a place where they can relax,” he says. “A lot of the new people we meet are dedicated to wellness and health. I see a trend of focusing on the inside and outside: a spa, a really great gym, a place for a massage.”
Creating inner and outer beauty extends to his personal life. A longtime meditator, Derrig walks the beach every morning with his four dogs, listening to Calm or another app.
His newly renovated home will be outfitted with wellness components such as a cold plunge pool, a massage area and an infrared sauna, all set against vegetation of some sort: loose, soft green material such as ferns and sweet woodruff.
“In my home and my office, I look at green everywhere,” Derrig says. “It creates a sense of calmness, serenity, cohesiveness and peace. A lot of people don’t live that way. I’m so grateful that it’s the way I get to live.” landscapedetails.com, buildingdetails.com
PURE PICKS
Landscape designer, CEO and founder of Unlimited Earth Care Frederico Azevedo unveils his versatile summertime favorites.
“The watering can, elevated. I love this modern silhouette and understated gold tone.” Elegant gold watering can, $75, Unlimited Earth Care, 2249 Scuttle Hole Road, Bridgehampton
“This glass vase just came into the store. I love the color, and the slender form is perfect for displaying delicate cut flowers with long stems, like Echinacea, which are North American natives, or stalks of lavender.” Elongated teal glass vase, $170, Unlimited Earth Care, 2249 Scuttle Hole Road, Bridgehampton
“The electric K9 by Bunch Bike is great because I can take my French bulldog, Louis, on my rides and see more nature than I would driving in a car or on foot. I also ride to work at the Unlimited Earth Care Garden Market on weekends, and then continue on to the beach or trails at the end of the day.” The K9 4, $5,499, bunchbike.com
“I like to carry pieces that are transportive and lighthearted. I want my garden to be a little like a vacation in the summer, so I prefer designs that make a space feel like an escape.” Abu gold accent table, $1,350, Unlimited Earth Care, 2249 Scuttle Hole Road, Bridgehampton
“The elements of a perfect summer with family, good times, and nature”
“This belt is very special to me, and has become a tradition in my family. My father gave me a Louis Vuitton monogram belt in the 1970s, which I wore when I competed in horse shows. I later gave one to my son, Lorenzo, who wore it in horse shows, daughter, competitions.” prices
“The finest craftsmanship and in my favorite vivid green color. It’s and then again to my Livia, who also wore it during horseback riding Louis Vuitton monogram belt, vary, louisvuitton.com
craftsmanship cutting-edge technology my green an incredibly powerful machine, and you can really feel the artisanship of its design and construction behind all of that horsepower. Sometimes, it just feels good to drive away in a fast car.” Lamborghini Huracán, $250,000 and up, lamborghini.com
OF COLORS
UNLIMITED EARTH CARE THE BALANCE
SPIRIT OF DESIGN
Interiors maven Cristina Peffer channels the beauty and calm of nature, along with the talents of her brilliant ancestors. BY
JULIA SZABOWhat happens to the descendants of history’s highly imaginative people?
If interior designer Cristina Peffer is any indication, they work to do their forebears proud. A relative of one of the co-founders of a Boston fashion school, Peffer creates engaging spaces that are dynamic portraits of the individuals who live and work there. Plying a signature palette derived from the wilderness, Peffer achieves “the inner calm that comes over us when we’re out in nature. How calming is it to contemplate flowers in a meadow?” she asks.
There’s a lot of spirit in a Peffer space. Since she began pursuing design as a career, she has channeled her great-grandmother Carolyn L. Dewing, “an amazing, creative, strong, fun, deep, intelligent woman,” who died in 1971. “I began channeling her when I opened my first shop in Southampton, when I was 27,” says Peffer, “and I continue to do so to this day.” A Boston Brahmin and
Radcliffe alumna who co-founded the Modern School of Applied Art, where she taught fashion, Dewing was an aesthetic force. Annoyed by how the Filene’s windows looked, she volunteered her design services to the store (which took her up on the offer). She evolved her traditional tastes to embrace modernism, acknowledging it as “an expression of our age.”
Peffer is a design leader in her own right. Many of her colleagues are also her clients; she’s hailed as a “designer’s designer.” A curated selection of special items—“the things that bring us peace in this chaotic world,” she says—are for sale at her Shelter Island Heights store, Ram Design Home, named for the animal symbolizing Aries, Peffer’s sun sign, plus one of her favorite places, Ram Island. Now, aficionados of chic living welcome Peffer’s latest venture, an interior design studio located in the business district of Shelter Island.
Peffer loves creative collaboration,
and her new team includes Santiago Campomar and Iris Zonlight of Blue Ocean Design. “It’s a collaborative space for interior design projects and custom millwork,” Peffer says. The studio features “1867,” an original artwork co-created by Peffer along with son Alden Peffer, her friend Jon Reeves of TAD Associates, and Robert Linker, of East Hampton’s The Irony, who created the custom burnished brass frame. The 54-inch-square LED light “moves with an ombre effect through all 1,867 Pantone colors in their gradient,” Peffer says, proudly adding, “which has never been done.”
Peffer enjoys working with clients whose different tastes “really challenge and stretch me,” she says. “I like spaces to be very personal to each client, never formulaic. My designs boomerang the eye back to the spirit, the same way nature does, creating spiritual calm. To me, design is nothing without that spiritual component.” ramdesign.com
PURE PROPERTY
That perfect home in the Hamptons or the city awaits. BY NANCY KANE
Martha Gundersen of Douglas Elliman has a unique compound property at 454 and 480 Hedges Lane, nestled in a Sagaponack enclave that is pure Hamptons charm. Two single and separate lots totaling almost 3 acres feature a fully cleared 1.47-acre parcel at 480, with meticulous landscaping and the opportunity to build an over 6,000-square-foot main residence, accessory structure and pool. Next door, the 1.38-acre lot at 454 Hedges Lane features an over 4,000-square-foot residence with 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and detached garage. Customize this property or build your own grand estate. Permits in place allow for a substantial main residence and accessory structure, and both parcels enjoy views of the adjacent 33-acre agricultural reserve, which will provide the perfect backdrop to the home of your dreams. A bespoke compound in this neighborhood is a rare find. Asking $16,750,000.
93 Jobs Lane in Bridgehampton South is a traditional, quintessential Hamptons cottage set on over 2 acres of mature, landscaped greenery. The triple-height foyer leads to an elegant stairway where, on the second floor, you’ll find 5 spacious bedrooms, including a primary suite with a private
balcony. A junior suite is located on the first floor, as well as multiple living rooms, some with coffered ceilings and woodburning fireplaces. A screened-in porch opens to several outdoor seating areas, while a den and a large chef’s eat-in kitchen segues to an expansive backyard. The property has a “grandfathered” full-size professional basketball court, tennis
court, screened-in heated gunite pool, plus garage and service entrance. Close to Sam’s Creek and the best ocean beaches, this property has it all. Offered with Beate V. Moore of Sotheby’s International Realty, and asking $13,000,000.
Stunning 165 Strongs Lane in Water Mill is on the market with Erica Grossman of Douglas Elliman (in a co-exclusive with Michelle Breskin from NestSeekers International). The 7-bedroom, 8½-bath home will be a brand-new modern glass masterpiece crafted by luxury home builder and designer Breskin Development and architect RRL Architecture & Design. At nearly 9,000 square feet, this home will feature a heated 20-by-50 gunite pool with a spa and pool house. Entering the custom 6-foot-wide door and double-height foyer, a sunlit open living area with floor-to-ceiling glass doors has views of the gardens. Up backlit oak stairs with a glass railing, you’ll find a den and 4 large en suite bedrooms, and a generous sitting area, fireplace and balcony adorning the main suite. The lower level will feature a gym, theater, living room and 2 large guest bedrooms. This preconstruction offering is expected to be completed by spring/summer 2025, within a time frame of 12 months and asking $9,995,000. No expense has been spared in the meticulous design of Penthouse A, an 8-room apartment at 755 Park Avenue, executed by interior designer Vicente Wolf and listed with Richard Steinberg of Compass. A bright gallery leads to the
bedroom wing, library and living room that features 10foot ceilings and oversize windows. An open chef’s kitchen is outfitted with Miele dishwashers and a Viking range. The bedroom wing faces Park Avenue and features an abundance of closets. There is even a staff room with a full bathroom just off the kitchen and service entrance. 755 Park is a full-service, white-glove, prewar building. Built in 1914 by W. L. Rouse and L. A. Goldstone in the Italian Renaissance palazzo style, the structure was converted to a cooperative in 1950. Asking $5,950,000, it’s Manhattan living at its finest.
GLOW
Sunflower seed oil is rich in antioxidants and a variety of vitamins including A, C, D and E, which help protect, moisturize and soothe the skin. The oil is also noncomedogenic, meaning it will not clog pores and is also tolerable for people with sensitive skin.
PURE PICKS
Linda Thompson, founder and CEO of Biography skin care, shares her summer gifting go-to’s.
“This luxe incense set is like bringing a gorgeous farmers market bouquet— but better.The fresh, green scent of tomato vines is unexpectedly addictive, and the chic holder doubles as decor.” Tomato Leaves incense set, $205, loewe.com
“Showing up with this shimmering, sea-inspired oil is like gifting a minivacation in a bottle. Made with nourishing marine extracts, it’s the perfect way to help anyone unwind after a long day of swimming and sun fun. Plus, it leaves skin looking sunkissed and glowy, not gooey.” Sea Chrome, $78, biographynyc.com
“The wash is gently exfoliating and smells like you just walked into a greenhouse on a summer morning. I always have an Open Garden Pair in my beach tote bag because you never know when you’ll get an on-thefly invitation.” Open Garden Pair, $85, biographynyc.com
“Whether it’s a laid-back patio dinner and live music or a fancier drinks party, one thing remains the same: a thoughtful hostess gift. Growing up with a traditional European mother, I learned early on that arriving emptyhanded is a big no-no. And while you can never go wrong with a nice bottle of wine or candles, I’m always on the hunt for gifts that feel extra.”
“Checks are the new stripes.You can never have too many cool hand towels, and these graphic checkerboard sets are my current obsession.They instantly elevate any bathroom situation, and the mix-andmatch potential is endless.” Madi-Cadi checkerboard towels, $28 for a set of five, amazon.com
“My love for music and for records has today made me everyone’s playlist curator, so I never show up without music.This mini Marshall speaker is my go-to, with the list favored by music industry insiders. It may be small, but it packs a punch.” Marshall Emberton II Bluetooth speaker, $120, bestbuy.com
“Who doesn’t love a good minibar? This set includes travel sizes of the Long June Calm Face Oil for AM and Petty Grudges Repair Face Oil for PM, perfect for your host’s after-beach Sunday self-care routine.These oils aren’t just skin care—they’re an invitation to unwind.” Mini Bar, $83, biographynyc.com
TO PLANT A GARDEN IS TO
DREAM OF TOMORROW.
”
– Audrey HepburnSHINE ON
Find your perfect summer glow at the SkinSpirit pop-up in Southampton.
BY AMELY GREEVENConjure, for a moment, the signature sensations of summer in the Hamptons: the luxury of waking up to a carefree day; the delight of eating fresh-picked foods bursting with ripeness; the invigoration of ocean water cooling you off. Now add the pleasure of receiving personalized, medically proven skin, face and body treatments from some of the city’s most experienced practitioners, dedicated to helping you achieve your most gorgeous and rejuvenated look. That’s what awaits at the summer’s hottest pop-up. For six weeks in Southampton, starting July 17, renowned aesthetic skin care clinic SkinSpirit is making premium skin care and aesthetics—from physician-designed and clinically proven facials, dermaplaning and microneedling, to expertly applied injectables—available just minutes from the beach.
With over 40 clinics nationwide—including a new Tribeca location joining the existing Upper East Side one in Manhattan—SkinSpirit has a two-decade-long track record of elevating skin care by merging spa luxury with medical aesthetic expertise. Enter the discreet Southampton sanctuary, and the highly skilled SkinSpirit staff will discover
your personal goals, then suggest the approach to get there. Hot tip: For perfectly radiant summer skin— the kind that only needs a sheer kiss of color come evening or that turns heads on a big night out—discover the 30-minute DiamondGlow facial. It deeply cleanses with hydrodermabrasion, exfoliates with diamond tip microdermabrasion and infuses the skin with customized serums for ultra-hydration. Add microneedling to enhance the regenerative effect and stimulate collagen production, or treat your newly glowing complexion with Botox to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
With a bevy of top practitioners set to visit, special residencies offered by Johns Hopkins-trained Manhattan plastic surgeon Dr Sachin Shridharani and an exciting roster of special events, new client discounts and surprise activations, the SkinSpirit pop-up is your discreet opportunity to explore an epicenter of young-looking, flawless and natural facial aesthetics.
SkinSpirit at Suites by NYLO, 15 Hill St., Suite No. 1, Southampton, July 17-August 31, Wednesday-Sunday 9AM-6PM, 631.488.6500 for appointments; skinspirit.com
SUMMER SLIM AND TONE
Head-to-toe treatments to get you beach-season-ready in no time. BY BETH LANDMAN
“Most medi spas are into lasers and burning and compromising the skin, and the day spas are all fluff with zero results,” declares Rachel Lee Lozina, who has turned the former Southampton Hospital Foundation Thrift Shop site into Blue Water Spa (40 W. Main St.; bluewaterspany.com), a hybrid of a medi and day spa, with the goal of offering treatments that actually improve the appearance. This is a second location for Lozina, who has been an aesthetician for 21 years and opened the original Blue Water in Oyster Bay 16 years ago.
