How Margaret and Katherine Kleveland Built DÔEN Around Women
Listening to what women wanted—and creating a company that put women at the center—is what helped sisters Margaret and Katherine Kleveland build DÔEN.
Born in Santa Barbara, the sisters grew up surrounded by the soft colors, oak groves, orchards, and coastline of California. Years later, after both had worked in the fashion industry, they began to see what was missing.
There were few women leading fashion companies, and they felt there was room for a brand that was more personal—one that understood the busy, beautiful lives women were actually living.
Motherhood sharpened that vision. Margaret and Katherine saw firsthand how much women create, manage, nurture, and sustain. Rather than seeing motherhood as something separate from their professional lives, they drew confidence from it.
They decided to build a fashion company their own way.
In 2016, they launched DÔEN with a collective of Los Angeles-based women creatives and business leaders who shared ownership in the company. From the beginning, the goal wasn’t simply to design clothes for women. They wanted women to have a meaningful role in building and shaping the business itself.
The clothes reflected that philosophy.
Inspired by the California of their childhood, DÔEN became known for romantic dresses, vintage-inspired florals, soft blouses, and feminine silhouettes that feel nostalgic without feeling dated. The pieces were designed for real life—from ordinary days to milestone moments—and with the hope that many would be worn and passed down for years.
DÔEN also built an unusually close relationship with its customer. Through its website, social media, boutiques, and carefully selected retail partners, the company created a community around the brand rather than simply selling clothes.
That same thinking extended behind the scenes. In 2020, DÔEN brought one of its longtime manufacturing partners into the ownership collective, recognizing that the people creating the clothes should also participate in the company’s success.
And the brand continues to evolve. In 2026, DÔEN became a Certified B Corp, reinforcing its commitment to people, responsible production, and long-term sustainability.
What I love about DÔEN is that Margaret and Katherine didn’t just see an opening for another fashion label.
They saw an opportunity to rethink who gets to build one.
VentureMom Tip
When you see something missing in your industry, don’t be afraid to build the company you wish already existed.
