Influencing The East End

Vanessa Gordon of East End Taste will host the inaugural Hamptons Interactive Influencer Brunch on Saturday, July 21, from 12 to 3 PM at Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Retreat, a domestic violence shelter in East Hampton.

The concept came about earlier in the year when Gordon held a planning session with celebrity event planners Sean Koski and Brian Kelly of Ticket2Events. Having never done anything like this before, Gordon received enough positive feedback and support to step outside of her comfort zone and make her idea a reality. Welcome to the very first Hamptons Interactive Influencer Brunch.

Upward of 125 Hamptons and New York City based personalities will join this lifestyle expert for an afternoon comprised of brands across the beauty, fashion, wine and spirits, and home décor industries. The predominately invitation-only brunch features influencers hand-picked by Gordon herself, citing criteria of a certain reach and strong, organic following, of which she looked up using web tool Social Blade.

“In a way we all influence each other. What’s cool about the whole influencer concept is that you’re not watching a commercial on television, flipping through channels. You’re actually looking for these people and are excited to see what they’re doing next. It’s a lifestyle you admire,” she said.

“I’m a journalist and I fell into the whole influencer concept by accident,” Gordon noted. “Two years ago, someone said that I could get paid good money for a post and I thought it sounded like a scam. Now I have to push brands away,” she said. To date, her Instagram @EastEndTaste has a following of more than 32,000. Her posts depict her foodie escapades, such as eating spoonsful of Turkey Hill Dairy right from the carton, and tailored beauty brand choices.

Renee Guerrero of @GettingFitFab, who has over 14,000 followers in the beauty and motherhood sector, said, “As an influencer, networking and meeting other bloggers who can relate to this business is extremely refreshing. I’m so excited to attend and can’t wait to meet like-minded women who share the same passions as I do!”

“[I] can’t wait to head to the Hamptons for the weekend for a fab event with East End Taste. Excited to get my hair done, shop, and party for a good cause!” commented style influencer Michelle Madonna Charles, @ThatMadonnaGirl, with 52,000 followers.

“Over the past few weeks, there has been so much positive buzz about the Hamptons Interactive Brunch by East End Taste and I was ecstatic to learn I was one of the select few who were invited to such a buzzworthy event. I’m looking forward to being around my peers, discovering new brands, and indulging in the many treats and services,” mentioned foodie John Simon, @XOJohn of 3300 followers.

A complimentary beauty bar will include delights from T3 Micro, Kendra Scott, and Gloss Lab. The designer trunk show includes Anuja Tolia Jewelry in addition to jewelry customized with hand-picked floral pieces from b Floral. Enjoy tasting stations from Muuna and Lolea Sangria bar, and nitro coffee from Chameleon Cold Brew.

Guests will have the chance to win big on silent auction items and walk away with overstuffed gift bags filled with familiar designer names such as Talbots, Kopari Beauty, Masigi, Supergoop, Welly Bottle, Henri Bendel, The Daily Edited, Harney and Sons Tea, Dylan’s Candy Bar, Zico Coconut Water, and more.

A select number of tickets are available to the public. Find select tickets at www.eastendtaste.com/hamptons-interactive-brunch.

@NikkiOnTheDaily (not nearly as many followers as these influencers!)
nicole@indyeastend.com