Labor Day weekend marked the unofficial end of summer. To help relive a season's worth of warm-weather moments, we’ve rounded up some of the best events, activations, and benefits that happened in New York’s party playground.
Billabong teamed up with John Frieda for the “A Bikini Kinda Life” event, where the surf brand unveiled its 2017 collection. The fun-in-the-sun festivities on August 13 and 14 included a styling suite and braid bar at the Surf Lodge in Montauk, along with an evening party.
On August 27, VH1 Save the Music held its third annual Hamptons Live benefit. The event raised more than $1 million toward the foundation’s work bolstering music education in public schools across the country. Guests joined co-chairs and hosts Julie and Billy Macklowe at their home for the event, which was presented by Bai Beverages. Girl group Fifth Harmony performed and DJ Cassidy spun tunes.
On the second day, Billabong pro surfers gave lessons to media and influencers. In between surfing, guests lounged on private day beds and sipped beverages from Corkcicle canteens and tumblers at Gurney’s in Montauk.
During the month of July, Revolve Clothing hosted events for celebrities and influencers at a Watermill estate. On July 23, the e-commerce site celebrated the finale of its summer party series with Nicole Richie and her House of Harlow 1960 collection. The Instagram-worthy home featured comfy seating areas, cabanas, lawn games, and photo booths.
On July 22, Revolve helped launch Moet & Chandon’s new Ice Imperial Rosé at the Watermill home. Hosted by style star Olivia Palermo, guests enjoyed the rosé while wandering through the Moet Secret Rosé Garden. Decor included a greenery-fronted DJ booth with social media handles and hashtags spelled out in Scrabble-style tiles.
The Watermill Center’s 23rd annual benefit and dinner, held on July 30, featured a number of interactive art installations, including a Christopher Knowles project, dubbed "House." It was composed of four birdhouses placed throughout the woods; each had a peephole that offered guests a peek at paintings by the artist.
On September 3, Housing Works and Brian Kelly from travel site the Points Guy hosted Labor of Love: the Hamptons, a benefit to support Housing Works’ efforts to end the AIDS epidemic in New York. Held at a private East Hampton estate, guests enjoyed passed bites and specialty cocktails from Wölffer Estate, Ketel One, and Don Julio, while Dita Von Teese entertained the crowd with a burlesque performance. Attendees were asked to bring gently used designer clothing, accessories, and decor donations; at the end of the night, one donor won two business-class tickets to Los Angeles or San Francisco on JetBlue Mint.
Founded and produced by Olivia Ormos and Michael Malone, Model Volleyball expanded from Miami to the Hamptons this summer, where top modeling agencies and professional volleyball players competed in a coed beach volleyball tournament. Held at a private residence on August 6, the event featured a viewing area for guests as well as a tanning oasis courtesy of Wildfox Sun. The tournament benefited the Jack Brewer Foundation, which provides resources and opportunities to underserved populations through sports.
At a private estate in Sagaponack on May 28, Hamptons magazine celebrated its 38th season and its Memorial Day issue featuring actress and entrepreneur Drew Barrymore. The event coincided with the inaugural release of Barrymore Rose of Pinot Noir; Lawrence Scott Events paired the wines with its culinary creations.
Wellthily partnered with Gurney's Montauk Resort for its second annual season-long Summer of Wellth series, featuring workouts, speakers, and brand activations. For example, Lifeway Foods offered a kefir bar with its signature smoothies, and several beauty brands provided mini facials and more. New York studios and trainers, including the Bari Studio, Cyc Fitness, and Y7 Studio, led fitness classes, while speakers such as Lifeway Foods C.E.O. Julie Smolyansky and Hamptons magazine's Debra Halpert explored different lifestyle topics.
