Meet ANGELA OBRIEN | Founder, Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with ANGELA OBRIEN and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi ANGELA, how does your business help the community?
Cleobella is rooted in sustainability and focused on people and process. We look at the entire eco-system of fashion and celebrate globally inspired, ethically handmade designs. We believe that what you put on your skin is important, which is why all of our cottons are GOTS Certified Organic Cotton and most of our prints are made with natural vegetable dyes. We celebrate slow fashion and a 80% of our prints are hand block printed.

My husband and I have been living in South East Asia for the last 14 yers, working closely with artisan communities and we have watched our families grow together. It has been a true gift and a magic of combining East and West cultures, making wearable timeless art to cherish for generations to come.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a creative being, I’m constantly inspired by the world around me. People, places, things, I’m always designing up new ideas and then manifesting them into reality. I’m a forever dreamer and guided by my love of mother earth, protecting the planet and preserving heritage techniques. Travel is my true passion and I see myself as a global citizen apart of something bigger than myself… and it is always rooted in art and creativity. I began my artistic journey with my grandmother, oil painting at the age of 6 years. My Mother, Cleobelle, my endless bohemian muse has been my continuous supporter and inspiration of strong female leadership. I began my business over a decade ago, importing beautiful vintage saris from India and designing leather handbags. Humble beginnings selling my collections at markets on the weekend with a 4 post pop up tent in an open field. What I’ve learned is that everything good takes time and I continue to be optimistic and believe in myself, even when it doesn’t seem possible. I truly love what I do and the creative community I’m surrounded by. It’s been a rollercoaster of a journey, but it continues to be full of life lessons.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My best friend from Australia (@dazedbutamazed) did visit me last year right before covid and we stayed at The Santa Monica Proper Hotel and drank margaritas by the pool deck. We rented Electric Bikes and rode to Venice and and ate dinner at Gjelina on Abbot Kinney…It was under a perfect sunset..lots of laughs and intimate girlfriend time, we cherish that these days, as we have children now and alone time is few and far between:-)

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Suzy Batiz, Founder of Poo-Pourri

She is an endless inspiration of Spiritual Entrepreneurship!

I have been fortunate enough to join many of her online Alive Courses and I’ve seen massive transformation by implementing her methods of self discovery and living with integrity!

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