Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your business?

Before launching Caes, I worked as a designer for many years on huge collections that had to fall within a

strict framework of (seasonal) styles, budget, and time, as is the case with most fashion brands. On a personal level, this didn't feel right anymore. I had a strong desire to focus on designing items that would not be limited to one season only, where quality and fit would be a focus and I could really give my full attention to each piece, take my time, and really love the end product. That was my dream. I envisioned smaller collections in "editions" rather than seasons, with qualities and colors that would remain timeless and wearable year-round. I toyed with this idea for some time but was finally brave enough to take the first steps at the beginning of last year.

The first thing I did was look for the right suppliers who shared my vision. We ended up working with family-owned companies in Portugal, so we can visit them often and closely follow the production process because everything is made in-house. They are all very dedicated and truly care about their people. To me, this is as important as the quality of their work.

The actual start of the brand was a very exciting time for me. I had, of course, worked in the fashion industry for a long time, so I had many talented people around me that I could turn to for advice. I also noticed that my story and vision excited people—it was as if they were all waiting for someone to fully commit to slow-fashion design in this way.

And if you had to sum up your business in five words or less?

Simplicity, timeless, feminine.