Bradford Rand, Ramona Singer, Candace Bushnell and Todd English (Photo Credit: Society Allure / Rob Rich)

As detailed in our earlier feature, “Horsepower, Haute Couture and the Hamptons: RAND Luxury’s Concours d’Elegance Delivers a $100 Million Playground of Prestige,” Executive Producer Bradford Rand and the RAND Luxury team transformed the private Bridgehampton estate of Kenneth and Maria Fishel into one of the East End’s most coveted summer destinations. More than $100 million in collector automobiles, luxury brands, philanthropy and high-profile guests came together to celebrate the event’s milestone 20th anniversary.

Beyond the extraordinary automobiles, the afternoon unfolded as one of the Hamptons’ signature social gatherings, where celebrity presenters, fashion, wellness and luxury experiences shared equal billing with the concours itself.

Todd English, Ramona Singer, Bradford Rand (Photo Credit: BFA / Kevin Czopek)

Adding star power to the celebration, Candace Bushnell presented the Sexiest Car Award, celebrity chef Todd Englishhanded out the English Award, and television personality Ramona Singer presented the Forever Fabulous Award, honoring some of the afternoon’s most admired collector automobiles. Michael Patrizio of MAST Capital, the concours’ title sponsor, presented the prestigious Diamond Award, while also showcasing the company’s luxury developments, Cipriani Residences Miami and The Perigon Miami.

This year’s event also introduced a fresh dimension. Co-producer Morgan Shara debuted a thoughtfully curated Morning of Wellness, blending fashion, beauty and skincare into the charity brunch. The addition brought an elevated lifestyle component to the already glamorous automotive showcase, creating an experience that appealed as much to luxury enthusiasts as devoted collectors.

Candace Bushnell, Maria Fishel (Photo Credit: BFA / Kevin Czopek)

2026 Award Winners

Sexiest Car Award – Dr. Sam Rizk, 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista Spider

English Award – James Minutello, 1968 Jaguar XKE

Forever Fabulous Award – Gregg Gottsegen, 2025 Ferrari 296 GTS

People’s Choice Award – Robert Schmitter, 1964 Porsche 356

Mike Dirnt, Bradford Rand (Photo Credit: BFA / Kevin Czopek)

The guest list reflected the event’s reputation as one of the Hamptons’ premier summer invitations. Among those attending were Bradford Rand, Kenneth and Maria Fishel, Candace Bushnell, Ramona Singer, Todd English, Fern Mallis, Mike Dirnt of Green Day, John Cusimano, Jean Shafiroff, Marc Packer, Dr. Sam Rizk, Michael Patrizio, Morgan Shara, Rachael Brook, DJ KK Blonde, Christopher Gravagna, Kathy Prounis, Jake Phipps, Antonella Bertolucci, Alan Lieberman, Todd Deutsch and many others from the worlds of fashion, entertainment, business and philanthropy.

Bradford Rand, Candace Bushnell (Photo Credit: BFA / Kevin Czopek)

Guests spent the afternoon exploring an expansive luxury marketplace featuring private aviation, yachts, fine jewelry, watches, fashion, contemporary art, luxury real estate and home design while enjoying an elegant brunch accompanied by premium wines and spirits.

As always, RAND Luxury seamlessly blended collector automobiles with curated luxury experiences while supporting two worthy causes: the South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center and the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation.

Atmosphere (Photo Credit: BFA / Kevin Czopek)

Now celebrating two decades, Bradford Rand has once again demonstrated why RAND Luxury remains one of the industry’s premier producers of luxury lifestyle events. What began as an automotive showcase has evolved into an immersive experience where design, philanthropy, fashion, hospitality and world-class automobiles intersect, making the Hamptons Concours d’Elegance not simply a car show, but one of the defining social events of the summer.

Curly hair has a mind of its own. On a good day, it’s soft, defined, and full of life. Add New York humidity, an outdoor event, or one of those ninety-degree afternoons where simply walking a block becomes a workout, and my curls normally surrender before I’ve even arrived. Instead of defined ringlets, I end up with what can only be described as an explosion of hair.

I have naturally curly hair—but I also have a lot of it. For years I’ve tried sprays, creams, gels, mousses, and every miracle product promising to conquer frizz. Most either weighed my curls down, left them crunchy, or simply gave up the moment humidity entered the conversation.

