Why Cory Paul Martin’s Birthday Weekend Is the Summer’s Most Coveted Invitation
There’s a moment—somewhere between the first mezcal spritz and the last disco-tinged beat at dawn—when time starts to blur and memory gets gilded. That’s the moment Cory Paul Martin lives for. And this year, he's orchestrating an entire weekend of them.
Martin, the fashion model turned lifestyle curator, is no stranger to a statement-making celebration. But for his upcoming birthday, he’s dialing the volume down and the taste up, opting for intimacy over indulgence, Montauk over Mykonos, nuance over noise. “We rented a house in Amagansett,” he says casually, “and twelve of my closest friends are flying in."
It’s classic Cory: stylish but never showy, high-touch but never high-maintenance. From fronting campaigns for luxury brands to front-row cameos at fashion week, the New York- and Mexico City–based model has parlayed his industry cachet into something far more personal—a quietly powerful brand built on connection, curation, and yes, the occasional perfectly timed party.
The centerpiece this year? A sunset-laced main event at Montauk’s Surf Lodge on June 1, hosted by nightlife icon Jayma Cardoso and powered by TO Mezcal, the artisanal spirit Martin co-founded and now evangelizes with the kind of conviction usually reserved for first loves. DJs Hersh and Bora Uzer will spin. The dress code? "East Coast ease with a touch of Euro flair. Think linen sets, salty hair, mezcal in hand," Martin says, with a grin that suggests he’s already packed the looks.
There’s no costume party gimmick, no Pinterest board theme—just the natural cohesion of people who understand that style isn’t a dress code, it’s a frequency. “It’s about evolving the vibe,” he says. “Not topping the last one. This one’s going to be all love, all weekend.”
And if past birthdays are any indication—boat-to-boat in Bodrum, full-moon madness in Tulum—“love” may also involve a whisper-only after-party, a mezcal-fueled dance floor, and a 4 a.m. beach moment no one dares film.
For Martin, whose modeling work has long had an international edge, the birthday is less a party and more a ritual. “It’s the alchemy of it all,” he says. “The people, the setting, the playlist, the drinks—when each piece hits just right, that’s when the magic happens.”
It’s a philosophy he’s poured—quite literally—into TO Mezcal, a passion project that now feels more like a lifestyle platform. “It’s the first time I’ve had a job that lets me pour in everything I love: connection, celebration, travel, and good energy.” Naturally, TO will be woven into the Montauk weekend with custom cocktails and impromptu tastings. “It’s not just a drink,” Martin says. “It’s the spirit of the party.”
Lately, the man has been everywhere—Monaco, Tulum, Ibiza, Puglia. But it’s Costa Rica that left a dent in his soul. Hosted by his close friend Joe Cassidy, the trip was part Burning Man preview, part soul reset. “Grounding, wild, full of love,” he says. “One of those trips that lingers.”
He brings that same duality—earthbound and ecstatic—to his current orbit. He’s as likely to be barefoot at a beach rave as he is suited up on a red carpet. As connected to his rituals as he is to the runway. “I don’t try to ‘stay grounded,’” he shrugs. “I stay present.”
That presence shows up in how he moves, how he builds community, and how he holds court without ever feeling like he’s performing. Ask him what inspires him right now and he doesn’t default to brands or buzzwords. “My friends. The music we dance to. The places that remind us how big and beautiful life can be. The collective energy of everyone creating, evolving, celebrating.”
It’s that balance—playful, poised, deeply personal—that defines the Cory Paul Martin brand. One that’s less about exclusivity and more about shared frequency. Less about hype, more about resonance.
So what’s next? He’s calling in big moves for TO Mezcal. He’s open to love that meets him where he’s going. He wants peace, and yes, a little mischief. “It’s part of the fun,” he laughs.
Come Sunday in Montauk, when the sky softens and the mezcal flows, don’t be surprised if you feel something shift. That’s not the ocean breeze. That’s Cory Paul Martin, making magic—again.
