Carolina Belle® was founded in 2009 with a passion for creating quality, fashionable clothing for women. Our name pays homage to the southern grace and charm of the Carolinas, while reflecting the beauty and style of our customers. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, we design and craft all of our clothing locally, taking inspiration from both southern American style and modern Canadian trends.
Our Story
It all started with a dream to make clothes that make women feel confident, classy, and comfortable. Our founder, Amanda Belle, grew up in South Carolina and always admired the timeless southern style. However, she found it difficult to find modern takes on classic southern pieces after moving to Montreal. So, Amanda decided to fill this gap in the Canadian fashion market by launching Carolina Belle®.
Amanda carefully designs each collection, incorporating elements of her southern roots with chic detailing and fabrics. Every piece is meticulously crafted locally in Montreal using quality materials that emphasize both beauty and comfort. The result is a signature Carolina Belle® style that evokes elegance, femininity, and grace.
Over the past decade, Carolina Belle® has gained a loyal following of customers who love our versatile, sophisticated pieces that can effortlessly transition from day to night. While our collections pay homage to southern style, they are designed to be worn and loved by women across North America. We may have started small, but today our clothes are shipped across Canada and the United States.
Our Values
At Carolina Belle®, we firmly believe in:
- Quality over quantity – Each piece is carefully designed and crafted to last. We use high-end fabrics and construction methods, never taking shortcuts.
- Supporting local communities – From our tailored pieces to our production methods, we proudly keep everything local to Montreal and Canada.
- Inclusivity and diversity – Our clothes are designed to make women of all backgrounds and sizes feel beautiful. We have an extended size range and use models of diverse backgrounds.
- Environmental sustainability – We use sustainable textiles and eco-friendly production methods whenever possible. Any extra fabric scraps are donated or repurposed.
- Ethical business practices – Our employees are paid fair living wages and work reasonable hours in ethical conditions. We partner with manufacturers that share our values.
By staying true to our core values, we hope to build a fashion brand that does good in the world. We take pride in running our business with integrity, heart, and an unwavering commitment to quality.
Our Process
Producing high-quality clothing requires attention at every step. Here is an inside look at our end-to-end process:
Designing
Each new Carolina Belle® collection begins in our Montreal design studio. Amanda Belle spearheads our talented team of in-house designers to conceptualize and sketch pieces that translate our signature style into wearable pieces women love.
We carefully research the latest trends and fabrics while pulling inspiration from past collections and Amanda’s southern roots. The designs are brought to life through detailed sketches and fabric swatches before being turned into prototypes.
Sample Making
Once the designs are finalized, we create physical prototypes and samples. This is where we test out pattern making, check fits on models, and evaluate the designs in real life. Our sample room team are experts at taking 2D sketches and transforming them into impeccably crafted 3D samples.
There are often multiple rounds of fine-tuning and adjustments to perfect the fit, shape, and construction. We will re-work samples again and again until everything meets our uncompromising quality standards.
Selecting Fabrics
The fabrics make all the difference when it comes to look, feel, and durability. Our team travels to leading textile fairs around the world to source the finest natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and silk.
We look for textiles that are high-quality yet environmentally sustainable. Of course, we make sure they are suited to our elegant, feminine aesthetic by selecting refined finishes, luxe textures, and sophisticated hues.
Local Production
Once the samples are perfected, we move into full production and manufacturing. We are proud to keep all apparel production local here in Montreal, supporting our community.
Skilled garment workers expertly cut and sew each piece, following the detailed specifications of our pattern makers. We work closely with our long-time manufacturing partners to ensure ethical working conditions and exceptional quality control.
Quality Assurance
Before any piece can make it out our doors, it goes through rigorous quality assurance checks. We examine the construction, stitching, and finishing of every garment. Nothing leaves our facility if it doesn’t meet our premium standards.
Our quality team performs thorough product testing and wear trials as well. Pieces that don’t hold up through multiple wears and washes go immediately back into production.
Distribution
Once the pieces pass inspection, they are carefully packaged and shipped out to our retail partners or direct to customers through our online store. We take great pride in our thoughtful packaging and aim to deliver orders efficiently while minimizing our environmental impact.
By keeping a close eye on each step, we can ensure that Carolina Belle® quality shines through in every piece we produce.
Our Collections
Our talented design team launches new seasonal collections every spring, summer, fall and winter. While each collection has its own distinctive flair, a few signature elements define our brand’s classic yet contemporary style:
Dresses
From flirty sundresses to elegant maxi dresses, the dress collections are at the heart of the Carolina Belle® brand. We design dresses that seamlessly transition from day to night in timeless silhouettes and flattering cuts tailored to women’s bodies.
Signature details like ruffle trims, flutter sleeves, and wrap waistlines channel a romantic southern belle charm. Meanwhile, luxe fabrics, rich colors, and smart structuring keep the aesthetic modern. Our wide size range ensures a beautiful, figure-flattering fit for women of all shapes.
Tops
Ranging from dressy blouses to casual tees, our top collection delivers versatile pieces that pair perfectly with our wide range of bottoms. Charming details like tie necklines, puff sleeves, and delicate lace make our tops feminine and unique.
We use fabrics like lightweight cotton, flowy chiffon and silky satin selected specifically to feel amazing against the skin. Flattering silhouette choices such as wrap styles, peasant blouses and camis with built-in support provide comfort and confidence.
