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Camille De Prêtre operates at the intersection of furniture design and high-end interiors, shaped by a sensibility that is both rooted and nomadic. Born in Belgium in 1998 and now shifting between Bruges and Milan, the artist’s oeuvre shows a cross-continental approach to design, merging the material depth of European craftsmanship with the bold, eclectic influences of the North-American West Coast.
Her education in both Belgium and Italy laid the foundation for a practice that is equally conceptual and hands-on. Early experiences with renowned figures like Arno Declercq and Federico Peri gave her a unique vantage point into contrasting design worlds. ‘Arno Declerq taught me to think of furniture as sculptural, almost like functional art. Federico Peri, on the other hand, showed me what it means to work at the level of global luxury brands, with an eye for finish and scale.’ 
From her studio in the Hollywood Hills, Camille started designing pieces that reflect the architectural landscape of California, while staying anchored to the craftsmanship she grew up with. ‘My designs are born in dialogue with place, but always made with Belgian hands.’ For these eclectic furniture pieces, she collaborated closely with artisans in her home country, often returning to Bruges for production, using noble materials like walnut, marble, and metal.
'Designing with time, with intention, and always with a direct connection to the materials’
Her contemporary sculptures deviate more from this style and represent a shift towards a more artisanal, tactile and introspective practice. This evolution defines much of her work: sculptural yet restrained, tactile but never ornamental. A single piece often acts as the starting point for a complete spatial composition. Her interiors and objects are not conceived separately; they inform and grow from one another. ‘From the object to the space, both processes are essential and feed each other.’ That said, the heart of her current work lies in sculpture and the hands-on craftsmanship the craftswoman performs entirely herself from start to finish. 
Deeply influenced by her travels and the cultural juxtapositions they bring, the artist’s design language continues to evolve. Though her portfolio is split between continents, Camille’s vision remains cohesive. Her studio is a reflection of movement — between countries, between disciplines, between ideas. Yet her goal is steady: ‘Eventually, I want to slow down, return to my own atelier, and focus fully on making. Designing with time, with intention, and always with a direct connection to the materials.’
Curious to discover more? Don’t miss our book ‘Craftswomen’! Photography by Thibault De Schepper, Cafeine and Camille De Prêtre
Text by Carolien Depamelaere