Tiburon Tunic Icon

Stella Carakasi 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 without even knowing why. It’s about summoning the power of the senses to communicate security and ease. Think about that favorite garment, that go-to piece in your wardrobe that just works. Not the most expensive mind you, but that one piece that always makes it into your suitcase. Most likely when that piece comes to mind, it’s a sensory experience that triggers a memory; perhaps it felt wonderful to the touch or was that perfect color. Or maybe it just seemed to work with everything else in your closet. A unique cut or some charming detail, whatever the impetus, at that moment you felt the energy of your surroundings. You felt like your true self and you felt comfortable in your own skin. That’s the power of design.

What makes an Icon

The term ‘Icon’ is thrown around a lot these days; a versatile style that stands the test of time, a piece that fits and flatters many different sizes and shapes, like our Tiburon Tunic, one style to which this title can truly be applied. The Tiburon Tunic’s versatility has a great deal to do with its ability to outlast trends; it’s the rare piece of clothing that can be worn for just about any occasion and in a variety of ways, from a workweek staple to lunch with friends, dressed up or down, belted as a shirt dress with leggings, or unbuttoned as a lightweight jacket. A true Icon is something you will wear all the time. It’s a commodity, the one piece that you can wear pretty much anywhere and feel comfortable and confident and know that you are neither over- nor underdressed, but always on-point.

Classic Colors

Black, Soft White and Navy; these timeless shades are classic and set the foundation of any successful look.  Current limited edition colors Aqua and Coral add a bright alternative to our classic shades.

Soft White: The quintessential dress shirt color. For cotton poplin, there’s no better choice, and it’s the best color to combine with classic indigo jeans, your favorite pants, or leggings like our Second Nature Capris or Ready To Wear Leggings.

Black:  A black shirt offers a rebellious alternative to the classic white option, the go-to color that goes everywhere and works with all your outfits. Black adds drama and mystery, it can be dressed up or down or worn head to toe. Go tonal with greys or neutrals. Pop pretty much any color against black and it instantly has cache’, something special comes out- she is empowered.

Navy: Navy the color of midnight is a refined choice that does almost the same job as black and remains day friendly. It’s ideal for creating classic looks when combined with denim, white and cool neutrals.

Aqua: The color Aqua is peaceful and calm. It’s a happy cool bright that works back to denim and white and enhances your mood with joyful positivity.

Coral: Coral is energizing and invigorating and inspires action, it’s bright and exciting. This lively color works back to your favorite denim and white. Want to make a statement? Pair it with other brights like yellow or vibrant greens.

Styled just so…

Comfort falls hand in hand with confidence, and confidence starts with feeling good about what you’re wearing and how it fits and feels. A perfect fit emphasizes parts of the body you’re most proud of, without drawing attention to the areas you’re perhaps more self-conscious about. We’ve designed this piece with you in mind. Taking some of the attributes of our bestsellers along with feedback from our loyal customers we have incorporated them into one fantastic style. The smart poplin front reveals a modern architectural shape and the pleated stretch-jersey back work together to create The Tiburon Tunic Icon. The half sleeves are finished with a stretchy band of jersey for ease of movement and precise fit. The welted front pockets are deep, inconspicuous and keep this piece on the casual side while the pleated jersey back exudes total comfort and ease. Pop the collar for a little attitude. The Tiburon Tunic can be worn open as an easy-going jacket, buttoned-up as a tunic or belted and paired with leggings to make a stunning shirtdress. This style has as many moods as you.

In the words of our happy customers

“It’s a great moment when you make a purchase and it exceeds expectations. You want to tell everyone. You feel great every time you wear it.”   –Ann B.

“Love this shirt! So comfy and flattering.”   –M P.

“I just got mine! It fits perfectly and I want to wear it every day!  –Liz B.

“I LOVE MINE… WORTH EVERY PENNY!”  –Julie W.

“I must say… I have both black and white… best shirt EVER…wear with tights or skinny leg pants…so slimming and classy.”   –Joey W.