Her beautifying and antiaging artillery includes noninvasive— but effective—tools including microcurrent to lift the facial muscles, LED to reduce wrinkles, and both ultrasound and iontophoresis to help products penetrate more deeply. She also employs enzymes and acids to exfoliate and smooth the skin. “I am a mad scientist and an artist,” she says.
Lozina also has machines to tackle the body, including the Icoone from Italy, which, she says, is “the coolest thing ever.” A strong suction breaks up fascia adhesions and fat pockets, lymphatic drainage gets rid of excess fluid, then a rolling function smooths the area. “It’s like a steamroller vacuuming up and rolling out everything underneath,” she says. And the results are instantaneous. “You don’t have to wait,” she says. “You get off the table and you can fit right into your skinny jeans.”
Dr. Rishi Chopra, a board-certified dermatologist, will also be offering serious but minimally invasive treatments out of UnionDerm in Water Mill (728 Montauk Hwy.; unionderm. com). “The future of aesthetics are minimally invasive body contouring treatments,” says Chopra. “We are now able to slim, shape and tone all areas of the body with a combination of devices and injectables.” On his treatment menu are a range of skin-tightening devices for the face,
Experience a smoother face with microcurrent, Sofwave, Thermage and Ulthera.
including Sofwave, Thermage and Ulthera, and machines such as Accufit and Pure Impact to strengthen muscles. He uses the CoolSculpting device along with injectable Kybella to freeze and reduce fat cells, and Sculptra and Radiesse to stimulate collagen production.
“These body contouring treatments have become extremely important with the increasing use of Ozempic and other weight-loss medications, and the rise of ‘Ozempic face (and body),’” notes Chopra. “These medications not only promote fat loss, but induce significant muscle loss as well. The long-term use of these medications has resulted in faces that are volume-depleted, saggy and gaunt, as well as bodies with depleted muscle mass/tone and loose, lax skin. Muscle stimulation and skin tightening devices are an excellent way to prevent and treat this deterioration, maintaining a toned and tight appearance.”
The wellness retreat Shou Sugi Ban House (337 Montauk Hwy.; shousugibanhouse.com) has aligned with Tata Harper skin care this season to offer facials and body treatments performed with her 100 percent natural products that smell like an herb garden. One standout is the Harmony Facial, which combines sound healing with skin therapy and lots of massage. Not only is it extremely relaxing; it leaves your skin looking radiant. Josie Bisetti, founder of Skin Peace by Josie B., will be a guest—visiting July 14-15 and 28-29, and August 11-12 and 25-26—and bringing her Skin Peace Signature Facial that incorporates microneedling, sound therapy and lifting massage; and her Ultimate Face Lift, which combines cleansing with buccal massage and sculpting lymphatic drainage.
With all these new options, there is no excuse not to glow this summer.
PURE PICKS
Celebrity hairstylist Valery Joseph unveils his top selections for a comfortable, active and stylish summer.
“My dogs, Sparky, Cash and Melo, are an important part of the family. Christopher Spitzmiller Marbled Dog Bowls are chic yet functional for my three best friends.” Marbled dog bowl in delft blue marble, $325, krbnyc.com
“I always like to stay active despite my busy schedule, and one of my favorite sports is tennis. Wilson Sporting Good’s Pro Staff 97 V14 Tennis Racket is all about strong, precise shots— just what I need during a friendly tennis match.” Pro Staff 97 v14 tennis racket, $279, wilson.com
“Le Labo’s Santal 26 candle is a scent I’ve repurchased countless times. It’s leathery and smoky, with notes of amber, cedar, musk and sandalwood. I love burning this candle all year round.”
Santal 26 classic candle, $94, lelabofragrances.com
“To
me, the summer is about being outdoors,
“A home isn’t complete without a great throw on the sofa, and the Yves Delorme Minorque Throw is a favorite of mine. Soft and lightweight with its blend of cotton and linen, it’s my go-to for casual relaxation after a long day of sports.” Minorque throw in vapeur, $150, yvesdelorme.com
and finding time to relax with family and friends.”
“My newly launched hair care line,Valery Joseph Hair Care, brings salon-level formulas to your home. I especially love Valery Joseph Nourish Shampoo and Conditioner during summer for their replenishing and smoothing properties. Featuring our proprietary VJR5 Pro Complex, this duo contains vegan keratin proteins that have been scientifically proven to strengthen, condition and improve the appearance of hair—from root to tip.” Nourish shampoo, $40, Nourish conditioner, $40, valeryjoseph.com
“The best everyday sneaker: the Maison Margiela Replica Low-Top Sneakers combine style and comfort.These sneakers are sleek and elevate any look, making them the perfect shoes whether I’m at one of my salons, or out with my boys.” Replica leather low-top sneakers in dark brown, $540, bergdorfgoodman.com
WE E K | E ND
“The outdoors talks to you. When you’re hungry, you make something to eat. You don’t have a 1PM lunch in the mountains. You eat when you can. I like the rhythms of nature telling me what to do.”
—Kevin Costner. The auteur’s Horizon: An American Saga, is out in theaters now.
Coastal flavors blend harmoniously with regional faire for an unforgettable dining experience every single time. Will you sip your favorite varietal on our lush outdoor terrace? Or will the candlelit, intimate indoor atmosphere be this evening’s vibe? Your table at the Good Ground Tavern awaits.
RESERVE YOUR TABLE AT GOOD GROUND TAVERN FOR RESERVATIONS: (631) 763-6300 OR CANOEPLACE.COM
ECO-CHIC KIDS
Bonpoint unveils a new East Hampton boutique and a womenswear capsule collection.
BY JULIA SZABOMost childrenswear collections are simply stylish spinoffs of designer brands for grown-ups. But one forward French fashion brand, Bonpoint, made the bold move of prioritizing kids—infants to toddlers to teens—and lavishing them with every necessity, from crib blankets to cardigans. Born in 1975 and now nearing its semicentennial, the world’s first fashion house exclusively for the very young celebrates 50 years of chic childhood by opening its first permanent boutique out East: the Bonpoint Beach House, on Newtown Lane in East Hampton.
The elegant, 992-square-foot space provides a perfect seaside home for the brand, covering every Bonpoint category: newborn, baby, ceremony, girl, boy and skin care/fragrance. The atmosphere of whimsical cool is perfectly summed up by the showstopping vehicle parked inside: a custom Vespa in palest Bonpoint pink, with a Liberty of London floral seat.
There’s substance to Bonpoint’s style: Mindful that babies’ skin is fragile, the newborn collection— including pajamas, onesies, jumpsuits and more—is fashioned from pure, organic cotton jersey. Older children may browse racks of organic cotton denim untouched by harmful chemicals (made with a process called ozone fading), and items fashioned from natural, biodegradable merino wool.
From swimwear to stuffed animals and strollers, PJs to parkas, Bonpoint designs are family heirlooms that moms covet too, which is why Bonpoint loyalists fervently await the brand’s womenswear capsule collection, a collaboration with designer Vanessa Seward. It features a Liberty print short jumpsuit, a perfect French trench, plus other timeless must-have items that women can seamlessly integrate into their wardrobes to wear and enjoy for years.
“I’ve admired Bonpoint since the ’90s, when I would buy their teen clothes for myself, mixing them with couture pieces,” Seward says. Adds Bonpoint CEO Pierre-André Cauche, “We share a common vision of luxury and craftsmanship. Vanessa’s approach had allowed for subtle connections between the worlds of women and children.” Not to mention a new iteration of the Bonpoint philosophy: “Getting dressed is like being reborn.”
66 Newtown Lane, East Hampton; us.bonpoint.com
PURE PICKS
Geoff Schneiderman, CEO of Eleventy North America, shares his personal and business favorites.
“Music sets the mood, and I have a playlist to create happiness on all occasions.The sound quality and design details of Master & Dynamic are unmatched.” MW75 Active noise-canceling wireless headphones, $600, masterdynamic.com
“Eleventy Runners— perfect for dashing to meetings instead of the trails.” Shoes SS24, $895, eleventymilano.com
“All of these items are ‘must-haves’ for my busy, travel-filled professional life and my wellness and relaxationfocused personal time.”
“I never leave home without my OP sunglasses always neatly tucked inside my jacket’s chest pocket.” Fairmont Sun, $427, oliverpeoples.com
“My most important item, as I keep all my stuff with me on the go.”
Backpack FW21, $3,495, eleventymilano.com
“For off-duty days of relaxation and fun with my family, these quick-drying lightweight swim trunks are stylish and comfortable.”
Swimsuit SS24,
Swimsuit SS24, $295, eleventymilano.com
Pinarello bike is my mental and escape from it me with the hills
F Record WRL,
“My Pinarello is my mental therapy and physical escape from stress; it connects me nature while riding through the of the Hudson Valley.” Dogma Super Record WRL, $16,000, pinarello.com
EDITOR’S PICKS
Cristina Cuomo shares her favorites for a relaxed yet put-together season.
“My favorite hand-shaped surfboard, good for turning and long-boarding.” Pinner, mencelsurfboards.com
“Backgammon on the beach? What could be more fun!
Created by local Southamptonite Gwendolyn McGee, this is the best hostess gift of the summer for everyone in the family.”
The Southampton beach board, gmcgee.shop
Loving my sunsets and dress from the new DOEN in Sag Harbor.
“These aquamarine moonstone collections are hand-carved in the shape of baroque pearls, and pay homage to the 1970s surf culture.” Large moondrop huggie hoops, rennajewels.com
“Chemicals be gone with top dry cleaner Meurice’s clean service, now available in Southampton.”meurice.nyc
“‘Tudo azul,’ or everything is cool, as my Brazilian mother says. Here are some cool summer favorites to keep you in check.”
“These are the most ladylike shoes that are somehow supersexy (think Sex and the City).” Hangisi blue satin jewel buckle pumps, manoloblahnik.com
“When I introduced my fellow surfing moms Cynthia Rowley and Coralie Charriol to each other last summer, they immediately co-created this cool, water-resistant, 36-MM Navigator Surf watch with rubber diver strap, adorned with Rowley’s signature florals.” 36mm Swiss-made Navigator Surf watch, charriol.com and cynthiarowley.com
HARMONIC CONVERGENCE
In his annual Portraits series, guitar god G.E. Smith welcomes multitalented, Grammy-nominated musician Valerie June and more to Guild Hall. BY RAY ROGERS
RAY ROGERS: I can’t wait to hear you two play together. Have you worked together before?
G.E. SMITH: Twice. We did a little thing in East Hampton for Rolling Stone, and then we did a show in New York City together. I’ve gotten to play with a lot of people, but Valerie June is absolutely unique in what she does. It’s so joyful and free the way that she plays and sings.
RR: I feel that, too, when I listen to you, Valerie VALERIE JUNE: Well, thank you. Anytime I get to play with G.E. is a high time. I always learn something new. The last time we were together we did “Last Kind Words Blues,” which is a Geeshie Wiley song which I had loved for many years but I hadn’t sat down to play it.
GS: One of the things that I love about Val is that there was a song that over the years that I really love. It was done by a woman named Karen Dalton who was around in the Village in the early days with Bob Dylan in the early ’60s. In fact, one time I asked Bob if there was anybody who should have got famous back then that didn’t? He said ‘Oh yeah, Karen Dalton. She was better than anybody.’ Anyway, there’s this song called “Katie Cruel,” and I said to Valerie, ‘Have you ever heard this song?’ She goes, ‘Oh yeah, I do it.’ She already knows the song! Not
a lot of people know that song. It’s fairly obscure and she does it—and she does it great.
RR: In your Portraits series, G.E., you bring a fascinating mix of talent out East that people here might not already know of. What was the impetus for this summer’s lineup?
GS: Portraits was my wife, Taylor Barton’s idea. We’re doing two this summer. The one with Valerie June, which is on August 15. Also on that bill is Lola Kirke, a singer we’ve known since she was a little kid because her father is Simon Kirke, the great drummer whom I often play with. Before that, we’re doing another Portraits on July 18 with Yola, another wonderful artist.
RR: Valerie, you’ve collaborated with so many diverse talents and covered all kinds of genres. Your Mazzy Star cover of “Fade Into You,” for one, is sublime. What excites you about playing the Portraits series with G.E.?
VJ: Meeting G.E. and listening to him play the guitar, that was the instant moment where I was like, OK, guitar god, I have to play some shows with you. And when he invited me to join him in New York City I was like, absolutely, I’m doing it. Anytime I get a chance to play with someone I can learn so much from on the guitar and just watch his fingers, I’m a student, I’m in awe. There’s so many beautiful
ways that he plays and styles. He knows all the people that I’ve been a student of for so many years in the blues tradition and the Delta tradition. And so walking in with someone who knows all of the elders that I worship from the beginning and I don’t even have to explain why I like Skip James, Mississippi John Hurt, Elizabeth Cotten or Karen Dalton. He knows them already. It was like, OK, yeah. Let’s do it. Let’s try that. Let’s cover this. It’s a really wonderful kind of place for me to be able to play some of the music that I adore with someone who already knows how to get down on it and get the feel of the songs. Right now, I’m learning “Smokestack Lightning,” which is a Hubert Sumlin song, but also Howlin’ Wolf did it. There’s a certain feel to the song that you need to get in order to really play it, and he gets those feelings. You could play it all day long but if you don’t get the feel, you’re not going to play it right.
