Business Booms for MFA Fashion Grad

Camilla Olson, School of Fashion Design 2010 graduate, has taken the spotlight once again by expanding her fashion line to now almost 20 boutiques, including a recent signing on with a showroom called Absolute Element in SoHo, New York. This is to be expected since the Academy of Art University graduate’s red silk gown was worn to the 83^rd Oscars by Betsy Franco, mother of James Franco who co-hosted the event, and there was quite a buzz about the beautiful dress design.

 

After 30 years of holding various positions within the healthcare industry including marketing, a vice president of a venture capital firm, and starting four companies; Camilla decided it was time for a change at the age of 57. “I heard or saw an ad in the Bay Area about an upcoming Academy open house. I wanted to take my daughter as she was interested in fashion. I had no expectations that my visit would be meaningful to me,” said Camilla. “I enrolled within a month or two.”

 

Having previous business experience, Camilla had an idea of how to get her design business off the ground. “After business school, I was a venture capitalist and looked at how businesses were formed and grew. The lessons I learned there were invaluable to getting my new business started,” although, Camilla says that retail is a different kind of business experience. The lack of retail experience does not seem to slow down the demand for the Academy grad’s fashion line, as Camilla has now partnered with Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley. 

 

As business grows, Camilla knows where to find the experts she needs to help her pump out her line. “I'm employing two Academy of Art University graduates full-time. Another is interning full-time; and I'd like to hire her full time in the New Year. Finally, two more potential interns are arriving this week. I expect they will be terrific too,” Camilla explains.

 

Camilla attributes much of her success to the guidance of her Academy instructors. “I want to thank the instructors for giving me key skills, for not giving up on me, and for not letting me give up on myself,” said Camilla. “Learn whatever you can from your instructors,” Camilla advises, “then practice as much as you can. I love what I have learned and it has opened a new world to me, one that is very satisfying.”