Emerging Sustainable Fashion Brands

Wylie Welling, a new brand founded by Gretchen R. Valade, reimagines upcycling through a focus on heritage, craftsmanship and longevity. Designed for consumers seeking pieces with meaning, the brand transforms existing materials into contemporary pieces that retain and build on their original character. The debut collection draws from archival Carhartt garments dating from the 1970s to early 2000s, reworking these durable workwear staples into one-of-a-kind, unisex designs.

Sourced, reconstructed and refined between Los Angeles and Detroit, the brand's debut collection reflects a process that balances artistic preservation with sustainable innovation—extending the lifecycle of older materials while introducing them to a new generation of consumers.

"Wylie Welling stems from my long-standing interest in circularity, craftsmanship and longevity," says founder Gretchen R. Valade, great-great-granddaughter of Hamilton Carhartt. "Through the reinterpretation and restoration of original Carhartt garments, I aim to continue celebrating the beauty of making, enhancing the history and legacy embedded in every product."

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