The sudden death of rising fashion designer Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra has sent shockwaves through New York’s fashion community and the East End resort town of Montauk. The 33-year-old founder of East x East, a swimwear and resortwear brand, was found dead on a yacht docked at the exclusive Montauk Yacht Club early Tuesday morning, Suffolk County authorities confirmed.
East Hampton Town Police responded to a 911 call around 4 a.m. on August 5, made by a man who reported finding Nolan-O’Slatarra unconscious on a 50-to-60-foot yacht off Star Island Road. Despite immediate CPR efforts by those on the scene, she was pronounced dead on the boat. Suffolk County Police described her cause of death as “inconclusive” following a preliminary investigation. An autopsy is currently underway to determine further details. Law enforcement is reportedly exploring whether drugs may have played a role, though no official cause has been released.
Nolan-O’Slatarra, a native of Carlow, Ireland, had moved to New York City to pursue a career in fashion. Her company, East x East, celebrated coastal glamour with a distinctly New York attitude. The brand launched a pop-up boutique just two months ago at Gurney’s Montauk Resort, only six miles from where her body was found. East x East made a major impact nearly immediately thanks to Nolan-O’Slatarra’s bright presence on social media.
In a video posted last spring, she described her journey as “a love letter to New York City and the East End.” In the video she reflected on how the hustle of the city, with the promise of escape held by Long Island inspired her work. “Everyone is grinding,” she said, “but everyone’s destined for the sun.”
Friends and followers viewed her as a visionary on the rise, combining savvy business instincts with deeply personal storytelling. In an interview with the Irish Independent earlier this year, Nolan-O’Slatarra recalled her transition from small-town Ireland to Manhattan’s fast-paced fashion world. “I always knew I wanted to be successful,” she said. “That I was money-driven, business-driven, and that fashion is a tough industry and it would be a slow road.”
The Montauk Yacht Club, a 16-acre historic marina and resort that has hosted elite guests for nearly a century, issued a statement expressing condolences. “We are saddened to learn of the tragic incident that took place,” a spokesperson said. “Our team is cooperating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff.”
The yacht club, which first opened in 1928, has long been a symbol of Montauk’s elite summer culture, frequented over the decades by figures like J.P. Morgan, Vincent Astor, and Charles Lindbergh.
As the investigation into Nolan-O’Slatarra’s death continues, everyone who knew her is left to mourn the loss of a woman whose vision and ambition left a lasting impression.
