Lizzie Fortunato is a New York City-based accessories brand founded by twin sisters Elizabeth and Kathryn Fortunato. Together, Lizzie and Kathryn source materials and inspiration from around the globe to create collections informed by travel, fine art, and the craftwork of the places they visit. Lizzie’s fondness for found materials - from beads bought on the side of the road in Kenya to shells discovered on the beach in Mexico - and her adherence to a “slow” and small-scale production process make each design especially unique.
Founded in Lizzie’s Lower East Side walk-up apartment in 2008, the brand has grown to include costume jewelry, leather goods, belts, scarves, and hair accessories, which are distributed to boutiques and department stores worldwide. In 2015, Lizzie became a member of the CFDA. Her designs are still primarily created in NYC and have graced the pages of Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Vogue, and The New York Times and have been worn by Anne Hathaway, Solange Knowles, Julianne Moore, and Drew Barrymore, among others.
How do you like to entertain? What is the vibe (where, feeling, how)?
Lizzie: My husband and I have a beach cottage outside of the city (in Bellport, NY) so we now have a space to entertain and relish in the opportunity! We love casual get-togethers - starting with cocktails (my husband is an expert, self-taught mixologist) on the porch, and dinner outside by the grill, all while the kids run around the yard catching fireflies. The perfect party to me is all about fresh lime daiquiris, grilled fish or steak, long conversations, and lots of laughter.
Kathryn: Ditto. We spend so much of our time together that entertaining is a fun group effort. Everyone has a job and it feels like “the more, the merrier”. Nothing in our lives - when it comes to entertaining - should feel too precious. We have young kids and are used to noisy, lively surroundings and want the same when we entertain. In the fall and winter, I love making a big pot of chili and doing a cozy red wine + chili dinner party in our Brooklyn apartment. We might start at the dinner table and migrate to the living room for cocktails and games (or even a dance party) as the night goes on.
We also love creating community. Through our business, we’ve hosted many “Creative Women’s Dinners” where we bring a group of relative strangers around the table to break bread together and share ideas / collaborate. We love the bonds and relationships that can be formed across the table- entertaining should be all about this.
What are you serving?
Lizzie: Summer dinners are all about steak on the grill, fresh veggies and fruits from Long Island farm stands, berry pie for dessert, natural wines, and negronis or daiquiris.
Lizzie: I’m actually planning a July 4 cocktail party for 50. I don’t normally entertain with groups this big, but I can’t wait to catch up with friends and neighbors for an outdoor soirée. The vibe will hopefully be “laid-back summer.” We’ve hired an oyster shucker (when on Long Island …), which I think will be a hit!
What are you sipping?
Fresh lime daiquiris, tequila negronis, natural wine.
What are you wearing?
Sarongs and dresses for summer entertaining. Favorites include Marni and Rosie Assoulin for happy prints and colors, and SZ Blockprints and Lisa Corti for chic sarongs and beachy vibes.
We, of course, are always accessorizing with yours truly (Lizzie Fortunato).
Lizzie: I am a sucker for our 14K Fine earrings. I’ve been living in the Aria in Sky Blue Topaz and swear they take me from beach to cocktails. I also rarely take off my Aquamarine and Emerald Strand; it dresses up a simple white cotton top to make me entertaining-ready.
Kathryn: When entertaining, I love an Organic Hoop because they’re so easy to wear and make a quick statement (I guarantee you will get compliments). We just launched these in a “Mini” size, which I am excited about.
What are you listening to?
A huge range of tunes! Everything from Jamaica Farewell (Harry Belafonte) to reggae to a little Taylor Swift (when the kids insist on a “special show” for the adults, but let’s be honest, it gets everyone moving).
Kenan Juska (one half of the amazing Chances with Wolves) DJ’ed both of our weddings and has an incredible radio streaming station that features such good musical mash-ups.
How do you make your guests feel special? How do you make them feel at home?
Lizzie: This is key! We really have a “my home is your home” attitude when entertaining. Recently, Ruby (my 3.5-year-old daughter) and I made beaded and shell bracelets for all guests at the dinner table. They were very DIY, but they were a fun party favor and made everyone feel like part of our crew. Similarly, handmade place cards and other personal touches go a long way in making people feel welcome.
Also, this is random, but our powder room (that guests use in our home) is covered in framed photos of our friends and family from over the years. I’m not talking professional portraits... more just thrift-store frames of photos, Polaroids, invitations, and mementos from 30+ years. Any guest can step in there and immediately feel like they “know us.”
If you are hosting a dinner, what is your go-to centerpiece?
Kathryn: Fresh flowers! I love cutting (from the garden) and arranging blooms in small vases throughout the table.
Lizzie: I am a sucker for brightly colored taper candles. I have a lot of vintage brass candle holders of varying heights and am always filling them with a mix of colored candles.
What is your favorite Half Past Seven product to entertain with?
Kathryn: I would set a table with the Magnolia Lapis Napkins and lean into a matching tablecloth. I love layers and think more is more when setting a table; these shades of blue feel seasonless and classic. The Lettuce Leaf Vase in Blue would cap off the tabletop so beautifully full of glorious white peonies. It’s so cool that this is hand-blown in Mexico; Lizzie and I are true fans of handmade, storied pieces.
Lizzie: We do so much outdoor entertaining that these stemless wine glasses would be perfect for cocktails on the porch (or at the beach). Also, I love tortoise.
Let’s play this or that…
- Charger OR Placemat: Placemat
- Stemmed OR Stem-less: Stem-less
- Red OR White: Both!
- Tablecloth OR Bare: Cloth!
- Votives OR Taper Candle: Tapers!
- Formal OR Informal: Informal
