How Caren Doyle Built Bulila: A Luxury Brand Rooted in Craftsmanship and Sustainability

Feb 28

All Photo: Courtesy of Caren

In an era dominated by mass production and fast fashion, one entrepreneur is redefining luxury by bringing craftsmanship back to the forefront. Caren Doyle, the founder of Bulila, has built a brand that prioritizes artistry, sustainability, and heritage.

Leaving South Africa in 2019, Doyle relocated to Cyprus, where she launched Bulila, a luxury brand that pays homage to her childhood memories—watching her mother meticulously knit garments designed to last a lifetime. This early exposure to handcrafted excellence shaped her belief that true luxury lies in quality, not quantity.

Caren's journey toward craftsmanship began long before Bulila. During high school, she spent three years immersed in ceramics, where she discovered the beauty of creating with intention. Through the delicate process of moulding pottery, her deep appreciation for handmade goods was born. This passion coupled with her love for nature served as a foreshadow to what would one day become the heartbeat of Bulila.

Her love for nature also plays a pivotal role in the brand’s ethos. A firm believer in environmental responsibility, Bulila donates two euros from every product sold to the Maroalike Regeneration Project in Madagascar, an initiative dedicated to planting mangrove trees. These trees not only protect coastal ecosystems but also create jobs for local communities. Recognising her generation’s role in environmental degradation, Doyle believes that each person can make a difference for the good of the planet. “We have one planet, and it’s our responsibility to take care of it,” Doyle says.

“I’m trying to create products that people can use for a long time. You can have these for years and years and they’ll feel good"

Creativity flows through generations like an unbroken thread, weaving together stories, skills, and passions. For Doyle, a single mother, this connection is unmistakable - her creativity has not only shaped her life, but has also become a core part of her son’s journey. From a young age, she noticed his fascination with music, a passion she nurtured just as she instilled values of sustainability and mindfulness in him. Today, that influence is evident as he leads Bulila’s digital media, carrying forward the lessons she once shared. The notion that creativity is inherited brings back nostalgic memories for Caren. She vividly remembers learning the delicate art of stitching from her mother. Even now, she surprises herself by how naturally her hands remember the precise movements of a traditional Sashiko stitch - proof that the past has a way of lingering in the present. “It’s sort of like by osmosis, you watch and somehow you retain that knowledge,” Caren says.

Challenges to starting Bulila:

Bringing Bulila to life was no easy feat. Doyle faced a two fold challenge that tested both her passion and perseverance. Searching for artisans who created products from truly natural materials proved to be a daunting challenge. Finding suppliers was not only a process of finding people who can deliver good products, but it was a search to find the abstract - passion. Caren knew she had found a good supplier for Bulila’s vegan soaps when she met a man whose heart was laced in developing soaps made from olive oil and castor oil because his wife suffered from eczema. Doyle remembers this man’s passion about his work and the intentionality behind the materials he uses.

Setting up Bulila in Cyprus was challenging because of the geopolitical issues that exist between Cyprus and Turkey. It was hard to import anything from Turkey to Cyprus which led her to open a company in Turkey. She had to travel back and forth between Turkey and Cyprus which was financially strenuous. She had to fly to Turkey each time to pay a supplier, but a breakthrough came when, a few months later they opened an online banking facility which made it easier for her to pay her suppliers.

“If you have the passion, you’ll find a way to start. Start small, start at home, but just start. That’s the main thing.”

The Future of Bulila: Expanding Beyond Borders

With operations now running smoothly, Doyle is focused on expanding Bulila’s global reach. The brand is currently building relationships with interior designers and exploring new collaborations with artisans not only from Turkey but from around the world. The vision for Bulila’s future is clear: to expand sales and establish itself as a global brand. Founder, Caren envisions Bulila’s peshtemals being featured in Cyprus’ luxurious spas. Known for their durability and versatility, Peshtemals offer customers a long-lasting, premium experience.. “I’m trying to create products that people can use for a long time. You can have these for years and years and they’ll feel good,” Caren explains.

Bulila ships globally with the exceptions of Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Drawing inspiration from the rich history of the Middle East and Central Asia, Bulila crafts exquisite cushions using vintage Suzanis—some as old as fifty years In collaboration with Pierre Frey and Designs of The Time, Bulila designs cushions in intricate floral, fruit, and leaf patterns that capture the essence of craftsmanship and history.“I created these cushions because I want people to have a piece of that history and craftsmanship, almost, as an heirloom,” Caren reflects.

Doyle’s Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:

Bulila is Doyle’s fifth venture, and she speaks candidly about the realities of entrepreneurship. Her first business, launched at 30, was a learning experience, and not every venture has been a success, “you make mistakes and constantly learn from those mistakes”. She recalls running her second business, a sports marketing brand that didn’t work out but she enjoyed doing it for a time. At 60, Caren exemplifies the belief that it’s never too late to reinvent oneself and embrace the journey of starting anew.

Her advice: Focus on what drives you, stay committed to your vision and know that success does not come overnight. Caren knows this firsthand, her recruitment company, which she built over 18 years, only began generating significant success after eight years, a testament to her resilience and dedication.

Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Start small, but start. “If you have the passion, you’ll find a way. Begin at home if you have to—just take the first step.”
Dont do it alone: “Get a co-founder or bring people on board that believe in your vision, but try not to do it alone. No successful business is run by one person. It’s always a team effort.”

At the centre of Bulila is a heart of passion for creating, to serve people and the environment through artistic creation. Caren Doyle’s visionary quest to start Bulila is one that shows that a blend of passion and resilience is necessary to navigate the challenging world of business.