Nicole Campre: Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur

Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is fashion designer Nicole Campre, whose line, CAMPRE, is committed to evolving and supporting the art and fashion community in Alberta. What was the inspiration behind her brand? Find out in today’s profile…

Elevator Pitch: Describe your designs/brand in a nutshell.  
CAMPRE was a name given to my grandmother during her residential school years in Northern Alberta. It doesn’t actually exist in history, which represents our aesthetic perfectly. We are modern and independent, yet evolving and unknown. It’s unintentionally a powerful name that has developed into a cultured label. 

What is your connection to Calgary?    
Although we are an Edmonton-based brand, our connection lies in our passion to help evolve and support the art and fashion community in Alberta. Our very fist showcase before MBFW-Toronto was for PARK in last year’s Calgary PARKLUXE. To meet other individuals with a similar passion and drive was incredible. But to receive enormous support of that passion throughout Canada and overseas was even more exciting. And it all began here only one year ago. Hell yes.

Why did you start designing, what was the inspiration?
To be quite cliché, I am a rebel who was (and is) always looking for some pathetic form of expression. When I discovered fashion, I’ve discovered my outlet. I was 16 when my Vogue obsession begun…

When did you start your design label?  
We started our design label just over a year ago. It was first called NICOLE CAMPRE, but the brand kind of grew beyond myself. With our partner, Kari, and our new designers, we are expanding to open our first retail location later this fall. Our label is now simply CAMPRE.

What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of what I do on a day-to-day basis is for me to consistently try to shape or inspire the way people think and live. I know it’s only fabric and thread, but ultimately I believe there is a certain feeling when someone wears our pieces. It’s not easy to achieve this, which also makes this the most challenging part.

Where do you see your brand going in five years?
In five years, we’ll have built our platform in Alberta. We believe this to be crucial in our brand building and expansion plans outside of the province and country. 

What does success look like to you?
Success in fashion is people purchasing and wearing your garments. One can have an outstanding show, but if you can’t connect to people through a hanger, there might be a problem. We recently attended an event where half a dozen people were wearing our current collection. We did not plan this or even expect it. It was heartwarming to meet people who felt beautiful wearing our dresses, especially to such an event. I much prefer everyday people wearing our product over models.   

What is Notable to you?
Culture. Growth. Aesthetic.

Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
Samsung is a brand that’s always pushing it. I appreciate their ingenuity.   

How do you keep active, energetic, and vibrant?
I surround myself with amazing and inspiring people.

Where can we find your pieces here in Calgary?
On our friends and fans. We are seeking the right store with the right feeling to connect to. Perhaps we’ll have to open our own.

CAMPRE will be participating in PARKLUXE at TELUS Spark Science Centre located at 220 St. George’s Drive N.E on October 5, 2013. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ourPARKonline.com.