Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Carson.
Hi Chris, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My creative spark ignited early, nurtured by a supportive family and art classes at the Cleveland Museum of Art. I was basically in my own little world back then! I really commend my mom and grandma for always supporting that gift and purposely exposing me to so much. Though I spent most of my formative years in Cleveland, Ohio, California always beckoned.
College brought a detour into finance, a path I initially pursued just to make as much money as possible. However, a dream banking internship quickly turned into a period of depression and feeling lost. It was during this time that I rediscovered and began exploring my creativity, leading me to design consumer products, specifically focusing on wireless in-ear headphones.
In 2016, the allure of California finally won, and I moved to pursue my headphone idea full-time. Despite multiple trips to factories in China and successfully developing a functional prototype, the venture ultimately lost funding.
During that demanding startup period, a trip to Yosemite unexpectedly led to a debilitating illness. For three years, my health steadily declined, leaving doctors stumped and me in a very dark place physically and mentally. Yet, it was art—drawing, painting, and tie-dyeing—that became my lifeline, providing an outlet to navigate the pain. Without Art I would not be here today.
A turning point arrived during a photoshoot for a tie-dye shirt collaboration with my cousin’s clothing line. The photographer’s husband, observing my symptoms, helped me uncover the true culprit: Lyme disease. This devastating bacterial infection, transmitted by tick bites, can cause a range of debilitating symptoms, from rashes and flu-like illness to neurological issues, joint pain, and profound fatigue, and if left untreated, can slowly destroy your nervous system and entire body. Connecting with his specialist through this chance encounter, I’m now thankfully Lyme-free.
My foray into sewing began when a friend of mine let me borrow her sewing machine to sew neck tags on my tie-dye shirts. I learned how to sew through YouTube videos. The pivotal moment for my upcycling journey, however, came from a beloved pair of well-worn jeans. When my parents visited San Diego and “clowned” me, suggesting I wouldn’t meet my future wife in such attire, there was no way I was getting rid of those pants! So, I decided to upcycle them. I went to Goodwill, found some brown felt, decorative napkins, and jacquard fabric, then transformed those jeans into unique upcycled camo pants.
The revamped jeans garnered so many compliments every time I wore them, making me realize I might be onto something significant! This newfound passion for upcycling also aligned with a critical realization: Lyme disease’s increased prevalence due to global warming, coupled with fashion being the second biggest polluter on our planet. This solidified my dedication to upcycling as much as I possibly could.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been anything but a smooth road. A major struggle, perhaps the most significant, has been my health. I endured a grueling six-year battle with Lyme disease that took a toll on me. It was a traumatic experience that I continue to work through even today. There were countless times when I simply didn’t have enough strength to get out of bed, let alone tackle daily tasks. At my lowest points, I couldn’t even lift my arms to pursue my passions. This period was incredibly isolating and challenging, forcing me to confront my own vulnerability and finding new ways to cope and express myself, even when my body felt like it was failing me. The journey to recovery was long, marked by uncertainty and immense pain, but it ultimately forged a deeper connection with my creative spirit.
Beyond the physical battles, my lack of formal education in pattern design, tailoring, and fashion design has been a constant source of struggle. I feel like I don’t know enough, or question if I’m doing any of this right. Every new technique I learn, every garment I create, is a result of relentless self-teaching. This unconventional path means I often have to figure things out on my own, without the framework of a design program. It’s a double-edged sword: while it fuels my unique approach and detachment from the status quo, it also brings moments of profound uncertainty about my skills and direction.
Adding to these personal and professional hurdles is the constant anxiety of not knowing where the next opportunity will come from. The life of an independent artist and designer is inherently unpredictable, and securing the next project, collaboration, or sale is challenging. . Each challenge has, in its own way, fuels me, pushing me to find solutions and connect with my community in deeper, more meaningful ways. It’s a testament to the power of passion and resilience that I’ve been able to navigate these obstacles and continue building my brand and vision.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My Work and Artistic Vision
I consider myself a multimedia artist, with my creative pursuits spanning charcoal/graphite/pastel art, acrylic painting, tie-dye, film directing/editing, and, prominently, upcycled fashion design.
