Esteban Cortazar voguing at Jimmy's boutique in Westhampton Beach

Esteban wearing Betsy's fur coat at a private dinner in the Lepores' home

LUXURY. I just love that word. It's what you'll indulge in as you leaf through this issue, so sit back on that new Ligne Roset chaise, pick up a chilled glass of champagne, along with some wonderful lobster tortlettes, and enjoy! Just in case you need some new suggestions to spend money, we bring you a special section on local hedge-fund gurus (the guys with all the money these days), and let you know how they're spending it. From jewels to private schools, this issue has something for everyone.

For all you style mavens, keep your eyes on the wunderkind of fashion, Emanuel Ungaro's new chief designer, Esteban Cortazar. His designs epitomize the word luxury. One of the industry's youngest designers, Esteban is Colombian-born, Miami-raised and the son of an artist and jazz singer. He began designing when he was 10 years old by taking old clothes apart, then stapling them back together. At 13, he started showing sketches. He had his own label first, and now, at just 24, he is directing Emanuel Ungaro.

I first met Esteban a few months ago when he was showing his new fall collection at Jimmy's in Westhampton Beach. Meeting him was very exciting because it was so clear that this young man is the next "it" in the fashion world. He was so easy to talk with, so young, fun and full of life, I didn't want the day and night to end-and it didn't! We ended up having dinner at the home of Dominick and Betsy Lepore well into the early hours. We were having so much fun, I just started snapping pictures, and here you'll see some of the raucous photographs I took of Esteban. "Youth is wasted on the young," once said Oscar Wilde. Well, he didn't know Esteban.

Getting back to luxury ... we hope the rest of your summer days are filled with family, fun, luxurious days on the beach, and, of course ... Style.

-Kathy Rae Publisher, Hampton Style

Back to Contents

Hampton Style Archive