Karelle Levy [1997, Textiles]
I graduated with a textile degree in 1997. I began as a weaver, but later got hooked into knitting machine technics in my final years as a student. I work predominately as a knitwear designer of my own name sake company KRELwear. Born in Paris and raised in Miami, I apply my multi-cultural background to designing and fabricating colorful, body-inclusive knitwear for all climates made with sustainable plant-based yarns. From dresses to rompers, kaftans to robes, each piece is designed as a one size garment promoting the nature of the stretchy knits. I specializes in knit designed and fabricated on my Shima Seiki industrial knitting machine in my studio. Each piece is made one by one in an array of colors and fibers from bamboo to cotton, lyocell and metallic. Zero waste, is an important part of the process, as the scraps of yarns and fabrics are collected and given a new life by making stuffed animals and tote bags used as our shopping bags with purchase.