Life & Work with Audrey Campos of Playa del rey

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

Audrey, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello, my name is Audrey Campos, I was born and raised in Fresno, California, and I attend Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles where I study Art History. Ever since I can remember, fashion has brought me happiness and excitement on any regular day. My mom has played a big role in my passion for fashion. From a young age I remember how she taught me to dress, but also how to express my fashion taste through my clothes. Her exquisite taste has had an imprinting mark on my life, especially through my brand, Juliet.

A fond memory I keep is when I was age five, I would put together outfits, give them names, then show my parents what I created. As I grew into my teens, I would spend hours finding unique and small online brands. Through scrolling on pinterest and discovering unique clothing brands, I could escape into the fantasy life I wanted for myself. I was a sophomore in college, (19), when I realized, ‘why don’t I start something small and share the creativity I have?’.

I didn’t know what that was exactly, but I knew I had a deep love for fashion, styling, putting moodboards together, and sketching clothes. I reflected back on the small brands I love and researched their founders. I took note of the steps they took, then tried to do it on my own. Today, day by day, I am still trying to take the correct steps for Juliet and I am having so much fun. I’ve learned that even though this is a big workload I’ve put on myself, there’s no doubt in my heart that this is my passion in life.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I started this journey I knew that things were not going to always be perfect, there will be bumps in the road. I am actually grateful for the struggles I have faced because it only teaches me how to do something better in the future. Some of the struggles I have faced are navigating how manufacturing works, meeting timelines, and just overall learning how to run a clothing line in all aspects such as social media, packaging, designing, etc., all while being a student in college.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the owner of my clothing brand She Wears Juliet and as of right now, I operate all aspects of the brand. For example, I sketch my designs, work with my manufacturer (LA Fashion Source), come up with photoshoot ideas, go to fittings, package and ship, promote on social media, and manage the in-between aspects that go into those things. One of the things that I am most proud of is seeing my visions come to life. Whether that is obtaining the perfect fabric for a piece, or when a photoshoot that I envisioned comes to life, it’s knowing that I’m building a community of people who share the same fashion niches. What sets me apart from the others is that I am creating a world that comes from the great women in my life, my mom and my grandma, who have attributes that I want to carry over into my brand. In addition, I want my clothes to feel like a piece of art and a staple piece in someone’s wardrobe where it reminds them of good memories and feeling beautiful.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
There’s risk in various aspects of owning a business, however, I know my love for Juliet is so big that I’m going to take care of it. As a student, I risk not spending enough time on my brand or studies, and having to make significant time for each. I will say though, that’s one of my biggest accomplishments. It’s hard enough to be a full time student, but to also build a brand from the ground up has been one of the most rewarding feelings. I also had no prior background or education in business or fashion, so I take in everything that I already have in life such as; studying brands as a consumer growing up, my mom’s education in fashion, and my dad’s experience in business. I think the most important thing for me as the owner is staying true to myself and my work. Within doing so, I risk taking chances on artistic ideas, constantly making decisions, and even in the types of pieces I design. However I believe without risk, not only within a business but also in life, it’s impossible to move forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shewearsjuliet.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheswearingjuliet/
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/sheswearingjuliettt/_saved/

Image Credits
Aidan Wood
Gregory Wallace
Audrey Campos