Jess Laakso Hammond graduated from RISD in '05 with a BA in Apparel Design and from Istituto Marangoni, Milan with a Master's in Fashion. After working with designers in Italy, she returned to the US and got a job as graphic designer and stylist at La Garconne. Wanting to pursue her true passion for apparel design, she teamed up with longtime friend Katie Lerch to create a new line for women similar to herself, which became a reality for SS13.

Katie Lerch graduated with majors in Art & Math at Skidmore college. Since '06, she has been working in the Online and Mobile Marketing industry. Interested in more entrepreneurial pursuits and in need of a creative outlet, she teamed up with longtime friend Jess Hammond to start Mien Kielo. Katie contributes her eye for design to help create the textile patterns and color story for each collection, in addition to running all finances.