The Quality Makers: Carolina Kleinman of Carolina K

Carolina K is a luxury lifestyle brand created by designer Carolina Kleinman. After traveling the world, Carolina and her family settled in Tepoztlan, Mexico. They continued to travel to Bolivia and Peru during the developing stages of her brand, where combining the artisanal work of different cultures became the differentiating ingredient of their emerging designs. As a pioneer in this space, the brand is known for its hand-embroidered details made authentically by artisans from remote regions of Mexico, Peru, and India. 

Carolina’s desire to preserve artisanal traditions is a vital part of her DNA and philosophy. She strives to empower and uplift these artisan communities, whose ancestral techniques have been passed down from one generation to the next. Carolina K is all about making decisions with love and care for the people and planet. By working with these small cooperatives to create impeccable slow fashion pieces each season, they are committed to reducing environmental harm. Carolina and her family now live in Miami, where she opened her first design studio and store.

Tell me a bit about yourself & your background.‍

I come from a family rooted in textiles and design. This all began when my grandfather, who traveled on a ship from Europe to Buenos Aires, Argentina, decided to live in Bolivia for a while. I grew up in Buenos Aires, with an immense passion for music that, combined with my family’s creative legacy, inspired me to create my own brand in 2005. After traveling to a variety of small towns in many places across the globe with my husband and children, we settled in the magical town of Tepoztlán, Mexico, where I found new inspiration through local artisan cooperatives. In the more recent years, I moved to Miami and opened our brand’s headquarters, where my creative studio and team sit, along with our new flagship store in Miami’s Design District.‍

Can you introduce Carolina K?‍

Carolina K is a lifestyle brand that blends tradition, culture, and sustainability with statement designs. Our collections are known for their hand-embroidered details and distinctive prints, crafted in collaboration with artisans from remote regions of Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, and other areas of Latin and South America. We also have production coming out of India, where I go every year as I love the culture and tradition. Each piece embodies the artistry and heritage of these communities and individuals while embracing ethical production practices.

What sparked your interest in starting this brand? How is your personal journey related to it?‍

My personal journey is deeply connected to the brand. Growing up in a family of designers and traveling extensively throughout Latin America, I was inspired by the rich textile traditions of the regions I visited. I wanted to create a brand that not only celebrates craftsmanship but also supports the artisans and communities that keep these traditions alive. My background and experience in music also influences the brand’s rhythm and flow, merging art and culture in a meaningful way.

Why does sustainability lie at the core of your brand? How does it impact every aspect?‍

Sustainability is the backbone of Carolina K. From sourcing materials to working with artisans, we aim to minimize our environmental footprint while honoring the traditions of handmade, slow fashion. Our approach includes using organic and recycled fabrics, reducing waste in the production process, and supporting fair-trade practices. It's about creating fashion that is beautiful, ethical, and mindful of the planet. This approach was born 20 years ago when I was living off the grid. Each collection became a reflection of my lifestyle, and still is today.‍

Tell me about the importance of family lineage in terms of textile and design: artisan handmade techniques passed down through generations.‍

Family lineage is at the core of the artisanal groups we work with. The ancestors' knowledge of textiles and design, passed down through generations, is what inspired me to create the brand and support them so that their crafts don't fade away. These artisan communities have been an endless source of inspiration for me. Every hand-embroidered detail tells a story of craftsmanship passed from parent to child, generation after generation, preserving the history and culture of the craft.

You desire to preserve the history and culture of these communities while empowering and uplifting artisans. How do you give back to them?‍

Giving back to these communities is central to my mission. We work closely with cooperatives, providing fair wages, supporting their livelihoods, and creating opportunities for them to thrive in their craft. We also invest in the artisans by ensuring they have the resources they need to continue their craft. Our commitment extends beyond fashion, as we support a number of environmental and social welfare non-profit organizations year-round, with every order placed on our website.‍

What is a lesson you aim to teach about the harm and dangers of fast fashion?‍

Fast fashion devalues artistry and exploits human beings.  People need to ask the question of where something is made and who it is made by. Prioritizing  quantity over quality leads to environmental degradation, poor labor practices, and a disconnect from the people who make our clothes. I hope to teach that slow, responsible  fashion can create a more meaningful connection between the maker and the wearer, while also being kinder to the earth and its inhabitants.

Tell me about your ‘zero waste’ policy.‍

Our ‘zero waste’ policy is about ensuring that no fabric goes unused. We repurpose leftover materials from our collections into smaller items, like accessories or home textiles. We also make one of a kind pieces with fabric scraps, or we donate them to local people who can use them in their own creations. This not only reduces waste but also encourages creative ways to make use of every resource.‍

Tell me more about your design and creation process.‍

Each collection starts with a concept inspired by my travels, music, and the cultures we work with or my own meaningful world. Anything that interests me will be found in our collection. We collaborate with artisans to incorporate traditional techniques, like hand embroidery and weaving, into modern designs. I work closely with them throughout the process, from selecting fabrics to finalizing the details, ensuring that every piece reflects both their craftsmanship and my vision. We also collaborate with different artists from all around the world when creating our prints every season.

‍What differentiates you from other brands in the industry? What makes you unique?‍

What we do at Carolina K comes from the heart. We don’t follow popularity trends. On the contrary, I actually try to have a unique point of view at all times. Our designs celebrate the heritage of the artists and artisans we work with, and every piece is made with purpose and heart, bridging the gap between ancient traditions and contemporary style. We have pioneered many of our practices, a main one being zero waste which is the core of the brand.‍

What do you hope people will take away from your brand?‍

I hope people see Carolina K as more than just a brand—I hope they see it as a movement toward mindful consumption, cultural appreciation, and ethical fashion. I want them to feel connected to the artisans behind the garments and to know that by choosing our pieces, they are supporting a more sustainable and thoughtful way of living. I also hope they recognize our whole lifestyle experience approach - from the clothes to the homeware and wallpaper.

What are your hopes, visions, or dreams for the future of Carolina K?‍

Doing less, slowing down, seasonless. I hope to expand our collaborations with more communities around the world and to inspire others to embrace slow fashion. Ultimately, I want Carolina K to be a catalyst for positive change in the fashion industry, a brand that empowers and uplifts both its creators and its wearers. 

Join the sustainable fashion movement in style by wearing Carolina K.