Tragedy Strikes Montauk’s Star Island: Acclaimed Fashion Designer Martha Nolan-O’Slattara, 33, Found Dead on Docked Yacht

A Somber Shadow Falls Over Montauk’s Star Island: Fashion Designer Martha Nolan-O’Slattara, 33, Found Dead on Docked Yacht

MONTUAK, NY — A wave of disbelief and sorrow has swept across Montauk’s elite coastal community following the sudden and tragic death of renowned fashion designer Martha Nolan-O’Slattara, 33, whose body was discovered early Monday morning aboard a luxury yacht moored at the prestigious Montauk Yacht Club.

According to authorities, emergency services were dispatched to the yacht club shortly after sunrise following a 911 call reporting an unresponsive individual onboard a private vessel docked along the marina’s inner slips. Upon arrival, responders found O’Slattara alone and lifeless inside the master cabin of the yacht, reportedly owned by a longtime friend and financier with close ties to the fashion world. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death remains under investigation, though initial findings point to no signs of foul play. Toxicology results are pending.

Her death has sent shockwaves not only through Montauk’s tightly knit social circles but also across the international fashion industry, where O’Slattara had built a rising legacy over the last decade as a daring and visionary designer. Known for her signature fusion of minimalist silhouettes and bold, nature-inspired textiles, O’Slattara was a fixture at New York Fashion Week and had recently opened a flagship boutique in SoHo. Her collections were worn by A-list celebrities, praised in major fashion editorials, and frequently seen on red carpets around the globe.

Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, O’Slattara moved to the U.S. at the age of 19 to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. Her remarkable creativity, combined with a relentless drive, quickly caught the attention of key players in the industry. By her mid-20s, she had launched her own label, “O’Slattara,” which garnered critical acclaim for its commitment to sustainable production and its bold aesthetic vision. Vogue once hailed her as “the poetic rebel the fashion world didn’t know it desperately needed.”

Friends and colleagues describe O’Slattara as luminous — both in personality and talent. “Martha was a bright, effervescent soul,” said longtime friend and stylist Amara Hines. “She didn’t just make beautiful clothes. She lived her art, embodied elegance, and still made time to mentor young designers and donate to causes she believed in.”

Though her public life was steeped in glamour, those closest to her were aware that she struggled with the pressures that came with rapid fame and perfectionism. In a candid 2023 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, O’Slattara admitted to bouts of anxiety and burnout. “Sometimes, the beauty of creation comes from a place of pain,” she said. “But I’m learning that peace can be as powerful as passion.”

This past weekend, O’Slattara had reportedly been in Montauk to unwind after wrapping up a summer capsule collection slated for international release this fall. Witnesses at the yacht club say she seemed relaxed and in good spirits while socializing with close friends on Sunday afternoon. She was last seen by staff around midnight.

The Montauk Yacht Club, a symbol of coastal luxury and seclusion, has remained quiet in the wake of the tragedy, with security tightening as investigators work through the details. The vessel where O’Slattara was found remains under police custody, and authorities are urging anyone with relevant information about her final hours to come forward.

As tributes pour in across social media, thousands have expressed grief and gratitude for the impact O’Slattara had on the world. Messages of condolence have come from celebrities, fashion editors, environmental advocates, and aspiring designers alike — all touched by her unique voice and visionary spirit.

“She made people feel seen and celebrated through her designs,” said supermodel Alana Rivera. “She was magic. A rare kind of human. And now she’s gone too soon.”

O’Slattara is survived by her mother, Maeve Nolan, and two younger siblings, all of whom reside in Ireland. In a brief statement released Tuesday morning, her family said, “Martha brought immeasurable light and love into our lives and into the world. We ask for privacy as we grieve the loss of our beloved daughter and sister.”

Plans for a memorial are underway, with a tribute event reportedly being organized in New York City by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), where O’Slattara had recently been honored as a “Design Icon of the Future.”

As the sun sets over Montauk’s quiet marina, the absence of Martha Nolan-O’Slattara is deeply felt — not just in the silent berth of the yacht where her life ended, but in the heart of a world that cherished her brilliance.

She was only 33. And yet, in those short years, she left behind a legacy stitched with beauty, boldness, and a spirit that refuses to be forgotten.