Caroline Garell’s ideas are focused like a crosshair on the issues humanity faces. Now, with the focus on her sustainable fashion label HUMAIN the brand, she is concentrating on slow-fashion and on the responsibility to do her part in cleaning up the beauty of nature around us while still maintaining the allure of fashion.

The topic of sustainability in the fashion industry is reaching new heights. Now, brands, influencers, and even heads of multi-million dollar companies are growing to understand the importance of protecting the environment and the people in which live within it. Due to the high demand of products at cheeper prices and the invention of the assembly line, consumerism grew at a great deal…but with risks. Not only are detrimental chemicals used in the production of our garments, harming us, the environment, and the people who are making the clothes, the use of cheap labor results in inhumane working conditions factory workers globally. We take it as our responsibility to do our part in cleaning up the beauty of nature around us while still maintaining the allure of fashion.

Caroline Garell, FOUNDER + CEO of HUMAIN the brand

In a world where fast-fashion is still present, Caroline Garell continues to speak through her label HUMAIN the brand. Be ready to be amazed! #humainforhumans

A CHAT WITH CAROLINE GARELL x KREEP.

How did your passion for design start and how did your creative process work? 

My passion for design started with my fascination with fashion at such a young age; I would say it actually started around six years old. When curating my outfits for the day, I would always put together something and wish I had this one piece in my closet. There seemed to always be that “one missing piece” from my closet. So, all my designs have come from what I think is a missing tie in my closet. 

Is there one special person who pushed and motivated you in launching HUMAIN THE BRAND? 

I would say my mom and my brother were the leading figures in motivating me to finally take the leap in launching HUMAIN the Brand.

How can the fashion industry help more young labels like yours?

I think the dissolution of a fast fashion hierarchy in the fashion industry would bring more visibility to the detrimental impacts of the fashion industry (environmentally and socially) and create more room for growth of the sustainable side of the industry as well as the small business side. 

Can you tell us a little bit about your references for the last collection?

For my references from the last collection, I took images and garments of what inspired me at the time and then worked with my graphic designer Natalie Minguez to create unique designs for HUMAIN. It had trends incorporated in the designs while taking a more minimalist approach, too.

Can you describe a HUMAIN THE BRAND client in a few words as a personality?

I would describe a HUMAIN the Brand customer as one belonging to the Millennial or Generation Z group, young and spiritive, proactive, a vintage admirer, contemporary, confident, aware of the world around them and futuristic. One who stands out in their being, not one who is constantly trying to acquire attention from others. 

What do you think is the best-selling piece?

The best selling piece from our first collection is the Contemporary Hippie Sweatshirt. It is a minimalistic take on a trend, tie-dye. 

How the brand was born and how many people are involved in the team now?

HUMAIN the Brand was born in Newport Beach, California when I was having a conversation with a friend on how I always dreamt of having a sustainable clothing business of my own. That night, I had a discussion with my parents and decided to take action on that particular dream. That was August 2018. From the start till now, I officially am a one-member team making up the brand. However, I have consultants that I work with such as my graphic designer and production contractor that helps bring HUMAIN in tangible form. 

How do you determine what is durable design?

When deciding what is a durable design, I take two factors mostly into account: market trends and feedback. After thinking of a design, I look at the market and see if it matches with what the market is favoring. From there, I consider the factors that are involved in production such as fabrics, longevity of the design and type of garment to see if the HUMAIN customer would include that piece into their wardrobe for a length of time, being able to wear it in versatile ways.

What does the slow fashion industry need more to grow up and how can we make the buyers more conscious in what they buy?

I believe the slow fashion industry is in need of a variation of price points and more accessibility. Traditionally, slow fashion is thought of as sustainable because of the dedication to quality, non-harming fabrics and ethical production. However, for the slow fashion industry to initiate greater growth, there needs to be more accessibility to what is considered sustainable fashion to people of various incomes. 

What is the main mission of HUMAIN THE BRAND? 

HUMAIN is here to display and maintain the mystique of the world and its people through its garments. HUMAIN is calling people to take into consideration the value and charisma of sustainable fashion; it is essential for communities to value the conservation of our planet and society in the modern and future eras and take into account what may be harming it. HUMAIN the brand is giving clothes and its people a second life. 

Can you tell us what is the next step or project of the brand?

The next step for the brand is having full control over production of the garments and altering our business model to be Made To Order. Even though we work with ethical factories in DTLA currently, we want to transfer production to being contracted with local pattern makers and seamstresses. From the selections of the fabrics to the patterns to production, HUMAIN is aiming to have a hand in the entirety of the design process. 

HUMAIN the brand is not just one person; it is a body of people: mankind. The beauty of the individual is accented with the construction of the garment. The fashion industry this day and age is in need of nurture and care. For HUMAIN specifically, its garments are made out of recycled or eco-friendly textiles and fabrics, making HUMAIN a sustainable clothing brand. HUMAIN is here to display and maintain the mystique of the world and its people through its garments.

HUMAIN is calling people to take into consideration the value and charisma of sustainable fashion; it is essential for communities to value the conservation of our planet and society in the modern and future eras and take into account what may be harming it. HUMAIN the brand is giving clothes and its people a second life.

HUMAIN is constructed of all recycled/deadstock fabrics. Our sweatshirts in particular are all 52% recycled cotton & 48% recycled polyester. In the manufacturing of the sweatshirts, there is a focus on energy, water, and waste reduction. With our manufacturer, the dye machines save gallons of water and minimizes landfill. The production of the garments is entirely done within the U.S., spotlighting California. Only our tie-dye is taken care in New York, New York, with the rest of production in Los Angeles, California.