![]() DESIGNERS, DREAMERS, PEACEMAKERS: How the Santa Barbara-based Kleveland sisters, Katherine and Margaret, set about creating an Indie-boho fashion line that's as beautiful as it is ethical. Photographs by Hilary Walsh |
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Congratulations on the launch of Dôen this week. I love THAT the label is a celebration of motherhood, sisterhood and femininity – ALBEIT with mindful outcomes. Can you explain ITS philosophy:It is where we are in our lives. I think people do their best when they are honest and true to themselves. I think that we have had many career and personal experiences that have led us to DÔEN. We have learned from experience, what kind of company we want to build and what kind of environment we want to create for our employees and partners and children. Becoming mothers has transformed us, and really inspired us to build a company we believe in, design a product we truly love, find a work-life balance that keeps it fresh, and has made us more tapped into our own creativity and capability. |
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THE DESIGNERS SHARE THEIR VIEWPOINT ON THEIR PHILANTHROPIC CAUSE, ROOM TO READ:
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WHAT INSPIRED THE LOOK AND FEEL OF THE LAUNCH COLLECTION? Our upbringing in Santa Barbara, a powerful natural beauty and relaxed elegance, coastal landscapes. There is a level of sophistication meets coastal lifestyle. I think a lot of our pieces have very organic fluid lines and patterns, with some refined but nonchalant styling. They are clothes to wear when you are happy and relaxed.
AS WORKING MOTHERS, HOW DO YOU HOPE TO STRIKE A WORK-LIFE-FAMILY BALANCE? It is something we are constantly working on. We both love to work, and love working on DÔEN, it brings us joy and balance. I’d say we are both constantly working on being more present at home, giving our children undivided, uninterrupted quality attention when we are with them. We have to be aware and work on it. It is launch week, so we are really in it. I think we are just so grateful to be able to dictate our own schedules, we work a ton, but we are able to be there for our kids as well! |
![]() "Becoming mothers transformed us, and really inspired us to build a company we believe in, design a product we truly love, find a work-life balance that keeps it fresh, and has made us more tapped into our own creativity and capability." |
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– Katherine is very in-the-present, optimistic, solution-oriented and able to design really wearable pieces within our aesthetic.
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For more information look up: Shopdoen.com.