While lots of things come and go, there’s been one constant that still remains the same: Dylan Lauren is the definition of a Hamptons—and beyond—It Girl. She’s built a candy empire—also known as Dylan’s Candy Bar—around the country, making life sweet for all of us, one tempting treat at a time. In an exclusive interview with Spotlight, Lauren tells us how she does it all!
Dylan, we had a lot of fun spending the day with you shooting this cover. You really do give off sweet-as-candy vibes!
I am candy—I live and breathe it, I eat it, and I love looking at it. It’s just so beautiful to me.
Why did you decide to get into the candy business and launch Dylan’s Candy Bar?
I had grown up going to East Hampton and loved their local candy store. Whenever I traveled or studied abroad, the first destination was local candy stores to find not just candy I love, but to find uniquely packaged and uniquely shaped chocolate sculptures, or just things that I could collect and put on my wall because I collect candy as if it’s art.
Was art another one of your passions?
I was an art history major and I love pop art. I started making my own art with candy. I made people picture frames out of Jordan almonds and gave them as gifts. I was also obsessed with Willy Wonka; that was a major inspiration because I saw it when I was 6, and probably a thousand times after, and I still have tear sheets, pictures, and Polaroids of that movie. I thought that one day I want to create something magical like this—a Disneyland-like place that brings people from everywhere at any age.
How have you been able to achieve this?
We have a nostalgia section that’s cool to baby boomers and then we have a millennial section, which features a lot of sour candy that came out during that decade and the packaging is all neon. We love seeing history through candy.
What’s your favorite candy of all time?
It’s tricky. I don’t have just one. Anything red and gummy like Swedish Fish and red licorice, and I love gumballs. I also love Cadbury Creme Eggs at Easter, and Mallow Creams and candy corn at Halloween. I’m obsessed with marshmallow fluff and our Marshmallow Cloud ice cream. Every now and then I’ll try something new, like some type of fudge. I love it all, but I’d say I’m more of a gummy person.
Your father is iconic fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Was there ever a moment where you thought you’d follow in his footsteps?
You know, I love watching my dad create an empire and always admired his entrepreneurship. I really, really love fashion, but I’m more about the colors in the fabric swatches. I’m not as into actual clothing as I am into the design color. I saw him build a lifestyle brand, but my passion was candy. When I look at candy, I see what he does with fabric. I see color.
I wanted to transform candy from something you just eat to making it a lifestyle and lifestyle brand. That’s why Dylan’s Candy Bar is not just about eating the candy. We have candy clothing, candy jewelry, candy stickers, candy pens, and all different lifestyle products, bags, and flip-flops. We’ve done a lot of collaborations, with major brands too, because candy is a great medium for any design. My father was supportive of me doing what I believe.
You chose to wear your cover dress backward. You’re very hands-on with everything you do—even your personal styling!
It’s funny—I like a certain cut. And even my dad being the master, I’ll be like, “Well, I think it actually should have been done like this.” And he’ll usually listen to me. Even when I worked with my dad on my wedding gown, I was very involved because I know what fits me.
Everyone who worked on the dress respected what I said. I think it’s just growing up and watching my dad—I kind of took in his eye for detail. And I think that’s what I like to do. I’m involved in every detail of Dylan’s Candy Bar. I feel like that’s the key to being a successful CEO and entrepreneur—getting your feet wet in everything.
What’s the best piece of business advice that your dad gave you?
Go with your gut.
Do you wear other brands besides Ralph Lauren?
Not really. I like what he makes; he has a lot of different lines, and I like the way of mixing and matching.
We love to follow Dylan’s Candy Bar on Instagram. Why don’t you have your own personal account?
That’s a good question. I think that I feel that it’s so personal; you know, to share one picture that captures the zillions of things you do in a day, I couldn’t pick the picture. And to have to pick a picture or tell a story when thousands of great things happen, and then maybe other things are not so great. I just felt like it’s too much work. And some of it is no one’s business. I also feel strongly about being in the moment.
Speaking of moments, the Hamptons is the backdrop to so many special ones! Why do you love it Out East?
I love the Hamptons because in a short stretch of bike riding, which could be 20 miles, you can go from Montauk Point, which is like a fishing village town that’s cool for nightlife, to Amagansett, which is all gardens and a whole different terrain. Then you go to East Hampton with all the luxury brands, and it’s a little more cosmopolitan. Next is Bridgehampton with its horse country, gardens, and farms. Within this stretch is so many different experiences.
What originally sparked your idea to open Dylan’s Candy Bar here?
I grew up spending my weekends and summers with my family there. I knew East Hampton would be perfect because our target customers from around the world are also drawn to this luxurious resort town. This particular location also has nostalgic significance to me because it was formerly my favorite childhood local candy store, Nuts About Chocolate. When the owner asked me if I was interested in taking over the space, I was touched and honored to continue bringing sweetness to the Hamptons, along with having my own store to indulge at.
How often do you pop into the store?
A lot!
What does a typical summer day look like for you out here?
It starts and ends with my me, my husband, and our twins [Kingsley Rainbow and Cooper Blue] prioritizing our rescue dog Jersey’s happiness by taking her for an hour-long walk on the beach and playing fetch. After the evening walk, we often stay on the beach to enjoy the late sunset with a take-out dinner picnic. Every day, my husband and I make sure to incorporate outdoor athletics, whether it’s riding 30 miles on our tandem bike all over the Hamptons, playing tennis, kayaking, or doing a Minardi Beach Workout. We kick off the activities with our favorite hot cappuccino or Plain-T at Tutto Caffé and refuel later with Dreamy iced coffee at Sylvester & Co. Modern General. We balance our healthy activities with treats from Dylan’s Candy Bar and warm berry muffins from Round Swamp Farm.
What’s your secret to life balance?
I have made balancing family, friends, hobbies, health, and work a key goal as it is key to my happiness! The best way for me to achieve this is by focused multitasking.
Sounds wonderful! What’s next for you?
The next big projects are finding new store locations and ideally our next flagship in New York City. Expanding our party and corporate gifting businesses through creating stylish favors, centerpieces, and gift baskets. And hosting Dylan’s Candy Bar animal adoption events at our stores with incredible organizations such as the Animal Rescue Foundation, NYC Second Chance Rescue, and Wags & Walks to ensure millions of homeless animals find a home sweet home.
