When I recently stumbled upon local designer Susan Carson and her namesake Carson & Co brand, I knew we had to share this find. Just scroll down now if you want to check my impulse before you read more
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Out of a South End Charlotte studio, Susan digitally transforms beautiful botanicals and images from antique & vintage prints into chic bags, scarves, clothing and fabrics. With her decoupager’s skill and interior designer’s eye, Susan joins elements and graphics from beloved classic and 18th c / 19th c prints with a modernist’s eye for color & fashion.  Perfect for today’s print and color rage, but also timeless ~ heirlooms in the making.
Carson & Co is all about nature and color, and fine craftsmanship. Susan Carson digitally layers each image with others to create her print fabrics, often combining art from various sources. Just like she did in her decoupaging business, Susan selects the various background colors and motifs, and constructs a new print fabric to fit the print pattern to the item being created. So that the various elements of her new “print” are perfectly placed on every bag, scarf, item of clothing, lamp and textile. Hence, each Carson & Co. purchase is a semi-custom ~ or custom ~ design, and no two are exactly alike.
While my favorites are the bags and clothing, it is the scarves which are the signature of Carson & Co and can provide you with the most inspiration about what you would like them to create for you. When you check out their LOOKBOOK you will see dozens of silk scarves in glorious prints that Susan often adapts to tee shirts, dresses, doctor’s bags and shopping / travel totes.  Recently featured in Garden & Gun and InStyle, a Carson & Co piece is crafted only from the finest quality silks and production, with dressmaker details in the clothing and heavy, sturdy hardware on the bags.
These are designer items, easily competitive with luxe European brands in quality and style, but available to you with an insider’s knowledge from scoopcharlotte’s “address book.” The prices reflect the quality and craftsmanship, but are a fraction of what this kind of couture will run you in a high end boutique. Tees are about $150…….scarves are $320…….bags about $600 and dresses average $1,100. Lamps are $840 to $2000 each.
You can shop a limited selection online, or visit the studio to see the full range of options.
An appointment is absolutely necessary for a studio visit, which you can arrange by calling the Carson & Co office at 704 332 5955 or emailing Carsonco01@aol.com.
Susan Carson at her show in Paris recently
