Can’t Forget Your QUAYS
(It’s pronounced “key”—and just as essential.)
As summer hits its stride, QUAY Eyewear brought the heat to Montauk Yacht Club with a picture-perfect Hamptons weekend – step-and-repeat hosted by the @tiffbaira, DJ, Caviar + Oyster Bars, cocktails, and of course exclusive giveaways from the Montauk Edit. The event celebrated QUAY’s summer-long collaboration at Montauk Yacht Club and cemented the brand’s place as a rising staple on the East End.
Simply, QUAY makes trend-forward designer eyewear for any moment or mood, and at a price that encourages adventures.
If the Hamptons are the capital of Laidback Luxury, QUAY shades pair perfectly with the aesthetic and vibe. The price range starts at surprisingly affordable ($39!) and ranges entirely reasonable ($105) – we’re here for it, QUAY!
The Montauk Edit is fantastic. I love my “Fast Lane” and am 100% considering grabbing a pair of the “ANYWAYS.” The styles are Gen-Z and Millennial-approved—no small feat.
In the Hamptons, great sunglasses are as important as your keys. Leave your gas station glasses at home, but remember, you’re in the Hamptons to have fun, so maybe don’t bring sunglasses that need an insurance policy.
QUAY’s CEO, Katherine Cousins adds, “Bringing QUAY out East was a full-circle moment for the brand. Our community tells us time and again how much they love QUAY as a chic, accessible alternative to designer eyewear, something they can truly live in, from the beach to the boat and everywhere in between. Partnering with the Montauk Yacht Club felt like a natural extension of that spirit.”
I don’t wear my Vintage Persols on the boat because I’m worried I’ll lose them, and that’s not an easy replacement. My new QUAY shades, however, get just as many compliments (maybe more, really), and I know I can pop over to Nordstrom or online and get a replacement should I catch a rogue wave in the Peconic.
I spent a few minutes chatting with the (incredibly charming) leadership team at QUAY – who even helped me with a private styling session to help find the right shades for my aura (Thanks, Quinta!).
If you’re activating a brand in the Hamptons, presentation matters. QUAY crushed it – venue, aesthetic, elevated hors d’oeuvres, buzzy guestlist, and of course – sunglasses ready for the step-and-repeat. Brands take notice: A Caviar Bar is never a bad move.
Reflecting on a weekend packed with standout moments, Cousins says, “A highlight was reuniting with Tinx – author of Hotter in the Hamptons, cultural tastemaker, and recent QUAY collaborator, alongside other brand fans like Erin Lichy, Meredith Marks, and more. QUAY’s presence in Montauk was a standout: the ultimate summer celebration of style, energy, and East Coast cool.“
Just so you know, a quay is “a structure built alongside a body of water, where ships can dock to load and unload cargo or passengers.” So, Montauk Yacht Club was the perfect location for the event!
I will admit I didn’t know that the newly remodeled Montauk Yacht Club had a second-level event space called “The Lighthouse.” From this elevated perch, overlooking Lake Montauk, all is right in the world. The renovations are exceptional without diluting the quintessential Montauk vibe—having a lighthouse on-site helps!
Cousins continues, “We were intentional about popping up in a way that felt seamless at home within the MYC environment – elevated, effortless, and aligned with both brands. Throughout the weekend, we curated meaningful moments across a range of touchpoints: from engaging with hotel guests and visitors at our poolside cabana to hosting creators and VIPs for an intimate sunset soirée.”
Born in the heart of Australia’s festival scene, QUAY fuses music and fashion into trend-forward eyewear that speaks to the moment. And clearly, the energy lives on in the Hamptons—just a day after the party at Montauk Yacht Club, I spotted another pair of QUAYs on someone dancing at Bounce. The scene and the style are alive and well.
So, remember the age-old wisdom: “Phone. Wallet. QUAYs.”
