Lance Avery Morgan
Here’s How The Stylish Designer Embodies Mid-Century Cool And Elegance
In a city where the air is thick with ambition and humidity, fashion must do more than just impress—it must breathe. And no one understands this better than Carla Christoph and her eponymous fashion line. The Houston-based designer has built an empire on the idea that glamour and comfort should go hand in hand, proving that the caftan—long adored by Jet Set icons and stylish free spirits—deserves a permanent place in every modern woman’s wardrobe.
With a design philosophy that merges resort-ready ease with high-society sophistication, Christoph’s caftans are anything but ordinary. Think weightless silks in jewel tones, hand-embroidered details reminiscent of faraway marketplaces, and flowing silhouettes that move like poetry. They exude the effortless allure of vintage Slim Aarons photographs while embodying the bold spirit of a Texas hostess who knows that making an entrance is just as important as making her guests feel at home. Plus, those beaded necklines on many of her creations add even more chic to the look.
Her clientele? A mix of globe-trotting tastemakers, art collectors, and Texas socialites who appreciate fashion that transitions seamlessly from a casual Sunday brunch at The Briar Club to a moonlit soirée after a quick hop on the jet. With the right accessories—perhaps an heirloom cuff or oversized sunglasses—Christoph’s creations can take a woman from lounging poolside in Capri to commanding attention at a black-tie gala, all while exuding the effortless confidence that only comes from feeling truly at ease in what she’s wearing.
But behind the breezy silhouettes lies a sharp businesswoman who has carved out a niche in the competitive fashion world. Christoph’s journey from aspiring designer to Houston’s reigning caftan queen is one of vision, resilience, and an unerring sense of what women truly want: to look impeccable without ever feeling overdressed.
Step into Carla Christoph’s world, with our very own Lance Avery Morgan, where every day feels like a vacation, and the secret to great style is as simple as slipping into something that moves with you, not against you.
The best career advice I’ve received is…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: It doesn’t feel like a job if you like what you’re doing.
Three qualities that got me where I am today are…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Kindness, honesty, and hard work.
Easiest career decision I ever made is…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Getting in touch with my creative side and just going for it.
Due to my ongoing involvement in fashion, I have found…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: The way people dress nowadays is tragic, so let’s bring back glamour.
What is creatively influencing me right now with my design, is…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Seasonal colors and prints.
The woman who wears my caftan designs? That’s easy, she’s…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Distinctive, confident, and chic.
My favorite occasion, or way to wear, a caftan is to…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Anytime, but they are especially easy to pack, and they travel beautifully, so I’m always taking them on vacation.
How I made my first dollar…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: My father always made me do chores on the weekends, but he paid me very fairly. Otherwise, through babysitting jobs.
First music I bought …
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Has to be the Bee Gees. What woman didn’t think Maurice Gibb was the hottest man alive?
Last thing I binge/marathon watched…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: “The Lioness” on Paramount.
Book that left a lasting impression on me…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: “Sustain Me” by Barbara O’Neill. After Covid hit, and now being in my 63rd year, I have tried to cut out all the bad stuff and treat any ailments holistically.
My real-life hero has got to be…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: That’s easy! My husband, who has always loved and believed in me and my endeavors.
If I lived in a foreign city, it would be…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Sardinia, Italy. It’s not only a beautiful place but also known as a blue zone.
What everyone should try in their lifetime is…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Going without any electronics, i.e., an iPhone, iPad, computer, or TV, for a week.
If I could compete in an Olympic sport, or create one, it would be…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Swimming
If I weren’t doing what I do, I would…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Be an interior designer.
A celebrity I would make a prank phone call to and what I would ask them is…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Tom Cruise, I’d tell him I’m writing an article on fighter jets and wondered if it would be possible for him to take me flying in an F18.
My hidden talent that most people might not guess is…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Having a good eye for all things stylish that stand the test of time.
If I had a superpower, I’d want it to be…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Invisibility. So that I could hear what other people say when my customers walk into a room wearing one of my designs.
A simple way to get people to laugh is easy. Just…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Tell a funny and animated story.
A phrase I might overuse would be…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Oh, I love that!
My motto? Easy. It’s…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Favorite scent these days is…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Bond No. 9 Central Park South
My style icon is…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Audrey Hepburn
My personal style signifier is…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: My jewelry accessories
The classic designer I wish was still designing today would be…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Tony Duquette.
The last meal that truly impressed me was…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Jamavar, an Indian restaurant in London’s Mayfair area.
In my fridge, you will always find…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Eggs.
My perfect day would end…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: Sitting between my husband and son, enjoying a cocktail and watching a beautiful sunset.
The title of my autobiography will likely be…
CARLA CHRISTOPH: “I Did It My Way.”
