Inside The Surf Lodge’s NYE Takeover of Le Toiny in St. Barths with Greta Lee, Elsa Hosk, Ferragamo, Friends
While all is still—and cloaked in sub-zero temperatures—at The Surf Lodge on Montauk’s Fort Pond, the inimitable Hamptons hotspot wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to ring in the New Year in style. Eighteen years after reinventing the one-time Irish pub into a globally-recognized hospitality brand, founder Jayma Cardoso decided it was time to tick something off her own bucket list and bring the show on the road to her favorite Caribbean island escape, Hôtel Le Toiny, for a one-night-only experience.
It was a first for Le Toiny too. While St. Barths has long been a mecca for a certain type of jet-setting, celebrity-filled crowd for December celebrations, this adored hillside hotel with an IFY, YK tucked-away beach has so far resisted any requests for pop-up parties. And, while Cardoso has always been inundated with offers to collaborate, this partnership saw her doing the convincing that she was the right person to pull off the inaugural honor.
Ahead of the bash, as a table of New York transplants enjoyed a leisurely beach lunch over rosé, Le Toiny’s charming British owner Charlie Vere Nicoll made his way to greet Cardoso and wish her well. “Are you ready for your big night? The President of the island has called to make sure you’re all set,” he said with a cheery smile. Hours later, dressed in shimmering sequins, personally pouring drinks and helping to bus tables, the Brazil-native proved why she’s the consummate host everywhere from the Hamptons to Aspen—where, in an impressive feat, her other baby, The Snow Lodge, was readying to welcome hundreds of people simultaneously.
From 8 p.m., international guests made their way from superyachts docked in the Port de Gustavia and nearby villas for an upscale and elegant dinner party co-hosted by Ferragamo. Around La Table, the property’s poolside eatery which overlooks the crystal clear sea, attendees caught the candlelight in sparkling outfits or went the traditional route in crisp white. Except for trend-setters Elsa Hosk and Greta Lee, that is, who bucked convention and donned cool-girl black, while TikTok heart-throb Chase Hudson opted for leather (brave!) and a silky Gucci shirt. “I saw this fur-trimmed top by Ferragamo and thought, ‘Ok this is definitely not your typical New Year’s look, but I think it’s different and fun,’” Hosk told Vogue. “I just love it here in St. Barths. I’ve come so many times because we used to shoot for Victoria’s Secret all the time, but it’s the first time [my fiancé] Tom and I have brought our daughter and we can just relax and hang out as a family, which is really special.” Making for a full-circle moment, Hosk also reunited with her fellow former Angel, Izabel Goulart, on the night.
As Rachel Winters manned the DJ decks in a pearlescent mini dress and got the room hyped up, they dined on a Mediterranean-inspired meal of tuna tartare, crispy scallops, Mahi-Mahi, and black truffle risotto. Feeling sufficiently fizzy and ready to dance with abandon under the stars thanks to freely-flowing flutes of Perrier-Jouët, they eventually started to trickle out and pile into beach defenders as drivers took them down to the sand where an ephemeral club with lights, sound systems, and a stage awaited.
Singer and musician Edo Ferragamo of the fashion family was also lined up to perform, having enlisted a local band to join him. Ferragamo sang a medley that included Seven Nation Army and Get Lucky as his new wife Elizabeth stood front-and-center proudly videoing his set.
The night’s headliner Blond:ish had miraculously made it, despite performing until the wee hours in Miami the night before. “I’ve had two hours of sleep,” she confirmed—and if you saw her on a flight earlier that day wearing an LED mask to keep her game face intact, yes you did.
By midnight, stilettos had been kicked off and sparklers were being waved overhead countdown as the crowd launched into the countdown and grabbed someone to kiss. “This is just perfection—what a magical setting,” beamed LoveShackFancy founder Rebecca Hessel Cohen, surrounded by her two daughters who matched her in boho frocks of their own. As a longtime friend of Cardoso’s, she was feeling particularly proud. “We have loved every minute: the people, the energy, the music, the beach vibes. This feels like the original St. Barths and how it’s meant to be."
As for Cardoso, who set out to channel the true barefoot glamour and “free-spirited essence of St Barths” rather than throw the type of “massive ticketed event” that have become the norm? Mission accomplished. Where to next?
1/22Elsa Hosk
2/22Chase Hudson
