Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeleine Kalb.
Madeleine, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have always been in fashion – I started sewing at a young age. I worked one summer washing my parent’s car to earn my first sewing machine when I was maybe six-eight years old. When I began high school, I started an apprenticeship with Patti Labelle’s former costume designer and began various fashion design internships in NYC from the likes of Tommy Hilfiger to Milly NY. The apprenticeship was where I learned everything – from basic sewing, creating patterns, and operating sewing machines. I studied Fashion Media at SMU and when I graduated, I began making and wholesale selling soap in custom made molds of pin up babes and other romance themes. The boutique Junior High LA was my first PO. Dolly’s D-Lite evolved from there to handmade lingerie and then matured again to the online store you know today. The name Dolly’s D-Lite was to draw on my love for both Lolita and Dolly Parton.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Persistence is key – if you believe in something, don’t give up on the vision. There are so many obstacles, in fact, every day is an obstacle when you are trying to create a brand or anything for that matter. So many people will criticize you or try to change the vision that you are building. Accept constructive criticism but stay true to the vision and what you believe. One of my closest friends told me don’t use that pink or don’t do that – that criticism hindered my drive and I ended up putting Dolly’s on the back burner for about six months. When I went back to Dolly’s, I had a newfound confidence in my vision and it’s been nonstop momentum since then – January 2017. Persistence is waking up every morning and continuing to power through the day even if you have no sales or feel like you’re the only person who believes in what you’re doing. Persistence is having lots of sales and still being motivated to create for the next month.
My favorite success quote is from Madonna – she said something like everyone told me no, I didn’t stop trying to somebody finally said yes.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
As a brand, I am most proud of my logo which I designed with a graphic artist. She is an illustration of myself as a bombshell caricature. She is everything I wanted my logo to be and she took so much time and work. I even had my logo built as a neon sign which I am so proud of as well. The neon sign was made by Dallas artist James Akers, he is so talented.
What I hope my store is known for is fun (high quality) women’s clothing/accessories with neon cowboy vibes. I love old country western culture, icons, and stars. I draw a lot of inspiration from this realm and like my Instagram to reflect all of those influences. I even sell authentic vintage country apparel but only the best and most unique pieces that I can find from all over the country. I currently have two pink satin fringe pearl snaps that are unbelievable – found them in Nebraska.
I also have two promotions a week that I hope will be iconic to my brand. #SundayShooters every Sunday featuring a vintage cowgirl photo and #TrueLoveTuesday with a Tuesday promotion that could vary from buy 1 get 2nd 50% off or free t-shirt with 45$ purchase.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
In Dallas, I have found so much opportunity as a female and I have also built and continue to build a strong network of female entrepreneurs. Most recently I connected with this chick Kris. She founded GirlGangMeetups which hosts a monthly meetup for female creatives. I have been to two meetups and have met so many talented female photographers, stylists, make up artists, hair stylists, models, etc. This network alone has been invaluable for me as an artist, entrepreneur, and woman in the industry and Dallas community. I feel like being a woman today is advantageous as we are as loud as ever and are demanding our place in the world – and the world is listening.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dollysdlite.com
- Phone: 2038037911
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Instagram.com/Dollysdlite
- Facebook: Facebook.com/dollysdlite
Image Credit:
Photographers (not in order) feat include @KatKromo, @capturedbytang, @snapshotsbyjess, @hina_surani
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