RR: Will you do a mix of your own songs and other covers at the Portraits show? What can we expect to hear?
VJ: Oh yeah. Absolutely. I did a song called “Big Dream” by a woman named Alice Randall. She’s a songwriter but she doesn’t really perform her own stuff. Lola also sang it. Since I do my own version of “Big Dream” and Lola has her own version, I think it would be really cool for us to create a version together of Alice’s song.
GS: That would be amazing. Is Alice around now?
VJ: She just put out a record called My Black Country and she has a bunch of young Black country singers covering her songs. She wrote a book, out right now, that’s also called My Black Country
RR: Valerie, you’re such a purist in every way, from the soulful music you make to your workshops and teachings. How does your yoga and mindfulness teaching factor into your art, if it does?
VJ: I’m on the road 200 days a year, traveling and sharing art and music with the world. I stay balanced in all of that by connecting with spirit and keeping my mind and body in a space of connecting with the Earth, and seeing others in myself. I do that through breath work and doing yoga. Yoga means union, and union is the oneness not just with each human, but oneness with the planet. I find that my spirit practice is my music practice because when I go outside and I’m doing my yoga practice, I’m listening to the birds, I’m listening to whatever is happening—the water, the wind, the trees. That’s where I get the songs. I don’t think I would have one without the other. There’s
music all around us all day.
GS: It’s all music.
RR: I love this question that’s featured on your website: Can creativity heal the world?
VJ: I think it can. Everything we see that’s man-made was somebody’s idea. They dreamed it up. They got creative. Even the bad stuff. Even the good stuff. So, why can’t we use our imaginations and our creativity to dream up some beautiful stuff?
It’s simple to me. I’m like, OK, how did we come up with chocolate chip cookies? Well, somebody dreamed it up and now we get to enjoy them. I don’t know why it can’t be that way for all the things that we find complicated, too. Getting creative.
RR: You are also an author. This journal that you created, Light Beams: A Workbook for Being Your Badass Self, made me curious what you had in your life that helped you as a road map for being your own badass self?
VJ: The list goes on and on! At the end of the book, I’ve listed like a hundred people who have influenced me, from Toni Morrison to Octavia Butler. I’m just a sponge for amazing people of the arts. I read everything I can get my hands on, and I listen to all kinds of amazing music. I just think, What’s good from this? We are constantly facing challenges, and we’re constantly having to ask, What can I do to balance this today?
GS: Val, I love your optimism. It’s wonderful that even in these strange times that we live in, you can maintain that optimistic outlook. That is great. Because it is true. There is good stuff always.
RR: Does where you’re living and creating also affect the kind of music you make, or the creativity that comes out?
GS: Well, yeah. I love it here in the Hamptons. I first came here in 1979 and I got a house in 1981, so I’ve been here for a long time. I’ve been fortunate to travel to a lot of places in the world, but this is pretty special. It just makes me feel good to be here. When I feel good, I play good.
VJ: I feel the same. I need a nice balance between the energy of the city in Brooklyn and being able to play with other musicians, and being in the country in Tennessee and getting to see the great blue heron come to the pond and hang out for the morning when I’m having my tea, and I have to move quietly or he’ll fly away. Then at nighttime, the frogs come on and they’re a symphony of voices.
G. E. Smith’s Portraits series will take place at Guild Hall on July 18 with Yola and August 15 with Valerie June and Lola Kirke; guildhall.org.
SUMMERDOCS SOAR
HamptonsFilm brings a fresh slate of compelling documentaries.
BY REGINA WEINREICHPicture panoramic views of Malaysia as a backdrop for a tutu-like, red skirt-clad balletic Russian in a flying leap, held aloft by a buff partner on the tiniest of precipices—a 118-story construction site, a needle in the air. No, this is not CGI, but a live daring performance captured in the documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, to be screened at SummerDocs, in its 16th edition, on July 5. For attending filmmakers Jeff Zimbalist and Maria Bukhonina, “It’s a career high to be selected for such a curated lineup,” Zimbalist says. “We look forward to the audience response.”
The elite doc series, a cornerstone of HamptonsFilm programming, founded by Artistic Director David Nugent and Chairman Emeritus Alec Baldwin, has since its inception showcased crowd-pleasing, feature-length nonfiction films that have gone on to Oscar nominations and wins (think Navalny). With its international focus, outstanding cinematography and core romance, expect Skywalkers to be an awards contender.
Also prize-worthy is War Game (directed by Jesse Moss and Tony Gerber), grounded in the January 6, 2021, insurrection, screening on July 20. The genre-defying hypothetical exploration features players in the drama we all witnessed, now strategizing in a fantasy/nightmare of a civil war. Set in their “situation room,” key figures such as Lt. Col. (ret.) Alexander Vindman appear. Think of this U.S. Army officer and whistleblower in a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode.
At Sundance, where the film premiered, Moss said during a Q&A, “We were able to assemble this extraordinary crew of 80 people for one day in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2023, and exhume the
ghosts of January 6, 2021. We were in the same hotel where the insurrectionists themselves stayed, and we were reclaiming it, I think, for democracy.”
Among those in the room are former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, senior adviser to the president. “We have a Congress that is deeply divided,” said Heitkamp. “We need to hold them responsible. If there are no political consequences for gaslighting January 6, then it’s going to be repeated. It’s time that movies like this spark conversation.” Expect Alec Baldwin to reprise his SNL impersonation.
Another Sundance hit, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, tackles the question: What makes a hero? At a career highpoint, and married to Dana for a mere three years, Reeve was permanently paralyzed from the neck down in a horseback riding accident. In the difficulty of adjusting to his horrific new reality, Reeve became an inspirational activist for the disabled. After his death in 2004 at age 52 and Dana’s soon after, to lung cancer, their children have carried on the work of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
The filmmakers rose to a creative challenge, asking: “How do you avoid the tropes and pitfalls of the classic ‘biopic’—linear, cradle-to-grave storytelling? How do you create a film that feels fresh and urgent for a contemporary audience? We always felt this approach would elevate the film, delivering a core theme of what it is to be a hero, heightening the emotion.” Following the screening on August 14, Christopher’s son Will Reeve will join Nugent and Baldwin onstage at Guild Hall; expect cheers and tears. hamptonsfilmfest.org
CLASSIC COMBO
A new Mark Cross for AERIN collection ups the ante for summer style. BY
Eagle-eyed movie buffs familiar with Hitchcock’s riveting Rear Window will recall the arm candy toted by Grace Kelly as Lisa, James Stewart’s ultrachic fashion-editor partner-incrime-busting: a timeless Mark Cross number somewhere between a handbag and luggage. Now, picture lovely Lisa as a latter-day Hamptons habitue, motoring between her garden, her favorite charity horticulture event and the country club: What would her bag(s) be today?
Still Mark Cross, the venerable brand founded in 1845, which has collaborated with AERIN to produce a quartet of accessories hand-crafted in Italy of natural canvas and vachetta calfskin, designed to age over time as it acquires a chocolate-brown patina.
“I have always been inspired by Mark Cross and the brand’s American heritage sensibility,” says Aerin Lauder, founder and creative director of AERIN. “Now, I am honored to be a part of the brand’s relaunch. Our capsule collection is perfectly stylish and feminine, yet sporty and timeless.”
Look for a rectangular “magazine tote,” glorious garden satchel (complete with tools!) and sleek canvas pouch that converts from crossbody to handbag. As for the fourth item? A tennis racquet cover, an apt symbol for a fashionable grand slam—the happy result of one very stylish love match. aerin.com; markcross.com
JULIA SZABOSTRIKING DESIGN. POWERFUL ENGINE. EVERY CONVENIENCE. THE 2025 BMW X5 IS READY FOR YOUR ADVENTURE.
Wherever you’re headed, the 2025 BMW X5 will get you there in style. Peak comfort, dreamy sanctuary colors, standard smart safety features and available hands-free driving, the BMW X5 models stay ahead of the curve so you can stay present in the moment.
There are no limits to confidence when you’re driving a BMW X5. Enjoy the precision of Dynamic Damper Control, standard on all models, or your choice of Adaptive M Suspension or 2-Axle Air Suspension, available on select models.
This is the Ultimate Driving Machine.®
Test drive your BMW at BMW of Southampton, where you can expect us to exceed your expectations.
V I B R A N T
THRILL OF THE GRILL
Summer barbecues, done right.
Here’s how to ensure a healthy, tasty time.
BY DR. STACIE STEPHENSON
Could you be spending more time outside? I think most of us would answer yes. There are significant health benefits to outdoor time, from the vitamin D boost you get from being in the sun, to the mental health benefits of walking through a forest or along a beach, to the physical boost from outdoor activities like hiking, biking and gardening.
There’s no time like July to get out more often. We’re in prime outdoor season. Fresh summer produce is peaking right now, so why not combine all the perks of summer by cooking and eating your meals outside? You know what they say: If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen. That’s exactly what I plan to do this summer—grill more food outdoors.
Typical grilled foods may not exactly meet your health goals, but cooking over a fire, hot and fast, can be a delicious and healthful way to prepare meals. Here are some of my favorite tips, and a few recipes, for taking your summer grilling to the next level.
Grill Veggies
Grilling is often associated with steaks, burgers and brats, but it’s also great for cooking vegetables. Try threading colorful veggie chunks (with or without cubes of salmon, tuna, chicken or lean beef) on water-soaked wooden skewers for fun shish kebabs, or throw big chunks or slices of olive oil-brushed onions, peppers and eggplant right onto the grill grate. Tender and smoky, grilled veggies taste so good that you might just eat more of them.
If you want to chop your veggies or grill smaller veggies like cherry tomatoes and mushrooms, mesh grilling baskets allow you to cook without losing your dinner through the grate. You can also wrap up tasty mixtures like onions, mushrooms and pepper strips with seasonings and a drizzle of olive oil in foil packets for no-mess grilling.
Burger Options
For the health-conscious burger lovers in your family (perhaps including you), veggie burgers are always an option; I like to grill big, saucer-shaped portobello mushrooms, brushed with oil and sprinkled with salt and seasonings, to enjoy in place of a greasy burger.
Whatever the burger you choose, try wrapping it in a big lettuce leaf, cabbage leaf or lightly steamed collard greens, to cut back on unnecessary carbs. (I’ll save my carb allowance for a big bowl of mixed berries with a dollop of vanilla yogurt, thank you very much!)
Try Grilling Seafood and Game Meats
For less fat and more flavor, I enjoy a freshly grilled salmon fillet or other meaty fish, or a shrimp kebab, along with a side of grilled veggies. Or try bison or elk steaks instead of
conventional beef—these meats have a better balance of healthful fats.
Here are two of my favorite recipes for meat lovers: grilled bison rib-eye and bison sliders with avocado aioli in lettuce wraps, instead of boring hamburger buns.
Grilled Bison Rib-Eye
Note: You could also use a grass-fed beef strip steak, if you prefer a lower-fat cut of beef. Serves 4 to 8
2 tablespoons avocado or grapeseed oil
4 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon tamari
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 10-ounce bison rib-eyes
“We’re in prime outdoor season right now. Fresh summer produce is peaking, so why not combine all the perks of summer by cooking and eating your meals outside?”
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms (white or baby bella)
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and sliced into rings
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 In a large shallow pan that will fit all four steaks, whisk together the avocado or grapeseed oil, garlic powder, tamari, salt and pepper. Add the steaks and flip to coat.
Cover and set aside to marinate on the counter until the steaks come to room temperature, about 30 minutes to an hour.
2 Preheat the grill on high until it reaches 400 degrees with the lid on.
3 Pile the mushrooms and onions on each of 4 large squares of foil. Drizzle with olive oil and season with more salt, pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika. Wrap up the foil packets and place them on the grill, to the side.
4 Put the steaks on the center of the grill and cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side (depending on thickness) for medium. Remove the steaks from the heat and put them on a plate. Cover and let them rest for 10 minutes.
5 While the steak is resting, check on the grilled veggies. They should be soft and aromatic. If they still look underdone, raise the heat and cook for a few more minutes.
6 Serve the steaks topped with the mushrooms and onions, or serve the veggies on the side.
Bison Sliders With Avocado Aioli in Lettuce Wraps
If you don’t want to buy steaks for a big group, or kids are present, add these sliders to the grill—a serving is two per person, or one each for little kids.
Serves 8 to 16
2 pounds ground bison
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Avocado Aioli:
2 avocados, mashed
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon cilantro, minced
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
For the Wraps:
16 large leaves from 1 or 2 heads of Boston lettuce 2 or 3 Roma tomatoes, sliced (for a total of 16 slices)
Optional: Burger condiments of choice (ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, etc.)
1 In a large bowl, add the ground bison, garlic, garlic powder, sea salt, onion powder, pepper and paprika. Mix with clean hands until fully combined, then set aside to come to room temperature, about 20 to 30 minutes.
2 Make the Avocado Aioli: In a small bowl, mix together the avocados, garlic, cilantro, salt and pepper. Cover and put it in the refrigerator.
3 Preheat the grill on high until it reaches 400 degrees with the lid on.
4 Form 16 small patties from the ground meat mixture. Put the patties on the grill and cook for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until desired doneness.
