The Last Bow.
Back in 2019, as the world of CAMPERLAB was beginning to find its footing, Achilles Ion Gabriel entered the brand and gradually established a revolutionary creative vision. You’ve undoubtedly seen it: the chunky sneaker silhouettes and the raw, brutalist energy that took over the fashion world—from Shanghai to Mallorca, where the brand was originally founded.
The Finnish designer traded the cold climates of Finland and Paris for the warm Spanish breeze, a move that helped him discover new creative approaches while also shaping his personal evolution. Designing for a brand with such deep heritage is never simple, especially in an industry defined by constant chaos. Yet within that environment, Achilles found confidence, and, more importantly, a team that empowered him to push CAMPERLAB toward a brutalist, raver-inspired, and disruptive identity.
Fashion moves faster than almost any other industry, and news of his departure as Creative Director broke just one day after this interview, inevitably shifting the meaning of the conversation. On the eve of CAMPERLAB’s biggest collection to date—set to debut tomorrow at Paris Fashion Week—PAUSE sits down with Achilles Ion Gabriel to offer an exclusive glimpse into the Fall/Winter 2026 collection, its projects, and, most importantly, his own creative language.
PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of CAMPER
Hello Achilles, how are you? How is 2026 starting off for you, particularly in the lead-up to the upcoming CAMPERLAB show?
I’m genuinely in a very good place. Last year I made some deep changes in how I live and work, and things feel unusually clear in my head. I started preparing the show details from Marrakech by connecting online with the team, then worked closely together in person on styling in Mallorca, and now we’re in Paris finishing the casting and final details. I feel calm going into this moment, because the work has been done carefully for this collection and with trust in the people around me.
With Fashion Week approaching, how are you feeling during this intense period of preparation?
I enjoy it. Earlier in my career I was more affected by the chaos, but over time you learn how to stay steady inside it. The intensity is still there, but it no longer overwhelms me. I know what needs to be done, and I know how to do it. That confidence comes from experience and from having faced these moments many times before.
CAMPERLAB has built a very strong and distinct identity over recent seasons, from collections to flagship spaces. How do you ensure that vision remains cohesive across all touchpoints of the brand?
The foundation has been built very carefully over the years. CAMPERLAB now has a clear identity, strong codes, and a shared language. After this show, the creative direction will continue with the team. Lauri and Maria, whom I’m very close to, will be leading the next chapter. I trust them deeply. That continuity was always important to me.
How does the preparation of a collection begin and come together for you creatively?
This show is especially meaningful to me. It’s inspired by my childhood in Lapland, so it feels like a return to something very honest. It’s also my final show for CAMPERLAB, which makes the moment emotional, but in a very grounded way. I would also like to express deep gratitude to my entire CAMPERLAB team. Lauri, with whom I first worked more than a decade ago and with whom we started shaping CAMPERLAB into what it is today. And Maria, whom I have worked with for many years as well, she was design director for my own brand and is now doing the same for CAMPERLAB. And of course Emanuela, art director and close friend, will continue. Knowing when to step back and let others lead is also part of building something that lasts.
CAMPERLAB operates within a brand universe that carries legacy while pushing experimentation. What has been the biggest challenge in maintaining that balance?
Time. Conceptually and strategically, the work comes quite naturally to me. The real challenge is the level of involvement. When you care deeply, the weeks easily turn into very long ones. Maintaining that intensity over years requires discipline and honesty with yourself. Learning how to manage that energy has been essential for staying clear and effective.
What does your daily routine look like when you’re working on a collection?
There really isn’t a fixed routine. Each day is different. It moves between strategy, commercial discussions, design work, fittings, shoots, research, press, collaborations, and all the unexpected things that come with running a brand. What makes it possible is the team. My creative assistant Lara and my operational assistant Jaime keep everything moving smoothly. Having the right people around you is non-negotiable.
CAMPERLAB has developed a very recognisable language. How would you define its identity today?
As for the identity, CAMPERLAB today feels confident, raw, and precise. It knows where it comes from and isn’t afraid to be misunderstood. That clarity allows us to make decisions quickly without losing depth or intention.
You once shared the idea that those who claim they “don’t follow fashion” are often the most intentional dressers. How does intentionality play a role in your approach to the brand?
Very much so. I think intentionality is essential, even if it doesn’t look that way on the surface. I like things to feel accidental, but in reality I overthink almost everything. The trick is making that thinking invisible. When it works, the result feels effortless rather than controlled.
As a creative director, how do you continue to stay inspired while keeping the brand forward- thinking and uncompromised?
I’m endlessly curious. I read a lot, research constantly, design, redesign, and sometimes spend days on a single detail. I’m not attached to outcomes. I can let go of something I love if it no longer serves the brand. I’m also not afraid of compromise when it makes sense. What I’m firm about are values and vision. Everything else is open for discussion. I’ve learned that if I keep evolving myself, the work follows naturally. That balance between flexibility and conviction has guided most of my decisions.
Looking back at last season, particularly the distressed materials and bold silhouettes, how do you reflect on that collection today?
The upcoming collection is very much core CAMPERLAB. The language is the same, but instead of staying in the darker end of the spectrum, we’re moving toward light. The vision hasn’t changed, only the direction of energy. It feels like a natural progression rather than a departure.
There’s a rawness to CAMPERLAB that feels very intentional. How important is imperfection in your creative process?
Perfection has never interested me. I’m much more drawn to things that feel alive. Especially now, when everything is filtered, polished, and artificially optimised, imperfection feels honest. It creates space for emotion and for truth. That honesty is what allows people to connect to the work on a deeper level.
You were recently in Shanghai, a market that feels especially aligned with CAMPERLAB’s futuristic and experimental energy. Do you see Asia playing a larger role in the brand’s future?
Absolutely. Asia has a sensitivity and openness that aligns very naturally with CAMPERLAB’s experimental side. It will continue to be an important dialogue. There is a shared curiosity that makes the exchange feel meaningful rather than strategic.
Footwear plays a central role, with silhouettes constantly evolving. How do you approach innovation without repeating yourself?
Not everything needs to change. When something works, repetition can be powerful. It also encourages people to build a relationship with pieces over time. Fashion doesn’t need to be about constant replacement. It can be about attachment. That mindset creates longevity rather than urgency.
Now lets talk about the F/W 26 collection, take us into your biggest collection for CAMPERLAB to date…
The biggest, and the last from me. It felt important to end with something quite personal.
What has defined this season creatively?
Familiarity. Things I once tried to hide. I grew up in rural Lapland, with very little, and for a long time I avoided talking about that. I wanted distance from it. Now I see it differently. That background shaped me, and I’m proud of it. This collection is about accepting that fully. It feels like closing a chapter with honesty. There’s a sense of relief in no longer trying to edit where you come from.
What part of the upcoming collection felt the most risky for you?
Its honesty. Letting something be that personal always feels exposed. I’m learning to care less about how things are received and more about whether they’re true. That shift has been important for my growth as a designer and as a person.
If you could pick only one garment from this collection which one would be and why?
The combat boots. They carry the weight of the whole collection. They feel grounded, protective, and uncompromising.
How do you envision 2026 shaping up for CAMPERLAB?
I hope it continues to grow, evolve, and surprise, even without me. That’s the real sign of something being well built. Seeing it stand on its own would be the greatest validation.
And for Achilles?
I’m just getting started. With more clarity and calm than ever before. Thank you for asking.
PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of CAMPER
