A profile of local designer Michelle DaRin.

BY SAMARA LOOKATCH ★ FEBRUARY 17, 2025

Photographed by: Valerie Rivara, Photo Editing: Rezi Ubogu

Style icon and jewelry designer Michelle DaRin welcomed University Girl into her studio for a ’70s muse–inspired photo shoot, giving us an inside look at her background, creative process and evolving body of work.

At Syracuse Fashion Week 2025, DaRin’s runway looks were bold, glittering and dripping with ’70s nostalgia. This immediately sparked our vision for a collaboration. Her collection that night, inspired by icons like Cher and Sonny Bono, showcased some of her first clothing designs to ever appear on a runway.

DaRin’s roots in fashion stretch back to childhood, when she began making baby tees and onesies by painting graphic designs with acrylic paint. Her mother, a major style influence, passed down many vintage pieces, though DaRin says her father did most of the shopping. By age 9, DaRin was sewing, turning old fabrics into quilts and experimenting with texture.

DaRin’s passion for creating never faded. When deciding what to study at Syracuse, she leaned into her love of design and majored in sculpture. A professor noticed her natural fashion sense and encouraged her to experiment with metalsmithing. That guidance prompted her shift into jewelry design and led her to earn a degree in metalsmithing.

When we arrived at her studio for the photoshoot, we saw firsthand how the ’70s era shaped DaRin’s artistic identity. Her jewelry, fur jackets and lace pants reflect a bold, bohemian aesthetic inspired by legends like Elton John, Cher, Mary Tyler Moore and Twiggy. A strong advocate for sustainability, DaRin sources fabrics from vintage scarves, rugs and curtains, giving forgotten materials new life through her designs.

Today, DaRin’s jewelry is carried throughout Upstate New York, including at Cazenovia Jewelry, and has reached a national audience through various retailers such as the international specialty lifestyle brand, Free People. She designs expressive statement pieces defined by unexpected materials and bold color palettes, including her signature glass rings featuring Cher and Dolly Parton. Marked by meticulous craftsmanship, distinct personality, and unmistakable artistic flair, DaRin’s work resonates with—and inspires—a new generation of fashion enthusiasts and trendsetters.

Edited by: Rezi Ubogu

Inside the Mind of a Style Icon

BY SAMARA LOOKATCH ★ FEBRUARY 17, 2025

The Lyst Index: Q3 Ranking