Knockout Weekend in the Hamptons

It all starts with the Hamptons. Twelve years ago, I launched Little Joe Woman in  New York's seaside villages known as the Hamptons.

Our first collection consisted solely of a few key pieces--six slips and camisoles-- but now has grown to a global brand that includes dresses, tops, handbags and accessories, and yes even a Hamptons tote. And so I’m thrilled to announce that Little Joe Woman by Gail Elliott will be a part of a collection of items curated for the new Hamptons boutique,  Knockout Beauty, opening this Friday in time for the Memorial Day holiday.

                       Cayli Cavaco Reck in her Knockout boutique in the Hamptons

Located at 24000 Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton, New York, Knockout Beauty is the brainchild of Cayli Cavaco-Reck (who’s father Paul Cavaco is a renowned stylist whom I had the pleasure of working with during my modeling years). Clearly talent runs deep in this family! Expect to see the very best in skincare, haircare and beauty essentials displayed alongside our beautiful collection of Little Joe Woman dresses in what owner Cayli describes as “an important part of making a woman feel beautiful”. I couldn’t agree more as our mission at Little Joe Woman is to make women feel chic, beautiful, and sexy and so I’m happy that the new Knockout boutique will be a vehicle to help accomplish that.

For those of you who don’t already know, the Hamptons holds a unique and dear place in my heart. Not only did I launch my business here, purchase a home and create wonderful memories with dear friends, but it's the place where I married my husband Joe (almost 19 years ago). It will always be an integral part of my life.

Though my first visit to the Hampton’s can't be referred to as love at first sight. I was modeling at the time and booked for a photo shoot with famed photographer Patrick Demarchelier for Italian Vogue. What I can still remember from that shoot is the freezing cold! Naomi Campell and I were going to be featured in an editorial on the collections and the day began with a drive out to the dunes from New York.  A few hours (and bumpy ride) later, we were in front of Demarchelier’s lens.  He was known for pushing his models (inclement weather chief among them) and there was no going back due to bad weather.

Capturing a great fashion moment can sometimes require a bit of sacrifice and thanks to Demarchelier’s magic (and cooperating with the cold weather on my part), the final photos turned out great.

After the shoot, I would return to the Hamptons to escape on the weekends as it was just a two hour drive from our apartment in New York.

Though I mostly lived on airplanes running from shoots to shows, I eventually slowed things down where Joe and I had time to build a beautiful dream home in the Amagassett town of the Hamptons. Among all the experiences I've had in the Hamptons, my most memorable was marrying Joe.

We exchanged our vows in a tiny white church in front of 70 friends and family not too far from our home. Fortunately, the weather was cooperative and the the day picture perfect. It was also wonderful that I was able to share that experience surrounded by friends and my besties/bridesmaids Yassy, Cindy, Helena, my sister Dawn and longtime friend Georgina. And so I'll always think of the Hamptons as the place where I married my bestie for life. 

Joe and I became full time Hamptons residents in 2001 and it was the place that served as my inspiration when starting the Little Joe Woman line. After years of city life in New York, I quickly fell in love with living on the beach. The sunlight, the different hues of turquoise and blue of the ocean, the vibrant  sunsets, the smells, the sea grass and the people. I felt at home and the backdrop fueled my creativity.

I've since moved to Bali (I'm a full time beach girl now) but it's great to be back again, this time with our special Hamptons collection. And while I'm no longer a Hamptons resident, I'm still in tune with the Hamptons woman. She's a Little Joe Woman after all: chic, subtly sexy, busy, enjoys travel and loves life…just like me! So here's to the summer of 2016 and hoping we can be a part of your Hamptons memories. Wishing you a Knockout summer.

XX Gail