Meet Carol Hannah
Carol Hannah became a designer before even she even realized it…
Growing up in Anderson, South Carolina, about as far away as you can get from anything fashion, Carol Hannah began leafing through pattern books checked out from her local library. Carol Hannah’s self-taught skill of pattern making and draping combined with learning from watching her Mother sew enabled her to start her love affair with design. From doll clothes to prom dresses for friends to wedding & party dresses, word of mouth success kept her very busy, but somewhat of a secret from the rest of the design world. That is, until 2008 when she quietly entered the Emerging Local Designers competition at Charleston Fashion Week – and won. It was this turning point that catapulted Carol Hannah to take this passion and love into a career.
Fashion design is something that became clear I was meant to do. Carol Hannah Whitfield
Now living in New York City, Carol Hannah is still inspired by her past in Charleston – the contrast of linear architecture with twisted live oak trees. The colorful, perfect grids of houses merged with elements of water and movement. Described as “a modern day fairy at a cocktail party,” Carol Hannah’s design asthetic combines whimsy with organic details – raw edges and fabric hand work that seems to grow out of the fabric itself. For Carol Hannah, design is all about how the fabric speaks to her, how her environment inspires her, and how the ever-changing pieces take shape. Each piece has a personality, and even its own name. It speaks to her in a quiet way that you hear the moment you see it, and you simply must have it.