Nina Agdal is a Model Hamptons Citizen

Danish cover girl Nina Agdal is an honorary Hamptonite—thanks to her beau, East Ender Jack Brinkley-Cook—and our official fitspo of the season.

Barnes high-waisted bottom, $145, by VerdeLimón at Everything But Water, East Hampton; Mirabel sun hat, $495, by Eugenia Kim at Intermix, East Hampton and Southampton.

When I first catch up with Danish beauty Nina Agdal, I am determined to focus on more than her jaw-dropping, Sports Illustrated-cover, ultimate fitspo physique. Sure, the girl is an unquestionable stunner, but let’s peel it back to the real, off-set Nina. But as she walks briskly on the beach and bubbles with an effervescent energy, I realize the off-set Nina is the same one you see smiling on that swimsuit cover. This girl is the real deal.

Triangle bikini top, $162, and bikini bottom, $105, both at SHAN, East Hampton; Koio x Nina Agdal sneakers, $348, at Koio, NYC; Ocean Drive necklace set, $215, Washed Ashore necklace, $130, Island Time necklace, $160, and pearl necklace, price upon request, all by Joolz by Martha Calvo at Everything But Water, East Hampton.

Born in Hillerød, Denmark, Agdal began her full-time modeling career at 18 and, through her agency, Elite Model Management, has fronted blockbuster campaigns for Billabong, Bebe and Victoria’s Secret—as well as graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue (that’s the modeling equivalent of winning a Pulitzer, in case you have been living under a rock).

Métiers d’Art dress, $5,400, and lambskin espadrilles, $725, both by Chanel at Hirshleifers, Americana Manhasset.

So how exactly does she maintain that coverworthy figure? Yes, there is some of the expected Pure Barre, SLT and yoga—but surprisingly, Agdal avoids the gym when she is out East. “I mostly just work out at home or go for a run,” she says. But the real secret sauce lies in her Spotify. “I give this trick to all my friends,” she says as I lean in for the keys to the bikini-body kingdom. “I have one playlist of all my favorite songs that get me superhyped, and I listen to them only when I do cardio… so I have one playlist for running, and those songs are not on any other playlist.” And what exactly is on that playlist? Agdal will never tell. “I have a Spotify channel, but it’s kind of a secret because I don’t want everyone to steal my stash,” she says.

As for her diet, Agdal is mostly vegetarian, but not rigid by any means. “If my body’s craving meat or fish, or whatever it is, I eat it,” she admits. “I eat carbs. I eat pasta. I mostly eat whatever I want... and if I have a swimsuit shoot, I will cut out all animal protein—because I’ve seen for me it slims me down way faster than any other solution or diet.”

Birdie trench, $1,400, by Silvia Tcherassi at Kirna Zabête, East Hampton; Isabella swimsuit, $195, by Onia at Everything But Water, East Hampton; Scallop heels, $550, at Zimmermann, East Hampton.

OK, got it. Cut out meat prebeach; keep a secret Spotify playlist. Can this stunner also teach us how to snap the perfect swimsuit shot? “Take a lot; I think that’s most important,” she says. “Don’t take just three. If I have to post a swimsuit photo—if I want to take a good one—I literally tell whoever’s taking it to keep snapping because in those moments when you’re moving, it could be cute or your body could look great because you’re not too tense,” she recommends. “But I think the most important thing is to keep snapping and something will come out of it.” Noted.

Speaking of snaps, you may have noticed that the top model has become a Hamptons fixture thanks to her beau, Jack Brinkley-Cook, son of Christie Brinkley and Richard Taubman. The camera-ready pair met on the beach at Gurney’s for Agdal’s best friend’s birthday, and it has been a nonstop summer romance ever since. “I think everybody knows how sweet and kind that family is,” Agdal says. “I’m so fortunate because they have so many friends and relationships out there, and they know the ins and outs of everything, so I’ve probably gotten the best possible experience you can have. It’s been amazing to be part of the family.” The beauty of dating the progeny of a supermodel is not lost on Agdal as she builds her own brand with upcoming launches like her debut sneaker collection. “Christie is obviously a name that is going to go down in history. She’s a legend and an icon,” she says, sharing that she often turns to Brinkley for career advice. “She’s obviously very smart, very wise with her decisions. I’m lucky to have that relationship with her—but, mostly, we don’t really talk work. We’re more like a family, and we always have a good time.”

Dream swimsuit, $262, at normaillot.com

In between hitting the treadmill to her favorite house music and posing for the perfect swimsuit shot, Agdal can be found chilling with the Brinkley-Cook clan and her puggle pup, Daisy. “I’ve spent so much time out East the past two years because Jack is from there and spends a lot of time out there,” she says. “It’s such a blessing because living in the city is so stressful, and... the fact that I can go out there and let Daisy run free is amazing.” She notes that just being in nature is a salve to city life for her. “I know it always sounds so silly, but growing up in Denmark—it has such a calming effect. I love going out there for the trees and the air and the nature and the quietness, and no ambulances every 30 seconds.”

“I love everything about the Hamptons except the summer traffic,” Agdal says. “I think everyone can agree on that.” Spoken like a true Hamptonite.