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Carleen is a Los Angeles-based womenswear collection designed by Kelsy Parkhouse, who is inspired by denim, quilts, Americana and nostalgia. We strive 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.

We use repurposed textiles as often as possible, because of their patina and beauty, and also because of their more-gentle impact on our planet. We always choose fabrics made from natural fibers, including organic, recycled, and deadstock whenever possible. Everything we make is made locally in Los Angeles, where we can keep an eye on quality, reduce our carbon footprint, and also monitor the working conditions of the skilled workers who make our clothes.

From the beginning, our primary inspiration has been the rich history of American quilting, a textile that continues to inform the Carleen aesthetic season after season. The quilts of Gee’s Bend are some of our favorites, please take a look at them here for endless inspiration.