Mission Matters
It’s no secret that the fashion industry hasn’t always been size or age-inclusive (and it still has a very long way to go.) From the world’s favorite fashion magazines to the models walking the runways to the dread that a lot of women feel when they need to buy new clothing–let’s just say it’s not unusual to feel ostracized if you fall outside the ‘standard’ size range, typically offered by mainstream clothing brands.
Despite recent efforts to showcase more diverse body shapes, sizes, and age ranges, the fashion industry continues to prioritize youth and the slim hourglass figure as the ‘ideal’ body shape, maintaining the status quo.
Actually, the industry appears to disregard the fact that the average American woman wears a size 16! Yet when you walk into a clothing store, most often, you’ll have trouble finding options for a size 16 or larger. And if you do, size 16 will be offered under plus size, and the style selection is often limited compared to the ‘standard size’ offerings. How is that inclusive?
Why We’re Different
Despite societal strides towards diversity, equity, and inclusion, the fashion industry lags behind, failing to truly embrace these values and enact meaningful change, starting in the design room. At Stella Carakasi, we reject the divisive approach to sizing where women are separated into ‘standard’ and ‘plus size’. Instead, all our designs are offered in extended sizes, which typically include both larger and smaller sizes than what is considered ‘standard’ (XS-2XL/ 2-22). This allows women of most body shapes and sizes to shop with equal ease and have access to fashionable and well-fitting garments.
Our commitment to inclusivity goes beyond sizing; it starts during the design process. We meticulously evaluate every design during the conceptual stage to ensure it will complement bodies sized XS-2XL (with the intention to expand our size range even further as we grow). Each pattern is expertly engineered in-house to achieve this goal, aiming to empower women to feel confident and stylish, regardless of their clothing size, age, or body shape.
Our Design Philosophy
Throughout my extensive career spanning over two decades, I’ve had the privilege of listening to the pain points of countless women. Many are overwhelmed with busy schedules, leaving little time to focus on personal style. Others express frustration and discomfort as they grapple with the elusive concept of personal style, having been repeatedly disappointed by mainstream fashion’s inability to provide clothing that truly fits their unique bodies. Our commitment to size, age, and body shape inclusivity goes beyond clothing; it’s woven into everything we do. As a small company with a bold mission, we aim to revolutionize the fashion industry by amplifying the voices of women who have long been excluded from the fashion conversation. Our designs embody comfort, eco-friendliness, and inclusivity, seamlessly transitioning from day to night and work to play. We prioritize quality and attention to detail, setting ourselves apart from mainstream fashion while maintaining an accessible aesthetic.
Personal Style And The Power Of Design
Style is not about being someone you’re not. It’s personal. It’s about manifesting confidence and feeling right with who you are. Think about that favorite garment, that go-to piece in your closet that just works. The one piece that always makes you feel right. Most likely, when that style comes to mind, it’s a sensory experience that triggers an emotion: perhaps it feels wonderful to the touch, or it’s the perfect color. Or maybe it just seems to work with everything else you own. When you wear this garment, you feel like your true self, and most importantly, you feel comfortable in your own skin. That’s the power of design. And that’s how we aim to make you feel every single time you put on a Stella Carakasi design.
We’re firm believers in paying attention to the details—from fabric choices and high-quality construction to flattering style lines and how garments fit. It’s the culmination of these details that help create your favorite style. That’s why we always strive to create multi-functional pieces that work hard day after day, season after season. We are passionate about creating a fashionable alternative to the often-limited variety that has long dominated the mainstream fashion industry–where styles are being produced without care for the environment and marketed to a non-diverse, youth-obsessed demographic.
Considering most of us only wear 10% of what we own in our closets, it is very important that we own the right pieces that are comfortable and make us feel great season after season. Women of all shapes, sizes, and ages deserve to be seen, so I strive to offer elevated, comfortable designs that are easy to style and work seamlessly with previous garments that you already have hanging in your closet!
Our Collections
But don’t just take my word for it! Over the years since I started my brand, I’ve been extremely lucky to grow my community and customer base to include countless amazing women who have shared their personal style stories with me. By taking the disappointing moments and turning them into triumphant wins, our garments have been able to make these women feel confident, bold (and sometimes even a little sexy!) in their own skin.
One item that has proven to be a top seller for us time and time again is our Tiburon Tunic. This piece has a perfect 5-star rating, with many of our customers saying things like, “This blouse is now hanging in my closet four times! It has a serious cool factor as well as being very sophisticated. This blouse is a must-have in any closet!”
We’ve also recently launched our new spring/ summer 2024 collection, including fresh organic cotton poplin shirts, stunning printed tops, unique jackets, summer knits, and casual linen. No matter what you’re in the market for, you can put your trust in us to help you find clothing that will make you feel cool and confident, no matter your age, body size, or personal style.
For more style inspiration, please check out our Looks We Love Page, which won’t disappoint.