5 Arrange the lettuce leaves on a platter and put a slider on each leaf. Top with a tomato slice, avocado aioli and/ or any preferred condiments.
Natural Options for Repelling Bugs
If it’s one thing that keeps people indoors during the summer, it’s bugs. When sitting outside to enjoy your grilled veggies, bug-repellent candles and torches made with natural botanicals can help. Sometimes, though, you will need to put something on your skin.
Like me, you may not love the idea of coating your skin in toxic DEET-based sprays. I prefer natural options. Many companies are coming out with nontoxic insect repellents that use natural botanicals to keep bugs at bay. You may also find that essential oils do the trick.
Try lemon eucalyptus oil, citronella oil, patchouli or vanilla extract. Neem oil is another natural botanical with insect-repelling properties. Apply frequently, or according to package directions. Different formulas seem to work better for different people, so you may need to try a few options before you find your perfect formula. drstaciestephenson.com
FOOD IS MEDICINE
Consider making your own DIY lilac popsicles at home for a refreshing summer treat. Lilac is shown to reduce inflammation, protect the skin, boost the immune system and lower stress and anxiety levels.
WHOLE BODY HEALTH
Entrepreneur, mother of three and Kroma Wellness founder Lisa Odenweller speaks with Cristina Cuomo about feeding the physical body, mind and spirit.
CRISTINA CUOMO: You are such an inspiration to so many women. You figured out something pretty simple, that all health begins in the gut. So, what are we feeding ourselves?
Kroma Wellness is a wildly successful brand that you launched a few years ago with a group of dynamic women who invested in you—people like Gwyneth Paltrow and Amy Schumer. You’re really optimizing health. You’re making it easy for us so we can have the dynamic lives that we want to live. You have a demanding career and life. What is it that’s fueling you?
LISA ODENWELLER: What’s fueling me most (besides Kroma) is gratitude. Having gratitude has helped me focus on all the gifts in my life versus all the things that have not gone my way, which I think is powerful. It’s what allows one person to see a situation as an opportunity or to be a victim. I have chosen to see each moment, good or bad, as an opportunity for me to learn, grow and overcome.
CC: Tell us about the philosophy behind Kroma.
LO: While I was studying at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in 2010, I learned that nearly 80 percent of our health is in our own control—and yet we are too quick to take a pill. The goal of Kroma is to take the complexity out of making healthy choices by creating nutrientdense products that are incredibly nourishing and delicious but also require little to no effort. I think that’s key—the simplicity part.
We launched in July 2021 with 18 Daily Essentials and our 5-Day Reset, which does exactly as it sounds—it gets you back on track, back in your body and helps you feel good (again). What I love about our
Reset is that it focuses on nourishment—not starvation like so many other programs out there—which allows you to show up fully in life so that you feel fueled and optimized. The program has 10 nutrient-dense meals and beverages every day and is completely customizable to fit your lifestyle. It really is transformative, and people are constantly amazed at how elevated, energized and optimized they feel. The intention and outcome of our 5-Day Reset is very different to the current cleanse and detox culture. One of the things that was really important to me in creating the Reset was helping women understand that we don’t have to starve ourselves to look and feel good in our bodies. It truly is about making changes to habits and behavior that are easy and sustainable. Every food and beverage on the Reset is available as part of our Daily Essentials collection, which allows you to continue incorporating all the foods, beverages and supplements that you loved on the program into your everyday life.
As Bobbi Brown once shared with me, Kroma has “reinvented eating.” We just introduced five new products, including the first-ever gluten-free bone broth Ramen (with 15 grams of protein, collagen, coconut milk, turmeric and reishi), a Fasting Matcha loaded with superfoods that keeps you in your fast, a Super Granola with only 4 g of sugar, and two new Plant-Based Proteins with 20 g of protein, digestive enzymes and other incredible superfoods. We will always continue to innovate as we help support and simplify your life with nutritious foods and beverages. Later this month, we are launching our Kroma Protein Bundle. kromawellness.com
The Kroma Protein Bundle: Easy, Effortless, Essential
Research shows that 30 to 40 percent of Americans fail to meet their daily protein needs, leading to detrimental health outcomes such as bone and muscle loss, weakened immune function, and challenges in weight management. Because of how challenging it can be to consume enough daily protein, Kroma is introducing the first-ever High Protein Bundle, which delivers more than 52 grams of protein daily within a combination of four of the brand’s top-selling products. The bundle features the Beauty Matcha Latte (with 12 g of collagen protein, turmeric, ginger and medicinal mushrooms), Super Porridge, 24K Chicken Bone Broth and the new Vanilla Cinnamon Plant-Based Protein Powder.
SIPPING THE SUBLIME
Rested in rare Japanese oak casks, exceptionally crafted Casa Dragones Reposado offers a new tequila experience.
The female-founded premier tequila brand Casa Dragones has released its fourth masterpiece: Casa Dragones Reposado Mizunara, the first tequila aged in mizunara, an oak native to Japan that is traditionally used for aging Japanese whiskies. Japanese oak—characterized by its twisting trunks—is much rarer than its European and American counterparts. The tree can grow up to 200 years before it is harvested and handcrafted into the highest-quality casks in Japan. Casa Dragones Reposado delivers subtle notes of magnolia and orange blossom on the nose, with hints of butterscotch and oak on the palate, and a long, warm finish of coffee bean and mellow spice.
“Innovation is what we like to do best, to
explore the possibilities within the tequila category,” says Casa Dragones cofounder and CEO Bertha González Nieves, the first female Maestra Tequilera certified by the Academia Mexicana de Catadores de Tequila. “We’re thrilled to continue our journey of taste with Casa Dragones Reposado Mizunara. Tequila lovers will be excited to experience something completely different.”
A tequila house committed to sustainable production, Casa Dragones has been recognized by the Tequila Regulatory Council as having the most eco-friendly method of production in the industry. Its process requires less energy than other methods, and also produces far less waste. To your health! casadragones.com
MEXICAN FLAIR
Topping Rose House brings sizzling flavors to Bridgehampton, including south-of-the-border food, Latin dancing and an ultraglam makeover by the Riviera Maya’s luxe Rosewood Mayakoba. BY
ABBY TEGNELIAAfter the Topping Rose House boutique hotel welcomed an eye-popping 500 people (at any given time, that is) to last year’s Mexican takeover weekend, the team expanded the festivities this year. The 22-room-and-suite Bridgehampton hot spot brings the tropical Riviera Maya—with help from its partner hotel Rosewood Mayakoba—to the Hamptons all summer long, including food, workout classes and a special weekend that’s not to be missed.
Like any good party, the Topping Rose House’s “Summer of Mexico” begins with the food, starting with star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
“We went to Jean-Georges and said we wanted a pop-up restaurant over the course of the summer,” says Topping Rose House general manager Joseph Montag.
“He suggested we open up an ABC Cocina. It opened June 22, the first full day of summer, in our poolside studio. It’s a full-service restaurant and our biggest offering of the summer.”
The menu—available weekends until September—is a delectable mix of Mexican favorites, including tacos that range from a mushroom vegetarian option to sour cherry mole pork and shaved beef with avocado. There are also lighter options such as fluke crudo and yellowfin tartare with avocado, and three types of margaritas.
The hotel’s Mexican ambience is not only an integral part of Topping
Rose House’s summer fitness classes, but the workouts serve as a gateway for nonguests of the hotel—signing up for a $55 session (free for hotel guests) that includes an allday pass to the spa, pool and ABC Cocina. The fun classes (all levels are welcome) run throughout the summer, and could be described as dance lessons that use an impressive lineup of props to sculpt long, lean muscles—all to the rhythms of sultry Latin music. These FitiZen classes are the brainchild of dancer Valeria Talve, whose passion is sharing her Mexican culture via her innovative workouts.
“By combining dance, toning and sculpting with Latininspired music, FitiZen not only strengthens the body but also uplifts the spirit,” Talve says. “The workout is designed to improve not just physical strength and flexibility, but also mental clarity and overall well-being.”
The Topping Rose House will lean on its partnership with Rosewood Mayakoba for its Mexican takeover July 13 and 14. “They’re going to activate the entire property like their property in Riviera Maya, Mexico,” Montag says. “They have a lively DJ and cocktails—people really loved the drinks they made last year. The Rosewood Mayakoba is the most beautiful hotel I’ve ever been to, so this weekend will be really well done.” toppingrosehouse.com
LEAD WITH LOVE
Chef Marcus Samuelsson cooks up delicious conversation this summer at Guild Hall.
INTERVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATHRINE WHITE
CATHRINE WHITE: What are you excited to talk about with Florence Fabricant for the “Stirring the Pot” series at Guild Hall? And what do you enjoy most about being out in the Hamptons in summer when you’re here?
MARCUS SAMUELSSON: I’m excited to catch up with Florence to talk about my food life in NYC that started in the mid-’90s. I’ve read her articles and followed her career for years; she’s an extremely important voice in our industry. I love Sag Harbor for the downtime it gifts me with my family. We get to take a break from the fast-paced city, enjoy the beach, teach the kids to swim and recharge as a unit.
CW: With the constantly evolving food trends, how do you stay innovative, relevant and, more importantly, authentic in such a competitive industry?
MS: I’m slow to understand or follow trends. I create my best food when I have a story to tell, similar to the story of my restaurants Aquavit, Red Rooster, Hav & Mar, and Metropolis. Each place has a narrative developed around a community of vendors, staff and guests who come together over food. It’s important for me to honor the history of these spaces, and to also create a new dialogue for the future.
CW: Collaboration is often key in the culinary world. Which partnerships have impacted your life?
MS: Early in my career as a chef, I was able to meet my mentors, Ms. Leah Chase and Charlie Trotter. Both were very meaningful to my development. Leah helped me connect food with civil rights, and Charlie gave me structure and an appreciation of American fine dining. I’m also thankful for collaborations with Gavin Kaysen, enjoy everything Daniel Boulud has taught me, and love being able to work with and center women/emerging chefs of color like Adrienne Cheatham and Fariyal Abdullahi.
CW: Congratulations on the opening of your two newest restaurants in Manhattan, Metropolis and Hav & Mar. Can you share some insights into the creative process behind designing new menus or dishes?
MS: The pandemic delayed the launch of Hav & Mar; as a restaurateur, you have to be prepared for the unexpected. I have always loved Chelsea for its art and creativity, so the vision was a long time coming. Opening Hav & Mar offered me the opportunity to partner with my friends, curator Thelma Golden and multidisciplinary artist Derrick Adams. It also gave me the chance to connect my dual worlds; Hav is Swedish for sea, and Mar is a double play on Italian mare, or Aramaic for honey. With this restaurant, I’ve been able to go back to my roots and engage with artists, while also taking pride in focusing on female leadership in hospitality.
The Perelman Performing Arts Center is a great project under the vision and stewardship of Mike Bloomberg and Ron Perelman. Opening Metropolis at PAC has been a huge honor. With interiors designed by David Rockwell, it’s a place where theater meets art, with delicious food inspired by New York City.
CW: Sustainability and sourcing locally are increasingly important. How do you incorporate these principles into your restaurant’s operations and menus?
MS: At Hav & Mar, we use honey harvested from rooftop bees, and partner with Queens-based farm Afterlife Mushrooms. Sustainability and supporting local vendors isn’t something new for us; it’s been an integral part of the mission of all of our restaurants.
CW: As a person of color, did you experience bias in the industry when you started out?
MS: As a Black person with a certain level of privilege in society, racism doesn’t have a ZIP code; it’s not something you can hide from. I’ve been fortunate enough to be given the tools, in the form of family, friends and mentors, who have helped guide me through hard moments and offered me the chance to build a legacy that supports people of color through our work with C-CAP [Careers through Culinary Arts Program], Red Rooster, and Hav & Mar.
CW: Looking at your career from where you are today, what would you say has been the greatest wisdom gained?
MS: Being able to be in business despite challenges like 9/11 and the pandemic has been a humbling experience. I arrived in New York City as an immigrant without any knowledge of the industry. Having the opportunity to learn, adjust and share my best practices with customers who support us and staff that has been loyal to our success is the greatest part of working in the hospitality industry.
CW: What has becoming a father taught you?
MS: It has given me a sense of purpose I didn’t have previously. My life is now filled with a lot of love, responsibility and guidance I get to share and impart to my little ones. I’m able to think about tomorrow and positive possibilities for the future in a very real way as a father viewing the world through the lens of a child.
Samuelsson will appear at the Stirring the Pot series at Guild Hall on August 25 from 11AM-12:30PM. Other participants this year include Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park on July 28, Giada De Laurentiis on August 4, and Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald of Levain Bakery on August 18. guildhall.org
PURE PICKS
Co-founder and creative director of wellness empire Juice Press, Erica Karsch, shares her favorites from the brand. PORTRAIT BY DIANA FRANK
“The ultimate grab-and-go snack pack. It’s hard to pick favorites, but this is exactly what I would bring to the beach.” Assorted snacks, prices vary, juicepress.com
“Low in sugar and packed with 65 nutrients, this is a delicious way to get all your veggies. With only 60 calories and 6 grams of sugar, this green blend gives you a boost any time of day.” Energizing Greens, $10.50, juicepress.com
“At Juice Press, we’re on a mission to help people eat, feel and live better through access to fresh and nutritious food. We are committed to nourishing our community with pure ingredients that promote vitality and inspire a culture and mindset of wellness.”
