Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Litteral.
Hi Emily, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Dandillie grew out of a love for art, childhood, and the pieces we hold onto long after our kids outgrow them. As a mom, I kept thinking about how much of childhood happens in sleepwear. Slow mornings, bedtime routines, family photos, and all of the ordinary moments that somehow become the ones you remember most.
I wanted to create something that felt more meaningful than choosing a print from a catalog, so I built Dandillie around collaboration with independent artists. Every collection begins with original artwork, which we translate onto thoughtfully made children’s sleepwear using certified organic cotton. The artist’s name is sewn permanently into every garment featuring their work, making sure the person behind the artwork remains part of the story.
We started small in Virginia and have grown through direct to consumer sales, wholesale, and in person markets while staying committed to thoughtful production and intentional growth. We are currently based in Austin, Texas, and continuing to shape Dandillie into an art focused children’s brand rooted in creativity, quality, and pieces that feel special enough to keep and pass down.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road, but I think that is part of building something from the ground up. One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to grow thoughtfully while still protecting the things that make Dandillie special. Working with independent artists, producing in small batches, and being closely involved in the manufacturing process takes more time and care than simply choosing from existing designs or producing at a much larger scale.
There have also been the very real challenges of running a small business while raising young children, navigating moves, and learning every part of the business as we grow. So much of entrepreneurship is figuring things out as you go, from production and logistics to wholesale, marketing, and everything in between.
At the same time, those challenges have made me even more certain about what I do not want to compromise on. I want Dandillie to grow, but I also want it to remain thoughtful, personal, and connected to the artists and families who are part of it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Dandillie is an art led children’s brand built around collaboration with independent artists. We transform original artwork into children’s sleepwear and nursery pieces, and the artist’s name is permanently sewn into every garment featuring their work.
That artist connection is what sets us apart and what I am most proud of. We want families to know who created the artwork they are bringing into their homes, and we want the artist to remain part of the story long after the piece is made.
What I am most proud of is that Dandillie has become a way to celebrate and support creativity beyond our own brand. Every collection introduces families to the artist behind the artwork and gives that artist another place for their work to live. In a world where so much is becoming faster, more automated, and more disposable, we want to keep making things that feel personal, thoughtful, and worth holding onto.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something people may not know is that we are a military family, so Dandillie has been built through moves, temporary homes, and a lot of change behind the scenes. The business actually started in Virginia and has traveled right along with our family, most recently to Austin.
Pricing:
- $44-$48
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dandillie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopdandillie/
