A Look at East x East, The Resort Wear Brand by the late Martha Nolan - O'Slatarra

With the tagline "Built in the City, Made for the Sun," the late fashion designer, Martha Nolan - O'Slatarra had a clearly defined vision for her luxury resort wear brand. The hard-working Carlow native tells the camera in an online video," East x East, stands for New York by the Hamptons [...] I absolutely adore it. It resonates with so many people on so many levels because at some point, everyone in their hectic lives are, you know, grinding, city life, everyone's just destined for the sun. I know pretty much everyone else is. In another clip, as she proudly displays an intricate white crochet floor-length dress, she declares excitedly, “It's absolutely stunning on, I tried it on. I think this will be a best seller”

The high-end resort wear brand was “founded on the belief that fashion should not come at the expense of our planet,” according to the company’s website. The mission statement continues. “Our founders, natives of New York City and The Hamptons, were inspired to create a line of stylish and sustainable sunglasses, swimwear, and resort wear for men and women. We are committed to using environmentally-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing processes so that our customers can feel good about their purchases and the impact they have on the world. East x East's bathing suits, crafted from recycled plastic bottles, transformed into a sleek design that's more than just swimwear. It's a statement. Our collections are made to be worn and loved, whether you're lounging on the beach or exploring the city. We believe that fashion should be fun, effortless, and sustainable. Join us in embracing the sun while also taking care of our planet;"

The Beginning

Developing her business acumen by studying commerce at University College Dublin, she later completed a  Master's in Digital Marketing at UCD’s Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. 

Moving to the Big Apple at just 26 to pursue her dreams, Martha, it appeared, was ready to take the U. S by storm. Across the pond, Nolan-O'Slatarra cut her teeth as a sales representative for a fintech start-up, where she liaised with top-tier hedge funds. She reportedly was also the director of operations at investment firm K4 Capital and ran an Amazon fashion brand known as 'Duper'.

In 2021, Nolan-O’Slatarra and her business partner, Dylan Grace, launched the resort apparel line for East x East. The resort is known for its effortless coastal elegance. The ambitious entrepreneur is said to have first formulated building a brand in her late teens, once confessing to an interviewer, “I always wanted to start my own company and I always wanted to build a brand. I’ve been saying that since I was 18 or 19. The blonde beauty remembered her humble roots, saying, “Carlow is a small town. I was the small-town girl who needed to get out to achieve her big dreams… I still have all my Carlow friends. They are still my crew.” Most recently, she celebrated the launch of a beachside pop-up at Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa. Marking the milestone on Instagram, in a now poignant final post, Nolan-O'Slatarra shared the words, “goals achieved.”

In homage to the career of the much-loved Carlow native, handstitchedrhythm has selected some stand-out pieces from the collection on eastxeast.com.

Tropical prints, vibrant florals, and leopard prints are peppered throughout the women's wear collection. Linen shirts for men and pants for women, meanwhile, demonstrate the designer's attention to detail and classic tailoring.

“Meet the short of summer”, the description says for the Blake/ black with a cream ribbon side stripe. The material, meanwhile, is defined as durable and flexible. The quirky Caribbean cove men's short feature a kitchy, surf-inspired design.

The Freya bikini and Tropicana whimsical beach vibes, while the orange metallic bikini creates a simmering, sun-kissed look, a reminiscent mix of old Hollywood glam and 21st-century Bond girl

Jolie / Tort Cream + Brown sunglasses make a statement for their timeless elegance. Practical and stylish, the eyewear has a rectangular fit with tortoise and cream acetate, which encourages the wearer to embrace the cool. 

East xEast Hoodie/ Cream was an in-store exclusive, "I only love you in Montauk". The oversized plush cream hoodie is  perfect for cozying up with a glass of wine as the sun begins to set.

Martha’s Tragic End

The talented 33-year-old designer recently lost her life after she was found unresponsive on a boat named Ripple, docked at the Montauk Yacht Club, just off Star Island Road, shortly after midnight on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025. Her partner made a 911 call after he found her unconscious on board. Good Samaritans attempted CPR until emergency responders arrived, but despite all efforts, Martha could not be revived. A preliminary autopsy was completed by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office, showing no evidence of violence. The final cause of death remains pending further examination, and the investigation is ongoing. 

Style Icon: Reflecting On The Legacy Of Carolyn Bassette-Kennedy 

The hair colour is completely wrong,” says Carolyn's Bessette- Kennedy’s former hair colourist, Brad Johns, in an interview with fashion bible, Vogue, “No one would believe that Carolyn in the '90s would have that hair colour from me,” he adds, referring to the recent backlash surrounding behind-the-scenes photos of the upcoming Ryan Murphy-produced series, *American Love Story”. Adding a dash more shade, Johns continues, “It’s all ashed out [...] It’s so hysterical; when she sees that colour, she’s going to be swirling in heaven.” Deemed a “fashion murder” on social media, one commenter perfectly captured the fashion faux pas, snarking, “This is 2020; Zara does '90s Prada.” While the image of Carolyn swirling in the afterlife over hair colour may seem dramatic, it only adds to the lore surrounding the influence CBK had on '90s style. She effortlessly curated what we now refer to as “quiet luxury.”

