Carhartt scion launches new Wylie Welling circular fashion brand

Wylie Welling, a new fashion brand launched by Carhartt scion Gretchen Valade, will make its global debut on Tuesday, reworking American archival workwear into a unisex offering steeped in circularity and craftsmanship.

The great great granddaughter of Carhartt founder, Hamilton Carhartt, Wylie Welling was birthed out of Valade’s long-standing commitment to sustainability; a notion homed in on while working at Carhartt since 2013, in roles including director of sustainability, where she set the strategy to advance the company’s environmental initiatives.

The debut Spring 2026 collection features unisex, one-off pieces sourced from vintage Carhartt garments dating from the 1970s through early 2000s. Each item is upcycled and customized in Los Angeles and Detroit, “giving new life to archival workwear through a contemporary lens,” according to the brand.

“Wylie Welling stems from my long-standing interest in circularity, craftsmanship, and longevity,” said Valade.

“Through Wylie Welling’s reinterpretation and restoration of original Carhartt garments, I hope to further celebrate the beauty of craft, leaning into the history and legacy of each product and design.”

The brand will initially launch online on April 7, with plans to open a Detroit-based retail space in Detroit’s Little Village neighborhood on the city’s east side later this summer.

The retail location looks to serve as a “community hub, offering workshops focused on mending, craftsmanship, and sustainable practices.”