We use eco-friendly fabrics whenever possible because we believe that every choice can make a difference. In celebration of Earth Day we want to shine a spotlight on one of Stella Carakasi’s favorite fibers to give our customers a deeper understanding of the impact their purchases can make on the environment. As an early eco-adapter, Stella has been using Tencel in her designs since 1996; not just for the incredible softness and drape but because this innovative fiber speaks to her commitment to manufacture clothing in a responsible way.

What Is Tencel?

Tencel is a sustainable fabric, regenerated from wood cellulose. It is obtained from eucalyptus trees that are grown on farms—no old growth forests, genetic manipulation, irrigation or pesticides are used. These forests and the pulp produced for Tencel have earned Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification that the products come from socially and environmentally responsible forests. The European Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification has also endorsed Tencel’s farming practices as sustainable. Tencel eliminates the negative environmental impacts of traditional fiber processing, using new sustainable technologies.

Tencel has some distinct advantages over traditional fibers in terms of chemical processing, which can often be extensive and toxic. For example, Rayon manufacturing generates highly polluting air and water emissions, uses catalytic agents containing cobalt or manganese and creates a strong, unpleasant odor. On the other hand, the chemicals used to produce Tencel fibers are nontoxic.

The cellulose or ground pulp used for Tencel is treated in what is known as a closed loop process in which these solvents are recycled with a recovery rate of 99.5%. The tiny amount of remaining emissions is decomposed in biological purification plants. Because of the nature of the material, the processing never requires bleach. This overall method of manufacturing fabric was awarded the “European Award for the Environment” by the European Union.

Red carpet wrap up:
We’re coming up for air after fashion week in San Francisco. We want to thank Fashion Community Week for making the Bay Area fashion scene more visible while highlighting local and international designers with a focus on sustainability. FCWSF rocked the Redwood Room at the Clift Hotel in the heart of San Francisco on March 17th. We were excited to open the Pret-A-Porter show with our spring favorites. 

Stella’s vision of Spring/Summer 2018 came to life on the runway, featuring an abundance of looks that could lend themselves easily to both a casual or fashion-forward lifestyle. Stella, always designing for the woman who dresses for herself, celebrates the ease with which women move between roles and worlds, all the while balancing the duality of strength and beauty.

Behind the scenes, the models line up. On the runway: Zip Code Vest & New Wave Skirt.

Shop the runway
Stella is obsessed with form and function and chose to highlight her ultra lightweight linen sweaters, liquid Art-Silk separates and hemp fabrics on the runway for Spring/Summer 2018. The look was both modern and sleek, but at the same time totally wearable. The line up included our current Spring 2018 offering now available in-store and online …plus a forward look to the season ahead with a nod to the enduring beauty of black and white for summer, as well as the romance of sheer silky layers.

Shop The Runway Looks

1. Style To Spare Jacket (Orchid)
2. Clean Slate Top (Orchid)
3. Cool Moves Pants (Orchid)
4. Equal Parts Vest (Soft White)
5. Side Effects Top (Feather)
6. Cool Moves Pants (Feather)

Special thanks

Thanks to Shirin Hashem and the amazing team at FCWSF, to the models for making our designs come to life, to all the fashion bloggers and  fans near and far for your support. We look forward to doing it again next season!

Photo credits: Stuart Locklear, Carlos Orozco

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RUNWAY READY!
After weeks of planning, fittings, pinning and stitching and more fittings, we are just days away from Fashion Community Week Spring Edition fashion show.

Stella’s Spring 2018 Collection brings effortless wear-now pieces that were made to be layered. Breezy tunics, drapey tops, crisp poplin blouses and cool Art Silk pants kick off the season.

Join us on March 17 at the Clift Hotel for the Pret-A-Porter Spring Edition Fashion Show. Get your tickets here. As a fan of Stella Carakasi, please use the discount code EXCLUSIVE to receive 15% off your ticket.
Show your support for Stella by voting for her as your favorite designer! Click here to vote!

It’s our night and we want to share it with you from behind the scenes to the front of the house. Sign up now to receive updates in your inbox!

Part Three Of A New Series: A letter from Designer, Stella Carakasi:

Now that we have launched our new Direct to Consumer business model we want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU!

We love and value your ongoing support and enthusiasm for our work. Nothing makes us happier than knowing we have touched your lives and made a difference in how you feel showing up in the world dressed in comfortable clothing that accentuates your unique beauty while supporting social and environmental change.

We are a fashion company that is using technology versus a technology company that produces fashion.

In our ever faster-moving world that is technology dominated, it never fails to amaze me that even young clothing companies have to “mask” themselves as being “tech” in order to succeed. I value technology, but I also value nature, the true artistry of design, high quality, mindfulness, intention, and the wide spectrum of beauty.

We believe that great companies are built one customer at a time, one relationship at a time. We are dedicated to helping you build the best “wearable” wardrobe you’ve ever had– and it doesn’t stop with your most recent purchase. We are centered on longevity and bringing value to your life every time you wear Stella Carakasi.

I invite you to sign up to be the first to learn about live product launches, fashion shows, community events and more!  Check out some of this season’s highlights:

• The latest Spring 2018 Edits have arrived!
• Fashion Community Week is almost upon us! Look for more details here.
• Make getting dressed easy. Discover our hand-selected looks designed with you in mind.

Look for more exciting news, including opportunities for feedback and involvement. We’re in this together! Thank you for supporting what we do.

—Stella

Part two of a new series: A letter from Designer, Stella Carakasi

Welcome back! As I mentioned in my blog post earlier this week, 2018 marks our 25th anniversary and I am thrilled to share the exciting news that we are now a Direct to Consumer company!

For those of you that don’t already know, the Stella Carakasi Brand has primarily relied on traditional retail channels to sell our product. However, during the past few years, there has been a seismic shift in the retail landscape brought on by a fundamental change in consumer buying habits via online and in-store direct to consumer shopping.

To meet this demand we jumped in head first with the launch our own e-commerce site followed by the opening of our flagship store in Berkeley thus creating a shift in the way we do business. So much so that by the Spring of 2018 we have completely transitioned into a Direct to Consumer company.

What does this mean for you?

Without the middleman markups of the past, we can pass down significant savings to you without compromising on quality or design. For me, it means having a direct conversation with you, which has opened new doors to a community of women that share a passion for many of the same values that I hold closest to my heart.

Aligning our core values with our design and manufacturing practices enables us to make a bigger social and environmental difference.  

• We strive towards becoming fair trade certified, using more sustainable materials and reducing our carbon footprint.
• We offer quality over quantity and honor the artistry that is involved in creating clothing.
• We believe in slow fashion because we know that less is more when less is better!
• We are excited to bring transparency into our supply chain and share the stories of the people behind the scenes that create our clothing.
  
  

I look forward to taking this journey with you and thank you for your ongoing support

—Stella