“This is more than an ordinary juice. It’s also my favorite mixer for summer. Paired with tequila, it makes the most exceptional cocktail that rivals any margarita.” Spicy Citrus, $10.50, juicepress.com
“You think you’ve had gazpacho until you tried one from Juicepress. Our gazpacho was inspired by an old family recipe and is refreshing, light and perfect for a meal on the go. Available in a 32-ounce takehome container or a 16-ounce bottle.” Gazpacho, $15.49, juicepress.com
“Beauty in a bottle creates beauty from within. Drinking this superfood-packed blend is a powerful form of self-care. Hydrating and fueling yourself with nourishing ingredients is essential for glowing skin. Game On is a better-for-you, lemonflavored hydration beverage.The best out there to replenish yourself or your kids on a hot day and/or while exercising.”
Beauty and Game On, from $5.50, juicepress.com
“I loved doing this collaboration with Dr. Lara Devgan. Our 4ever Young smoothie might not stop time, but it does support hair, skin and nail health. Its ingredients include plantbased collagen, flax fiber, pitaya, cauliflower, strawberry and mango (low sugar and calories).” 4ever Young Smoothie, $11, juicepress.com
Whimsy MotownMagic
Liveperformance byThATMotownBand
25 Jobs Lane Cocktail+ dance Party Saturday, June29 6-9PM
In-kindSPONSORs: Groovy 60's Attire
V She’s Got It
All-time tennis great—with seven Grand Slam single titles, five Wimbledon championships and four Olympic gold medals to her name—Venus Williams is also a pro in the marketplace, having transformed her challenges with autoimmune illness into a thriving plantbased protein company, Happy Viking, and an inspirational guide to self-empowerment, Strive, out this September, a followup to her first motivational book, the New York Times bestseller Come to Win. Cristina Cuomo talks with Williams about her wellness journey, resilience, optimizing nutrition and cultivating the mindset of a winner. •
CRISTINA CUOMO: What a beautiful self-help book you wrote—laying out the program by which we can all Strive to do better for ourselves. And it starts with each of us creating good, positive habits. But the road wasn’t always easy. As your sister says in Chapter 3, you always remain calm under pressure. How did you learn how to perform when you are not feeling your best?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I stay focused on my goals—not on the pressure or what I’m up against. We always go through ups and downs in life, but whenever I’ve gone through a challenge, I’ve always come out stronger on the other side and more sure of myself. So, I look at those moments of pressure as a gift. Those are the moments that you prepare and work so hard to feel and experience. It’s important to also want to be calm in those moments of pressure, and take into account what you want in your life, how you want to react in those pressure situations.
CC: What did you learn about how to get the most of yourself during those times?
VW: We learn the most about ourselves when we go through challenges. I’ve been lucky to have a strong support system throughout my life, but you also need to have inner self-confidence to keep you grounded in those difficult moments and remind yourself that you are strong enough to persevere through it. It’s normal to have doubts, but doubts come from a place of fear. And fear is a mindset that you can teach yourself to overcome.
CC: Tell me about Sjögren’s syndrome, and how you address this autoimmune issue every day. How did that change your diet, your daily rituals?
VW: I was diagnosed in 2011 after dealing with symptoms for a few years, and it worsened to the point where I had to step away from tennis. It was a very difficult time, but it forced me to really take the opportunity to figure out what works best for my system. I learned so much about nutrition, and how it affects your body and health, and ended up going plant-based, which helped mitigate the symptoms I’d been experiencing from Sjögren’s syndrome. I discovered there were so many other benefits to going plant-based too—my energy increased, my skin was glowing, and my performance both on and off the court was better. It was a big lifestyle change, but one that was necessary to get myself back at the top of my game. When you do have limitations that are imposed on you, it’s not always easy to look at it from a standpoint of empowerment, but I empower myself. Every day I
empower myself to know what is best for my body and what I can accomplish, and I am grateful for that.
CC: Why did you write Strive?
VW: I want to help others live their best life. As an athlete, I know the importance of discipline and perseverance when it comes to achieving your goals, and through the years I’ve learned so much about wellness, performance and healthy living. This book combines all of that to help show others how they can apply simple tips to their routine to help them strive for greatness. But, perhaps most importantly, it’s about having fun, because being disciplined doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself. My goal with this book is to help others get to a healthy and happy place where they find their inner strength to make healthy choices and take care of themselves.
CC: Tell me about the “shortcut” that has guided you.
VW: To always tell the truth, especially with the ones closest to you, and to live your life with integrity.
CC: For so many, consistency and commitment can be hard. What do you find the hardest of the eight steps in your book, and what hacks do you apply to make it work?
VW: Making healthy food choices can be difficult and be a roadblock for most people. For me, I know I have a sweet tooth. Finding something sweet is a must for me, so I know I have to look for healthy replacements, whether that is a fruit-based snack or an amazing smoothie. It’s all about striking a balance in your choices.
CC: I hear you’re a secret chemist. Tell me how you developed the plant-based, superfood pre- and probiotic powder formula, Happy Viking.
VW: Thank you! Happy Viking was actually inspired from my challenges with Sjögren’s syndrome and my switch to a plant-based diet. I started experimenting with making healthy plant-based shakes and smoothies over the years that would help fuel—and refuel—me, and that’s where Happy Viking was born from. We worked with nutritionists to create shakes that are not only the perfect balance between body and mind, but also taste amazing. It made such a difference for me, and I wanted to give other people the opportunity to be healthy, to feel their best, to be able to chase their dreams. I wholeheartedly believe that the better fuel we drink and eat, the better we perform and feel.
She fought for equal prize money for men and women tennis players, becoming the first woman to benefit from the ruling with her 2007 Wimbledon victory.
DIAMOND MATCH PAVE LINK
LARGE DROPS IN 20K PEACH GOLD, DIAMOND MATCH PAVE DOME
SMALL STUDS IN 20K PEACH GOLD, DIAMOND MATCH PAVE DOME
SMALL RING IN 20K PEACH GOLD, DIAMOND MATCH LINK LARGE
BRACELET IN 20K PEACH GOLD, ALL FROM REINSTEIN ROSS.
CC: What diet do you practice and why?
VW: I’m mostly plant-based and vegan. I am human, though, and of course have cheat days. I have a huge sweet tooth, and I’ve never met a french fry that wasn’t vegan, but I’ve maintained the plant-based lifestyle since I was diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome years ago, because I’ve seen so many benefits. I feel my best, both physically and mentally, when I’m eating clean and fueling my body with mostly plant-based food.
CC: What is a mantra you live by?
VW: Bet on yourself every time. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does. Even if everything is stacked against you, focus on yourself, your goals and the steps you can take to accomplish them. Be your own
The future is promising, as more people recognize the value and potential of female athletes, and collaboration and support from both male and female athletes is key to bringing about change. I think the recent attention around the WNBA in particular is a great indication that we’re heading in the right direction, but it’s up to all of us to keep pushing the envelope to achieve true equality.
CC: You have had some great mentors and write in Strive about the importance of surrounding yourself with people who make you beam with light. What is the advice you would give your younger self on what to look for in a friend or mentor?
VW: Having friends or mentors who are constantly encouraging you and support you throughout the highs and the lows. It is key to find real, true people who truly
“As an athlete, I know the importance of discipline and perseverance when it comes to achieving your goals. My goal with this book is to help others get to a healthy and happy place where they find their inner strength to make healthy choices.”
biggest advocate. Because if you don’t believe in yourself, why would anyone else?
CC: Life made easy—you keep it simple and keep learning on your wellness path. What’s new that you’ve been applying to your life recently?
VW: Finding more balance and the time for self-care. It is definitely worth the pursuit. I love my work and the businesses I am involved in, but I also know I need to make room for “me time,” and that it is just as important.
CC: Throughout the years, you’ve spearheaded the conversation around the need for equal pay for female athletes and how far we still need to go. Where do you see it heading and what still needs to be done?
VW: We’ve come so far, and yet we still have so far to go— the fact that it’s still a conversation in 2024 means there is work to be done. Despite the progress we’ve seen, there are still significant disparities in pay and support for female athletes compared to their male counterparts. Ensuring equal pay isn’t just about salary; it’s about equitable opportunities, resources and visibility for female athletes.
want to see you shine and you can go to seek advice from, whether that be in business, health and wellness, or any facet of life.
CC: As someone who loves aesthetics and has her own interior design firm V Starr and artificial intelligencebased interior design service Palazzo, how does interior design impact one’s well-being?
VW: Interior design plays a huge role in shaping your own environment to support well-being and promote a happier, healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle. The design of a space can significantly affect our emotions and mood; a wellorganized, aesthetically pleasing space can reduce stress and promote relaxation, and good design can also boost productivity. One of the reasons I love interior design is because it’s a way to express yourself—your personality, your creativity, your life experiences and your unique perspective on the world—and it should be a space that is fitted to your needs.
Strive is on sale September 10; harpercollins.com; drinkhappyviking.com; vstarr.com; palazzo.ai
DIAMOND MATCH PAVE DOME
LARGE RING IN 20K PEACH GOLD, DIAMOND MATCH PAVE DOME
LARGE STUDS IN 20K PEACH GOLD, DIAMOND MATCH PAVE DOME
SMALL STUDS IN 20K PEACH GOLD, ALL FROM REINSTEIN ROSS.
The bestselling author’s credentials include an associate degree in fashion design and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.
Maestro Schnabel
Artist and auteur Julian Schnabel prepares for a homecoming of sorts at Guild Hall, with works throughout his groundbreaking career, paired with a retrospective of his films at Sag Harbor Cinema. Here, he talks to Cristina Cuomo about riding the waves of creativity.
JJulian Schnabel’s curiosity and ability to capture the essence of humanity through art can be seen throughout his life’s work. He created a new language in making art in the ’70s and ’80s with varied, unconventional surfaces and is one of the biggest influences on a new generation of artists today. His films are pure art—a sensory pleasure to watch—and they celebrate other creative visionaries who have inspired him. He’s hard at work on a film set in Rome about Italian poet Dante Alighieri, author of the great The Divine Comedy; here, he’s joined by his interior decorator wife and collaborator Louise, portrayed on the previous page, and their 2-year-old Esmé.
Schnabel was the first interview I ever conducted at the age of 20 as an aspiring editor. I watched a man at work on the grounds of Andy Warhol’s Montauk estate, where he was living, who saw beauty in everything, who fell in love with the things that inspired him. Thirty years later, for this story, I spoke with him from Rome, where he was getting ready to return to the Hamptons to be lauded in art and film here at Guild Hall and Sag Harbor Cinema with retrospectives in August. At age 72, he is as ignited by a life of introspection as ever.
Cristina Cuomo: Congratulations on everything that’s going on. This is the summer of Schnabel, with the retrospective at the Sag Harbor Cinema and the big Guild Hall show.
Julian Schnabel: It’s funny, the summer of Schnabel sounds freaky. It sounds like the summer of Sam…
CC: Did you pick a certain period, or did you just go through the whole life portfolio?
JS: For the Guild Hall show, I selected paintings that are in our house in New York City. I live with certain paintings and I thought one criteria for making the show could just be to take the paintings that we live with and put them in Guild Hall. What people will see are paintings that we see everyday, that I made. Obviously, I live with other people’s paintings, too, but since it’s a show of my work, it will be from different periods—the earliest are probably from 1978, until the latest paintings, which were probably some of the rose paintings that I made a couple of summers ago. So, basically paintings from 1978 until 2023.
CC: Is there a period of your work that you connect with the most?
JS: No. I think it has to do with separate paintings from all different periods and different groups of works that I like. But obviously there are a lot of different paintings that I made, and different groups of paintings. We’re all prisoners of our own subjectivity, and I have ones that have been close to me. I don’t live with all of them. A lot of them are in different places, but I can’t get a hold of them all the
time to show them. Guild Hall is not very big. The selections seem to be appropriate in scale, reflective of something that will fit in that building.
CC: Was it hard to curate a small space?
JS: It depends on what you want to show. All the shows are different. If you go to my website, julianschnabel. com, you can look at the different exhibitions and see the differences between them, like the one in Málaga a couple of years ago, or the one at the San Francisco Museum of Fine Arts, the Legion of Honor with works outside that were 24 feet by 24 feet, tied to the columns in the courtyard. There are different shows where the architecture lends itself to [a certain kind of work], and then I’ll make something for that space. But I thought this was nice because it had a feeling of home in it.
CC: What is it like when you hear you created a new language for artists through your choice of materials?
JS: I feel pretty good about that. I mean, I can’t be responsible for everything that they do, but I think that it’s a good feeling to know that there are possibilities in painting, and if people lean toward the divine light, they might get hit by it. What can I say, it feels good when somebody says that.
Did you see the show that’s at my son Vito’s gallery now? Bruno Bischofberger curated an exhibition of paintings of mine from 1978 to 1987, 10 paintings. And he
did that with Vito, without me. There are also paintings I made for Peter Beard at Vito’s other gallery on Clarkson Street.
So, the two of them conceived this together, and I just walked in and saw it when it was done. There are a bunch of quotes that Bruno selected from John Richardson, Max Hollein, and Rudi Fuchs. And that kind of addresses what you said about me opening up a way of looking at the world or a way of painting that maybe didn’t exist before.
CC: Are the works on view the plate paintings?
