Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Camille Only1 Only1Camille. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Camille Only1 thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

Fashion was never just something I wore it was something I lived daily. I’ve always loved creating my own look, mixing pieces, telling stories through clothes.
As a result, my closet was overflowing with garments, shoes, and accessories collected over time, each one holding possibility.

One day, a model friend invited me to help her on a photoshoot. She came to borrow clothes and accessories from my wardrobe, and I remember being genuinely confused. She was a traditional a model size, and I was a full, thick, beautifully round woman. I couldn’t imagine how my clothes would work for her frame.

She smiled and said, “Come with me to the shoot. Assist me and you will
see how the magic is made.” So I did.

That day, I found myself assisting the photographer, shaping the visual story, adjusting silhouettes, and clipping garments to fit the model perfectly. Something unexpected happened, everything came together effortlessly. The creative energy was flowing.
My instincts kicked in and ideas kept coming. I wasn’t just helping; I was “styling.”

By the end of the shoot, the magazine team and photographer assumed I was an established “wardrobe stylist”.
A few weeks later, they asked me to return for a paid editorial project.

There was just one problem:
I had no idea what to charge.

I went home and did what many entrepreneurs do in their earliest moments I Googled it. I researched wardrobe stylist day rates and hourly fees. I calculated how long it would take to create five to ten looks. I built a budget that included purchasing and renting clothing. What I did know with absolute certainty was how to shop on a budget, stretch a dollar, and create something extraordinary from very little.

My adrenaline fueled every step.
I took the job and I delivered beyond expectations.

That first paid shoot didn’t just pay my bills, it lit a fire. I walked away knowing something had shifted. What started as a favor for a friend became a clear calling.

My very first paid styling job earned me $1,000, with a $500 budget and back then, that felt monumental. More than the money, it was the validation. It was the moment I realized my passion wasn’t just personal anymore it was professional.

That was the day my brand earned its first dollar…and I’ve never looked back. And that’s how “Camille” became “Only1Camille.”

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve spent over 20 years in the fashion and creative industries, wearing many hats sometimes all at once.
I’m a wardrobe, prop, and food stylist; instructor and educator; clothing and interior designer; curriculum developer; boutique owner; and photographer. Add in over 15 years of living and working abroad, and my life becomes what I like to call a beautifully curated global collage. 🌍

I entered the industry young, right out of college, with curiosity in one hand and creativity in the other. Living in Atlanta at the time, I immersed myself in music, fashion, art and education. Spaces that shaped not only my career, but my confidence to move fluidly across disciplines. Those years taught me that creativity doesn’t live in a box. It travels, it evolves, and it overlaps.

As a educator, I was deeply inspired by my students’ imagination. Long before “upcycling” became a trend,
I was transforming found objects, reworking old pieces, and teaching that creativity doesn’t require excess, just vision. I’ve never been interested in blending in. I’ve always wanted to create my OWN lane, my OWN style, my OWN voice. “Only1Camille” wasn’t a brand strategy, it was simply who I’ve always been!

I’ve consistently supported emerging designers, independent artisans, and creatives whose stories deserved a platform. That philosophy eventually led me to take the biggest leap of my life: moving overseas with no concrete plan, no roadmap, no guarantees, just faith.

Fifteen years later, I had built a life abroad, working, traveling, collaborating, and forming meaningful connections across cultures. When I returned to the United States,
I transformed those experiences into a physical space by opening “Global Lifestyle Boutique”, a one-of-a-kind concept store featuring clothing, accessories, shoes, handbags, home décor, artifacts, my photography, and antiques sourced from around the world. “Every item told a story. Every piece had a past.”

My boutique wasn’t just about selling beautiful things, it was about connections. I served clients who wanted something truly unique, who valued craftsmanship, culture, and meaning over mass production.
I helped people express their individuality while supporting global artisans and preserving creative traditions.

