From Island Life to Timeless Craft: The Story of Carol and Her Estonian Brand

In the northern waters of the Baltic Sea lies Prangli Island, a tiny land of pine forests, sea winds, and fewer than a hundred residents. It’s here, between the rough coastline and the sound of fishing boats, that designer Carol built her namesake brand — a label that embodies sustainability, craftsmanship, and the spirit of island life.

The Designer Behind the Brand

Growing up surrounded by the raw beauty of nature, Carol developed a deep connection to her environment. On Prangli, life is shaped by the rhythm of the sea — calm yet powerful, isolated yet deeply rooted in community. From this setting, Carol found her voice as a designer: bold, conscious, and unafraid to experiment.

Every garment she creates is born from her own hands. She personally hand-dyes fabrics, layering textures and tones that reflect the ever-changing light of the island. Using deadstock materials and shoe-industry leftover leather, Carol transforms waste into one-of-a-kind pieces that tell stories of resilience and renewal.

A Community Effort

Carol’s brand isn’t built in isolation. On the island, local women contribute their skills through hand-knitting, weaving community tradition into every piece. Together, they craft garments that celebrate the island’s heritage while supporting a small but vibrant creative ecosystem.

Even the smallest scraps have meaning: leftover materials are transformed into vivid, colorful rugs — each one unique, each one made by hand. What others might discard, Carol reinvents with purpose, turning remnants into art.

Inspiration from the Sea

Her latest collection of yellow leather jackets pays homage to the world around her. The design draws inspiration from Prangli’s fishing culture, where weathered fishermen’s coats — stiff with salt and frost — symbolize endurance and hard work. The striking yellow hue, however, tells another story: it’s inspired by the bacterial bloom that appears in Estonia’s warm waters, a natural phenomenon that paints the sea in surreal shades of gold.

This blend of toughness and beauty captures Carol’s philosophy perfectly — fashion that’s grounded in reality but illuminated by imagination.

Crafting a Future from the Past

For Carol, sustainability isn’t a trend; it’s the only way forward. By mixing different kinds of leather, exploring texture contrasts, and giving new life to forgotten materials, she’s creating garments that stand at the intersection of craft, ethics, and emotion.

Her brand is more than clothing — it’s a love letter to her island, her roots, and a slower, more intentional way of living.

Would you wear a piece born from the Baltic winds and island stories?
Discover Carol’s world of upcycled leather fashion — where every stitch carries the soul of Prangli, at https://www.carolxott.com/