My name is Karlee Angel, and I’m a fashion designer, founder, and innovator who believes fashion is a form of storytelling — one that blends creativity, confidence, and compassion. I recently graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Design and a minor in Business Entrepreneurship.

While at Virginia Tech, I founded Hokie Designers, the university’s first outdoor fashion show, and sold my own hand-designed tops through VT Thrift, where my work gained attention for its feminine detail and unique storytelling aesthetic. I also interned for LoveShackFancy in New York City, where I designed a concept collection inspired by the Kentucky Derby — an experience that refined my eye for color, print, and emotion-driven design.

Today, I’m channeling that passion into my own label, Wild Angels Equestrian — Dreamwear for the Modern Equestrian. The brand merges performance and artistry, blending technical craftsmanship with a soft, romantic edge. Every piece is created to celebrate strength and femininity — empowering women to feel beautiful, confident, and free, both in and out of the saddle.

In 2024, I founded Rescue Runway through the Virginia Tech Homecoming Court, where I was honored to be crowned Homecoming Royalty. My platform gave me the opportunity to turn compassion into action — raising awareness for shelter pets and funding a new course at Virginia Tech called the Dog and Cat Welfare Program, designed to educate students on animal care and adoption.

Through Rescue Runway, I’ve merged my love for design with my passion for advocacy — creating custom “Adopt Me” vests and bandanas that help shelter animals get seen, loved, and adopted faster. The initiative has partnered with local shelters, student organizations, and community members to host adoption events, creative workshops, and service drives.

So far, Rescue Runway has:

  • Partnered with 5+ shelters and rescues

  • Engaged over 300 students and volunteers

  • Designed and distributed 300+ handmade vests and bandanas

  • Raised over $1,000 to support shelter programming

  • Helped facilitate the adoption of more than 50 dogs and cats in its first year

For me, fashion has always been about connection — and Rescue Runway proves that creativity can change lives in the most meaningful ways.

I’ve been riding horses since I was five years old, and it has shaped every part of who I am — as a designer, leader, and person. The barn was where I first learned patience, discipline, and trust — lessons that still influence how I approach creativity and business today.

As a former member of the Virginia Tech Hunter Team, I spent years training and competing, discovering that riding is about so much more than form or performance — it’s about connection, balance, and understanding. Those same values became the foundation for Wild Angels Equestrian, a brand born from my lifelong love of horses and the belief that elegance and strength can coexist.

For me, horseback riding isn’t just a sport — it’s a language of freedom, grace, and resilience. It’s where I’ve always felt most like myself — grounded, creative, and inspired to keep chasing the next horizon.