JS: They’re not just plate paintings. There’s a kabuki
about how things fit into the film. I’ve got a lot of music in my head. I hear it all the time from all different periods and all different kinds of music. In fact, there’s a Julian Schnabel playlist on Spotify. There are about 50 songs on there from things by Ryuichi Sakamoto to Martha Reeves and the Vandellas to the Beach Boys to “Bell Bottom Blues” by Eric Clapton.
CC: You have a big family. How old is the youngest one now?
JS: I have seven kids. My oldest is Lola, who’s 43. She’s a really good artist. The youngest is 2 and a half. Her name is Esmé, like in “For Esmé—with Love and Squalor,” the
“It’s a good feeling to know that there are possibilities in painting, and if people lean toward the divine light they might get hit by it.”
painting in that show. There are paintings on army tarps. There are paintings on wax. Also there are some plate paintings—the first one, “The Patients and the Doctors,” is in the show, along with another made in 1986 called “Australia.” I think it’s 11 feet by 17 feet.
CC: So many different forms. You’re ridiculously prolific. The architecture, the furniture, the filmmaking. How do you keep up that steady stream of inspiration and creativity? What inspires you?
JS: You have to do something every day, don’t you? I mean you either make something or you don’t.
CC: Most people don’t have gifts of creativity like that, on that level, though.
JS: A lot of things happen and people inspire me. Just looking at things. It’s funny. What kind of bird do you have there? You have some kind of bird that’s speaking to you while we’re doing this. Does it speak English, too?
CC: Yeah, the birds are singing today. It’s not sunny here, so they’re all hovering.
JS: Wow, it sounds like they’re right in the room with you. OK, so there’s a song by Leonard Cohen called “Anthem” that goes, “The birds they sang at the break of day. Start again I heard them say. Don’t dwell on what has passed away or what is yet to be.” It’s a beautiful song. Anyway…
CC: Are you still making music?
JS: You know Benjamin Clementine made the soundtrack, composed the music for our film In the Hand of Dante, and [my daughter] Lola introduced me to him about 10 years ago, and I worked on the music with him. He’s the composer. I just make a couple of suggestions or think
short story by J.D. Salinger.
CC: Oh yes. Always inspiring.
JS: There’s a sculpture I made with her name written on it out in Montauk.
CC: Tell me about the film you’re making right now.
JS: It’s going really, really well. The movie is incredible. I mean, I’m saying that about my own movie, but I’m very happy with the film.
CC: What’s it about?
JS: It’s about a lot of things. I think you’re just going to have to see it to find out what it’s about, because I don’t know if I could tell you and not be lying to you.
CC: I’ve seen all your films, and I love them. They’re truly art in motion. Art, light, sound, all of it. They’re beautiful.
JS: Oscar Isaac plays the main role and he is Nick Tosches and he’s also Dante Alighieri. And in my mind I guess Nick Tosches wrote a novel called In the Hand of Dante He didn’t say that he was Dante, but I can say that if I want. So, basically, it takes place in the 21st century and in the 14th century. I made a sweatshirt and the back of it says “There’s only the eternal present.”
CC: What a great idea. Only you could create that.
JS: There’s a great cast. Gal Gadot is also in the movie.
CC: Are you going to be out here this summer?
JS: Well, I have to install the show. I’ll be home around the 25th of July. I’ll be done with the color and the final print of the movie on the 3rd of July. I’m going to be here in Rome until the 22nd, and then we go to Sweden. I’ll be at Louise’s family’s house in the country, and just stay for a while.
CC: That painting “Louise,” I assume that’s your wife?
Schnabel, an avid surfer at Ditch Plains in Montauk, is seen here surfing at Pipeline in 2004.
JS: Louise Kugelberg is my wife. She edited At Eternity’s Gate, the movie I made with Willem Dafoe about Van Gogh. She edited the film, but she’s not an editor. She is an interior designer. You can see some of her handiwork in Architectural Digest She did Stacey Bendet’s house. Not only that, she designed my exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in San Francisco a few years ago, the show that I had at the Aros Museum in Denmark, and the show at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. She built the walls, which they left when they put the Van Gogh and Gauguin paintings back. It’s great to work with Louise. She’s brilliant, she’s got eyes in the back of her head. It’s amazing to be able to depend on somebody and work with them, because it could get pretty crazy thinking and working alone all the time. I’m very lucky.
CC: That makes perfect sense. You’re creating. Collaborating.
JS: It’s super cool and Esmé, our daughter, is really funny. Then I have a son named Shooter who’s 10 years old. He’s a really good skater. Olmo just got married the other day.
CC: Congratulations
JS: He directed a movie called Pet Shop Days that you’ll see. He’s a born director. And Cy, his twin brother, has a gallery in my old studio in San Sebastián [Spain]. He puts on exhibits and writes about art. He’s an excellent writer.
CC: You lived in San Sebastián? That place is beautiful.
JS: (My ex-wife) Olatz is from San Sebastián. Her family is from there. Cy has a gallery in my old studio and it’s very beautiful. It’s Villa Magdalena; you can read the text that he writes and the shows that he puts on. He just curated
an exhibition for the Pace Gallery in Seoul from people that he shows. One guy is from Bulgaria, another is from Paris, and another is from California, transplanted in Berlin. Interesting stuff. Good stuff.
CC: Nothing but creativity in your seed.
JS: Everybody’s got their own rhythm, and certainly Vito is doing great. We all have different qualities. There’s a lot of give and take, and sometimes we all butt heads, but whatever. We’re all alive and they could be totally uninterested in art, but that’s not the case. That’s really, really good.
CC: I’m happy your family is thriving, and inspiring each other. That’s really what it’s all about.
JS: Health is a good thing. My wife is very healthy. She eats correctly, and I guess I’ve made an effort to think more about what I’m putting in my body over the years.
CC: We all want to feel good as we walk that path.
JS: I think surfing and painting is kind of like an antigravity machine. I see other people who are 72 years old, and they look old. Or people who are 50 or 60, and they look like they could be my parents. I feel pretty good. I guess I don’t have all gray hair, so that’s good. I have some gray, but I guess maybe I behave like a child so I don’t seem that old.
Julian Schnabel exhibit at Guild Hall, August 4October 27; Conversation with Julian Schnabel at Guild Hall, August 3 at 6PM; guildhall.org. A retrospective of Schnabel’s films will run at Sag Harbor Cinema beginning in August, dates to be announced; sagharborcinema.org.
The Life Aquatic
Sports legend Diana Nyad comes to East Hampton Library’s 20th annual Authors Night. BY RAY ROGERS
Beyond her awe-inspiring metronomic stroke and fierce athleticism, it is Diana Nyad’s ironclad will and dogged tenacity that led her to achieve her dream of conquering a shark- and jellyfish-infested 110-mile stretch of open seas from Havana, Cuba, to Key West, Florida, on her fifth attempt, at the age of 64. Her unstoppable resolve has inspired people of all ages the world over.
The subject of last year’s Netflix biopic Nyad, starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, she’s been telling her
own story for decades. Her first memoir, Other Shores, written at age 30, came out in 1978. A reprint of 2015’s Find a Way, completed at age 65, is out now. It charts her journey in compelling and charming detail, with remarkable candor and wit. She’ll be at this year’s Authors Night on August 10 at Herrick Park in East Hampton to greet readers and sign copies. Nyad took time out from a global speaking tour to talk with Purist in advance of her engagement at Authors Night.
Ray Rogers: Since you are participating in Authors Night in East Hampton, let’s begin by talking about writing and the power of storytelling—having a voice and finding and owning that voice. What was that process like for you when you first began to write, and how has it evolved when you came to write Find a Way and then your play, The Swimmer?
Diana Nyad: For me, writing intertwines with the spoken word. I’m a writer who writes with a speaking voice. People often tell me, “I can hear you.” Does that make it better? You probably wouldn’t want to hear Faulkner— you really want to read Faulkner. But for me it begins with the spoken word, and that started very young, before age 10. I was always writing essays and articles and also speaking them—getting onstage and speaking sort of off the cuff. The writing has that kind of oral history voice. I really enjoyed reading the audiobook, by the way. A lot of people don’t read their own books, especially nonfiction writers. They get actors who have terrific accents and voices and project it. I did very much enjoy doing it. There’s a lot of singing. There’s even whistling, which is frankly my biggest talent.
If you go all the way back in the history of man and womankind, the very first art we made and stories we told were in caves—just chiseling away the animals and the children in our lives on the walls of caves and sitting around the proverbial campfire telling stories. There’s always the best storyteller. I don’t care whether you go into a tribal village or whether you’re in the city of London, every family, every classroom—we know who the best dancer is very quickly. We know who the best singer is. We know who the best athlete is. And very quickly you know who the best storyteller is. All my life I’ve been asked to speak at friends’ funerals and weddings and birthdays because I can tell a story. I’ve been doing this all my life, and now with the Netflix movie out, I’m going all around the world again, happy to stand up and hopefully entertain and inspire people. But it’s all about storytelling for me. I’m not a lecturer. I don’t stand with a whiteboard and say well, the five elements of success are this and this. I tell a story and take you with me. There are people who are memoirists— Jane Fonda is one—who have lived interesting, intricate, long lives and they write many memoirs, not just one. I wrote one at the age of 30, and now I look back with horror to think that I knew anything at the age of 30. There’s some storytelling, but I’m spouting off about the meaning of life and what we should all do and what makes a good life. I will never go back and open that book again. Truthfully, I finished this book at age 65, it was 2015, and now 10 years later, I’ll be 75 just after Authors Night. I feel very vital and energetic and fit and mentally ready to take
on the world. But let’s face it, you know more at 75 than you did at 30 and even at 65. I’m sure that I’ll talk to you when I’m 85 and say what an idiot—I thought at 75 I really knew what life was all about.
RR: What were you like as a child? You mentioned you were always a strong storyteller.
DN: Here’s a quick story. I was at my sixth grade graduation and we had a class speaker. I was sitting with my mom. I had my little black patent leather shoes—this is in Fort Lauderdale, Florida—and the principal came and he was urgent and he bent down next to me and said, “Diana, Jimmy Woodruff is vomiting violently in the bathroom. He can’t do it. He’s our class speaker. He can’t get off his knees. He’s retching.” And my mother looked at me in alarm like well, what are you supposed to do about it? He said, “Could you give us a few minutes. We don’t have a class speaker.” My mother yanked me over to the side and said, “Don’t you dare. You have not prepared anything. You’re going to make a fool of yourself. All the teachers, the coaches, the parents—they’re all here and they’re all going to remember what a fool you made of yourself.” I turned back to the principal and said, “What were you thinking—five minutes, seven minutes?” He said, “It doesn’t matter. If we could get you to say anything it’ll be OK.”
So, I stood up and looked around and said “OK. We’re 11. Let’s just say we’ve been doing our best. But if you look at all our grandparents’ ages combined, probably most of us are going to live another 70 to 80 years. Maybe we really haven’t been doing our best. What are we going to do? Are we going to dig down? Are we going to become doctors and help people? Are we going to learn foreign languages and travel the world and help the poor people? Are we going to be everything we can be? Because we can do better than we’ve done at age 11.” When we went home that night my mom said, “I will never stop you from speaking out loud and telling your stories again.”
RR: Stories are how we understand ourselves, our place in the world and the world around us.
DN: I’m sure that all these wonderful authors who attend this prestigious event feel like I do. Yes, I’m honored to come there as an author, especially since my book is a reprint this year because of the movie. But I’m coming as a reader as well. When I look down the list of whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, these are eminent people on the written page and thinkers. I just can’t wait to mix in with them and buy all their books and get home and spend the rest of my summer reading them.
RR: Are there any in particular you’re wanting to meet?
DN: Yeah, I want to read and meet Neil deGrasse Tyson. Since I’ve been a teenager I’ve been reading Cosmos Carl Sagan is a god to me. Nobody will ever replace
Nyad garnered national attention in 1975 when she swam around Manhattan in record time, and in 1979 when she
“I’ll never forget that enrapturing feeling of being 50 to 60 miles offshore, looking up you can see 2 billion stars on a clear night in summer in the Gulf Stream. So, there’s this feeling of traveling across the curvature of the Earth with your own steam.”
Carl Sagan. I’m just rereading Cosmos right now. Every sentence blows your mind, but he was a real philosopher and a poet. Nevertheless, Neil deGrasse Tyson has become the interpreter of space and the history of space and the future of space for we, the laymen. I just find him terribly imaginative. I’d also like to meet Maggie Haberman. I mean nobody boils down politics in this crazy era like Maggie Haberman.
RR: That’s what’s so great about this event: Authors and readers get to interact with each other.
DN: Honestly, I’m thrilled to be included. It’s a privilege. RR: I love that a big part of your book is celebrating this truly great friendship with Bonnie Stoll (her lifelong friend and coach, portrayed by Jodie Foster in the movie) and the teamwork and the spirit of that. Was that very intentional for that to be a big part of your storytelling— the power of friendship and teamwork?
DN: It’s just a real part of life, and it’s a real part of my life. A friend, to my mind and in my life, is equally important—if not more so—than blood family. I dedicated the book to my two best friends. Bonnie is highlighted in the movie because she was the head of the expedition in the modern day. But back in the ’70s, Candace Lyle Hogan,
who is my other best friend whom I’ve actually known longer than Bonnie, was then my head handler on the boat. She’s the only person who was on the boat all five times from 1978 up to 2013. So, I have these two best friends and I forget the exact expression, but if you’re lucky enough to have one good friend in this life, one lifelong friend who trusts you, whom you trust, whom you’re there for every single day, who is No. 1 in your life, then you have found true great fortune. Well, I have two, and I try to make that clear in the book. Candace—it’s taken a strong personality to withstand being completely left out of the movie. But that’s how movies are.