Then Rebel Queen entered mine. The first thing I noticed was how incredibly lightweight the Curl Control Spray felt. There was no sticky residue, no stiffness, and no heavy coating masking my natural curl pattern. Instead, it enhanced what was already there, allowing my curls to become beautifully defined without ever looking over-styled.

Then came the real test. New York in the summer in the Hampton’s with multiple events and God Awful weather. If a curly hair product can survive Hampton humidity, crowded events, and the inevitable perspiration that comes with covering the event all day, it deserves a standing ovation. Rebel Queen passed with flying colors.

Normally, humidity sends my hair into full rebellion. Instead, my curls stayed beautifully defined from morning until evening. They remained soft, touchable, and remarkably frizz-free. Even better, my style held for multiple days with very little refreshing between washes—something I honestly wasn’t expecting.

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What makes Rebel Queen even more compelling is the woman behind it. Founder Bleema spent more than twenty-five years as a hairstylist, wig stylist, and makeup artist transforming clients every day. Yet despite helping others achieve beautiful hair, she remained frustrated that nothing truly worked for her own curls—or for her daughter’s.

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Products come and go. Rebel Queen Curl Control Spray is staying.

Bleema and her product

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There are luxury events, and then there is Rand Luxury’s annual Hamptons Concours d’Elegance—an invitation so coveted that even in the Hamptons, where exclusivity is practically a dress code, it remains one of the summer’s hardest tickets to secure.

Held on a spectacular private Bridgehampton estate, this year’s sold-out gathering once again proved why it has become the East End’s premier celebration of automotive artistry, craftsmanship, philanthropy and lifestyle. Benefiting both the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation and the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center (SOFO), guests were immersed in an extraordinary world where more than $100 million worth of collector automobiles, museum-quality timepieces, estate jewelry, fine art and bespoke luxury converged beneath brilliant blue skies.

If there was a theme to the afternoon, it was indulgence without excess. Nothing felt manufactured. Instead, the Concours unfolded with the effortless elegance that has become the signature of Branford Rand, whose events continue to bring together collectors, tastemakers, celebrities and industry leaders with remarkable ease.

The stars of the afternoon were, naturally, the automobiles. More than 100 extraordinary collector cars stretched across the manicured lawns, each one a rolling work of art. Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, McLaren, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Maserati and Mercedes-Benz represented decades of engineering excellence, while passionate owners eagerly shared the stories behind their prized machines. From impeccably restored classics to breathtaking modern supercars, every vehicle represented both mechanical innovation and personal passion.

Guests cast ballots for the coveted People’s Choice Award, while celebrity judges presented a series of distinctive honors. Candace Bushnell, whose Sex and the City forever changed New York’s cultural landscape, awarded the appropriately named Sexiest Car Award. Celebrity chef and restaurateur Todd English presented the English Award, while television personality Ramona Singer, now appearing on E!’s The Golden Life, handed out the Forever Fabulous Award, proving that style isn’t reserved solely for the people—it belongs to the automobiles as well. Socialite Jean Shafiroff was also on hand.

Kenneth and Maria Fishel, Bradford Rand

Beyond the concours field, the experience expanded into a luxurious marketplace celebrating nearly every aspect of elevated living.

Collectors browsed exceptional watches from Gotham Trading Luxury Timepieces and JD Watches, admired fine jewelry, explored contemporary artwork, and discovered exclusive fashion, luxury real estate and bespoke lifestyle brands. High-end automotive partners including Ferrari of Long Island, Aston Martin Long Island, McLaren Long Island, Manhattan Motorcars, Mercedes-Benz of Southampton, Lexus Southampton, Ryan Friedman Motorcars, Grand Elite Motors, Collectors Autohaus and Long Island Sports Cars showcased some of the world’s most desirable marques.

The culinary offerings matched the surroundings. Guests enjoyed an elegant catered brunch accompanied by premium wines and spirits, tastings from Louis XIII, Crystal Head Vodka, Palm Bay International, Telmont Champagne, Saint Jo, Mezcalum, Peroni, San Benedetto, LaCroix and Nixie, while aficionados gathered for curated Scotch tastings and hand-rolled Cohiba cigars. Fresh oysters from East Hampton Shucker, artisanal treats from Kira’s Cookies, Popup Bagels, Hampton Ice and an impressive array of gourmet offerings ensured the afternoon was as satisfying for the palate as it was for the eyes.

