Kira Cohen

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Shopper Spotlight

Kira Cohen - Owner of Blue & Cream in East Hampton

Kira Cohen opened her Blue & Cream fashion store in East Hampton in 2004. With her partner-in-crime Jeff Goldstein, she sat out to brighten up fashion in the Hamptons. As a primary holiday spot for her, she solely wanted to provide a “a bit of fun” for her friends and community in the mayhem of must-attend-events. She wanted to create a friendly and fashionable atmosphere where fashionable crowd could come together and share, she even implemented a happy hour and served cocktails to customers.

What she didn’t know was that VIP's would be treating her store as their personal wardrobe for Hamptons parties. To name a few, her shop has already been frequented by Steven Spielberg, Kid Rock, Sarah Jessica Parker, Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons, Tara Reid, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul McCartney, Alicia Keys, Julianne Moore, Drea de Matteo, Ann Dexter and the Olsen twins.

The store sells everything from exclusive Nike lines to CDs to housewares to vintage clothing, and it’s no secret that Blue & Cream carries predominantly brands designed by her friends. Jewelry, CDs, DVDs, Sunglasses and other items in lifestyle branding category will soon be added to the success.

FACTIO MAGAZINE : Describe your signature style. How does it match your store?
KIRA COHEN: Two different looks blended as one. For example, a  silk taffeta puffy skirt with a vintage tee. I love mixing old and new, casual and fancy.  Vintage lace in good shape is the best!  In the store I have very "piecie" items. I don’t like to buy matching outfits. I like to style people in things they might not have expected to put together.

FM: Define the style in the Hamptons. Why is your shop a must-stop shop? 
KC: The Hamptons are a place that people go to vacation, relax, and have fun.  I fill the store with loud familiar music and bright colors in hopes that people will just have a good time. 

FM: What type of guy or gal shops at Blue & Cream?
KC: The blue & cream shopper has a big personality and great energy. They want their favorite white tee and that one cherished item that no one else has and fits perfectly. 

FM: What are some of the designer staples shoppers will find at your store?
KC: grassroot tees, lotta, 12th street, mint, development, sass & bide, evisu, trovatta.

FM: What’s it like catering to the needs of top celebrities and socialites? “Who” shops there…
KC: All customers that come in are treated equally. Its fun catering to people of all types, seeing peoples personalities, likes and dislikes.  Everyday is different with the new group of characters that come and see us.

FM: What women (from which city worldwide) have great style and why? 
KC: I love island style. All the bare skin with fun jewelry the lose clothing that hangs on everyone just right. Maybe I’m looking at to many editorials. It’s so casual yet sexy.

FM: Where do you shop worldwide?
KC: I’ll shop anywhere!! And, if I’m stuck in the middle of nowhere ill shop online.  I think I may be a compulsive consumer! But I love shopping in my hometown New York City. Nothing beats Madison Ave!

FM: Do you think money and style go hand in hand or can style never be bought?  Is it something you just have?
KC: style can definitely be bought for you, but you don’t need money to be stylish  I have 100s of tee-shirts but really only wear 4 of them if i cut out the rest my tee collection in the past 2 year would have cost me $200. if you pick and choice your clothing carefully and buy things you know you love and will wear and wont go out of style to fast then your wardrobe wont be to costly and you will always look great!

FM: What always sells like crazy at your store?
KC: Dresses!  Who doesn’t love dresses? Its one piece and your done it makes getting dress a snap.

FM: What would people be most surprised to know about you?
KC: I’m a really bad sales girl.  I get shy.

FM: Did you know when you opened Blue & Cream with partner Jeffrey Goldstein that the store would rise to the success that is has—a major shopping destination? 
KC: we had no idea that the store would do this well. We never even stopped to think what might happen in the future. We just wanted to have some fun and spend our summer at the beach and do something different that involved our friends and the community around us.

FM: What’s next for Blue & Cream ?
KC: We won’t disappoint you!

Be sure to visit, www.blue-cream.com.

Credit: Interview by Frederikke Lindholm, interview by Melissa Maynard