By intertwining their passions and strengths, local Hamptonites and co-founders of Mixology Jordan and Gabby Edwards have taken the East End by storm. Here, the brother-sister duo speak on working with family, fall trends and the expansion of their fashion empire.
Co-founders of Mixology Gabby and Jordan Edwards
What inspired you and your sister, Gabby, to start Mixology?
JE: Mixology Clothing Company is the story of my sister. We are about inspiring women, and I am honored that I’m a part of it. My contribution to our company is about the love of hard work and leading our teams. Our father, Glenn, instilled in us from a young age that what you do doesn’t matter, as long as you love to work hard.
Why set up shop out East?
GE: Our family has had a home in Westhampton Beach since before I was born. We’ve spent every summer of our lives out East. The Hamptons hold so many special memories for our family it was natural to open two of our stores in a place we’ve called home our entire lives.
Adding on to that, how would you describe the Hamptons style?
GE: The Hamptons style is classic Americana, chic, beachy, fun. It’s the gathering place for our family, so for us it also means comfort.
Shop from brands like Jac Parker (seen here), Robertson & Rodeo, Sunday Stevens and more.
What is your favorite aspect of working with family?
JE: The Edwards family has worked in a family business since our great-grandparents arrived in this country. Each generation has started a new business line, and it’s our honor to carry on that tradition. I used to play under my father’s office desk as a child, and now my two sons, Axel, 3, and Mac, 14 weeks, continue that tradition. Our name is behind everything we do, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
What makes your company unique to other brands and boutiques?
GE: We compete in a highly competitive industry and niche. Ultimately our core values are what distinguish us from the rest. We do what we say, and we live by our motto, inspire confidence. That was my story as a 13-year-old, and we work hard to pay that lesson forward.
Can you tell me more about some core values of the brand?
JE: As we have grown, we went from knowing every employee and every loyal customer by name. That’s sadly impossible today, with stores all over the New York metropolitan area and our website selling globally. However, when you filter all of your decision-making through your core values and inspire your team to do the same, our customers feel what we are all about: inspiring confidence. That is my sister’s story, starting work at an early age and becoming an incredible entrepreneur through hard work. I know you have now expanded into 11 stores (and ecommerce site). What has been the most surprising lesson you have learned along the way?
GE: As you grow, it’s essential that the most senior executive, the newest junior staff member and everyone in between understand and embody your core values. When we started the business, we knew every employee and every best customer. Today we have hundreds of team members and hundreds of thousands of customers all over the world. It’s our mission to make sure that our whole team treats our stakeholders the way we would. This is what distinguishes good businesses from great businesses. We strive for great!
As we head into fall, what are some styles that you’re most excited to see?
GE: I am excited to see people dress up again this fall. Leather, sweaters and boots! Cardigans will be a big trend this fall, cutouts will continue to be a popular trend, and with the return to offices, blazers—whether they’re tweed, cropped or solid—will be everywhere.
What are some of your favorite local hot spots?
GE: I love to spend nights at home with my family and friends; my husband, Jared, is fantastic around the kitchen, so he cooks a lot. When we go out, we enjoy Sunset Beach, Sant Ambroeus, Dopo La Spiaggia and we love Shock in Westhampton Beach for ice cream.
Are there any upcoming projects or concepts that we can buzz?
GE: We are doubling the size of our Woodbury, N.Y., location and opening new locations in NYC and the metropolitan area.
Photography by: From top: Photo by Adam Alex; Photo by Kimber Capriotti; Photo by Shira Zimmerman