Luxury extended well beyond automobiles. Guests explored elegant home design from Garage Living, fashion from Pinko, bespoke accessories, fine artwork through Art Hampton, luxury travel with Apollo Jets and Barnes Yachting, wellness partners including Pincus Plastic Surgery, and lifestyle brands ranging from Bang & Olufsen to Rose Forever, Boast, MAS by Morgan Shara, Bespoke Mahjong, Stock Collection, Motor Club, Rendezvous, Focal Point Coaching by Annie Brennan, and dozens more, creating an atmosphere where every corner revealed another carefully curated discovery.

Yet for all its glamour, the Concours never lost sight of its charitable mission. Supporting both the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation and SOFO, the afternoon demonstrated that luxury and philanthropy continue to make an elegant pairing.

Rand Luxury has once again created far more than an automobile exhibition. It is a celebration of craftsmanship, design, innovation and generosity, wrapped in the effortless sophistication that defines the Hamptons at their very best.

For one unforgettable afternoon, horsepower met haute couture, collector passion met charitable purpose, and Bridgehampton once again became the epicenter of luxury living. It wasn’t simply a car show.

It was the Hamptons in high gear. Thank-you Norah Lawlor for such a great event and Celine the designer for Celine hats for the hair tie that saved me.

Executive Editor Erika Katz, Editor in Chief Lizabeth Zindel Wells and Lucy Swift Weber

There are Hamptons parties, and then there are evenings that capture exactly why the East End continues to define summer elegance. The launch of Hamptons Social’s August Summer Book, hosted by Hamptons Social and Volvo, was one of those rare gatherings where every thoughtful detail came together effortlessly. Held at the enchanting A Room at the Beach in Bridgehampton, the evening celebrated not only the publication’s newest issue, but the art of creating beautiful experiences.

Editor in Chief Lizabeth Zindel Wells, with Executive Editor Erika Katz, Hamptons Social has become one of the East End’s most stylish lifestyle publications, chronicling the people, places and personalities that define the season. The stunning August cover, photographed by the legendary Ellen von Unwerth, immediately sets the tone—playful, sophisticated and unmistakably Hamptons.

The setting itself deserved equal billing.

Nestled along Montauk Highway, A Room at the Beach feels less like a hotel and more like discovering a private summer sanctuary. Co-owners Charles Lemonides and Lucy Swift Weber transformed what was once a modest ten-room cinderblock motel into one of the Hamptons’ most charming boutique escapes. Cedar siding, lush gardens and intimate gathering spaces create an atmosphere that is equal parts coastal retreat and bohemian hideaway.

Its history only adds to its allure.

Long before its transformation, the property served as the summer home of Martha Stewart and her daughter Alexis, who planted the magnificent rows of soaring redwood trees that still define the grounds today. For a period, the property was owned by fashion designer Donna Karan and her daughter Gabby Karan de Felice, who added the now-iconic outdoor pool before the current owners completed their remarkable redesign.

As twilight settled across the gardens, guests wandered beneath the towering redwoods, surrounded by flowers, candlelight and warm summer breezes. The evening carried the dreamlike quality of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where conversations lingered effortlessly and nobody seemed eager for the night to end.

Luxury revealed itself in thoughtful moments rather than grand gestures. Guests sampled Mouton Cadet, the celebrated Bordeaux created by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, alongside cocktails featuring Tequila Rosaluz 5526.

Malfy Gin, whose beautifully designed glassware became one of the evening’s most coveted take-home gifts.

The culinary offerings were equally memorable. Rose and Peters delighted guests with exquisite high tea desserts

while FreshDirect created an abundant charcuterie presentation that disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived.

La Genovese showcased delicate jewelry that complemented the effortless elegance of the evening

while Volvo added its own celebratory touch with beautifully presented bonbons.

Beauty and wellness partners ensured guests left feeling as polished as when they arrived. RPZL provided stylish claw clips to tame summer hair

while fashion-forward press-on nails guaranteed every hand looked camera-ready throughout the evening.

Olfactory

Yet it was Tequila Rosaluz that drew the longest lines—and quickly became my personal favorite. Besides offering drinks they sponsored Olfactory, a fragrance, that invited guests to create one. Every visitor customized a scent unique to their own personality and preferences. Mine? A rich blend of coffee, mocha and cream—so wonderfully comforting that I joked I may never need another iced coffee in the morning. It wasn’t simply perfume; it became a wearable memory of the evening itself.

