Libertine Hosted an Intimate Sag Harbor Dinner with Martha Stewart

Entering Sage & Madison in Sag Harbor, shoppers are currently transported into the world of Johnson Hartig’s brand Libertine; think floor-to-ceiling whimsy inside a jewel-box storefront filled to the brim—it's like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory for fashion-enthusiasts.

On Friday night, the brand hosted a candle-lit dinner in the garden to celebrate its summer collection with the queen of the home and garden herself, Martha Stewart. It was an evening of life, Libertine, and the pursuit of happiness!

Johnson Hartig, founder and creative mastermind behind the brand, specializes in colorful and tactical embellishments with an eye for eco-friendly upcycled materials. Each blazer, trench, and slip dress has a personality of its own, filling the store with a cacophony of inanimate characters. The “something for everyone” quality of the brand was on full display as guests flocked to all corners of the racks, picking out garments: a trench coat covered in rhinestone pooches, a giant polka dot gumdrop off-the-shoulder dress, and a blazer-shorts set appliquéd with sprinkles of reclaimed vintage buttons.

Martha Stewart, the beloved homeware and entertainment mogul (who made Sports Illustrated history as the oldest cover model in the publication’s history), graced the dinner as the guest of honor. Sauntering in wearing a Libertine silk set in Araucana-egg-green, Stewart immediately warmed the room with the energy of an old friend. Upon meeting, Stewart and Hartig were kindred spirits, connecting immediately over their love for Libertine’s vibrant fabrics and their shared love for aioli, naturally. Close friends of the pair took their seats for dinner in the Stewart-approved garden—(green) thumbs up!

A nautical-meets-Italian Riviera tablescape designed by Kira Faiman’s Von Gern Home featured pops of fuschia and navy accents with charming bamboo silverware. Name placements were thoughtfully printed on the iconic Libertine Bloomsbury Collage print, a favorite of Hartig. Each seat was topped with a sticker sheet, a nod to Hartig’s cheeky sense of humor. Guests decorated their phone cases with the playful giveaway. A favorite? The sticker of Stewart wearing black sunglasses, lips puckered, above the quote “It’s A Good Thing.”

Dinner by Hank Tomashevski featured fresh English pea soup, homemade ricotta gnocchi with lobster, and chicken breast with goat cheese and basil. Refreshing desserts, key lime pie and strawberry shortcake, had guests digging their spoons into neighboring plates to taste a little bite of every sweet morsel.

Every detail of the evening was on brand, including the table talk. Stewart shared some gardening updates, such as the status of her artichokes and tomatoes growing in her custom soil (spoiler: they’re sprouting beautifully). One guest took a poll from the table, asking, “Do you use that new orchid spray?” followed by a chorus of women harmonizing, “I do!” At one point, Stewart and Hartig were challenged to a sew-off competition. It never happened, but the guests couldn’t help but wonder…

Lucky for eclectic suit lovers, Libertine is available for purchase beyond the two weeks inside Sage & Madison's walls. Toasting the popup’s final days in the Hamptons, Stewart held up her glass, “Cheers to Libertine addiction!”