Maya Persaud, Lotty Dotty
When you hear Lotty Dotty, what do you picture? I picture something fun and whimsical. It is something so creative, it immediately captured my attention. As many girls did, I drew paper dolls and their outfits and cut and pasted them on. Combining the idea of dressing up dolls with your own outfit is purely original. Let me tell you more about it. Founded in 2009 by Maya Persaud, an American woman living in Paris, France, Lotty Dotty is a company that took a simple T-shirt and transformed it into a fun and interchangeable outfit. These high fashion tees for kids feature screen printed doll figures, that can be dressed with Velcro-backed designer mini-outfits, and girls can swap them out any time. So girls are playing with fashion, it’s fascinating! I love that the company is nurturing new designers offering a showcase for unknown talented designers who create the mini-outfit collections, and are promoted on the company’s website and packaging. Lotty Dotty uses organic and recyclable materials as much as possible and is dedicated to aiding women and children’s issues. I asked the founder, Maya Persaud, a few questions about her story, her vision and design philosophy in this interview.
What inspired you to start Lotty Dotty?
I wanted to do something different that was not on the market. I also wanted to do children’s apparel – something fun and durable. So why not several shirts in one? The aspect of the shirt changes once you change the mini outfit application.
What’s in the name?
When creating the logo, initially we wanted to use « lots of dots »- hint lots dots- lotty dotty…the name was cute and catchy.
What’s unique about Lotty Dotty?
The design, which is protected under a design patent.
How do you get the looks to be interchangeable and still go well together?
We use basic colors and basic styles for the shirts as focal point is doll and more importantly the mini outfit application. Our shirts are like paper dolls on blank canvases. It was important to minimize details of shirts in order for them to remain chic no matter how they are dressed with mini outfit applications. Our design team is based in Paris, one of the fashion capitals, which inspires us in our designs.
What are your sales channels?
Retail stores and via our online store. Which is most successful? Online store as shirts are more affordable. Also, we sell exclusively online in the USA.
How important is it to you to use organic materials?
Unfortunately, the demand for organic cotton is almost non-existent. Our goal is to become a sustainable business, so our focus now is to use scraps/ recycled fabric for mini outfit applications. We are constantly researching sustainable materials to use in the future.
Which fabrics inspire you the most?
Rich, printed silks and couture fabric that we source in Paris to make the exclusive limited édition line that is handmade in Paris.
What’s your background?
I have a BA in French literature and a Master’s in Social Anthropology of Development. I have worked for NGOs, and in the fashion business as a model and in marketing for European based magazines.
What are your biggest influences?
Popular culture, travels..
It’s exciting the company offers a launchpad for new designers. What are some new names you’ve discovered
They are all featured on our website. Most recent collections were designed by Hokin and Thierry de Virot, both Paris based designers.
Should we encourage our girls to follow fashion trends early on or not?
I think it’s important for our girls to develop their own unique styles which suit them. Why? Fashion is a mode of expression. It is a form of art, so why not let each individual freely express herself artistically? I’ve always been an non-conformist, so maybe it’s simply my rebellious side speaking 😉
What’s next for Lotty Dotty?
Check out our Facebook page and website for some of our new exciting projects.
