The Carolyn Strauss Collection was conceived and co-founded by model and spokesperson Carolyn Strauss and marketing and manufacturing expert, Scott November. Scott has had a long career in the merchandising and manufacturing of apparel. It was at Scott’s first company, Courtney’s Closet, named for his middle child, where Scott and Carolyn first met. Carolyn was a “fresh faced” young model who came to the “Big Apple” to seek fame and fortune. She signed on as a plus size model with the precursor to Ford Models. Scott, whose company was located in a far eastern suburb of New York City, called the agency for a plus size model, Carolyn was the first and only model who “volunteered” to travel that far for the assignment.

This began an over two decade long collaboration between Scott and Carolyn. The idea for the HSN collection came from a workout video that Carolyn had produced and needed to market. Scott approached HSN with the idea of selling workout tapes and workout garments. When told that the network did not sell videos, he pitched a line of clothing in which they would throw in the videotape…for free! One of the outfits in the ensuing collection was made of miracle stretch knit. While the workout clothing and video met with meager success, the miracle stretch knit was a hit! Thus began the collection. 10 years and about 200 collections later, here we are!

Licensed subcontractors originally produced the clothing line. Scott opened a modern manufacturing plant in Los Angeles in 2001 with partners from one of the original subcontractors.

Today, Scott oversees a team of over 40 apparel professionals who design, and manufacture all the apparel, shoes and accessories presented on HSN under the Carolyn Strauss Collection label, with almost ALL OF IT produced right here in the USA.

Scott November