KDHamptons

Spencer Antle is the founder and creative director of the Island Company retail brand. Last season, his first East End store [located in East Hampton] had Hamptonistas clamoring not only for his perfect pastel linen shirts and bikinis, but also for a small piece of Antle’s relaxed island life spirit which is infused throughout his brand. KDH caught up with Spencer between island hops to get to know him a bit better….

KDHamptons: How long have you been coming to the Hamptons? Why do you love it so much?
Spencer Antle:  I’ve been coming to the Hamptons for over 10 years now.  I love that it has the greatness of the northeast in the summertime, but it also has the eccentricities and characters provided by New York City.

KDH: Please describe the Island Company brand and East Hampton store?
SA: Island Company East Hampton is a cocktail mix of vacation thrill, Caribbean retreat, and pure clothing escape far from the ordinary.  Island Company’s pursuit of the ultimate Utopian retail experience has taken customers by surprise.  A blend of Caribbean outpost, Jamaican hideaway, New England nautical and Southeast Asian beach bar, the Island Company adventure has created cinematic shopping in all of it’s 6 high-end destinations: Palm Beach, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Naples, East Hampton and the first international location in Grand Cayman.

KDH: Do you have a Hamptons fashion uniform? What is your must-have clothing item for the spring/summer season?
SA: Island Company linen or jersey shirt,  jeans,  Adidas sneakers and a red Mount Gay hat…doesn’t change, no matter where I am.

KDH: Which is your favorite Hamptons restaurant. Got a favorite cocktail?
SA: Serafina in East Hampton, and my favorite drink is rum and Diet Coke.

KDH: Describe your perfect day in detail?
SA: Wake up at 6:30 AM, 4-mile run.  If working, I’ll start work at 8.  If on vacay, I’m drinking vanilla rum by 9.  Wash and repeat.

KDH: Why was East Hampton the perfect spot for Island Company?
SA: It was a no-brainer.  I’ve always liked the Hamptons, but when I spent time in the summers visiting my Manhattan friends, I always stayed in Sag Harbor.  But East Hampton seemed perfect for us given the caliber of local.

KDH: Do you have a “best kept secret” destination in the Hamptons?
SA:  A friend’s house, but can’t say who or where.

KDH: What are your travel plans for the upcoming months?
SA: St. Barts, Grand Cayman, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, East Hampton, Saint-Tropez, Capri, Sicily, Rio, Hong Kong, Peru, India, a small island off Malaysia called Sipidan for diving…..Oh! And Jamaica because I’m shooting a music video there.  And I’m not kidding, this is all planned before 10/1.

KDH: If you could have anyone where your clothes [dead or alive] who would you choose?
SA:  Knowing that Keith Richards buys my linen shirts is good enough for me!

KDH: Who is your favorite designer? Who do you think has the best style in the Hamptons?
SA: Well, it is “Ralph Hampton,” so let’s just leave it at the obvious…

KDH: What do we all need to pack in our beach bag from Island Company?
SA:  Suncare. Period. If you haven’t tried it yet,  you are by far missing the best thing on the beach since stand-up paddleboards.

**Island Company is located at 66 Newtown Lane, East Hampton, or go to www.islandcompany.com to shop!