diff --git a/docs/class_properties.md b/docs/class_properties.md
index 987e918..0c57a1c 100644
--- a/docs/class_properties.md
+++ b/docs/class_properties.md
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ Calls [`read()`](#read) on the persistence adapter and adds the returned models
 
 #### `new(attributes)`
 
-Instantiates a model, the supplied attributes get assigned directly to the model's [`attributes`](#attributes).
+Instantiates a model, the supplied attributes get assigned directly to the model's [`attributes`](#attributes). Custom initialization behaviour can be added by defining an [`initialize()`](#initialize) instance method.
 
     var fish = new Food({ name: "fish" })
 
diff --git a/docs/instance_properties.md b/docs/instance_properties.md
index 82b020e..427fe83 100644
--- a/docs/instance_properties.md
+++ b/docs/instance_properties.md
@@ -91,6 +91,20 @@ Returns an [`Errors`](#api-errors) object containing information about any faile
 
 Convenience method, equivalent of calling `attr("id")`.
 
+#### `initialize()`
+
+If an `initialize()` instance method is defined on a class it is called at the end of the initialization process.
+
+    var User = Model("user", {}, {
+      initialize: function() {
+        this.attr("state", "initialized")
+      }
+    })
+    var user = new User()
+
+    user.attr("state")
+    // => "initialized"
+
 #### `merge(object)`
 
 Destructivly merges the given object into the [`attributes`](#attributes) object. Used internally when saving and not really required for everyday use.
diff --git a/src/model.js b/src/model.js
index c631628..c0db8d6 100644
--- a/src/model.js
+++ b/src/model.js
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ var Model = function(name, class_methods, instance_methods) {
     this.changes = {};
     this.errors = new Model.Errors(this);
     this.uid = [name, Model.UID.generate()].join("-")
+    if (jQuery.isFunction(this.initialize)) this.initialize()
   };
 
   // Persistence is special, remove it from class_methods.
diff --git a/test/tests/model.js b/test/tests/model.js
index 01fd9e2..fc5cda4 100644
--- a/test/tests/model.js
+++ b/test/tests/model.js
@@ -249,3 +249,15 @@ test("persistence failure", function() {
 
   same(events, [], "should not trigger destroy event if persistence failed");
 });
+
+test("#initialize", function() {
+  var Post = Model("post", {}, {
+    initialize: function() {
+      this.initialized = true
+    }
+  })
+
+  var post = new Post()
+
+  ok(post.initialized)
+})