EXCLUSIVE: Re/Done Reimagines Vintage Disney Graphics for Their First Collaboration
"Creating Mamacita with Carolina [Kleinman] felt like coming full circle, connecting back to my roots in a really special way," Helena Christensen told WWD. The Danish model, whose mom, Elsa Christensen, was raised in Lima, partnered with the founder of multicultural lifestyle brand Carolina K to create a capsule collection inspired by their shared connection to Latin American heritage. And so Mamacita was born.
Released on Friday, Mamacita took shape during an immersive trip to Lima, where Christensen was accompanied by her mother. Together with Kleinman, they explored the city's neighborhoods, historic sites and art institutions. This journey served as both a creative foundation and a personal reconnection with their familial and cultural roots.
"Mamacita is a tribute to motherhood, resilience, women weavers and the strength we provide as mothers to support and protect our families, our communities and our children," Kleinman said. "Helena inspired me from the beginning because she is timeless and iconic. She has a deep appreciation for anything handmade, and her personal style is both effortless and refined. Her Peruvian roots became the starting point for this collaboration. The fact that she wanted to bring her mother to Peru to reconnect with their heritage truly moved me, especially since I had just dedicated my previous collection to my own mother, Diana, who passed away recently. I had also shot that collection in Cusco [Peru], where I used to live with my husband and children during the early days of the brand."
Christensen was involved in every aspect of the collection, from contributing vintage pieces and personal touches to assisting with the campaign's direction and styling. The collection's campaign was shot on location in Lima, capturing significant places including a centuries-old monastery and the Barranco district.
"So much of Mamacita is about connection, between generations, between women, between cultures. To have my mother by my side as we shot it made that connection real in the most meaningful way," Christensen said.
Founded in 2005, Carolina K has established itself as a brand focused on sustaining and amplifying the work of artisan creators across Latin America, specifically through the preservation of ancestral hand-crochet and looming methods. The 20th anniversary of the brand provides the context for this collection, reinforcing Kleinman's mission to support female weavers and craftspeople in the region.
Mamacita features hand-embroidered and knitwear pieces, each crafted by Peruvian artisans. Designs draw on the landscapes of the Andes mountains and the ocean, marrying artisanal detail with contemporary wearability.
"The past, present and future of Carolina K are all about creating projects that amplify our mission of supporting artisans worldwide and giving back. This capsule collection embodies that vision in a profound way. It is also a reminder to be selective about what we create and how we do it. In an industry that often values quantity over meaning, I am finding fulfillment in doing projects that truly matter, with people who share our values, who are activists and who are willing to dedicate their time and knowledge to others," Kleinman said.