Lauren DeCarli shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Lauren, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me starts with some movement — I usually wake up and meditate, then do a vinyasa flow, pilates, or a Barry’s Bootcamp class. I’m not naturally a morning person, but I love starting the day with exercise; it really sets the tone and helps me feel grounded and energized. After that, I make myself a latte or matcha, get myself ready and my daughter ready for daycare, and then head to WeWork.
My workday varies — I might be designing new pieces, reviewing marketing materials, checking inventory and ordering production, or doing fittings for upcoming collections. No two days are ever exactly the same, which keeps things exciting.
After work, I pick up my daughter from daycare and make dinner for my family. We all hang out together until she goes to bed, and then I like to unwind with some tea, journaling, and spending time with my husband and our dog.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Lauren DeCarli, the founder and designer of Paneros Clothing, a womenswear and accessories brand rooted in sustainability and timeless design. We create responsibly made, feminine styles that are both beautiful and built to last. Every piece is handcrafted in Bali by our incredible team of artisans, who use heritage techniques that have been passed down through generations.
Paneros was created to bring back meaning, craftsmanship, and lasting beauty to the way we dress while honoring our planet. I wanted to build a brand that celebrates the artistry behind each garment and proves that style and sustainability can coexist beautifully.
At Paneros, sustainability is truly at the core of everything we do, from the materials we source to the way our garments are made. We focus on creating high-quality, seasonless pieces that stand the test of time rather than following fast fashion trends. Transparency is also incredibly important to us — we love sharing the stories of our amazing team and the artistry that goes into every piece.
Right now, we’re focused on expanding our collection of artisan-made knitwear, adding to our fabric offering, and continuing to partner with small workshops in Bali to preserve traditional craftsmanship while providing sustainable livelihoods for our makers.
At its heart, Paneros is about creating pieces that let women feel confident, feminine, and connected — to themselves, to the people who made their clothes, and to the planet.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
It’s hard to pinpoint a single moment, but I’d say that my travels around the world have profoundly shaped how I see life and people. Through all of those experiences, I’ve realized that no matter where you go, we’re all looking for the same things — kindness, joy, connection, support, and beauty.
Travel has taught me the importance of showing up with kindness and respect everywhere you go. Despite differences in language, culture, or background, there’s this shared humanity that connects us all. I’ve seen how a simple smile, gratitude, or genuine curiosity can bridge any gap.
It’s a perspective I carry with me in everything I do — in how I lead my team, design collections, and build relationships. At the end of the day, we’re all human, and the way we treat one another is what truly matters.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely — there have definitely been times when I’ve questioned whether I could keep going. As a small business owner of a sustainably focused, product-based brand, there are constant challenges. We’re always trying to do the right thing — by our customers, our manufacturing partners, our artisan team, and the planet — and that isn’t always the easiest path.
There have been moments, especially early on when we launched during Covid, that were incredibly difficult. The uncertainty, supply chain challenges, and even the occasional cruel email from a customer can really make you question why you’re doing it all. But I’ve learned that when you have your own company, there will always be obstacles — and it’s your character, resilience, and purpose that carry you through.
What keeps me going is my belief in our mission, our amazing team, and our artisan partners. And of course, our customers who value what we do and choose to support us — they remind me every day why I started Paneros in the first place. I truly do it all for them.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the fashion industry tells itself is that using recycled polyester or recycled plastic makes a brand sustainable. While it sounds good in theory, at the end of the day, it’s still plastic. It still sheds microplastics, harms our oceans and ecosystems, and doesn’t address the root issue — our reliance on single-use plastics and the overproduction that drives fast fashion. It’s really just a band-aid on a much bigger problem.
Another major misconception is that fast fashion can ever truly be sustainable. In my opinion, mass production and mass consumerism are fundamentally at odds with sustainability. When clothing is made cheaply, in massive quantities, and designed to be worn a few times and tossed, it doesn’t matter how “green” a campaign looks — the system itself is broken. True sustainability requires slowing down, valuing quality, and respecting the people and resources involved in the process.
I also think the industry often tells itself that transparency and ethics are optional marketing tools rather than essential responsibilities. There’s a lot of storytelling and buzzwords, but not enough honesty about where and how garments are made.
And finally, there’s this idea that customers don’t care enough about how things are made — they just want what’s new. I’ve found the opposite to be true. When you educate and connect people to the story behind their clothes, they value them so much more. People do care — they just need brands to care first.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
Yes, absolutely — I’ve definitely had those moments where I’m practically tap dancing to work. Most recently, it was during our latest campaign shoot. I was so proud of the collection we created; everything came together so beautifully at the last minute thanks to our incredible team. The location was stunning, the energy was amazing, and it truly felt like the brand I’ve been working so hard to build had come to life. I had a huge smile on my face all day — I was just so genuinely excited and grateful.
I also feel that same joy whenever I’m designing or on set during photoshoots, watching a collection come to life. I love collaborating with our artisans, seeing their craftsmanship firsthand, and learning from them. Those are the moments that remind me why I started Paneros in the first place — they fill me with creativity, connection, and purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://panerosclothing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/panerosclothing/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurendecarli/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/panerosclothing/
Image Credits
Theodore Samuels for campaign images & my image
Personal iPhone images for the rest