For more inspiration, check out our Looks We Love Dressing Made Easy  page at Stella Carakasi

Founders Journey: Stella Carakasi

In 1993, eco-fashion disrupter, Two Star Dog was launched by brothers Steven and Allan Boutrous. Shortly thereafter, I joined the team and together we created the first hemp clothing collection in the United States, which was very controversial at the time. We designed and trademarked “The Original Hemp Jeans” which quickly became a national bestseller and the company rose to the top of this niche market proving that sustainability in fashion was possible. In the mid-nineties, major growth opportunity came knocking with mainstream fashion paying attention to Two Star Dog. As the business grew, I found myself being pulled in many directions not only designing for our brand but for a myriad of other opportunities including department stores, catalogs…even wardrobe design for a few Hollywood movies.  It was easy to get wrapped up in all the excitement of the moment but I wanted to experience everything I could about the industry and all it had to offer. I think I must have traveled around the world ten times as the nineties came to a close. I learned about balance in those days, I learned about focus, I learned about priorities but most of all, I learned that time doesn’t stand still and the fashion industry somehow makes it move even faster. stellax4jpg Then, just as I thought nothing could stop us, the economic crisis of 2008 hit, taking a toll on the entire industry sparing virtually no one. During that same time, my daughter was born prematurely, sending me on a tumultuous roller coaster I was hardly prepared for. While facing the unknown, both personally and professionally I found my strength in knowing that we all have the power to change our lives with our thoughts and I chose to remain positive. Setting an example for my daughter to be a strong independent spirit became my priority, and sparked a desire to find deeper meaning in my work as well. I am spontaneous, strong and fearless. Growing up as a child of Greek immigrant parents in Germany made me tough– good traits for the competitive fashion industry that must adapt to the ever-changing social trends and economics. After much reflection and contemplation, I resolved to take a stand by creating a lifestyle brand that reflected my core values, one rooted in social and environmental responsibility– a brand that would re-energize the market by inspiring women to express their individuality through design. With the help of my amazing team I began to lay the foundation for our new direction, and by Fall 2012 the Stella Carakasi brand was born.  Not long after that, we launched our e-commerce site, followed by the opening of our flagship store in Berkeley, California – both of which created a direct line of communication with our customers. This conversation and sense of community inspired me to change the direction of our business in new and exciting ways. stellax3-2We recently launched a crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine, the nation’s leading crowdfunding platform and invite you to take a look by clicking here. It’s a new approach to investing in a company you believe in. There are several levels to opt-in, each one offering some great perks and at the end of the day, you own a piece of a company you love. This is your opportunity to own a piece of the brand and make a difference in the fashion industry. Join us as we grow!

