above: 1: Brooke Shepard, founder of Monogram Mary. 2: Lauren Dudley Stephens, Bonnie Dudley and Kaki Dudley McGrath, founders of Dudley Stephens. 3: Liz Joy, founder of Marea. 4: Katya Eckert, founder of A DOMANI, with her son and daughter.
Four female founders share how the charm, character and community of Connecticut have shaped their brands, from timeless design to modern entrepreneurship
Connecticut has long been a quiet muse for style—its dreamy coastlines and charming main streets, and deep sense of community shaping everything from how people live to what they create. To see just how much place can influence purpose, we turned to four powerhouse female founders who have built brands with Connecticut in their DNA: Brooke Shepard of Monogram Mary; sisters Lauren Dudley Stephens and Kaki Dudley McGrath of Dudley Stephens; Liz Joy of Marea; and Katya Eckert of A DOMANI. In their own words, they share how the character and rhythm of life here inspires their designs, their values and the way they lead.
How does Connecticut inspire your brand?
1 // Brooke Shepard
Monogram Mary
“Connecticut’s charm, from coastal towns to classic main streets, inspires our designs and values. The community’s warmth and love for tradition align with our mission to create meaningful, personalized gifts.”
2 // Lauren Dudley Stephens and Kaki Dudley McGrath
Dudley Stephens
“Connecticut is home to many vibrant communities that offer so much, spanning activities from the beautiful coastal communities to inland quaint towns and small cities, with so much nature surrounding it all. Connecticut is a place where families settle who value a strong sense of community, and where we also grew up. The active, family-oriented lifestyle is really what inspires us daily. We strive to design clothes that adapt to that lifestyle—things that go the distance for the active, into play, for the on-the-go ladies, all while not comprising style and comfort.”
3 // Liz Joy
Marea
“The East Coast, and Connecticut especially, is woven into the fabric of Marea. I grew up here, I’m raising my children here, and I’ve built this brand here. There’s a deep emotional pull to life in New England. The feeling of summers spent at the beach. The crisp air in the fall. The thrill of seeing the first snowflakes in winter, the excitement of seeing the first buds in spring. The rhythm of family traditions and the comfort of a community that knows you. All of that informs what we create, clothing that feels timeless, grounded and connected to this place we call home. Marea draws from all of that. Our color palettes reflect the seasons. Our silhouettes are built for movement: school drop-offs, dinner parties, travel, everyday life. We’re inspired by the kind of woman who cares about how she dresses, not because she’s following trends, but because style is part of how she tells her story. That woman lives here. I see her every day, at the farmer’s market, the lacrosse field, the coffee shop, and she inspires what we create.”
4 // Katya Eckert
A DOMANI
“It’s my belief that Connecticut (Fairfield County, in particular) is one of the country’s best-kept secrets. I travel often, yet every time I return, I’m struck by its beauty all over again. There’s a refined, almost cinematic quality to life: tree-lined streets, coastal light and an elegance that feels entirely unforced. I see Fairfield County style as understated sophistication. People are impeccably put together, but never in a way that feels flashy. It’s a kind of confidence that whispers rather than shouts. This sensibility is very much in the essence of our collections. We make luxurious sleepwear of exceptional quality, designed to feel as effortless as they look. Beautiful, functional and elegant.”
How has living and working in Connecticut influenced designs, brand philosophy and community?
1 // Brooke Shepard
Monogram Mary
“Being part of a close-knit community has also made me incredibly intentional about giving back, collaborating with local makers, and showing up for others. It’s more than a brand; it’s a way of life that honors connection and kindness.”
2 // Lauren Dudley Stephens
and Kaki Dudley McGrath
Dudley Stephens
“Many of our styles have been named after streets, towns and places in Connecticut that we love! I would echo what was said above: The family-oriented communities of Connecticut and the active, suburban life are really what has helped us shape our brand, our designs and our aesthetic.”
3 // Liz Joy
Marea
“There’s an Old World charm here that I find incredibly grounding. On the East Coast, we celebrate tradition. We appreciate the classics. There’s less pressure to chase what’s next and more reverence for what lasts. That deeply influences how I design and lead. Marea isn’t about trend cycles. It’s about pieces you’ll reach for again and again. The dress you wear to Thanksgiving dinner and your daughter borrows ten years later. We’re building a brand with longevity in mind. I imagine women pulling out their Marea sweaters and dresses year after year, and that makes me proud. Fashion is so fast right now. We’re trying to build something slower. More intentional. Something that lasts.”
