Emily Holmes Hahn and Husband

In our tech savvy, travel loving and post covid world, we have more dating apps available than ride share apps. Why? People love companionship! How do you find that? That is totally up to you. However Emily Holmes Hahn, the founder of the chic dating service titled LastFirst, believes in using a matchmaker like herself to find companionship instead of hopping onto one of the many dating apps. KDHamptons has all of the ‘loved up’ details below…

Emily Holmes Hahn

“LastFirst was born from my desire to create a dating service that was truly discreet and upmarket,” shares founder Emily Holmes Hahn. “I wanted to keep the basic model of a matchmaking business and elevate it to include not only introductions but also coaching, concierge services, styling, professional headshots, text message decoding and composing- you name it!”

Founder Emily Holmes Hahn combines her sophisticated social networks and innate way of connecting with friends and strangers alike to shape the LastFirst brand. After working at Ralph Lauren in Paris and behind-the-scenes at one of New York City’s top matchmaking firms, Emily sensed a gap in the market for an intensely personalized, discreet and elevated dating service that would appeal to her international and artistic circles. She founded LastFirst as an independent consultancy and steadily scaled the business, always prioritizing the client experience. With headquarters in New York, LastFirst boasts operations across Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco. 

The dating scene is tough to navigate, especially in The Hamptons. We asked the expert herself to share some pointers with our readers. “Honestly, it’s tricky in the Hamptons,” says Emily, “too many people come out here and it’s impossible to target the right types if you’re not working with a matchmaker.” Below are the experts Top Five Suggestions for Finding Love in the Hamptons in her words…

1. 1. SET THE STAGE…If you’re opting for a dinner date, there are so many great places to meet. Lulu in Sag Harbor is my top pick these days– it’s chic but unpretentious, with the yummiest food. My other favorites are Topping Rose House and Pierre’s in Bridge, and Nick and Toni’s and the new Sant Ambroeus in East. All these venues are nice but not too vibe-y…you can tuck yourselves away at a corner table and NOT see people you know– which is rare but key for a romantic Hamptons date! Before meeting, always familiarize yourself with the menu and call ahead for a table near a heating lamp, too. Even in the summer Hamptons evenings can be cool and breezy!
   2. GET CREATIVE…Dates have become so creative in the wake of the pandemic, from outdoor movies to yoga in a park. Activities, rather than dinners, can often be the best way to get to know each other and feel for chemistry in the early stages. In the Hamptons, I suggest beach walks, bike rides, dog playdates and tennis games. I practice (and occasionally teach!) yoga at Mandala Yoga Center for Healing Arts and really recommend a class there as a date too– you’ll leave feeling centered, open-hearted, and totally renewed. If you’re the one planning the date, make sure to consider the other person’s location and pick an activity that you already know they like. It’s not the time to challenge them to learn one of your hobbies or try something totally new, just yet.
   3. THROW THE CHECKLIST OUT THE WINDOW…Since the quarantine lifted, I have noticed a major shift in my clients who have successfully gotten into relationships. Whether they admit it or not, they have come to realize that some of their ‘checklist items’ aren’t that important, and have started to focus more on compatibility and how the person makes them feel. You should always trust your instincts when deciding whether or not you want to continue seeing a match. Maybe they don’t have the educational  background or fall into the age range of the partner you’ve always imagined, but what if they make you laugh like nobody else, or they motivate and inspire you entrepreneurially? People are starting to appreciate the more intangible things about each other, and placing more importance on ‘je ne sais qui’ than on-paper traits.
   4. SHORT AND SWEET, SOMETIMES…Keep a few of your dates short and sweet. Don’t feel pressured to invest in a full evening or hours-long activity every time, while you’re still getting to know someone. Offering to meet for a quick ice cream in town or coffee by the beach can be a great way to get to know your match under less ‘official’ circumstances. I also find that sprinkling in some short, spontaneous dates in the beginning can leave the other person wanting more! Try Big Olaf’s in Sag Harbor, Tutto Caffe in East, Jack’s Stir Brew in Amagansett, or L&W Market in Bridge for easy grab-and go food/beverage options.
   5. DRESS FOR SUCCESS…Let’s face it, the Hamptons are chic and dressed-up, so always wear something fashionable. That said, you should definitely let your personality shine in your first date looks– for the ladies, think pairing your a trendy minidress with your signature sneakers or jean jacket, or dressing up your workout look with fun earrings. You should feel gorgeous in your clothes but also comfortable, so go with items that you’ve already tried and tested. You don’t want to realize that your skirt is too short to sit comfortably in, just as you’re sitting down with a new match. My picks are flirty tops and dresses from Zimmerman, Cult Gaia or Reformation in East Hampton, or Ulla Johnson in Amagansett. Great skinny jeans are also date night staples as we enter fall, and my favorites are Moussy and L’Agence both of which you can get at Blue & Cream. Finish your look with twinkly jewelry from Love Adorned and one of the flowery-light Aerin perfumes.

For more information about Emily or LastFirst, visit HERE.

Written by Nicole Vawter

Images: LastFirst