Quinn Caroline is elevating the online shopping experience. She presents patterns that pair summer chic with beaming bright colors, and her line displays a palette of assorted colors for women who love to dress up. The designer discusses how she got started and what her particular style is for her summer 2024 collection.
I talked to the designer at her studio, where she sews everything by herself, which is incredible. She is ready to debut her line next month at RISE’S NYFW Showcase.
Where did you get the name for your brand?
So, my full my name is Quinn Caroline Guthrie. My middle name was actually taken from both of my grandmothers, both named Carol. They were the ones who taught me how to sew and pushed me to follow my dreams. I can pass on my grandmothers’ legacies through the brand.
What was the earliest moment that drew you into the fashion world?
The first dress I made was with my grandmother. I hand sewed an entire nightgown to wear for Christmas Eve since we celebrated Christmas together. I had never hand sewed anything until then. It took a month in increments. My grandmother felt like she thought it was a skill that I needed to learn.
Your line feels like a summer-meets-feminine brand.
It was always my goal to make an ultra feminine brand and express that feminine side. I’m a girl’s girl and I want to create fun stuff you can twirl in. I always feel incredibly sexy in the outfits that I wear even though they aren’t necessarily very revealing because I can simultaneously express femininity and confidence as a woman.
What feelings did you want to evoke with your summer collection?
It was a very small collection, only six items. I drew on boating and sailing and a lot of family activities that my family and I did together down at the shore. I wanted to capture that moment of joy in the summertime. It was definitely one of my favorite collections for retail. It was very ready-to-wear.
Do you ever think you’d ever go brick and mortar?
I would love to. It would be absolutely fabulous to own my own store. At the moment, I am focused on building up on my customer base, my collection, and my line. After that, I would love to branch into the retail sector. Putting down my roots into a retail location isn’t really necessary in 2024, though.
All of my items can be found at online QuinnCarolineDesigns.com and all of my outfits are available for purchase there. I also do custom orders through my website.
How important is sustainability in fashion today?
I think becoming not only a sustainable brand, but an ethical brand is really important and focusing on the products we do consume and create. Many people do not realize there is a lot of waste when making an outfit. Many times, big designers order thousands of pieces of a garment and after selling only hundreds, will have to dispose of the rest. Creating a system of producing less and selling less and the customers getting fashion a little slower is creating a more sustainable method of not only producing but consuming. Open communication, ethical ways of creating these outfits, and using sustainable methods will always be important to me as I grow, along with figuring out that right balance. I want to create garments that will last forever and be passed down and used time and time again.
NYFW is rapidly approaching.
This is my first New York Fashion Week. I’ve done Fall/Winter 2024 Collection for Washington DC’s Fashion Week last spring.
What can we expect from your show?
I am focusing on a lot of bright colors and planning on combining sportswear elements as a casual look with a mix of an ultra-femininity in the line. I have an Instagram and newsletter that shows and shares the details and back story of the show, as well as the love I have for creating the garments.
What’s next after Fashion Week?
Good question! I hope to get some buyers, and we can start seeing Quinn Caroline going into boutiques and gaining momentum. My sewing team is only me right now. I hope after NYFW to use production and manufacturers in the States so I can maintain better oversight.
You can catch Quinn Caroline at RISE NYFW Friday September 6 at the 4 PM show.
