How Becoming a Mom Sparked the Birth of King + Lola

How Becoming a Mom Sparked the Birth of King + Lola

When I became a mom at 28, I quickly realized that shopping for my son wasn’t going to be easy. Everything in the stores felt like a cliché — trucks, dinosaurs, neon cartoon prints... and absolutely none of it reflected his vibe or mine. I knew my little king was too cool for all that. I wanted him in soft linen button-downs, cozy neutral joggers, and a fresh urban streetwear style that felt both elevated and effortless.

But in 2008? That kind of kidswear didn’t exist.
Not for boys. Not for babies. Not for anyone under 10, really.

I had a vision — something cool, modern, and soulful — but time wasn’t exactly on my side. Like most new moms, I was balancing work, life, exhaustion, and a deep desire to create. I didn’t have the energy to launch a brand, but I made time to design his wardrobe. His closet became my canvas.

Fast forward six years later: I found out I was pregnant with my daughter.
And I knew — this was my moment.
It was now or never.

I had so many ideas for little girls. The cutest boho streetwear pieces you could imagine — stylish, earthy, playful, and bold. And even though Instagram was still in its early days, something magical happened: I found my tribe.

Back then, social media was different. More real. More connected.
Customers would tag me in the most beautiful photos of their kids styled in King + Lola, and they graciously allowed me to share their images as part of my brand story. It wasn’t just fashion — it was community. It was love. And it was fun.

But as the years went on, things shifted.

Big overseas fast fashion companies started stealing my photos.
Some even used them to sell knockoff versions of my designs — and some, not even close. I tried to fight it. I reached out to sites like DHGate and others to take my images down. But it was draining. It felt like yelling into the void.

Eventually, those companies started making their own versions of urban kids’ streetwear — something that had barely existed when I launched King + Lola. Sales declined, and I’ll be honest — there were times I felt completely defeated.

But what no fast fashion brand can replicate is the heart behind this brand.

King + Lola was born out of love — for my children, for creativity, for culture, for individuality. Every stitch, every look, every vibe came from a place of realness. And no copycat can touch that kind of origin story.

Even as the industry changes, my passion hasn’t. I still believe in the beauty of thoughtful design. I still believe in fashion that tells a story. And I still believe that there are parents out there — just like I was — searching for something more.

King + Lola was never just about clothes.
It was, and always will be, about purposeful style for powerful little souls.

If you’ve been rocking with me since the beginning — thank you. If you’re just finding King + Lola now, welcome to the tribe. What do your little kings and queens love to wear? Drop a comment or tag us on Instagram @kingandlola — we’d love to see how you style their stories.