About Caroline Priebe, Founder
The CAGM Founder, Caroline Priebe has been practicing sustainable fashion design as a designer, production manager, business consultant, and educator for 20 years. The CAGM is rooted in her belief that we have both a responsibility and opportunity to build circular and regenerative business models that yield net positive impact for all stakeholders, including the planet.
After graduating in 1999 from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, Priebe began her fashion career at DKNY. Upon discovering the pioneering work of Lynda Grose, she switched coasts to study sustainable fashion at CCA in San Francisco. As guests of the Sustainable Cotton Project, Priebe joined Grose and executives from large corporations such as Williams Sonoma, Marks & Spencer, NIKE, Levi’s, and Patagonia on a farm tour to discuss the transition of conventional to organic cotton sourcing. These new collaborations and insights catalyzed her decision to become an arbiter of change in the industry, setting Priebe on a path to bind the same high standards she holds for the beauty of garments to the ethics of their production.
As an early adapter to sustainable design, she began her career strategically working for sustainable fashion pioneers including Zero + Maria Cornejo, Rogan, Loomstate, Alabama Chanin, Freemans Sporting Club, and her own brand, ULURU. This gave her the unique opportunity to practice zero waste pattern making, upcycle materials, natural dye, source organic textiles, create domestic supply chains, support artisans and forge long-term, collaborative relationships with a global network of suppliers.
As a consultant/advisor, Priebe has designed timeless apparel, ethical supply supply chains and bespoke business strategy for industry influencers – brands like Outlier, Permanent Collection, the relaunch of Rudi Gernreich and more. Her consulting work emphasizes sustainable/circular business model, supply chains and product design.
As adjunct faculty at Parson School of Design, Priebe taught Zero Waste Pattern Making and Fashion Positive (in collaboration with Cradle to Cradle’s Fashion Positive). Her signature curricula are designed to give students hands-on experience testing and implementing circular design methods and circular business models.
Caroline a life-long learner, most recently received a Certificate in Corporate Sustainability from NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business in December of 2019.
Her work has been featured in The NY Times, New York Magazine, Vogue, WWD, books and museums including:
“Zero Waste Fashion Design” by Timo Rissanen and Holly McQuillan
"YIELD: Making Fashion Without Making Waste", at The Dowse Art Museum in NZ. 2011
"Ethics + Aesthetics = Sustainable Fashion" at the Pratt Manhattan Gallery.
2010
UN/UNESCO backed book, "Visionaries for the 21st Century: 100 Words to Help Inspire the World"