Eleven Six Knitwear: A Conversation with Catherine Carnevale
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Eleven Six is a Kingston, New York based knitwear brand weaving together family values, an eco-conscious ethos, and a dedication to empowering women through fashion. Founded by Catherine Carnevale almost a decade ago, the brand's roots in knitwear trace back to Catherine's upbringing. "Knitwear is my DNA," she says, reflecting on the influence of her mother and grandmother, both skilled knitters, who instilled in her a love of textiles from an early age.
"I'm very inspired to dress a very wide variety of women. A mother and daughter can easily come shopping here and they're able to put together looks for themselves in very different ways." - Catherine Carnevale
Catherine's career in knitwear began after completing a comprehensive four-year textile course in Brighton, England. She honed her skills in the textile industry, working with renowned names like Calvin Klein, Anne Klein, and Club Monaco. However, it was a transformative trip to Peru with her husband Nick that sparked the idea of creating her own brand.
"I really wanted to know where the work was going to and coming from. And I just saw this vision before me.”
Catherine's career in knitwear began after completing a comprehensive four-year textile course in Brighton, England. She honed her skills in the textile industry, working with renowned names like Calvin Klein, Anne Klein, and Club Monaco. However, it was a transformative trip to Peru with her husband Nick that sparked the idea of creating her own brand.
"I had this epiphany," she recalls. Immersed in the expert craftsmanship of small artisan workshops and struck by a desire for transparency in the supply chain, Catherine envisioned a brand centered around ethical practices. "I really wanted to know where the work was going to and coming from. And I just saw this vision before me.”
Pregnant with her first child at the time, she resonated with the collaborative and familial atmosphere of the Peruvian workshops. "I saw how the women can work in these groups. They're able to work around their families. It might be the mother hen running it and her mum might be knitting away. There were aunties, there were brothers. The men usually are on the machines and the women were often hand knitting and running the show and keeping it all together and very organized.”
Upon returning to the States Catherine and Nick got to work and Eleven Six was launched in the fall of 2015. Their designs are characterized by enduring silhouettes that look and feel great from season to season. "I'm trying to have a sustainable modernity that you don't feel like, 'oh that thing just went out of fashion.'" Combining a 70s meets 90s aesthetic with a contemporary twist, she creates pieces that suit a diversity of women. "I'm very inspired to dress a very wide variety of women. A mother and daughter can easily come shopping here and they're able to put together looks for themselves in very different ways."
Above all, Catherine wants to make women feel good. "It's a form of wellness to help women feel good about themselves effortlessly," she muses. "I think knitwear has an ease to it that allows you to do that. Especially the cozy pieces; it feels special but it's not difficult.”
What sets Eleven Six apart is not just their timeless design aesthetic but their commitment to ethical and sustainable production. Partnering with approximately 30 artisan workshops near Lima, the brand ensures fair wages and transparent production processes. Catherine highlights the ethical qualities of the brand's signature Peruvian alpaca fiber, emphasizing its sustainability and hypoallergenic properties. "Alpaca is one of the most ethical fibers in the world just by nature. Alpaca has to be shorn like a sheep for its health. It's a cycle. It's just an incredible fiber."
Driven by a mindful approach to minimize environmental impact, Eleven Six implements eco-friendly practices throughout its operations, including using compostable packaging and a centralized production hub to reduce carbon emissions. Two years ago, the brand introduced its "Give Back" program, which offers donation-based support to their workshop network, allowing their artisans to thrive in their craft. "Sometimes it could be that everyone needs new glasses or let's get a nurse in. Do they need new lighting in the workshop? It could be investing in a new machine, or some training.”
Eleven Six's latest lookbook draws inspiration from another family trip, this time to the picturesque beaches of the Amalfi Coast. Catherine's favorite garments from the spring collection are the crocheted pieces, like the Ines dress, which showcase the brand's technical prowess and attention to detail. "The crochet pieces have my heart because I know how much truly goes into them.”
For Catherine, sustainability extends beyond her brand—it encompasses a desire for a balanced life, allowing her to spend time with her family while pursuing her passion for knitwear. As she aptly puts it, "I want to have a sustainable life, meaning I want to be present for my family."
