Hampton Habitués

Here we are, almost at the end of another summer. We made it! The big question is, what’s next?  

Clothes Horses

Boy were there ever some big blowouts this year. One such event this past month was the Polo Hamptons bash at Maria, Kenneth and Bradley Fishel’s house in Bridgehampton. The pre-polo event brought out some bold-faced names, including Christie Brinkley and also the Dolce & Gabbana 1970s-themed popup van, featuring the Carretto Collection collaboration between the fashion house and the philanthropy-minded Ms. Fishel. The highly decorative and colorful line channels the mood of the late 1960s and early ‘70s. 

Party All the Time

Miley Cyrus made a surprise appearance out East when she headlined a mermaid-themed birthday party for the daughter of crypto billionaire cowboy, Mike Novogratz. Singing her hits, including “Party in the USA” and “Wrecking Ball,” the pop star wowed the Amagansett crowd with her rendition of the Prince-written hit “Nothing Compares 2 U,” made famous by singer Sinéad O’Connor.

Spinning Out

Cheers to best-selling author Laurie Gelman, who recently released her newest effort, “Yoga Pant Nation.” The third book in the Class Mom series has protagonist Jen Dixon once again dealing with all the absurdities of modern life, all the while trying to maintain control of a temperamental PTA fundraising committee, the “Hindenburg of bake sales” and countless other natural and unnatural disasters, including modern parenting and overzealous spin class fans. 

Gelman, who has also written “Class Mom” and “You’ve Been Volunteered” celebrated the book at a private party in Water Mill last month. Attendees included Katie Couric, Kelly Ripa, Ali Wentworth, Mark Consuelos, Bethenny Frankel, Finola Hughes, Tamron Hall and Michael Gelman. 

So Fetch

Hats off to Georgina Bloomberg, a fierce advocate for animals. The professional equestrian co-hosted this year’s Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation beach party fundraiser, So Fetch, and has also been the honorary chairperson for the group’s annual Unconditional Love Gala. 

The Hampton Classic Board member and U.S. Equestrian Team trustee is also the founder of the philanthropic Riders Closet, vice president of Animal Aid USA and a founding member of the Humane Generation / Friends of Finn committee to end the inhumane treatment of dogs in puppy mills.

Jumping for Joy

Huge props to other well-known Classic competitors — Kent Farrington, McClain Ward, Laura Kraut, Jessica Springsteen and alternate Lucy Deslauriers, who are all fresh off the Tokyo Olympics. Representing the United States as members of the American Show Jumping Team, they took home the silver medal for their efforts this year.

Ward, Farrington and Kraut are returning Olympians. A two-time gold medal winner, Ward is the winningest Grand Prix competitor at the Classic, having won seven times. Farrington has won twice, and Deslaueriers nearly took the title in 2019 but was edged out by her father, Mario, in a final showstopping jump off. 

Bad Trip

Applause please to Alexandra Daddario, who had a heck of a terrible honeymoon on “The White Lotus” but came out a hands-down winner in the star-studded HBO series, in our opinion. 

The frequent Hamptons visitor — who shared the screen with a star-studded ensemble, including Connie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge, Jake Lacy, Murray Bartlett, Steve Zahn and Molly Shannon — positively radiated as the doomed new wife, Rachel, in the six-part series, created, written and directed by Mike White. 

Coming Attractions

We absolutely cannot wait to watch House of Gucci, which will be in theaters this coming November, if all goes according to plan. Starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver — both familiar to East Enders for time spent out here — plus Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons, Jack Huston, and with Salma Hayek and Al Pacino. 

Based on the 2001 book, “The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed,” the movie focuses on the inner workings of the fashionable family. Spanning three decades, and filmed in Italy, it’s based on a true and truly shocking story of how and why the former Gucci fashion house head’s wife had him assassinated. Get out the popcorn!