Good Vibrations

J.J. Martin's feel-good label, La DoubleJ, is just what we all need right now, says Lynn Yaeger.

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J .J. Martin is sitting cross-legged on the floor of the Broome Street Ganesha Temple, clad in a La DoubleJ patchwork ensemble that includes a pullover with sleeves that devolve into a welter of yellow feathers. Across from her sits her “sister,” a spiritual guide whose own La DoubleJ outfit— in bright orange—is only slightly quieter. “Calling our families of light,” Martin intones. “Opening up our channels, beyond the mind, the body, beyond this dimension, clearing our chakras.” I am crouched on a chair, my chakras no doubt hopelessly clogged, observing.

Martin is the American founder of La DoubleJ, the exuberant Milan-based line of clothing and home goods. From its inception, her designs have relied on big, bold prints in easy shapes—the silk “swing” dresses boast blown-out blossoms; her ponchos reference abstract tiles. The housewares are likewise not exactly shy: There are palm-printed linen tablecloths, Murano glass goblets, and porcelain plates that sport a plethora of pineapples. Unabashedly cheerful and vintage-inspired, her work is the stylish equivalent, in these fraught times, of laughter in the dark.

If she seems to be as interested in what she calls her spiritual practice as she is in running a fashion company, Martin refuses to acknowledge the contradiction. “The same woman who is attracted to these bright, colorful clothes is also someone who wants to learn about healing modalities, ways of expanding consciousness,” she says. “Color, print, and pattern all evoke an energy, a frequency, and when you’re wearing them, you can feel different. A lot of people are doing this subconsciously, putting on those pink pants! It’s one way to raise your vibration.”