INTERVIEW: Stefan Beckman On The Lateral Objects Pop-up

Lateral Objects, a multi-brand pop-up by Stefan Beckman Studio, will be open for the summer at Bellport General in Bellport. Lateral Objects is colorful, accessible design lab featuring glassware, fun towels, home design pieces, menswear, classic books, cookbooks, and more. The merchandise is perfect for the Hamptons, brightening and adding to any outfit, room, or beach day. In June, Lateral Objects donated 25 percent of its beach towel sales to the LGBTQ Freedom Fund.

We were lucky enough to interview Beckman, who has spent most of his career creating sets for fashion shows, editorials, and exhibits and is based on the Island for the time being.

How did Long Island inspire the merchandise in your Bellport pop-up?

SB: I have had a house out in Bellport for 20 years. I wanted to create something special for the town, which is a wonderful historic and laid-back place in Long Island. A place that seems unchanged by time. I wanted to have the perfect summer mix of items at the store. Things for the beach, the pool, summer entertaining and just hanging out. The store feels very Bellport to me. Relaxed chic, but nothing too fancy.

What are a few of your favorite spots on Long Island/the East End?

SB: Ho Hum Beach is the town beach for Bellport accessible only by ferry or boat. It’s a gorgeous deserted beach with nothing there. I also really love the Post Morrow Foundation trails in Brookhaven Hamlet. Beautiful bits of nature on protected land.

What items will shoppers find at the pop-up?

SB: Great colorful beach towels, glasses, linen napkins, votives and other home decor from my line Lateral Objects. Mixed in are relaxed surf wear for men from Portugal and California, chic kaftans and straw bags for women and a mix of independent beauty brands. Also, in the mix are fun books for summer reading, plants, flowers and other interesting items to give your home an optimistic lift.

Overtime, do you plan on opening more pop-ups or Lateral Objects shops throughout the country?

SB: I would love to have additional branded pop ups that could become a part of a specific community. I love telling a story and creating a place where people can hang out and shop.

Which pieces in your Lateral Objects summer 2020 pop-up collection have you been using the most this summer?

SB: I use our towels everyday either at the pool or the beach. They are bright, cheerful, oversized and super soft.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

SB: In this strange time, it’s been so much fun to connect with a community I cherish. Being able to create an environment that is both fresh and optimistic has been a meaningful experience.

To ensure the well-being of customers, the store has hand sanitizer, is cleaned regularly, and offers a curbside pick-up option. Stop by Lateral Objects anytime through September and pick up some of this incredibly fun, contemporary, merchandise.

Bellport General is located at 138 South Country Road in Bellport. For more information, visit www.lateralobjects.com.