BIO
Lost Little One is powered and inspired by human connection. There’s a close-knit but globally-spread community involved in its inception, its refinement and its evolution. It’s about time we introduce ourselves.
In 2016 my expired Schengen visa spurred me into Northern Africa, on the solo adventure of a lifetime. The chaos was irresistible - I fell in love with the winding Medinas, hot African sun and the beautiful locals.
Exploring the twisting alleyways of the ancient Medina, I came across a tannery and a man named Abdu. His age-old expertise in leatherwork and my modern designs meant that though our languages were different, we shared a dream.
Lost Little One was born. Each piece lovingly designed and painstakingly handcrafted; there’s nothing fast about this fashion. Lost Little One is conscious of its impact; ethical sourcing and production are the backbone of this brand. Here I learned everything about leather-craft from scratch, and know intimately each step of my supply chain. I can tell you exactly where, when and by whom your bag was created.
I spent years returning to Morocco, building relationships with leatherworkers and local businesses, overcoming language barriers to form partnerships. I brought my designs to my new friends, and they brought them to life.
Together we sourced our raw materials from the local tanners and I watched my artisans painstakingly complete each part of the process by hand, using basic tools, one saddle stitch at a time.
I felt like I had unlocked some kind of secret world, the ancient realm of crafts. I was taken in like a member of the family. Morocco and its people welcomed me year after year with open arms, as though I was one of their own.
"Forced into suspended animation by a global pandemic, hands and minds were getting restless. I cloistered myself in the Melbourne studio. A spark was struck and an idea bloomed."- Dominique, creative director
A few years on, a global pandemic struck (as if you could have missed it!) Unable to return to North Africa for the foreseeable future, it was time to adapt and further incorporate my life and love for Morocco with my roots here in Melbourne.
I got busy experimenting with techniques absorbed in my travels, working closely with fellow Aussies to source veg-tanned kangaroo leather - created using the same techniques that my Moroccan partners use in their tanneries. With this I created a collection of handmade leather journals, each one crafted and personalised to order.
Fast forward to 2025. 9 exciting years have passed since first stepping foot on African soil. Today I am a mother, partner and juggle life with two very full hands. Feeling extremely grateful that this business and its unique ability to evolve with me. This year I introduce the year of the drop.
What? Limited edition designs, limited time & a website that opens and closes accordingly.
Why? Because balance truly is key and it's time to refocus on sustainability, passion projects and taking LLO back to it's core values. Not everything in life has to be scaled. Somethings can just remain simple, beautiful and serve a true and meaningful purpose. It's all about mindful crafting and consumption. Making only what we need and minimising our footprint, all while still having the ability to create.
xx Dom
