Southampton’s Hidden Gem — Creating A New Hamptons Vibe
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Southampton’s Hidden Gem — Creating A New Hamptons Vibe
Southampton’s Hidden Gem — Creating A New Hamptons Vibe
Southampton’s Hidden Gem — Creating A New Hamptons Vibe
Southampton’s Hidden Gem — Creating A New Hamptons Vibe
Southampton’s Hidden Gem — Creating A New Hamptons Vibe
Southampton’s Hidden Gem — Creating A New Hamptons Vibe
Hidden Gem is just that — a diamond in the heart of Southampton Village.
Local sisters and designers, Tanya Willock and Temidra Willock-Morsch were born and raised on the East End. They opened Hidden Gem in 2019 on Jobs Lane, showcasing truly beautiful curated home design and gifts. The culturally diverse shop features their own originally designed products as well as local artisans and items handcrafted from around the world — ceramics, textiles, interior decor, and much more.
With a style both bold and bright, it’s easy to support the duo’s incredible aesthetic that blends the Hamptons with their Antiguan heritage, creating a tropical vibe.
We caught up with the talented team to learn more about their lives and mission. We discuss everything from individual talents and favorite pieces, to racial injustice, operating a business during the COVID-19 pandemic, and not following design trends.
Tanya and Temidra, your separate talents come together in such a beautiful way that resonates to this region. Can you describe what you both bring to the table?
Tanya: One thing that we’re both really good at is knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses. With my background mainly in fine arts, I’m quick to know different creative techniques and how to execute them, and Temidra is the mastermind behind the ideas — when inspiration hits her, it’s a world wind.
Temidra: Our aesthetics mesh really well together! My background is in textile design and Tanya’s is in fine arts. The combination is a really great mix for us to create amazing textiles and art. We both have a very creative mind so when it’s time to design it’s like magic.
How and why did you start Hidden Gem?
Tanya: Starting our own business together has always been a dream of ours, and 2019 just seemed to be the time for it. We wanted to create a space where otherwise unrecognized artists could come together and showcase their work.
Temidra: Hidden Gem came about because of our passion for creating. We wanted to create a space that incorporated both of our styles and our aesthetic and highlighted our heritage. We also wanted to create a space for artist and artisans to be able to showcase their own work. When we both came out of college we didn’t feel like there was a space where we had the opportunity to showcase what we can do and so we took matters into our own hands and created Hidden Gem.
How did the pandemic affect you personally and also Hidden Gem?
Tanya: Personally, it threw me off course for a bit, I had the idea that 2020 would be the year that I started making some dramatic changes in my life and that it would be the big kick-off point for Hidden Gem. However, with the pandemic there were still changes, it just wasn’t what I had imaged. The pandemic really helped us to put our focus on the e-commerce side of our business, which also helped us see that there were other people outside of the Hamptons that had interest in our products and talents.
Temidra: The beginning of the pandemic was really hard for me. One being that I just had a baby and was now responsible for another human being, and two, being that we had to shut down our storefront in Southampton. The uncertainty of not knowing what was coming next was really scary for me . . . we had the worry of our health (and those around us) the stress of our own personal finances and on top of that we had the stress of how we were going to pay rent for our store and how we were going to survive the rest of the year. We learned quickly that we had to adapt to whatever life was going to throw at us.
What would you say is the mission for Hidden Gem?
Temidra: To express our viewpoint on style and design by combing influences from Antigua with our upbringing in the Hamptons. We wanted to create a new Hamptons vibe.
You have created a space within Hidden Gem that is a place for artists to share their work. Can you explain the process and how you’re implementing this?
Tanya: Temidra and I both had the privilege of going to art focused colleges; Temidra FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) in California, and myself SUNY Purchase College in Westchester, so we were able to meet a wide variety of creators, as well as throughout our travels over the years.
Temidra: Honestly, it’s really easy because we have a huge network of creators. We can simply reach out to a friend and let them know what we are looking for and get connected to so many cool and unique products.
What is the full spectrum of services provided by Hidden Gem?
Tanya: We offer customizable products! Everything from our hand painted surfboards to customizable area rugs. We’ve been thinking of adding some sort of decorating services. We have had clients ask us to help redecorate their homes and have even had a client ask us to help decorate for a wedding!