"American Love Story" actors verses Carolyn and JFK jr

The native New Yorker, who initially tried her hand at modeling, decided to focus on her love of fashion. While working for Calvin Klein in Boston, her chic aesthetic caught the eye of the fashion giant’s bosses. Rising through the ranks, Bessette-Kennedy's sleek, modern sensibility saw her go from saleswoman to head of publicity in the brand's flagship store on Madison Avenue. Seizing the opportunity, Carolyn began to style the Hollywood elite, including Annette Bening and Diane Sawyer. Celebrated for her minimalist chic look, which perfectly aligned with the brand at the time, Bessette’s style and savvy quickly elevated her to the top of the New York fashion scene. Meanwhile, Carolyn met John F Kennedy Jr. in the early 1990s, and the couple began dating in 1994. Their relationship attracted significant tabloid attention due to JFK Jr.'s high-profile family and his job at the time, notably after he launched the contemporary culture publication, George magazine, in 1995. The paparazzi hounded the couple, reportedly creating tension in their relationship that would continue to be a challenge throughout their lives until they passed away in a 1999 plane crash near Martha’s Vineyard. 

Known for her blend of kindness, compassion, and honesty, Besette-Kennedy applied the same consideration to her sartorial choices; each article of clothing was carefully selected, focusing on shape and fit rather than trends or logos. Carolyn once said, “I’m not comfortable with anything ornate.” Her style had an architectural quality; for example, a man's shirt tucked into a skirt created a striking silhouette through volume. This approach ensured that she always appeared modern, regardless of the era.

Bessette chose designers known for clean lines. Her stylistic restraint is maybe best illustrated by CBK’s sleek, sophisticated wedding dress by Narciso Rodriguez. Speaking about the dress, Rodriguez shared his thoughts with Vogue in 2018, declaring,” It was a great moment in my career, but also a beautiful moment in my personal life. Someone I loved very much asked me to make the most important dress of her life.” Perfect in its simplicity, the pearl-colored silk crepe sleeveless slip dress cut on the bias with a subtle cowl neck, required several adjustments, the last of which took place on the big day itself [nightmare!] With a staggering 40k price tag, the minimalist masterpiece was gifted to the bride by its designer and went on to become one of the most influential wedding dresses of all time.

CBK Wardrobe Staples

CBK’s wardrobe was built on the philosophy that better pieces work harder while others collect trends. Caroline created an impact through careful editing, ensuring that each piece had its place due to its versatility. Everything could be styled in multiple ways, resulting in a signature look that appeared effortless. Prada, Helmut Lang, Jil Sander, and Yohji Yamamoto all featured in Carolyn’s wardrobe. Mixing low and high-end pieces, she was loyal to Levi’s 501s and reportedly stocked up on her favorite headbands at a local New York apothecary.

A crisp button-downs or a plain white crew-neck t-shirt, paired with everything from jeans to skirts, were essential. A well-made shirt from design favourite, Yohji Yamamoto, helped create CBK’s casual elegance. Paired with everyday pieces like Levi's 501, enhanced the look's lean, elongated silhouette. 

Balancing pieces with structured outerwear elevated her basics into complete looks. Caroline understood that a strong coat transforms everything underneath. A Prada devotee, Bessette-Kennedy incorporated the belted outerwear into her wardrobe in both black and camel. While she favoured a muted palette of colours, such as black, grey, navy, and beige, she experimented with texture and pattern in pieces like the ruffled Yohji coat or the red plaid Prada number. Her famous vintage leopard print coat, circa 1969, was discovered by the fashionista at a Paris flea market. The coat was sold at Soderby's Fashion Icons auction in 2024.

Her outfits were thoughtfully assembled yet not overly complicated, often featuring statement pieces. One of her most iconic accessories is a Tortoiseshell headband. Frequently seen strolling through Greenwich Village, CKB paired the simple headpiece with a signature pair of oval Aldo shades from Selima Optique, which exuded an effortlessly chic look. A large Prada Spazzolato tote bag was often perched on her shoulder to complete the ensemble. The ahead-of-her-time style influencer also famously carried a Hermes Birkin long before they gained popularity.

Before SJP stepped into the glamorous shoes of Carrie Bradshaw, CBK was often seen rocking Monolo Blahnik slingback pumps paired with a floor-skimming, tiered skirt or an understated silk slip dress, accompanied by loafers. The little black dress was a go-to for Carolyn, whether draped in Calvin Klein, Yamamoto, or Miu Miu; CBK's quiet confidence was, by far, the most stylish feature she possessed. While most of us cannot afford her designer price tags, we can take inspiration from Besette-Kennedy's willingness to cultivate a style that is uniquely her own. In the era of the supermodel, the tabloid-obsessed 1990s, CBK did not court attention, making her presence all the more intriguing. While her timeless elegance made her a part of fashion history, it was her authenticity that truly made her iconic.