This summer, Curio, the famed retail concept store located in the Faena District in Miami, has partnered with Project Hamptons to launch their first-ever “summer residency” in the heart of Bridgehampton. Founded in 2019 by industry veterans Jeff Lasota and Danielle Licata, Curio has a particular affinity for scouting and growing new brands. We caught up with the team to learn more.
Tell us a little about your background and what brought you to this point.
Jeffrey and I founded Curio in 2019 because of our affinity for scouting and growing new brands. We saw a void in the market to act as
the business partner to new and developing talent. Prior to starting the business, Jeff consulted with brands for several years including Johanna Ortiz, and Yeezy/Kanye West, and spent two decades in fashion including his roles as President at both Belstaff and Stella McCartney. I most recently served as the President of East Coast Women’s Shows at Informa and at Coterie Trade Show in NYC I was responsible for sourcing, curating, and activating the bi-annual Women’s Designer trade show. I traveled around the globe meeting with brands, governments, manufacturers, and influencers to bring the most exciting companies to the US market.
We are in our 17th year working together and we most enjoy discovering nurturing and growing brands which we have done in-house, in a wholesale capacity, and now also with the Curio stores. We have an affinity for curating interesting pieces for all archetypes of women and men at every price point.
Tell us about your brand and the inspiration behind it?
Curio is a brand based deeply on style versus trend. We gravitate to products we find to be timeless while also having strong personalities. For our Miami store, we lean a bit more vibrant, tropical, and sometimes sexy but as the brand evolves we have expanded our language to include all the perfect wardrobe builders.
Our most satisfying moments are when clients share with us how many compliments they received from pieces purchased at Curio.
What brought you to Bridgehampton? What can visitors expect?
Our loyal clients and our store’s affinity to resort wear is definitely what’s driving us to the Hamptons this summer. We have done several years’ worth of short-term popups with success but felt it was the right time, and right partnership to take the plunge into a full summer-long residency working with Project Hamptons. And what better location than next to Citerella in Bridgehampton… you can grab your groceries and a new weekend outfit without moving your car.
It’s summer on the East End. What are your favorite things to do?
Out East we love the food scene – our go-to spots are Pierre’s, T Bar, Almond, and Flora. We also love our visits to Topping Rose who is a close neighbor and also has hosted us for several previous year popups.
