Carleen

Carleen is a Los Angeles-based womenswear collection designed by Kelsy Parkhouse, who is inspired by denim, quilts, Americana and nostalgia. She strives to make aesthetically and functionally durable women’s clothing that delights and inspires. Kelsy Parkhouse founded Carleen in May of 2012 after receiving positive reviews for her thesis collection at Pratt Institute where she also received the inaugural Liz Claiborne Concept to Product Award. Her founding collection drew inspiration from the Grand Canyon and handmade American quilts, a textile that continues to inform the Carleen aesthetic both visually and metaphorically.Carleen repurposes textiles as often as possible, because of their patina and beauty, and also because of their more-gentle impact on our planet. They always choose fabrics made from natural fibers, including organic, recycled, and deadstock whenever possible. Everything we make is made locally in Los Angeles, where they keep an eye on quality, reduce their carbon footprint, and also monitor the working conditions of the skilled workers who make Carleen's clothes.