First things first - introduce yourself! Tell us a little about your background and what led you to create Dondolo.

I was born in Colombia and moved to the U.S. to attend college. I studied at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, where I earned a degree in Economics with a minor in Art—and where I also met my husband, Santiago.

At heart, I’m a true creative. I’ve always appreciated timeless design and find beauty in the little details. I'm also a proud mom to four wonderful boys: Santiago, Luis, Jaime, and Roberto.

When I became a mother for the first time, I cherished every moment of that new chapter. But along with the joy, I felt a strong desire to give back. That’s how Dondolo was born—a way for me to explore my creativity while making a meaningful impact.

All of our clothing is lovingly crafted by women in my home country of Colombia, providing them with the opportunity to earn a living and support their families. It brings me so much joy to know that we’re not only creating beautiful pieces but also helping improve lives along the way.

Catalina wears the Vivienne Maxi Dress

Dondolo is known for its beautifully crafted, heirloom-quality pieces. What was the inspiration behind the brand, and how has it evolved since you first launched?

Each Dondolo collection is born from a different spark of inspiration. I gather ideas from my travels, vintage designs, contemporary women’s fashion, and the timeless elegance of Parisian and European children’s clothing.

One of my favorite creative challenges is taking a vintage pattern and giving it a fresh perspective—transforming it into something new while preserving the charm and elegance of the original design. Fabrics also play a key role in my process; their textures and color palettes help shape the mood and direction of each collection.

As Dondolo has grown, so have I—as a woman, a mother, and a designer. With every season, I feel more confident and inspired to create pieces that become a meaningful part of our Dondolo families’ memories.

Right now, my greatest priority is being present in my boys’ lives. That same desire to savor meaningful moments is what connects me to our community of Dondolo moms. I design with the hope that the pieces we create become part of your most cherished memories—moments celebrated and forever remembered in Dondolo.

Giving back is a core part of the brand's mission. Can you share what that means to you and how it has shaped the brand?

Giving back is at the heart of Dondolo—it’s our purpose, our passion, and the driving force behind everything we do. It’s what inspires us to keep growing and to always strive to do more.

Here in Dallas and across the country, we support local nonprofits that empower women and children, including Community Partners of Dallas, The Rise School of Dallas and Houston, and the Texas Ballet Theater.

Our giveback mission also extends deeply into our production process—there are two incredible groups of women and their families we are honored to support.

The first are the talented women who bring our designs to life. Many of them are mothers working at our factory in Colombia, each with powerful stories of resilience, determination, and hope. Around 50 of these mothers hand-embroider our pieces from their homes, allowing them to care for their children while earning an income. This craft is passed down from generation to generation, with every stitch infused with love, tradition, and pride.

The second group is the community of Marlinda, near Cartagena, where we’ve built long-lasting relationships rooted in care and support. We’re there when they need us most—providing essentials like uniforms and cleats for the local soccer team, repairing roofs for families in need, and fulfilling Christmas wishes to bring joy and hope during the holidays.

For us, giving back isn’t just part of what we do—it’s who we are.

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Your designs feel both nostalgic and modern at the same time. How do you balance tradition with contemporary style in your collections?

When designing, I always think about what my mom would love and what I would want as a modern mom. It’s that sweet spot between generations—the timeless charm of a grandmother’s taste paired with the fresh perspective of today’s motherhood. Sometimes that means a vintage design brought to life with soft, luxurious fabrics. Other times, it’s a vintage fabric reimagined with a clean, contemporary silhouette.

There’s something so special about creating something new from elements that hold meaning—pieces that bring back memories and connect us to the ones we love.

Our “First Shirts” from our Babies For Babies line are a perfect example. Inspired by the ones my mom lovingly made for me and my sisters, I designed these sets for new babies to have their own forever heirlooms. They’re meant to be cherished, passed down, and woven into the stories of generations—just like mine were.

As a founder, mother, and tastemaker, how do you approach personal style in your day-to-day life?

I love color—I truly see the world through it.

Each day, my style is inspired by the color I feel like wearing. That choice sets the tone for my entire day. Whether I’m getting dressed for a workout, a busy workday, or lunch with friends, I start with color, then build around it with pattern and texture.

For me, getting dressed is about more than just clothes—it’s about how it makes you feel. And I believe that feeling should start the moment you open your closet.

You juggle a lot - entrepreneurship, motherhood, philanthropy. What's one daily ritual that keeps you grounded?

I wake up at 4:30 a.m., pour myself a cup of black coffee, and take time to meditate and journal.

By 5:00 a.m., I’m into my workout, and by 6:00, I’m ready to start breakfast. At 6:30, it’s time to wake up my boys—and just like that, the day begins.

For me, those quiet early moments are everything. Daily meditation, journaling, and stillness help me stay grounded and begin each day with clarity and gratitude.

Running a fashion brand comes with its challenges and triumphs. Can you share a defining moment in your journey that reaffirmed your passion for what you do?

One of the most rewarding parts of my journey has been the opportunity to collaborate with incredible women and mentors. Each partnership has taught me something new and helped me grow—not just as a designer, but as a person.

I’ve been so lucky to work with inspiring talents like Gen from Pencil & Paper Co., Sue Sartor, Caitlin Wilson, Nicola Bathie, Neely & Chloe... and the list goes on!

And—there’s one very special collaboration coming soon that I’m so excited to share!

At Mestiza, we believe clothing should make women feel joyful and confident. What's one outfit or fashion memory that has made you feel your absolute best?

I love a black-tie moment—and I especially love celebrating and supporting fellow designers.

Last year at Two by Two, I wore this stunning burgundy gown by Efraín Mogollón and felt so confident and beautiful. It was such a special night, and the perfect dress made it even more memorable!

How does wearing your Mestiza piece make you feel?

When I wear Mestiza, I feel confident and happy—two things I believe are the most important when it comes to style. The print, the fabric... everything about it is effortlessly chic, incredibly comfortable, and beautifully timeless.

What do you love most about the Mestiza brand?

What I love most about Mestiza is that it’s founded by women—there’s so much heart behind the brand. The designs are thoughtful, the quality is timeless, and the prints and colors bring a little magic wherever you go.