Baya and Paul Meehan, owners of Shash Diné EcoRetreat near Page, traveled to New York City last week for the launch of Shash Diné for Hotel Collection, a limited-edition collection of home pieces available exclusively at Macy’s.

The home pieces include a variety of quilts, comforters, blankets, kimonos, robes, towels and throws that capture the natural beauty and tranquility of the American Southwest.

The Shash Diné EcoRetreat is located 12 miles south of Page on the Navajo Reservation. Baya’s family has lived on that piece of land for at least 20 generations. Paul and Baya opened Shash Diné in 2015 as a glamping retreat. The first year, they started with one wall tent and quickly expanded to include a family hogan, bell tents and fully restored covered sheepherder wagons. Last year they added what they call the Kyoob, a well-appointed cabin.

The Shash Diné for Hotel Collection came into being after Shash Diné was approached by a representative from Macy’s who asked if they wanted to be part of the company’s Inclusion Program. This was the second year Macy’s has partnered with a small, person-of-color-owned business to create a capsule collection.

Baya curated the collection and had a lot of input working with Macy’s design team creating what the end product would look like.

“The Macy’s team was incredibly helpful and gracious. They allowed me to be as involved as I wanted to be,” said Baya. “I was actively involved, and in the overall project, I had final say in all designs.”

Baya drew inspiration from the Arizona landscape and her ancestral home. 

“Home is not only the place that my ancestors have walked and lived, but the land that demonstrates Navajo hospitality at its finest,” Baya told Business Wire.

“The outstanding natural beauty of nature itself and the connection with the land is meant to be felt throughout each piece designed and created for Macy’s.” 

The patterns and textures of the pieces are a way to pay homage to her heritage. The designs were carefully crafted to look and fit into accommodations at the EcoRetreat, while also replicating the atmosphere of Shash Diné.

As part of the launch, Baya joined the Macy’s team for a press tour and interviews, followed by a live, QVC-style broadcast. 

Baya and Paul were in New York for five days and scheduled in some free time for themselves after the launch to take in the New York City sites. They visited Little Italy, the Irish Hunger Memorial, the Museum of Natural History, Soho, Wall Street, the Staten Island Ferry, the Freedom Tower and the 9/11 Memorial. They also dined at the Dead Rabbit, Joe’s Pizza, Ferrara Bakery and Cafe, Fraunces Tavern.

“We walked and took the subway all over New York,” said Baya.

“It is wonderful to travel. But it is always a relief to be back home to red rocks, dark skies and majestic 360-degree vistas.”

The Shash Diné for Hotel Collection will run in a number of stores throughout the U.S. and is also available online at Macys.com.