Stella Carakasi Creative Director and Co-Founder break barriers

Founders Journey: Stella Carakasi

In 1993, eco-fashion disrupter, Two Star Dog was launched by brothers Steven and Allan Boutrous. Shortly thereafter, I joined the team and together we created the first hemp clothing collection in the United States, which was very controversial at the time. We designed and trademarked “The Original Hemp Jeans” which quickly became a national bestseller and the company rose to the top of this niche market proving that sustainability in fashion was possible. In the mid-nineties, major growth opportunity came knocking with mainstream fashion paying attention to Two Star Dog. As the business grew, I found myself being pulled in many directions not only designing for our brand but for a myriad of other opportunities including department stores, catalogs…even wardrobe design for a few Hollywood movies.  It was easy to get wrapped up in all the excitement of the moment but I wanted to experience everything I could about the industry and all it had to offer. I think I must have traveled around the world ten times as the nineties came to a close. I learned about balance in those days, I learned about focus, I learned about priorities but most of all, I learned that time doesn’t stand still and the fashion industry somehow makes it move even faster. stellax4jpg Then, just as I thought nothing could stop us, the economic crisis of 2008 hit, taking a toll on the entire industry sparing virtually no one. During that same time, my daughter was born prematurely, sending me on a tumultuous roller coaster I was hardly prepared for. While facing the unknown, both personally and professionally I found my strength in knowing that we all have the power to change our lives with our thoughts and I chose to remain positive. Setting an example for my daughter to be a strong independent spirit became my priority, and sparked a desire to find deeper meaning in my work as well. I am spontaneous, strong and fearless. Growing up as a child of Greek immigrant parents in Germany made me tough– good traits for the competitive fashion industry that must adapt to the ever-changing social trends and economics. After much reflection and contemplation, I resolved to take a stand by creating a lifestyle brand that reflected my core values, one rooted in social and environmental responsibility– a brand that would re-energize the market by inspiring women to express their individuality through design. With the help of my amazing team I began to lay the foundation for our new direction, and by Fall 2012 the Stella Carakasi brand was born.  Not long after that, we launched our e-commerce site, followed by the opening of our flagship store in Berkeley, California – both of which created a direct line of communication with our customers. This conversation and sense of community inspired me to change the direction of our business in new and exciting ways. stellax3-2We recently launched a crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine, the nation’s leading crowdfunding platform and invite you to take a look by clicking here. It’s a new approach to investing in a company you believe in. There are several levels to opt-in, each one offering some great perks and at the end of the day, you own a piece of a company you love. This is your opportunity to own a piece of the brand and make a difference in the fashion industry. Join us as we grow!

Stella Carakasi Creative Director and Co-Founder break barriers

Finding Opportunity in Change

Life is all about change, and in the fashion industry, it’s the driving force behind creativity and innovation. Here at Stella Carakasi, we’re embracing change as we push our business to become more sustainable, and our designs to be more size inclusive.

-Stella Carakasi, Creative Director and Co-Founder

For us as a fashion company, it’s not just about the silhouette of the season or the color of the moment, it’s about how we do business. We’re adapting and changing every day to make sure we continue to offer the best products possible to our loyal customers. And, our direct-to-consumer business model means that we can stay in direct contact with the women that love our brand, giving us the opportunity to create clothing that speaks to their values.

A recent change in the investment world has opened up a new opportunity for our customers to be part of the Stella Carakasi brand. Thanks to new legislation, companies of any size can raise money from the “public” essentially turning customers into investors.  Owning shares in new, private companies had been fairly exclusive for a long time and Regulation Crowdfunding allows anyone to get in on up-and-coming companies at relatively low minimums. This revolutionary change in legislation effectively levels the playing field for small companies such as ours to raise funds from the very customers that know and love our brand.

We recently launched a crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine, the nation’s leading crowdfunding platform and invite you to take a look by clicking here. It’s an inexpensive way to invest in a company you believe in. There are several levels to opt-in, each one offering some great perks and at the end of the day, you own a piece of a company you love.

This is your opportunity to own a piece of the brand and make a difference in the fashion industry. Join us as we grow!

We’re Ready to Grow!

We recently launched our crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine, the nation’s leading equity crowdfunding platform. Now we can offer our customers the opportunity to invest in our vision of eco-friendly, size-inclusive and affordable women’s apparel.

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That’s right, you can invest in a company committed to creating comfortable and sustainable clothing that transforms the way women feel. Learn more here about Stella Carakasi’s mission.

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We’re pleased to share with the public an opportunity to invest in our vision of eco-friendly, size-inclusive and affordable women’s apparel. We’re proud to utilize a trusted brand like StartEngine to educate the public about our company and the opportunities presented by Regulation CF.

Steven Boutrous, CEO and Co-Founder

Individuals interested in the Stella Carakasi DTC, Inc. equity crowdfunding campaign can find more information by visiting: www.startengine.com/stellacarakasi.

Stella Carakasi Flagship Store Is Turning One!

