Valentina Karellas
Valentina Karellas is a London knitwear micro brand founded in 2016 by designer Valentina Karellas. It makes made-to-order unisex knitwear and accessories from surplus natural yarns with a zero-waste approach.
| Founded | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Valentina Karellas |
| Base | North West London |
| Speciality | Made-to-order unisex knitwear |
| Website | valentinakarellas.com |
What is Valentina Karellas?
Valentina Karellas is a knitwear micro brand run by its founder from a purpose-built garden workshop in North West London. The designer studied knitwear at London College of Fashion and took a master's in womenswear in Italy, then designed for the Italian luxury market and in Beijing before launching her own label in 2016.
Products and positioning
The brand makes made-to-order knitwear with modern, unisex designs, traditional knitting techniques and bold colour. Accessories can be produced at short notice. Her core value is to be zero waste without losing aesthetics.
- Cashmere knitwear in winter and cotton in summer
- Yarns are natural surplus stock sourced from a family supplier
- Leftover yarn reused for mending and embroidery
- A mending service and visible mending workshops
Orders are sent with lavender dried from her own garden as a natural moth deterrent.
Distribution
The label sells directly through its own website. The founder runs the business alone, covering knitting, sales, social media, events and workshops, with freelance help for graphics and photography.
Why it matters
Valentina Karellas is an example of the made-to-order micro brand model, which uses surplus materials and repair services to keep waste close to zero.
Frequently asked questions
Who is behind the Valentina Karellas brand?
The brand was founded in 2016 by knitwear designer Valentina Karellas, who trained at London College of Fashion.
What materials does Valentina Karellas use?
She mainly uses surplus natural yarns, cashmere in winter and cotton in summer.