UP FRONT: CARTOLINA

The New England-inspired fashion brand with Midwest roots.

Bringing more than three decades of experience in fashion to the growing women’s ready-to-wear brand, Skoog, now creative director of Cartolina, has collaborated with Cartolina founder Margaret Anne Nolen to grow and evolve the brand’s collections through distinctive prints, thoughtful craftsmanship, and timeless design while honoring the spirit of travel and adventure that inspired Nolen to create the brand as a tribute to her late mother.

For Skoog, the role marks a return to her fashion roots. She began her career as Anna Wintour’s assistant at Vogue before holding merchandising and communications roles at Banana Republic and Prada. Since 2012, she has also led her own brand and communications agency, Skoog Co.

“Stepping into the Creative Director role at Cartolina has been a natural evolution of my career,” says Skoog. “It brings together what I love most—creating beautiful products while understanding that great design is only meaningful when it’s paired with thoughtful storytelling and a genuine connection to the customer. We want to create timeless pieces with distinctive print, color, and craftsmanship that women will reach for season after season.”

The Fall 2026 collection reflects that philosophy while drawing inspiration from Skoog’s own memories of Chicago’s suburban neighborhoods—driving as the leaves turned brilliant shades of amber and crimson, the crisp autumn air, and the timeless architecture of the grand turn-of-the-century homes. Those nostalgic moments are translated into rich color, luxurious fabrics, signature prints, and refined tailoring that create a wardrobe designed to mix effortlessly. Standout styles include the versatile Kennedy Trench in faille, the elongated Rory Jacket in structured twill, and Skoog’s favorite, the Anywhere Jacket—a cropped navy bouclé silhouette with bell sleeves and an exaggerated lapel that transitions seamlessly from day to evening.

Designed to balance polish with ease, the collection celebrates enduring style over fleeting trends—pieces made to be worn, loved, and passed down.