Right now, I primarily specialize in upcycled fashion, driven by a unique mission: to unlock the inner child in all of us while helping to sustain our planet. Lately, I’ve been focusing on streetwear pieces, but my curiosity is pushing me to learn more couture techniques. If you scroll through my Instagram, @bychriscarson, you’ll immediately see discarded garments come to life, with eye-catching, one-of-a-kind art.
I’ve quickly become known for my community-centric approach to fashion through the Homegrown project: an initiative to make fashion more accessible/inclusive through community workshops and pop up fashion shows. Last year we hosted a fashion show on the 805 freeway by the 42nd street ramp. I truly believe that was the first time a fashion show has ever taken place on a freeway. It was an ambitious feat made possible through the amazing Janice Luna Reynoso and Mundo Gardens. I can remember that day like it was yesterday. Such a beautiful day centered around community.
Fashion-wise, I think I’m known for my upcycled sports jerseys made from high-quality second-hand blankets and various upcycled jeans pants made from crochet flowers and blankets.
What Drives Me and Sets Me Apart
What I’m most proud of is the consistent focus on community that has defined my work over the past two and a half years. I could have made my art exclusive, but that’s never been me at my core. I grew up not having much at times, but I would have never known because my parents did an amazing job always making due with what was given and pushing through. I see the joy these creations bring people, and I want as many people to experience it. That’s what makes it fun; that’s what makes it worth it.
I often see how the South Bay of San Diego is neglected, but right now it feels like a Renaissance of creativity. Even if what i’m doing is a small impact, I’m so happy to be a part of it. I’m not from San Diego, but the community here has made me feel like I am, and I’m so grateful. I never take that for granted. I’ve been chasing a place like this my entire life. I’m finally here. I’m finally home.
I want to give a heartfelt shout-out to Ryan Johnson and Vision Culture for being the reason I’ve been able to impact the community in such a positive way. Without them, my life would have been completely different.
I never went to fashion school and I’m not much of a “Hypebeast”—mostly because I couldn’t afford it. With that, I’m pretty much detached from the status quo and want to radically change the industry: to make it more accessible and more helpful to the planet. Everything I make is upcycled from old garments, and there is nothing wasted in the entire process. I want to bring fun back to fashion. It’s not fun when everything is so serious. I just don’t feel the heart and soul in it, but I feel like I’m here to change that.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a very curious and creative kid. When it came to art class, that’s when I really shined in school; it was where I felt I could express myself most freely. I’m incredibly blessed to have had such a fun childhood. You could often find me outside during the day with friends, immersed in games of basketball, baseball, hide-and-seek, football, plus any other games we made up along the way. My imagination truly came alive in those moments of spontaneous play, which I think laid the groundwork for my creative spirit today. Weekends were filled with laughter and adventure, always centered around activities that sparked joy and camaraderie.
Beyond outdoor sports, I was also an avid gamer. My friends and I spent countless hours exploring virtual worlds, and I’d often host gatherings at my house, centered around sports and gaming. In these familiar settings, I was very goofy and loved to make people laugh. However, put me in a room full of strangers, and I was quite quiet and observant before I would open up to people. I liked to take my time to understand the dynamics and personalities around me before engaging fully.
Despite growing up in Ohio, where there wasn’t always a ton to do, my homies and I always made the most of it. We learned to be resourceful and create our own fun, often transforming mundane days into memorable adventures. I also made sure to always make time to be there for those I cared about; loyalty and support were, and still are, incredibly important to me. These formative years, taught me the value of community, the power of imagination, and the importance of finding joy in every situation, no matter the circumstances.
Pricing:
- – If interested please DM me on instagram ( @bychriscarson / @thehomegrownprojectsd ) or email (bychriscarson@gmail.com)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bychriscarson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bychriscarson/
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/bychriscarson
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscarsn/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bychriscarson?_t=ZP-8wqbi9Msdd0&_r=1
Image Credits
Vito Distefano (Instagam: @thevitography)
David Fay (instagram: @fayd_art)
