interview | camp schill

t-shirt. Handmade by Camp Schill
jeans. Levi’s

Camp Schill can only be described as multifaceted. Possessing the ability to immerse himself in each of his passions, he floats between modelling, designing, and skateboarding effortlessly, telling Schön!, “even if one becomes more successful than another, I believe it’s important to continue growing and getting better in all of them.”

Growing up in Southern California, Schill was practically born skateboarding, with his father putting him on a board at only two years old. Spending most of his time at the skatepark, he has gone on to ride in independent films, travel the world teaching skateboarding to kids in need, and shooting skate videos. And when you think he couldn’t possibly have any more time to spare, he juggles a rapidly growing modelling career and designing a collection. Discovered by Hedi Slimane of Celine, Schill starred in the brand’s “Dysfunctional Bauhaus” summer 2023 campaign, which led to him walking in various spring/summer 2024 shows, including Etro, Courrèges, and Jordanluca. However, his love for sewing has taken the wheel this year, as he reveals the inspiration behind the collection he’s working on.

Chatting with Schön!, Schill discusses his modelling debut, future skateboarding plans, and pursuing his passions.

t-shirt. Handmade by Camp Schill
jeans. Levi’s

jeans. Levi’s
opposite
jeans. Levi’s

How do you juggle skateboarding, modelling and designing whilst still in high school? Do you feel like you’ve missed out on any important teenage milestones?

It can be tough, but I attend a very small school and they are understanding when I’m travelling. I try to finish all my schoolwork during the day, leaving me plenty of time to focus on skateboarding and designing at night. I don’t think I’ve missed any teenage milestones. If anything, modelling, skating, and designing have given me more milestones to reach and goals to accomplish.

How have your parents inspired and encouraged you to pursue your passions?

Both my parents are creative entrepreneurs and exposed my sister and I to building businesses since as far back as I can remember. Even if I didn’t know it at the time, I was constantly learning. My parents would guide me—like when my mom taught me the basics of sewing, [she] then said if it’s my passion I need to figure out the rest on my own. So, I focused on getting better at sewing, learning graphics, and how to screen print and I love it.

t-shirt. Handmade by Camp Schill
jeans. Levi’s

t-shirt. Stylist’s Own
cargo trousers. Handmade by Camp Schill

How was your experience travelling to teach skateboarding and giving skateboards to those in need?

During a recent trip to Puerto Vallarta, giving kids their first skateboard was amazing. But the most rewarding part of it all was seeing their smiles, balancing them on their new boards, and holding their hands to guide their first roll.

Can you talk about being discovered by the fashion industry and shooting your first campaign with Hedi Slimane, the creative director of Celine? How has this impacted your life?

The start of my modelling career was surreal. I was scouted by my mother agency, who DM’d me on Instagram. Honestly, I thought it was a scam or I was going to be hacked, so it took me a bit to respond. We eventually connected, and soon after, I learned about Hedi, who at the time was casting for a real skater to appear in the dysfunctional Bauhaus campaign and before I knew it, I booked the job. Being photographed by Hedi Slimane for my modelling debut was genuinely life changing. Not going to lie, I was starstruck for a while.

How do your adrenaline levels vary when walking in fashion week compared to skateboarding?

My adrenaline levels were much higher when walking in fashion week. Getting hurt is a factor when filming a skate trick, but I can try until it’s perfect. In contrast, there is only a single chance to walk and make it perfect for a client for each show during fashion week.

camo t-shirt. Stylist’s Own
cargo trousers. Handmade by Camp Schill

bomber jacket + camo t-shirt. Stylist’s Own

What goals do you have for your future in skateboarding that you haven’t yet accomplished?

Currently, I’m working on finishing a skate video part and hope to create many more in the future. I think it would be a lot of fun to get skate clips while modelling in New York and Europe.

Can you tell Schon! a bit about the collection you’re working on? Does it draw inspiration from skate wear at all?

My collection is definitely influenced by skate wear. Originally, I learned how to sew with patchwork because my mom was tired of buying me new pants, due to all of mine getting torn up from skating. So, each piece uses screened patchwork and no two are the same.

Have you thought about what the future may hold for you? Will you continue to pursue all of your passions or focus on one specifically?

I want to continue working on all my passions. Even if one becomes more successful than another, I believe it’s important to continue growing and getting better in all of them. I also hope to explore new ones, as I’m just getting started.