Adrian Layne, Choctaw business owner, shows off a bit of her western style.
Layne creates children’s apparel
By Brandon Frye
Choctaw Nation
Austin, Texas - Five years ago, after bringing her first child into the world, Choctaw entrepreneur Adrian Layne started making unique custom baby apparel in Texas, an endeavor which would lead to a successful business called Cuddlestar.
At first, Layne’s creations were practical and driven by an enjoyment of the craft. She made clothes for her own newborn son, Eli. She also expanded her selection to include things like bags and purses.
“I got my start by doing artist markets in Austin,” Layne said. “I handmade everything on a borrowed sewing machine, my grandmother’s sewing machine.”
With the stylish fruits of her labors in hand, Layne learned about the various artist markets in the Austin area, then set up shop in a tent. She said these markets were similar to farmers’ markets, parking lots of local businesses sometimes set aside for creative folks to sell their goods.
“I would spread my stuff out and sell it that way. There might be 20 or 30 local artists selling their stuff in a busy area of the city,” she said.
The baby apparel took off, according to Layne. Demand grew, and kept growing. Layne’s mother even started pitching in, helping sew for free to meet the demand.
What was popular then were the same items, with the same style, as what makes Cuddlestar unique today: practical and stylish baby clothes with western and Native influences.
“A cute, functional cowboy boot for baby is hard to find,” she said. But with her design, “elastic around the ankle keeps them snug while the Velcro on both sides makes them easy to take on and off.”
She says her moccasins have a similar and equally functional design, and just like the rest of her line of clothing, are made from high quality materials like genuine suede and leather.
She said it took the right kind of support and inspiration to get where she is, which she received from a number of sources. Her husband, who is a professional musician, enjoys being creative and supports a creative environment. And Layne’s father, who she says is a big part of her inspiration, is a cowboy boot designer, rancher, and according to Layne, a handsome Marlboro Man kind of guy. She said her father is to thank for the western and Native style of Cuddlestar.
Cuddlestar has grown to require Layne’s original patterns and designs be crafted on new sewing machines, with the help of a number of seamstresses. Layne’s items are also now available online for purchase, and are sold in nearly 100 brick-and-mortar storefronts and boutiques.
Feeling like she was successfully serving parents looking for western-themed clothing for their children, Layne has now set in motion a new business and line of children’s apparel aimed at parents with a different need.
This new business is called Cat and Dogma. It is a trendy and earth-friendly response to a pitfall Layne found in today’s popular baby apparel.
“I found there is a problem with babies who wear cloth diapers, rather than disposable diapers,” Layne said. “Disposable diapers are very thin, and cloth diapers are pieces of cotton fabric you put inside the diaper, so baby’s clothes can end up ill-fitting.”
Layne designed Cat and Dogma’s line of clothing to have extra space in the bottom, for the eco-minded families who use cloth diapers. She says the clothes will be for every parent and child as an organic and affordable option, but she made a special effort to give parents who use cloth diapers a solution.
“What is most important to me about the Cats and Dogma brand is what I have done to make it sustainable from farm to store, with organic cotton,” Layne said. “It will also be fun, playful, and comfortable.”
Do not expect to see “mommy’s little man” or similar sayings on Cat and Dogma clothes. Layne kept this line completely original, with cute designs on fabric made without any bleaches, dyes, or finishes.
Cat and Dogma will launch with the help of an Indiegogo campaign, which will begin in mid-April and run for 30 days. According to Layne, around six weeks after the campaign with the well-known crowdfunding website, she says around July 1, she can begin shipping her new clothing line.
One of Layne’s goals with her businesses is to represent who she is with her products and services. Cuddlestar is very western, much like a good portion of her childhood and her relationship to her father. Cat and Dogma shows off Layne as a self-confessed earth-hippie-momma. She said feels like these businesses represent her, and she has a lot of fun with them.
You can find Cuddlestar online at cuddlestarbaby.com and Cat and Dogma at catanddogma.com. You can also look to get involved with the indiegogo campaign later this month.