RR: It also takes tremendous courage in telling the more challenging and traumatic parts of our stories. I’m talking about the abuse that you suffered. I want to thank you for highlighting that, because it’s meaningful to so many people to hear that they’re not alone.
DN: Well, thank you. You know, I’m not quite sure how to go about it but the whole last year I’ve been mulling over how to start an archive. What should it be? Would it be a website? Would it be a YouTube channel? I don’t know. But I’d like to start an archive for survivors of sexual abuse, to provide a place for people to have their voice, to speak
out on video, to be anonymous or to name themselves. I do know that there is tremendous power in speaking out. It’s such a situation of shame and of silence as a young person to be abused by someone you love and admire, which is my case, and it’s the case of many. You start taking the power away from that person, and away from what happened to you when you speak the words and you make it more concrete. Of course, I wasn’t going to be shy and leave that out of the book. It’s part of my history. I wish it weren’t. and I’d like to say that oh, here I am almost 75 and that was a long, long time ago. It’s way in the rearview mirror. All that’s true, but the shame and the anger still will flare up every now and then. It never goes away. You never outlive it or outrun it. Speaking it out and writing it out is crucial to people who have gone through that trauma.
RR: There are some lighter parts of your story that I wanted to talk about. I’m such a music guy, so I especially love these details of singing Roy Orbison’s “Blue Bayou” 200 times to mark distance or time, or “Me and Bobby McGee”—what a fabulous detail. Is that something you still do?
DN: Oh, yeah. All the time. That’s how I get through any long workout. In swimming, you’ve got this metronome of a stroke. You’ve got a stroke that’s been keyed in all your life and once you get going, once you get in a rhythm you know how many strokes per minute, how many strokes for 15 minutes, how many strokes per hour. If press came on our boat, Bonnie would say to them, ”We’re going to do a 14-hour swim.” I do pause for little feedings, but not counting those, she would stop me and say, “Diana, what time is it?” I’d yell out it’s 1:22, because I’ve been counting and I know exactly what time it is without looking at a clock, and you vaguely know where the sun is. But I could know because I’m counting. And the songs, I’d measure them out, so I know how long Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee,” the entire song is, note for note, I know how long it takes and I know how long it’s going to take if I sing it a thousand times in a row.
If I’m out there swimming through two nights, those songs help me get through them in a big way. You’re not allowed to wear headphones in the sport. Part of the sport is the discipline of your mind as much as the discipline of your body. And Netflix, I could just kiss those people. They spent a fortune licensing those songs, because Roy Orbison, Simon & Garfunkel, and Neil Young, they cost a fortune, but Netflix knew they were important to me. When I first saw the movie, Annette Bening, if you remember, she’s in a pool, doing a long day and night swim, singing Simon & Garfunkel. After a couple of lines with her voice, they bleed in the Simon & Garfunkel: “Hello darkness, my
old friend.” I just wept. Those are the songs. That was the emotion that helped me through, especially the nights. RR: What was it like to see your story up on screen portrayed by such kick-ass actresses?
DN: It just doesn’t get any better, does it? Years ago when there was no Netflix yet, there was no money, I chose an executive producer named Andrew Lazar, in part because he was in love with my story and admiring of me as an “epic personality.” I’m using his words, not mine. And he’s in love with the ocean as well. He’s a big-time bigwave surfer. So, he and I were together and Bonnie, too, but we’d sit around saying of all the preeminent actresses today—and they’d have to be of a certain age—who would be best to play me? It was always Annette Bening. You could go to Meryl Streep and Charlize Theron and Sandra Bullock, fierce actresses. They could all do it, but it was always Annette Bening. And once Annette Bening signed, Jodie Foster signed 24 hours later. They had always wanted to work together. They had both followed the story in real time in the news and they were both intrigued by it, by the friendship, by the power of a woman doing this and two women doing this. So, it was magical to have them. It’s not a documentary, so it’s not going to be exactly the story, but what I had to concede is that it’s their movie. It’s that writer, those producers and those directors. It’s their movie, and they asked Annette Bening to play the script the way they wrote it. She’d be the first one to say that the character she played is not as likable, not as charismatic, as I am in real life. But I would go with that very quickly given that they were playing the movie, and the movie captured my friendship with Bonnie, and put on glorious display an unapologetic pursuit of a dream: “No matter what happens, don’t tell me I can’t do this. I don’t care what you think. I’m doing this.” And they captured all of that essence. Listen, they named the movie after my name. How often does that happen? So, believe me, I can let go of any little hurt feelings I had that I wasn’t as likable and friendly as I really am. And that I didn’t know my team, and I wasn’t kind of a visionary who poured the Kool-Aid that they all drank. I was that person in real life, and my teammates were kind of left out of that story except for John Bartlett, the navigator. That’s part of Hollywood, and as I say, It’s their movie. I’m good with all of that. They could joke that they usually make biopics about people who are dead because they’re not around to complain about what’s being done with their story. But believe me, I am so honored. I’m so proud of this movie. RR: It’s hugely inspirational. Has your life changed at all since the movie came out?
DN: No, I think I’m too grounded. My values have been set. My speaking career has fired back up again, but
“That’s a nice legacy to carry with you, to be tough and to never give up and inspire people.”
that’s a superficial thing. When the real swim happened in 2013, for five years I just flew around the world telling my story, getting up in front of audiences and hopefully inspiring them. Then it tapered down. I was still speaking up until COVID time, and then that became a virtual situation rather than with real-life audiences. But now with the movie, it has swollen back up again. I’m leaving for Barcelona tomorrow and after that, many different places. RR: There’s a part of The Swimmer where you’re talking about being in a state of crisis or semicrisis most of the time while you’re in the swim, but still being able to find moments of beauty and appreciating the majesty of the sea and being in awe of the blue jewel of this planet. That’s a great reminder for anyone going through anything in life: Don’t forget to take in the beauty surrounding you no matter what you’re going through. Is that something you’ve always been able to do?
DN: Yeah, I think so. I mean it’s a sport that’s very easy to get pulled into all the tough stuff. You don’t finish any marathon swim and say god, that was a great time. Wow, it was just sheer joy out there. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t moments of joy. I’ll never forget that enrapturing feeling of being 50 to 60 miles offshore, looking up you can see 2 billion stars literally on a clear night in summer in the Gulf Stream. So, there’s this feeling of traveling across the curvature of the Earth
with your own steam. You’ve worked that hard that you can actually travel. People are excited to be with you, traveling with you to do something no one’s ever done. All of that was enrapturing. I can’t speak for people who have the bad luck to be going through cancer. I can’t say come on, buck up. OK, you’ve got Stage 4 breast cancer, but can’t you just look up at the blue sky and appreciate planet Earth? I can’t say that to anybody who’s really dealing with dire, dire straits. I think for most of us, we know what heartache is and we know even what suffering is, and even though it’s part of the human condition, to also find gratitude and appreciation and see the beauty around us and look into our dog’s eyes and feel the love. I know I can always do that, but I’ve never been at war, and I’ve never been down with a terrible disability or disease. known as one of the better storytellers of our time as well.
A man just wrote to me, a pretty badass guy who ran all the way across America twice, finished many Ironman [races]. I think he’s done 14 or 16. But five years ago— he’s now 52—he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and he writes to me to say that he’s losing ground almost daily. Now he’s humiliated. He can’t unzip or zip his pants. His wife has to help him go to the bathroom. I mean, it’s tough. But he said to me, “You know what? I read your book and I saw your movie and I can’t be all I was going to be. I can’t be all I was, but I can be everything I can be. I want that to be enough. I want that to excite me that I have this disability, and I don’t want to focus on what I can’t do and what I will never do. I want to focus on what I can do and be everything I can, and not put a definition on well, it’s not very much. It’s a lot.”
So, I wrote him back, and we had a couple of back and forths. He’s writing a book and he’s a brave guy. Honestly, when people compare me to going to war or going through something like that, it’s nowhere like it. It’s a sport, and you choose to do it. I don’t like to ever pretend I’m in that category with people.
RR: What would you like your legacy to be?
DN: Let’s come full circle in our conversation. I think that there’s no doubt that I will be known as one of the better and tougher endurance athletes of our time. I loved that when I finished the swim, ESPN put a graphic up on their screen and ran it for about 48 hours that said the toughest athlete in the world today is a 64-year-old woman. So, that’s a nice legacy to carry with you, to be tough and to never give up and to inspire other people. But I’d like to be known as one of the better storytellers of our time as well. East Hampton Library’s 20th annual Authors Night takes place on Saturday, August 10, at 5PM at Herrick Park, East Hampton Village; authorsnight.org
The long, thin shape of the site brought to mind a transparent glass dune “meant to be walked through on the way to the sand
SPLENDOR IN THE GLASS
PRISTINE LINES AND PURE INTENTIONS RESULT IN A VISIONARY OCEANFRONT HOUSE IN SOUTHAMPTON.
BY DONNA BULSECO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TRIA GIOVANThe idea of a Glass Dune house awakens the imagination: Envision a transparent structure shimmering on the horizon of the ocean, light and clouds reflecting in it by day. At night, the moon and stars contribute to the effect of a home quietly existing in its natural place, as points of light and life in an earthbound constellation. That’s the effect of the Glass Dune house on the beach in Southampton
designed by Barnes Coy Architects. For over 30 years, the firm has created exceptional homes designed by principal Christopher Coy, who founded the company with business partner and childhood friend, the late Robert Barnes, in 1993. Here, Coy talks about the recent project, illuminating the firm’s modernist vision that has transformed so many Hamptons’ landscapes.
Donna Bulseco: What was the guiding principle behind this Glass Dune house?
Chris Coy: All of our work begins with taking inspiration and direction from the site. The “site” is not just land, or location, or types of soil; it also expresses how light moves across it and where the wind comes from. If we know where the light is and where it goes at certain times of the day, we can design to elevate the needs of each space, like morning light for kitchens and gyms. The same is true for wind: You can achieve shelter for the spaces that need it. From a deep understanding of the site, we gain a sense of what architectural response could work to bring out the best attributes.
At Glass Dune, the site is about the ocean, the aroma of salt in the air, the changing light and primarily, the view. The physical shape of the site is long and thin, parallel to the ocean, and as we sketched out forms in the studio, we realized the house could be thought of as another dune, a transparent glass dune, meant to be walked through on the way to the sand dunes and the ocean. We are very proud this house was honored with a 2023 AlA [Long Island Chapter] Award for Excellence in Residential Architecture.
A wide passage permits a clear view of the dunescape and the ocean. Interiors have a “uniformly organic and warm” look, says Coy, “so as not to interrupt the gorgeous views.” Photographer: Jason Schmidt Stylist: Michael Reynolds“Usually our palette is concrete, steel, wood and glass,” says Coy.
Another important consideration is the clients’ program, which includes both spatial requirements and a more emotional wish list for spaces that contribute to a sense of well-being, such as a place to read or to entertain outdoors or an area to meditate. At first, they may not know what those spaces should be, but as we spend time with them, we come to understand and formulate ideas about these tangible and intangible requirements.
DB: Describe the materials used to create the Glass Dune.
CC: Understanding the challenges of the salt sea air environment is the first step in thinking about material selection. After years of working here and in the Caribbean, we have developed a palette of materials resistant to these conditions. We want to use as few materials as possible, for both aesthetic and technical reasons: The fewer materials, the more serene and integrated the architecture.
For Glass Dune, we used concrete, both natural and white, steel in both the structure and the custom-built door and curtain wall system, teak for vertical louvers, large porcelain panels for floors and exterior terraces, ipe wood for upper terraces and American white oak for flooring.
Of course, a Glass Dune requires near-total transparency through the house. The glass is a special formulation that eliminates the green tint that can sometimes be visible in large glass panels. All of the glass and steel is also hurricane- and impact-rated, protecting the house from damage from the elements.
Our design process as a studio is collaborative, and so we enjoy extending this to our relationships with clients, whom we encourage to attend design meetings and to view material samples with us and the interior designer, Kelly Behun, whose preference for clean forms and intentional approach to color really strengthened the concept—her aesthetic is perfect for modern work.
In response, Kelly Behun said: “The lines of Chris’ architecture here are so elegantly pure and restrained, where nothing feels superfluous or ‘busy.’ I wanted the interiors to complement that in the best possible way. The colors were inspired by the natural surroundings and, with few exceptions, stick to a soft palette so as not to interrupt the gorgeous views. The textures and materials are uniformly organic and warm, with a mix of natural wood, pale limestone, earthy ceramics, linens and cottons. Given the home’s enviable perch between the ocean and a leafy view to a pond to the north, the vibe was luxury tree house meets yacht, but decidedly in a barefoot-chic kind of way.”
DB: How does the structure interact with the landscape around it?
CC: The house sits lightly on the landscape. Its linear form aligns with the sand dunes on the beach, making it less visually imposing than a traditional beach house. We designed a sort of upside-down program for this house; the primary bedrooms, kitchen, dining and living spaces are on the second floor to capture the best views and create a house where daily life is always in interaction with the environment. One of the most distinguishing features is the passage through the house, which permits a clear view of the dunescape and the ocean from the motor court. This encourages interaction with the pool terrace and beach, without having to pass through an interior space. The Glass Dune concept allows for transparency, an experience of light without harshness—and life among the dunes, alongside the ocean.
