“And so began Dot & Mila, a small but mighty business committed to empowering women and championing ethical production.”
– Louisa Parker Bowles
‘What the editors are loving right now’, Condé Nast Traveller
About us
We are Nina and Alice Gage, a mother-daughter team from Moss Vale, Australia, Gundungurra land. We are passionate about our beautiful, high-quality, ethically made dresses that your child can love, live in and pass on.
Dot & Mila was founded in 2020 as a way for Nina and Alice to stay connected during the Covid-19 pandemic. We’re proud to now be in our fifth year of working together, bringing joy and confidence to our little customers and continuing to support our dressmakers in Sri Lanka.
Our photography is by the wonderful Jacqui Turner from Running Under the Sprinkler.
Nina Gage is the founder and operator of Nina’s Pathways, a travel company specialising in small-group tours to Sri Lanka.
Alice Gage is an editor, writer and content creator based in Sydney. She’s also mum to a very enthusiastic 4-year-old dress-wearer.
With an abundance of intricate smocking, embroidery, puff sleeves, lace trims and covered buttons, our exquisite, hand-smocked dresses celebrate the nostalgia of classic children’s fashion. Handmade by dressmakers working from their own homes in Colombo, Sri Lanka, our styles come in small runs and limited sizes, so you know when your little person wears her special dress, it’s one of a kind.
Nina, atelier manager Kalika, and one of our talented dressmakers demonstrating a traditional wooden smocking machine in Colombo, Sri Lanka
About the dressmakers
Behind every Dot & Mila creation are the extraordinary hands of female artisans in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Working from their own homes, these highly skilled dressmakers transform premium, locally-sourced 100% cotton fabric into wearable heirlooms.
Our dresses emerge from a creative partnership – Nina and Alice bring their understanding of what Australian children love to wear, while our dressmakers contribute generations of expertise in the art of smocking and traditional techniques.
Beyond creating beautiful clothing, we're committed to making a meaningful difference in our dressmakers' lives. The income generated through Dot & Mila provides essential financial stability for these talented women, who, by working from home and in their own time, can continue to freely care for their families.
When you choose a Dot & Mila dress, you're not just selecting an exquisite garment; you're supporting a community of skilled female artisans and helping preserve treasured textile traditions for future generations.