Behind the Seams: MaeLi Rose

Everything happens for a reason. That’s what Carrie Chien told herself three years ago when she graduated amidst massive budget cuts to the public school system in California, effectively putting her dream of being an elementary school teacher on hold. So, as most millennial college graduates are wont to do, she turned to her family for guidance—and found a new career goal. Fashion was in her blood, and she had grown up around production samples. (Her grandfather had run a clothing factory and her mother, Lydia, had been involved in manufacturing for over 30 years.) It wasn’t long before she, her sister, Alison, and their mom decided to turn that legacy into a girls’ clothing line, and MaeLi Rose was born.

“It’s interesting to see how your childhood experiences can become your career,” Chien muses, pointing out that she even pulls inspiration for new designs from her favorite pieces growing up. “We’re able to take something like a dress that we wore back then and break it up into a three-piece outfit—a top, skirt and leggings—that retails for the same price as a dress so it’s affordable and suitable for multiple occasions,” she notes. That commitment to straightforward clothing has defined the line since it launched in 2012. “We keep in mind the lifestyles of children and families today and we don’t want our clothing to break the bank,” she says.

Wholesaling from $6.50 to $34, the Fall ’15 collection is the brand’s biggest yet and sizes now range from 3-6 months to 10 years. Gray hues and blush tones abound, and bows, ruffles, rosettes and lace elevate basics like hoodies, sweatshirts, long-sleeve tees and fleece-lined leggings. Standouts, meanwhile, include a neoprene and velvet skirt in burgundy and a gray bomber jacket with gold foil polka dots and contrast lace sleeves. “The beauty of working with your family is that the conversation never really begins or ends—it’s ongoing and organic,” Chien says, adding, “The environment we come from really helps us have the ability to create. When we see a fabric we can immediately see the potential because my mom understands the construction. It’s really an all-hands-on-deck process.”—Lyndsay McGregor