Founded By Valerie Elfes And Created To Empower Women With Messages Of Self-Love And Positivity
Valerie Elfes’ whimsical Campgirl Clothing line of T-shirts is not just for skinny models who pretend to camp and hike, but also for all females- from infants to women who wear 4XL.
“Inspiration for my designs come from my memories of camping as a youth, my grown children and what I envision what other girls would be happy wearing,” Elfes said. “Many of my designs are created to wear anywhere, anytime, no matter what you are doing, simply to feel good in our own skin.
The idea of the line is dedicated to empowering women with messages of self-love and positivity. Campgirl’s color spectrum includes neon sunshine brights, woodsy hues and distressed vintage. Regardless of your body type, we have something for girls of all sizes, as comfort and feeling good is what we are all about.
Elfes, who moved with her family from Southern California to the Douglas Lake, located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee in the 90’s, raised her family and then earned her nursing degree at the age of 42.
“I’m a late bloomer,” she said laughing. “But my family was always my first priority. When I decided to get my nursing degree, it was a big deal. In a way, it was my first step in empowering myself. I’m not a big woman’s libber, but I do want to be able to support myself and set a good example for my children.”
After working in the emergency room for years and then nursing her father through an illness and his final moments, she realized that she was ready for a new career. When her husband became ill for a time, she knew that it was important to be able to support herself and become an example to her daughter.
Elfes explained that she also wanted to be creative so she took a big step, quit her job and started designing her Campgirl Clothing line.
“I love the outdoors and there are some really cute outdoor clothes, but not everything fits me. That’s where my idea of making clothes for all sizes was born.”
Elfes said she enjoyed camping as a young girl in California, Michigan and Wisconsin with family and friends in campers and tents. Her husband works in the outdoor industry as well and he has given her tips on the art of selling
“I love the time I spent in woods, catching fireflies, swimming in the lake in Michigan, fishing and catching frogs,” she said “I have great memories of taking hikes, climbing trees, sitting around the campfires, playing in the dirt, roasting hotdogs and making the perfect wooden skewer from a whittling tree branch for toasting marsh mellows. These are the memories behind my clothing line.”
As for her sales, since Elfes started in 2014, she has sold several thousand items and she is currently selling wholesale to campground stores such as some Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts and a handful of KOA campgrounds, including Bar Harbor.
“I’ve been told that my product has been the top selling item in their stores,” Elfes said. “There are a lot of stores that have devoted a section just to Campgirl because they tell me that it brings many people in”
Elfes has been taking it slow while growing her company, mainly because she cares about her designs and products so much.
Her Campgirl products are trademarked and her shirts are 100 percent cotton and made in the US. She labors over her designs- that she draws herself. Family members and friends in the graphic design industry help her create her products, which have grown from shirts to backpacks, coffee cups, hats, scarves and keychains.
Her next step is to sell retail online- a step that she recently took.
“People find my website and are constantly emailing me with questions on how to buy my products,” she said. “I had no idea how to start a business and with so many people helping me I have actually succeeded. More important is the fact that women of all ages and sizes who enjoy the outdoors can wear my clothes. That makes me happier than any bottom line.”
Candice Reed
A graduate of Kelsey-Jenny College in Communications as well as a certified grant writer, Candice has written for The Los Angeles Times & The New York Times. She loves entertaining and all things French.
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Campgirl Clothing, where being a Campgirl means being comfortable in your own skin. Whether you are hiking, canoeing or simply wandering, their casual style of quality apparel and accessories were made for you.