4 // Katya Eckert
A DOMANI
“Our mission is to support women with comfortable solutions for sleep and life during every phase of their hormonal arc and this community shapes A DOMANI in countless ways. We love being present at trunk shows, learning what our customers are going through, and what they want out of their pieces. The feedback is invaluable to how and what we create. The women here know what they want: they advocate fiercely for themselves and their families, and they value quality in everything. There are so many incredibly successful female founders here and an extraordinarily supportive network. We’re also so fortunate to have some of the most talented doctors, researchers, charities and advocates here. People who are shaping the future of women’s health.”
Are there any favorite pieces or collections that feel especially inspired by Connecticut’s style, seasons or community?
1 // Brooke Shepard
Monogram Mary
“Our Perfect Layer jackets and embroidered napkins. They’re timeless, practical and reflect the way Connecticut celebrates every season and gathering.”
2 // Lauren Dudley Stephens
and Kaki Dudley McGrath
Dudley Stephens
“Our classic, core fleece turtlenecks. This is what we have become known for; it is a signature Dudley look that is as comfortable and warm as it is stylish and cool. We live in them all fall through winter and then spring, too.”
3 // Liz Joy
Marea
“Marea is shaped by the layers of life on the East Coast. We shot one of our collections on my friend’s horse farm in Fairfield, and it felt like the perfect backdrop, natural, classic and deeply connected to place. What inspires me most is the history here. This is the oldest part of the country, and you can feel it in everything, the traditions, the architecture, the way people dress. As a designer, it’s so fun to pull from those earlier chapters. A waxed barn coat that feels like something from an old countryside photo. A whimsical intarsia ski sweater that nods to vintage New England après-ski. We look to the past and then design for how women actually live now. That’s what makes Marea special to me, the pieces feel rooted. Not trend-driven or disposable, but thoughtful and timeless. The kind of things you live in and love for years.”
4 // Katya Eckert
A DOMANI
Our pieces are all designed to maximize airflow, like the coastal breeze we love. We use natural fibers and are inspired by the gorgeous colors of nature. Every shade is limited-edition, which makes them feel special, just like the moments that inspire them, many of them close to home! In our current collection, there’s Midnight, a deep coastal navy that feels perfectly at home by the water, Starlight, a soft blue that is reminiscent of the most exquisite bluebird day, and Dawn, an absolutely gorgeous dusty pink like daybreak over the harbor. A DOMANI means “until tomorrow” in Italian, the way we want to sleep. Sleep is the ultimate escape, a chance to reset. For those of us lucky enough to live here, even a quick drive to Compo Beach or Tod’s Point can feel the same way: a moment where you forget everything and just melt into the sea and sky.
What has been the most rewarding part of building a female-led brand?
1 // Brooke Shepard
Monogram Mary
“The most rewarding part has been watching women support each other—whether it’s our customers, collaborators, or the amazing team behind Monogram Mary. There’s a special energy when women rally around each other’s ideas and dreams. Being able to create a business rooted in empathy, creativity, and care—and seeing that resonate with others—is beyond fulfilling. I’m especially proud that our brand helps women celebrate themselves and others in a personal and powerful way.”
2 // Lauren Dudley Stephens
and Kaki Dudley McGrath
Dudley Stephens
“The most rewarding part of being a female-led brand is working with each other—not only female-led but family-led. We are so thankful to have each other, sisters, and our mom to lean on for support and, most of all, to have fun together. We have also surrounded ourselves with talented, hardworking, and kind women who work with us, making every day inspiring, fun, and fulfilling.”
3 // Liz Joy
Marea
“It’s hard to put into words. Building something from scratch, with a team of women who believe in the mission, who show up with heart, and unwavering commitment, that’s a rare kind of magic. There’s something incredibly powerful about designing clothes for women, by women, in a space that understands the nuances of how we live. We’re designing for women who are in it, raising families, running businesses, showing up in a thousand different ways. The feedback we get, stories about customers wearing our dresses to baptisms, birthdays, mother-daughter vacations, that’s what fuels us. These clothes are becoming part of women’s memories. That’s the most rewarding part for me.”
4 // Katya Eckert
A DOMANI
“Is ‘everything’ allowed to be an answer? I spent my career in finance which is very male dominated. While I actually enjoyed the trading floor camaraderie, working with women and creating beautiful products for women when they need comfort most is rewarding and joyful on a cellular level.”