"Inspiration"

As a young African-American fashion designer working on my first collection, I had the opportunity to meet Marva Martindale at Dale Kern's Christmas party. Dale Kern was the West Coast Bureau Chief for Women's Wear Daily and was good friends with Marva. At that time she was a highly regarded and well known designer and I sought advice from her. I was concerned that I would have a difficult time in the industry because of my color. She told me the clothing business was about generating dollars and that if you had talent, your color was irrelevant. She always gave good, sound advice to designers looking for their place in the sun. Very talented and very, very elegant. ericMARTIN martinMARTIN martinMARTIN MAN

Missing Marva

Serving Marva as her hairstylist for the last few years has been a privilege. Refined and cosmopolitan she graced my chair with stories of a life lived with flair. All alone with no immediate family she blazed her way into the fashion industry. A subtle force she was. In her last months she spoke of a new vision a new mountain to conquer. Hollywood Cookie Collection was her baby. I watched her struggle to fulfill her dream. The last time I saw her on March 31 she had made it a reality and had found a viable outlet for her wares. I will never know what happened but I'm assured she won them with the same grace, style, and focus that was Marva.

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