 

Located right here on fabulous Fourth Street in Berkeley, California and less than a mile from Stella’s design studio, the Stella Carakasi flagship store is a dream realized. After successfully launching her online store, Stella wanted to create a beautifully curated boutique that was more than just a showroom, but a creative space to collaborate with other artists, local designers and to connect with her customers.

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This past year has been an amazing journey for our entire team. We’ve launched two collections, staged fashion shows, collaborated with amazing female entrepreneurs and hosted incredible in-store events with local and non-profit organizations including: The Guild, Dress For Success, Watermark and The Berkeley School.

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At the heart of our store you will find our stylists, who are creative and customer focused.  They delight in exceeding shopper expectations and are passionate about helping women realize their personal style.

Meet the staff

Join us in-store July 7 and 8 as we celebrate our one year anniversary and enter a chance to win a $100 gift card! Can’t make it to Berkeley this weekend? No worries, we’ve pulled together our ultimate collection of Stella Carakasi’s top ten faves. Including flowing tunics, leggings made in San Francisco, lush pops of color and signature travel wear. Ready to start shopping?

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Make Every Day Earth Day

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.

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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.

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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.

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New Direction – Customer Focused

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!

stella photoblog-3-2-tinyWe 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:

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

—Stella

Stella Signature

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New Direction – Direct To Consumer

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!

DTC-Blog-2-image-1-tinyFor 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?DTC-Blog-2-image-2-tiny

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

Stella Signature

 

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New Year – New Direction

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

New Year – New Direction

2018 marks our 25th anniversary and we are celebrating this incredible milestone by taking our company into a new and exciting direction that I will be sharing with you soon. I know 25 years is a long time so for those of you who have joined us more recently, I would like to start by out by inviting you on a short trip down memory lane.

In 1993, eco-fashion disrupter, Two Star Dog was launched by brothers Steven and Allan Boutrous. Shortly thereafter, I joined the team and together we created the first hemp clothing collection in the United States, which was very controversial at the time. We designed and trademarked “The Original Hemp Jeans” which quickly became a national bestseller and the company rose to the top of this niche market proving that sustainability in fashion was possible.

stella-editorial-image-1--tinyIn the mid-nineties, major growth opportunity came knocking with mainstream fashion paying attention to Two Star Dog. As the business grew, I found myself being pulled in many directions not only designing for our brand but for a myriad of other opportunities including department stores, catalogs…even wardrobe design for a few Hollywood movies.  It was easy to get wrapped up in all the excitement of the moment but I wanted to experience everything I could about the industry and all it had to offer. I think I must have traveled around the world ten times as the nineties came to a close. I learned about balance in those days, I learned about focus, I learned about priorities but most of all, I learned that time doesn’t stand still and the fashion industry somehow makes it move even faster.

stella-editorial-image-2-tinyThen, just as I thought nothing could stop us, the economic crisis of 2008 hit, taking a toll on the entire industry sparing virtually no one. During that same time, my daughter was born prematurely, sending me on a tumultuous roller coaster I was hardly prepared for. While facing the unknown, both personally and professionally I found my strength in knowing that we all have the power to change our lives with our thoughts and I chose to remain positive. Setting an example for my daughter to be a strong independent spirit became my priority, and sparked a desire to find deeper meaning in my work as well. After much reflection and contemplation, I resolved to take a stand by creating a lifestyle brand that reflected my core values, one rooted in social and environmental responsibility – a brand that would re-energize the market by inspiring women to express their individuality through design. 

stella-blog-editorial-image-3-tiny.jpgWith the help of my amazing team I began to lay the foundation for our new direction, and by Fall 2012 the Stella Carakasi brand was born. We quickly gained a following of high-end boutiques across the United States, Canada, and Australia. Not long after that, we launched our e-commerce site, followed by the opening of our flagship store in Berkeley, California – both of which created a direct line of communication with you, our customer. This conversation and sense of community have inspired me to change the direction of our business in new and exciting ways. Stay tuned for the second part of my letter on our blog next week!

Thank you for your ongoing support, it means everything to us!

—Stella

Stella Signature

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