Lighting a candle is an act of self-care. A simple gesture can create a soothing atmosphere, and now the Los Angeles-based design brand Dumæ wants to elevate this further. The Kayla Lighter is a chic replacement for the everyday match or worn-out plastic igniter.
Sculpted from brass, handcrafted in India and refillable, the lighter sits between a functional object and a homeware accessory, and is as beautiful as it is functional. Founded by Kym Gold and Sakshi Khurana, Dumæ works with artisan partners across India to create pieces that bring a sense of permanence and beauty to an everyday ritual.
The Kayla Lighter was presented alongside a wider collection, including pieces varying from tabletop and serving vessels to candle lights, lighting, and collectible gifts. What ties each piece together is its aesthetics and functionality, which encourage conversation, as mundane household objects are transformed into objects of beauty.
Dumæ's creative vision is centred on contemporary design paired with artisanal knowledge. The brand’s name is derived from Point Dume, the Malibu coastline where Gold grew up, and combined with Mae, a spiritual tribute to motherhood and the women who have shaped her life and creative perspective.
The founding partners come from a fashion background, with Gold previously co-founding the high-end jeans brand True Religion, while Khurana has worked across operations and product development with brands like Giorgio Armani and Urban Zen by Donna Karan. For them, Dumæ is a vessel to utilise their shared fashion experience and transplant it into the design world.
Working with ceramics, wax and metal, to paper, textiles and lighting, the brand has now ventured into sculptural resin through the Kayla Lighter, which now joins Dumæ’s portfolio of objects that can move effortlessly between homes, hotels and shared spaces.