Interview with Karen Carbono

Meet the Photographer

My name is Karen Carbono, I’m a 28 year old Colombian Sustainable Fashion Designer and Visual Creator, currently based in New York City. My creative practice merges conscious design with storytelling, shaped by my background as an educator and my collaborations with other artists and professionals across disciplines. My work has been featured in two fashion publications, and I’m currently expanding my presence in NYC’s creative scene, building a space where sustainability, identity, and visual expression can intersect.

✦ Style & Identity

What’s your signature as a designer?

I believe clothing and image are powerful tools that are capable of leaving a lasting impression in the receptor’s mind. As a designer and creator, my signature lies in using fashion and visual storytelling for political statements and emotional connection. My creative process always starts with a mindful narrative that resonates, provokes thought, and stirs emotion. For me, the most meaningful design comes from building a complex concept that engages the viewer’s memory and imagination.

How would you describe your design and visual style in 3 words?

Captivating. Sensible. Thoughtful.

I love to create with sensitivity, both emotional and visual, allowing each piece to hold space for reflection and deep conexion. Everything I design, I want it to be about creating beauty with meaning, where concept and feeling support each other.

✦ Storytelling

Tell us the story behind one project you’ll never forget?.

One project I feel very proud of is featured in this magazine, called: In the tapestry of existence. I served as the creative director and educator at the same time; I loved every moment of guiding my students in developing captivating fashion images, learning how to style like a professional.

Together, we chose a concept in trend that is about introspection and atention to detail, and I supported them to choose the colors, textures, lights and shadows, the model, and the apparel that would build the poetic and delicate image with a satisfactory result. Although it is not in our expertise, we also challenged ourselves to experiment with photography and composition. We had a good laugh and an unforgettable time. I’m absolutely grateful to Samara Flores, David Ruberti and Liset Giraldo for their incredible talent and commitment as students, and to the María Luisa Valencia Fashion Institute for being the space where we could grow and collaborate as a creative team.

✦Process & Perspective

Walk us through your creative process—from concept to final edit.

When I’m contracted to make a project, I always prefer to have a meaningful conversation with my clients as my first step: what are they hoping to express, what they want to show the world, what’s their identity and what they desire to achieve with it.

From there, the most exciting part begins: creating the concept. I’m a firm believer that the concept is the core of any artistic project. It holds everything together. I also like to inspire myself with references: inspiration is everywhere, in the smallest details of a flower, up until the highest peak of a skyscraper. Human experiences and stories also enriches my process, as creating emotional connection with the users/viewers of the product, is the ultimate goal.

And this is where fashion and image become a universal language: translating these abstract ideas and feelings into color, texture, lines and silhouettes, creates the visual thread that carries the story forward. Choosing sustainable materials, a place for a photoshoot, sewing, collaboration in a team… is all sustained in the concept.

However, the most rewarding part is the final product, when the clients expectations are exceeded. There is joy in witnessing their excitement when they see their vision brought to life in a way they hadn’t imagined.

✦ Legacy & Impact

What do you want to be known for—as a designer and as a creative?

As a designer and creative, my intention is not just to make something aesthetically pleasing, but to create something meaningful and lasting. I hope my work speaks softly yet powerfully, and that it lingers in

people’s minds. I want to be remembered as someone who dared to be transparent, to challenge norms with tenderness, and to tell stories that honor both vulnerability and strength.

If someone’s looking at your portfolio 10 years from now, what do you hope they see?

I hope they see the whole story; not just the polished outcomes, but the full, uncurated journey. I want them to witness my evolution: the early ideas that were rejected, the moments of doubt, the redirections, the slow growth. Showing perfection does not interest me; I don’t want the stiffness of a polished instagram feed. I want my portfolio to feel like a living organic, imperfect, and deeply human experience. My dearest wish is to offer a transparent reflection of my creative path, where success is measured by honest resilience.

Brought to you by Bold & Beyond—where curiosity meets clarity.