Bottoms
The bottoms complete the look with styles like skirts, pants, shorts and jeans designed for both practicality and polish. Our selection runs the gamut from casual weekend wear like relaxed fit jeans and breezy midi skirts, to refined trousers and pencil skirts for the office.
We use custom-developed denim with optimum stretch to ensure the perfect silhouette from waist to thigh. Our trousers and shorts are garment-dyed and feature details like curved waists and back pockets for an impeccably flattering shape. Customers love how our bottoms contour curves and move beautifully with the body.
Outerwear
Any great outfit starts with a great jacket or coat. Our outerwear collection includes transitional pieces like kimono cardigans and dusters perfect for throwing over sundresses. For colder months, we offer wool-blend coats, moto jackets and bomber jackets in rich hues and prints.
Many styles feature our signature billowing peplum silhouette for a romantic take on classic outerwear. Tailoring touches like defined waits, princess seams and angled welt pockets create a sleek, flattering shape. Customers love layering our coats and jackets over their Carolina Belle® outfits.
Accessories
No look is complete without the perfect accessories! Our accessory collection offers stylish finishing touches like headbands, hats, scarves, handbags and jewelry. The pieces complement our apparel in color, fabric, texture, and vibe.
Some perennial customer favorites include our wide-brim straw sun hats, printed silk scarves, sequin headbands, spacious totes, and dainty jewelry sets. The accessories add a playful and personalized touch to any Carolina Belle® outfit.
Our Commitment to Quality
At Carolina Belle®, quality is our top priority at every stage. We proudly design, sample, and produce the vast majority of our pieces locally in Montreal. This gives us complete control and oversight.
We source premium quality fabrics from around the world, paying careful attention to artistry and sustainability. Our pieces are crafted by highly trained garment workers in Montreal’s ethical factories.
Extensive quality checks are performed at multiple points in the production process. If anything does not meet our rigorous standards, it is reworked or scrapped.
This meticulous attention to detail allows us to offer a 1 year warranty on all our clothing. Items can be exchanged or repaired free of charge within 1 year if any manufacturing defect is found. Our quality promise has earned us rave reviews and loyal repeat customers.
While a few carefully vetted specialty pieces are ethically produced abroad using our proprietary methods, we stand behind the craftsmanship and quality. Our brand only partners with factories abroad that adhere to our code of conduct for fair labor practices.
By investing in our local community and refusing to compromise on quality, we can deliver enduring clothing our customers are proud to wear for years to come. The quality is evident from the first touch of our luxurious fabrics to the lasting beauty that holds up wash after wash.
Our Customers
Carolina Belle® aims to make every woman feel confident and elegant in her own skin. Our versatile, refined pieces are designed to fit and flatter diverse figures and styles. We often hear from customers that our clothes are their go-to choice for everything from the office to weddings to weekend getaways.
While our core customer is typically between 24-40 years old, we design for a wide range of ages and sizes. Our clothing and campaigns celebrate natural beauty and diversity. We are proud to have cultivated a community of strong, discerning women united by style.
Through customer feedback and reviews, we’ve come to truly understand what women want from their wardrobe. They seek out Carolina Belle® for flattering, quality-constructed clothing that seamlessly transitions from day to night in both casual and formal settings.
They love the understated sophistication, meticulous tailoring, and attention to detail that makes our clothes so versatile and beloved. We design each collection with our customers’ needs, styles, shapes and desires in mind.
Giving Back
At Carolina Belle®, we believe in using business as a force for good. That’s why we proudly donate a portion of all sales to local and international women’s charities.
Some of the impactful organizations we regularly support include Dress for Success, Girls Who Code, Canadian Women’s Foundation, and One Girl Can in South Africa. By supporting these charities, we help provide educational opportunities, career resources, and support networks to empower women worldwide.
We also partner with ethical factories and vendors both locally and abroad. Our local Montreal production facilities offer fair wages and reasonable hours in safe environments. When we do source materials and pieces from abroad, we thoroughly vet partners for responsible labor practices.
Outside of charitable giving, we aim to operate our business in a way that minimizes environmental impact. We use recycled packaging, low-energy facilities, and sustainable textile sourcing. Any extra fabric scraps are repurposed or donated to crafting groups.
You can feel good knowing that by shopping Carolina Belle®, you are also supporting important social and environmental causes around the world. Our commitment to doing good helps set us apart.
The Future of Carolina Belle®
As we embark on our second decade in business, the future looks bright for Carolina Belle®. We will continue to release stunning new collections every season that reinterpret timeless southern style through a modern, elevated lens.
Staying true to our roots while evolving with the times has been the key to our success so far. As we grow, we will stay committed to local Montreal production, exceptional quality standards, and our core values of inclusion, sustainability and giving back.
Most importantly, we will continue to put our customers at the heart of everything we do. Their stories, feedback and support inspire us daily. Our goal is to keep perfecting the fits, fabrics, and designs to help every woman put her best look forward.
The foundation of Carolina Belle® will always be our passion for creating quality fashion that makes women feel beautiful. If we stay focused on this mission, we are confident the next ten years and beyond will be our best yet.
We invite you to join us on this journey by becoming part of the Carolina Belle® community. Visit us online or at one of our local boutiques to find pieces that speak to your unique style. Discover why our loyal customers say Carolina Belle® clothing makes them look and feel their best. We can’t wait to help your inner southern belle shine!