Lucy Swift Weber, Countess Luann de Lesseps

Among the familiar faces enjoying the celebration was Countess Luann de Lesseps, who graciously posed for photographs with guests throughout the night, adding another touch of New York glamour to an already sparkling gathering.

Countess Luann de Lesseps and guests

What ultimately distinguished the evening, however, wasn’t the guest list or the luxury brands. It was the atmosphere. There was none of the exclusivity or pretense that can sometimes accompany Hamptons events. Conversations were genuine, introductions effortless, and the crowd refreshingly down-to-earth. Guests mingled beneath the redwoods as though attending a sophisticated garden party hosted by old friends.

That sense of authenticity reflects the publication itself. Hamptons Social isn’t simply documenting a summer lifestyle; it thoughtfully curates it with intelligence, style and genuine affection for the East End community.

Bravo to Lizabeth Zindel Wells and Erika Katz for creating a magazine that celebrates the Hamptons with both elegance and heart—and for hosting one of the season’s most enchanting evenings. Long after the last glass was raised and the gardens grew quiet, guests were still lingering beneath the trees, reluctant to leave a night that felt, in every sense, like summer at its very best.

Fashion has always spoken a universal language. In Tokyo, hiTechMODA made sure every voice was heard.

Continuing its remarkable international expansion, the award-winning fashion production company transformed the Hilton Tokyo Bay into a celebration of global creativity, proving once again that today’s runway is no longer confined by geography, tradition, or expectation.

Following acclaimed showcases in New York, Paris, Milan, and Cannes, hiTechMODA arrived in one of the world’s great fashion capitals with a production that seamlessly blended couture, craftsmanship, cultural heritage, and innovation. More than a runway presentation, the evening became a conversation between continents, where emerging designers shared the spotlight with established fashion houses and Indigenous creators demonstrated that storytelling remains one of fashion’s most enduring luxuries.

Before the runway lights illuminated the collections, guests explored an intimate designer exhibition and networking experience, meeting the creative minds behind the evening’s presentations while discovering handcrafted pieces, artisan vendors, and international design perspectives.

The runway itself unfolded in two distinct movements.

The evening opened with an international showcase featuring Mitch Desunia of London; Canada’s C. Lysias Designs, House of Willow, and SCI PH; Tokyo-based Cool Kimono Crafts and Yuna Style; along with Red Hummingbird Designs, Altrn8tv, and Nita Belle’s Closet from the United States. Together, the collections reflected the remarkable breadth of contemporary fashion, where classic tailoring, avant-garde silhouettes, wearable luxury, and cultural influence existed in effortless dialogue.

The second half of the evening shifted the focus from fashion as commerce to fashion as cultural expression.

Presentations by The Bebia Cho Company, Designs by Star Cherie, Bineshii Creations, Rebekah Jarvey, Tracey Toulouse, Ally’s Ribbons, and additional performers transformed the runway into a living celebration of heritage, Indigenous artistry, and ancestral craftsmanship. Rather than simply showcasing garments, these collections invited audiences to experience the traditions, histories, and identities woven into every stitch.

It is precisely this philosophy that continues to distinguish hiTechMODA from traditional fashion weeks. The runway is not treated merely as a platform for beautiful clothing but as a stage where innovation, sustainability, technology, and culture intersect.

“hiTechMODA was created to open doors and expand the definition of who belongs on the runway,” said founder and executive producer Pamela Privette. “Tokyo gives us a remarkable opportunity to bring designers and cultural voices together in one of the world’s most dynamic fashion cities. This production is about fashion, but it is also about connection, respect, innovation, and the shared language of creativity.”

That vision has steadily transformed hiTechMODA into one of fashion’s most distinctive international platforms. Rather than separating established designers from emerging talent, or luxury fashion from cultural craftsmanship, the company continues to demonstrate that the future of fashion lies in collaboration rather than competition.

In Tokyo, that philosophy felt perfectly at home.

A city celebrated for balancing centuries-old craftsmanship with fearless innovation provided the ideal backdrop for a production that believes fashion’s greatest luxury is not exclusivity—it is inclusion. By placing international designers, Indigenous creators, and contemporary visionaries on the same runway, hiTechMODA continues to redefine what a modern fashion showcase can be.

As the company expands its global footprint, one message grows increasingly clear: the future of fashion is no longer defined by a single capital, aesthetic, or perspective. It is shaped by the conversations taking place between them.

And in Tokyo, those conversations were nothing short of extraordinary.