House of Darylene

Navajo fashion designer Darylene Martin founded Martini Couture in the summer of 2008. This first exploration into fashion design was inspired by the idea of a Navajo martini - a party-inspired concoction of dresses, shirts and accessories that had a distinct hip, upscale classy mixture of colors and silhouettes.

A smart designer, Martin is expanding her business to a house of design that consists of her first label, Martini Couture, along with two new branches: Summer Rain and Savage Beauty. The Summer Rain collection is inspired by her Native heritage and the elegance of the Navajo concept of 'Walking in Beauty'. The Savage Beauty line is a bold and sexy (and sometimes punk) interpretation of an urban Native woman.

Darylene Martin in The Red Issue

I don't know how I missed this!

One of my favorite designers, Darylene Martin (Navajo), was featured in Initial Magazine, The Red Issue, back in December.

Based out of Phoenix, Initial Magazine was created to publish stories about inspiring individuals and businesses that improve society by their positive influences.

Here's the section on Martin, but click here to flip through the whole mag online.

Martini Couture Beaded Earrings

Dii Martin of Martini Couture has created a bunch of new accessories that include these beaded earrings.

They are nice and long, and lengths run between 5 to 6 inches.

Find Martini Couture on Facebook if you'd like to order a set (prices range from $10-$25).

Bye-bye Urban Outfitters (support Native-made Native fashion!)

Navajo Fashion Designers in WOTN Online Mag

WOTN - The Online Magazine recently launched their latest issue. In it, they interview four Navajo fashion designers: Shane Watson, Felix Earle, Darylene Martin, and Dwayne Clauschee, who share their inside perspectives on the industry.

Click here to access the 2011 Spring Edition of WOTN.