Carbon38 was born from an innovative idea, a spontaneous contest entry, a fake website, and 14 post-it notes.


Today, we are—

  • 2011

    In November, Katie Warner Johnson attended the Women 2.0 Startup weekend and purchased our URL—www.www.shopcarbon38.com.

  • 2012

    In January, we launched the official Carbon38 Instagram. 

    Wondering why we posted a picture of Tilapia? Same.

  • 2013

    In January, we started conducting business from a one-bedroom apartment and hired our first employee.

    In July, we began fundraising.

    In September, we received our first check for $100K from the Winklevosss Twins—yes, those twins.

    In November, we launched as an E-commerce site focusing only on activewear. 

  • 2014

    In February, we brought our total fundraising to $1 million.

    In September, we leased an office in West Hollywood with desks and computers for all 9 employees.

  • 2015

    In September, we started our Series Seed fundraising, raising $11 million.

    In November, we launched the first exclusive Carbon38 Branded Label Collection—a mix of active, elevated basics, and signature prints.

  • 2016

    In August, our exclusive Takara Shine was born (to date, we’ve sold over 500,000 pairs).

    In November, we hit the other coast and opened a pop-up shop on Los Angeles’ famous Roberston Blvd.

    In December, we launched our first collaboration with "Love Me" artist, Curtis Kulig.

  • 2017

    In January, we partnered with award-winning designer Jonathan Simkhai for our second collaboration.

    In March, we launched our first line of ready-to-wear pieces—The Met Collection.

  • 2018

    In January, a new investor contributed $15 million.

    In December, we grew up and moved to our Culver City offices.

  • 2019

    We made a name for ourselves in the world of luxury fashion, partnering with a new wave of high-end labels and designers.

  • 2020

    In March, the global pandemic began.

    We sold our Culver City offices, set up shop as a remote team, and threw ourselves into learning how we could best serve our customers and community. 

  • 2021

    In March, we partnered with Girls Inc, of Greater Los Angeles.

    In August, we launched a collaboration with EleVen by Venus Williams—our first tennis collection.

    In September, we re-platformed to Shopify.

    In October, we partnered with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to raise funds for the world's most promising research and awareness campaigns. 

  • IT'S TIME FOR SOMETHING NEW

    2022

    In March, we announced our rebranding, including a new logo, a new feel, and a new us.

  • 2024

    By recognizing the potential and success of e-commerce and retail collaborations, BC Brands has acquired Carbon38, ushering in an exciting new era in activewear.

WHY THE NAME


Carbon38?

“I always loved chemistry as a subject and was thoroughly enthralled by the periodic table. I knew I needed a name to encompass all the unforeseen that was to come. As Carbon is one of the most abundant elements in our bodies, it felt compelling for the business I was beginning to create. I added on a number sequence, and our name was born.”

—Katie Warner Johnson
Co-Founder - Carbon38