Carla Matos was born in Portugal, holds a degree in International Relations and studied jewellery at Contacto Directo in Lisbon.

In 2019, she pursued further studies in Fashion Sustainability at the University of the Arts London. In 2021, she received the Prémio Femina for Merit in the Arts and was appointed a European Climate Pact Ambassador. In 2022, she moved to Paris, where CARLA_M. was one of eleven brands selected for an incubation programme at the Institut Français de la Mode.