OKO Lifestyle Spotlights Style and Social Responsibility

Despite growing up in downtown Rome, an epicenter of international fashion, the Steelman sisters never thought they’d land in the industry.

Though they snuck out after every Sunday church service to the neighboring Louis Vuitton store, scoping out the latest fashions to hit the racks was nothing more than a hobby.

Still, living “La Dolce Vita” among the influences of Valentino and Versace are what solidified the siblings’ timeless, chic style.

Fast forward to early adulthood after the Steelman family had relocated to the states.

Katie just graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and, in Florida, older sister Abbie married, became Abbie Boatwright and had two babies.

Though the sisters had always discussed starting a business together, the time was ripe to create a plan and set it in motion.

“We knew we wanted to grow a business in Santa Rosa Beach because our family is here, but we didn’t know what it would be,” recalls Katie Steelman. “There was a period of time where we would get together in the mornings and go, ‘OK, what are we doing with our lives?’ We started thinking, praying and suddenly, doors started opening.”

One of those led to the Dominican Republic, where their father’s nonprofit, Global Effect, issues microloans to impoverished communities in hopes of boosting job creation. When he told his daughters about a group of Dominican women skilled in sewing and seeking employment, clothing just seemed like a natural fit.

OKO opened its doors in the spring of 2016, occupying a petite nook of The Hub 30A with both franchised designers and their own private label.

A seven-week whirlwind later, OKO Kids debuted right next door — which was never part of the immediate plan.

“We dreamed that one day we would make a kid’s line, and even mentioned to our landlord that it was something we wanted to do down the road … but I’m talking way, WAY down the road!” Steelman laughs.

“When we have money again!” Boatwright interjects. “We put every dime into our first store. But a couple of weeks later, our landlord goes, ‘Our lease fell through with the people next door and I want you to open a kid’s store. Oh, and it has to be open by Memorial Day. Can you do it?’”

“To his face, we were like … psh, yeah … of course!” Steelman said. “Internally, we’re freaking out, but we couldn’t pass it up.

Sisters Steelman and Boatwright say the quality of life for Dominican workers sewing for them has improved. In time, they aim to employ 100 people at the remote workshop. Below Katie Steelman shares a moment with a Dominican seamstress whom she met through Global Effect, a non-profit founded and run by her father, Scott Steelman. Photo courtesy of OKO

I flew out to Dallas to buy from a kid’s show while Abbie stayed here and worked on the buildout. It was open three weeks from the day we committed.”

The girls’ mom always scolds them for “flying by the seat of their pants,” but they insist they work best under pressure.

Within the first few years of opening, an all-new OKO men’s line was flaunted at an American Music Awards gifting suite in Los Angeles.

A third store will soon debut in Rosemary Beach, and the pair launched their very first swimwear line this summer. Clearly, they’re right.

Anything you see with an OKO label is designed by Katie and Abbie, then hand cut and sewn in the Dominican Republic.

They know beach bums here don’t like to get too dressed up unless they must, so they like to keep it casual, utilizing high-quality materials in neutral tones.

Boatwright brings over a few of their favorite “Luxury Basics,” including their classic, Victoria V-neck top in black.

Breezy and easy, it would look great with a half-tuck into your favorite jeans, or let loose with a chunky necklace to dress it up.

The bamboo Bella T-shirt Dress is another versatile piece, leisurely enough to throw over your swimsuit with a panama hat, or capable of embellishment with a belt and heels for a night out.

Their hope is that if you have 10-15 OKO pieces in your closet, you’ll be able to mix and match them for any occasion.

Boatwright says her goal is to look at photos of herself 20 years from now and not be embarrassed about what she’s wearing.

Though the two finish each other’s sentences and possess a striking, similar beauty, their everyday styles differ.

Abbie tends to be a bit more adventurous, with pops of vogue statement pieces, while Katie exudes effortless, chic modernity.

But both are enamored with OKO and improving the lives of others, making as many as four trips to the Dominican Republic a year to work alongside their employees.

“There’s the sweetest woman named Rosie, and we like to call her our manager because she oversees the workshop when we’re not there,” Steelman smiles.

“Before OKO, she and her husband were doing odd jobs just trying to feed their kids and keep their head above water. But now she has a steady income. They’ve been able to add an indoor bathroom to their home, dinner is on the table every night and their quality of life is so much better.”

In the next few years, the sisters hope to employ 100 impoverished women with their label.

The letters in their brand name, OKO, represent overcoming hardship, kindness in action and creating opportunity. It’s not just a label for the sisters. It’s a commitment. We should all try it on for size.