Years ago private jets and helicopters cruised like seagulls over the Hamptons and Ubers, and elevators closed the Sunrise Highway, ferrying as many passengers to and from Manhattan as the Hamptons. Bus service remains the preferred mode of transport for many, with one million riders using it every year.
Now Lauren Moshi has teamed up with Hampton Jitney to give the company a fashion spin with some collaborative classic styles.
Moshi, an Otis College of Art and Design graduate, formed his company in 2003 with his brother, Michael Moshi, who serves as chief executive officer. The sibling team is joined by Andrew Lynch, whose family owns the bus service.
Moshi’s designs for consumers include references to 1974, the year Jim Davidson started the business – to address the oil crisis – with vans equipped with bike racks to shuttle people between the various Hampton cities. After the founder became ill in the 80s, Lynch, a distant cousin, bought the company in 1988.
Ally tank tops, T-shirts, tote bags, pullovers and zip-front hoodies are offered in forest green and other prominent colors that the bus service uses for its branding. Moshi also designed a polo shirt that Jitie employees are wearing this summer. According to Lynch, J. The crew had friendly staff at one point, but the partnership with Moshi is not the same as before. Noting the brand recognition for his company and the designer, Lynch said, “We thought it would be interesting to see if we could get some traction.”
The alliance could potentially continue with future projects, including the 50th anniversary of Hampton Jitney in 2024. Synonymous with summer and summer stocks for many, the brand’s heritage has artistic accents. During a cocktail night one night, artist Roy Lichtenstein drew a wave for his friend Davidson that became the logo of Hampton Jitney. Lynch said, “It hasn’t changed since it was designed. Both the font and the graphic have remained untouched. It was literally a back-of-the-napkin sketch. It was more of a friendly gesture. Over the years we’ve seen the original.” Have lost track of napkins, which we had at one time.”
Before contacting The Jitney about forming the team, Moshi said she was wondering, “‘What is summer and what does summer mean to you?’ The first thing we think of is the Hamptons.
The designer drew his own version of a gin bus, which is stamped on the back of a hoodie and a generously sized bag. As a fan of Lichtenstein, Moshi was keen to incorporate the Wave logo into the collaboration. The two family-owned businesses opted for a collaboration rather than a licensing deal, although Moshi has Blondie’s Debbie Harry, Elton John and Aerosmith, among many others. Some of the campaign images for the designer’s Jitney capsule collection were shot on and around one of its buses.
Commuters and leisure travelers still comprise the base of Hampton Jenny, but the Friday-to-Sunday crowds have spread to more balanced riders after COVID-19, Lynch said. “Migration that happened during COVID[-19] Areas like the Hamptons have become somewhat permanent for many. This is COVID. was reflected in the census numbers before[-19] And of course there will have been an increase since then,” Lynch said. “We’ve seen ridership improve year-over-year … living in a beautiful area like the South Fork or the North Fork The balance that can be in people’s lives, I think we’re going to see some of those numbers stick. ,
Moshi’s plans to move to the Hamptons this summer are in limbo due to an elbow injury that recently required radial head surgery. (Later this month or next month may be a possibility.) “If I get approved, I’d love to. I was in bad shape. But thank god it was my left hand. I am all right,” she said.
In the meantime, there are plans to give gifts for the Hamptons like Kelly Ripa and Christina Cuomo. Retail prices for the garment range from $97 for the tank top to $198 for the zip-front hoodie. Hat will retail for $66 and tote bags are $88. Unsure of sales projections, Moshi’s team prepares for another production run due to the company’s reliance on Los Angeles manufacturing. The assortment will be sold online and at Moshi’s flagship on North Robertson Boulevard not far from Ivy. With distribution of her signature line in stores such as Revolve, Kitson and Harvey Nichols Hong Kong, as well as Hamptons retailers Blue One and Xanadu, the designer is relying on some of that brand’s identity to drive sales of the Jitney-inspired line. could help.
Originally published at Pen 18