Learn more about the firm’s influential architecture at barnescoy.com and in Assembled in Light, the Barnes Coy Architects monograph by Alastair Gordon, published by Rizzoli.
“Lighting design is extremely important to architecture, as it not only illuminates, but also defines form with shadow,” says Coy. “Orsman Design shares with us a minimalist approach, so the lighting defines and complements the architecture and interior design.”
BARRE BLISS
Beloved Hamptons fitness boutique Elements finds a new home in Sag Harbor.
BY JENNA LEBOVITSTen years ago, the Hamptons was not a place professional dancer Andrea Fornarola knew well, having only visited on weekend trips with her husband and seeing clients from time to time. In 2014, during a spontaneous snowy visit to East Hampton, she stumbled upon the cedar-shingled building that would soon be home for Elements Fitness Studio. “It grew into an amazing community of clients, and a culture that was welcoming and supportive to all, which embodies everything I love about the studio life,” says Elements founder Fornarola. “We have clients that started with us over 10 years ago and are going on their 999th class, private clients that are going on their 700th sessions, and new ones visiting our studios every day.”
Fornarola, who has been dancing since she was 5 years old, holds a BFA from the University at Buffalo, and has performed in musical theater and concerts throughout the country. What first began as a “survival job”—teaching fitness while auditioning for dance roles in New York—quickly transformed into an obsession with the Lotte Berk Method and barre. “It embodies everything I love about dance; however, you don’t have to be a professional dancer to master these classes,” she says. Drawing on her 15 years of experience and professional background in dance, Fornarola designed her signature Barre/Toned class to omit some of the classic, old-school barre positions that are often too difficult, instead focusing on exercises that are engaging and straightforward—and deliver quick results.
Fornarola describes one of Elements’ most popular classes, Dance Cardio Sculpt, as “Jane Fonda aerobics meets Madonna choreography meets Jazz 1.” Participants are encouraged to have fun, keep their heart rate up and not worry about getting all the steps right. Each of the classes has been specially choreographed by Fornarola to feel like a dance— seamless and grounded—with emphasis on the in-between moments. “We focus on finding a mind-body connection and thanking our bodies for a job well done,” says
Fornarola. “One of my most popular phrases is ‘Be good to your body, because it’s good to you.’”
Cocreating a supportive space infused with good vibes is central to the studio’s mission. “This became very apparent when we were faced with the move from East Hampton to Sag Harbor, and our clients rallied. They welcomed the change, and really stood behind me and our staff of trainers as we transitioned,” says Fornarola. Elements’ dynamic, highenergy classes are an intentional blend of different modalities to create what Fornarola believes “is the foundation of functional training.” Its barre-dance-fitness fusion offerings are high-intensity, low-impact, and are for people of any age and experience level.
Elements’ classes are a high-intensity, low-impact fusion of dance, barre and fitness.
This summer, Elements is bringing its signature high-energy workout classes to Sag Harbor with a brand-new flagship location. The 2,000-square-foot studio—which will host year-round classes taught by the one-and-only Fornarola— features a sprawling lobby and retail area, two spacious studio rooms including a dedicated private training space, and an outdoor garden. “I love chatting with clients on the phone, catching up with them and hearing about their families—who’s having a baby, who’s getting married,” says Fornarola. “We are one big barre fitness family, and this is what has led to our success.”
11 Bridge St., Sag Harbor; elementsbarrefit.com
GET YOUR GOOD HEALTH ON AND JOIN US FOR OUR THIRD ANNUAL
FRIDAY, JULY 12
11AM–3PM
Southampton Arts Center under the lawn tent 25 Jobs Lane Southampton, NY
Learn from the best in wellness—from concierge integrative practitioners to Eastern and Western healing modalities, nutrition, clean beauty, sustainability and innovators in health—all curated for you under one tent, in one day.
Here’s a taste of who’s participating:
Biography Plant-Powered Skin Care
Cancer Culture
Post House Private Fitness
reactIVate Concierge IV Infusion
Ecotone Wellness Design + Build Firm
Boiron Homeopathic Remedies
Flyte Healing Art
Cocoon + Hive LIVBionic Activewear
Dr. Ruffin’s Facial Fitness Program and Bellantz Skin Care
Boxed Water Is Better
Tensui Water Perfection Systems
STANDWellness Center
Dr. Stacie Stephenson and GLOW And many more!
STAY STRONG
Lifted’s Menopause Bootcamp helps women get fit at any age.
BY JULIA SZABOIt requires more than muscle to lift weights; perhaps more important is the desire to get moving toward living one’s healthiest life. Women 50 and up who need motivation to take up strength training have terrific incentive: Lifting weights helps rebuild bone density lost during menopause and perimenopause.
Menopausal women now have a vibrant virtual community to cheer them on: Lifted Menopause Bootcamp, the concierge program launched in January that’s the brainchild of strength coach and Lifted Method founder Holly Rilinger and yogini Jennifer Ford. Menopause is top of mind for both women, because they’re in the middle of it right now.
“Think about our mothers, and our mothers’ mothers,” Rilinger says. “No one really thought about living a powerful life past 50. They knew a life change was coming, and they thought there was nothing they could do about it.” How things have improved: “We live in such an exciting time now, because science is telling us that there are many things we can do to live a healthy, strong life well into our 70s, 80s and 90s. It’s never too late—the ship has not sailed for any of us.”
Rilinger’s partner in life and business, Ford—Lifted’s yoga/stretching/mobility expert—was diagnosed with
osteopenia, a precursor to osteoporosis. After one year of strength training with Rilinger, her osteopenia is now gone, and she’s inspired to watch Menopause Bootcamp participants discover, as she did, their inner weightlifter: “It’s magical to see women in their 60s, from all over the world, pick up weights for the first time,” says Ford. Adds Rilinger, “Not only can you reverse osteopenia, you can prevent osteoporosis completely—that’s what we are looking to do for women.”
Other collaborators on the program have included Alloy Women’s Health and Mary Claire Haver, M.D., author of The New Menopause
What if, like this writer, you’re a stroke survivor who’s been warned not to lift heavy weights? “Get another opinion,” Rilinger says, “weigh the risk, then focus on what you can do, like walk on a treadmill with a weighted vest. I will find a way to make you stronger.”
While Menopause Bootcamp is completely virtual, Lifted will host a special in-person boot camp in July and Menopause Summit workshops throughout the season; check the website or Instagram for dates. On July 27 in East Hampton, The Swell will also host an event where Rilinger will be the leading expert on movement and strength.
65 Montauk Hwy., East Hampton; theliftedmethod.com
AT A GLANCE
Not-to-be-missed Hamptons summer events to add to your calendar.
BY AISLINN MACARTHURJULY 6
Bay Street Theater Summer Gala
Help support Sag Harbor’s Bay Street Theater at its 32nd annual gala, honoring Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka and Dr. Georgette Grier-Key. Enjoy food, cocktails, an auction and an incredible show in support of making the arts accessible to all. Center seating $2,500; side seating $1,750. Bay Street Theater, Sag Harbor; baystreet.org
JULY 12
Purist Health Fair
Experience the best in wellness at Purist ’s third annual health fair in the Hamptons from 11AM2PM—from top concierge practitioners of Eastern and Western modalities to clean beauty, sustainability and nutrition. Free and open to the public. 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton
JULY 13
South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center
Summer Gala
The beauty of the natural world is cause for celebration at the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center’s Summer Gala to benefit its environmental and educational programs and initiatives. Help support SOFO’s efforts to preserve our planet for
future generations. Tickets from $1,000. The South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center, Bridgehampton; sofo.org
Ellen Hermanson Foundation
Summer Gala
Enjoy an evening by the ocean in celebration of 22 years of the Ellen Hermanson Foundation. There will be drinks, dancing, dinner and an auction followed by a beach bonfire to support the foundation’s mission of ensuring access to breast
health care, as well as empowering people affected by cancer. Tickets $425 (under age 35) to $700. Bridgehampton Tennis & Surf Club; ellenhermanson.org
JULY 20
New York City Ballet: On and Off Stage
An evening of excerpts from the New York City Ballet’s world-renowned repertory, co-hosted by principal dancers Unity Phelan and Adrian DanchigWaring. Spend the night taking in a beautiful show, paired with an insightful narration. Tickets from $75. Guild Hall, East Hampton; guildhall.org
LongHouse Summer Benefit
LongHouse’s summer benefit celebrates the power of wonder and imagination in arts of all forms. Enjoy music, food and drinks with friends in the beautiful gardens, all while honoring two beloved artists, Kenny Scharf and Tony Bechara, along with their contributions to pop culture and Latin culture in the arts. From $175. LongHouse Reserve, East Hampton; longhouse.org
Hampton Artists For Haiti
7th Annual Benefit Bash
Show your support for Haiti in an evening of wine, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres accompanying a silent auction containing over 50 curated works. Don’t miss out on this night of fun for a great cause. Tickets $195 ($225 at the door). East Hampton Airport; wingsoverhaiti.net
AUGUST 10
East Hampton Library’s 20th Annual Authors Night
Treat yourself to a night of literature celebrating 100 authors across all genres including Audrey Flack, Tessa Bailey, Brian P. Stelter and more. A fixture of the Hamptons’ summer calendar, the “Premier Literary Event of the Hamptons” has grown over time to become one of the most successful celebrations of books and authors in America. Tickets $150 to $500. authorsnight.org
One Ocean Gala
Spend an evening under the stars at the Surfrider Foundation’s One Ocean Gala and celebrate 40 years of ocean protection. Held at The Crow’s Nest in Montauk, the event supports Surfrider’s tireless work to protect the ocean and beaches. Ticket prices vary. The Crow’s Nest, Montauk; e.givesmart.com
DePersia Licensed
m 516.380.0538 | gdp@corcoran.com
Almost Ocean on Daniels Lane
Sagaponack. Welcome to a Hamptons masterpiece, a brilliant collaboration by a renowned team of professionals including the architectural firm of Fleetwood, McMullen, masterful builders Men at Work, interior designer Mariette Himes Gomez, and landscape impresario Edmund D. Hollander. This Hamptons haven, just repositioned at a lower price, seamlessly blends timeless traditional design with modern elegance only moments to the beach. Nestled on a sprawling 1.38 acre+/- Sagaponack property, this turn-key residence, where the ocean is often heard and its breezes most definitely felt, spans more than 7,000 SF+/-, boasting 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. The exterior, a symphony of meticulous shingled design, features a heated Gunite pool, a 2-car garage connected by a porte-cochere and 2 gated entrances, offering an opulent coastal lifestyle. Enchanting features await within as a bright entry foyer leads to a light-filled interior adorned with 4 fireplaces, walls of French doors leading to the grounds, and a chef’s kitchen equipped with Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Miele appliances. Upstairs, the primary wing, a sanctuary of luxury, beckons with stone flooring, a gas fireplace, and a private reading nook. The marble-clad bathroom indulges in opulence with a freestanding soaking tub and terrace access. Three additional bedroom suites complete the second floor. Explore the recreational space in the finished lower level, housing a media room, game room, and a full bathroom for endless relaxation and entertainment. Step outside into the exquisite surroundings, where a custom 60’ heated Gunite pool becomes the centerpiece visible from the spacious outdoor living and dining areas. With north and south terraces, 2 gated entrances, a carport, and an outdoor shower, this residence promises a seamless blend of sophistication and coastal charm. And although perfect as is, Fleetwood McMullen is working on plans to capture outdoor space in order to permit a first-floor guest suite and an additional bedroom suite in the finished lower level so that the next owner can easily expand on this already sumptuous manse. Strategically located south of the highway on Sagaponack’s iconic Daniel’s Lane, this exceptional estate offers an idyllic retreat literally around the corner from pristine Peters Pond beach as well in close proximity to the villages of Bridgehampton, East Hamptons and red-hot Sag Harbor. Now is the time to preview this extraordinary offering to enjoy for Summer 2024 and all the seasons to come.
Co-Exclusive. $12.75M WEB# 908222
NUMEROLOGY
A by-the-numbers look at award-winning actress Kate Hudson, whose debut album, Glorious, is out now.
6
Hudson has six siblings and halfsiblings. Coming from a family of Hollywood stars, she was not the only sibling to gain fame through acting:Two of her brothers, Oliver and Wyatt, have had successful acting careers themselves.
29
Hudson is the mother of three children—two boys and one girl: Ryder, Bingham and Rani.All three children have first names or middle names that are inspired by a grandparents’ name. 3
“Do you know what a blessing it is to make movies that make people happy?”
Eleven years ago, in 2013, Hudson launched her workout and leisure brand, Fabletics. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle has always been important to Hudson, and she co-founded the brand to support other women seeking more active lifestyles.
2
Hudson has authored two lifestyle books: Pretty Happy: Healthy Ways to Love Your Body and Pretty Fun: Creating and Celebrating a Lifetime of Tradition
1
On May 17, Hudson released her first album, Glorious, which she also co-wrote.The album includes previously released singles “Gonna Find Out,” “Talk About Love” and “Live Forever.”
19
At 19 years old, Hudson landed her starring role as Penny Lane in Almost Famous This role earned her a Golden Globe in 2001 for Best Supporting Actress.