Conversations with Noelle Campos

Today we’d like to introduce you to Noelle Campos.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m originally from Brownsville, Texas, a small predominately Hispanic town in South Texas where creative opportunities were pretty limited. Growing up there made me appreciate the opportunities I did have, but it also gave me a real craving to see more, experience more, and push myself beyond what was familiar. That ultimately led me to the University of Texas at Austin, where I double majored in Marketing and Textiles & Apparel Design.

At UT, I was able to explore both sides of what I was interested in, the business and customer side of fashion through marketing, and the creative and technical side through apparel design. Outside of school, I also started exploring styling, art direction, and editorial work, which helped me develop my own creative perspective.

After graduating, I continued building experience through freelance creative projects before joining Hollister at Abercrombie & Fitch. I started as an Assistant Designer and have since grown into a Designer.

Outside of my full-time role, I’ve continued pursuing the more conceptual side of fashion through styling, editorials, and independent design projects. More recently, I’ve also really enjoyed using social media as another creative outlet to showcase my styling and create little fashion-focused series. I love being able to take an idea, build a world around it, and share it in a way that feels personal and engaging.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. One of my biggest challenges actually started in college. I came into the Textiles & Apparel Design program with almost no experience in fashion. I didn’t know how to draw, sew, or even really understand the technical side of garment construction. I was learning all of those skills from the ground up while also attending an accredited business school and completing my business degree. It taught me how to handle multiple things at once, manage my time, and adapt quickly. Looking back, I think having both degrees has been really valuable because they influence the way I think differently. My design background allows me to approach things creatively, while my marketing background helps me think about the customer, the business, and why a product makes sense.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a fashion designer specializing in women’s apparel. I really enjoy the balance between creativity and the commercial side of design, creating something that feels new and exciting while still understanding the customer and the business behind it.

In my personal creative work, I’m really drawn to color and the way it can completely transform an outfit. I love playing with unexpected color combinations and using color to create a feeling or tell a story. I’m also really inspired by Victorian silhouettes and details, especially the femininity, proportions, romanticism, and craftsmanship. I love finding ways to reinterpret those references in a way that feels modern.

Outside of my full time role, I’ve continued exploring styling, art direction, editorials, and independent design projects. One thing I’ve been having a lot of fun with recently is creating a series where I draw accessories directly onto outfits I love. It started as a way to experiment with styling and accessories, but it has become its own little creative series and a way for me to share how I see an outfit beyond the clothing itself. I’ve also been using social media to share these ideas and create little fashion focused series.

I’m most proud of how much I’ve grown as a designer. I came into college without knowing how to draw or sew, and I’ve been able to build a career in design while continuing to explore different sides of fashion. I think what is most important to me is continuing to develop a point of view that feels genuinely mine.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I think I’m a calculated risk taker. To me, risk is less about making an impulsive decision and more about being willing to step into something unfamiliar without knowing exactly how it will turn out.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was leaving Brownsville, Texas to attend the University of Texas at Austin. I knew I wanted more creative opportunities, but I was also entering a fashion program with almost no experience in drawing, sewing, or garment construction..

More recently, I’ve been challenging myself in a different way by building a presence on social media. Honestly, that has been difficult for me because I’m naturally pretty introverted and I’ve never really enjoyed posting myself online. It can feel vulnerable to put your ideas, styling, and creative work out there for people to see. But I’ve realized that if I want to develop my own creative voice and share the things I’m passionate about, I have to be willing to get uncomfortable.

I think that’s what risk means to me now. It doesn’t always have to be a huge leap. Sometimes it’s simply doing something that scares you a little because you know it will help you grow.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noellekristine_/

Image Credits
Photo credits for the pink + denim dress: Preston Rolls
Photo credits for blue ruffle set and white set: Alyssa Gisselle Olvera