JOURNAL

Santa Monica Sunsets with Stacie Hess

Santa Monica Sunsets with Stacie Hess and Amelia, photographed by Nicki Sebastian

Stacie Hess is one of those people you instantly feel comfortable with and connected to. We met via social media, as Stacie has been one of our amazing supportive customers since the beginning and we consider her part of the DOÊN family (this is basically our all time favorite picture of our Source Top). I was thrilled when Stacie, a photographer, agreed to do a journal story with us along with her daughter Amelia, her main muse. We met at their cozy beachside abode in Santa Monica and chased the light to a magical West Coast sunset, with Amelia showing us her gymnastic skills and snuggling with her mama all along the way. We knew Stacie, who was born and raised on Oahu, would make the perfect journal subject after our Spring 2017 launch as we were super inspired by Hawaii and its natural landscapes after shooting there. Stacie has a lot of love and passion in her - whether it’s for her daughter, her partner (Christian), jewelry, or photography - she gives the loves of her life everything she has. Photography has been her main creative outlet these past few years but lately she has been immersing herself in the Lost Wax casting process and embracing her creativity in the jewelry arena (the necklace she is wearing in these images is a medallion she created of the Hawaiian Islands and is a replica piece of a vintage 70’s coin). Read below for Stacie’s take on growing up in Hawaii and how it helped shape her as a mother.

- Phoebe

“Being from Hawaii, where it is so family oriented, I am so family oriented. I’m extremely close with both of my parents, as is Amelia. People in Hawaii don’t live to work, they work to live. There isn’t that need for a ‘career’, like we have here in L.A.   I’m so fortunate to be on this career path (photography) where my daughter still gets all of me - having the freedom to work on my schedule and around hers. She’s my life. That includes my career - I travel a lot for work and when Amelia’s not in school she comes with - 8 years old and she’s already quite the world traveler. Having that Hawaiian upbringing on family has really shaped motherhood, my career, my life and my relationships.”

- Stacie

Stacie wearing the Sienna Dress

Stacie wearing the Austen Top in Salt

Stacie wearing the Austen Top in Salt

Stacie wearing the Pacha Duster in Black

Stacie wearing the Sienna Dress

Stacie wearing the Sienna Dress

Stacie wearing the Sienna Dress

Stacie wearing the Austen Top in Salt

Stacie wearing the Austen Top in Salt

Stacie wearing the Sienna Dress