Shoes Off, Armani On: A Beachy Night on Shelter Island

Last Thursday, Giorgio Armani brought the spirit of the Mediterranean to the East End with a golden-hour gathering at Sunset Beach on Shelter Island. The occasion? A sunset cocktail party celebrating the arrival of the Giorgio Armani Mare 2025 collection pop-up, which transforms the beloved hotel into a seaside homage to Porto Cervo, Capri, and Cannes.

Dressed in breezy knits, gauzy linens, and beachy neutrals, guests effortlessly embodied the evening’s easy elegance. Mamie Gummer wore a softly shimmering ribbed gown that skimmed the sand, while Angelica Hicks opted for a sleeveless black vest over a cream maxi dress. Leandra Medine Cohen arrived in a bandeau top and voluminous skirt, her look nodding to sun-drenched spontaneity more than red-carpet polish. The vibe was relaxed, warm, and unmistakably Armani.

Guests mingled barefoot on the sand and spilled out onto Shore Road as the sun dipped and the party transitioned into an amber-lit, open-air affair. Sunset Beach’s façade and upstairs terrace were decked in custom palm motifs in tones of dove grey and turquoise, with warm wood accents underfoot—a visual nod to the new collection’s relaxed refinement. Even the surfboards were Armani: propped elegantly around the space, each one emblazoned with the iconic GA monogram and wrapped in soft tropical prints.

Known for its tailored precision and sleek sophistication, Armani took its shoes off for the evening—leaning into a new, barefoot kind of glamour. This wasn’t a departure from the brand’s DNA, but rather a playful shift: proof that Italian style can thrive just as effortlessly in the sand as it does on a Milanese runway.