With inclusivity and sustainability tied into its core, Stella Carakasi found the perfect shipping fit in Sendle.
The brand delivers empowering and stylish outfits to women of most body shapes and sizes, with over 70% of their orders shipped through Sendle since 2022—thanks to low rates, responsive customer support, fast deliveries, and 100% carbon neutral shipments.
No more ‘plus’ sizes! Every size is ‘regular’ at Stella Carakasi
For Co-Founder and Chief Design Officer Stella Carakasi (yep, the brand’s named after her!), every woman deserves to feel celebrated, whether she’s a size 2, 14, or 22.
In fact, that’s how everything started in 2012. Stella noticed something pretty glaring: the fashion industry was still stuck on the “plus” vs. “regular” categories. It isn’t there yet in terms of inclusivity.
This gave Stella the opportunity to encourage body positivity and brush off the ‘ideal’ body type. She—together with her business partner Steven Boutrous, CEO and Co-Founder of the brand—decided to break the mold and offer timeless, sustainably produced clothes in sizes XS-2XL (2-22), making sure no woman feels left out.
You won’t find “plus” labels either. For them, every size is just ‘regular’ because confidence doesn’t come with a tag.
Post-pandemic competition called for trimming shipping costs
E-commerce was a force to be reckoned with during the pandemic, since almost everyone shopped online. However, staying ahead got trickier when the restrictions eased out, so Stella and Steven started looking for ways to cut shipping costs and allocate more funds to marketing.
Right on time, Steven came across an email about Sendle. He noticed that the rates were much cheaper than their provider, so he decided to reach out.
“We were looking for a less expensive alternative to the carriers that we were using prior. I was intrigued by [the email,] so I contacted Sendle. I liked what I heard. That must have been two and a half years ago. And we've been with Sendle ever since.”
~ Steven Boutrous, CEO and Co-Founder, Stella Carakasi
Low rates as the base, the perks as perfect accessories
While pricing was number one for Stella Carakasi (it’s usually the most competitive on ShipStation vs. UPS or USPS), their team was all praises for Sendle’s customer service. They loved that Sendle representatives were friendly and would reach out regularly (often timely, when they have questions in mind).
“In the age of AI and bots and all of that, it is so incredibly refreshing—and I hope you guys are never going to stop that—to be able to talk to a real human being. I think that's an advantage Sendle has over other carriers.”
~ Stella Carakasi, Co-Founder and Chief Design Officer, Stella Carakasi
When asked about their customers’ feedback on their shipments with Sendle, Stella said sometimes customers would rave about how fast their orders arrive, too. But there’s more: the team deeply connects with Sendle’s commitment to sustainability, which is another reason they’re recommending Sendle deliveries to their friends and other business owners.
Entering more markets, still with style and purpose
Just like fashion, Stella Carakasi believes in evolving with the times. They have expanded onto more marketplaces like Macy’s, while carefully curating their next move to maximize impact. Nothing is set in stone, but they’re thinking of possibly reintroducing wholesale into their mix to bring their inclusive collections to more women.
Of course, behind every great expansion is a reliable shipping partner. So whether they’re shipping to individual customers or scaling up wholesale orders, Stella Carakasi is buttoned up with Sendle for reliable deliveries.
Keep shipping affordable, sustainable, and on time like Stella Carakasi
Stella Carakasi has been shipping around 70% of their orders with Sendle since 2022, saving big on every shipment vs. traditional carriers.
If you’re interested in reaping the same benefits, we’re glad to know! Sendle is here for your business, eager to boost your growth with affordable prices and lots of added perks:
- Free pickups and easy drop offs
- Real-time tracking at no extra cost
- Easy integrations with various ecommerce and shipping platforms
- 24/7 support from real people
- Cover against loss and damage
- 100% carbon neutral deliveries
- No hidden fees, no subscriptions required
Photos courtesy: Stella Carakasi