Chic in New York: Hayward House
by habituallychic
05 . 27 . 15
Every time I take a walk on the Upper East Side, it seems like another store has closed. That’s one of the reasons I was especially excited that Marin Hopper decided to open her beautiful new flagship store Hayward House on East 70th Street.
Marin Hopper is the daughter of Dennis Hopper and Brooke Hayward. While most of you know her father for his films and photography, it is her mother’s side of the family that inspired the Hayward accessories brand. The papers of her grandfather, Leland Howard, an agent and producer in Hollywood that were found in the New York Public Library were the jumping off point and his signature watch fob became the H hardware on her bags.
As she herself states, it would be almost impossible not to create something beautiful with all the creativity she grew up with in her family. Her godmother is Jane Fonda, her grandmother was actress Margaret Sullavan, and her step-grandmother was the stylish Slim Keith. If you need any help following the family connections, the powder room wonderfully outlines how everyone is connected. Marin also worked at Vogue and Elle magazines which I’m sure helped to hone her style.
The Hayward brand began first with custom orders in 2008 but has since expanded beyond bags and will include cold weather accessories and jewelry for fall 2015. Many of the bags are made from exotic skins and named after family members. Everything is made in their New York factory which allows Marin and her husband, John Goldstone who also works on the brand, to keep a close eye on production. They even live above the shop which harkens back to the days when shopkeepers in New York lived above the store.
Hayward House actually feels more like a salon than a regular retail operation. It was previously home to a hair salon and needed a lot of restoration work to bring it back to its former glory. One side is home to the Hayward accessories and the other is a lovely homage to Dennis Hopper. On display are beautiful photographs from the recent book Dennis Hopper Drugstore Camera which is available for purchase, as well as personal papers and mementos.
While I can’t say exactly what is in the works, Marin told me that accessories are just the beginning of things to come from Hayward House. I hope more wonderful brands follow her lead and move to the Upper East Side but until then, I highly suggest you stop by and see this wonderful neighborhood addition for yourself.
Hayward House
131 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021
212-585-1712
Tuesday to Saturday 11:00am – 5:00pm
And by appointment.
The very chic and sweet Marin Hopper.
Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic.