Cake For Dinner—a longtime Peachy partner—continues to achieve the near-impossible goal of setting trends for the tween-to-teenage market. Now in its fourth successful year, this women-led business delivers on feeling confident, inspiring others and having fun.
WRITTEN BY Bek Mitchell-Kidd
At the helm is Founder + CEO Chambless Kalka, who was inspired to start the business by her daughter and the frustration of trying to find tasteful clothing that teenagers would actually want to wear. Chambless is joined by Creative Director Mallory Atkins, who helps bring the pieces to life, focusing on color, trends and uniqueness, and partnering with artists to produce one-of-a-kind prints and style.
What changes have you seen in the tween-to-teen market during the past four years since you launched?
MALLORY: Over the past few years, we have observed significant changes in the tween-to-teen market, particularly in their desire for casual yet stylish clothing, moving beyond the typical sweatshirt and joggers. It’s inspiring to see our customers develop their style through our clothing, and it’s wonderful to witness these young women feeling and looking their best.
Our Peachy readers will be among the first to access your new spring collection, Ciao Bella! What are you most excited about in this new line?
CHAMBLESS: I am excited to bring to life new styles that have gotten so much positive feedback during development. We truly listen to our customers, and it’s so much fun to see them realize this!
Ciao Bella! is a playful mix of color, print and texture inspired by traditional Italian motifs. The pieces highlight finely hand-painted details in bright Mediterranean tones, and the designs reflect the vibrant scenery of European beaches.
The first release features a ballet-color aesthetic with pastel shades and sandy neutrals, offering a refreshing take on classic styles. In the same line, vivid colors and diverse patterns celebrate the joyful spirit of spring.
We know the CFD team recently traveled to India to source inspiration and fabric—tell us a little bit about that.
MALLORY: We had an amazing trip to India where we focused on creating our upcoming spring and pre fall collections. We found endless inspiration and learned a great deal from the incredible craftsmanship that India offers. Collaborating with our team counterparts during these trips is particularly rewarding, especially since they are all remarkable women!
“We are so grateful for our partnership with our India team. The attention to detail we see throughout the life cycle of a style is immediately noticed by our customers when they see our products. We take great pride in this and will continue to travel to India on a regular basis. We also love to host our India team when they visit us here in the US. They are always so hospitable and it’s wonderful to be able to return the favor.” —Founder + CEO Chambless Kalka
You’ll see the influence in our designs from spring into fall with beautifully embroidered patterns as well as the introduction of block-printed styles.
A part of your business model, when you launched, was to offer opportunities to mentor girls and women interested in fashion and business—is that still a focus for the brand?
CHAMBLESS: Yes! Nurturing our young women has been the heart of CFD since the beginning. We of course want them to look cute and be excited to wear our pieces, but we also want them to feel confident and secure, and we know that what they choose to wear is a big part of that. We have so many fantastic partnerships with other brands and businesses that align with our mission. We believe in supporting positive growth in young women, and we are thrilled to be a part of their journey.
What are you seeing in the industry—print, style and color-wise—for 2025?
MALLORY: The industry trends we anticipate for spring 2025 highlight the significant role of color, ranging from soft pastels to vibrant reds. We are also seeing a rise in fruit prints, bright embroidery and romantic ruffles, which introduce an element of whimsy and softness to fashion. This season will showcase a variety of materials, offering diverse textures and weights. Intricate embroidery will enhance uniqueness in garments, while denim will provide a balance of casual comfort and trendy silhouettes. Additionally, textured fabrics will add a vintage-inspired charm to the overall look. These are all key design features you’ll find in our 2025 launch.
Chambless concludes, “Cake For Dinner has grown beyond my wildest dreams. Our team is expanding, and we love staying true to our mission—teaching young women the business of fashion. With every new hire we get to do just that. Expect to see us all over the place this year and beyond—online, at popups and in your favorite shops!”
Shop the new collection from Cake For Dinner, Ciao Bella!
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