Today, I’ve returned to a more mobile, global lifestyle boutique, working with a personalized clientele abroad and curating experiences, styles, and creative solutions that are deeply intentional. I solve a simple but powerful problem for my clients:
How to stand out authentically in a world of sameness, whether through fashion, design, education, or storytelling.

What sets me apart is my lived experiences. I don’t follow trends.
I interpret them through culture, travel, history, and intuition. I create from a place of depth, not duplication.

What I’m most proud of is my ability to build bridges, between cultures, between creatives, between ideas and execution. My work has always centered on honoring stories of people, of places, of possibilities.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my brand, it’s this:
I don’t just create looks, spaces, or concepts. I create experiences that carry “meaning”. And yes, I do it with style and just a little bit of humor along the way.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Growing my clientele has never been about chasing numbers. it’s been about building genuine relationships and staying visible in spaces where creativity and connection naturally live.

One of my most effective strategies has been intentional networking at industry related events. I show up where my business is: fashion, art, culture, education, and lifestyle spaces, because the best collaborations and clients come from shared energy and aligned values, not cold introductions.

Social media live shows have also been powerful. Going live allows people to experience my personality, process, and perspective in real time. It builds trust quickly. Clients don’t just see my work they feel my passion, humor, and authenticity, which often turns viewers into loyal supporters.

I’ve found success through special event sales and curated experiences, whether in a boutique setting or pop-up format. These moments create urgency, excitement, and community. People love being part of something exclusive and they remember how you made them feel.
.
One of my most personal and impactful practices is staying connected with past clients, through birthday messages. I offer discounts on their birthdays and It’s a simple gesture, but it speaks volumes. Clients appreciate being remembered as people, not transactions, and that often leads to repeat business and heartfelt referrals.

Beyond these, a few other strategies have been equally important:

Word-of-mouth referrals from happy clients have been invaluable.
When you consistently deliver excellence, your clients become your best ambassadors.

Storytelling through my brand, my photography and merchandise.
Sharing the why behind what I do,
Who and where the merchandise are from has helped attract clients who truly align with my vision

Consistency and integrity in my work have built long-term trust. People return because they know what I bring to the table every time.

Ultimately, the most effective strategy has been being myself, fully and unapologetically!
When you lead with authenticity, passion, and genuine care, the right clients don’t just find you, they stay with you.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My reputation was built long before I ever tried to build a brand, it grew organically through consistency, credibility, and unmistakable style.

First and foremost, my personal style became my calling card. I’ve always believed that how you show up is your “first” introduction.
I never followed trends; I interpreted them. People didn’t just see what I wore they saw confidence, originality, and storytelling. Over time, that visual identity made me recognizable and memorable.

My success as a “wardrobe stylist” further solidified that reputation. I developed a reputation for creating looks that felt intentional, elevated, and authentic whether for editorials, clients, or creative projects. I didn’t just style clothes; I styled “narratives.” Clients trusted me because I listened,
I delivered, and I consistently exceeded expectations.

Equally important was my role as a fashion professor and educator. Teaching gave me credibility and depth. It showed that I wasn’t just working in fashion. I understood it, respected it, and could articulate its history, technique, and impact. My students fueled my creativity, and my commitment to education reinforced my integrity within the industry.

Beyond titles and roles, what truly built my reputation was how I treated people. I showed up prepared.
I honored deadlines. I valued collaboration. I amplified emerging designers and artisans before it was popular to do so.

I built relationships across cultures through my years of living and working abroad, which gave my work a global perspective that set me apart.

People came to know me as someone who could create something extraordinary from very little, who could connect the dots between fashion, culture, and purpose and who would always bring both excellence and authenticity to the table.

In the end, my reputation wasn’t built on self-promotion. It was built on results, relationships, and respect earned one project, one classroom, one country, and one conversation at a time.

Because when you lead with integrity, travel with intention, and dress your vision boldly…there will only ever be one….Only1Camille!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Onlyonecamille
• Facebook: Onlyonecamille

Image Credits

Photo credits:
lanslensphotography-Zebra print dress picture
Donna Permell-bouquet of flowers crown picture