Temidra: I love working with clients to customize our rugs. There are so many options to choose from. Our customers can choose from our library of patterns or we can work with them on a completely new design. The options are limitless when it comes to designing rugs.
It’s Black History Month. The lack of diversity on the East End can seem daunting, so it’s great to see two amazing Black women killing it in business. How do you think we can bring more diversity into the region?
Tanya: One thing I think can be done to bring in more diversity, is to actively make room for black and brown people. To keep Black history in mind when making decisions, whether it be where you’re making your next purchase to who you’re hiring for a position.
Temidra: It’s all about giving opportunity. People need to be actively aware of where they are spending their money and whom they are giving opportunities to.
There were Black Lives Matter protests on the East End — how did it make you feel?
Tanya: It was a mixed bag of feelings for me, on one hand I was happy to see other people from outside of the Black community take notice of the injustice, but I was sad that it took so many tragedies for it to happen. The BLM movement really was the starting point to help other people see not only the injustices that we have to go through every day, but that Black people are also capable of doing amazing things. The movement has helped people to actively seek out Black creators, and businesses and their many talents. It helped show that being Black and creative, smart, talented are not mutually exclusive.
Were you surprised by the allies you saw in the community or did you feel it wasn’t enough? How can the community do better?
Temidra: I wouldn’t say I was surprised. To be honest, it is not something that I have thought about. Sadly, racism and racial injustice has been a part of my life experience, even in the Hamptons. I’ve never thought about having “allies.” I’ve always thought my experiences were “normal” and it was just something I had to live with. I am learning too (like everyone else), that I need to speak up on the subject, which makes me very uncomfortable.
Tanya: I was personally very surprised by the amount of people I saw at the BLM marches in the East End. I’ve always seen the Hamptons as being its own little bubble where race wasn’t something that people took notice of. BLM really put a highlight on the issues that affect not only the world but the individual communities as well. I think what can be done better is keeping those issues highlighted long after the hype. Don’t just stop because there’s no more marches.
When starting your business, were there any hurdles that perhaps affect the Black community specifically?
Temidra: I can’t say the hurdles we face are specifically race related because I don’t have facts to back that up. What I can speak on is the lack of opportunity that is given, specifically in press coverage.
Temidra, you became a mom during the pandemic?
Temidra: I did! The best thing that has ever happened to me! It has been such a great experience so far and my daughter has influenced me a lot in so many ways. I am so proud to be a mama!
Your heritage is Antiguan. Does the Caribbean style seep into your work in terms of design or vibe?
Tanya: All the time, I think the tropical vibe is one of the big things that set our products apart from the rest of “The Hamptons aesthetic.”
Temidra: Yes, I think it’s safe to say that it defines my design work and totally represents the vibe of Hidden Gem!
What are some of your favorite pieces right now?
Temidra: We are currently designing a new table linen collection, which I am super excited about. It has lots of color and prints!
Tanya: Anything we make ourselves really. I’m always excited about putting out any of our personal creations.
You have an amazing selection of products for purchase on your website. The style is so eclectic, bright, and happy. And international. Are you following trends or are you just doing your own thing? Any trends that our readers need to know about?
Tanya: We’re just kinda doing our thing. One of the reasons we started Hidden Gem was to create a space for our style, and for items that we couldn’t find anywhere else.
Temidra: I don’t think we even know what trends are! We do what we want and share what we love. We spend so much time in our home, especially now, if the pieces you have in your home don’t bring you joy, then what’s the point of having them?!
Tanya: We’re not the trend following types, it’s about whatever catches our eye. It’s all about getting what helps shape your space to the way you’ll feel the best in it — and if that happens to be a new trend, go for it.
Temidra: Buy what makes you happy!
Why do you love the East End? And what do you do for fun when you’re not working?
Tanya: One thing I love about living out east is the food! Even with the pandemic almost everywhere is able to do takeout, so it’s been nice to still get to enjoy restaurants.
Temidra: I love the nature and the beach. All of my time now is spent with my little one. We go on daily walks and spend as much time outside — even in the cold.
Hidden Gem
47B Jobs Lane, Southampton
631.259.3494
hello@hiddengemny.com
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