Stylish Southamptonite Filipa Fino [above] was born and raised in Europe. Fluent in five languages, the Portuguese native has been a fixture in the glamorous world of publishing for over a decade working for Liz Tilberis at Harper’s Bazaar, serving as Allure’s accessories director, and followed by the covetable title of senior accessories editor at Vogue, overseeing all accessories content of the magazine. Filipa made her debut solo venture last year into the digital world of fashion and accessories with Fino File.

 

 

 

 

Having worked closely with some of the era’s key fashion talents including, Mario Testino, Patrick Demarchelier, Peter Lindbergh, Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington, Filipa brings a curated, international design flair to her classic, shingled Hamptons home. Married to Stratis Morfogen, a handsome third-generation restaurateur and principal of Philippe Chow Restaurant Group, the haute Hamptons couple have three adorable little girls [Beatriz, Isabel, and Natalie], and two very big Saint Bernard hounds!

 

 

 

 

 

KDH caught up with Filipa recently, and I know KDHamptons readers will love to sneak a peek into her haute Hamptons home [pictured here], to learn more about Fino File, and pick up some style tips from this tony tastemaker below~ enjoy!

 

 

KDHamptons: You live in Manhattan during the off-season, but how long have you been spending summers in the Hamptons? Why do you love the East End so much?

Filipa Fino: I’ve been coming to the Hamptons for more than 20 years. To me, it signifies American relaxed lifestyle. It’s where my kids ride bikes and have slumber parties; it’s where I host long lunches for my friends. It’s total laissez-faire!

 

 

 

 

KDH: Will you please describe your exciting new venture, Fino File, to KDHamptons readers?

FF: Fino File is a digital shoppable, interactive fashion magazine with an accessories point of view. It’s where you can go each season, see a selection of the best products at various price points, shop, and yet be taken by a curated editorial design [below].

 

 

 

 

 

KDH: Personal style:  do you have a Hamptons fashion “uniform”? Which designer do you find yourself wearing most out East?

FF: I live in Jo de Mer bikinis, original Levis denim cut-off shorts worn with linen shirts from JCrew. I also wear a lot of short beach dresses, mostly from Antik Batik in Paris. For evening, Emilio Pucci is usually my go-to…either long and flowing dresses or short crochet.

 

 

KDH: Will you describe your perfect Hamptons day in detail for KDHamptons readers?

FF: I love the sea, so my perfect day would be with friends on a boat. We usually dock next to each other in deserted enclaves and have picnics. Someone has the music, and lots and lots of rosé. The kids go on jet skis and I love swimming with my husband in the ocean. It’s heaven [until a storm comes along and ruins our fun, which actually happened to us recently]!

 

 

 

 

 

KDH: What is your favorite Hamptons restaurant? Got a favorite dish and drink you get every time?

FF: I’m sort of old school when it comes to dining in the Hamptons. We love going to The Palm on Sunday nights with the family. We also go very often to Tutto Il Giorno in Southampton, which reminds me of being home in Europe! My drink is always a cold, cold beer or a very chilled rosé. Both of which are essentials in my home.

 

 

 

 

 

KDH: What is your little secret about the Hamptons?

FF: I have found the most extraordinary pieces of jewelry at Waldmanns in Southampton Village including: vintage Van Cleef Arpels, Cartier, Bulgari, Seamann Schepps…..If you are a jewelry lover like myself, it truly is paradise! I get lost for hours there. Luckily, my birthday and wedding anniversary fall in the summer!

 

 

 

 

KDH: Please describe your Hamptons home and decorating style? Favorite item?

FF: Interior design is my secret passion and I have curated all of our homes with help of very talented designer friends! Our Hamptons home is definitely the warmest. It’s very much inspired by the homes in the South of France: floral patterns, Danish antiques, sisal rugs… My favorite item is a beautiful tapestry that hangs in the living room that comes from my family’s factory in Portalegre, Portugal. It totally makes the room!

 

 

 

 

The third floor has a handsome design, including antiques that Filipa and Stratis have acquired over the years in the Hamptons….as well as a graphic blue Moroccan rug.

 

 

 

 

KDH: Do you like to entertain/cook? What is your “ole stand by” menu for a perfect dinner party?

FF: Casa Fino is known to host long summer lunches. I am from Portugal and Spain and I was raised hosting at home. I love decorating the long table with fresh linens, monogrammed napkins and fresh flowers. I have several sets of summer-themed china that I alternate. To me, the visual presentation of a table is actually what matters the most. My husband is a fantastic cook, so we make a great team!

 

 

 

 

 

Shopping tip: Filipa scored the dramatic dining room table below at Homenature in Southampton…

 

 

 

 

KDH: Is there a fashion “DON’T” that Hamptons girls should be sure to avoid? What say you about those little elf booties paired with summer dresses?

FF: I would say~ Don’t TRY so hard! The Hamptons is about being relaxed and letting your own style come through. There are no rules, unless you are trying to achieve a look that isn’t you! I have seen girls look great in dresses and booties, but because it fit their style and personality.

 

I’ve also seen it go really wrong! Stephanie Seymour looks stunning and appropriate wearing a a tight Alaia dress in Montauk, but most girls I see out at night, don’t. Having style is about being effortless [or at least looking that way].

 

 

KDH: What are your two must-have summer beauty products?

FF: Jouer luminizing moisture tint in bronzed for the perfect sheer glow and True Coral lipstick by Tom Ford [super glamorous!] One of my close friends, Romy Soulemani is the beauty director at large at beauty.com, as well as being a brilliant editorial make-up artist. Everything product she tells me about, I buy.

 

 

 

 

KDH: You spent many years working at top magazines, what is the greatest part about working for yourself now?

FF: There is just something amazing about being able to act on your own instinct; about breaking some rules in editorial. Of course working part-time from my home office in the Hamptons is a luxury, as is spending time with my three girls.

 

 

 

 

 

**To learn more about Filipa and experience Fino File, please go to:
http://www.filipafino.com/

 

 

 

*Photos in this feature by Eric Striffler