Camilla Wellton got into the fashion game later than most. Though a hobby since age 10, it wasn’t until college that she decided she needed designing to be more than a hobby. “It was during my math course - I was studying environmental science. I realized in the middle of a post-relationship grief that i needed to focus my time on uplifting, creative things or I wouldn’t be happy,” Camilla recalls. “I had cried before every exam the previous term, when we talked about the current state of the planet. I needed something to inspire hope in me.” She left her math and earth science courses behind and set out to be a full-time fashion designer.

Camilla’s craft is stunning. This is her high-waisted skirt. The construction is amazing - simple but with unexpected accents to make it incredibly special. For example, the wrap skirt curves upwards so as to go overthe hip, rather than across. Not only is this unusual, but it helps the skirt drape beautifully. The lines are clean, sharp, tight. The fabric is a crisp heavy cotton, lined in the same - perfect for the upcoming fall season. The satin ribbon - cut into delicate Vs at the ends - soften and feminize what could appear too utilitarian.

Camilla’s pieces are handcrafted with a mother’s love. “Each model is like my baby,” she coos. “I design clothes that serve as an exoskeleton to strengthen certain aspects of myself - and other wearers,” she says. “My clothes enhance my pride in myself, my self-confidence, while remaining gentle and feminine. Like a mother, she cannot choose just one favorite piece. She does have a favorite piece she didn’t design. “Right now my favorite is a pair of grey tailored hand-sewn army riding pants from the ’40s that a friend gave me - he thought they were my style. I love that the tailor even wrote the name of the captain to who these pants belonged inside of them!” This influence rubbed off on Camilla in some way. Like any piece of art, she hand-signed the skirt she sent me. Almost makes me want to hang the skirt on the wall rather than wear it. Almost.

“My career is still in its toddlerhood. So I’m busy mothering it and feeding it with what it needs to grow beyond my dreams.”