Caroline Charles

founded by

Caroline Charles

belongs to

Caroline Charles

about

In 1963 Caroline Charles set out on her own label and moved to Beauchamp Place in 1966. From there her business boomed, and with sound and sensible strategies she expanded from London to the rest of Europe, Japan, and America. She built an empire that takes in more than 40 top store accounts and licenses for wedding dresses, hosiery, bed linens, underwear, and menswear.

Charles is that rare commodity who has survived the vicissitudes of the fashion industry while retaining her own personal signature. She continues to create practical clothing that can be worn by working men and women. Her style is considered quintessentially British, which explains why she was a favorite of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, yet her clothing is available for everyday, albeit somewhat upscale, British consumers as well. She sells through retail outlets, including her own stores, as well as the mail-order catalogue Kingshill's, for which she was one of three initial designers.

In the late 1990s, Charles expanded into accessories and home furnishings. Her high-end home collection includes manufacturers such as PJ Flower, which was acquired by WestPoint Stevens in 1997, extending Charles' international distribution. (The designer shows her apparel in Asian cities including Tokyo and Bangkok, as well as in New York.)