Multifaceted doesn’t even begin to describe the many selves orbiting Carolin Sangha’s glittering galaxy. A fashion journalist-slash-designer-slash-creative director-slash-consultant, Carolin is a modern-day creative whirlwind who pours her flair for color and naturally minimalist eye into everything from her sustainable fashion label Casa Nata to vibrant product and furniture design (think: elegant mirrors and fuchsia pink coat-racks). Born in India and now based in Munich, she brings fearless energy, authentic grace and a curious approach to design to every project she works on – the latest, we are tickled pink to announce, is a La DoubleJ pop-up at her Pink Dot store in Munich. For now, come join us in dipping a toe into Carolin’s creative universe.
La DoubleJ: You’ve been, and are, an editor, a stylist, an art director, a designer – an entrepreneur and creative force in the truest sense. How do you pivot between these many disciplines and carve out time to nourish that creativity?
Carolin Sangha: For me, there are no boundaries between all the many areas in which I am active. As a throughly creative mind, I can always jump back and forth between the individual disciplines, which also always have different themes. The important thing is that I am undisturbed and have an environment with a good atmosphere. There are so many ideas stored in my mind to provide fodder for creativity. I just don’t have the time to live them all out.
LDJ: You have a crafted such a clear aesthetic identity with Schönbuch, Casa Nata, and The Pink Dot – is that distinct design eye innate, or was it something that developed over your career?
CS: I’ve had an eye for design and aesthetics since I was a child, whether it was in my clothes or the design of my room. It was and still is important to me to always be different and to surprise, always with a focus on clear design and color. It was obvious that I would turn my passion into my profession. And that without limits with a focus on new disciplines again and again
“My passion for art and different cultures, which grew in me at an early age, has always led me through the world with open eyes. I put all the many visual impressions down in photographs, painted pictures or texts. All this serves as the basis for my designs, color developments, and layouts.” – Carolin Sangha
LDJ: Your roots lie both in India and Germany, and you have traveled and worked all over – how have these myriad influences impacted your eye for design?
CS: My penchant for colors and the eye for color combinations probably developed during the time I lived in India – my childhood and the first years of school. My passion for art and different cultures, which grew in me at an early age, has always led me through the world with open eyes. I put all the many visual impressions down in photographs, painted pictures or texts. All this serves as the basis for my designs, color developments, and layouts.
LDJ: What importance does color hold for you, both in your personal style and your designs?
CS: Color is very important to me in every respect, always finely nuanced or in exciting combinations. I often start designs by choosing the colors. Color has a lot of influence for me in choosing form. In my home, I need non-colors to calm my eyes and my mind – a white canvas, so to speak, that both calms and inspires me. My way of meditating.
I am surrounded by so many colors every day in my studio. But even there I have painted the walls black. The “non-color“ of infinity – My credo. In my clothes I love color, but minimalist in form and always with clear contrast, even in patterns. Yes, I love patterns – clear, graphic, special. Definitely not romantic. My favorite pieces from La DoubleJ are all with the vintage prints from Mantero.
LDJ: You tackle an extraordinary array of wildly beautiful and impressive projects. What are your aspirations for your next creative endeavor?
LDJ: What drew you to La DoubleJ with all its maximalist, wild print on print on print?
CS: When I mix patterns I always make sure that I mix an organic one with a graphic one. I love stripes (I have a large collection of striped t-shirts from Brittany), which I combine with all patterns. I always make sure that all the colors harmonize with each on the time. For me, it always depends on the combination. I also love to be dressed all in black, but there is always a break – a patterned headscarf, eye-catching jewelry, colorful shoes,.. but always the high quality is important to me and the origin of the product.
LDJ: How do you pair your LDJ picks with your own wardrobe?
CS: I met and fell in love with JJ before she started La DoubleJ and I loved the first collection, which was very small. That was my start in the world of patterns. And those very styles that I chose for myself from the first collection go with me everywhere. As a minimalist, you can certainly also be a maximalist. For example, I combine a patterned coat ( I love the BOXY COAT) from La DoubleJ with a plain colored caftan from my Casa Nata collection – the perfect match
Our many thanks to Carolin for inviting us into her vibrant world, for more follow Carolin on Instagram at @casa57. Photographs by Amelie Niederbuchner.
